Bahamas News
Bahamian Parliament now has 3 Political Parties represented; Iram Lewis leaves FNM for the COI
Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
The Bahamas, April 11, 2025 – Iram Lewis is the member of Parliament for Central Grand Bahama, a constituency in the nation’s second city of Freeport which he won in the 2017 and 2021 general elections on the FNM ticket; now he makes history as the first person to hold a parliamentary seat for the Coalition of Independents, COI.
“I stand before you today Madame Speaker and Bahamas, not with anger but with a profound sense of responsibility to my constituents and of course to the Bahamian people. It is with this responsibility in mind that I announce my decision to painfully, yet courageously to withdraw from the Free National Movement caucus,” said Lewis during a special agenda item, allowed by the Speaker of the House.
It was not by election that this seat was won for the COI, but by a defection which left many stunned and others overjoyed.
“We are proud of Iram Lewis for making this step. We have been talking for some time and he has stood with us on many of our protests for The Bahamian people and I think this was just natural progression,” said Lincoln Bain, Leader of the COI, who spoke to the significance of his party’s first seat.
“What makes this significant is not just the fact that the COI is now in the House of Assembly and now a part of the Government. No one has ever crossed the floor and gone to a third party before.”
Hon Lewis, on April 2nd, announced that a disappointing change in the ideologies of the Free National Movement party led him to be frank about his concerns. Lewis said that candour, was not embraced, it was instead met with something the member found distasteful and devious.
“I have witnessed the departure from the collaborative spirit that should guide our actions. I have felt the lack of the support is due to any
member of this body and in my case due to a personal choice that is also a constitutional right of mine. My decision, I believe to not opening endorse the current leadership, a decision I made in good conscience has seemingly led to a situation where my dedication and my service are called into question. With elections looming, uncertainty surrounding my candidacy for Central Grand Bahama, a constituency that I have faithfully serviced has become a matter of deep concern.”
Lewis believed there was a plot within the FNM to withdraw endorsement of him as candidate for his seat. It was also stated the same would be the fate of former prime minister, Hubert Minnis, who is the sitting member of the Killarney Constituency.
“Behind the scenes discussions, whispers and implications have eroded the trust that should exist between the party and its dedicated members. My feelings.”
In a statement about the departure of Lewis, the FNM would confirm some suspicions and mere days later, Michael Pintard, as the FNM party leader announced to media the FNM would not endorse Minnis and publicly offered the former PM a consultancy role instead.
The PLP have admitted to enjoying the public spectacle created by the dismantling of the FNM. The FNM defends that its house is in order.
“The people of The Bahamas deserve a government that is united in its commitment to progress and prosperity. Therefore, from this day forward I will no longer remain where I am tolerated but where I believe I am appreciated. I will not cross the floor and sit with the other side because it would be very disingenuous of me, having criticized the other side so openly and consistently,” said Lewis as part of his explanation.
“From this day forward I will sit as the first member of parliament representing the Coalition of Independents party. I will dedicate myself to a bi partisan approach working with all members of this body – yes this take courage, this takes commitment – and I am convinced I am doing what I have to do. I will be a voice for all Bahamians, regardless of their political affiliation.”
The COI welcomes this posture, saying Lewis’ stature in the House gives them a voice in parliament and insight into public spending.
“The momentum in this country has shifted. Iram Lewis is a member of the Public Accounts Committee, PAC. We’ve been the Public Accounts Committee in this country for a long time, we’ve also been the Freedom of Information Act (per se) and now we will have a legal position on the PAC, to actually find out what is going on in this country and to enforce some things.”
Iram Lewis thanked the “good people of Central Grand Bahama”, concluding his remarks with a pledge to continue serving diligently, to ensure “every dream is within reach.”
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.
