Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Oban Energies Commits to Environmental Preservation, Education, Research, Housing
#Bahamas, February 23, 2018 – Nassau – Officials of Oban Energies said Monday that the company will continue to engage the East Grand Bahama community in meaningful ways as it proceeds towards the completion of the approval process and commencement of their $4 billion investment in East Grand Bahama.
This includes continued support of training and education, the environment, community projects, and the local supplier and local employment programmes established by the company.
It also includes investment in the area of research. As per the Heads of Agreement, Oban Energies will also provide an amount equal to $150,000 to an accredited research institute as may be mutually selected by the Government and the Developer (Oban). The payment shall be made 12 months after the commencement of construction of the Terminal and/or Oil Refinery.
The company will also contribute $100,000 per annum to be used for community projects and the development of East Grand Bahama. A Community Advisory Board will be established to determine the use of the funds.
Executives of Oban Energies and officials from the Government of The Bahamas signed the Heads of Agreement for the proposed $4 billion project Monday, February 19, 2018 at the Office of the Prime Minister, Cecil V. Wallace-Whitfield Centre, Cable Beach, paving the way for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.
The EIA, already underway, will ensure that the project proceeds in an environmentally safe and sustainable manner.
Peter Krieger, Non-Executive Chairman of Oban Energies, LLC said the environmental studies will be led by a local consulting firm “that has a personal desire and passion to protect the environment.”
“Of course none of this would be beneficial unless we respect and preserve the environment. Our desire to preserve the environment is critical and aligned to our integrity.
“In this regard a significant investment has already been made to understand and mitigate environmental impacts.”
Mr. Krieger said the company will also launch a housing programme that will not only provide habitation for workers during the construction period, but also provide long-term housing for up to 200 Bahamian residents — post construction. The local supplier programme, Mr. Krieger said, will ensure that there is a direct financial investment into the local community and will commit the company’s suppliers to use local talent.
“Our employment programme will preserve 80% of jobs for local people. These jobs will be long-term, sustainable and underpinned by training programmes.” He explained — training and education include a commitment to invest into local universities, and provide on-the-job programmes of instruction such as vocational apprenticeships and management trainee initiatives.
“Our housing programme,” he said, “will not only house workers during the construction period, but will also provide long-term housing for up to 200 residents post construction. These homes are reserved exclusively for local residents. Local housing creates local communities and we will support these communities by committing to invest in local community projects,” Mr. Krieger added.
Mr. Krieger said the company, its shareholders, management team and strategic partners, have worked “extremely hard” over the past two years to make the project a reality and to ensure that the local community receives direct benefits.
“During this time, our company policy has been to engage and deliver benefits to the local community and we have achieved this through the engagement of local suppliers, partners and advisors.
“As we move this project to the next stage, I hereby make a commitment to continue our local supplier and local employment programmes, and I further commit to implement a programme for housing and to develop the skills of our workforce,” Mr. Krieger said.
Phase 1 of the Project requires a $1.5 billion investment for development, construction, and start-up operations. The Project will provide storage tankage for crude oils, residual fuel oils, middle and light distillates, specialty vegetable oils and heavy oils, and will consider all other bulk liquid storage requests and will launch with an initial capacity of four million barrels, with plans to expand capacity to 20 million barrels by year four of facility operation.
By: Matt Maura (BIS)
Photo Caption: Peter Krieger, Non-Executive Chairman of Oban Energies, addressing members of the media following Monday’s (February 19, 2018) signing of the Heads of Agreement between the Government of The Bahamas and Oban Energies, LLC at the Office of the Prime Minister, Cecil V. Wallace-Whitfield Centre, Cable Beach.
(Photo/Yontalay Bowe, OPM Media Services)
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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