Bahamas News
BPL first assessment done, Abaco restoration bill to top $20 million and rebound may take months
#TheBahamas, September 6, 2019 — In a season where Bahamas Power and Light, BPL – the country’s electricity provider – is challenged to prove its consistent reliability, comes a new hurdle in the Abacos created by the region’s most horrific hurricane.
Little damage is reported in the south of the island, but central and north Abaco were decimated and the utility infrastructure was smashed in the fury of Sunday and Monday’s Hurricane Dorian.
“I’m very optimistic. I think, coming in from Sandy Point north to Wilson City, clearly we do see poles down but the majority of the infrastructure is intact. So it’s really good news for those in the south. We can get those poles – less than 100 of them – we can get those replanted, get the conductors back up and bring in some smaller generation assets and repower the south fairly quickly,” said BPL CEO, Whitney Heastie who led a 19-member delegation.
However, for areas like Marsh Harbour, Dundas Town and Murphy Town, the prognosis is dire.
“The recovery can start pretty soon if we start with the south, because they had minimal damage coming from the south. Central and North? We’re talking about months. Of course, there are provisions for outside help, but it’s going to be…I mean, some areas can take – in my estimation – some areas can take up to three, four months, or perhaps longer,” said Marvin Green, Assistant Manager of Distribution, BPL Abaco.
From the BPL statement issued on Thursday: After early assessments, Dr. Moxey said the initial budget estimate for recovery is somewhere between $25M to $30M. “We have infrastructure, we have resources we have to bring to bear and that’s the bill,” he said, adding that he had indicated to Minister of Works the Hon. Desmond Bannister that the assessment trips would result in an initial budget.”
BPL Chairman, Dr. Donovan Moxey and BPL CEO, Whitney Heastie led the delegation of 19 people on Wednesday (September 4) which had as its two main missions; assess the damages and locate BPL staff.
Chairman Moxey is optimistic about work in the south.
“The power plant has fared fairly well. There are one or two things that we do have to do in terms of cosmetic (corrections) but in terms of the engines, they’re all fine. They’re ready to go. The concern would be more around the load, because the engines’ minimum is more than the demand is right now,” he said.
Mr. Green said the damage caused by Hurricane Dorian, which is believed to have spawned tornadoes in addition to rushing, raging surge waters is far worse than hurricanes of the past, like 1999’s Hurricane Floyd.
“I never thought I would see something that made Hurricane Floyd look like child’s play. The winds – it was horrific. The weight and the force and the power of it. “Basically, right now, it’s hard to identify the landscape in some areas…because the structures that used to be there are no longer there. “Eighty to ninety percent of our infrastructure from Central Marsh Harbour going north is compromised. It’s going to be a long recovery.”
Many are saying Abaco in inhabitable, still Mr. Green reminded of the Caribbean region support which will take its cues from BPL when it comes to support.
The BPL statement: BPL has partnerships with suppliers, energy partners and even government agencies in the US, CARICOM and others – plus a network of former employees with skill sets we can use – and with the right complement of equipment and personnel, we believe we can bring South and even some parts of Central Abaco back to power within a month.
“So, it’s really good news for those in the south. We can get those poles – less than 100 of them – we can get those replanted, get the conductors back up and bring in some smaller generation assets and repower the south fairly quickly.”
A team from BPL returned to Abaco on Thursday to complete the assessment work. The electricity company explained it counts this hurricane restoration in Abaco as urgent despite the current objectives to boost capacity in New Providence.
“When you look at The Bahamas economy, Abaco is number three in terms of what it generates for the economy, so getting Abaco back up and running, there’s no question the government is committed to doing that as quickly as possible. “The good thing is, too, we have a lot of international support, and so we’re going to leverage all of that, everything we can,” Dr. Moxey said.
The initial BPL assessment team did not visit the island empty handed; food and water, health and medical supplies were delivered to BPL team members and their families.
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE GRAND BAHAMA PORT AUTHORITY, LIMITED
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 – Grand Bahama, The Bahamas – The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) is proud to announce the launch of Tech Edge 2.0, a paid remote internship program, connecting eligible Bahamian candidates—both locally and abroad—with global career-building opportunities in the fields of cybersecurity, mobile app development, data science, and artificial intelligence (AI). According to GBPA exe
cutives, this initiative is a significant step in positioning Grand Bahama as a leader in the digital economy while providing Bahamians with valuable experience in high-demand tech fields.
“Tech Edge 2.0 is more than an internship program—it is a pipeline to professional success”, commented Derek Newbold, Chief Investment Officer for GBPA and Invest Grand Bahama. “With nearly 200 Bahamians already registered, including Bahamians residing in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., and across the islands of The Bahamas, this program is bridging the gap between education and employment, equipping participants with job-ready skills and fostering a new generation of innovators ready to contribute to the advancement of technology and innovation in The Bahamas.” Currently, there are 10 internship placements available, with additional spaces being added as more companies join the program. GBPA, through its Tech Edge 2.0 program, has partnered with four leading international technology firms, including Prophaze (California, USA), Cognetik Labs, Cybermindr, and Digital5 Solutions, to provide paid remote internship training and employment opportunities. All are start-up companies and emerging titans across cybersecurity, API security, and AI-driven threat detection fields. They also cover software development, IT infrastructure, and cloud computing.
Pleased with the evolution of the Tech Edge Program, which initially launched in 2023, President of GBPA, Ian Rolle, noted that he is highly optimistic about the program’s success to date and its proven potential to help drive Grand Bahama as the Tech and Innovation Hub of the nation. “These partnerships are unlocking global opportunities for Bahamians and proving that Grand Bahama is serious about technology. Further, it offers Bahamians direct access to the international job market—without having to leave home.” Rolle stated. “This program is about ensuring that our people are equipped with top-tier training to develop the requisite skills and career pathways to thrive in the digital economy,” Rolle continued.
The Tech Edge 2.0 Internship Program is open to eligible Bahamians worldwide who hold a college degree or are currently pursuing one in a technology-related field, have a strong interest in cybersecurity, AI, mobile app development, data science, or IT infrastructure, and are eager to gain real-world experience and work remotely with cutting-edge tech companies.
Ian Rolle
Applications for Tech Edge 2.0 are now open and will close on March 21, 2025. Interested candidates can apply online at www.techedgebahamas.com, where they will find step-by-step guidance on the application process. GBPA’s project coordinator for Tech Edge 2.0, Jecholiah Braynen, described the initiative as a long-term investment in The Bahamas’ tech workforce and economic growth. “Through our partnership with Quess Corp, a multinational business service provider, based in India, GBPA is building the requisite skills within the Bahamian workforce and equipping them with job-ready skills and experience. This program creates opportunities to drive economic growth, establish new career opportunities, and attract tech companies to the Bahamas by creating a sustainable ecosystem where Bahamians can thrive in the tech industry,” she emphasized. “This is just the beginning. As Tech Edge grows, so will the number of available opportunities.”
Bahamians interested in expanding their career opportunities are encouraged to apply today and become part of The Bahamas’ digital transformation.
For more information, visit www.techedgebahamas.com for updates, success stories, and insights into the tech industry.
-
News1 week agoTurks and Caicos Advances Virtual Asset Regulation with Capacity-Building Workshop
-
Health1 week agoColombian Medical Team saves North Caicos Boy from rare throat disorder
-
News7 days agoDepartment of Tourism Regulations Engages Clement Howell High School Students in Immersive Tourism Education Experience
-
Bahamas News1 week agoCarnival Corporation Hosts Barbados Government Officials Aboard P&O Cruises’ Britannia to Showcase Environmental Stewardship
-
Health1 week agoMinistry of Health Encourages Early Detection on World Kidney Day
-
Government1 week agoSwearing-in of the 30th Canadian Ministry led by Mark Carney, New Prime Minister
-
News7 days agoBusinesses Invited to Name Events at the Turks & Caicos National High School Track & Field Championships
-
Bahamas News6 days agoBeyond the Mainsail: The Sailors of Sassie Sue and Patton Pride