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BAHAMAS: Senior Technical Officers of IDB-Funded Projects Meet to Discuss and Share Knowledge

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#Nassau, September 20, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – Senior technical officers of all projects funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) met during an IDB Projects Workshop to discuss and share knowledge on effective measures to achieve the objectives of each project.  The workshop took place at Melia Nassau Beach resort, September 19, 2018.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest said at the workshop that it is worth noting that subsequent to becoming a member of IDB, in 1973, the total amount of loans and guarantees that The Bahamas received from the Bank is approximately, $925,000,000.

DPM Turnquest explained that these investment loans encompass various sectors, for example — Transport, Energy and Water, Aviation, the Environment, and Public Policy.

He stated: “As the Bank is considered an important development partner in The Bahamas, I have no doubt that the relationship between the Government of The Bahamas and the Bank will continue to be fruitful in addressing the current and future development challenges of the country.”

The DPM affirmed the relevance of each of the subject matters being discussed at the workshop, namely: a commitment to breaking silos to achieve results, lessons from experience when dealing with IDB projects, procurement, and financial management and reporting.  He said in going forward, project managers and focal stakeholders must be mindful of past experiences, some of which were positive, while others were negative and may have contributed to projects incurring cost overruns, extending beyond deadlines, or not achieving key performance indicators.

He continued, “During the execution of each project we must foster an approach, where stakeholders, among other things, develop a penchant to minimize bottlenecks in favour of achieving targets in prescribed timeframes.”

DPM Turnquest said considering the need to promote transparency, information sharing and standards, the common thread in every project should be knowledge sharing and embracing best practices.  Undoubtedly, he added, projects will differ in scope and to some degree the required skill sets but, nevertheless, the underlying processes in achieving the goals of projects remain the same.  And with the abundance of technology on project management, the success stories and failures must be communicated to the body of project stakeholders.

“Working in a vacuum will not achieve, in a comprehensive manner, desired results, especially when considering most IDB assignments are inextricably linked.”

He highlighted the workshop’s topic on procurement, saying that it is an issue this current government administration regards as salient.

“With the development of a Department of Public Procurement and new procurement legislation to govern the purchasing of goods and services in the entire public service, the government intends to transform the culture of procurement to make it more fair, transparent and efficient.”

He said the current legislation is insufficient when compared to international standards, particularly as it relates to addressing breaches in procurement procedures.   “In short-order, a new Procurement Bill will be tabled in Parliament and I can assure you that Procurement in the Public Service will be comparable to international best practices.”

He said greater emphasis will be placed on transparency, as reporting on procurement activities will be publicized and the Chief Accounting Officer or the Permanent Secretary in every procuring entity, under the proposed procurement framework, will assume greater responsibility to ensure that the rules governing procurement activities are adhered to.

DPM Turnquest noted, “I have no doubt that in a new procurement environment, where there is constant training in procurement practices, and purchasing advance technology to assist all officers assigned to procurement units — there will be cost savings arising from reduction in the application of corrupt and abusive procurement practices.”

He told Project Managers and Stakeholders with direct involvement in the execution of IDB assignments to undertake every effort to ensure that projects within their sphere of responsibility or connected to their assignment are aligned with achieving objectives in a timely manner, as failures in project management can be costly.

 

By Llonella Gilbert

Release: BIS

Photo Caption:  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest addressed the IDB Projects Workshop at Melia Nassau Beach resort, Wednesday, September 19, 2018.

(Photos/Courtesy Ministry of Finance)

 

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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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