#TheBahamas – March 12, 2020 — The Bahamas Disaster Reconstruction Authority is leading ambitious housing and home repair programs in Abaco and Grand Bahama designed to assist residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Dorian.
The
Authority is providing temporary residential domes in Spring City, Abaco; additional
domes to disaster zone residents who want one on their property; the
development of 55 lots in Central Pines for single- and multi-family use, along
with two further 60-acre tracts; the Small Home Repair Programme for various
levels of home restoration; and, its partnerships with NGOs through which the
NGOs provide materials and technical assistance while the Authority pays for
labour.
“Providing
housing and assisting with home repairs are major points of focus for the Authority,”
said Katherine Forbes-Smith, Managing Director of the Bahamas Disaster
Reconstruction Authority on Sunday, March 8 at a two-hour press event hosted by
the Authority at Harry C. Moore Library, University of The Bahamas, marking the
six-month period since Hurricane Dorian hit Abaco and Grand Bahama.
Domes
Thirty-two
domes in Spring City are complete and have been turned over to the Authority.
The
Authority is awaiting final utility connections that should be done this week.
After
conferring with the Department of Social Services the domes will be turned over
to residents of Spring City.
The
criteria to occupy the domes are: a person’s home should have been destroyed by
the storm; and, priority will be given to the elderly, physically and mentally
challenged, single mothers and families with infants and small children.
“We are
also in the process of constructing domes on the private properties of those
who meet the criteria, four of which are being installed in Little Abaco,” said
Mrs. Forbes-Smith.
“We
encourage others with destroyed homes to apply to the Authority for temporary
housing assistance.”
Lots/Residential Tracts
The
Authority is also working on immediately developing 55 lots in Central Pines
for single- and multi-family use.
“We are
in the process of having properties from the Ministry of the Environment and
Housing transferred to the Authority,” said Mrs. Forbes-Smith.
“It is
hoped these units provide much-needed rentals and housing for people already on
the island, and those seeking to return.”
Additionally,
the Authority is working on the development of two, 60-acre tracts – one in
Marsh Harbour and the other in Wilson City. The Surveyor General has confirmed
the preliminary survey is complete.
The
final plans and topography are being properly documented so the information can
be included in an RFP scheduled for issue by the middle of April.
“It is
hoped work would begin on this initiative in the third quarter of this year,”
said Mrs. Forbes-Smith.
“It is
envisioned that the developments will showcase innovative housing solutions
that are sustainable, eco-friendly, energy efficient and meet with our goal of
building back better.
“Local
and international developers will be invited to provide solutions for the
60-acre tracts.”
Home Repairs
The
Authority launched its Small Home Repair Programme on February 10.
Residents
whose homes were assessed with minimal damage are eligible for $2,500 in
purchase orders; those with medium damage are eligible for $5,000 in purchase
orders; those with major damage are eligible for $7,500 in purchase orders; and
those whose homes were destroyed are eligible for $10,000 in purchase orders.
Purchase order recipients are able to use them for home
improvement materials, labour or a combination of both.
There is an online registration for the programme. In-person,
sign-up locations have also been established in Grand Bahama, Abaco and New
Providence.
To
qualify a person needs to be Bahamian; to own the property in question; there
must be proof of residence at August 31, 2019; the property would need to have
been uninsured; and the property has to be in Grand Bahama or Abaco.
Materials purchased with purchase orders would have to be from
approved vendors in The Bahamas.
Since the launch of the Small Home Repair Programme web
portal, 3,137 people set up user profiles.
Of those 3,137 profiles, 2,069 homeowners have completed the
full registration for assistance.
Of the 2,069 homeowners registered: 804 need structural
assessments; 471 need to upload documents; 404 approved have met all the
criteria and structural assessments.
The Authority is still waiting on 89 percent of homeowners
to bring in their quotes so purchase orders could be issued.
The Authority has also partnered with various NGOs in
Dorian-impacted communities to assist with home repairs.
Through the partnerships the Government pays for home repair
labour and the NGOs provide supplies and various types of logistical and
technical assistance.
A working model of this partnership is with Church by the Sea in
Little Abaco. Church by the Sea is
located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
It is assisting with home repairs across the Little Abaco
communities.
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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.
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.
#TheBahamas, April 15, 2024 – After years of thorough maintenance, The Thomas A Robinson National Stadium in The Bahamas is finally getting a multi-million dollar makeover, readying the 10-year old facility ahead of the World Athletics Relays on May 5, 2024; it is being staged in Nassau for the fourth time.
This $36 million refurbishment is being funded by the Chinese Government, as part of a vision to enhance the country’s sport infrastructure to benefit youths in athletics. The stadium was gifted to The Bahamas in 2012 by the Chinese.
The relay is the qualifying event for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games and there will be 32 national teams, in each relay event, and 20 races on both days of competition, according to World Athletics.
Day 1, will have 20 heats across the five Olympic-calibre events (4 heats each for 4×100, 4×400, men, women and mixed) and will qualify 40 teams for the Summer Olympics.
Distinctly, the top two teams from each heat will directly qualify for the 2024 Games.
On day 2, 30 more national teams will be qualified through 15 heats and five finals, across those five events.
The upgrades which include new trusses, rooftops, seats, the lawn, score boards, LED displays and more, are expected to be complete at least two weeks before the relays, being held under the theme: ‘Chase the Sun’.
In a special ceremony on Monday April 8, The Bahamas Prime Minister, Philip Davis said:
In December 2023, our shared vision took shape, as the government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and the government of the People’s Republic of China, inked an implementation agreement for the renovation of the stadium. This gesture of goodwill and friendship, from the Chinese government to undertake the China Aid Maintenance and Renovation project of our national stadium, stands as a testament to the strong bonds that unite our countries. This project, executed by China Urban Construction Research Institute Company Limited, and the China Machinery Industry Construction Group Company Limited, reflects our shared commitment to excellence, innovation and mutual development.”
Additionally, H.E Dai Qingli, outgoing Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas who also attended that ceremony, spoke.
“At the end of the project, the Bahamian people will get a fully renewed and modern world class stadium because everything is going to be either renewed or repaired,” she said.
Some 1,600 athletes will be in The Bahamas for the World Athletics relays, with five events. The Bahamas won the bid over Lausanne, Rome in 2022.
Mario Bowleg, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture in reports, thanked China for their contribution to the redevelopment of the stadium.
“We thank them for their commitment to ensuring that they bring this facility back up to A1 standard so that we can continue holding international events and using these facilities as a development of our young people.”