Bahamas News

National Security to Improve Infrastructure and Equipment for Police in Grand Bahama

Published

6 years ago

January 16, 2018

#Bahamas, January 16, 2018 – Grand Bahama – Minister of National Security, the Hon. Marvin Dames says that in the coming months, the government will present many new policies which they have spent a considerable amount of time on, that are holistic in scope and are expected to complement current law enforcement efforts of restoring peace in the country.

“This will happen through improved strategy, acquisition of new equipment, enhanced training of officers and building capacity, not only in New Providence, but throughout the entire Bahamas,” added Minister Dames.

The National Security Minister’s comments came during his address during the Grand Bahama & Northern Bahamas District, Royal Bahamas Police Force annual Church service, which was held at the Central Church of God on Sunday, January 14, 2018. During his address the National Security Minister acknowledged the three murders in Grand Bahama, which took place at the beginning of the New Year. While he admitted that the events were unusual for the Second City, he said he was thankful to the police on Grand Bahama, for bringing closure to those homicides in an expeditious manner.

He reassured Grand Bahamians that the government is cognizant of the issues facing Grand Bahama in respect to violent crimes and have already begun taking measures to ensure that improvements in crime fighting in 2018 become evident throughout the island, especially in those pockets where violent crime is of great concern.

“We want to send a message to all those in Grand Bahama who continue to live a life of crime that we are unwavering in our efforts to find you wherever you hide and make you account before the court of law for your actions,” said Minister Dames.

“Let me remind you that there is no hiding place for anyone who seeks to tarnish the reputation of our nation to satisfy their selfishness and greed, and there is no one you can go to or call on, to protect you from the long arms of justice.”

Minister Dames told law enforcement officers that his government is serious about improving infrastructure and providing them with the necessary equipment to perform all their duties optimally and professionally. He noted that with the construction of a new police and fire station on Grand Bahama now completed, the government is now working to ready that station to improve policing services.

“As Minister of National Security, I have also acutely aware of the inferior working conditions that many of you have had to contend with for far too long,” added Minister Dames. “West End comes to mind. I have seen pictures of the infrastructure at the West End station and seen firsthand on a visit after coming to office. We cannot expect you to give of your best when we fail to acknowledge and fix the substandard environment in which you work. Let me assure each of you that we are going to rectify these issues and put our money where our mouth is. We are taking corrective steps to have your dilapidated stations and other buildings that officers occupy completely renovated.”

The National Security Minister said that he is aware of the rumors that Grand Bahama is frequently used as a gateway for trafficking of persons, illegal drugs and guns from North America, into the rest of the archipelago.

To combat this, Minister Dames said that the police department will use a multi-agency approach in 2018 to combine intelligence capacity, skills and resources and continue to partner with regional and international counterparts to remain a united front against transnational organized crime that threatens the existence and stability of the nation.

By: Andrew Coakley (BIS)

Photo caption: National Security Minister, Hon. Marvin Dames addressed law enforcement officers in Grand Bahama and the Northern Bahamas, during the annual Royal Bahamas Police Force church service, which was held at Central Church of God on Sunday, January 14, 2018.

(BIS Photo)

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

4 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.”