Bahamas News

Bahamas: Environment Ministry Holds Seminar on Strengthening Nuclear Energy and Radiation Regulations

Published

7 years ago

October 31, 2017

#Bahamas, October 31, 2017 – Nassau – The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Expert Mission to the Bahamas for Inventory of Radioactive Devices, Sources, and Radiation Equipment held a workshop for staff of the Ministry of the Environment and Housing and the Department of Environmental Health (DEHS) at the British Colonial Hilton, October 23-25, 2017.

The IAEA is the United Nation’s agency charged with ensuring that radioactive and nuclear materials are secured and applied safely.

The lecture for environmental health professionals on using nuclear materials for peaceful purposes officially opened on the Monday morning. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Environment and Housing, Janice Miller stated: “The Bahamas became a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) during January 2014. Since then we have been making incremental steps to establish a regulatory infrastructure for the safe and secure use of radioactive materials, including an independent regulatory body.

“We are continuing to work with many of our partners including Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bahamas Bureau of Standards, Ministry of Health, Health Facilities Council, Ministry of Works, Bahamas Customs Department, University of The Bahamas, Ministry of National Security, Attorney General’s Office and others, in order to achieve this objective.”

Ms. Miller explained further that preliminary information suggests that radioactive technology is presently being used in The Bahamas in Medicine and Industry.

“The activities of the IAEA experts and local team, for the next few days will assist in establishing and maintaining a national inventory of radiation sources, and by extension inform the process of our efforts in ultimately putting in place the appropriate regulation. Of course the completion of this effort will have to be conducted by the local team, so funds will have to be accessed to make visits to the other islands,” said Ms. Miller.

“In addition to other agencies being involved in training workshops, the Ministry of Environment and Housing is taking part in regional projects to begin building capacity in meeting the human and technical resource needs of all aspects of establishment of the needed regulatory infrastructure. The IAEA has been very helpful in this regard and will hopefully continue to give the necessary assistance.”

Ms. Miller said that the proper legal framework is crucial to our country receiving full benefits as a member, and as a result, the Ministry of the Environment & Housing has prepared a Cabinet Paper for submission to Cabinet, so that we along with the Attorney General’s Office can officially begin drafting the regulations for the safe and secure use of radioactive material.

“The salient components of the law will include, (1) Designation of regulatory body and functions (e.g. Authorization, Licensing, Inspection, Enforcement); (2) Radiation/nuclear protection and safety; (3) Safeguards; (4) Emergency preparedness and response; (5) Transportation of radioactive material; (6) Import/export; (7) Radioactive/nuclear waste/storage; and (8) Nuclear liabilities,” said Ms. Miller.

“At each phase the IAEA will be consulted for guidance so that assurance is given that our obligations as a member, are met. We along with The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Attorney General’s Office will also give attention to the various international instruments, conventions, codes and protocols, which will strengthen the international response to nuclear accidents by providing a mechanism for rapid information exchange in order to minimize trans-boundary radiological consequences.”

Ms. Miller concluded with saying the Ministry believes that “being a part of key conventions will strengthen the international response to a nuclear accident or radiological emergency, including a terrorist or other malicious act, thus protecting life, property and the environment against the effects of radioactive releases.”

“It is my sincere desire that the objectives of this workshop are met and that the meeting will encourage us to continue to work together toward the common goal of establishing a regulatory infrastructure for the safe and secure use of radioactive materials, in The Bahamas,” said Ms. Miller.

By: Gena Gibbs (BIS)

Photo caption: Group photo of the IAEA lecturers and participants from various agencies throughout the government, including the Ministry of the Environment & Housing and the Department of Environmental Health (DEHS) at the workshop opening session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Expert Mission to the Bahamas for Inventory of Radioactive Devices, Sources, and Radiation Equipment, October 23-25, 2017.

(BIS Photo/Gena Gibbs)

Bahamas News

Bahamas economic growth

Published

3 days ago

May 4, 2024

Shanieka

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

The Bahamas’ economy is in good standing according to reports from the Bahamas National Statistical Institute which released the Quarterly Gross Domestic Product Series. They indicate that quarterly GDP trends for 2023 saw increases compared to 2022, a sign of recovery from the Covid 19 pandemic.

The most significant increase was 9.9 percent in the first quarter of 2023, and the industries responsible for the growth include Accommodations and food, construction and Arts.

Bahamas News

RBC appoints new Country Manager and Area Vice President for Turks & Caicos

Published

3 days ago

May 4, 2024

Shanieka

RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (“RBC”) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry as Country Manager and Area Vice President (“AVP”), Personal and Commercial Banking, Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

In her new role as Country Manager and AVP, King-Henry will take on full responsibility for the bank’s operations, strategy, and development in the TCI market, with a strong focus on solidifying partnerships with the Government, regulatory bodies, and the local community.

King-Henry brings to the role a dynamism influenced by nearly 25 years of industry experience. Prior to her new appointment, she served as AVP of Business Banking in Trinidad and Tobago. She has held progressively senior roles within both personal and commercial banking, as well as various functional units.

King-Henry holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with a specialization in Leadership, FinTech and Big Data Analysis, in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Further enriching her professional profile, Kerryl-Lyn is a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Trainer, Teacher, and Speaker. Her passion for leadership and development is matched by her commitment to community service, as she actively volunteers her time and leverages her professional expertise to mentor and support others. “

Kerryl-Lyn’s extensive experience and proven leadership capabilities make her the perfect choice to lead our operations in the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said Ericka Rolle, RBC’s Managing Director and Vice President, Personal Banking, The Bahamas and TCI.

“Her commitment to excellence, combined with a genuine passion for community engagement, aligns perfectly with our Bank’s purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper. We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to her new role,” she added.

Bahamas News

Get your laugh on, March On show coming to Turks and Caicos with box office at IGA Friday and Saturday

Published

4 days ago

May 3, 2024

Shanieka

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

After resounding success in the Bahamas, hit play ‘March On, The Story of Us’ has been inundated with requests to take their show on the road, and the first location they’ll be hitting is Providenciales Turks and Caicos with tickets on sale this weekend from May 3 to 5.

Magnetic Media spoke to Gea Pierre, playwright, who told us the TCI was a natural first choice for the cast and crew.

“We started ‘March On’ in November 2023 and it was really an opportunity for us to tell a story, the story of the Bahamas and to encompass the nations that we have an amazing relationship with like the Turks and Caicos,” she continued “We really got a lot of people calling [for the play] from [the TCI], so much so we really had to pay attention.”

The response to ‘March On’ at home and abroad was overwhelming.

“To say it went well is an understatement, even before we opened we got calls from Canada, from all over the US with people wanting us to come and perform.”

And take the show on the road they did! Gea and her team have launched “March On: The Tour” and will be in Providenciales to perform on May 10th and 11th. It’s the first of a number of stops which include Nassau and several US locations.

A ticket booth will be set up from today, Friday May 3 in the foyer of IGA grocery store beginning at 1 p.m. Friday and then again all day on Saturday, allowing residents to purchase with cash.

Online tickets are available for purchase with credit cards. Then the full team returns on Friday, May 11 for the actual showing at 8 pm and their two showings on Saturday at 4pm and 8 pm. The venue is Brayton Hall, Providenciales under the patronage of Washington Misick, TCI Premier and First Lady Delthia Misick.

Describing the close familial relationships between the TCI and the Bahamas, for many on the crew it will be like coming home Gea told us, for others it will be a treat to visit for the first time, the places that their grandparents described.

Tickets are only $60 for general seating and $75 for VIP seating.

Gea maintained that the team wanted to keep the show as accessible to residents as possible.

As for why you should come out and see the play, other than the great price point:

“The way that people have responded to it is non stoplaughter, people have been moved to tears because there’s some emotion. It does not only lend to Bahamians. It’s a family drama, and anyone who’s ever been a part of a family is going to get something out of it, and something moving.”