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Vol 1 No. 2
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham Addresses Bahamas Society of Engineers First Engineering, Design & Construction Conference
New $35M Electrical Plant for GB Is Welcome News, Grant Says By SIMON LEWIS
Bahamas And Kuwait Forging Stronger Ties By Lindsay Thompson
Bahamas Information Services
Bahamas Information Services
POWER DEAL – Works and Transport Minister the Hon. Neko C. Grant address members of the media and the business community of Grand Bahama during a press conference at Pelican Bay Resort Thursday to announce the take over of the Grand Bahama Power Company by Emera. Seated is GBPC president Alan Kelley, and Emera’s CEO Chris Huskilson.
His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes, Governor General, left, accepts Letters of Credence presented by His Excellency Mansour Al-Otaibi accrediting him Ambassador of The State of Kuwait to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas during a ceremony Thursday, December 2, 2010 at Government House.
By Kathryn Campbell Bahamas Information Services
Prime Minister the Hon. Hubert Ingraham speaks to engineers at the Bahamas Society of Engineers Engineering, Design and Construction Conference on December 3. (BIS photo/ Derek Smith)
Nassau, Bahamas – The Bahamas Society of Engineers held its inaugural Engineering, Design and Construction Conference at the Sheraton Cable Beach Resort on Friday, December 3. Among those in attendance was the Hon. Phenton Neymour, Minister of State in the Ministry of the Environment. The theme for the one-day conference was “Building A Better Future.” In his remarks at the opening session, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said substantial infrastructural and public office accommodation, construction and upgrade projects coupled with private sector construction projects presently underway have opened a myriad of opportunities for Bahamian engineers and other construction professionals.
The Hon. Neko C. Grant, Minister of Public Works and Transport gives remarks at the opening of the Bahamas Society of Engineers Engineering, Design and Construction Conference on December 3. Pictured seated at table is Prime Minister the Hon. Hubert Ingraham (left) and Robert Reiss, president of the Bahamas Society of Engineers. (BIS photo/Derek Smith)
“The Government of The Bahamas is unwavering in its pledge to ensure that meaningful participation of Bahamians to the greatest extent possible in all government projects and do likewise to the extent possible in respect of all foreign direct investment projects approved for our country,” he said. READ MORE
Freeport – The announced construction of a new $35 million electrical generating plant on Grand Bahama to address the current unreliable electrical supply and provide for growth is welcomed news, says Works and Transport Minister, the Hon. Neko C. Grant. A Grand Bahama native and Member of Parliament for the Lucaya Constituency, the veteran politician was speaking on behalf of the Government during a press conference called by the Grand Bahama Power Company at the Pelican Bay Resort on Thursday, December 2. Officials from the company announced that Emera is now the majority owner of GBPC, having completed the purchase of MaruEnergy’s 55.4 percent interest in the company. This acquisition brings Emera’s interest in GBPC to 80.4 percent, and according to the firm’s chief executive officer Chris Huskilson, the acquisition reinforces their belief in the potential of Grand Bahama and the inherent strengths which Grand Bahama possesses. Addressing members of the press and others from the business community, Mr. Grant noted that Emera now has a strategic foothold in Grand Bahama’s economy. “They are a well funded company that has the means to build greater capacity to meet their customers’ current and future needs through their expertise and diverse portfolio of energy supply subsidiaries,” he stated. The Lucaya MP pointed out that Emera is a publicly traded Canada-based holding company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia and that they are an energy and service company with electricity being their core business. The company is already well established in the Caribbean region offering services in St. Lucia and Barbados. Continuing, Mr. Grant added that “Emera is now an essential part of Grand Bahama’s infrastructure and an essential component of the island’s economic growth and well-being. They hold a position of leadership that they must not take lightly. “Under their leadership and expertise we look forward to a dependable and efficient delivery of electrical power to the residents and businesses on Grand Bahama. “The announced construction of a new $35 million electrical generating plant on Grand Bahama to address the current unreliable electrical supply and to provide for growth is welcomed news. “On behalf of the Government, I thank them for this demonstration of confidence in The Bahamas and the economy of Grand Bahama. We look forward to the start of construction and the employment opportunity for 80 to 100 persons during the construction phase,” he said. READ MORE
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NASSAU, The Bahamas - The Bahamas and the State of Kuwait are seeking ways to strengthen diplomatic ties formed 16 years ago, in areas of tourism, finance and environmental concerns. His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes, Governor General, expressed these areas of interests as he accepted Letters of Credence presented by His Excellency Mansour Al-Otaibi accrediting him Ambassador of The State of Kuwait to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The ceremony was held Thursday, December 2, 2010 at Government House. The ambassador also called on the Rt Hon Hubert Ingraham, Prime Minister; the Hon Brent Symonette, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration; members of the Diplomatic Corps, and officials of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce.
His Excellency Mansour Al-Otaibi, Ambassador of The State of Kuwait to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, left, paid a Courtesy Call on the Hon. Brent Symonette, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, right, at the Ministry on Wednesday, December 1, 2010. (BIS Photo/Derek Smith)
Kuwait was the first Arab state with which The Bahamas established diplomatic relations 16-years-ago. “The soundness of this decision is confirmed not only by the similarities that our countries share but also by the status your country enjoys in your region and globally,” Sir Arthur said. The Bahamas and Kuwait are both small states. Both described as primarily mono-service, mono-product dependent countries in respect of which the acknowledged imperative of diversification has led into similar paths. Both countries also share environmental concerns, such as the negative impact of climate change and the availability of potable water. READ MORE