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)
The Rick Fox Political Timeline
“Are You Thinking About Politics?”
Fox publicly acknowledged growing calls for him to enter Bahamian politics, saying he had been hearing from women, youth, business owners and everyday Bahamians who were “ready for something different.”
October 19, 2025
“Then Jump, Man.”
Fox revealed a conversation with NBA legend Michael Jordan, who encouraged him to enter politics after asking whether he believed he could help young Bahamians.
November 24, 2025
“The Bahamas Must Be First”
Fox officially announced his intention to run in the 2026 General Election, promising transparency, affordability, opportunity and a modern Bahamian economy.
February 4, 2026
“Officially Picked”
The Free National Movement formally ratified Fox as its candidate for Garden Hills, instantly making him one of the most talked-about figures in the election cycle.
March 20, 2026
“From Courtside to Campaign Stage”
Fox mounted the national campaign stage for the first time at the FNM’s major campaign launch at Baha Mar Resort in Nassau.
March 30, 2026
“I’m Giving The Salary Back”
Fox announced he would not take a parliamentary salary if elected, saying the funds should instead go back into helping the people of
Garden Hills.
April 14, 2026
“Nomination Eve Goes Viral”
A heated confrontation involving Fox and PLP supporters outside the Parliamentary Registration Department exploded across social media after video captured the tense exchange.
April 16, 2026
“Pick Rick” Officially Launches
Nomination Day cemented Fox’s candidacy and formally launched the now-famous “Pick Rick” campaign branding.
April 19, 2026
“Vote and Win”
Jamiah Burrows won a vehicle through Fox’s civic participation challenge, part of a campaign effort encouraging voter engagement and turnout.
April 20, 2026
“The Wealthiest Candidate”
Financial disclosures revealed Fox as the wealthiest candidate in the 2026 election cycle, with reported assets exceeding $469 million, ending speculation about his financial standing.
April 25, 2026
“The Garden Hills Blueprint”
Fox unveiled detailed policy graphics outlining plans for:
- youth development,
- healthcare access,
- infrastructure upgrades,
- environmental restoration,
- entrepreneurship,
- and a proposed $10 million investment fund for Garden Hills.
May 4, 2026
“The Numbers Don’t Lie”
Fox’s campaign highlighted more than:
- 20 community clean-ups,
- 16 streets and locations served,
- and 13 solar lights installed across Garden Hills during the campaign.
May 6, 2026
“Shaq Steps In”
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal publicly endorsed Fox, helping elevate international attention surrounding the campaign.
May 8, 2026
“Buju Backs Rick”
Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton threw his support behind Fox ahead of Election Day.
May 10, 2026
“Vanessa Williams Endorses”
Fox’s former wife, actress and singer Vanessa Williams publicly endorsed his campaign.
May 11, 2026
“Magic Joins the Campaign”
NBA icon Magic Johnson became the latest major celebrity to endorse Fox just one day before Bahamians went to the polls.
May 12, 2026
“Election Day”
Fox contested the Garden Hills constituency seat against PLP incumbent Mario Bowleg in one of the country’s most closely watched races.
May 13, 2026
“Grace in Defeat”
Fox publicly conceded the race and congratulated Bowleg on his victory in Garden Hills.
May 18, 2026
“We Pick Rick”
Despite losing at the polls, Fox officially entered Parliament after being appointed to the Senate by the FNM — with the party itself declaring:
“We Pick Rick.”
The appointment made Fox one of the most internationally recognized figures ever to serve in the Bahamian Senate.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
Bahamas News
First Woman to Lead Tourism Ministry: Glenys Hanna-Martin Takes On Bahamas’ Leading Industry
The Bahamas, May 22, 2026 – Veteran parliamentarian Glenys Hanna-Martin has made history, becoming the first woman to lead the Ministry of Tourism in The Bahamas — assuming responsibility for the country’s most important economic engine 62 years after tourism first gained Cabinet-level representation.
Tourism received its first Cabinet minister on January 7, 1964, when Sir Stafford Sands was appointed Minister of Finance and Tourism,
helping shape what would become the dominant pillar of the Bahamian economy.
Now, six decades later, Hanna-Martin steps into the role as the nation’s first female Tourism Minister.
The longtime Englerston Member of Parliament moves into the powerful portfolio following years overseeing education and after building one of the most enduring political careers in modern Bahamian history.
Hanna-Martin is widely regarded as the country’s longest-serving female MP, having represented Englerston continuously since 2002.
Her appointment comes at a critical moment for the tourism sector, which continues to drive employment, foreign exchange earnings, hotel development, cruise expansion and airlift growth across the archipelago.
The scale of the industry she now oversees is staggering.
According to tourism and government data, The Bahamas welcomed a record 12.5 million visitors in 2025, including roughly 10.8 million cruise passengers and 1.7 million air arrivals.
Tourism is estimated to generate roughly 70 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product and employs more than half of the Bahamian workforce either directly or indirectly.
The industry also continues to fuel massive hotel and resort expansion projects across Nassau, Grand Bahama and the Family Islands, while
helping sustain airlift partnerships, cruise port investments and vacation rental growth.
The Ministry of Tourism is widely viewed as one of the most influential assignments in any Bahamian Cabinet because of its direct connection to the nation’s economic stability and international image.
And while regional competition intensifies across the Caribbean, The Bahamas remains one of the world’s most recognized island tourism brands.
Hanna-Martin now inherits responsibility for protecting and expanding that position.
Her political career has already included several barrier-breaking milestones, including becoming the first female chairman of a major political party in The Bahamas and the first female Minister of Transport and Aviation.
Now, she adds another first to her legacy.
For many observers, the significance of the moment extends well beyond symbolism.
Tourism is not simply another ministry.
It is the heartbeat of the Bahamian economy.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
Bahamas News
“Politician-1” Frenzy Intensifies After Plane Crash Survivor Allegedly Misses US Court Appearance
The Bahamas, May 22, 2026 – Questions and speculation intensified across The Bahamas Thursday night after Eyewitness News reported that Jonathan Eric Gardiner — the Election Day plane crash survivor now accused in a major international cocaine trafficking conspiracy — was allegedly a no-show for a scheduled US court appearance.
The latest development adds yet another dramatic twist to a case that has already pushed the country into political and social fever pitch.
Gardiner first appeared in federal court in Orlando on May 15 following his arrest on a New York federal warrant tied to a DEA investigation into alleged cocaine trafficking operations running through The Bahamas into the United States.
But the case exploded nationally after US federal affidavits repeatedly referenced an unnamed Bahamian political figure identified only as: “Politician-1.”
The filings allege meetings connected to a proposed cocaine shipment and references to political protection for trafficking operations.
No politician has been publicly identified by US prosecutors.
Still, the mystery has consumed the Bahamian public.
Talk shows, social media timelines, Parliament corridors and street corners have erupted with demands for answers, including headlines declaring: “TELL US WHO IS POLITICIAN 1.”
Public speculation has centered heavily around West End MP Kingsley Smith, who has denied any involvement in drug trafficking or cartel activity.
The controversy became so intense this week that Smith was reportedly heckled inside Parliament while taking his official oath of office.
Adding to the surreal nature of the case are reports carried by The Tribune that some passengers aboard the doomed flight were ordinary Bahamians trying to return home to vote after missing another flight connection on Election Day.
What began as a dramatic survival story involving 11 rescued passengers floating in waters off Florida has now transformed into a sprawling scandal involving alleged drug trafficking, political intrigue, DEA affidavits and mounting national anxiety.
The Tribune has also reported alleged links between Gardiner and construction-related business dealings, while US court documents reportedly describe cash-filled envelopes labeled for “Politician-1” in language investigators viewed as consistent with narcotics payment structures.
For many Bahamians, the story now feels almost unbelievable: an Election Day plane crash, an accused drug kingpin, references to Parliament, public outrage and now questions surrounding an alleged missed US court appearance.
And with official answers still limited, the fever surrounding “Politician-1” appears only to be growing.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
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