Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Minister Dames Gives Overview of Ministry’s Budget
#Nassau, June 11, 2018 – Bahamas – During his Budget Contribution in the House of Assembly, on June 6, 2018, Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames said the Government places a high priority on national safety and security, and the protection of all Bahamians is one of our fundamental duties; and, in an effort to meet the demands of the 21st century, the Ministry of National Security is restructuring to strengthen the agency, making it more efficient and strategic in managing the affairs of the state.
“To align with this mandate, the Ministry has introduced new areas specifically Communications, Liaisons, Inspectorate and Research and 
Development,” Minister Dames said. “The Communications Section will play a key role in all facets of the organization as it promotes the mission and vision of the Ministry.
He noted that liaisons from the three branches of law enforcement under the Ministry’s purview allow for transparency and open communication between the Ministry and their respective agencies.
“The Inspectorate will serve under the Minister and provide guidance for each agency, to ensure they are meeting their respective goals,” Minister Dames added. “Finally, the Research and Development Section will provide input to underpin policy-making decisions.”
As Minister of National Security, Minister Dames stated, he had pledged to be honest in all his undertakings and resolved to work tirelessly to lead by example the men and women that comprised the agencies under his remit: The Ministry of National Security, The Bahamas Department of Corrections, Royal Bahamas Defense Force, Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Parliamentary Registry Department.
“As National Security Minister, I am resolute in re-framing our focus for the seamless and swift transformation of the Bahamas Department of Corrections from a penal facility to a correctional facility; protecting our borders through unprecedented capital expenditure; refocusing our actions coupled with a legislative agenda to launch an effective assault on criminal networks and modernizing our antiquated voter registration system,” he said.
Minister Dames revealed that the recurrent expenditure 2018/2019 of the Ministry of National Security amounts to $7,455,580, compared to 2017/2018 recurrent expenditure of $5,060,274, marking an increase over the previous year’s allocation.
“This increase is due to the following: establishment of the National Neighbourhood Watch Council with an allocation of $425,000; plans to reestablish the National Intelligence Agency with an allocated budget of $2 million; and an increase in the Citizen Security and Justice Programme’s allocation of $1.5 million this year compared to last year’s allocation of $1 million,” he pointed out.
Minister Dames also noted the following recurrent and capital expenditures for the agencies under his purview:
Bahamas Department of Corrections – Recurrent Expenditures for 2018/2019 of $26,676,098 (compared to 2017/2018 at $25,310,467), and Capital Expenditures of $2,450,000 – located in Ministry of National Security budget – for a total increase by 15 percent (Recurrent and Capital combined);
the Royal Bahamas Defence Force – Recurrent Expenditures for 2018/2019 of $74,050,015 (compared to 2017/2018 at $76,680,776), and Capital Expenditures of $14,172,000 – with $4,122,000 located in Ministry of National Security’s Budget – for a percentage change of three percent;
the Royal Bahamas Police Force – Recurrent Expenditures for 2018/2019 of $127,907,570 (compared to 2017/2018 at $136,262,613), and Capital Expenditures of $2,878,000 – for a percentage change of four percent; and the Parliamentary Registration Department – Recurrent Expenditures for 2018/2019 of $1,442,700 (compared to 2017/2018 at $1,552,633), and Capital Expenditures of $2.5 million – representing an increase of 154 percent due to the digitization of voter register.
“While the expenditure may seem weighty, at $7,455,580, it is for the national security of the country and will be used with the utmost fiscal responsibility,” Minister Dames said. “These funds not only represent recurrent expenditures of the Ministry, but shows the growth of the Ministry and the ability to provide critical services for the nation and its people.”
By: Eric Rose (BIS)
Photo Caption: Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames speaks, on June 6, 2018, during his Budget Contribution in the House of Assembly.
(BIS Photo/Eric Rose)
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.
