Bahamas News
DPM and Minister of State View Progress of Works Being Carried Out in East Grand Bahama
#Bahamas, February 27, 2018 – Grand Bahama – Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for East Grand Bahama, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest and Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson traded in their suits and ties, and bore the heat in order to get a closer view of the progress of works being carried out in East Grand Bahama.
On Friday, February 23, 2018, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of State, along with the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Harcourt Brown led a team of contractors and executives from the High Rock Township into High Rock and McLean’s Town to get updates on a series of government projects being carried out in those respective communities.
In spite of the long drive from Freeport to East End, Deputy Prime Minister Turnquest and Minister Thompson were excited to see the progress that is being made at the various project sites, including phase three of the potable water project; the McLean’s Town Housing Subdivision; and works being carried out at the new High Rock Memorial Park.
“From what we’ve seen, I think that tremendous progress has been made on these projects,” said Senator Thompson.
The Potable Water Project is in its third phase, and more residents in East Grand Bahama now have access to clean, running water. The team made a stop at one of the major well fields and got an update on how much work remains to be done to ensure that all of the residents of East End are able to take advantage of the new water system.
Minister Turnquest noted that most of the infrastructure is already in place with respect to the un-serviced areas, and there are some extensions that the water company talked about in order to put in a fire hydrant.
“As it stands now, we do not have fire hydrants in High Rock, which is one of the more populated areas in the east,” said Minister Turnquest.
“So if there is an event, the trucks would have to go all the way back by the missile base in order to get water. That’s time and money wasted. So with the fire hydrants, it would be an opportunity for us to provide this vital service to the High Rock community.”
The Minister said that there have been talks of acquiring mobile fire equipment to assist the community until bigger machines can come up. He noted that the installation of the fire hydrants would be a very necessary piece of infrastructure for the East End communities.
One of the major developments in East Grand Bahama is the new housing project in McLean’s Town.
At present, contractors are at the stage of trying to complete the infrastructural work – like the installation of water mains and the building of roads that will lead to 
the proposed subdivision.
The new subdivision is expected to have some 40 lots available along with a recreational park facility. There will also be space for commercial lots as well. “We think that this area is ideal for the housing program which the Prime Minister announced recently,” said Minister Thompson, while looking at the architectural plans for the new housing subdivision. “This program will ensure that residents get government lots for a very reasonable price. We also want to incentivize Bahamians.
“One of the beautiful things about the new housing subdivision in McLean’s Town is that it will attract persons from the Freeport area to build second homes, or people from Abaco or even Nassau to come here to build second homes.
“This is a step in the direction of the Government’s plan of helping Bahamians find affordable housing. We believe that this is going to be of tremendous benefit for residents in the area.”
Deputy Prime Minister Turnquest pointed out that the new housing subdivision in McLean’s Town would require new infrastructure in order to be supported.
“So, these projects taking place here in East Grand Bahama are very timely in order to meet the needs of this new subdivision,” said the Deputy Prime Minister. “This new housing subdivision will give residents – particularly young people – an opportunity to own their home. Many young people have complained that they do not have the opportunity for land, because a lot of the land is generation property and there are not a lot of vacant, developed lots for them to access. This will assist in that regard. And hopefully, also it will assist in developing a community as a second home destination for visitors.
“We have some tremendous bone fishing flats right outside here, as well as some beautiful harbors for snorkeling and experiencing nature. We have a lot of untouched islands,” he said “and lots of areas for exploration. Now that there is developed infrastructure coming in, hopefully we will see some developments in those aspects.”
Asked how he feels the construction of the Oban Oil Refinery will play into all of the new projects taking place in East End, Deputy Prime Minister Turnquest said that major developments in communities attracts more residents and necessitates other infrastructure developments.
This, he said, creates more opportunities for small business developments around such a huge project like the oil refinery. “That can benefit our entrepreneurs,” added Minister Turnquest.
“We look forward to that kind of expansion. You need population density in order to support any new business like food stores and gas stations that will be expanded in this area and all the other necessary services which a well-run community would need.
“As more people begin to work in this area, it will demand that these services be put in place. So, I’m encouraging our residents to start thinking now about the areas of interest they may have. Start identifying sites and making plans to start a business, so when the time comes to execute those plans they would be ready.”
By: Andrew Coakley (BIS)
Photo Captions:
Header: Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for East End, the Hon. Peter Turnquest (right) looks over some construction plans while visiting the site where work is being carried out to install main line water pipes in East Grand Bahama. Explaining the plans was Godfrey Waugh (left) of Waugh Construction. Looking on is an East End Township Executive and Brad Wildgoose from the Office of the Prime Minister.
First insert: Godfrey Waugh of Waugh Construction (left) shows Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest and Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson how one of the pumps at the well field in East Grand Bahama operates, during a tour of the work taking place there by both Minister Turnquest and Minister Thompson on Friday, February 23, 2018.
Second insert: Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for East Grand Bahama, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest looks out at Snapper Creek, while standing on a culvert, which feeds water into the Creek from a canal on the opposite side of the road in East Grand Bahama. The culvert is one of the items that will be repaired in order to allow more water into the Creek and keep it alive. According to Mr. Waugh of Waugh Construction, more culverts will be constructed to assist in that effort.
Third insert: Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson (centre), Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for East Grand Bahama, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest (second from right), along with Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Harcourt Brown (right) and Brad Wildgoose from the Office of the Prime Minister (GB) listen intently as Eric Balliou, Chairman of the High Rock Township explains plans for the High Rock Memorial Park. Both Minister Turnquest and Minister Thompson led a team of contractors and officials from the Office of the Prime Minister on a tour of projects taking place in East Grand Bahama, on Friday, February 23, 2018.
DEAR EDITOR,
Sometimes the best ideas come from experiences far away from home.
It was while I was living in Europe that I saw how excited people were about England’s iconic double-decker buses. It was a symbol of culture – and visitors looked forward to the ride as an experience in itself rather than just a method of transportation.
That sparked a thought: What if we brought that same excitement to The Bahamas, but made it uniquely Bahamian?
In November 2024, that thought became 2 Storeys Tours. I wanted visitors to see Nassau in a way they had not been able to before. That meant they could come straight off a cruise ship and onto a double-decker to see what makes our country what it is – to see our beautiful waters and to discover what makes us Bahamian.
We wanted to create something memorable, something visitors would associate with their Bahamian vacation, just as people associate double-decker buses with England.
The bus may catch your attention, but The Bahamas is what makes the experience unforgettable.
We also believe tourism should create opportunities for Bahamians.
We started less than five years ago with one very used double decker bus.
Now thanks to cruise ship business, we have quadrupled the size of our little fleet. We now have four shiny new red and blue buses, so we can say Welcome Ashore in style.
Depending on the season, between 70 and 80 percent of our business is cruise-passenger driven. Even during the slower season for hotels, the cruise ships arrive filled with people looking to explore historic Nassau and we are giving them the closest to a bird’s eye view as they can get. And they love it.
Turning an idea into a functioning business has been an exciting journey, but certainly not without challenges. From planning and preparation to finally seeing our buses on the road, the experience has taught us patience, perseverance, and the importance of believing in a vision.
We are proud of how far we’ve come, and even more excited about what lies ahead.
Building partnerships helped us to get to where we are today – building them further will take us to where we can reach tomorrow.
Our ambition is to make 2 Storeys Tours a recognised and trusted name in Bahamian tourism. We want to continue improving our tours, developing new experiences, embracing environmentally responsible tourism, and building meaningful relationships – and eventually take the 2 Storeys Tours experience beyond Nassau to other islands.
Above all, we want to build something that lasts.
Looking back, it’s incredible to think that an observation while living in Europe could lead to a business right here at home.
What began as an idea became a business with a purpose, and we’re only getting started.
Our inspiration came from abroad. Our passion comes from home. And our future is proudly Bahamian.
By: KEEVON MAYNARD
President, 2 Storeys Tours
Bahamas News
Federal Investigation into Florida Turnpike Tragedy that Killed Three Children of Bahamian Mother
NTSB examining roadside assistance driver’s actions, SUV speed and seat belt use after six people perish in fiery collision
ORLANDO, FLORIDA — October 29, 2026 — Federal investigators have joined the investigation into a horrific Florida Turnpike collision that claimed six lives, including all three children of a Bahamian mother, as questions intensify over what caused the deadly crash.
The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has confirmed that it is opening an investigation into the October 23 accident, which occurred around 9:31 p.m. near mile marker 252 in Orange County.
The agency’s involvement brings federal scrutiny to a tragedy that has devastated several families and prompted an extraordinary
outpouring of sympathy and disbelief.
Among those killed were siblings Charles Milton, Jakara Milton and Dalvena Green, the three adult children of Marshall Clarke-Milton and her husband, Charles Milton Sr.
The siblings were traveling with three others to Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, reportedly on their first trip together.
They never arrived.
FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS EXAMINE WHAT WENT WRONG
The NTSB confirmed to FOX 35 Orlando that its investigation will examine the training and performance of the roadside assistance driver, the actions of the SUV driver, including speed, and whether the occupants were wearing seat belts.
The agency investigates serious transportation accidents to identify safety failures and recommend measures that could prevent similar tragedies.
Its involvement does not establish wrongdoing by either driver.
The Florida Highway Patrol is conducting a separate investigation into the collision.
According to the preliminary police account, a Road Ranger roadside assistance truck had been parked in the highway median before its driver received instructions to assist a disabled box truck on the opposite shoulder.
As the Road Ranger moved across the northbound lanes, it collided with a 2023 Chevrolet Traverse carrying six adults.
Both vehicles left the roadway and caught fire.
All six occupants of the SUV died at the scene. The Road Ranger driver survived with minor injuries.
MOTHER CHALLENGES EARLY ACCOUNT
Witnesses reportedly told investigators that the SUV was traveling at high speed without its headlights illuminated.
However, those observations have not been established as the definitive cause of the collision.
Clarke-Milton has challenged suggestions that her children or their companions were responsible, urging investigators to examine the evidence before reaching conclusions.
She wants investigators to establish the SUV’s actual speed and determine whether its headlights were operating.
The family’s concerns underscore the importance of the continuing investigations, particularly given the movement of the roadside assistance vehicle across active highway lanes.
ALL THREE CHILDREN LOST
For Clarke-Milton, the investigation unfolds against an almost incomprehensible personal tragedy.
She lost all three of her children simultaneously.
In an emotional interview with FOX 35 Orlando, the grieving mother described the terrible feeling that overcame her when she could not reach them.
“My heart sank,” she said, recalling the moment she feared her children were involved.
The siblings were among six people whose lives ended during what should have been an enjoyable evening together.
The other victims included Timothy Williams and Shawn Palmer. A sixth person’s identity had not been publicly confirmed in the latest reports reviewed.
The family’s heartbreak has resonated across The Bahamas and beyond, with expressions of sympathy accompanying calls for answers.
SEARCH FOR ANSWERS CONTINUES
The Florida Highway Patrol has indicated that a crash report is expected within approximately ten days of the accident.
The NTSB’s investigation will examine broader transportation safety concerns, including the operation of roadside assistance vehicles and the circumstances surrounding the collision.
For the grieving families, the findings cannot reverse the tragedy.
But they may establish what happened on that stretch of Florida’s Turnpike and whether anything could have prevented six people from losing their lives.
For one Bahamian mother, the loss is especially devastating.
Three children left for an evening of entertainment. Not one came home.
Nassau, The Bahamas, October 22, 2026 — The National Computer Incident Response Team of The Bahamas (CIRT-BS) has issued a cybersecurity advisory warning businesses, government institutions and other organisations about the growing threat posed by Akira ransomware, a cybercriminal operation capable of stealing sensitive information, disrupting networks and demanding ransom payments.
Active since March 2023, Akira operates through a Ransomware-as-a-Service model, with affiliates exploiting weaknesses in computer networks to gain unauthorised access.
Once inside, attackers can steal confidential data, disable recovery systems and encrypt files, preventing organisations from accessing critical information.
Particularly concerning is Akira’s use of double extortion, threatening to publish stolen information unless victims pay. Some attacks involve data theft without encryption.
The October 22 advisory identifies vulnerabilities involving Cisco and SonicWall firewalls, VPN services, Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol, Veeam backup systems and outdated Windows and Linux operating systems. VMware ESXi and Nutanix AHV environments are also potential targets.
Attackers may exploit unpatched software, stolen login credentials and inadequately secured remote-access applications, including AnyDesk and RustDesk.
Warning signs include unexpected administrator accounts, unusual remote logins, unauthorised software installations, suspicious backup activity, mass file changes and ransom notes.
CIRT-BS recommends immediate security updates, multifactor authentication, restricted remote access, stronger network monitoring and secure backups maintained separately from operational systems.
Organisations should also remove unnecessary internet exposure of remote desktop services, limit administrative privileges and regularly test backup restoration.
The advisory does not identify any confirmed Akira attack against a Bahamian organisation but highlights vulnerabilities that could expose institutions to serious financial and operational disruption.
Cybersecurity incidents can be reported to CIRT-BS at soc@cirt.bs or through its official website.
