Bahamas News
New Security Scanning Machine installed at LPIA to enhance Travel Experience
NASSAU, The Bahamas — Against the backdrop of a peak travel Easter Season, the governments of The Bahamas and the United States commissioned a state-of-the-art Security Scanning machine, which would allow for enhanced safety measures, and seamless process of passengers through Lynden Pindling International Airport.
The Hon. Wayne Munroe, Minister of National Security.
On hand for the Commissioning and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony were the Hon. Wayne Munroe, Minister of National Security; Kimberly Furnish, Charge d’Affaires, United States Embassy, Nassau; Latia Duncombe, Director-General of Tourism; Vernice Walkine, President & CEO, Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD); Paul Bevans, Chairman of the Board, Airport Authority; and other officials. The ceremony was held Thursday, April 17, 2025 amidst the hustle and bustle of thousands of passengers who were being processed through US Departure/Terminal C at the LPIA. Deemed it a “red letter day” in airport security, Mr. Munroe said it ushered in a new era of safety and security with the state-of-the-art equipment valued at over $2.2 million.
He said that the Davis Administration is resolute in ensuring that the gateway to The Bahamas meets the highest standards while upholding international airport protocols.
Through collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, the Airport Authority, and the Transportation Security Administration, the venture was explored and undertaken.
“Toward this end, the Government of The Bahamas made this capital contribution for the purchase of the Hi-Scan system and R&S security scanner to be used at the Lynden Pindling International Airport,” Mr. Munroe said.
The successful two-week trial run at the US checkpoints ended on Wednesday, April 16, 2025; just prior to the commissioning ceremony.
This acquisition represents a significant investment by the Government of The Bahamas, reflecting a strategic initiative to modernize and align aviation security infrastructure with the latest global innovations. The upgrades will not only enhance the efficiency of screening operations but also strengthen the overall safety and reliability of the passenger experience.
“The Government of The Bahamas’ investment is not only about improving safety and efficiency of air travel but about the peace of mind of travelers. This investment is about ensuring that travelers, visitors and residents alike, who pass through our airport do so with the utmost confidence that their security is our top priority,” said the National Security minister. “Further, with the implementation of this modernized equipment, we will be able to improve travel for our visitors and residents.”
Use of the machine is the first system to allow for the early detection of explosives at security checkpoints. It features dual views, which provides the user with two detailed perspectives for conducting manual analysis, creating a fast and reliable evaluation process. Additionally, this equipment comes with an associated recheck station for continued inspection of passenger bags during searches of suspected luggage.
Mr. Bevans said that the Airport Authority entered into a contractual agreement with the Canadian company Sectus Technologies, to provide security-screening equipment for the US checkpoint at LPIA.
“Our team worked tirelessly along with the team from Sectus to establish what we see here today,” he said. “These new machines are state-of-the-art, allowing both visitors and locals to move through security screening and be processed quickly,” Mr. Bevans said. “This will definitely make traveling more enjoyable.”
Kimberly Furnish, Charge d’Affaires, United States Embassy. Pictured right is the Hon. Wayne Munroe, Minister of National Security.
Garrett McKinney, Grade I Aviation Security Officer said that Airport Authority remains fully committed to upholding the highest safety and regulatory compliance standards, in close collaboration with its partners, the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and in alignment with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). “We also remain accountable to our national regulatory bodies—the Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas (CAA-B) and, by extension, the Aviation Security and Facilitation Oversight Department,” he said. President and CEO of NAD Vernice Walkine also spoke to the collaborative efforts in acquiring the security scanning equipment, which will help to enhance the overall traveling experience.
Ms. Walkine said that as LPIA continues to push toward achieving a 5-star rating, it is imperative that every stakeholder plays their role in upholding the highest standards of operations.
“Your support is vital in helping us elevate the level of service, efficiency, and security at LPIA,” said Ms Walkine. “Having access to the latest security scanning technology is not only a convenience – it is a necessity. These new additions will enhance the Airport Authority’s ability to process passengers more quickly and accurately, allowing for a smoother, safer journey for all.”
Kimberly Furnish, Chargè d’Affaires, United States Embassy, Nassau spoke to the importance of border protection and security, and the strong partnership with The Bahamas Government and the relevant stakeholders in relation to the commissioning of the security scanning machine.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
BIS Photos/Kemuel Stubbs
Header: The governments of The Bahamas and the United States held a Commissioning and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for a state-of-the-art Security Scanning machine in the US Departure/Terminal C at Lynden Pindling International Airport on Thursday April 17, 2025. The Hon. Wayne Munroe, Minister of National Security, and Kimberly Furnish, Charge d’Affaires, United States Embassy, Nassau, cut the ribbon, flanked by tourism and aviation officials.
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.
