Bahamas News
STATEMENT FROM THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (NEMA):
#TheBahamas, June 9, 2022 – The National Emergency Management Agency wishes to advise the general public of the timeline of events in wake of the tornadic activity that occurred in the Cowpen Road, Baillou Hill Road, and subsequently, Bamboo Town areas.
NEMA Director, Captain Stephen Russell, received notification of tornadic activity in the Cowpen and Baillou Hill Road areas around 2.15pm Wednesday (June 8) afternoon while conducting a briefing for Parliamentarians with regards to the National Emergency Management Agency’s Plan of Action for the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
Captain Russell immediately consulted with Mr. Jeffrey Simmons, Acting Director of The Bahamas Department of Meteorology, who presented at the briefing, to confirm the reports of tornadic activity in the aforementioned areas, which Mr. Simmons confirmed.
The NEMA Director immediately contacted the lead officials of several of the Agency’s various Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) with regards to undertaking immediate action to assist persons who may have been affected.
This included a call to the NEMA Warehouse Team who were instructed to mobilize tarpaulin into the areas that were reported to have been impacted in order to begin distributing tarpaulin as soon as they arrived in the area –
based on initial reports received. That action was carried out and continued until 5:30pm when the truck returned to NEMA’s Head Office, Gladstone Road.
While this was occurring, Captain Russell, accompanied by Ms. Bahiyyah Hepburn, Ministry of Works, a NEMA partner responsible for Emergency Support
Function #3, immediately departed to personally visit the site and conduct an initial damage assessment of the area. The assessment was completed, photographs taken and posted in the NEMA Chat Group for further action.
Captain Russell remained in Office until 6.30pm, apprising Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response, the Hon. Myles LaRoda of the actions that had been undertaken to bring immediate relief to the affected homes in the Cowpen/Baillou Hill Road areas.
At no time during these interventions, did the Agency, nor any of its Emergency Support Functions, receive reports of residents in the Bamboo Town area being impacted by the tornadic activity.
At about 9pm Wednesday, Captain Russell received communication from yet another partner, advising that there were residents in the Bambo Town area, including Senior Citizens who had been impacted by the tornadic activity and needed assistance.
Captain Russell once again immediately mobilized the NEMA assets, instructing the Warehouse Team to once again mobilize tarpaulin into the newly-reported affected area. As that action was being undertaken, the NEMA Director was contacted by another NEMA partner, Urban Renewal, regarding its assistance in bringing relief into the impacted area.
It was agreed that the NEMA Team, which included Captain Russell, Mr. Bradley King from the Ministry of Works and the Warehouse Team and Urban Renewal, would all meet at the Prince William School to further coordinate the efforts to ensure that those persons who would have been identified as in need of assistance, received it.
As always the first order of business in any disaster and/or emergency event is to conduct an initial assessment, determine the extent of the damage, and how best to mitigate the impacts of that event. This was done as the initial assessments determined there was the need for tarpaulin to secure affected homes of families.
While onsite, Captain Russell contacted the Department of Social Services, another NEMA partner, with regards to conducting social assessments which could not be undertaken until the morning because of the lateness of the hour, which at that time was 10pm. Those social assessments commenced Thursday morning.
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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