Bahamas News
Bahamas Disaster Reconstruction Authority leading ambitious multi-million dollar housing, home repair
#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.
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TheBahamas, September 19, 2023 – Royal Caribbean is working on a major project, announcing plans to open a new adults-only “escape” Hideaway Beach at its CocoCay private-island destination in The Bahamas, come January 2024.
The “beachfront paradise,” set to be situated at the western side of Perfect Day at CocoCay, behind Thrill Waterpark,
will have a private beach and multiple pools with DJ music, 20 private cabanas and several spots for “drinks and bites,” the company says.
Not only that, it will include a “hidden VIP experience.”
Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO is of the impression that this will bring a compelling, sought after new way to enjoy a day at its private island.
He said, “Hideaway Beach is a completely new vibe and experience that vacationers are looking for on Perfect Day at CocoCay.”
It is going to be a getaway spot for adults, only 18 or older allowed to enter.
“Everything from its hidden-like location to the exclusive beach and pools to the private cabanas is designed for adults who want a day just for them,” the CEO said.
The space, according to Claudia Diaz-Gonzalez, Royal Caribbean Associate Vice President of Private Destination Development, will be able to host between 1,500 and 2,000 guests.
No specific day was provided for the opening.
Bahamas News
Eleuthera Medical Center Marks 5 Years, Private community clinic ‘grows with the demand’, adds Dental and Dermatology to slate of services
#Eleuthera, The Bahamas, September 19, 2023 – A Family Island clinic that started with a vision to serve the community with the best in private medical care and wellness regardless of a patient’s financial standing celebrated its fifth anniversary this month, announcing new services it said were those most strongly requested by patients.
Eleuthera Medical Center (EMC), the flagship of Bahamas Wellness Health Systems, marked its anniversary adding dental and dermatology to its growing list of medical specialties that includes primary wellness, vision, gynecology and pediatrics. Some services are offered on an ongoing daily basis provided by physicians at one of Bahamas Wellness Health Systems (BWHS) four clinics, others are offered on a rotating basis by visiting medical specialists and associates on a regularly scheduled rotating basis.
“When we opened our doors to this clinic in 2018, we knew there was a need for full-time medical care and especially attention to wellness in Eleuthera,” said EMC and Bahamas Wellness Health Systems founder Dr. Arlington Lightbourne. “But we underestimated how appreciative the community would be that there were always physicians on call, that in the case of an emergency we could respond, that we provided an ambulance and emergency care saving patients from having to be airlifted to Nassau or beyond.”
Lightbourne said the years have not been without challenges.
“For nearly 18 months, we endured COVID, conducting testing outdoors, trying to keep our spirits strong and staff well so they could care for others and yet in a small community like Eleuthera where you know someone in everyone’s family it’s hard not to feel the pain and suffering others feel,” said Dr. Lightbourne. “But we doubled down and said we are here for the long haul and whatever the path is to provide the best in care, to make that care affordable and to improve the wellness of the community overall, that is the journey we are on, and it has been an incredibly rewarding one.”
To support that emphasis on wellness, the clinic located in the settlement of Palmetto Point adjacent to Governors
Harbour in the heart of central Eleuthera, offers regularly scheduled lectures and town meetings with a nutritionist and wellness expert who is part of the team. Lightbourne’s interest in well-being stems from his work in Emergency Care at both PMH and Doctors Hospital where the vast number of cases he treated were the result of non-communicable diseases and conditions including heart attacks, high blood pressure and cancer related to lifestyle – poor diet high in fats and low in nutrition and lack of proper physical exercise.
Today, he said he is seeing more interest in preventative care, a sign that Bahamians learned from Covid and its aftermath that wellness matters.
“We have a brighter future ahead of us and I am proud of what we are doing in Eleuthera and our other clinics to make a difference in The Bahamas with careful diagnoses and individual attention to how people conduct their daily lives when it comes to their overall wellness,” said Lightbourne, now the deputy director of the Bahamas Medical Association and an authorized NHI provider.
BHWS also operates clinics in Nassau, Spanish Wells and Lower Bogue.
Photo Caption: The Hon. Clay Sweeting, MP, Central and South Eleuthera, welcomes the Bahamas Wellness Medical Center’s ambulance. He is pictured with Dr. Jessica Moss, Emergency Medicine Specialist and Vice President & Medical Director at Eleuthera Medical Center, and Dr. Arlington Lightbourne, founder of the expanding clinic, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary serving the community by adding dental and dermatology to its growing list of specializations.
Coral Harbour Base, 18 September. ‘23 (RBDF): The Royal Bahamas Defence Force was honoured to attend a
Day of Celebration at the Mall at Marathon on the occasion of Brazil’s 201st Day of Independence (7th September, 2023). The occasion also marked a celebration of friendship and unity.
In a remarkable display of cultural exchange and diplomatic ties, Young Officers led by Lieutenant Blair Bethel, joined in the celebration. Against the backdrop of cultural exchange, Brazilian Singer Ellen Oléria held a special musical performance bringing a taste of Brazil’s vibrant culture to The Bahamas. Her performance showcased the infectious rhythms of Portuguese music commemorating their rich history and vibrant culture.
The RBDF, under the leadership of Commander Defence Force, Commodore Raymond E. King, is dedicated to the meaningful involvement and development of service members as we share the responsibility for accomplishing the Defence Force’s Mandate. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force extends its congratulations to the people of Brazil during this momentous occasion as we look forward to fostering mutual understanding and building a brighter future between The Bahamas and Brazil.
For additional information, kindly reach out to the RBDF Public Relations Department or visit our
official website at www.rbdf.gov.bs. Connected with us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates, and explore our engaging content on our YouTube channel.
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