Bahamas News
Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister Lauds Work of Customs Officers
#Bahamas, January 29, 2018 – Nassau – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest on Wednesday, applauded the work of Customs Officers being honoured in special ceremonies, and noted they were appreciated for their years of dedication and sacrifice.
The 3rd Northern Bahamas Long Service Awards and World Customs Organization Certificate of Merit Awards Ceremony was held at A Social Affair, where officers serving 30 and 20 years were recognized for their contribution. Two employees: Chief Customs/Revenue Officer, Mrs. Deborah Bootle; and Cashier, Mrs. Joan Scott, were also awarded the World Customs Organization-Certificate of Merit Award 2018.
The honourees, he said, have given their time and careers to advancing the Department to where it is. “Tonight, we are here to celebrate and honour these distinguished men and women who have given significantly of their time, their careers, and their youthful energy to forwarding this Department to the level of professionalism that we enjoy today.”
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that most of the honourees served in various capacities in the Department and in different locations during their tenure with great sacrifice to themselves and their families. “We know, that as a government, we could never adequately compensate them for that and so the least we can do is to recognize and honour them for that sacrifice.”
He said he was pleased to participate in the event to show appreciation to the officers, as a citizen of the country, but as also the representative of the government with responsibility for the Department of Customs, to let them know how much their service to the country is appreciated.
Also addressing the gathering was Comptroller of Customs, Dr. Geanine Moss who said those being honoured have completed a lifetime of service to the Customs Department.
“All of you are worthy of these accolades as you have weathered the many storms at Customs over these many long years. Twenty years is a long time, 30 years on any job today is a phenomenal feat. Your dedication, commitment and persistence has led to a better organization.”
Stating that the Department has a bright future, Dr. Moss added, “Your shoulders are the shoulders that our young officers have to climb onto to propel this Department forward. Uplift them, motivate them and they will be able to glean from your experiences and thrust forward.
“They are the new technological era. We are the voice of wisdom. In order to develop economically, changes must come. This Department has begun its metamorphosis and as the business environment grows, we have to be ready.”
Dr. Moss noted that because of the honourees, the Department is ready for any changes that may come and said they were all deserving of being honoured.
Those honoured for 30 years were: Senior Customs/Revenue Officers Pamela Williams, Miriam Fernander, Reina Predelus, Carneta Farrington, Robert Julien and Linda Brown. Customs/Revenue Officers II Ellarese Thompson, Terrance Ferguson and Verdell Russell were also recognized. Senior Customs Guard Herbert Rahming; Senior Executive Officer, Cheryl Whymns; Executive Officer, Ann Francis; and Chief Registry Clerk, Gwendolyn Henfield were also honoured for 30 years of service.
Jannell Hield and Keva Powell-Williams, Customs/Revenue Officers I, along with Denise Rolle, Telephonist I were all recognized for 20 years of service.
The theme for the celebration is, “A Secure Business Environment for Economic Development” and will include other events such as a church service on Sunday at Calvary Temple on Clive Avenue at 10 am. A Customs Digital Exhibition will be held from Monday, January 29 to Wednesday, January 31 in the foyer of the C.A. Smith Complex from 10 am to 3 pm.
On February 16, Customs staff will engage in a community service activity by donating cleaning supplies to the senior citizens at the Home Away from Home Centre for the Aged on Amberjack Street in Caravel Beach. While there from 11 am to 2pm, they will also provide lunch and interact with the residents.
Some of the male officers will mentor the young men at Genesis Academy, Trip Circle, on February 19 between 11 am and 11 pm and while there, Customs Revenue Officer II, Wenito Bootle, will give a motivational speech.
Additionally, in an effort to enhance the relationship between Customs and relevant stakeholders, particularly couriers and licensees, two fora will be held: On February 28, a session for Couriers and Shipping and Airline Agents, as well as Customs Brokers will be held from 4 to 6 pm in Room 3 of the C.A. Smith Complex. On March 1, a session with Licensees who are contractors, manufacturers and Customs Brokers associated with them will be held.
The 29th International Customs Day will be held on Friday, January 26.
By: Robyn Adderley
Photo captions:
Header: Following the Bahamas Customs and Excise Department Longer Service and World Customs Organization Certificate of Merit Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 the honourees were photographed with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest; Dr. Geanine Moss, Comptroller of Customs; and other senior officials. Shown from left in the front row are: Pamela Williams, Senior Customs/Revenue Officer (30 years); Mrs. Deborah Bootle, Chief Customs/Revenue Officer, World Customs Organization Certificate of Merit Awardee 2018; Minister Turnquest; Dr. Moss; Gregory Jones, Customs Superintendent; and Larry Bodie, Customs Superintendent. Shown from left standing are: Keva Powell-Williams, Customs/Revenue Officer I (20 years); Jannell Hield, Customs/Revenue Officer I (20 years); Cheryl Whymns, Senior Executive Officer (30 years); Mrs. Joan Scott, Cashier, World Customs Organization Certificate of Merit Awardee 2018; Ann Francis, Executive Officer (30 years); Herbert Rahming, Senior Customs Guard (30 years); Reina Predelus, Senior Customs/Revenue Officer (30 years); Linda Brown, Senior Customs/Revenue Officer (30 years); Miriam Fernander, Senior Customs/Revenue Officer (30 years); Denise Rolle, Telephonist I (20 years); and Robert Julien, Senior Customs/Revenue Officer (30 years).
(BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)
Insert: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest, was the guest speaker during the Bahamas Customs and Excise Department Long Service and World Customs Organization Certificate of Merit Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, January 24, 2018. The event was held at A Social Affair and some 18 people were honouored.
(BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
