Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Prime Minister Continues to Outline Plans for Rebuilding Post Hurricane Dorian
#Nassau, November 4, 2019 – Bahamas – Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis has foreshadowed the creation of a Disaster Reconstruction Authority aimed at a smoother rebuilding process post Hurricane Dorian.
This, he revealed at a Press Conference held at the Office of the Prime Minister on Sunday, November 3, 2019. Also present were Captain Stephen Russell, Director of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA; and John Michael Clarke, Co-chair of the Reconstruction Committee.
The Prime Minister was fresh from Abaco where he held a series of town hall meetings on Green Turtle Cay, Guana Cay, Man-O-War Cay and Elbow Cay.
He was accompanied by Abaco Members of Parliament — Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield and Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister James Albury — also Minister of State in the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness Management and Reconstruction Iram Lewis; and representatives of the Department of Inland Revenue and Bahamas Customs.
“I plan to hold regular town hall meetings throughout communities affected by Hurricane Dorian, in Abaco and Grand Bahama, as we continue recovery and reconstruction,” the Prime Minister said.
“I will resume my regular schedule of town hall meetings throughout the country to update residents on national developments,” he added.
Addressing the reconstruction process, the Prime Minister said the Disaster Reconstruction Authority Bill 2019, which was already tabled in the House of Assembly, will remove the red tape too often associated with government processes and should enable the reconstruction process to proceed as efficiently and quickly as possible. This Bill is up for debate in the House of Assembly the week of November 4.
The Government is also looking into creating The Bahamas National Recovery and Reconstruction Trust Fund.
“This Trust Fund will be an independent and non-political body to help fund home and building repairs,” the Prime Minister said.
He explained that the proposed Trust Fund will provide the most vulnerable residents affected by natural disasters with up to a $10,000 grant per household to assist families by providing building supplies, labor or some combination of both.
A committee of subject matter experts will help to operationalize the Fund’s efforts and to connect public and private stakeholders.
The Government will provide the initial funds to start-up the Trust.
“However, this private independent trust will be responsible for collecting and distributing funds for recovery efforts to ensure transparency and full accountability,” the Prime Minister said. “We will provide more details about the Trust as it develops.”
The Prime Minister reiterated that the previously announced VAT Relief Policy applies to Abaco, the Abaco Cays and Grand Bahama until June 2020.
“Under this new policy, individuals and businesses in the areas impacted directly by Hurricane Dorian will be exempt from the payment of Value Added Tax on a range of items related to reconstruction, rehabilitation and everyday consumption,” he said.
The Government also plans to establish a $1.5 million-dollar loan and grant program to assist farmers, fishermen and those in the boating industry in the Special Economic Recovery Zones of Abaco and Grand Bahama,” the Prime Minister said.
“We are making other progress on the ground across Abaco and Grand Bahama,” said the Prime Minister.
To advance its clean-up program and Debris Management Plan for Abaco and Grand Bahama, the Ministry of Housing and the Environment has formalized a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
Under the MOU, the UNDP will assist with monitoring, evaluation and technical assistance.
By Lindsay Thompson
Release: BIS
Photo Captions: Prime Minister Minnis held a Press Conference at the Office of the Prime Minister on Sunday, November 3, 2019. He continued his updates on the recovery process on Abaco and its cays and East End, Grand Bahama – the areas impacted by Hurricane Dorian in September 2019. Pictured from left are Captain Stephen Russell, Director of the National Emergency Management Agency; Prime Minister Minnis; and John Michael Clarke, Co-chair of the Reconstruction Committee.
(BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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