Bahamas News
29th International Customs Day Celebrations in Grand Bahama
#Bahamas, January 24, 2018 – Grand Bahama – The World Customs Organization (WCO) has over 177 Customs Administration members of which Bahamas Customs has been a member since 1974 and has benefited from technical expertise and advice. Gregory Jones, Assistant Comptroller of Customs with responsibility for the Grand Bahama District, said, “This year we will celebrate our International Customs Day, under the theme “A Secure Business Environment for Economic Development.
“According to the World Customs Organization Secretariat, ‘secure’ means an environment that is enabling, safe, fair and sustainable, all wrapped into one.
“Members of the WCO are encouraged to look at how they can create an environment for businesses that will foster their participation in cross-border trade, and ultimately, how they can best serve the people, and empower entrepreneurs.”
In Grand Bahama, the Customs Department will host the 3rd Northern Bahamas Long Service Awards and World Customs Organization Certificate of Merit Awards Ceremony, which will be held on Wednesday 24th January 2018, at 7pm at A Social Affair Convention Center off East Sunrise Highway, Freeport, Grand Bahama.
Among invited guests will be Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest, and Comptroller of Customs Dr. Geanine Moss.
Topping the list for World Customs Organization Certificate of Merit Awards 2018 are:
Chief Customs Revenue Officer – Deborah Bootle
Cashier – Joan Scott
Topping the list of 16 Officers and Non-Uniformed Staff who will be honoured for long service:
Senior Customs/Revenue Officer – Pamela Williams – 30 years
Senior Customs/Revenue Officer – Miriam Fernander – 30 years
Senior Customs/Revenue Officer – Renia Predelus – 30 years
Senior Customs/Revenue Officer – Carnetta Farrington – 30 years
Senior Customs/Revenue Officer – Robert Julian – 30 years
Senior Customs/Revenue Officer – Linda Brown – 30 years
Customs/Revenue Officer II – Ellarese Thompson
Customs/Revenue Officer II – Terence Ferguson
Customs/Revenue Officer II – Verdell Russell
Senior Customs Guard – Herbert Rahming
Senior Executive Officer – Cheryl Whymns
Executive Officer – Ann Francis – 30 years
Chief Registry Clerk – Gwendolyn Henfield – 30 years
Customs/Revenue Officer I – 20 years Janell Heild
Customs/Revenue Officer I – 20 years Keva Powell –Williams
Telephonist I – 20 years
Other activities will include: 28th January – Church Service at Calvary Temple, Clive Avenue at 10am.
Jan. 29th – Feb. 2nd — A Customs Digital Exhibition will be held in the foyer of C. A. Smith Complex from 10am – 3pm.
16th February – Customs Staff will engage in Community Services by donating cleaning supplies and provide lunch and interact with the Senior Citizens at Home Away from Home Center for the Aged, located on 30 Amberjack Street, Caravel Beach between 11am – 2pm.
19th February – second community service will be at the Genesis Academy Trip Circle between 11am – 11pm where some of the male officers will assist with mentoring the young men there, and Customs Revenue Officer II Wenito Bootle will give a brief motivational speech. Other visits will follow.
“To ensure that our staff speak with one voice as they relate to the customs laws we will engage our staff in seminars and frequent briefings,” said Assistant Comptroller Jones.
“Further, to enhance our relationship with our stakeholders, particularly, the couriers and licensees, we will commence with two fora and others as needed.
“February 28th 2018 – Sessions for Couriers and Shipping & Airline Agents, Customs Brokers, 4pm-6pm, Room #3 C.A. Smith Complex.
“March 1st 2018 – Session with licensees who are Contractors, Manufacturers/or Custom’s Brokers associated with them.
Mr. Jones noted: “According to the WCO Secretariat, Evidence-based research, recognized internationally, clearly shows that Customs can contribute to making the business environment more ”enabling”, or in other words, more stable and predictable by, for example, streaming procedures, tackling corruption, enhancing, integrity and facilitation of legitimate trade.”
Mr. Jones said Bahamas Customs is also mindful of the need to ensure safety within the business environment. “But some threats come from within the trade itself, such as shipment of illicit goods, invoice fraud and smuggling of goods into the country to evade customs and taxes.
“Despite some of the challenges, concerns and criticisms that may come from our stakeholders, the Customs Department remains committed to resolving problems that may arise. After all we want to partner with our stakeholders to ensure that customs laws, regulations and policies are explained and understood before implementation,” he stated.
He concluded: “On behalf of the Comptroller of Customs, the Executive team and entire staff of Grand Bahama and Walker’s Cay, we take this opportunity to thank all of our stakeholders including members of the public for their support and the media for their presence and coverage of this occasion and the other activities to follow.”
Mr. Jones also offered special thanks to the committee that is responsible for organizing the Customs International Day Celebrations namely:
Chief Customs Revenue Officers Marsha Stubbs
Customs/Revenue Officer II Equianna Johnson
Customs/Revenue Officer II Keva Dames
Customs/Revenue Officer II Latonia Cash
Trainee Customs/Revenue Officer Alexander Burrows II
Senior Accounts Clerk Monique Rampersad
Register Clerk Karon Deveaux
Assistant Cashier Claudine Lightbourne
“Once again we thank all of you and we pray that 2018 be a great year for the Customs Department and our stakeholders,” he said.
By: Simon Lewis
Photo caption: Gregory Jones, Assistant Comptroller of Customs with responsibility for the Grand Bahama District is pictured seated centre along with other members of the planning committee as they announced plans for the 29th International Customs Day Celebrations on Grand Bahama during a press conference at Customs Headquarters in the C.A. Smith Complex on Monday, January 22, 2018.
(BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)
The Bahamas, March 30, 2026 – The voice of a proud mother captured the spirit of a nation Monday night, as Bendra Rolle shared heartfelt reflections on the overwhelming Bahamian support for her son, VJ Edgecombe, during the Philadelphia 76ers matchup against the Miami Heat in Miami.
“The patriotic support and scenery at my son, VJ Edgecombe’s NBA game… was overwhelming,” Rolle said in a statement issued following the game. “The arena in Miami was lit. Bimini and the Bahamas showed up and showed out.”
Her words come amid what has already been widely described as a remarkable showing of national pride, with Bahamians traveling in large
numbers to South Florida to witness the young guard’s continued rise. For Rolle, however, the moment extended far beyond basketball.
“Beyond VJ’s basketball talents, I’m so moved by his magnetic personality and personal journey to inspire and excite an entire nation—our beloved Bahamas,” she said. “I thank God for VJ’s humility and for his hunger for greatness. He never forgets how far God has brought us.”
While the Sixers did not secure the win on the night, Edgecombe delivered a solid individual performance, finishing with 13 points and five assists. He made an early impact on the game, showing confidence and poise before foul trouble disrupted his rhythm, but still managed to leave his mark in meaningful minutes.
The game itself evolved into a cultural showcase, with Bahamian flags waving throughout the arena and chants ringing out in support of Edgecombe. Much of that presence was bolstered by a coordinated travel push from Bahamasair, which helped facilitate fan travel and added to the electric atmosphere in Miami.
Rolle said the emotional weight of the moment was deeply felt by her family, as they witnessed firsthand the unity and pride of the Bahamian people.
“Thanks and love for the tears and overwhelming joy on Monday, Bahamas,” she expressed. “The Bahamian flags were love, loud, and proud. On my own behalf, VJ, and the entire family, I am ever grateful for the indescribable experience.”
Her closing words underscored what many have described as the true victory of the night—not the final score, but the powerful display of national pride and support surrounding one of The Bahamas’ rising stars.
PHOTO BY SIXERS NATION
Bahamian pride is already on full display in South Florida, with fans arriving in strong numbers ahead of tonight’s highly anticipated NBA matchup featuring VJ Edgecombe and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Helping to power that movement was Bahamasair, which rolled out a strategic promotion to facilitate travel, turning the game into a full-scale national showing.
And the celebration started early.
A “Bahamas Invades Florida” pre-party over the weekend set the tone, with Bahamian fans, DJs and supporters converging in Fort
Lauderdale to build momentum ahead of the game. The event, marketed as a major cultural gathering, has spilled into Miami, where a strong Bahamian presence is expected inside the arena tonight.
This is no ordinary road game.
The Sixers enter the matchup healthy and are favoured to win, adding to the anticipation surrounding what many expect to be a standout performance by the Biminite guard.
Edgecombe, the third overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has been electric in his rookie season — delivering high-scoring performances and quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s most exciting young talents.
But beyond the stats, it’s the moment that matters.
With South Florida just a short flight away, Bahamians have seized the opportunity to show up in force — flags, energy and all — transforming the game into something far bigger than basketball.
A national turnout.
A rising star.
And a night where the Bahamas is expected to be felt — from tip-off to final buzzer.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
The Bahamas, March 18, 2026 – Twenty days into the latest Middle East escalation, the United Nations is warning the conflict is spreading beyond its original battlefield, as the death toll rises and governments around the world issue urgent travel advisories — including The Bahamas.
In a March 17 statement, the UN Secretary-General’s office said the war must stop and called for all Security Council resolutions to be respected, noting with concern that countries in the Gulf continue to be targeted, raising fears of a wider regional confrontation.
The current round of fighting began February 28 with strikes involving the United States, Israel and Iranian-linked forces, followed by missile and drone attacks across Iraq, Lebanon and parts of the Gulf.
International monitors report more than 1,300 people killed in Iran alone, with additional casualties reported in Lebanon, Israel and Gulf states. U.S. officials confirm at least 13 American service members have died since the escalation began, while reports indicate additional senior Iranian military leaders were killed in recent strikes.
Despite the growing violence, several NATO countries including the United Kingdom, France and Germany have not joined offensive operations, instead calling for diplomacy to prevent the conflict from widening.
The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also issued a travel advisory, warning Bahamian nationals to avoid travel to Israel, Palestine, Iran and Lebanon and to reconsider travel across much of the Gulf region due to the risk of sudden escalation, flight disruptions and security threats.
Officials say Bahamians already in the region should remain vigilant and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
-
News5 days agoPassword to Paradise Radio Remotes at Beaches Turks & Caicos continue to highlight the TCI as the preferred Caribbean destination
-
News6 days agoBeaches Turks & Caicos adds four new PADI Dive Instructors to the cadre of professionals in the watersports department
-
News6 days agoBeaches Turks & Caicos shares fine dining experiences to high school students in Providenciales
-
Bahamas News4 days agoBahamasair Backs Surge as Bahamians Flood South Florida for V.J. Edgecombe Showdown
-
Uncategorized1 week agoISU Future Creators Challenge Celebrates Youth Creativity and Intellect
-
News1 week agoFlow TCI supports ‘Stars of Tomorrow’ at Inter-Primary Track and Field Championships
-
News1 week agoThe Turks and Caicos Islands Featured in Top Canadian Publications
-
News4 days ago50 Years of Ministerial Government: Cabinet Moves to Mark Milestone Rooted in 1976 Constitution