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BAHAMAS: Prime Minister and Officials Inspect Abaco for Affordable Homes Project

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#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)

 

 

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Ayla Isaacs Unveils Transformative Guide Amidst Challenging Times

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Bahamian author Ayla Isaacs is making an impactful debut in the literary world with her book, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health—Transforming Your Wellbeing With Diet, Exercise, and Rest.” As crime rates surge and the aftermath of the pandemic leaving many grappling with hopelessness and a sense of abandonment, Isaacs’ guide offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual resilience in navigating adversity.

Long-time Bahamian physician Dr. Horizal Simmons says, “Ms. Isaacs not only states the spiritual ingredient that we should use for our therapy, but she also explains how it works in our spiritual system and the beneficial changes that will bring the desired transformation or spiritual health benefits.” Applauding the soundness of the book and paralleling it to physical wellness, Dr. Simmons said he highly recommends it to anyone serious about their spiritual well-being and health.

Isaacs is a highly experienced Project Manager who draws from her background in Civil and Environmental Engineering, International Business, and Christian ministry, whether a physical structure or the wellbeing of an individual’s life. Her published work shows that she strongly believes in building with structural integrity. Isaacs provides readers with a holistic approach to welfare beyond traditional self-help. She explores the transformative power of simple spiritual practices integrated into daily life. Isaacs believes that prioritizing spiritual health can help individuals find inner fulfillment and a sense of purpose, which she believes are essential in combating the prevailing hopelessness.

Coach Gregory Cash, who has spent decades helping to develop great athletes and leaders in the country, believes the unique perspective shared, especially relating to spiritual exercise, can touch the hearts of so many. Wendy Fernander, PhD., a licensed clinical psychologist and president of the Bahamas Psychological Association, noted that too few of us think about our spiritual diet, which results in our spiritual wellbeing. When asked about the book, Dr. Fernander said, “This book will provoke you to do serious soul searching.”

Amid the challenges communities face, Isaacs encourages readers to initiate a positive “me” movement—a focus on self-improvement that, when embraced collectively, can lead to stronger families, churches, and nations. According to Isaacs, strengthened individuals become catalysts for positive change within their immediate circles, creating a ripple effect that extends to broader communities.

Ayla Isaacs, whose roots go back to South Eleuthera, is a founding member of the Smart and Strong Sisterhood (SASS) and the creative mind behind A.I. Paper, a gift-wrapping paper and bag company that celebrates the islands of The Bahamas. Isaacs believes that investing in spiritual wellbeing is pivotal for personal growth and resilience. A conference speaker who is actively involved in church ministries and affiliated with several civic organizations, Isaacs firmly believes in the balance between personal and community wellbeing.

“Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” is now available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in paperback and eBook form and locally at Oasis Bookstore in Nassau. Isaacs encourages readers to embark on a transformative journey and be architects of their spiritual wellbeing. In times of uncertainty, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” offers a guide and a message of hope and empowerment for individuals seeking personal and communal transformation.

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Tired of Taking Notes? The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Will Transcribe and Summarize Your Voice Notes In A Snap! 

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NASSAU, Bahamas – Faster, smarter and more convenient than ever before, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 will revolutionize your productivity with its new Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist features. In the continuous pursuit of delivering innovative solutions that enhance productivity and user experience, Samsung Electronics is proud to introduce two groundbreaking features: Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist.

The Transcript Assist feature, powered by Galaxy’s advanced artificial intelligence, takes note-taking to a whole new level by enabling users to easily convert voice notes and conversations into useful and accessible notes. Whether in a business meeting, conference, or casual conversation, the Galaxy S24’s Transcript Assist makes capturing information easier than ever.

By utilizing Transcript Assist, users can effortlessly record any conversation with multiple speakers and transform it into a clear and concise transcript with just a few taps. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to keep a detailed record of discussions and decisions made during important meetings or collaborative work sessions.

“With Transcript Assist, we’re redefining the way people take notes and record information,” said Gianmarco Leri, Product Manager at Samsung Electronics. “No longer do you have to worry about missing important details during a conversation. With the Galaxy S24, you can capture every word and turn it into a useful reference that you can easily review and share.”

In addition to generating accurate transcripts, the Transcript Assist feature also offers the ability to generate quick summaries of conversations, as well as the option to translate the entire transcript into different languages, facilitating communication and collaboration among people from different regions and cultures.

On the other hand, the Browsing Assist feature allows users to navigate more efficiently and conveniently on their Galaxy S24 devices by providing intelligent and contextual suggestions during web browsing and online content exploration.

The Galaxy S24, equipped with Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist, marks the beginning of a new era of productivity and convenience in mobile devices. These innovative features demonstrate Samsung Electronics’ continued commitment to providing advanced tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently in everyday life.

So, get ready! The new Samsung Galaxy S24 will be coming soon to tech stores in The Bahamas soon.

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Weather Systems Affect Cuba and The Bahamas

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Weather#Cuba#TheBahamas, March 25th, 2024 – Serious weather struck The Bahamas and Cuba over the weekend, both nations receiving warnings from their meteorological entities. The Bahamas was affected by severe thunderstorms.  In fact, an area of the Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship, which was 20 miles off Eleuthera, Bahamas, caught fire and reports say it was possibly due to a lightning strike.  Fortunately no lives were reported lost.

Meanwhile, Cuba had intense rainfall and hailstorms, resulting in damage to surrounding areas, thousands left without electricity amid fallen trees and Flash Floods.

 

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