Bahamas News
Minister Bell ddresses meeting escalating housing needs
By Stirling Strachan
Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas — “This Budget is not just a national document,” said the Hon. Keith Bell Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal during his contribution to the 2025/26 budget debate in the House of Assembly, June 17. “It is a tool to support and strengthen our work in communities like Carmichael. It reflects the values, aspirations and real needs of the people I represent.
First and foremost, Minister Bell said, this budget seeks to respond to the very real pressures Bahamians are facing from the rising cost of living. It does so in a practical, targeted and fiscally responsible way.
“This Budget extends the list of VAT-reduced items. Providing much needed relief at the grocery store and at the cash register.”
“Let me be clear,” Minister Bell said, “this is not just about one or two token items like corned beef. This is an extensive list carefully designed to bring broad-based relief to working families.”
Here is what’s most important. Minister Bell said, “We are doing it without raising taxes elsewhere.”
In recent months, electricity bills have come down, not because of talk, but because of real, tangible reform, said Minister Bell.
“This budget takes those reforms even further. It introduces duty waivers for individuals purchasing high-efficiency appliances, making it more affordable for families to reduce their energy consumption.” The result is simple, “lower electricity bills and more money left in the pockets of hardworking Bahamians.”
Affordable housing must go beyond simply moving families into far-off developments, said Minister Bell. “We must also focus on strengthening the communities they already call home, where families have roots, churches, schools and support systems.”
In his constituency of Carmichael, Minister Bell announced that the government has acquired approximately four acres of land on Vispen Road off St. Vincent Road for the development of a new government subdivision in Carmichael.
“This will mark the first addition of new government housing in the constituency in decades. The site will accommodate more than 40 affordable homes and we expect to commence construction of the first homes shortly. We have secured the Certificate of Environmental Clearing and the land has already been cleared.
“The new housing subdivision will feature three-bedroom, two-bathroom homes, as well as two-bedroom, one-bathroom homes. All will
feature quality finishes including 40-year warranty architectural shingles, hurricane impact grade windows and much more.”
On a much wider scale, he stated: “Across our archipelago, thousands of Bahamian families are still waiting — waiting for a place to call their own. For far too many, homeownership feels like a distant dream, out of reach due to high costs, limited availability, and systemic barriers. “The data is clear: we are facing a housing deficit that is widening with each passing year. The 2020 Census confirmed what we see every day — multiple generations crowded under one roof, young families priced out of the market, and growing frustration among those who simply want the dignity and stability that comes with having a decent home.
“This is not just an economic challenge. It is a social and moral one.
That is why this Davis-led Administration is methodically pursuing bold, innovative, and practical solutions to meet the housing needs of our people.”
The Housing Minister explained: “Our administration’s housing policy is not a collection of ad hoc ideas — it is a coherent, deliberate, and comprehensive strategy to expand access to affordable, quality housing across The Bahamas — and to do so in a way that is sustainable, inclusive, and grounded in dignity and opportunity.”
In the Blueprint for Change, he said, “we pledged to make housing a basic right — and we are delivering on that promise by expanding access to affordable homes through new subdivisions, rent-to-own programmes, and public-private partnerships.
“To deliver on this vision, Madam Speaker, we are building on eight interlocking pillars — each reinforcing the next to create a stronger, more resilient foundation for housing delivery: (1) the creation of new government subdivisions; (2) bringing derelict and underutilised properties to market; (3) duty reductions and targeted concessions; (4) public-private partnerships; (5) the Self-Build Housing Programme; (6) the overhaul of government rental units; (7) the Rent-to-Own Initiative; and (8) innovative funding mechanisms.
“These pillars are not political theatre. This is not a glossy report to be shelved or a set of promises for the distant future. This is a live programme of action — grounded in the present, rooted in the needs of real people, and already transforming lives across The Bahamas.”
(BIS Photos/Kemuel Stubbs)
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.
