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BAHAMAS: DPM says Bahamas committed to disaster risk reduction

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#Nassau, July 1, 2019 – Bahamas – The Bahamas, through the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA launched the first National Disaster Preparedness Baseline Assessment, a year-long programme to measure disaster preparedness and risk.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon K Peter Turnquest delivered the keynote address at the NDPBA kick-off ceremony at the British Colonial Hilton held Wednesday, June 26, 2019.

The new disaster management initiative also featured key speakers including the Director of NEMA Captain Stephen Russell, the U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affaires Stephanie Bowers, and Dr. Erin Hughey of the University of Hawaii’s Pacific Disaster Center, among several other experts. 

Following several consecutive years of serious hurricane impacts, The Bahamas launched the NDPBA research disaster risk, preparedness, and climate change in partnership with Pacific Disaster Center (PDC)—a University of Hawaii applied science and research center.

The Deputy Prime Minister upheld the importance of the partnership, describing the yearlong NDPBA programme as an imperative step towards risk reduction and true sustainability for The Bahamas.

 “We recall that within the past few years alone, The Bahamas has been seriously affected by at least three major hurricanes—all category four storms or above. The impact of Hurricanes Joaquin, Matthew, and Irma on The Bahamas has been reported by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) to cost approximately eight hundred and twenty million dollars,” he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that such a significant cost to an economy like The Bahamas is unsustainable. “Through the NDPBA partnership, The Bahamas and PDC will work together to address the unique disaster risks and sustainability challenges of small island nations/states. The Baseline Assessment also creates an opportunity for The University of The Bahamas Small Island Sustainability Centre and Hawaii’s Institute for Sustainability and Resilience to collectively study the most pressing questions and emerging threats related to climate change,” he said.

Captain Russell also underscored the importance of the baseline assessment to the overall national disaster plan and the partnerships NEMA has developed over the years.

 “As a strong nation of united family islands, The Bahamas has leveraged its culture of resilience over hundreds of years to adapt to and shape its changing environment. Through this longstanding partnership with PDC and the Baseline Assessment program, The Bahamas can take the next step in its journey of growth to address the challenges that we have yet to face,” he said.

Captain Russell added that NEMA has partnered with regional and international agencies for decades to enhance mitigation, response, and recovery capabilities with the aim of long-term national resilience.

 “Over the past 10 years, the partnership with PDC has helped to establish a brand new National Emergency Operations Center, with trained and effective staff; it has helped to implement the policies and protocols to effectively utilize this resource; to improve communication between islands; and most importantly, to support our brothers and sisters on the family islands,” said Captain Russell.

Such were similar sentiments echoed by U.S. Embassy’s Charge d’Affaires Stephanie Bowers, who, during her opening ceremony remarks said: “This international model for cooperation demonstrates how we can leverage shared resources and expertise to build capacities and strengthen stability. This initiative brings together our governments, universities, and public-private sector partnerships to cooperate on one of the most challenging issues of our time. By bringing together experts from across sectors, we can bridge gaps in knowledge to reduce risk and find solutions to responding to crises.”

And according to Dr. Hughey said the National Disaster Preparedness Baseline Assessment (NDPBA) is a program started by PDC to help nations build resilience at the national and sub-national level and to engage experts from across sectors to take part in lowering disaster risk.

She noted that PDC is located in one of the world’s most remote island chains and regularly faces extreme threats from tropical cyclones, earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, flash floods, landslides, and wildfires.

DPM signing poster

“Out of necessity to protect its own community, PDC has developed some of the most advanced disaster management technology, science, and research methodologies which are applicable not only on the Hawaiian Islands and in the continental United States, but in multiple contexts everywhere around the world,” said Dr Hughey.

The kick-off workshop and knowledge exchange for the baseline assessment was co-hosted by NEMA, the Bahamas National Geographic Information Systems Centre (BNGISC), and PDC with funding and support from the U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM).

The event drew participation by nearly 100 representatives from NEMA’s Emergency Support Function groupings across public, private, academic, and nonprofit sectors. It was the beginning of cross-sectoral engagement planned throughout the assessment. Using scientific methodologies, the programme will also support The Bahamas’ Vision 2040 National Development Plan and international commitments to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Press Release: NEMA

Captions:

Header: Nearly 100 representatives from NEMA’s Emergency Support Function groupings across public, private, academic, and nonprofit sectors attended the launching of the first National Disaster Preparedness Baseline Assessment kickoff  a year-long programme to measure disaster preparedness and risk. The ceremony was held at the British Colonial Hilton on Wednesday, June 26, 2019. Opening ceremony speakers pictured front row from left are: Director of NEMA Captain Stephen Russell; CarolAnn Albury, Director, Bahamas National Geographic Information System; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon K Peter Turnquest; Stephanie Bowers, Charge d’Affaires, US Embassy, Nassau; Dr. Erin Hughey of the University of Hawaii’s Pacific Disaster Center; and Bradley Golden, Humanitarian Assistance Programme Specialist with USNORTHCOM. (BIS Photo/Kristaan Ingraham)

First Insert: The Bahamas, through the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA launched the first National Disaster Preparedness Baseline Assessment, a year-long programme to measure disaster preparedness and risk. A kick-off ceremony was held at the British Colonial Hilton on Wednesday, June 26, 2019. Pictured from left are Director of NEMA Captain Stephen Russell; CarolAnn Albury, Director, Bahamas National Geographic Information System; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon K Peter Turnquest; Stephanie Bowers, Charge d’Affaires, US Embassy, Nassau; Dr. Erin Hughey of the University of Hawaii’s Pacific Disaster Center; and Bradley Golden, Humanitarian Assistance Programme Specialist with USNORTHCOM. (PHOTO/NEMA/PDC)


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Royal Caribbean Club in The Bahamas started after delays

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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.

 

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Nassau Cruise Port Donates Nearly $2 Million Towards Food Security

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Nassau, Bahamas: The Nassau Cruise Port has donated $1.95 million towards
projects that will assist the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources in its aim
to increase food security for The Bahamas.

The donation officially occurred at the Ministry’s offices recently, where Minister
of Agriculture and Marine Resources Hon. Jomo Campbell, Minister of Labour
Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle, Permanent Secretary Neil Campbell and Nassau Cruise
Port CEO Mike Maura listened to a number of presentations including one for a
poultry programme for schools, a chicken broiler production programme, the
redevelopment of the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market and an Authentic
Bahamian Cultural Concept Store,

Mr. Maura said he was impressed by the presentations.

“I had the privilege to listen the presentations and review presentations that
touched on food security and the need for us to be self-sufficient, which as a
Bahamian I support completely. At the Nassau Cruise Port, we get excited
about the prospects of offering more authentic food to the millions of visitors
that we have each year,” he said.

“And then, in addition to that, we had presentations around the further
development of our artisans, which is so important to us as well. The guests
visiting our shores are looking for something that really touches The Bahamas
and can’t be found somewhere else. The Nassau Cruise Port has made a pledge to BAIC and its affiliates. We will be supporting the projects that were presented and we can’t wait to get started.”

Minister Glover-Rolle, who is also the Member of Parliament for Golden Gates,
hailed Nassau Cruise Port as a “great community partner.”

“Thank you for the opportunity to not only present but agreeing to participate.
Our Minister of Agriculture has a goal of reducing food imports by 25 percent by
the year 2025 and our project in the Golden Gates Community speaks to that,”
she said.

“We have a number of backyard farmers, farmers and fishers in our community
in Golden Gates. Being able to use the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market, which is
going to be dubbed the ‘Fish Fry of the South,’ as a hub for food security but
also a hub where artisans and handicraft persons can come and sell their wares
is wonderful. So, we are happy that you have agreed to partner with us and we
look forward to a partnership and we hope to welcome some of your visitors
when this amazing renovation is done.”

Minister Campbell also lauded the Nassau Cruise Port for its efforts.

“I would like to say thank you to the presenters for the presentations that are
several steps in the right direction for our country, to Mr. Maura and his board at
the Nassau Cruise Port and I would like to say thanks to God for this partnership
and bringing us all together as we move forward, upward, together in building a
better, brighter, future for The Bahamas,” he said.

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Career Symposium 2024 Connects University Students with Successful Professionals

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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

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