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Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister Lauds Work of Customs Officers

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#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.”

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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.”

DPM(1)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.

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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)

 

 

 

 

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Royal Caribbean Club in The Bahamas started after delays

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#TheBahamas#RoyalCaribbean, April 23, 2024- After being delayed following its announcement in 2020, Royal Caribbean’s new 17 acre Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, is now in the works and is scheduled to be ready for 2025, according to reports. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Monday April 22, signifying the start of construction in the next few months. This project is huge for The Bahamas as it’s a first of kind for the nation, with a unique public private partnership allowing Bahamians to hold up to 49 percent in equity.

 

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Nassau Cruise Port Donates Nearly $2 Million Towards Food Security

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Nassau, Bahamas: The Nassau Cruise Port has donated $1.95 million towards
projects that will assist the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources in its aim
to increase food security for The Bahamas.

The donation officially occurred at the Ministry’s offices recently, where Minister
of Agriculture and Marine Resources Hon. Jomo Campbell, Minister of Labour
Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle, Permanent Secretary Neil Campbell and Nassau Cruise
Port CEO Mike Maura listened to a number of presentations including one for a
poultry programme for schools, a chicken broiler production programme, the
redevelopment of the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market and an Authentic
Bahamian Cultural Concept Store,

Mr. Maura said he was impressed by the presentations.

“I had the privilege to listen the presentations and review presentations that
touched on food security and the need for us to be self-sufficient, which as a
Bahamian I support completely. At the Nassau Cruise Port, we get excited
about the prospects of offering more authentic food to the millions of visitors
that we have each year,” he said.

“And then, in addition to that, we had presentations around the further
development of our artisans, which is so important to us as well. The guests
visiting our shores are looking for something that really touches The Bahamas
and can’t be found somewhere else. The Nassau Cruise Port has made a pledge to BAIC and its affiliates. We will be supporting the projects that were presented and we can’t wait to get started.”

Minister Glover-Rolle, who is also the Member of Parliament for Golden Gates,
hailed Nassau Cruise Port as a “great community partner.”

“Thank you for the opportunity to not only present but agreeing to participate.
Our Minister of Agriculture has a goal of reducing food imports by 25 percent by
the year 2025 and our project in the Golden Gates Community speaks to that,”
she said.

“We have a number of backyard farmers, farmers and fishers in our community
in Golden Gates. Being able to use the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market, which is
going to be dubbed the ‘Fish Fry of the South,’ as a hub for food security but
also a hub where artisans and handicraft persons can come and sell their wares
is wonderful. So, we are happy that you have agreed to partner with us and we
look forward to a partnership and we hope to welcome some of your visitors
when this amazing renovation is done.”

Minister Campbell also lauded the Nassau Cruise Port for its efforts.

“I would like to say thank you to the presenters for the presentations that are
several steps in the right direction for our country, to Mr. Maura and his board at
the Nassau Cruise Port and I would like to say thanks to God for this partnership
and bringing us all together as we move forward, upward, together in building a
better, brighter, future for The Bahamas,” he said.

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Career Symposium 2024 Connects University Students with Successful Professionals

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Nassau, THE BAHAMAS — Some of the most successful and accomplished professionals and business leaders in the country recently shared their experiences and nuggets of wisdom with students at University of The Bahamas (UB) about thriving in a wide range of careers.

The University Centre for Counselling and Career Services and the Career and Job Placement Advisory Unit collaborated to host the 2024 Career Symposium which brought students face to face with leaders in the careers to which they aspire.

Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Oriakhi, said the symposium was key to developing potential as university students strive to leave their mark on the world.

Ms. Rickell Curry

“In the spirit of collaboration and growth, let us engage in meaningful dialogue, cultivate relationships, and harness the power of collective wisdom to shape our futures,” said Dr. Oriakhi. “Together, let us embark on this journey of exploration and discovery, united in our commitment to realizing our fullest potential and making meaningful contributions to our communities and beyond.”

Promoting careers in psychology, Ms. Curry noted that psychologists are equipped with the ability to help others, troubleshoot areas of weakness within themselves, and become better people and professionals in the process.

“The floor is yours to be able to explore. There’s no job where you don’t have to deal with people, so learning, even if you get a bachelor’s in psychology, is a great grounding,” she said.

Dr. Darville, one of few interventional radiologists in The Bahamas, offered another nugget of advice on choosing an area of study.

Dr. Elizabeth Darville

“It is important to know enough about yourself in order to make the decisions you want to make,” said Dr. Darville. “You have to work on yourself first and know what you want to do. Radiology gives you a chance to have fun. It gives you a chance to mold your career closer to your personal life than other medical specialties might.”

Another growing field is project management which Mr. Hepburn called a life skill. He also urged a commitment to lifelong learning.

“Individuals that continue to learn become unstoppable, period,” said Mr. Hepburn. “It is so true. When you learn, you become unstoppable because nothing can stop you in your process of development.

Mr. Wellington Hepburn

“The more you know, the more valuable you are. We need individuals who are cross functional—that can operate in different capacities. So please understand that your learning should never stop.”

With small and medium-sized businesses helping to drive the economy at an incredible rate, Ms. Rolle affirmed the importance of entrepreneurship in any economy.

“When we talk about entrepreneurship, we usually look at it from a myopic standpoint,” she said. Ms. Rolle. “What do I mean by that? Small, but usually about self: ‘how do I make more money?’ And in some cases, some look at entrepreneurship as a way of survival. ‘I need to make a couple extra dollars, I have this bill to pay’. Those types of things.

Ms. Samantha Rolle

“But entrepreneurship really, in its truest form, is about innovation, whether it’s a new concept or any existing concept that you innovate new ways, or help expand the economy.”

The career symposium was held at the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre and is held every academic year.

 

PHOTO CAPTIONS

 

  • Career Symposium 1: UB Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Oriakhi, delivers the opening address at the 2024 Career Symposium.
  • Career Symposium 2: Students and guest speakers enjoy a lighthearted moment during the 2024 Career Symposium.
  • Career Symposium 3: Ms. Rickell Curry speaks to students during the 2024 Career Symposium.
  • Career Symposium 4: Dr. Elizabeth Darville delivers remarks during the 2024 Career Symposium.
  • Career Symposium 5: Mr. Wellington Hepburn educates students on the importance of project management during the 2024 Career Symposium.
  • Career Symposium 6: Ms. Samantha Rolle talks about the role and importance of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in any economy.

 

Office of University Relations

University of The Bahamas

2nd Floor, Michael H. Eldon Complex

Oakes Field Campus

P.O. Box N-4912

Nassau, The Bahamas

Tel: (242) 302-4355/4354/4365

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