Bahamas News

Major upgrades for Sandy Point airport and historic lighthouse under South Abaco development agreement

Published

5 years ago

February 18, 2020

#SANDY POINT, Abaco – February 18, 2020 —- The Sandy Point airport will be expanded and enhanced under the heads of agreement signed between the Government of The Bahamas and Tyrsoz Family Holdings Ltd.

The existing airport will be improved in order to accommodate private jets and make it fully operational, inclusive of a fixed base operation, Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis noted at the agreement signing ceremony on Thursday 13 February at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church Hall.

The airport expansion and renovation will include a terminal, parking area and runway extension.

The Queen’s Highway roadway will also be expanded.

The development represents a minimum capital investment of $300 million and is expected to include a wide range of amenities, including the expansion and upgrade of the Sandy Point airport, a marina, golf course, clubhouse, restaurants, a retail and residential component, swimming pools, waterpark, utility services, resort accommodations and related amenities.

As a part of the community commitments outlined in the agreement, the historic Hole-in-the-Wall Lighthouse and surrounding area will get a $1 million-dollar facelift.

The operation and restoration of the lighthouse will be undertaken in partnership with the Government of The Bahamas, the Antiquities, Museums and Monuments Corporation (AMMC) and the Bahamas National Trust (BNT).

The Lighthouse’s outbuildings will be renovated to provide a small museum of the area and a shop featuring local artisans and craftspeople.

As a part of the Lighthouse renovation, the developer will:

• invest up to $500,000 dollars to create a safe and secure facility for the public to climb to the top of the Lighthouse;

• create the South Abaco Lighthouse Society (SALS), modeled after the highly successful Elbow Cay Lighthouse Society;

• provide a perpetual contribution of $250,000 per year and assist with organizing donations, and;

• invest up to $250,000 dollars to provide public access to the beach area near the Lighthouse.

Up to $250,000 dollars have also been committed to restore the Alexandria settlement ruins adjacent to the South West Point Development.

And $750,000 dollars have been committed for community development initiatives in Sandy Point, Abaco in coordination with the Sandy Point community and local government.

The developers have also agreed to cooperate with the BNT to help implement the conceptual plan for the Abaco National Park – up to $1 million – in certain agreed upon areas, including cleaning up the Abaco National Forest, signage, creating nature trails and a welcome center.

Bahamas Prime Minister at Heads of Agreement signing with Tyrsoz Family Holdings Ltd

“We are an archipelago of enormous possibility, including a range of tourism amenities and services, with many linkages such as agriculture, fisheries, heritage tourism and the creative economy,” said Prime Minister Minnis.

“The island groups of The Bahamas must be developed in a sustainable manner, bearing the unique island heritage and signatures of our diverse islands and cays.”

Up Next

Over $8.3 million in contracts to rebuild Water & Sewerage infrastructure in Abaco post Hurricane Dorian

Don't Miss

Bahamas Prime Minister congratulates Buddy Hield on winning NBA 3-Point Contest

Deandrea S Hamilton

Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.

Bahamas News

Caribbean Wines & Spirits Hosts Intimate Dinner with Cakebread Cellars at Carna

Published

5 days ago

May 10, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Nassau, BAHAMAS — “A dish without wine is like a day without sunshine” – Jean Anthelme Brillat – Savarin

This saying emphasizes the enjoyment and pleasure that wines bring by enhancing the overall dining experience of every meal. This most certainly was the case in early April when Carna, at Baha Mar, hosted a six-course intimate dining experience with Cakebread Cellars wines. Cakebread Cellars is exclusively distributed by Caribbean Wines & Spirits.

Cakebread Cellars, a renowned Napa Valley winery, earned international acclaim when its Chardonnay became the first Californian wine to win a prize in France – an impressive milestone that helped put California wines on the global map. Known for their elegant, food friendly wines and commitment to quality, Cakebread Cellars continues to be a celebrated name in American winemaking.

The four wines featured during the evening were some of the most phenomenal vintages available in Cakebread Cellar’s portfolio: Napa Valley Reserve Chardonnay (2019), Two Creeks Vineyard Pinot Noir (2020), Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (2018) and the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Howell Mountain (2018). Guests enjoyed the perfect pairings which highlighted the brand’s diversity.

Jennifer Vitali, Regional Manager for Kobrand and DeCarlo McPhee, Sales Manager for Caribbean Wines & Spirits spoke to the guests in detail about each wine, giving diners an enhanced experience.

Guests were also treated to one of Cakebread Cellars’ most luxurious products, their Dancing Bear Cabernet Sauvignon, which retails at $255.

The Dancing Bear Ranch is located high on the slopes of Howell Mountain in northern Napa Valley. The vineyard’s high elevation, dry soils, and unique exposure contribute to small yields of intensely flavorful grapes

The Dancing Bear Cabernet was decanted by Faizal Farook, General Manager for Carna in SLS Baha Mar. Farook took delight in pouring a glass for each guest which they all savored.

The Dancing Bear Cabernet Sauvignon delighted guests with its tasting notes of ripe cherry and blackberry, along with hints of mocha, leather, baking spices and rocky minerality. The rich yet complex flavor can be accredited to the wine’s ranch unique location.

All the wines from the Cakebread portfolio, including the Dancing Bear Cabernet Sauvignon retail between $70.40 and $255.

For more details on exclusive dining experiences, new products and exciting events visit Caribbean Wines & Spirits’ website www.cwsbahamas.com today!

Photo Captions:

A display of the Cakebread Cellars wines tasted during the dinner at Carna

Guests seen engaging in conversation while savoring their perfectly paired wines and food.

Bahamas News

MOHW Develops Digital Platform to Properly Monitor Regenerative Therapy

Published

6 days ago

May 9, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

By Lindsay Thompson

Bahamas Information Services

NASSAU, The Bahamas -The system for the implementation of the Longevity and Regenerative Therapies Act, 2024 was officially introduced locally and internationally on April 28, 2025.

The Minister of Health and Wellness the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville foreshadowed the move at the 2025 HEALinc Future Innovation Summit opening ceremony on Sunday, April 27, at Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.

Referred to as LAR-TA, it is an on-line portal and digital platform designed to ensure that all approved longevity and regenerative therapies acceptable to patients in The Bahamas are properly vetted for safety and scientific merit, and that these therapies are delivered within a closely monitored ethical framework.

“The LAR-TA system has been developed to ensure that patients are properly consented, that the studies and therapies are ethically approved, meaning they have Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval that follow-up data from patients receiving cutting-edge therapies are properly tracked and regularly reviewed for safety and efficacy,” said Dr. Darville.

The new Act also establishes a Longevity and Regenerative Therapy Board that will encourage medical tourism, as well as the advancement of translational medicine locally and globally.

The board will develop the framework to attract top-tier bio-tech companies that will create jobs and other economic benefits and will ensure that stem cell therapies, gene therapies and other promising regenerative therapies accessible in The Bahamas are approved and properly monitored.

The 2025 HEALinc Global Summit ran April 27-29 under the theme: “New Opportunities in Healthy Longevity and Regenerative Medicine”.

The Summit opened with the “big picture” idea of embracing more connected perspectives on the restoration of “whole-person” health and life enhancement.

It featured more than 30 speakers who discussed topics such as precision medicine, gene therapy, and health longevity. It also explored the intersection of advanced longevity, regenerative medicine, and technology focusing on the mind-soul-spirit consciousness.

This unique convergence also highlighted the innovations and insights necessary to restore and sustain whole-person health, bridging science and spirituality to redefine the future of well-being.

The summit unites world leading scientists, innovators, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and medical professionals with a mission to empower individuals in health management and future shaping.

HEALinc, challenges norms, fostering innovative methods and connecting patients with resources for enhanced quality of life. Its focus is on safe, efficient solutions for longevity and regeneration.

Dr. Darville thanked Bahamian Dr. Desirée Cox, CEO and Founder of HEALinc and her team for organizing and bringing together industry leaders and scientists to the Fifth Annual HEALinc Global Summit in paradise.

“Your work embraces the spirit of collaboration and continues to reshape our understanding of ageing, wellness and recovery,” he said.

Bahamas News

National Energy Policy consultation tour closes this month

Published

6 days ago

May 9, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

By Shakara Trott

Bahamas Information Services

GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas — The Ministry of Energy is actively engaging Bahamians in shaping the National Energy Policy (NEP) 2025–2030, emphasizing transparency, inclusivity, and public participation. The campaign encourages citizens to contribute to policy development, with public consultations closing at the end of the month.

The NEP aims to provide safe, reliable, and affordable sustainable energy, aligning with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly in areas like affordable energy, sustainable cities, and global partnerships. Key themes in the policy include access, resilience, inclusion, and sustainability.

The transportation, telecommunications, and electricity sectors are the largest energy consumers and central to national development.

The Bahamas currently relies heavily on imported fossil fuels (mainly diesel and heavy fuel oil), exposing the country to volatile global oil prices and high energy costs. The main electricity providers are Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC).

During a recent national address on January 8, 2025, announcing the nationwide 5% VAT rate decrease, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Philip Davis said that his Government had already started by creating the country’s first nationwide energy sector reforms.

He said: “The high cost of energy runs right throughout the economy. Important parts of our outdated electricity grid date back to before Independence. Some of them are so old that no one makes the parts to fix them anymore. But we can’t build a successful economy – and Bahamians can’t build their own success stories – if we continue to be burdened by an old, outdated, system, dependent on heavy and diesel fuels.”

Prime Minister Davis added: “An unreliable system, and above all, an expensive system – you simply can’t build a 21st century economy with 20th century infrastructure. So, we’re reforming, upgrading, modernizing.”

He noted that solar panels were going to go up, and prices were “going to come down”.

“We are partnering with Bahamian companies across our Family Islands, to meet the unique needs of each,” Prime Minister Davis pointed out. “We are going to have New Providence’s first utility-scale solar field. We’re integrating LNG. We’re updating transmission lines and technology, for efficiency – which means cost-savings – for reliability, and increased resilience during storms.”

He noted that it was a huge undertaking, and it was going to make a “huge difference”.

“But the changes will take time – so while that work is happening, we’re offering relief on high monthly electricity bills with an equity rate adjustment – a tariff reduction that has already added up to significant savings for thousands of Bahamian households and businesses,” Prime Minister Davis stated.

“In the coming months and years, imagine how many more Bahamian businesses will grow and thrive, once they are not held back by high electricity costs.”

The NEP is part of a broader legal and regulatory framework, supported by:

The Electricity Act 2024 (regulating generation, transmission, and supply),
The Natural Gas Act 2024 (regulating importation, transport, and retail of natural gas),
The URCA Act, empowering URCA to regulate and issue licenses.

Importantly, the NEP is a policy document, not legislation, but it guides and complements existing laws.

The energy revolution is underway in The Bahamas, with the Prime Minister emphasizing that the country will no longer be held back by long-standing energy challenges. The government is committed to ensuring no island is left behind in this transformation.

As part of ongoing public engagement, the energy team are updating residents of George Town, Exuma, and Matthew Town, Inagua — with the final stop of the consultation tour being at Inagua All-Age School Hall on Friday, May 16, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.