Bahamas News
Government, “committed to enhancing access to safe and secure dwellings, for all Bahamians, on all islands,” says Prime Minister Davis
By LINDSAY THOMPSON
Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas – Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis said that his Government is laying the foundation for future success for Bahamians, through home ownership.
“We are building houses, but even more importantly, we are building communities. We are empowering families, and we are levelling the playing field to create a fairer Bahamas,” declared the prime minister.
He made the statement during the Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal’s New Homeowners & Rent-to-Own Key Presentation Ceremony held at Lynden Pindling Estates on Friday, March 21, 2025. “In presenting these keys today, we are doing more than realizing the human rights of Bahamians: we are laying the foundation for future success,” said the prime minister.
He added, “I can only imagine the heights to which you all will soar as new homeowners. And make no mistake; our administration does not intend to stop here. We are committed to enhancing access to safe and secure dwellings, for all Bahamians, on all islands. We are building hundreds more homes across our archipelago.”
Sir Lynden Pindling Estates named after the ‘Father of the Nation’ was formerly known as Pinewood Gardens Phase II, and has provided affordable housing solutions to Bahamians for over four decades.
In 2000, Sir Lynden personally approved the name change, and due to declining health he participated in the name-change ceremony via telephone. The streets within the subdivision have been named in honour of his family, most notably his widow, Dame Marguerite Pindling.
A total of 15 families were presented keys to their homes; deemed a special moment by the prime minister.
“Today is the culmination of a dream for you, and for your government. My friends, through all the storms of life, there is nothing quite so comforting as a home. Our homes are where we decompress — where we come together with loved ones, where we explore our interests, and where we replenish our spirits,” he said.
The prime minister observed that it is a “heartbreaking reality” that in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic, many Bahamians were struggling to secure safe and affordable homes.
He reassured the new homeowners that the Government recognized this issue and is working hard behind the scenes to address it by expanding housing stock across the country.
“My friends, nothing makes me happier than helping Bahamians become first-time homeowners,” the prime minister said.
“Even as the cost of real estate rises throughout our nation, our government’s policies have brought homeownership within reach for more
Bahamians. “We all need a place to come back to — a refuge, a sanctuary, a shelter from the unpredictable elements of life.
“Reliable housing is key to human flourishing, and there is nothing more important to me than improving the lives of Bahamians.”
The prime minister said he took up the mantle from Sir Lynden – the first prime minister of an Independent Bahamas — to improve the lives of Bahamians. Hence, the Rent-to-Own key presentations took place on the eve of what would have been his 95th birthday.
“As we honour his legacy today, let us reflect on one of his most powerful messages: ‘With faith in God and faith in our country and people, we can rise to whatever height we aspire to’,” said Prime Minister Davis.
Among others participating in the ceremony were: the Hon. Keith Bell, Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal; the Hon. Lisa Rahming, Minister of State, Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal; and Her Excellency Leslia Miller-Brice.
The Rent-to-Own concept is a housing agreement whereby a tenant signs a rental agreement that includes an option to purchase the property later, typically within a few years.
Minister Bell said the initiative would be expanded to the Family Islands. Recently, first-time homeowners received keys to homes in Renaissance and Pinecrest subdivisions.
(BIS Photos/Mark Ford)
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
