Connect with us

Bahamas News

Grand Bahama will be prepared for post-COVID, states Prime Minister Minnis

Published

on

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

Ministry of National Security Addresses Claims Regarding RBDF Officers in Haiti

Published

on

The Bahamas, April 22, 2025 – The Ministry of National Security of The Bahamas has issued a statement addressing recent social media allegations claiming that Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) officers deployed in Haiti have been abandoned, unpaid, and subjected to unsafe working conditions.

According to the Ministry, in a statement on Tuesday April 22, these allegations are “inaccurate” and misrepresent the realities facing deployed personnel.

Contrary to the claims circulating online, the Ministry emphasized that all officers and marines continue to receive their full salaries and benefits.

At the onset of their deployment, each officer was provided with a six-month hazardous pay supplement at the highest rate, alongside hardship and deployment allowances that surpass the standard rates for deployments elsewhere.

The welfare of the personnel deployed in Haiti has been a priority throughout their mission. Officers have maintained direct communication with the Minister of National Security via scheduled Zoom calls, enabling open dialogue regarding any concerns.

Moreover, Commander Julian Smith, The Bahamas’ Chargé d’Affaires to Haiti, has conducted personal visits to the officers to offer support and evaluate their conditions.

It’s significant to note that the Bahamian officers are not involved in front-line patrols with the Haitian National Police or the Kenyan contingent. Instead, they hold command and support roles within the Logistics Support Area (LSA), as stipulated in their deployment terms.

Addressing claims of overwork, the Ministry confirmed there have been no complaints about workload from the deployed personnel. Discussions with the Kenyan Force Commander reinforce that their work expectations align with standard RBDF norms.

The Ministry, in the media release, urged the public to refrain from spreading misinformation and recommends seeking clarification through official channels for any concerns related to the deployment.

The government also said it remains committed to supporting the RBDF personnel’s service levels and professionalism.

Continue Reading

Bahamas News

Statement from Prime Minister Davis on The Passing of His Holiness Pope Francis

Published

on

April 21, 2025 – Today, I join the global community in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a spiritual shepherd whose life was marked by humility, courage, and a deep commitment to humanity.

I recall with great reverence my meeting with the Holy Father. In our exchange, his heart for the poor and suffering, his compassion for the displaced people of Haiti, and his concern for the existential threat of climate change revealed a man of profound faith who understood the urgency of justice in our time.

Pope Francis went beyond leading the Catholic Church he opened its doors wider. His papacy re-centered the Church’s moral voice on the teachings of Jesus Christ: love without exception, mercy without condition, and service without reward. He reminded us that the Church must walk with the wounded, speak for the voiceless, and care above all for the poor.

As the world reflects on his legacy, we remember his call to be stewards of the Earth and protectors of the vulnerable. In the Caribbean, where the impacts of climate change are felt daily, his voice was among the loudest calling for equity and responsibility. And in Haiti, he never turned away from suffering—he insisted we look closer, act bolder, and love deeper.

Ann and I, together with the people of The Bahamas, extend our deepest condolences to the Catholic faithful, to the people of the Vatican, and to all those touched by Pope Francis’ remarkable ministry. May his soul rest in peace, and may we honour him best by living lives rooted in compassion and service.

Continue Reading

Bahamas News

CARIFTA Games 2025 – Trinidad & Tobago 

Published

on

S C H E D U L E    O F    E V E N T S

 

The 2025 CARIFTA Athletics Games will be held at Hasely Crawford Stadium from April 19–21, while the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships take place at the National Aquatic Centre from April 19–22, with Open Water events on April 23 at Five Islands Beach.

Friday April 18, 2025

52nd CARIFTA Athletics Games and the XXXVIII CARIFTA Aquatics Championships Opening Ceremony

  • Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad
  • Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
  • Admission Free

Saturday April 19, 2025

Athletics – Hasely Crawford Stadium: Port of Spain, Trinidad

Morning Session – Starts 9:00 AM

  • Boy’s U20 Decathlon 100m Heats
  • Girl’s U17 High Jump Final
  • Girl’s U17 Javelin Throw Final
  • Girl’s U20 Shot Put Final
  • U17 & U20 100m and 400m Semi-Finals
  • Boy’s U17 Octathlon 100m Heats
  • Boy’s U20 Decathlon Long Jump & Shot Put

Afternoon Session – Starts 4:00 PM

  • Medal Ceremonies
  • U17 & U20 Finals: 100m, 400m, 1500m
  • Girl’s U20 Triple Jump Final
  • Girl’s U17 Discus Final
  • Boy’s U20 Discus & High Jump
  • Boy’s U17 Triple Jump & Shot Put
  • Special Olympics 100m (Girls & Boys)
  • Mixed Open 4x400m Relay Final
  • Pole Vault & Octathlon/Decathlon 400m Heats

Aquatics – National Aquatic Centre: Couva, Trinidad

Morning Session – Starts 9:00 AM

  • Girl’s 800m Freestyle (slowest heats)
  • Boy’s 1500m Freestyle (slowest heats)
  • Prelims:
    • 200m Breaststroke (11-12, 13-14, 15-17)
    • 50m Backstroke (11-12, 13-14, 15-17)
    • 100m Butterfly (11-12, 13-14, 15-17)
    • 4x100m Freestyle Relay (all age groups)

Evening Session – Starts 6:00 PM

  • Girl’s 800m & Boy’s 1500m Freestyle (fastest heats)
  • Finals:
    • 200m Breaststroke
    • 50m Backstroke
    • 100m Butterfly
    • 4x100m Freestyle Relay (all age groups)

Sunday April 20, 2025

Athletics – Hasely Crawford Stadium: Port of Spain, Trinidad

Morning Session – Starts 9:00 AM

  • Boy’s U20 Decathlon 110m Hurdles, Discus, Pole Vault
  • Girl’s U20 Shot Put Final
  • Boy’s U20 Long Jump Final
  • Boy’s U17 Octathlon 110m Hurdles, High Jump
  • Girl’s Open Heptathlon: 100m Hurdles, High Jump
  • U17 & U20 400m Hurdles & 200m Semi-Finals
  • Girl’s U17 Discus Final

Afternoon Session – Starts 4:00 PM

  • Medal Ceremonies
  • U17 & U20 4x100m Relay Semi-Finals
  • Girl’s Open Heptathlon: Shot Put, 200m
  • Boy’s U17 Octathlon: Javelin, 1500m
  • U17 & U20 800m Semi-Finals
  • U17 3000m, U20 3000m, Shot Put, Long Jump, High Jump, Javelin
  • Finals: 400m Hurdles, 4x100m Relays, Mixed 4x400m
  • More Medal Ceremonies

Aquatics – National Aquatic Centre: Couva, Trinidad

Morning Session – Starts 9:00 AM

  • Prelims:
    • 200m Freestyle (11-12, 13-14, 15-17)
    • 50m Butterfly (11-12, 13-14, 15-17)
    • 100m Backstroke (11-12, 13-14, 15-17)
    • 4x100m Medley Relay (all age groups)
  • Slower heats: 400m Individual Medley

Evening Session – Starts 6:00 PM

  • Finals:
    • 200m Freestyle
    • 50m Butterfly
    • 100m Backstroke
    • 4x100m Medley Relay
  • Fastest heats: 400m Individual Medley

Monday April 21, 2025

Athletics – Hasely Crawford Stadium: Port of Spain, Trinidad

Morning Session – Starts 9:00 AM

Morning Session – Starts 9:00 AM

  • Girl’s U17 & U20 100m Hurdles – Semi-Finals
  • Boy’s U17 & U20 110m Hurdles – Semi-Finals
  • Girl’s Open Heptathlon: Long Jump
  • Girl’s U20 High Jump Final
  • Boy’s U17 Long Jump & Discus Final
  • 4x400m Relay Semi-Finals (U17 & U20 – Girls and Boys)

Afternoon Session – Starts 3:00 PM

  • Medal Ceremonies
  • Finals:
    • All Hurdle Events (U17 & U20)
    • Girl’s U20 Discus Throw
    • Girl’s U17 Triple Jump
    • Boy’s U20 Shot Put
    • Girl’s U17 & Boy’s U20 800m
    • Girl’s & Boy’s U17 and U20 200m
    • Boy’s U20 Triple Jump
    • Girl’s U17 Javelin Final
    • Boy’s U20 5000m
    • Special Olympics 200m (Girls & Boys)
  • Girl’s Open Heptathlon: Javelin & 800m
  • 4x400m Relay Finals (U17 & U20 – Girls and Boys)
  • Closing Ceremony

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING