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.
Bahamas News
Public Hospitals Authority Foundation Donates Dialysis Machines to Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH)
The Bahamas, September 21, 2026 – The Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) Foundation, a philanthropic organization launched in January 2024 to support public hospitals and healthcare clinics, donated eight additional dialysis machines for the PMH Renal Services unit.
Director of Foundations, Corporate and Community Relations for the Public Hospitals Authority and Executive Director of the foundation,
Alana Major, said this initiative is a part of the foundation’s “Sun, Sea and Second Chances” campaign. PHA Foundation aims to secure 30 machines for Princess Margaret Hospital.
“As of today, with this donation, we are now up to 15 machines, so we are very excited about that,” Ms. Major said.
Other members of the foundation were present, including PHA Foundation Chairman Mr. Selvin Basden, who said the foundation is committed to doing its part in fulfilling the mandate of the Government of the Bahamas.
“One of the tenets of the Government is to ensure that access to healthcare is a human right. We are committed to ensuring that, at least from our part, we can deliver on that principle,” Mr. Basden said.
The PMH Renal Services Unit dialyzes about 150 to 170 patients annually. The unit provides care for patients who have been diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease and now need renal support. Patients who receive dialysis typically come to the unit three times a week, either on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule or a Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday schedule.
Head of Department for Renal Services, Dr. Thurston Carroll, said she and the unit are excited to receive the donation, as it will replace
machines that are not operating optimally.
“We are particularly excited about today’s donation because, although we have 20 stations within the dialysis unit, we have an aging fleet. These new machines and new water-treatment equipment will allow us to replace some of our aging equipment so that we can continue providing services to our patients.”
Foundation representatives noted that one or two organizations are already considering making bulk donations and if it happens, the foundation may be able to secure another 10 machines or another five machines in the very near future.
PMH Deputy Hospital Administrator Angelica Lockhart-Bastian and Hospital Administrator Mr. Tevard Bastian thanked the PHA Foundation for its donation to Princess Margaret Hospital.
Also in attendance were PHA Foundation Deputy Chairman Dr. Erecia Hepburn; Foundation guest Dr. Maria Oriakhi; Chief Biomedical Engineer Mr. Theodore Nottage; Administrative Officer Ms. Appapisa Neely; and Senior Assistant Hospital Administrator Mr. Valdez Bowe.
By Christina Williams
Bahamas Information Services
BIS Photos/Mark Ford
PHOTO CAPTION:
Group Photo, from left:
– Dr. Rhea Thurston Carroll, Director, Renal Services, PMH
– Nurse Kim Harris, Dialysis Nurse, Dialysis Unit, PMH
– Sister Darnell Roker, Nurse Manager, Dialysis Unit, PMH
– Mrs. Angelica Lockhart-Bastian, Deputy Hospital Administrator PMH
– Mr. Tevard Bastian, Hospital Administrator PMH
– Mrs. Alana Major, Director, Foundations, Community and Corporate Relations, PHA
– Mr. Selvin Basden, Chairman, PHA Foundation
– Dr. Erecia Hepburn, PHA Foundation Board
– Ms. Donette Danvers, Executive Assistant, Foundations, Community and Corporate Relations, PHA
Miami, Florida – Director of Aviation and Deputy Director General of Tourism, Dr. Kenneth Romer was presented with The 2025-2026 Infrastructure Leadership MVP Award, during the 10th Annual Caribbean Infrastructure Forum (CARIF) held in Miami September 15-16, 2026.
According to event organizers, New Energy Events, the MVP Leadership Award is the highest individual honor in the industry and is
presented to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional, strategic and visionary leadership in advancing infrastructure in the Caribbean. Chosen by an independent jury of regional industry leaders, “The recipient is recognized for their sustained impact, influence across sectors, and dedication to driving meaningful progress in policy, investment, or project delivery”, said Event Organizers.
Romer becomes only the third person from the Region, and the first from The Bahamas to receive the Leadership MVP Award, joining last year’s winner The Honourable Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados.
Represented among the Conference Speakers and present at the Award Ceremony was Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation, The Honourable JoBeth Coleby-Davis, who said that, “This award amplifies The Bahamas Government’s commitment to executing a vision that sets the benchmark for infrastructural investments opportunities across our archipelago while supporting exemplary Bahamian leaders like Dr. Romer, who are steering the Caribbean toward more resilient, investable, and innovative infrastructure”.
“While this award is deemed an individual honor, it is a recognition of the Bahamas’ position as a respected regional leader and more so, a
reflection of the incredible talent that resides within our small, but indomitable nation that continues to punch above its weight class as the world marks the manner of our bearing”, said Dr. Romer.
Dr. Romer has been instrumental in driving post-pandemic tourism recovery alongside the transformation of airports across the Family Islands through the Government’s landmark Family Islands Renaissance initiative. Under his leadership as Director of Aviation and Deputy Director General of Tourism, the sector has embraced a strategic, forward-looking approach focused on modernizing over 19 runways and terminals, strengthening safety and resilience, expanding international and regional connectivity, and leveraging public-private partnerships to deliver world-class facilities.
Dr. Romer’s work has helped translate the National Aviation Strategic Plan into tangible infrastructure projects that are creating new opportunities for tourism, investment, entrepreneurship and economic growth across the archipelago.
In 2025, he became the first person from the Caribbean and LATAM Region to be appointed to the Board of the International Association of Airports Executives.
NASSAU, Bahamas –— This back-to-school season Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), the local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is offering huge wins for parents and guardians in their Level Up and Win Lunchtime giveaway.
The promotion encourages consumers to share their best lunch bag creations featuring the following products, Honest Kids juice box, Minute Maid 12oz Fruit Cooler and Dasani 12oz. water. Now until September 30th, the public can post or privately share a photo or video of
one of the listed products in their lunch bag.
At the end of the promotion, the top five lunch bags will be shared on social media, and consumers will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite lunchtime creations. Prizes include a $200 Kelly’s gift card, $150 John Bull gift card and six-months’ worth of each product.
Lauryn Clarke, Marketing Coordinator of Caribbean Bottling Company, shared what inspired this promotion.
” The back-to-school season is all about getting kids excited for the year ahead, and lunch boxes are a big part of that fun. We wanted to remind parents and guardians that hydration should be just as important as what is being learned in the classroom. This promotion is about encouraging families to pack a refreshing beverage their kids will enjoy and make hydration part of their everyday school routine,” Clarke said.
With a variety of brands and new flavors featured in this promotion, particularly Honest Kids’ newest flavor, Strawberry Peach Keen, and the new 12 oz. Minute Maid Fruit Coolers, CBC hopes this lunchtime giveaway will appeal to new consumers.
For more details on the Level Up and Win Lunchtime promotion, new products and events visit caribbean_bottling on social media.
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