Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Prime Minister and Officials Inspect Abaco for Affordable Homes Project
#Bahamas, May 29, 2018 – Abaco – Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert Minnis took his government’s promise of providing the means for Bahamians to access affordable housing to the fast-growing economy of Abaco on Friday, May 25, 2018.
It was the first Family Island to be canvassed for the proposed project, the details of which were outlined in the Access to Affordable Homes Bill, 2018 by the Prime Minister in the House of Assembly on May 8. The inspection of Crown Land to be used for the Government Housing Subdivisions took place in Spring City, Crossing Rocks, Central Pines and Murphy Town.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of the Environment and Housing, the Hon. Romauld Ferreira; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for North Abaco, the Hon. Darren Henfield; Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for South Abaco, Christopher Albury; Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for West Grand Bahama and Bimini, Pakesia Parker Edgecombe; Elaine Martinborough, Department of Housing, Abaco, and other officials.
The government’s mission is to provide service-ready land at reduced costs, the Prime Minister said, adding that properties have been identified for subdivision development and for the sale of residential serviced lots in New Providence, Andros, Abaco, Exuma and San Salvador. The first serviced lots in New Providence will be available for sale in June of this year.
The new housing program will also encourage second home ownership in the Family Islands, he said.
While in Spring City, the Prime Minister and the team observed a number of homes constructed but not occupied due to controversy surrounding alleged non-payment to contractors. The Prime Minister said that it is the responsibility of the government to go after contractors who were paid, but have not completed the jobs. And he warned that contractors would be placed on a “stop list” until the situation is resolved.
A section of Crossing Rocks was developed following the devastating Hurricane Floyd in 1999, when the then government relocated displaced residents from the shoreline to that settlement. Prime Minister Minnis said his government would continue to uphold that promise and create access to affordable homes for residents there.
“The plan is to develop one subdivision per year, and allow the young populace to purchase land at affordable prices,” the Prime Minister said. “We 
have a lot of Bahamians throughout the islands who wish to own their own homes but are unable to afford to.”
The government also aims to pass on tremendous savings to homeowners. The average lot that will be sold has a value of $100,000 will be sold for approximately $30,000. Certain material for home building will be duty free, which may save homeowners approximately an additional $30,000 to $40,000.
The government is further seeking to provide concessions on other material such as solar panels, as part of its long-term vision for large-scale use of renewable energy. An essential feature of the proposed housing program is that homeowners may choose their own contractors and monitor the work of their contractors. This provides great flexibility and control.
By: Lindsay Thompson (BIS)
Photo Captions: Prime Minister Hubert Minnis discusses details of plans for Affordable Housing in Abaco with his team, including: Minister of the Environment and Housing, the Hon. Romauld Ferreira; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for North Abaco, the Hon. Darren Henfield; Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for South Abaco, Christopher Albury; Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for West Grand Bahama and Bimini, Pakesia Parker Edgecombe; Elaine Martinborough, Department of Housing, Abaco, and other officials.
(BIS Photos/Yontalay Bowe)
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
