Bahamas News
Minister of Works inspects government buildings and projects in Grand Bahama
#Bahamas, April 18, 2018 – Grand Bahama – Minister of Works, the Hon. Desmond Bannister said repair of the Garnett Levarity Justice Centre is at the top of the Ministry of Works list of priorities for Grand Bahama.
“The building is in a bad state of disrepair and needs a lot of work,” said Minister Bannister. “I believe that the building had problems in the way it was constructed at the beginning and so it’s going to take a lot to get that building back to where it should be.
“We’re hoping that by next July – depending on if we are not hit with any major hurricanes – the courthouse should be at the place it was designed to be in terms of its construction and operational aspect.”
Minister Bannister, along with a number of executives of the Ministry of Works in Nassau arrived in Grand Bahama on Thursday morning (April 12, 2018) and set out for a tour of a number of facilities and project sites on the island for which the government is responsible.
Following a meeting with staff members at the Ministry of Works in Grand Bahama, Minister Bannister and his team toured the Garnett Levarity Justice Centre before making their way to the local post office, downtown Freeport.
At the post office, Minister Bannister got a first-hand look at some of the damage to the building, which had became more evident following the passing of two major hurricanes through Grand Bahama in 2016.
“This is an old building, and when you look at it, you see the cast iron pipes, so there are issues with respect to the bathrooms, which have to be addressed,” said Minister Bannister. “There has to be a fundamental overhaul of this building.”
The Minister said repairs to the building and mold remediation are important steps and that since coming to office, the government has spent over a million dollars on mold remediation at the Freeport Post Office in the interest of keeping the workers safe. He said there must be a greater appreciation for the need to regularly maintain public buildings like that of the post office, not just in Grand Bahama, but in Nassau and throughout the Family Islands.
Upon leaving the Freeport Post Office, the Minister of Works and his entourage made their way to the newly built police and fire station on Settlers Way, to get a first-hand view of the modern-designed facility.
Minister Bannister was impressed with the project and said that plans are in place to ensure that police and fire officers are moved into the building as soon as possible. The obstacle that had prevented officers from occupying the building since it had been completed over a year ago was the lack of furniture. The Minister assured the media that he had been advised that the furniture has been ordered and that it should be arriving on island in short order, following which immediate action would be taken to have the officers in Grand Bahama occupy the new facility.
Minister Bannister also toured a number of other government buildings and projects throughout the day on Thursday, including the Fishing Hole Bridge, Bartlett Hill Primary School, the new Holmes Rock Primary school (still under construction), the Eight Mile Rock Government Complex (still under construction) and the seawall in West End, Grand Bahama.
By Andrew Coakley (BIS)
Photo captions:
Header: Minister of Works Desmond Bannister (second from right), along with Member of Parliament for Pineridge and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Iram Lewis (right) look up at a hole in the ceiling in part of the building of the Freeport Post Office. During a tour of the facility the Minister was given an update on the state of the facility which had deteriorated over time, combined with damage suffered from hurricanes in 2016.
BIS Photos/Lisa Davis
WHAT’S THE PROBLEM HERE? – Minister of Works, the Hon. Desmond Bannister, along with Assistant Engineer in Grand Bahama, Mrs. Toni Hudson-Bannister look at damage to the courthouse at the Garnett Levarity Justice Center in Freeport, during a tour of the courthouse on Thursday, April 12, 2018. Minister Bannister said that repair of the courthouse is at the top of his Ministry’s priorities.
UPDATE ON BUILDING – Officer in charge of the newly built fire station and police department gave Minister of Works, Desmond Bannister an update on the work to the newly constructed building and the reason why officers have not yet moved into the building.
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.
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
-
News7 days agoDR man rented Jet Ski nine days ago in Providenciales; where is he now?
-
Health1 week agoDengue cases rising in Region
-
TCI News3 days agoExperience Turks and Caicos and Ministry of Tourism explore development of Cruise industry at Seatrade Global Cruise Conference
-
Caribbean News6 days agoCARICOM pushes need for Reparations Tribunal at Forum in Geneva
-
Education6 days agoCampus Brawl at Clement Howell High sends students to Hospital
-
Caribbean News1 week agoCARICOM, UN applauds published decree establishing Haiti’s Transitional Government
-
Caribbean News6 days agoCARICOM sends warning as Oil prices creep higher in the Israel v Iran conflict; 14 regional states import energy
-
Bahamas News1 week ago$36 Million Dollar Upgrade for World Athletics Relays in Nassau, Bahamas