Bahamas News
Grand Bahama will be prepared for post-COVID, states Prime Minister Minnis
PRESS RELEASE (BIS) February 12, 2021 – During a one-day visit to Grand Bahama to tour the capital works projects currently underway, Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis on Thursday declared, Grand Bahama will be prepared for post-COVID.
While speaking with the media following a tour of West Grand Bahama and Central Grand Bahama, Prime Minister Minnis also said the curfew in Grand Bahama will be extended to 11pm shortly.
The Prime Minister arrived on Thursday morning accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works, the Hon. Desmond Bannister and Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie Campbell. He was greeted by Senator the Hon. J. Kwasi Thompson, Minister of State for Finance and for Grand Bahama; the Hon. Michael Pintard, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources; the Hon. Iram Lewis, Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction; Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe; Senator the Hon. Jasmine Darius; Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Harcourt Brown; and other senior government officials.
The purpose of his visit, he said, was to see the progress made following the “catastrophic events” of Hurricane Dorian in September 2019, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said, “It is essential that Grand Bahama and the rest of The Bahamas be prepared for the post-COVID era.”
The tour began in West End where the Prime Minister and delegation viewed the dock and saw plans for the boat ramps and fishing station; the convoy then went to Holmes Rock Junior High School, the Administrative/Government Complex in Eight Mile Rock, with a stop at the Eight Mile Rock High School where the Prime Minister greeted some members of staff and a few students.
Hugh Campbell Primary School was the first stop when the group came back to Freeport; and then it was on to the Garnet Levarity Justice Centre, the Post Office, the Department of Agriculture and to Pelican Bay.
Describing the Administrative Complex as “high end” the Prime Minister noted it is of the standard design that should be replicated in the other islands.
He expressed pleasure in the number of people involved in backyard farming and the program’s growth.
The Prime Minister added that the hospital should be ready for official opening next month. The same company that designed the Critical Care Block of the Princess Margaret Hospital when the Prime Minister was the Minister of Health is currently designing the new hospital for Grand Bahama.
Cabinet is expected to deliberate on the airport, as the paperwork has been completed, said Dr. Minnis, and they are prepared to take over and put a management team in place.
As for Our Lucayan, he said it is “somewhat disappointing” that the property has not been reopened yet “unfortunately, we were affected by COVID just like the rest of the world; hotels around the world have been closed down and we were caught with that also.”
He further stated that professionals have come in and reviewed the agreements that were negotiated to make sure that they were compliant with international standards — “we’re getting the best price we possibly can at this point in time.”
“I can’t give you a date at this particular time, but what I can say is that as we come out of this COVID era, the hotels will be ready, the airlines will return and the airport will be ready so Grand Bahama will be ready for this rebound in terms of COVID.”
Following lunch at Pelican Bay, the delegation travelled to East Grand Bahama to view the road repairs, Freetown Primary School repairs, McLean’s Town Clinic and the McLean’s Town Dock.
The Prime Minister departed Grand Bahama for New Providence on Thursday afternoon.
By Robyn Adderley
Photo Captions:
Header: The construction of two new boat ramps, fishing station and removal of conch shells were on the plans shown to Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis on Thursday morning by Garvin Greene of Dewitt Wright Construction.
1st insert: Following the tour of the Government Complex in Eight Mile Rock, Prime Minister Minnis told members of the press that it is a standard building that should be in all of the Family Islands, where all of the government offices are located in one structure.
2nd insert: The newly constructed Holmes Rock Junior High School was one of the stops the Prime Minister made during his tour of capital works projects in Grand Bahama on Thursday.
3rd insert: It is anticipated that newly renovated Rand Memorial Hospital will be ready for official opening in March, said the Prime Minister on Thursday during his tour of capital works projects in Grand Bahama. Leading the hospital tour was Administrator Sharon Williams.
(BIS Photos/Lisa Davis)
Bahamas News
EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center Officially Opens to Help Students Wishing to Study in the US
By LLONELLA GILBERT
Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas — The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center was officially opened at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) on Thursday, September 5, 2024, to help students throughout the country have personalized access to free, accurate, current and comprehensive information about US tertiary institutions.
Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin thanked the US government for opening
up the Center to help residents achieve the goal of going to a tertiary institution in the US.
The Education Minister said during a recent trip to Cuba, she learned that high school is called “pre-university”.
She noted that many students in The Bahamas believe that after high school, they should go out and work.
She said, “While there is nothing wrong with that, the secondary school experience should be seen as a launching pad for something more, further and greater. We want our young people to see themselves in that way.
“We want to encourage our young people, all of them going through high school, that they are in pre-university. It is just the launching pad for more that is out there for them.”
The Minister added that students should not only see their individual potential, but also come back home after going to a tertiary
institution abroad to help build national capacity.
President, BTVI, Dr. Linda Davis; US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish; EducationUSA Regional Manager for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, Giselle Dubinsky; Public Affairs Officer/US Embassy, Suemayah Abu-Douleh also attended the opening.
Dr. Davis said the use of the Center is not limited to BTVI students. “Bahamians and residents throughout The Bahamas wishing to study in the US should consider EducationUSA at BTVI as their official source of information.”
She explained that in 2019, BTVI and the US Embassy signed a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to establish the Center on BTVI’s main campus.
“The Center was operationalized in 2023 and today we celebrate its inauguration. BTVI is pleased to finally reach this milestone and join the global network of over 400 EducationUSA Advising Centers, tasked with facilitating much needed guidance and support for students wishing to matriculate to a US institution.”
The US Chargé d’Affaires said EducationUSA aims to make opportunities to study at US tertiary institutions more accessible to students by providing them with the guidance and resources they need to pursue their academic dreams in the US.
She also explained that part of the mission of the Center is to ensure that students choose tertiary institutions that are accredited.
“The Center will serve as a hub for students, parents and educators seeking information about US higher education. Our advisor Breann Marshall is here to assist every step of the way from selecting the right institution to understanding the VISA requirements.”
PHOTO CAPTION
BIS Photos/Patrick Hanna
Header : Ribbon Cutting
The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center was officially opened at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) on Thursday, September 5, 2024, to help students throughout the country obtain personalized access to free, accurate, current and comprehensive information about US tertiary institutions. US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish and Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin performed the ceremonial ribbon-cutting.
Showcase
Advisor, The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center, Breann Marshall (centre) shows Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin and US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish around the Center.
Jael Joseph’s Digital Platform Embarks on a New Chapter of Empowerment and Creativity
Jael Joseph has officially relaunched BlackIslandGirl.com, transforming her passion project into a dynamic multimedia platform that caters to a wide array of interests and communities. Originally created in 2021 as Joseph’s capstone project at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Black Island Girl has now evolved into a comprehensive digital space that reflects her creative vision and commitment to representation, storytelling, and empowerment.
The newly revamped site features a broad range of content sections, including Beauty, Business, Culture, Entertainment, Health and Wellness, Politics, and “The BIG Feature,” a spotlight segment focusing on in-depth stories and profiles. In addition to articles and features, the site’s new “What’s New” section provides event promoters with the opportunity to list their events, making Black Island Girl a go-to source for cultural and community engagement.
One of the most significant changes in this relaunch is the platform’s shift towards multimedia offerings. Businesses can now request
custom commercials and podcasts, giving them new avenues to promote their products and services. This expanded functionality opens the door for Black Island Girl to tap into every corner of modern media, creating a space that engages audiences through multiple forms of content.
Advertisers can now leverage the platform’s growing reach, promoting their brands and services within a diverse and inclusive community. Jael Joseph’s vision for the site goes beyond traditional media, offering opportunities for men and women alike to find inspiration, learn, and connect.
The relaunch of Black Island Girl comes at a time when Joseph is dedicating more time and energy to the project, following the registration of Black Island Girl Multimedia. This business venture further underscores her intent to build a creative and empowering space. Under the same multimedia banner, she also released her debut film Territory, a powerful short documentary that has been recognized internationally. Territory was nominated at several film festivals and took home the award for Best Short Documentary at the 2023 Caribbean Tales International Film Festival, marking another major achievement in Joseph’s creative career.
This relaunch highlights the multifaceted talent of Jael Joseph and her dedication to creating a platform that not only showcases her work but also serves as a source of inspiration for others. With its enhanced offerings, Black Island Girl is now positioned as a go-to multimedia hub for those interested in culture, wellness, business, and more.
As Joseph continues to focus her energy on Black Island Girl, the platform is poised to become an essential digital space that empowers and uplifts. Whether through its rich content, multimedia offerings, or community-focused event listings, Black Island Girl is set to carve out a unique niche in the media landscape, fueled by Jael Joseph’s passion and creativity.
Finance the Hon. Philip Davis said, on September 10, 2024, that it marked the start of an “extraordinary” new chapter for Cat Island.
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