Bahamas News
Minister Asks Students to Provide Solutions to Challenges at Launch of Sustainable Nassau Project
#Bahamas, February 3, 2018 – Nassau – Minister of Transport and Local Government, the Hon. Frankie Campbell asked students to prepare themselves to serve their communities and provide solutions to challenges. The Minister was speaking during the launch of the Sustainable Nassau Project held at the Harry C. Moore Library of the University of The Bahamas on Thursday, February 1. The event was held under the theme, ‘Empowered People, Revitalized City.”
“You have the vision, the energy and the exposure necessary to make a tremendous impact on the way we do business here in The Bahamas. Through the IDB’s work with the Office of the Prime Minister, we have invited the world-renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to lead you through a process of solving a real challenge of your choosing. I urge you to take advantage of this amazing opportunity,” said Mr. Campbell
“Despite what my generation may tell you, your impatience can in fact serve you well as you demand action and results at a faster pace than has been traditionally accepted. I implore you to be curious, innovative and inventive. Take advantage of the greatest resource you have here at the University of The Bahamas: collective knowledge and creativity, to build the modern Bahamas you want to see.”
The Minister said that in late 2017, the Ministry of Education and the Over-the-Hill project within the Office of the Prime Minister distributed over 100 tablets to the Willard Patton Pre-School in the Bain Town area. The aim of the project, he said, was to use technology to improve how education is delivered.
“Thus far the program is already delivering positive results. This represents the beginning of implementing the Smart City Solutions outlined in the Sustainable Nassau Action Plan,” said Mr. Campbell. He said that as the country moves to become a “smarter” country, it is necessary to identify the innovations that are needed to take the country there.
“Perhaps an app that provides drivers with real-time information on traffic and parking availability. Or an app that disseminates emergency alerts and critical information to mobile phones within an impacted geographic area. How about a central command center to coordinate it all? Think of the time you could save by having kiosks located throughout our islands that facilitated driver’s license renewals, and payment of traffic tickets. All of these things exist and can become a reality here in The Bahamas,” said the Minister.
He also spoke of the need for, and how it would assist in, the proper and equitable management of resources.
“Heavily central government structures have often proven themselves too slow and too bureaucratic to adapt and take advantage of these innovations. Therefore, if we are to be successful in making drastic improvements to the quality of life of our citizens and residents, we must empower people to be part of this process of change. The communities that are to be most impacted must have the greatest say and greatest ownership of the prescribed solutions to their problems. The only way to make this happen is through new, more localized, governance models.”
He said that this new model of government administration is already taking shape with legislation currently being drafted to create an agency tasked with managing the development of the Over-the-Hill Community of Nassau.
“Imagine if this model were expanded to include the entire island so as to ensure that development is managed with people at the center!” He exclaimed.
He said that the introduction of true local government here in New Providence and throughout the country would provide a framework for the delivery of high quality services to residents and businesses with effective checks and balances.
“It would allow neighborhoods and districts to decide how to budget scarce resources to best serve them and meet their needs. Increased transparency regarding revenues raised and expenditures would be accompanied by a transfer of resources and responsibilities away from central government to elected and accountable district governments. The Government of The Bahamas is committed to moving the concept of local government in New Providence from plans to reality within the next three years. To this end, the Department of Local Government is working closely with the Office of the Prime Minister to take this initiative forward.”
Photo Captions:
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Minister of Transport and Local Government, the Hon.Frankie Campbell greets President of the University of the Bahamas, Dr. Rodney Smith as Country Representative for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Mrs. Florencia Attademo-Hirt looks on. (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson)
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Minister of Transport and Local Government, the Hon. Frankie Campbell listens to a panelist. Also pictured l-r: Director, Code Next, Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Dr. Colin ‘Topper’ Carew; Country Representative for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Mrs. Florencia Attademo-Hirt; Minister of Education, the Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd; President of the University of the Bahamas, Dr. Rodney Smith; and Chief, Housing & Urban Development Division, IDB, Ms. Tatiana Gallego Lizon. (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson).
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Country Representative for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Mrs. Florencia Attademo-Hirt presents a brochure to Minister of Transport and Local Government, the Hon. Frankie Campbell. (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson).
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Minister of Transport and Local Government, the Hon. Frankie Campbell delivering the keynote address at the launch of the Sustainable Nassau Project. The event was held on February 1, 2018 at the Harry C. Moore Library of the University of The Bahamas. (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson)
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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