The Eleutheran Newspaper May/June 2022 Issue

web: WWW.ELEUTHERANEWS.COM

(1-242) 422 9350

Volume 15, 5/12, May/June Issue

Eleuthera, Harbour Island & Spanish Wells, The Bahamas

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` and Information. We Deliver!’’ Monthly In Print & Daily Online.

Since 2008 - ‘‘Eleuthera’s most reliable Source of News

Giving: Skills, Effort, Action...

Fire response initiative takes off in GRegory town

Harbour Island, Spanish Wells & Eleuthera

BACK COVER: Damianos Sotheby’s Int’l P 3: Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty P 5: HG Christie

PLANS Public consultation on the proposed health infrastructure improvements slated for Rock Sound and Palmetto Point.

- Page 6 Minister Announces Glass Window Construction and Other Works Alfred Sears, QC, MP and Minister of Works and Utilities, during his contribution to the Annual Budget debate in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, June 8th, 2022, detailed the myriad national works and projects his Ministry would continue and also undertake during the 2022/2023 budget year period. Several of those ongoing works and projects being executed that he reported on and anP4 nounced were located in Eleuthera.

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ADVICE - 13

OPINION - 12

Are You Ready?

ADVICE - 14 High Bar, Low Bar

Faith Reignited Ask The Doctor - 15 Is Food Medication?

Our People, Life, Moments, Celebrations, Efforts, Strides...

The BCMC, after two years of virtual-only annual conferences during the pandemic, came together in-person for the first time since 2019 to host their Annual Spiritual Growth Conference in Eleuthera.

HIGHLIGHTED: SPACES SUMMER CAMP -

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Bahamas Works with CARICOM...

Quotables - 15 Upcoming - 6/23

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Empowerment of Women.

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Minister Sears Announces Glass Window Construction and Other Works Page. 1 The Glass Window bridge infrastructure, which connects north and central Eleuthera, and sees thousands of tourist visits to the oneof-a-kind location each year, currently only allows for single lane traffic and has a restricted load capacity of only 12 tons. In relation to re-construction of the bridge, Minister Sears gave an update on the engineering study and design undertaken by the previous administration, saying, “The replacement of the bridge

structure is long overdue... In December 2019, a contract was awarded to Engineering Technical Services in the sum of two million forty thousand eight hundred and forty dollars ($2,040,840.00) (V.A.T. inclusive) to undertake the Engineering Studies and Design of the replacement of the Glass Window Bridge. The feasibility phase has been completed with option two selected for detailed design. The detailed design phase is due to be completed in July 2022, and in early 2023, it is envisioned that construction of the new bridge will commence.”

Alfred Sears, QC, MP and Minister of Works and Utilities.

He continued, “It is my plan to hold a Town Meeting and public presentation of the proposed new bridge to the people of North Eleuthera in the very near future, and probably as early as the middle of July. I can assure the residents of that Island that this project is ready to proceed.”

Minister Sears further commented, “Replacement of the Glass Window Bridge, Eleuthera 2022/23 budget allocation is one million two hundred and ninety thousand dollars ($1,290,000.00).

The Glass Window site is See Sears Announces

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Eleuthera Calendar of Events 2022

Prepared by: (Mrs. Samantha Fox, Senior Officer, Eleuthera Tourist Office) The Eleuthera Tourist Office notes, “This information is subject to change. As we receive updated information the Eleuthera Events calendar 2022/2023 will be edited to reflect.”

WEEKLY EVENTS: •

FISH FRY is currently held in the following settlements every Friday @5:30 p.m. -Until: Governor’s Harbour and Rock Sound

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FISH FRY is held in James’ Cistern on Saturdays only @5:30 p.m. - Until.\

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Governors Harbour Farmers & Crafters Market, is held on Queen’s Highway, by the Bayfront Park - on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

UPCOMING EVENTS: •

Cleanup Campaign (June 25th) - Begins at: 7:00 a.m.

All residents and descendants come out in the community to lend a hand in cleaning up the Hatchet Bay surroundings.

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Harbour Island - Goombay Summer Festival

DATE: July 2nd, 2022 (Contact: Ministry of Tourism - Harbour Island, (242) 333-2621) •

BAIC (Bahamas Agricultural

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‘Ray of Hope’ - Fire Response initiative in Gregory Town

The Gregory Town ‘Ray of Hope’ community group, made up of foreign home owners, along with local residents in Gregory Town - who during the past two years organized the ramped up Christmas celebrations in the township, along with the beautification of the coastal town center, as well as the large ‘Gregory Town’ signage facade, concealing several dilapidated buildings in the center of town - has been working on a Fire Safety Campaign for more than a year, which is just about ready to go.

Three retirees now living in Gregory Town and members of GT Ray of Hope, including: James Ryder from Texas, David Ireland from New Zealand, and Hardy Baker a retired firefighter also from Texas, came togeth-

er about a year ago to begin volunteer work on building a set of ‘fire trailers’ - a low maintenance, quick response solution to fighting fires in the Gregory Town area. Desmond Bowles, a young Eleutheran was also hired as the only paid employee to assist in building the fire trailers for the fire-response project.

During the final week in May 2022, the group had completed six (6) three hundred (300) gallon capacity fire trailers, and a six hundred (600) gallon capacity water tanker was near completion - for a total of seven(7) firefighting units. Hardy Baker, the retired firefighter, lending his years of experience to the endeavour, shared, “We will be winding down the fire trailers within the next couple of weeks. We

are now going through the final testing. Then we have to get together with Josh Daniels and others for the training... There will be a bit more tweaking, and perhaps a few things we are going to have to change as we go, but it’s coming together.”

David Ireland, the New Zealander on whose property the volunteer building work was being done, gave a bit of background on how it began, saying, “We got involved with the Ray of Hope, and Billy Braithwaite (another Ray of Hope member) talked us into doing the seahorse sleigh - which has been on display within the town square during the Christmas holidays in Gregory Town in both 2020 and 2021. So, we did that the first year.

Then we put the big sign up, and other signs up in Gregory Town, saying “Ray of Hope” on several dilapidated buildings, near Christmas Eve two years ago. Then there was the fire that burnt an entire building down, as well as the big ‘Ray of Hope’ sign which had only been up for a week. So, we did a new sign, and the area where the building burnt down, we tidied up, and turned into a little park...

Then these guys (James and Hardy), talked me into the Fire Safety Campaign.”

Hardy Baker, with his background in fighting fires, explained further the concept the group had for having an efficient, quickresponse system in place to respond to fires in the community, saying, “I was a certified firefighter in Texas, and I’ve seen so many abandoned, derelict fire trucks over here, that no one maintains, they don’t run, and I came up with the idea of building something lowmaintenance, fast response, and to build several of them, so we can cover the wider area of Gregory Town... One of the things about firefighting is - yes it’s nice to have a 75 or 150 thousand dollar pumper, but in a fire situation, if you can get to it quick - any one of those trailers can put out a relatively small fire.

“And the concept here is - and we are working on an alarm system - not only to notify the volunteer fire crew (who would have a fire trailer at various locations throughout Gregory Town), but eventually - hopefully within 30 or 40 days, we will be able to look at our i-phones, have a pin drop and say - there is where the fire is. So, I need to grab a fire trailer, and I might be number two or I might be trailer number four getting there - but we are going to be able to support each other...

These are low maintenance trailers, with nice Honda motors. The fire trailers can also be hooked up to any vehicle with a hitch on it.”

Of paramount importance to the success of the system, said Dave Ireland, was the rule of operation - that the trailers would be kept filled with water and with gas, and would be staged at locations with volunteer crew members all around P7 Gregory Town.Mr. Baker added, “We’ve got Josh Daniels, a

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local Bahamian, who is going to be our fire captain, so one will be stationed at his home. They will be staged all over, and maybe as far as Eleuthera Island Shores - we are not certain where they will all be staged as yet, as that is all evolving... Within about ten minutes of the first trailer arrival, there should be another trailer showing up, either fighting that fire also, or filling up our first fire trailer. That’s why we will have the multiple units, to be both supportive, and to cover the local area.”

Lo c a l ed to a fire in Rainbow Bay in early May, and had to refill the equipment, when it was empty, in James’ Cistern, before returning to the site of the fire. They opined that WSC appeared more concerned about contractors and others stealing water, than finding a solution to having public water available for fire emergencies. “We still need a water source. Working ‘around’ government has been a challenge.”

It hasn’t been an easy project, said the retirees, with both funding as well as sourcing parts proving difficult during the past year. “The funding, that has

The Eleutheran

been the real hard work. We have a gofundme, and a few dollars came in. We got this far, but we are still in the hole, and into it for thousands personally. We are not counting our labour. We’ve been working on these now for more than a year - off and on, and we’ve had trouble getting in certain parts.”

However, the light can now be seen, with primarily training and the communication systems to be finalized before full operation.

Comparing their trailer system to the traditional firefighting vehicles, he shared, “When you think of a fire truck, like the old one you pass going through Gregory Town that’s rotting to the ground - it had a 500 gallon tank originally. Some of the newer fire trucks, like the big ones Mr. Jason Thompson has gotten in recently - they are 800 to 1000 gallons. So, our beefed up water tanker (600 gallons) and one fire trailer (300 gallons), is as big as a pumper (in terms of water capacity). We can’t pump as much water as quickly as they can, but again with two or three fire trailers, we can do quite a bit and have an impact. These are also great for grass fires, and we have quite a few of those here.”

Water could be a problem, said the group of three, with no working sources of public water in the area. Two fire hydrants located in Rainbow Bay had been ‘broken’ for some time, with no response from the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) to continued requests and efforts to get them to repair them. Mr. Thompson, with the emergency fire services in Palmetto Point, they pointed out, respond-

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Bowles, Baker, Ireland and Ryder in the workshop, as they bring the fire trailers to life.

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Back In The News: New Medical Facilities

the Topic of Two Town Hall Meetings Minister Clay Sweeting & AG Senator Ryan Pinder, hosts discussions First announced in April 2022, during his keynote address at the Eleuthera Business Outlook, Member of Parliament for Central and South Eleuthera, Minister Clay Sweeting followed up his statement on the building of two medical facilities on the Eleuthera mainland with the hosting of two town hall meetings on Thursday, May 26th, 2022 to engage in public consultation on the proposed health infrastructure improvements slated for Rock Sound and Palmetto Point.

The first was held in Rock Sound at St. Luke’s Anglican Parish Hall at 3pm in the afternoon, and soon after the Minister and his team moved on to Palmetto Point at the Central Eleuthera High School, where a second town hall was hosted at 6pm in the evening.

Both meetings were also streamed live, affording constituents the opportunity to attend virtually.

Minister Sweeting was accompanied by Attorney General, and Acting Minister of Health, Senator Ryan Pinder, who opened each of the sessions, presenting information on the national plans for health infrastructure improvements on islands throughout The Baha-

night or short in-patient care, delivery suite, prenatal examination room, other examination rooms - including one for victims of gender-based violence, x-ray facilities, dental suite, pharmacy, laboratory, isolation room, dressing room, reception area, staff room, administration offices, medical records room, ambulance bay, and a morgue. It will be built at the site previously identified for a clinic in Rock Sound and will primarily service South Eleuthera.”

L-R: MP for C&SE, Minister Clay Sweeting, with Senator Ryan Pinder, Acting Minister of Health. mas. MP Sweeting followed, with additional detail on the plans for the new health facilities on Eleuthera, which he said they planned to begin construction on in January of 2023.

Minister Sweeting, detailing first the plans for Rock Sound, stated, “We promised to unlock this island’s potential by driving overall economic growth. With the exponential growth that we anticipate for South and Central Eleuthera, we expect that two facilities will serve the area well for the foreseeable future. In Rock Sound, we will build a Level 1 facility that will feature an emergency room, male and female wards for over-

In reference to the health facility in Central Eleuthera, Minister Sweeting informed, “In Palmetto Point we will build an advanced healthcare facility to deliver advanced services to the people of South and Central Eleuthera. At that facility, the health team will be enabled to perform non-complicated surgery, accommodate in-patient curative care, and have a larger capacity for delivery of services, and dialysis services.

“This facility will satisfy our promise to make major investments to develop a new mini-hospital in Eleuthera. The Minister of Health and Wellness has the commitment of Government to resource both facilities with medical, nursing, and trained allied health staff,

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NEMA Releases Shelters List: Urges Residents to be prepared for the hurricane season The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on May 22nd, released its Official List of Shelters for the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season which commenced June 1st and ends November 30th, 2022.

Weather forecasters at The Bahamas Department of Meteorology are predicting another above-average season with 19 named storms, including 9 hurricanes, four of which are expected to become major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher with maximum sustained winds of 111mph or higher) on the SaffirSimpson Wind Scale.

There are two main drivers for this Season’s forecast: An El Nino weather event is not expected in the Pacific during the 2022 Hurricane Season, and water temperatures in the Atlantic are hotter than normal.

When an El Nino forms in the Pacific, it produces strong wind-shear in the upper levels of the atmosphere

across the Atlantic Ocean which limits the formation of hurricanes. Warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic, on the other hand, fuels the formation of hurricanes. With the absence of an El Nino, the 2022 Season is expected to be active.

The names of the 2022 Atlantic storm are as follows: Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Ian, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Martin, Nicole, Owen, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tobias, Virginie, and Walter.

The National Emergency Management Agency urges all Bahamians and residents, who have not already done so, to finalize their individual, family and business plans in readiness for the Season. Those plans should include an Emergency Supplies/Preparedness Kit that should include a small First Aid Kit and needed medications, non-perishable food items, battery powered radios, flashlights, extra batteries, hygiene products, masks, whistles

(for alerting others if necessary), copies of important documents such as insurance papers and identification (sealed), a list of emergency numbers, cash in small bills, rope, tools, and clothing.

Provided below is the Official Shelter List (ELEUTHERA locations) for the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season: (UPDATED AS OF 13 MAY, 2022) NORTH DISTRICT 1. Charles Wesley Methodist Church - Lower Bogue 2. Mission Church of God Upper Bogue 3. New Jerusalem Church Blackwood 4. The Current Community Centre The Current 5. The Haitian Baptist People Church - The Bluff 6. Zion Methodist Church - Current Island

HARBOUR ISLAND 1. Harbour Island Public Library 2. Lighthouse Church of God 3. New Alliance Church of God ELEUTHERA, CENTRAL DISTRICT 1. Camp Symonette James Cistern, Gregory Town 2. Church of The Nazarene Palmetto Point 3. Emily G. Petty Primary School Governor’s Harbour 4. George E. Johnson Methodist Church Hall - Hatchet Bay 5. The Salvation Army Palmetto Point 6. Wesley Methodist Church Hall Palmetto Point

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At last, faith in regionalism reignited

By Sir Ronald Sanders (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States of America and the Organization of American States.

He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto)

The “Agri-Investment Forum”, held in Guyana from 19 to 21 May, was arguably the most successful engagement by CARICOM leaders in the last 15 years.

The Forum was held amidst an enlarging global calamity that combines high prices for oil with shortages and record high prices for food and agricultural inputs such as fertilizers. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, one of the world’s six breadbasket regions, has pushed the world’s food system, already damaged by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, into global crisis.

In the weeks, leading up to the Forum, evidence of the predicament engulfing the Caribbean, had begun to focus the attention of governments. High prices of food products are threatening poorer and vulnerable communities at a time when the economies of the majority of CARICOM countries are struggling to recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the eve of the Forum, a joint survey by the CARICOM Secretariat and World Food Programme estimated that severe food insecurity in the Caribbean had increased by 72 percent, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.

And the World Bank reported that the price of fertilizers has increased by as much as 178% between March 2021 and March 2022.

The cost of transporting goods, including agricultural products and inputs, has increased astronomically over the past year.

The logistics industry is currently experiencing the highest constant peak in increased cost as shipping is disrupted. International transport prices look set to rise even more by 8 to 12 percent in the coming months.

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one is escaping the effects.

All of this undoubtedly sends a shiver down the spines of governments. Many of

them simply do not have the financial resources to support poor and vulnerable communities anymore. They depleted those resources through the pandemic when many economies shut down and unemployment soared.

CARICOM governments and the private sector, particularly those companies that make profits on the importation of goods from outside the region, and who have acted to stifle competition from the products of CARICOM countries, bear more than a little responsibility for the region’s current food insecurity.

For much of the last 15 years, CARICOM governments had “paused” efforts to establish a Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). Among the important things that suffered was a 2005 agreement to operationalize a “Framework for the repositioning of Caribbean agriculture” which came to be known as the “Jagdeo Initiative” after Bharat Jagdeo, then President of Guyana, who spearheaded it.

When the “Jagdeo Initiative” was agreed, but not implemented, in 2005, CARICOM’s food import Bill was US$1.8 billion. At the end of 2021, the bill was more than US$5 billion.

As Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, said at the formal opening of the Forum, “Our region failed to implement the 2005 “Jagdeo Initiative”, and, over the last 17 years, we have suffered for our inaction”.

The problem now is not only the high cost of imported food, but also that certain foodstuff, vital to Caribbean people, are in short supply. Very soon, food reserves in many developed countries will be severely diminished. This will undoubtedly lead to developed countries restricting exports to protect their own populations, resulting in more food shortages and higher prices in CARICOM countries.

At the Forum, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Keith Rowley, recalled that when vaccines were needed by every nation to save lives and control COVID-19, a few rich nations bought and hoarded more than 70 percent of the vaccine production.

He warned, “Nobody is going to give us food when it is in short supply. We have to act now so that next time we would be in a better position.”

This crisis cries out for urgent attention that goes beyond words to practical measures. Therefore, it set the stage for the CARICOM leaders at the Forum in Guyana to take action that would upset the status quo and forge a pathway to meaningful integration of CARICOM’s resources.

There were two further ingredients that led to the Forum’s action. The first was that a plan existed to tackle food

insecurity. That plan was introduced at the March 2022 CARICOM Heads of Government meeting by Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali. In the last two months with food shortages increasing and prices rising, the plan and its implementation assumed great relevance and urgency. The leaders at the Forum seized the moment and agreed on priority areas.

In the Outcome Statement, the leaders committed to tackling food insecurity, removing tariffs on CARICOM goods, and establishing regional transportation to get regionally produced food to every country in the region.

On food insecurity, President Ali will organize an existing Ministerial Task Force to produce an implementation schedule for the plan he presented to his colleagues last March. The preparation of the plan will involve all the stakeholders in agricultural production.

Regarding tariffs and non-tariff barriers that are imposed on CARICOM products, a Special Committee, headed by Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley, will immediately prepare proposals, with time-bound deadlines, for eliminating such trade barriers. Should this happen, the “pause” on creating a Single Market might, at last, be released.

The Outcome Statement said that the leaders recognized that the lack of adequate regional transportation by sea and air is an obstacle to the transportation of food within the region, and they are determined that it should be overcome within the shortest possible time.

Again, the energetic and persuasive Ms. Mottley, has been charged with completing a proposal for establishing adequate and sustainable regional transportation by July. The help of the international donor community and multilateral development agencies will be sought to support this effort, with the Caribbean Development Bank playing a role in mobilizing international resources.

There was another reason for the Forum’s motivation and success - the passion of Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali. Not only did he have a food plan ready, but he was also fervent in his determination to deliver it. His enthusiasm infected his colleagues and influenced the Forum’s result to produce actionable proposals with firm deadlines for implementation.

For those who were around in the late 1960s and 1970s when CARIFTA was created and CARICOM emerged, the atmosphere and results of the Guyana Forum rekindled a new faith in regionalism – and the hope that fidelity to it will prevail.

Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com

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Are You Ready?

The Atlantic hurricane season officially opened on June 1st and weather forecasters expect another active season.

Colorado State University (CSU) climate researchers forecast 19 tropical storms and nine hurricanes - four of them major.

With the ocean warming, storms are stronger and forming earlier. A pattern has developed in recent years of systems forming before June 1st.

If CSU’s prediction holds true, this will be the seventh above-average season in a row.

CSU also expects an above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States and the Caribbean.

To show you how things have heated up, the probability of a major hurricane making landfall along the US coastline is now 71%, well above the average of 52% for the past century, CSU says.

Not surprising, when you consider some of our islands were slammed by four terrible hurricanes (three category fours and one cat five) from 2015 and 2019. They were Irma, Joaquim, Matthew and the catastrophic Dorian.

Don’t wait until the last moment.

Review evacuation plans and make sure you have an up to date To Go Kit, even though you may never need it.

Decide what you will do with your vehicle or boat, should a major storm strike.

Here’s a basic list to help you prep.

WATER Stock up on drinking water now to avoid long queues should a hurricane threaten.

Plan on a gallon per person per day for a minimum of three days. A twoweek supply is better, storage space permitting.

Floods may contaminate water with salt or sewage, or other pollutants so make sure the water is stored safely.

If you don’t have them already, source large storage containers for water for flushing and cleaning.

NON-PERISHABLE FOOD Storms mean power outages and a loss of refrigeration if you don’t have an alternative means of cooling.

Stock up on non-perishable food, such as canned goods, ready-made baby formula, pet food, powdered or evapo-

rated milk, instant coffee, tea and juice.

Make sure you have a hand-operated can opener.

SOLID ICE BLOCKS If you don’t have an alternative power source, fill freezer bags with purified water to make block ice. It will last longer than city water.

If you lose power, place the bags in pans (for drips) in the freezer, fridge and ice-chest to keep perishables cool as long as possible.

FLASHLIGHTS, SOLAR LIGHTS and FUEL Get a flashlight or battery-operated mini lantern for each family member with extra batteries. Don’t keep the batteries in the flashlights after the storm passes. They will corrode.

Stock up with extra diesel or gas if you have a generator and keep your vehicle’s gas tank topped.

In the event of a prolonged power outage after the storm, charge solar lights in the sun during the day and bring inside at night.

Cash Make sure you have cash on hand.

ATM’s and credit card machines may malfunction after a storm.

Tools and Materials The tool kit should include at least one hammer and nails, a hatchet, screwdrivers, pliers and a battery-powered drill (and extra batteries). Make sure you have hardware to install bolts (for shutters, for example), a handsaw and sharp knife.

Get duct tape, masking tape, roof sealants and tarpaulin cover.

Check your chain saw if you have one. Don’t operate a chain saw without proper training.

First-aid kit You should have sterile adhesive bandages in different sizes, scissors and tweezers. Soap, antiseptic spray, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, iodine, thermometer, petroleum jelly to relieve itching, aspirin, acetaminophen, baby supplies. And anything else you think you may need.

Meds A one-month supply of prescription medicine.

Household Cleaning Supplies Bleach to kill mold caused by excess moisture. Extra everyday household supplies, such as dishwashing liquid, clothes detergent and floor and counter cleaner.

By Mike Lightbourn Questions or comments?

Contact me at info@cbbahamas.com Mike Lightbourn is president of Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty.

Battery-powered radio If there’s no electricity, you may not have internet and you will be tuning in to ZNS, home of the official hurricane centre, for storm news and updates. Get extra batteries.

Pets Don’t forget cat litter, carrier cages, collars and leashes.

Cooking Alternatives Portable camp stove with extra Butane fuel canisters. Charcoal or gas grill with a supply of fuel.

Eating Utensils Plastic utensils for easy cleaning up if water’s scarce.

Other items include: Toiletries and extra toilet paper. Water-proof bags to store passports and important documents and photos.

Disposable diapers, wipes and diaper cream. Facemasks, soap and hand sanitizer. Mosquito repellant.

Now Relax Planning ahead can make a huge difference. Once everything’s in order, you will be able to relax and enjoy your summer, knowing everything is in place should a storm threaten Eleuthera. Here’s to a quiet season!

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High Bar, Low Bar, or No Bar

sign without getting the full benefit of training are many. Not only are they disadvantaged, but so are their customers. This happens among upholsterers, plumbers, painters, electricians, building contractors… you name it. The industry is suffering because of it. There is more to doing a job effectively than just raw skills.

There has to be integrity and a sense of excellence. Doing just enough to get by or telling your client that was the best you can do when delivering an inferior product should never be acceptable. Not if that business is to thrive.

Working with standards

Teri M. Bethel I came from a family of building contractors. I was a project manager for a construction company and a practicing interior designer for many years, so I think I’m qualified to speak on this topic. That’s workforce ethics in the home improvement and building arena. Although this dilemma is not new, it seems to go unaddressed, leaving the industry with more questionable characters that provide inferior workmanship. For reference, we’ll call this type of worker the lowbar work crew. Having left the design field, it is unfortunate to find the low bar even more prevalent today than in yesteryear. Workers starting a project with a smile and pep in their step is always heartening, but when day three hits and boredom or indiscipline steps in, you begin to see the rolling eyes, slammed with backtalk, shoddy work, and a bill that does not match the lackluster service. To point out the poor workmanship stirs the wrath instead of remorse for the hackled job that left a trail of debris, adding to the problem they were called in to address. Although many female clients complain of the poor service, believing that it often appears to be an issue with workmen receiving instruction from women, some men are climbing on the bandwagon with their list of complaints. The question must be asked if it is of a lack of home training, or is it a case where the workforce was not mentored or received professional training, which goes beyond the ability to wield the latest specialty tool?

The tales high bar professionals tell of how their helpers learned parts of the trade but left the job to hang their

A high bar building contractor known for his industry standards developed a subdivision for affordable homes. As many contractors do, he subcontracted several homes to others. Upon inspection, he was dissatisfied with the workmanship of one.

He paid the subcontractor and leveled the house. Was it costly? Yes, it was, but he valued his name more than anything else. Having to do so was also costly to the subcontractor, who lost the opportunity to construct more homes in the development simply because he did not have a standard of excellence. It makes you wonder how many projects low bar workers miss out on because of their bad attitudes and shoddy work. The line of dishonesty and shoddy workmanship is long, which leads us to more recent stories on the island.

James and his wife Karen (not their real names) purchased a piece of property to build their rental home on. They were excited to be returning home after years of living abroad.

This wasn’t their first building project, but it almost became their last, at least on this island. The design was beautiful, and the contractor, Mr. Namedrop, came with an impressive resume. Now is probably a good time to mention that self-praise is never a good recommendation when selecting a contractor. As planned, the couple purchased the materials and arranged video calls and photo updates at each stage of the project. Nearing completion, only the finishing touches were needed to complete the job; Mr. Namedrop told his clients their project was move-in ready. When they arrived on the island, James and Karen found that the photos sent were staged; the air conditioning units had the indoor unit installed, but the outdoor units had never made it to the property. Their high-grade materials, which were handpicked and shipped to the island, were substituted for in-

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- Home Improvement & Building Contractors ferior materials. The couple was disheartened. They kicked the contractor to the curb without recovering the stolen materials, but their story was not as disturbing as Joanna’s.

Joanna is a retired lady befriended by her neighbor, a contractor, to build a rental home. She loved his home and thought she would have a retirement income if he could duplicate it with several minor changes. Initially, he and his wife were sugar-sweet, promising Joanna the world. Joanna became concerned, however, when her bill jumped higher each month. What happened to the contract? There were no changes to the materials, so why did she have to deal with the outrageous requests for more money? As she was building the house from her savings, she knew she could not continue on the path she was on. Today, a few years after starting the project, it remains incomplete. Talking about it sends her into a deep state of sadness. Her regret was not speaking to another neighbor who later shared their harrowing story concerning the same contractor who opted not to use treated lumber in critical areas of their home. The shortcuts were many but being foreigners; they decided to let it go as the conversations with the contractor became threatening.

These stories tipped the low bar scale sending the tradespeople smack in the middle of no bar. They had no conscience and even sought to take advantage of the elderly. But what about investors? A visitor to the island was so intrigued with its beauty that he bought several lots that extended to the ocean. He was wealthy and realized that the cost of the property was a deal. He planned to help to develop the island with his unique expertise.

After having the plans drawn and the lot cleared, he sent container loads of building materials to the site. Inquiring on the status, he was told the containers had been broken into, and the materials were stolen. Still eager to get the project underway, the landowner sent another shipment of goods. Some of the items were taken from the premises, but the house was finally

A bout

the

completed, much to the owners’ delight. When he was ready to complete the interior, he brought his designer in to put the finishing touches on the home. Months later, the furniture arrived. Before the owner could return to supervise the installation, every piece of his furnishings disappeared without explanation.

He had had enough and decided to call it quits by this time. The handful of no bar short-sighted people who stole from him had put an end to the project and the extensive investment he was planning to make in the community. Had they asked for his help, the investor was very wealthy and extremely generous; he had no problem helping to strengthen the community.

He put the house on the market, left the island, and never returned. Sadly, like Joanna, James, Karen, and the others, he found the sweet-talking no bar lemons of the construction arena.

Are there any high bar contractors left?

You might ask if there are any high bar professionals left in the industry.

Absolutely. There are many across the island’s length and breadth who not only show up when they promise to but do the work with excellence and a great attitude. Though some are impressive people, these folks seem to be a dying breed. To preserve and improve the industry, perhaps we can begin at home and school to place more emphasis on raising children of integrity. The kind who won’t touch what doesn’t belong to them, who do not take offense when corrected, who realize there are consequences to their actions, clean up when they make a mess, and bite their lip rather than wield their tongues like knives when irritated. While we’re at it, we can encourage them to receive proper training for the work they claim to know and are being paid for and do it with excellence. Wouldn’t that be a great foundation to build a healthy industry?

A uthor :

Teri M. Bethel is a publisher and author of relationship enrichment books, Bahamian-inspired romance, and adventure novels for children that share our island’s history and culture. Her books are available where good books are sold in Eleuthera, New Providence, and Amazon.com. Teri and her husband have two adult sons. Website: www.inspirepublishing.com

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Quotables Corner QUOTE: “Access to proper financial and manpower resources, appropriate medicines and diagnostics are essential in the prevention of both communicable and non-communicable diseases by way of national health insurance and food security. Our Government is working to recruit public health specialists and allied health professionals that will pave the way for telemedicine platforms and the digitization of medical records. If we are to alleviate the burden caused by COVID-19 and incidences of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), we must close the gaps by the introduction of adequately funded wellness programs.”

(Bahamas Minister of Health and Wellness, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville at the 75th Opening Session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva on Tuesday, May 24th, 2022.)

“Every year we import between $9 to $15 million worth of bananas and plantains into this country. We are determined to spend that money here. Eighty farmers with 5 acres each will accomplish this goal... We have already sourced the right species of banana. If Jamaica could do it we could do it. If Grenada could do it we could do it. If Dominican Republic could do it we could do it.

If St. Lucia could do it we could do it. All of these countries do not import bananas; they export bananas. We have a list of some 42 farmers in New Providence [who are] prepared and willing to do it... We believe that poultry is one of the sectors where opportunities can be created for Bahamians, for farmers and persons interested in getting involved in eggs and poultry production. BAIC and The Bahamas Development Bank are in the process of putting together a strategic plan to facilitate this project by identifying suitable land, providing funding and technical assistance to interested farmers to make this vision of eggs and poultry industry in The Bahamas a fruitful one. The Bank will finance the chicken houses, finance the chicken, finance the feed. BAIC will provide the land, provide training and provide technical support. This is what we call a turnkey operation. BAIC is truly a place of opportunity. It is truly a place of economic empowerment.”

(BAIC Executive Chairman, Leroy Major during his Budget 2022 Contribution in the House of Assembly on June 1st, 2022 on The Bahamas government’s push to lower food imports)

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Ask the Doctor!

Is food medication?

What if I were to say to you that the pills you’re taking are not your medications but in fact food is. Food is your medication.

As a matter of fact, food is instruction. We eat specific types of food to give specific types of instructions to the body. One would know the type of instructions you’re giving to the body, based on the type of food you’re eating. So, if you are eating the right foods, your body is going to get the right instructions. If you’re eating unhealthy food your cells and your DNA will get unhealthy instructions. Those instructions will cause you to be unhealthy. Vegetables and fruits are good instructions. Flours and sugar give bad instructions. So, a very simple thing to do is to eat the right foods, give your body the right instructions and be healthy and happy.

Dr. Leonardo Culmer, Chief Medical Officer Bahamas Wellness Health System

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‘Our Family is Growing!’, Says Coldwell Banker Lightbourne Realty

Coldwell Banker Lightbourne Realty has announced the addition of a familiar name to their agents in Eleuthera.

In a statement released during May of 2022, Real Estate company welcomed the return of former North Eleuthera MP, Mr. Theo Neilly, to their family of agents in Eleuthera, saying, “We are excited and incredibly pleased to announce that Theo Neilly has rejoined the Coldwell Banker Lightbourne Realty family.

Mr. Theo Neilly.

“Neilly has a wealth of experience and is eager to restart his real estate career. Agents have many choices of where to call home and we are honored that he has decided to bring his talents

back to Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty.

“Prior to joining the team, Neilly had a diverse and successful political career. He was the Leader of Opposition Business in the House, as well as Opposition Whip. He served as a Member of Parliament for North Eleuthera, an elected member of Local Government since 2005 and Chief Councilor of the North Eleuthera district in 2011.

“His professional career encompasses his role as a Former Resort and Restaurant Assistant Manager, Harbour Island, Eleuthera; and lecturer for the Bahamashost program. He has also had a distinguished career

in the aviation field at the Airport Authority of The Bahamas having managed North Eleuthera International Airport 2004 – 2011. He most recently served as Consul General of the Bahamas to Washington D.C 2017 – 2022.

“In addition to his relevant experiences, he attended Palm Beach Atlantic University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Political Science and a Master of Business Administration at the University of Liverpool (Liverpool, UK).

“We are thrilled to have him on the team and look forward to doing great work together. Welcome home Theo!”

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Medical Officer in Central Eleuthera Honoured Ahead of Move

Dr. Allen Cho pictured with Mr. Andre Butler.

Dr. Allen Cho, Medical Officer serving the Central Eleuthera District, who is headed to the island of Exuma at the end of June, was honoured on May 25th, 2022 by the Governor’s Harbour Local Government Town Council, as he wraps up his time on the island, in recognition of his service during his posting in Central Eleuthera. A

plaque was presented to him

by Town Council Chairman, Mr. Andre Butler, during a Heads of Government Agency meeting hosted by Administrator for the Central Eleuthera District, Mr. Gilbert Kemp.

Mr. Butler, who had the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Cho in times of emergency, during his years in Eleuthera, described why he felt

the gesture of thanks was necessary, saying, “While working at the airport and seeing ‘Doc’ in action, especially during the Covid pandemic, we flew out three to four people a week.

Also seeing ‘Doc’ up at late hours at night, during accidents, we formed a close bond. Once I heard that he was leaving, I thought we could do nothing less than to give him a farewell thank you. He has a month left, so I’m sure there will be other farewells, but we [the Governor’s Harbour Township Council] just wanted to show him that we appreciate him.”

Dr. Cho, following the presentation, expressed,

“Definitely I am honoured, and I’ve been so lucky to be in Eleuthera for the past five years. The community of Eleuthera has never treated me as anyone different. So, no words can express my appreciation to the community of Eleuthera.”

When asked about who would be replacing him as he moves on, Dr. Cho did not have full details, but shared, “The information I am getting now is that the doctor who is going to replace me is the same doctor coming from Exuma - it will be a swap or interchange of doctors between Central Eleuthera and Exuma.”

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Bahamas To Work With CARICOM Countries To Enhance Poultry Industry Nassau, Bahamas: Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Hon. Clay Sweeting said The Bahamas has made great strides to work with CARICOM countries to enhance The Bahamas’ poultry industry.

Minister Sweeting traveled with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Hon I. Chester Cooper, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Leonardo Lightbourne, Food Agricul-

tural Organization (FAO) Ambassador H.E. Winston Pinnock and other top tourism officials to the Agri-Investment Forum and Expo held in Guyana from May 18th-20th, 2022.

The event was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Center under the theme ‘Investing in Vision 25 by 2025’.

During the conference, Minister Sweeting met with several CARICOM leaders in Agriculture.

He said he felt encouraged that the region would

(L to R): Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) Ambassador H.E. Winston Pinnock, Acting Director General of Tourism Latia Duncombe, Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Hon. Clay Sweeting; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Hon. I. Chester Cooper; Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Leonardo Lightbourne and Director of Investments in the Ministry of Tourism Phylicia Hanna. work together to reduce its food import bill and increase food security.

“In coming to Guyana, we wanted to explore opportunities and options, meet with other countries where we can work with other CARICOM leaders who also share the same focus as The Bahamas in developing their agricultural sector. We are trying to get to the point where we reduce imports by 25 percent by 2025. The Bahamas is a part of CARICOM and so we are committed to that and we’re looking for sectors to do that. We feel that poultry is one of the sectors that we can do that very quickly and microgreens through vertical farming,” he said.

Minister Sweeting added that many countries are merging their poultry sectors with other food items that they can export.

“As we look around, countries have done very well in the sector. We understand that Guyana is one of the countries that has done well in Agriculture especially in poultry and coconut production. So, it seems that many countries are merging the two industries,” he said. “That’s what seems to be happening across CARICOM. P28

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Covid 19 Update: An Uptick in Numbers, Low

Hospitalizations, CDC Travel Advisory Changes On Tuesday, May 24th, the Bahamas Ministry of Health and Wellness published a release informing the Bahamian public that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States had increased the COVID-19 travel risk advisory rating for The Bahamas.

Now Open

10am to 5pm Mon. to Fri.

The release stated: “The Ministry of Health & Wellness advises the public that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised that the COVID-19 Travel Health Advisory for the Bahamas will be moved from level two (2) moderate to level three (3) high.

The CDC level three (3) rating advises international travelers to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines before coming to The Bahamas.”

It continued, “It (the CDC) also advises that even if COVID-19 vaccines are up-to-date there may still be a risk for getting and spreading COVID-19.

Proper mask wearing for anyone two (2) years or older is recommended for indoor public spaces and requirements for this country should be followed. Bahamians and residents are urged to continue to follow the COVID-19 safety protocols which help to limit the spread of the virus.”

This announcement came following an increase in reported daily case numbers of COVID-19 during the month of May in The Bahamas, with total active case numbers in the country standing at 755 on May 24th. Hospitalized case numbers, however, remained relatively low on that date, with 11 people in the country in hospital, and no cases in intensive care.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Michael R. Darville confirmed in a statement on May 24th, that there had been an uptick in positive COVID-19 cases in particular in New Providence over the previous three (3) weeks, and informed that samples to test for the Omicron BA.2. Variant were collected and sent for genome mapping.

The Disease Surveillance Unit, said Minister Darville, had turned specific focus on schools in the country as cases continued to rise. “This Ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training as well as with the unions,” Minister Darville said, “…on ways to mitigate the potential spread in our schools so that we do not disadvantage our children from getting access to education.”

As of Saturday, June 11th, 2022 the total number of active cases throughout the country had grown to 907, with an additional 17 people in hospital bringing the total number of people hospitalized to 28 - and no one in intensive care.

Reported COVID-19 deaths in The Bahamas since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, as of June 11th, 2022 stood at 812 people.

During May 2022, Eleuthera also saw an uptick of cases, according to

Ministry of Health officials.

As of Wednesday, June 8th, 2022, there were 27 active cases throughout the island (4 cases in Spanish Wells, 0 cases in Harbour Island, 6 cases in North Eleuthera, 16 cases in Central Eleuthera, and 1 case in South Eleuthera). 43 people were in quarantine (3 in Spanish Wells, 0 in Harbour Island, 4 in North Eleuthera, 35 in Central Eleuthera, and 1 in South Eleuthera), and 3 people were under investigation for infection (PUI’s)

in Central Eleuthera.

As of June 4th, the Ministry of Health and Wellness reported that 167,073 Bahamians and residents had been fully vaccinated.

Of that total number 5,801 people were reported to have been fully vaccinated in Eleuthera.

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Housing, Agriculture, Investments and Local Government Changes In Eleuthera, Highlights of Budget Contribution by MP C&SE On June 1st, 2022 during his contribution to the 2022/2023 budget debate in the House of Assembly, Member of Parliament for Central and South Eleuthera, and Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs, Mr. Clay Sweeting detailed the activities and projects that would be taken on within his broad portfolio of responsibility during the next 12 months.

Housing developments and concessions: In reference to Eleuthera, he began with an update on the visit made by the Ministry of Housing to the island in late 2021, saying, “In November of last year the Minister of Housing and Transport, along with representatives of the Bahamas Mortgage Corporation and a technical team came to Eleuthera to assess several areas for the possible expansion of the affordable homes program. I am pleased to say that before the end of June 2022, this month, the administrative team from the Ministry of Housing and the Mortgage Corporation and other partners will be in Central and South Eleuthera for the Mortgage Fair to assess potential homeowners and along with Minister Jo-Beth Coleby-Davis, we will break ground at the new affordable home subdivision at Ocean Hole in Rock Sound.”

He continued, “We must maintain a balanced approach to providing relief as far and as wide as we can. While we have a significant focus on agricultural lands and food security, the cries in the community of Hatchet Bay have been heard. Hatchet Bay has a peculiar issue of being landlocked. The growth of the community is stagnant because there is no available land for the expansion of the community. To this end, BAIC has agreed to transfer the ownership of 100 acres of agricultural land to the Ministry of Housing for the expansion of the community of Hatchet Bay. Initially, a housing subdivision will be developed and then lands available for commercial and residential development.”

He then added, “Not only is this administration focused on providing access to homeownership, but it is providing additional avenues for economic empowerment by expanding the amount of exemptions on new construction, renovations and even providing money back up to $40k in VAT payments. These measures established will promote home ownership, spark the construction industry, and provide flexibility for the pockets of homeowners. Another progressive strategy as laid out in ‘the Blueprint for Change’.”

New Land Leases: Minister Sweeting commented during his contribution that BAIC had approved a number of new land leases in Eleuthera, including in the Hatchet Bay area, as well as touristic land leases in the Rainbow Bay area.

Upcoming investments:

Touching briefly on upcoming investment projects in Eleuthera, Minister Sweeting informed, “South Eleuthera cannot begin to see an economic rebound if not for investments. I am pleased to say that in the past 8-month period, we have signed a Heads of Agreement with Cotton Bay and Windermere North Development should start soon. These two projects will create jobs in construction, provide avenues for entrepreneurial growth and inject direct capital in the surrounding communities.

Encouraging poultry production: As part of the government’s push to achieve greater food security, poultry production is one of the areas they look to grow quickly in the short term, said Sweeting, “We are investing a considerable amount of funding in poultry production throughout the country. We believe that low hanging fruit such as poultry can provide an almost immediate catalyst to stimulate food production in the country. We have a plan, detailed in part in the budget, to attract the best technology and processes to develop a full scale poultry production operation. This includes a series of concessions that will be available. These concessions include land concessions (BAIC and the Ministry of Agriculture have thousands of acres for agricultural development) as well as electricity rate concessions to producers and direct cash subsidies, as found in this budget, for the support of poultry farmers and producers. A comprehensive concessionary framework will be outlined to ensure that we can attract the best prospects for success and reasonable timeframes for implementation.

“Realistically, the timeframe to grow this sector of the economy will take another 6 to 12 months to see it’s full potential realized. In the interim, the Prime Minister in his wisdom, has also provided for the reduction of duties on many food itemsincluding poultry and eggs. It is our sincere hope that these savings as outlined in the budget will be passed on to the consumers.”

Farmer/Fishermen concessions: Farming and fishing are also areas targeted for growth explained Minister Sweeting, “I recently had the opportunity to travel to Guyana, with the Minister of Tourism, Aviation and Investments to attend an Agri-Business Conference, and while at the conference Caricom stressed the 25 by 2025 initiative for each country is to reduce food imports by 25% by the year 2025. Currently, we in the Bahamas produce less than 6% of the poultry that we consume.

We are lagging behind our Caribbean counterparts.

We have been hindered by Dorian, The Pandemic and The War in Ukraine and Russia. In order to see these to fruition we need a targeted approach. The major contributors are the private sector, the financial lending institutions, the farmers, fishermen and politicians (that’s us). We must work together to make this a reality.

“This goal is achievable. It is not so unrealistic

and far-fetched that it cannot be accomplished almost immediately. We are laying the political, policy and financial groundwork, establishing the policies and making funding and concessions available to make this initiative achievable... We are seeking to reduce the proverbial red tape associated with farming and funding.

We are creating bankable products, that are at a minimal investment cost, driven by technology and accessible to young people and women. When I say bankable, I mean projects in agriculture that can be easily financed so farmers can have reasonable access to capital. These products include a significant investment in layers, and in containerized farms...

“In this budget, we are allocating five hundred thousand ($500,000.00) in direct support for farmers... There will be duty free exemptions for Farmers and Fishermen on equipment parts... This administration is committed to eliminating the cost of duty on all such parts for repairs, considering that Farmers and Fishermen already have duty free concessions for the upfront purchase of equipment and vehicles for their businesses this is an added bonus and real time savings to these hardworking men and women who will move the country forward.

Expansion of tractor services is also on the short term agenda, said Sweeting, “Plans are to extend the assistance of land preparation to farmers to three (3) additional Family Islands to include Eleuthera, Exuma and Cat Island. This technology will increase the use of machinery and technology in farming with the objective of increasing productivity meanwhile reducing the cost of production for farmers. This initiative includes the purchase of wheel tractors, Rome discs, ridging body, and bush hog mower. It represents an investment valued at approximately one million dollars.

Cultivation Center development: In addition to heightening fresh produce production, allowing farmers the opportunity to process and package foods grown is another layer of industry that would add to greater food security, explained Minister Sweeting, “The Packing House in Hatchet Bay is repaired and re-opened for business. Further to reopening this establishment, my ministry is excited to announce that in the next few months a new building and multi-purpose center will be constructed at this site. ‘The Cultivation Center’, will be the center for all agricultural activities in Central and North Eleuthera. This Cultivation Center at Hatchet Bay will be a model one-stop-shop that will be duplicated in Family Islands where there is a considerable number of Agricultural & Fishing investments.

“My Ministry has revamped the initial concept of the AgroVillage and will now establish “The Cultivation Centre”, a facility which accommodates all

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things agriculture; be it proposals, training, programs, sales and more.

This Centre is intended to promote greater interaction between our technocrats and farmers, be they hobbyist with the enthusiasm and interest to soar to a higher level in the agricultural sector, or the growing/established business in search of innovative applications to simply help them improve their product.

“We envision the Cultivation Centre to be a system of agricultural innovations that will be used to resolve the fundamental issues affecting food production. The Centre will be located at the Gladstone Road Agricultural Centre (GRAC). The project’s mission is to also facilitate the enabling environment for the modernization of the food and agriculture system in The Bahamas. As it relates to the construction of the Cultivation Centre my Ministry procured two (2) Butler Buildings for this project that will be piloted on the islands of New Providence and Eleuthera.

“Construction is well on the way with this project that is estimated to cost the Government into some two million, three hundred and ninetyeight thousand, eight hundred and thirty-one dollars and sixty-four cents ($2,398,831.64). Consultants are expected to be in the country in June 2022 for a scoping mission, where they will visit the islands of New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco and Eleuthera.

“These Cultivation Centers will be situated within reasonable distance from the major farming communities, and will each comprise a Produce Exchange, a Fish and Farm Store and a Food Processing Community Kitchen. Initially, three (3) Community Kitchens will be constructed on Andros, Cat Island and Eleuthera, outfitted with processing equipment and staffed to act as prototypes for the remaining communi-

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MP for C&SE, and Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources & Family Island Affairs, the Hon. Clay Sweeting during his 2022 Budget Debate contribution on June 1st, 2022. ties.

“These Community Kitchens will stimulate and encourage the growth of entrepreneurship as they target women and young persons who are interested in creating their own small businesses.

“The kitchens will: - Provide contracts to persons interested in co-packing; - Provide fully equipped venues and technical assistance to entrepreneurs requiring a phase of their operation completed e.g. puree of fruits, extraction of oils, dehydration of fruits, vegetables, spices, seafoods, etc.; - Allow for various forms of packaging; - Allow for farmers to mill corn and

sieve to their preference of several degree of coarseness from fine corn meal to coarse yellow grits.

“We will work assiduously to ensure construction of the first Community Kitchen before this calendar year ends. Processing of food products will commence immediately utilizing excess agricultural products from BAMSI and other associate farmers. During the first year, Community Kitchens will concentrate on improving their products; ensuring staff are properly trained in processing and use of equipment; on conducting consumer product testing at major food stores; and on supplying products for local food stores, hotels and eateries.

“During the second year of production, we hope to identify or select a product with export marketing potential; conduct trials, test markets and present recommendations for specific automated equipment for mass production.

“The benefits of investing into these Community Kitchens are enormous as they will support the growth of activities such as: - Utilizing excess agricultural products that will minimize post-harvest losses allowing the farmer to increase his earnings.

- Contracting farmers to grow specific crops and ensure that certain processing varieties are made available for the major portion of the year.

- Adding value to products that are wholesome, healthy, tasty, interest-

ing, and cost-effective.

- Creating businesses to support the work of the Community Kitchen such as gathering of indigenous crops e.g. shelling/freezing of tamarinds, collection/barking/preparation of coconuts and collection of indigenous berries e.g. sea grapes, guavas, plums and others.

- Developing programs to interest women and youths into establishing their own business.

- Encouraging the establishment and usage of by-products for the manufacturing of bags, soaps, skin creams, lotions, jewelry, etc.

- Decreasing the dependency on imports and encouraging productsubstitution and the greater use of local manufactured products.

- Providing products for the National Food Bin. This is The Way Forward.”

Local Government Family Island Development Fund: Updating on a number of changes in the function of Local Government, Minister Sweeting outlined, “Operational budget items that were removed from those Administrator’s Office Budgets have been partially returned already and will be returned fully in this upcoming 2022/2023 fiscal year.”

He continued, “10% of overall revenue collected in the Family Islands from property tax and road traffic fees will P23 go to the creation of a Family Island Develop-

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Residents of South Eleuthera attending one of two public consultation meetings on new health facilities being proposed for Palmetto Point and Rock Sound.

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medical facilities

ensuring that the medical equipment and tools for delivery of the standard of care are in place.

“This facility will be built on land previously identified for this venture.”

Minister Sweeting added, “Eleuthera is benefitting from Government’s push to ensure the improvement of healthcare facilities in the Family Islands.

Our communities are being positively affected by the Resident and Locum Doctors in the community. Together, all of these advances will ease pressure on New Providence and Grand Bahama.

“I have been mandated to express the urgency of Government to complete these projects. I look forward to cooperating with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to ensure that we complete them. We want to begin construction in January of 2023.”

Acting Minister of Health, Senator Ryan Pinder, in his presentation, described the Government’s programme to support the health system strengthening of The Bahamas through a $40 million loan facility from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and a grant from the European Union (EU) of $5.5 million, saying, “When we came into office eight months ago we met this loan in place. The plan at the time was to construct 5 new clinics and to renovate 4 primary care facilities and clinics - on seven islands. We knew that was insufficient given the harsh realities of the residents of the Family Islands...

“The Minister and I have inspected the clinics throughout Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Spanish Wells, and needless to say, there are many improvements required to bring adequate healthcare and health systems to the citizens of Eleuthera. Minister Darville has likewise traveled throughout The Bahamas and has witnessed the state of the facilities, including here in Eleuthera. As a government, we will not and cannot allow these conditions to persist throughout our islands.

“The Cabinet of The Bahamas therefore took the decision to do more with the funds that were provided under this loan, and with the grant from the EU. While adhering to our contractual agreement and conforming to the policies of the bank - we will now construct 9 new clinics of varying levels to service throughout The Bahamas, including in Moore’s Island, Fresh Creek and Mangrove Cay in Andros, Smith’s Bay in Cat Island, Staniel Cay and Black Point in Exuma, Long Cay, Rock Sound and Palmetto Point in Eleuthera.

“We will relocate the National Reference Laboratory in New Providence, and we will modify the clinic in Matthew Town, Inagua and renovate seven other clinics - in Marsh Harbour, Fox Town, Mastic Point/

/town halls Andros, Simms’ and Deadman’s Cay/Long Island, Alice Town/Bimini, and Fox Hill Clinic in New Providence...

“We are excited that on completion, this program of works will provide better services for better built, climate resilient buildings, that consider renewable energy and water-saving options as hallmark features. This is also a fundamental component of what we are doing... recognizing climate-change and resilience as a mandate, and doing everything we can as a government to encourage that.

“Our infrastructural improvements will not be limited to buildings under this loan programme. We will also enhance the capacity to provide primary care by upgrading medical equipment - including defibrillators, portable x-ray machines, ultra-sounds, electrocardiagrams, equipment for laboratory tests, dental services, and preventive care... Your Member of Parliament has advocated very hard to bring dialysis options as well to the island of Eleuthera.

“There are other resources that will be made available under this - what we call ‘the COVID loan’ that we are currently implementing. With the resources of both loans - the loan that we are using to build the infrastructure, and the loan we are using to build resilience in the COVID pandemic we are in... we are in the process of purchasing 15 new ambulances for facilities in our Family Islands, with one for Central and South Eleuthera. All of us has the right to be transported in dignity when we are injured, in labour, or have some other emergency. A health professional should have all the tools they need to deliver optimal services.

“We are also purchasing 50 new vehicles to facilitate their work throughout The Bahamas to support the health facilities and the ambulances and the healthcare improvements we are bringing to our islands, and we will ensure that there is an appropriate allocation for the island of Eleuthera.

“In addition to the infrastructure works that I have shared with you, we are constructing isolation facilities around the islands, so that healthcare professionals can safely and effectively treat patients with COVID-19 and any other airborne or infectious disease. In the north we looked at two sites where we would put these facilities to support what we are doing against infectious disease in the country. 15 islands have been selected for this bolstered capacity to include Abaco, Acklins, Andros, Bimini, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama, Inagua, Long Island, Mayaguana, New Providence, Rum Cay, and San Salvador - the whole country is getting the necessary support for infectious disease prevention.

“Further, we will improve the delivery of care model by reorganizing and standardizing the provision of primary and hospital care services provided throughout the country, and by implementing a person and community centered model of care. We are a community, a country made up of communities, and that is how we should bring care to the Bahamian people.

“If you talk about modernization, then it is impossible to do so without considerations for tele-medicine and other health information systems, where you can get expert health advice through technology. This loan program will allow for the integration of existing new applications for medical records, laboratory, pharmacy and diagnostics among the 54 public health clinics - all connected to our tertiary and educational facilities. We will have one medical record system for all public healthcare services in the country. A onestop-shop to get the medical records you need to be able to get immediate medical advice, when you need it. No more calling this doctor, calling this clinic in Nassau, calling Miami, just to find a piece of paper to support the care that you need. One central system to hold and to database, to be able to have all of your medical records on file... The government intends phenomenal improvements in our health systems.”

Senator Pinder, quipped as he ended, “Our intention is one thing, however, your views matter in this,” as he handed off to Minister Sweeting, who opened the floors at both meetings for questions following all of the presentations - which also included information about environmental and social considerations at the proposed building sites.

Rather than questions, many of the residents who commented during the question and answer sessions expressed their stand that upgraded healthcare facilities, with the necessary staffing, equipment and services were a longstanding need on Eleuthera, and having heard promises for several decades about new and improved facilities for the island - wanted to see the promises put into action - and those facilities, equipment and services to come to fruition.

In response to this general position, Minister Sweeting stated, “We are committed, and I told the Ministry of Health, I was not coming to have any town meeting for something that they were not committed to making happen... I do not want to make a promise I cannot keep, and I am committed to the people of Central and South Eleuthera. I do not want people saying that I promised something that did not happen, so I’m committed that this starts in January. The sites are located and they will be ready to go.”

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Picture this...

The Eleutheran

MOE at Environmental Summit Discussing Pollution, Biodiversity and Climate Change

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CALENDAR 2022

and Industrial Corporation) upcoming Workshop Soap Making Production: (Date: July 4th - 7th, 2022) Time: 6 pm to 9 pm Place: Rock Sound Methodist Hall Cost: $150 Excluding materials (Contact: Gertrude Saunders by WhatsApp at 470-3414 for your name to be added to the list) •

49th Bahamas Independence Celebrations (July 10th)

Bahamians everywhere come together on their respective islands to demonstrate pride for their nation and enjoy a night of fellowship and enjoyment. (Contact: Administrator’s Office, Mr. Gilbert Kemp at gilbertkemp@bahamas. gov.bs or call (242) 332-2112) •

Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, Vaughn P. Miller attended a high level meeting for Ministers of Environment from various countries representing the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS Conventions - 2021/2022 COPs) in Geneva, Switzerland from June 6th - 17th. He gave greetings on behalf of the Hon. Prime Minister Philip Davis. Minister Miller was accompanied by other delegates at the forum which carried the theme, ‘Global Agreements for a Healthy Planet: Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste.’ The Minister was said to have addressed the three planetary environmental crises of pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss. Pictured from left: Sasha Dixon, Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of the Bahamas to the United Nations Office and other Int’l Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland; Her Excellency Patricia Hermanns, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Mission of The Bahamas to the United Nations Office and other Int’l Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland; Launa Williams, Analyst, Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP); the Hon. Vaughn Miller, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources; and Keith Philippe, Sr. Environmental Officer/DEPP. (Photo/Ministry of the Environment & Natural Resources) Source: Bahamas Information Services (June 7th, 2022)

This event brings residents and visitors together to enjoy Bahamian culture and activities.

(Contact: Mr. Selvin Richards, (242) 558-3418) •

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MP’s Speech

ment Trust Fund in the amount of $200 million. This fund will facilitate the Government in making immediate and significant investment in Family Island infrastructure.

This fund would be a sub-fund of the National Infrastructure Fund. We also propose to leverage the aviation-related revenue to create a fund for aviation infrastructure, which would be another sub-fund of the National Infrastructure Fund. This, combined with the Family Island Development Trust, will accelerate the reconstruction of Family Island airports. It will also end the practice of Family Island infrastructure improvements being made a lesser priority than infrastructure improvements in New Providence.

“It is important to note, however, that this does not mean that we will

Local Gov’t Help Desk Structure: To add to the functionality, and have a strategic approach to enhancing Local Government, several different teams and a help-desk structure has been devised, informed Minister Sweeting, “There is the potential for appeals as mandated in our Local Government Act. In order for an ade-

quate response time, funding for travel to facilitate the same is also receiving adequate funding in this upcoming budget. The Department now has a Monitoring and Procurement Unit, a Legal and Protection Unit, along with a Help Desk. The Help Desk is designed to be headquartered in New Providence with five (5) new staff members. There will be sub offices in the Northern Bahamas (Grand Bahama), Central Bahamas (Eleuthera), and Southern Bahamas (Inagua) for an additional fifteen (15) new hires... What does a Help Desk do - They Help! All functions through our partnership with other Ministries and Departments will be done. It is aimed at removing the bureaucratic red tape that now exists within the Family Islands.”

Bay Fest (July 26th - August 1st)

The residents of Hatchet Bay Eleuthera come together to raise funds to assist the settlement with upgrades and community activities for the residents.

(Contact: Ms. Melissa Dean, melissadean36@hotmail.com, (242) 551-0538) •

exclude Family Island projects from future capital budgets of the Ministry of Public Works. Far from it. It just means that the Family Islands will have their own dedicated fund to ensure that they keep pace with national development.

“Local Government is the driving force in Family Islands for capital development projects and improvements in infrastructure. Combined with the ability to generate revenue for their various districts and the impending amendments to the Local Government Act, things will get done in the family islands. This is the Way Forward.”

Green Castle Haulers Festival (July 8th - 10th)

Back to The Bay (July 29th August 2nd)

The Tarpum Bay festival is a way to encourage descendants to come together and have an enjoyable time with family, friends, and visitors in the area. There is live entertainment, junkanoo rush-outs, and delicious native dishes and items on sale.

(Contact: Mr. Ronald Carey, (242) 819-8718; Ms. Shakera Gardiner, (242) 470-2342 or shakeragardiner_37@hotmail.com) •

Goombay Summer Festival (August 27th)

This event allows locals and visitors to enjoy a cultural experience of Eleuthera. People can enjoy mouth-watering dishes, beverages, and dance to local rake and scrape music. There are also local artists and artisans showing their handmade products.

(Contact: Eleuthera Tourist Office, Ms. Glenda Johnson-Ingraham, gjjingraham@bahamas.com, (242) 332-2868)

CONS E R VAT I ON CORNER

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The Reef Rescue Network - Restoring Life and Growing Opportunity in Eleuthera

By Lily Haines (PIMS) & Natalia Hurtado (CEIS & PIMS)

Participant from the Young Men’s leadership program in South Eleuthera helping with nursery maintenance.

Coral reefs are among the most diverse ecosystems on earth and the lifeblood of The Bahamas’ blue economy. Valued at up to USD 135 million per square kilometre (https://marineplanning.org/wpcontent/uploads/2019/07/Bahamas-Protected_Economic-Value-of-MPAs_Full-Report_2017.pdf), these underwater rainforests shelter thousands of marine species; from extraordinary sharks and rays, to worldrenowned delicacies like the Caribbean spiny lobster and the Nassau grouper.

But it’s no secret that coral reefs in The Bahamas have been decimated over the last half century, largely because of climate change, coral disease, pollution and local threats such as overfishing and industrial development. Major reef building coral species that were once common across the nation’s turquoise blue waters have been reduced to endangered or critically endangered species and many are reproductively isolated to the point where natural recovery can no longer occur.

Not a nation to sit idly by however, the launch of the Reef Rescue Network (RRN) in 2017 has distinguished The Bahamas as a global leader in coral restoration. Recent advances in coral restoration have provided scientists with the ability to increase biomass of coral species rapidly, and even translocate corals to promote genetic exchange to allow for reproductive success. Using these novel methodologies, the Reef Rescue Network has paved the way for Bahamian scientists, conservation managers, tourism operators and the public to take action to restore the coral reefs across the country.

How it works

Among the largest coral restoration initiatives in the Caribbean, the Reef Rescue Network is a country-alliance to fight back against climate change and coral disease by planting new corals in a scientifically sound way. Created in 2017 by the Perry Institute for Marine Science - a non-profit science organization that has trailblazed ocean research, conservation and education for more than 50 years – the Network aims to scale up coral restoration in The Bahamas by engaging key stakeholders in coral restoration activities, including conservation and education organizations, dive operators and resorts.

Through this partnership, the Reef Rescue Network not only increases coral restoration efforts be-

CEIS staff member learning how to remove sediment and algae from coral nursery tree.

yond what a single organization can do, including monitoring and evaluation of restoration activities, but provides education and outreach to local and international audiences. To date, this project has trained over 80 Bahamians as Reef Rescue Divers and 0ver 70 Reef Rescue Diver instructors in The Bahamas. Because many partners in the Reef Rescue network are Dive Operators that make significant contributions to the Bahamian Economy but have been hit hard by the COVID pandemic and associated travel restrictions, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has become active in promoting the Reef Rescue Network and promoting The Bahamas as a dive destination for coral restoration.

To date, the Network consists of more than 20 partners in The Bahamas doing coral restoration at nearly 30 locations. The Reef Rescue Network has since expanded to two additional Caribbean nations – Aruba and St. Lucia. At present there are nearly 8,000 corals being grown in RRN nurseries and over 2,000 corals have been planted onto degraded reefs.

Coral Restoration in Eleuthera

Here in Eleuthera, both the Cape Eleuthera Island School (CEIS) and Valentine’s Dive Resort have taken up the coral restoration mantle and joined the Reef Rescue Network’s fight to save coral reefs. Hands-on experience and the chance to be involved in a coral restoration project is crucial to understanding and supporting the ongoing efforts to save our coral reefs.

In South Eleuthera, CEIS combines research with education, actively involving Bahamian Staff, Young men leaders of the local community, Island School and Deep Creek Middle School students.

Participants enrolled with the Reef Rescue course, gained valuable hand-on restoration experience and had an unique opportunity to learn outside the walls of the classroom, which gave them a better understanding and connection with their local environment, guided by the Reef Rescue Instructor Natalia Hurtado, lead scientist of the Bahamas Coral Innovation project.

One of the most important parts of the work in the Coral Hub is building awareness in younger generations about the importance of coral reefs and encouraging them to share their knowledge. During the reef rescue course, students learned about coral nurseries, including essential facts about coral reefs, threats fac-

Staghorn fragments ready to be outplanted for over a year.

ing corals, how coral nurseries function and how to maintain coral nurseries. Once they complete their course, they are ready to help maintain the biggest coral nursery of our Reef Rescue Network in The Bahamas, located at South Eleuthera or they can volunteer and visit other nurseries within the network.

No Permits, No Progress: Taking Action to Save Coral Reefs in The Bahamas

However, for more than a year, the Department of Environmental Protection and Planning has effectively stopped coral restoration in Eleuthera and across The Bahamas due to a backlog of scientific research permits and swaths of red tape created with the passage of the Biological Resources and Traditional Knowledge Protection and Sustainable Use Act, 2020, which came into force last year.

The intent of the new law was to protect the country’s natural resources, ensuring it wouldn’t be exploited by foreign interests under the guise of research. It had an unintended consequence, suspending the work of world class scientists from renowned institutions like the Cape Eleuthera Institute and the Perry Institute, who sought to help Bahamians and businesses rebuild and rehabilitate underwater habitats while they study the marine ecosystems here.

Aside from negatively impacting both local and foreign scientists across the board, the permit crisis is also severely hindering Bahamian graduate students engaged in research to fulfill requirements for their degrees.

While the Network and its partners have continued to maintain their growing coral nurseries in Eleuthera, planting new corals to expand healthy coral communities has ground to a complete stop. If not approved right away, the Network stands to lose over $1 million USD in direct foreign investment. These funds are meant to expand the network in The Bahamas and create a larger dive tourism market. Given the current outbreak of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease on reefs throughout The Bahamas, this work is critical to ensuring the health of local coral reef ecosystems and fish habitats.

Show your support for the Reef Rescue Network’s scientific permit directly to your own Member of Parliament by filling out the form available at (https:// www.reefrescue.net/).

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SPACES Summer Arts Returns Left: Children all smiles while participating in the 2019 cohort of the SPACES Summer Arts program.

“The children of Eleuthera are in for a treat this summer as it returns with a stellar cast of workshop instructors,” says SPACES president Gina Sealy.

“SPACES stands for Summer Program of Arts and Crafts in memory of Eunice Sands, who was an avid lover of Eleuthera and the arts,” shares Sealy, and this summer camp in her honour, for children ages 8-16, takes place from Tuesday, August 2nd to Friday, August 12th from 9:00am - 2:00pm, not including weekends, at the Cancer Society in Palmetto Point.

“Instructors for the 2022 SPACES session,” she adds, “are nothing short of an allstar lineup and includes Alexia B. Coakley who will be teaching a workshop in Television Production, Content Creation and New Media Immersion.”

Ms. Coakley is a noted media management and technology professional based in Nassau and is the principal officer at ABC Digital Media. She is also the Media

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Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera

Technology Program Coordinator at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute with responsibility for development of curriculum and technical production.

Ms. Coakley formerly served as Media Operations Manager/Station Manager at Cable Bahamas’ OurTV. She holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in International Business as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Marketing.

The notable communications expert with more than 25 years in the business, is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Stewart of The Bluff, Eleuthera and the daughter of Alva Stewart-Coakley and A. Bismarck Coakley. She considers herself an Eleuthera girl and is a member of several civic clubs and organizations. Coakley says she is “very excited to come to Eleuthera to pour her knowledge into her community.”

Returning for her second year is Shorlette Francis-Cartwright who is known to many as the queen of recycling. Francis-Cartwright

creates works of art, jewelry, furniture, countertops and drinking glassware from recycled glass. She is a leading creative artist on Eleuthera. Her work is also featured in the Eleuthera Arts and Culture Center and at The Island School’s Hallig House in Cape Eleuthera. Mrs. Cartwright is also the owner of The Oasis Art Studio where she creates her special line of acrylic/resin countertops that can be found at the Atlantis Hotel on Paradise Island as well as in many homes throughout Eleuthera. She also has a specially designed line of scented candles.

Mrs. Elva Sands-Nixon who has been a volunteer of the SPACES organization from its inaugural year will be wearing a different hat this year as she conducts a workshop in seashell, coconut and straw crafting. A native of Governor’s Harbour, Mrs. Nixon has worked for more than 40 years in public service - most recently as a secretary at Central Eleuthera High School.

She completed courses with BAIC in shell, coconut and straw crafting in 2008 and since then has been an avid crafter. Mrs. Nixon’s work has been on display at the annual Pineapple Festival Craft Show in Jensen Beach, Florida and numerous events throughout Eleuthera.

Also conducting a workshop this year in Junkanoo Costume Fringing and Building, is Daniel DeCosta. Mr. DeCosta is a passionate Junkanooer and a member of the Harbour Boys Junkanoo Group. He was formerly a member of two Class A leading Junkanoo groups, ‘The Saxon Super Stars’ as well as ‘One Family’. Mr. DeCosta is a lead cow-beller and also plays the bicycle horn. Mr. DeCosta also has unique strengths in building and designing group banners as well as costumes. He specializes in various mediums using fabric, glitter, natural materials and crepe paper.

Mrs. Sealy encourages, “If you have a child between the ages of 8 and 16 who is interested in attending SPACES, please contact a committee member quickly as registration is very limited.” There is a $25.00 registration fee which covers the cost of lunch every day and a T-Shirt. SPACES committee members include President Gina Sealy, Vice President/Treasurer Karen Crean, Secretary Jennifer Hadland, Ericka Bethel, Shorlette Francis Cartwright, Virgil Lightbourne and Iain Rodgers.

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Carbon Monoxide the Cause of Three Deaths at Sandals Resort, Exuma in May The American tourists who were found dead in villas at Sandals Emerald Bay resort on Exuma on May 6th, 2022, died from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to a May 23rd report by The Nassau Guardian.

The daily reported further that the initial autopsies on Michael Phillips, 68, and Robbie Phillips, 65, from Tennessee; and Vincent Chiarella, 64, from Florida were completed, with the pathologist expected to release the findings of the autopsy and toxicology report soon.

Chiarella’s wife, Donnis Chiarella, 65, who was found alive, and was the lone survivor in the tourist group, received treatment at a Florida hospital.

The two couples were staying in separate villas next to each other in the same building at the resort, and had reportedly sought medical help for nausea and vomiting at a local facility before returning to the resort the evening before they were found dead in their villas at the Sandals Emerald

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Bay Resort of Great Exuma. According to officials, there were no signs of trauma.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Michael Darville in a statement following the incident said that health officials were satisfied that the deaths were isolated and there was no public health concern.

Sandals, in a statement released after the deaths, said, “We remain devastated by the unimaginable event that occurred at Sandals Emerald Bay Resort earlier this month [May 2022] that resulted in the loss of three lives, including two members of our beloved travel advisor community, and the recovery of a fourth guest. We wish to once again extend our deepest sympathies and our heartfelt condolences to the Phillips and Chiarella families.

“Despite initial speculation, Bahamian authorities have concluded the cause was an isolated incident in one standalone structure that housed two

individual guest rooms and was in no way linked to the resort’s air conditioning system, food and beverage service, landscaping services or foul play.

“Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our guests and team members is and will always be paramount. It is for this reason that we have taken additional measures such as engaging environmental safety experts for a comprehensive review of all systems across the resort. In addition, CO [carbon monoxide] detectors have now been placed in all guest rooms at Sandals Emerald Bay and although not mandated in any Caribbean destination where we operate, detectors will be installed in all guest rooms throughout the portfolio.

“Our entire team is keeping the families in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

Bahamas To Work With Caricom on Poultry

For persons that are interested in investing in Agriculture, other countries are finding ways to work together to fight food insecurity together and as a unit.

“We feel both are bankable products and we are exploring opportunities to garner attraction in both of those. We were able to visit the poultry farm here in Guyana – Bounty Farms - that has done a wonderful job and produce around 25,000 chickens per day, and we are looking to do something of that sort in The Bahamas as well. Once we create this poultry industry in The Bahamas, it would create opportunities for Bahamians, for farmers and persons who want to get involved in producing feed. So, it is a full circle industry where thousands of Bahamians could benefit.”

Minister Sweeting noted that countries like Jamaica, Trinidad and Guyana are eager to assist The Bahamas.

“What is very interesting and exciting is that the Ministers from Guyana and Jamaica have expressed their assistance to us as a country. If we are looking at the poultry sector, they are looking to help us in any way that they can. The comradery that we have had here over the last few days speaks to what we want to do as a CARICOM country and how our deficiencies could be assisted by them and where they have deficiencies, we can work together. The minister of tourism met with other ministers of tourism and offered them some advice on how they can work with their tourism product and where we lack in agriculture they can assist in that manner as well,” he said.

Minister Sweeting said the government will work towards changing policies to encourage chicken production.

The Bahamian delegation at the Agri-Investment Forum and Expo held in Guyana.

“Chicken is something that we can produce very quickly once we have the right policy in place to protect the farmers, the producers and processors and create an industry. A chicken from egg to adult is very minimal time. We want to be very aggressive with this and as soon as

we can create a proper policy in this sector, we want to make it happen,” he said.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs.

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Local Resort Encouraging Dune Growth to Protect Coastline Uses Sea Oats Grasses to replace invasive species and enhance Dune Protection

Sand dunes, one of mother nature’s protections against the ferocity that sometimes comes with our oceans, are under threat, in part because of coastline development. Three years ago, hotelier Tom Marrazza at the La Bougainvillea Resort, along the Atlantic coast near the end of the Banks Road near Palmetto Point, embarked on a project with his head gardener, Coby, and other assistants to propagate and plant sea oats grasses (Uniola paniculata), along the dunes flanking his beach front resort property, in lieu of the invasive casuarina and scaevola plants that dominated the area.

Tom, consulted local experts, like Mr. Lionel Fernander with the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection and Ports, as well as Dr. Ethan Freid, Botanist with the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve, as he advanced the initiative to naturally protect the dunes and coastline along the resort property.

“I knew that the casuarinas were invasive and we had discussed taking them out of the entire property, and the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve actually helped me take some out originally, and we also knew that the scaevola were invasive, and took those out further along the beach as well. We went over it with Ethan Freid, Botanist with the Levy Preserve, on what we should leave in and what we should take out, and just started working on it over time. I wasn’t sure at first if we were going to do the whole beach front or not, but it just started with Coby, and it never stopped really. It was just a little at a time... I feel that it is well worth it.

“We nurtured cuttings, then once the roots started to shoot, we put them in little pots, and once they caught in the little pots we were able to plug it into the dunes, and keep it propagating and propagating,” shared Marrazza. After planting in the sand, he explained, the sea oats grasses took about two years to reach full size.

L-R: Keith Rolle, Port Dept.; Lionel Fernander, DEPP & Port Dept.; Dr. Ethan Freid, Botanist Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve; Tom Mirazza, La Bougainvillea; Coby, Head Gardiner La Bougainvillea.

While showcasing some of the work done on a walking tour with Ethan, Coby and The Eleutheran, during April 2022, Tom shared, “We had a storm not long ago, that took out a chunk of beach, and then it came back again, as he pointed to a robust set of sea oats plantings with sand collecting around them, the beginnings of a small sand dune along the Atlantic beach... Coby has worked on this with several other gardeners for about three years.”

About the propagation and planting, Dr. Freid commented, “It’s not one of those plants where you put them in the ground and then walk away.

You have to take care of them. But if you time your plantings right and timing them as you are com-

ing into the wet season like we are now, alot of it nature will take care of it, and you will just have to do a little bit of oversight on it to make sure that when we do go through a little dry spell like we sometimes have in June/July. Other than that, you can get it in, and it will get itself going.”

Referring to the fledging dune, he added, “This will continue to build up, and also start building out and will widen the beach, not narrow it, and then it becomes the added protection from the next storm... The comparison that I bring up that people do along coastlines when you get erosion is to put in sea walls, and sea walls fail. It will fail.

There has never been a seawall put in that did not eventually fail, because coastlines are dynamic -

they shift, they change. The sand moves in and it moves out. You get storms, and they undercut things. A wall is a static thing - and can never change, it can only be that wall. However a dune, it can grow out - it can grow up, and that is your biggest defense. And as we look at climate change and increasing sea level rise - these dunes and these coastal systems are the front line. A homeowner can spend a lot of money on a sea wall, and will very likely have to redo it again. Just look at Winding Bay, people there put in a lot of sea walls, and there were a lot of failures. People are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to do it over again.”

He continued, while looking at other plants that had sprung up around the sea oats, saying, “So, what you also see over time are other species coming into the coastal area on their own adding to the diversity around the planted out sea oats, like sea purslane, agave and others. If you have casuarina, you end up losing your diversity - but by doing what they did here (planting and propagating sea oats along the dune) they are increasing the diversity naturally. It’s a system that’s building on itself rather than degrading.”

Dr. Freid encouraged homeowners and developers to reach out to them at the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve if they needed any advice on the way to do projects like the one taken on by La Bougainvillea.

Above: Sea oats grasses planted along a dune.

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The Americas Are Challenged

by Crisis expounds PM at Summit LOS ANGELES, California – During his contribution to the Plenary Session of the 9th Summit of the Americas, on June 10th, 2022, Prime Minister and Minister Of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis said that the Americas are challenged by crisis.

“Climate, COVID and conflict have undermined our safety and our security,” Prime Minister Davis said. “Have we done enough here, at this gathering, to relieve suffering? To promote peace?

To fight for the economic dignity of our people?

“All the work and all the fine words do not count for much unless we can tell our people -- whether they live in Old Bight, Cat Island in The Bahamas, in Bridgetown, Barbados, or in Santiago, Chile – that we laid a true foundation for their progress.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that the real test will come when “we all go our separate ways”.

“Will the work we carried out here continue, once the spotlight and the world’s attention have moved on?” he asked. “Given that it’s almost impossible to overstate what’s at stake, we must hope that the answer is yes.

“As we are aware, ‘Change is certain, but progress is not’.”

Prime Minister Davis said to Summit participants that it should be sobering for all that the issues they were confronting at the Summit of the Americas were “more dire” and more urgent than those discussed at the first such Summit, three decades earlier.

That was evidence that the good intentions and optimism of that gathering did not translate into enduring advancement, he added.

“Indeed, some countries in our hemisphere have become more unequal and more violent,” Prime Minister Davis said. Across the Americas, the scourges of racism and discrimination appear to be on the rise. Emerging moral and technological challenges to our democratic norms threaten our capacity to deliver free and fair elections, and effective governance.

“And all these challenges are eclipsed by the existential threat of climate change.”

Prime Minister Davis pointed out that what each of those challenges had in common was that they could not be

Prime Minister of the Bahamas, the Hon. Philip Davis. solved by any one nation alone.

“For that reason we offer President Biden, and Vice-President Harris, and the people of the United States, our warmest thanks for their hospitality and their promotion of dialogue and cooperation,” he said.

“Multilateral engagement at the highest levels happens too infrequently – certainly when it comes to issues which are important to the Caribbean,” he added. “But if the work of this Summit continues, if the will to cooperate endures, if words turn into action –change can lead to progress, and we can move forward.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that June 1st marked the beginning of hurricane season; and stated that it was hard to describe “what it’s like to live in -- and lead -- a country that is several storms, or maybe even just one more Category 5 storm, away from destruction”.

He said: “Even now, we are locked in a vicious cycle of devastation and recovery. In the last twenty years, at least 11 major storms have made landfall in The Bahamas.

More than half of my country’s debt can be linked to hurricanes.

“That means that the world’s failure to slow carbon emissions constrains the decisions we make in The Bahamas every day. As hurricanes become more frequent and more intense, the waters rise, and so do our debts.”

Yet, he added, The Bahamas needed resources to make its infrastructure and its homes more resilient.

That is why The Bahamas had advocated for the creation of dedicated, accessible, and affordable climate-financing, Prime Minister Davis said.

“Our seagrasses and mangroves are playing – and with conservation and restoration, can continue to play -- a critical role in acting as a carbon sink,” he pointed out. “These ‘blue’ marine ecosystems capture up to dozens of times the amount of carbon as tropical rainforests.

“Carbon markets are an important bridge to a net-zero future, and we will be the first country in the world to develop and trade blue carbon credits.”

Prime Minister Davis said that, at that Summit, participants had spoken much about the threats that

cross borders – from viruses to carbon emissions to inflationary pressures to trafficking.

He noted that another such plague, surely, is disinformation.

“For all the promise and progress of technology, much of humanity now carries with them a personal device that can misinform, deceive and divide as easily as it can educate, enlighten and connect,” Prime Minister Davis said. “Conspiracy theories are not harmless entertainment – they can undermine confidence in institutions, unduly influence democratic outcomes, and set one group of people against another. Does anyone doubt, after the last few years, that conspiracy theories can kill?

“Here again is a challenge no one country can solve alone, and those of us who cherish democratic freedoms of expression have a particular responsibility to cooperate in fighting for truth and transparency.”

Prime Minister Davis said that COVID has ravaged economies; yet too many countries in the hemisphere had been neglected.

“We are grateful for the millions of doses of vaccines,

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but we must be mindful that the migration of healthcare professionals from the Caribbean to developed countries has been devastating to our healthcare systems,” he said.

“The Caribbean has lost health care professionals to the United States and Canada amid the worst pandemic of our life, making it harder to care for our own people.”

“I join the Prime Minister of Belize in gratitude to the Cubans, who came to our rescue in providing much needed personnel,” he added.

Prime Minister Davis said that the dialogue and agreements which will emerge from the Summit were necessary precursors to “much-needed action”.

“Major conflicts around the world are made worse by the erosion of democracy in many corners,” he said. “How we engage with countries where democratic values are declining is a major challenge for our times.”

“It is easy to talk with those with whom we agree,” Prime Minister Davis added.

“But we must also be able to talk with those with whom we disagree.

“In fact, sometimes those are the conversations that are most urgently needed.”

when “we push away those with whom we disagree, they often take comfort in one another, and deepen their alliances in the face of our hostility”.

“A former American National Security Advisor described this as an ‘Alliance of the Aggrieved’,” he said. “And such Alliances can challenge our peace and security and disrupt other relationships.”

Apart from the irregular movement of people, which he mentioned earlier, Prime Minister Davis said, The Bahamas was also being hard-hit by illegal trans-shipment of guns.

“We do not manufacture guns,” he stated.

“Not a single gun is made in The Bahamas,” he added. “We have witnessed an explosion in gun-related crimes; crimes that far too often end in major injury or murder.

“I strongly urge those states in the region which manufacture guns, to continue to work closely with us to contain them within their own borders, and to do what you can to prevent such harmful proliferation.

“Surely the right to bear arms cannot be interpreted as the right to traffic arms.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that all the countries in the hemisphere faced overlapping developmental, security and democratic challenges.

Prime Minister concluded by calling for not just more talking, but also that participants needed to keep ‘doing -- upholding our commitments and taking the action necessary for our collective survival”.

“Collaboration and collective action can only be of mutual benefit,” he said.

“The absence of the Republic of Cuba has made these deliberations less complete.”

“Often, it is when the talking stops that the fighting starts,” he said. “And it is only when the talking starts, that the fighting stops.”

Prime Minister Davis said that The Bahamas “strongly” affirms the need to always lead with consultation and diplomatic engagement, which was why it supported efforts to breathe new life into the Inter-American Democratic Charter.

“If the institutions within our Inter-American system are no longer ‘fit for purpose’ then let’s re-think or re-calibrate to whatever degree necessary, in order that they might fulfil their potential,” he added.

“The embargo against our Cuban neighbours – the longest such embargo in modern history – directly contributes to a rise in irregular migration which heavily impacts my country,” he said. “The easing of restrictions in 2016 led to a dramatic fall in irregular migration – a very welcome development for The Bahamas.

“We deeply regret its rescission, and the corresponding rise in irregular migration which accompanied it.”

Prime Minister Davis said that The Bahamas believed that the Organisation of American States (OAS), in particular, required both a structural and cultural adjustment.

He said that membership in any organization bestowed privileges; but membership also conferred responsibilities, and a basic expectation must be that members make good faith efforts to meet resourcing commitments to the Organization.

Prime Minister Davis said that The Bahamas also believed that more could be done to provide support for “our brothers and sisters in Haiti”.

“For almost a decade staffing, projects and programming at the Organization have deteriorated,” Prime Mnister Davis said.

“The OAS is, in many areas, a shell of its former self.”

“That said, we also believe that this engagement must be led by the Government and People of Haiti,” he said. “For too long the approach in the region has been ‘about us, without us’.”

“My country’s Mission to the OAS has been charged with focusing on necessary OAS reform,” he added. “We hope that other countries will join our efforts.

“We must commit to new tools and more focused engagement,” Prime Minister Davis added.

“Over the long term, we must also be mindful of the unintended consequences of isolation and separation.”

Prime Minister Davis pointed out that,

The Eleutheran

“Let this gathering fulfil its mission to drive change in the region, for the better of us all.”

Source: Bahamas Information Services June 10th, 2022 Written By: Eric Rose

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Shelter list Cont’d

ELEUTHERA, SOUTH DISTRICT 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Church of God of Prophecy - Tarpum Bay Deep Creek Primary School - Deep Creek Green Castle Primary School - Green Castle Rock Sound Primary School - Rock Sound Wemyss Bight Primary School - Wemyss Bight

Source: National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) May 22nd, 2022

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32 www. EleutheraNews . com

Isl a n d “B uz z ”

May/June, 2022

Signature Sweet Entertainment at 33rd Annual Pineapple Fest

ing set up was the focal point for this year’s music entertainment by the Blue Waters band, with a lively cadre of Bahamian performing artists, including headliners like, Sweet Emily, Puzzle, Ebony, Cupid, and Funky D. Crowds also enjoyed a Junkanoo rush-out, fire dancing and much more.

Above: Ebony performs on stage with audience member in a dance-off.

The 33rd Annual Pineapple Festival, hosted for the first time in two years in Gregory Town, Eleuthera during the Sir Randol Fawkes Labour Day holiday weekend, over the course of two days, from Friday morning, June 3rd until Saturday evening, June 4th, 2022, was enjoyed by locals and visitors to ‘Pineapple Festival Park’ with an exciting lineup of activities and entertainment.

Despite the threat of inclement weather, hundreds of people flocked to the park on both Friday and Saturday nights to enjoy the festivities.

Saturday night was deemed the biggest crowd ever, with festival-goers braving long lines to enter the gates.

Tourism executive, Mrs. Glenda Johnson-Ingraham described the weekend as a ‘smashing success’, and added, “Based upon the feedback I got, persons said it was the best ever. Even though there were BPL challenges with the electricity [on Saturday evening], persons did not leave. Thankfully, Team Blue Waters brought their generator and the show and entertainment was able to go on without hindrances. There was lots of entertainment that excited the crowd and they lingered until the early morning hours.”

A signature ‘Summer Festivals’ event by the Ministry of Tourism in Eleuthera, the Pineapple Fest which saw several changes the last time it was held in 2019, like the expansion from a two-day to a four-day event, as well as the addition of an entrance fee to festival-goers - was this year

pared down again to two days of festivities as large public events only just begun to ramp-up following the lessening of pandemic restrictions earlier in 2022. The entrance fee, said to assist with offsetting cost, at $10 and $5 for adults and children, respectively, stuck around.

Festival Park, again sported four main areas in the comfortably grassed and enclosed site space, with a ‘kid’s world’, where children’s games, snacks stands, bouncing castles and the like were placed together for children to enjoy throughout the weekend. Food and drinks vendors, including those selling fresh pineapples and pineapple inspired dishes could be found in another section, with liquors and other spirits available altogether in another area of the park. A large tented spot with seating and picnic benches was again strategically placed in the center of the Festival site, with a clear view of the entertainment stage, and all other surrounding areas, to comfortably enjoy food and drinks while taking in the Fest’s ongoing evening activities and on-stage entertainment. Near the Festival entrance, local vendors showcasing native crafts and cottage lines, from creative straw-works, shell crafts, jewelry and paintings, to bush teas, could also be found for an authentic Bahamian shopping experience. Bush tea tasting, rock oven bread-making, and pineapple jam-making demonstrations were also a feature on site.

The professional stage and light-

Above: Entertainer, Puzzle, interacts with his lively audience.

Above: Entertainer, Ebony (far right), stands with fans after her performance at Pineapple Festival 2022.

2022,

May/June

On this page: Friday evening at the Pineapple Festival saw, Ebony and Puzzle give energetic performances, aided

by Team Blue Waters band.

An engaged audience enjoyed the music and performer interactions.

I sl a n d “B uz z”

The Eleutheran

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34 www. EleutheraNews . com

ne a rby

May/June, 2022

Bahamas Ministry of Nat’l Security Visit Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission

Bahamian delegation pause for a photo moment with Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission Members (photo by Samantha Black).

(Bahamas Ministry of National Security, 31 May 2022)...A twelve (12) member team from the Ministry of National Security/Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources recently returned from Tallahassee and Miami, FL, after a comprehensive site visit of Florida’s Fish & Wildlife Commission (FWC), in anticipation of standing up a parallel agency to be known as the Bahamas Wildlife Enforcement Network (BahWEN).

In attendance were the Honourable Wayne Munroe, MNS & BahWEN Steering Committee Chair; Honourable Vaughn Miller, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources; Mrs. Cheryl Darville, Permanent Secretary, MNS; Commodore Raymond King,Commander Defence Force (CDF); Captain Shawn Adderley, RBDF Staff Officer Legal Affairs; Captain Floyd Moxey, MNS Legal Counsel; Lieutenant Commander Desiree Corneille, RBDF

BahWEN Lead; Ms. Danielle Hanek, Acting Director of Forestry, Mrs. Samantha Black, Executive Assistant, MEEN, Lieutenant Commander Samantha Hart, CDF Aide; Petty Officer Ricardo Cummings, BahWEN Committee member; and Mr. Brent Dixon, MNS Aide.

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission, which operates under the motto, Patrol, Protect, Preserve has over 2000 employees in their Law Enforcement Division, more than 800 of whom are sworn officers working to fulfill the vision of being “recognized as the leading conservation law enforcement agency in the nation, set apart by strategic vision, clear missions, strong leadership and a professional officer corps.” The Florida’s Fish & Wildlife Commission most closely mirrors an implementable concept that BahWEN will be able to garner valuable information about best practices and industry standards from; thus equipping those involved in its decision mak-

Photo shows RBDF and FWC Officers on a patrol in Florida. ing process with knowledge of avoiding commonly associated legal and operational pitfalls.

During the visit that took place from 23 – 27th May 2022, officers from Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission provided a tour of their facilities and provided a general overview of their law enforcement program and how the different divisions, including port inspections, marine patrols, investigations, and its academy are interrelated, staffed and organized. They discussed the benefits of their legislative makeup, general authority, tools of the trade, and lessons learnt from their tenure as Florida’s premier Wildlife Enforcement unit.

Whilst in Miami, the Bahamian delegation accompanied FWC officers on a maritime patrol as they enforced compliance and executed inspections throughout their jurisdiction.

Bahamian delegation watches a Close Quarters Combat Training session at the FWC Academy (photo

by Samantha Black).

Minister of National Security, the Honourable Wayne C. Munroe, who has been appointed to chair the BahWEN Steering Committee, commented that he sees the agency that will be stood up being, “an intentional, multi-sectoral agency comprising law enforcement personnel, P39 seconded from various Ministries and

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Parliamentarians sensitized on legislative frameworks for empowerment of women & girls ful.” State-Minister Rahming said.

“Ms. Brodber has provided technical assistance to countries in the region on gender equality and women empowerment matters and possesses a wealth of experience in human rights and development issues. My colleagues came out in record numbers, they were engaged, they asked many questions, and I am sure that they got a lot out of it. They got to see what we are faced with in the Ministry of Social Services an Urban Development as it relates to laws pertaining to children, boys, women and girls, and so now when we bring them (draft legislation) before the table, they will be even more in tune with those laws and how they affect the wider society.”

Ms. Tonni Brodber, Representative, UN Women Multi-Country Office-Caribbean, pictured centre left, addresses Parliamentarians during Monday’s Session at the Paul H. Farquharson Centre.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Lisa T. Rahming, is at centre, right. The event was a collaboration between the Department of Gender and Family Affairs, Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development and UN Women. (BIS Photos/Mark Ford) NASSAU, The Bahamas – Parliamentarians from across the political landscape, including both Upper and Lower Houses, participated in a one-day training session on legislative reform for The Bahamas, hosted by the Department of Gender and Family Affairs, Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, in collaboration with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).

Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Lisa T. Rahming, said the Session targeted the country’s Parliamentarians in recognition of the importance of legislative reform -- including legislative frameworks -- for the empowerment of women and girls. The Session was conducted by Ms. Tonni Brodber, Representative, UN Women Multi-Country Office-Caribbean.

“UN Women is an international partner that has, over the years, supported the work programme of the Department of Gender and Family Affairs as well as other agencies, and has supported the country in a number of initiatives in an effort to formulate strategies to address gender-based violence in The Bahamas for many years, and we are grate-

Sensitizing on legislation to empower females.

The Session covered a wide-range of topics including Mainstreaming Gender Equality across the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment across the SDGs, a focus on the Spotlight Initiative, CEDAW, the Declaration on Human Rights, Convention of Belem Do Para, Better Policies for Gender-based Violence Legislation, Equality vs. Equity, Genderresponsive budgeting, and Understanding Gender and Gender equality, among many others.

Ms. Brodber said there were three key take-a-ways from the Session, held at the Paul H. Farquharson Centre.

“The first take-a-way is understanding that gender equality is good for men and that it’s good for women and that it is something that will support our economies and assist with citizen security. The second is that legislation that does not reflect gender equality is not good for The Bahamas, it is not good for the Caribbean, it is not good for the world and in terms of low-hanging fruit, like legislation around sexual assault, it is something that can be addressed and should be addressed.

There is better practice across the region and The Bahamas is a leader in so many things. It should not be falling behind on that. And the third thing is women and men, working collaboratively in Parliament for the people of The Bahamas, is the only way in which you will be able to really recover from COVID-19.”

Ms. Brodber said local, regional and global societies benefit even more when there

is equity and equality between sexes -- men and women, boys and girls.

“Something as simple as thinking about the kind of time that it takes to take care of elderly people, children, persons living with disabilities, if that falls only on women, then it means that they are not able to fully engage in other forms of work in society. That means the government is not able to benefit from their work. That means communities are not also able to benefit from their work. It is an honour to be able to care for your family and that is an honour that men should be able to participate in as well.

“Another issue is around violence. If you think women should only be one way and men should only be one way, you may find yourselves in more fights as young men with other young men and demanding certain things from women because you think they should give it to you because you are a man and they are a woman. That is not healthy for peaceful relations.”

Ms. Brodber applauded the Parliamentarians for their participation.

“I was really excited and impressed by the Parliamentarians in The Bahamas. They are dedicated to the people of The Bahamas, they are dedicated to making sure that they represent their constituencies effectively and they are open to learning anything and more of things, but they are grounded in their determination to serve their people in the best way they believe. And that is impressive.”

Attorney-General, Senator, the Hon. Ryan Pinder, was among the Parliamentarians who participated in the Session.

“Personally, I am an advocate certainly for equal rights amongst men and women in all regards and protecting the most vulnerable as well and so I support the legislative amendments that we discussed in the Session. We are working very closely with Social Services to put forward the necessary amendments on the matters discussed. All in all, you have to look at it as a full picture, providing the necessary protections for the most vulnerable and maintaining equality amongst your people,” the Attorney-General said.

Source: Written By Matt Maura, BIS, June 1st, 2022

36 www. EleutheraNews . com

Crime News suspected of being from the proceeds of dangerous drugs. As a result both occupants were arrested and cautioned reference to possession of dangerous drugs. Officers conducted an additional search of a white cooler situated in the trunk of the vehicle, upon searching officers discovered a clear plastic bag containing a total of (8) eight spiny lobster tails approximately 10lbs.

Same was confiscated after suspects could not give a satisfactory reason for being in possession of same.

Select police reports, shared by the RBPF locally Arrest reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs

male after the suspect was observed via surveillance camera jumping over the Police on the Island of EleuStation wall and interfering thera have taken into custody a with Prisoners that were in number of persons in separate custody at Harbour Isincidents for possession of danland Police Station he was gerous drugs, during the month arrested and cautioned of May 2022. reference to Interfering with a Prisoner and while inside 1. Arrest: Possession Of Dangerthe Police Station Officers ous Drugs With Intent To Supply conducted a search of the On Thursday 26th May suspect and discovered 2022 at around 7:55am a quantity of suspected crew Officers while conMarijuana in the suspect’s ducting operational duties pocket. As a result he was in the Governor’s Harbour further cautioned reference area had cause to stop a to Possession of Dangerous green Ford Escape with no Drugs the suspect was later license plates or license processed and charged disk attached and being with both offences. driven by a lone male driver.

4. Arrest reference to Possession The officers conducted an of Dangerous Drugs w/ Intent to inspection of the vehicle Supply and Possession of fresh and noticed that the scent crawfish during the closed season of suspected marijuana (Breach of the Fisheries Act) emanating from the vehicle.

On Friday 6th May 2022, Officers then conducted sometime around 7:00pm, a search of the adult male officers while traveling driver and the vehicle. along Queens Highway, in While conducting this the area between Tarpum search a quantity of susBay and Savannah Sound, pected drugs (12 foil wrapsmelt an aroma of which pings) were found. As a they suspected to be Mariresult the suspect was caujuana emanating from a red tion and arrested reference Toyota Vitz vehicle, which to possession of dangerous was occupied by a male drug with intent to supand female. ply. He was subsequently processed and charged for As a result of the officer’s that offence. suspicions they conducted 2. Arrest Reference to Possession a stop of the said vehicle, of Dangerous Drugs with Intent and informed the occupants to Supply that they are suspected to On Thursday 26th May 2022 be in possession of danger1:15pm Officers came in ous drugs. A search was at the Governor’s Harbour conducted of the vehicle Police Station with two and while searching a comadult females and two adult partment located on the males under arrest. Offront passenger door panel, ficers reported that while in the officers found (1) silver area of the area of a local aluminum container, which restaurant they arrested contained a white suspectand caution all persons ed homemade Marijuana reference to possession of cigarette. dangerous drugs with intent to supply. After a quantity A further search of the of suspected marijuana was vehicle was conducted and found on their premises. All while searching the front persons were subsequently center console the officers processed and charged found a silver aluminum with that offence. tubular container, which 3. Arrest reference to Interfering contained (2) white suspectwith a Prisoner/&Possession of ed homemade Marijuana Dangerous Drugs cigarette, in addition a sum On Tuesday 24/5/22 at of $948.00 cash in various about 9:22pm Officers denominations was discovcame in at Harbour Island ered, same was confiscated Police Station with an adult

Both suspects were charged reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs with intent to supply Contrary to section 22(1) and 22 (2) B of the Dangerous Drugs Act, the adult male was further charged with being in possession of live or fresh crawfish during close season contrary to Regulation 17 Ch. 244 of the Fisheries Act. 5. Arrest Ref Possession of Dangerous Drugs & Resisting arrest

On Saturday 14/02/22 at 7:30pm The Police in Deep Creek community received information from a concerned citizen, acting on information given, Officers observed a male known to them with a fanny pack attached around his waist. The male was holding a clear plastic bag in his hand which contained suspected illegal drugs. The Officers approached the said male who upon looking in their direction, clenched the plastic bag in his right hand and attempted to run away from the said location. The Officers held onto the suspect and informed him that he was under arrest for possession of dangerous drugs. Officers retrieve the packages from the suspect’s hand and a search was conducted of the suspect’s person. The fanny pack contained two clear plastic bags of suspected marijuana and two five dollar notes. The male suspect at the time made good his escape.

The suspected drugs were transported to the Rock Sound Police Station for safe keeping and further investigations. The adult male suspect later surrendered to custody at the Rock Sound Police Station. He was processed and charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs with intent to supply.

6. Arrest reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs On Tuesday 10/5/22 Officers came in at Harbour Island Police Station with an adult male suspect under arrest reference to possession of Dangerous Drugs and reported that they arrested and cautioned the suspect while on Bay and Church Street Harbour Island after the suspect was found in possession of a quantity of Marijuana. The suspect was processed and charged with that offence.

7.

Arrest reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs On Thursday 12th May, 2022, at 6:00pm, Officers while conducting a traffic check at the Glass Window Bridge, stopped and conducted a search of a Blue Honda that was travelling south on Glass Window Bridge along with its two adult male occupants. While searching the vehicle discovered in the driver seat a brown homemade cigarette which contained a grassy type substance suspected of being marijuana.

As a result both men were cautioned and arrested reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs. They were both taken to the Hatchet

May/June, 2022

Police Contact Numbers

HeadQuarters (GH) 332-3500

Governor’s Harbour 332-2111 OR 332-2117 O/C Governor’s Harbour 332-2723 Gov.Harb. Airport Station 332-2323 Deep Creek Station 334-8207 Tarpum Bay Station 334-4033 Rock Sound Station 334-2244 Rock Sound Sgt. Office 334-2212 Rock Sound Airport Stn 334-2052 L. Bogue Station (Airport) 335-1208 Harbour Island Station 333-2111 O/C Harbour Island 333-2327 Spanish Wells Station 333-4030 Gregory Town Station 335-5322 Hatchet Bay Station 335-0086

Bay Police Station where they were interviewed and later charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs contrary to section 29(6) and 29(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act, chapter 220.

8. Possession of Dangerous Drugs Report (Arrest) On Friday 13th May, 2022 at about 6:15pm, Officers reported while on Dunmore Street, Harbour Island in the area of Wesley Methodist Church, they arrest and cautioned two adult males after quantity of suspected Marijuana was found on the golf cart they were traveling on. Suspects and exhibit was transported to Harbour Island Police Station. Both were subsequently charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs contrary to section 29(6) and 29(2) (b) of the Dangerous Drugs Act Chapter 228.

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Prime Minister Outlines Priorities in Budget 2022 ‘The Way Forward’

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis speaks in the House of Assembly, on June 1, 2022, during his Contribution to the 2022/2023 Budget Debate.

(BIS Photo/Eric Rose)

Cost of Living Relief in National Budget Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis presented his first National Budget in which he outlined key priority areas to help Bahamians cope with major cost-of-living challenges.

He presented the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Budget Communication in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. The Communication is entitled ‘Budget 2022: The Way Forward.’

“This Budget provides a foundation to strengthen our nation, to lift ourselves up, to face the future with strength and optimism,” the prime minister said.

The Budget is organized around central priorities defined in the Speech from the Throne and this government’s New Day Agenda -- the first priority of which is to “help Bahamians cope with a cost-of-living crisis,” the prime minister said; “Bahamians were already struggling with high energy prices, high food prices, and expensive housing costs.”

In this vein, his government’s strategy for softening the impact of this global crisis includes: a mix of broadbased import duty reductions; increased enforcement of price controls; an increase in the minimum wage for public servants; increased social ser-

ADDITIONAL NATIONAL ALERTS:

Ministry of Health & Wellness PRESS RELEASE - Monday May 30th, 2022

vices assistance; important new support for Catastrophic Health Care; the establishment of the Universal Service Fund to make technology more accessible and affordable throughout the islands; a substantial investment in promoting home ownership, and energy reform to reduce costs, among other initiatives.

He revealed that the government sent a proposal to the Bahamas Public Service Union to increase the minimum wage with incremental increases beginning July 2022. And, that the government believes the rate of minimum wage needs to increase because of the “general erosion of spending power of ordinary Bahamians.”

“We also recognize that an important part of our tourism experience is our unique culinary products -- and we need to ensure that the sector remains competitive. We have also therefore reduced the duty on food items used mostly in the restaurant and tourism sector,” the prime minister said.

Sharing the fiscal outlook for 2022/23, the prime minister said that the current budget projects a significant rebound in the Bahamian economy.

“Total revenue is projected at $2,804.4 Billion, a 19.9 percent increase over the prior fiscal year when the economy was in the early stages of an economic rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It incorporates many of our revenue enhancing strategies and outcomes such as increasing Real Property Tax collections and compliance, an improved VAT performance, based on the economic rebound and growth in other fees as a result of improved revenue administration,” he said.

Also in the budget for fiscal year 2022/23, VAT collections are estimated at $1,411.8 million, a 52.4 percent increase over the prior year budget, the prime minister noted.

The prime minister also announced that his government would seek parliamentary approval for a Supplementary Budget for additional expenditure of $216.9million and capital expendi-

BEWARE OF COVID-19 VACCINATION INFORMATION SCAM T he Ministry of Health & Wellness has been made aware that persons have been receiving WhatsApp calls from the telephone number (1-450-2322565) where the caller is claiming to represent the Ministry and offering money in exchange for personal

ture of $34.4 million, for a total of over $251million.

“This budget provides support for the here and now, and also charts the way forward for a brighter tomorrow,” the prime minister said.

Investments into the Orange, Blue and Green Economies During his contribution to the 2022/2023 Budget Debate, on June 1st, 2022, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis said that it was “long past time” to realize the potential of The Bahamas’ Orange, Blue and Green economies.

“A new Bahamian School of Visual, Performing and Recording Arts will unleash Bahamian creative skills, help us attract world-class cultural events, and highlight our extraordinary talent,” Prime Minister Davis said, in the House of Assembly.

“We are attracting major sporting events to The Bahamas through our Sports in Paradise initiative – the Babe Ruth Caribbean Championships, CARIFTA Track and Field Championships, the World Athletics Relays, North America Central America and the Caribbean Track and Field Championships – all will be hosted here,” he added.

Prime Minister Davis noted that his Government is funding the Elite Athletes Programme to increase support for Bahamian athletes and sporting programmes. A new partnership between the Bahamas Maritime Authority and the LJM Marine Academy will offer more training opportunities for Bahamians in the maritime sector, he added.

“The Merchant Shipping Act had not been overhauled since 1999; we rectified that with an upgraded Merchant Shipping Bill that modernizes our legislative framework and ensures our shipping industry can be competitive, grow and develop,” Prime Minister Davis said.

“I spoke earlier about carbon credits; protecting and conserving our seagrasses and mangroves will generate new opportunities as well, and we expect to see many young Bahamians

information. The public is advised that the number does not belong to the Ministry of Health & Wellness and the Ministry does not offer money for information. This is a scam and members of the public should not provide any of their details to the caller.

The public is reminded to be cautious when answering calls, emails or text messages and releasing personal and

choose to focus their studies and training in the marine and climate change fields,” he added.

Prime Minister Davis pointed out that there was also enormous potential for “cleantech” ventures in renewable energy.

“We have allocated funding to reduce the Government’s carbon footprint through the installation of renewable energy systems throughout the Family Islands, and increased the number of electric vehicles in the Government’s fleet,” he said.

“The immediate focus is the development of resilient solar PV installations in The Bahamas,” he added. “Resilient PV is solar energy that is coupled with technology that allows it to provide power even during grid outages.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that his Government had begun its assessment of energy systems in Inagua, Mayaguana, Acklins, Crooked Island and Long Cay. “Public buildings there and in Andros will test out pilot installations of Solar Photovoltaic Systems,” he said.

“We have eliminated import duties on lithium ion and lithium phosphate batteries, the batteries predominantly used for renewable energy,” he added.

“We have also simplified the process for bringing in renewable energy parts.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that his Government’s decision to lower the duty on electric cars “received a great reception”.

“A valid question was raised, with respect to the duty rates of electric vehicle chargers,” he added. “They were not in the first list of duty exemptions, but we have made the adjustment and they are now included at a rate of five percent.”

Prime Minister Davis said that his Government is serious about reducing The Bahamas’ carbon emissions, which is why it was on a path to switching from heavier fuel to cleaner, less expensive LNG. Gas, he noted, is the cleanest of the fossil fuels, so his Government intends to P47 join the many countries

financial information to strangers.

The public is advised to check for information updates on the Ministry’s website, www.bahamas.gov.bs/health, Facebook – MOHBahamas, Instagram – mohwbahamas or twitter at mohw242.

38 www. EleutheraNews . com

Educ at i o n B e at

May/June, 2022

DSE Culmer On Wrap Up of 2021-2022

School Term, and Summer Outlook During the first week in June 2022, District Superintendent of Education for the Eleuthera District, Mr. Michael Culmer, in an interview, commented on the upcoming Ministry of Education’s programs during the summer, national exams, and administrative changes in the district.

The Ministry, said Mr. Culmer, will be hosting programs for students in need to catch up on key concepts during the summer break, “We are going to be doing our summer remediation programs this year, from July to early August, where we want to encourage students and parents to make the most of those opportunities. That’s one of the key things. We’ve missed so much time... so, we want to ensure that as many persons as possible capitalize on that... If parents are not going to have their children involved in the Ministry of Education’s remediation program we hope they ensure they are engaged during the summer... The program is for both primary and high school levels. The schools will identify those students who should be participating in the summer remediation programs. Typically, parents would get that information on report card day.”

He added, “We also want students to take advantages of the other opportunities available to them. There’s going to be lots of opportunities for training and a lot of programs operated throughout the island. The libraries are still open, so make sure your children are reading. I don’t think we can stress that enough - how important it is for children to read. Reading, reviewing, and doing some practice of the school content. Also we want to encourage students to be safe. I’m hoping and it’s my prayer that we get the word that all schools can return to full face-to-face instruction. So, for that to take place, we are going to need to make sure that everbody is safe and doing what they need to do.”

Commenting on the preparation and readiness for the 2022 National Examinations held during May through mid-June, Mr. Culmer shared, “Once the Ministry of Education got the information out there and parents and students knew that national examinations were on - for example with the GLAT (Grade Level Assessment Test) examinations - the one thing that I saw when I visited schools at the beginning of the return to face-to-face in January, consistently from Wemyss’ Bight and Deep Creek in the south to Harbour Island and Spanish Wells in the north - schools were already beginning their programs to get students prepared and caught up.

There were lunch-time or after-school classes, and zoom study sessions. This was happening with the GLAT as well as the Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) and the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) preparations.”

He continued, “The students and the teachers and parents were collaborating to prepare for the exams. When the examinations came, we began to see an increase in Covid infections in some of our schools during the GLAT exam (during the week ending May 27th). So, even then we had the provisions made to ensure that we were working and prepared. One of the things we do as a Ministry, is if a student is quarantined, and not exhibiting any signs of Covid - we have an isolation room where

and our students have done.

“I want to say to parents as well this summer holiday - you want to know where your children are, what they are doing, and you want to keep them productively engaged. Let them participate in programs. Encourage them to read. Don’t allow them to destroy their devices, especially at the lower primary level, as we will still be working with them on return. I’m just so appreciative. Ending the year, I think it’s important to show appreciation and gratitude... I also look forward to partnering with parents in the upcoming year.”

Above: District Superintendent of Education for the Eleuthera District, Mr. Michael Culmer. that student can write their national exam. If they are exhibiting symptoms of Covid that was a different story, and we couldn’t do anything in that situation.”

Other initiatives were also being taken on in the district, shared Mr. Culmer, “As a district we want to find ways to further equip parents. There have been some matters that have come up, throughout the course of the term following our students returning to campuses, and we realize our parents also need some additional skills - and we need to afford them the support and training.

“There are also some things that we need to work on our students with. So we will be working with special services and the Ministry of Education, along with organizations here on the ground in Eleuthera - it’s about skills - and in partnering there are so many opportunities also in terms of scholarships and additional training that is out there. We are also partnering with BTVI, and we are working collaboratively with Disney. We’ve always been working with One Eleuthera.

“We are also partnered with a number of churches and pastors. A main focus of these partnerships has been support - counseling, student support, programs for spiritual and human enrichment, and mentoring. Those are the kinds of things we’ve been doing with our partners across the island.” Mr. Culmer added that these partnerships were also important because of the need for male mentors for students beginning in the primary schools, where across the entire district there were less than five male teachers in the system.

As the 2021/2022 school year closes out, Mr. Culmer expressed his thanks to all the stakeholders in Eleuthera education, who made things happen this year. “I want to thank both our parents and our teachers for all of their efforts throughout this year. We’ve not been perfect, and they have been compelled to be resilient. So, I thank them for that resilience. We cannot take for granted what they

He concluded by updating on some of the changes happening in administration in the district in reference to promotions, retirements and the like. “Some of the stalwarts in education, we are losing to retirement. Principal Natalie Sweeting, at Rock Sound Primary is retiring after 40 plus years in education. Several teachers are also retiring after more than 40 years. So, the face of education is changing. Then we have two Vice-Principals from the Eleuthera district who were promoted to Principals. They are Mrs. Lucy Longley (from Harbour Island All Age School), who will be going to Abaco to take up her new Principal posting, and Mrs. Geneal Davis-Sweeting (from Central Eleuthera High School), who will be headed to Exuma to begin her new Principal post. Additionally, Mrs. Sharon Scott, has been promoted to Principal at the Preston H. Albury High School. Former Principal there, Mr. Tracey McKenzie, has returned to New Providence.”

The following are pertinent events in education during the summer season.

1. Upcoming Graduation Ceremonies: •

North Eleuthera High School - Friday, June 17th, 2022 6:00 pm (on Campus)

•

Central Eleuthera High School - Monday, June 20th, 2022 6:00 pm (Methodist Church, Palmetto Point)

•

Preston H. Albury High School - Tuesday, June 21st, 2022 10:00 am (on Campus)

•

Harbour Island All Age School - Tuesday, June 14th, 2022 6:00 pm (TBA)

•

Samuel Guy Pinder All Age School Wednesday, June 22nd, 2022 6:00 pm (People’s Church)

•

Windermere High School - Friday, June 17th, 2022 10:00 am (Methodist Church, Savannah Sound)\

Public schools close across the island for students on June 17th, 2022.

Report Card Day is scheduled for Thursday, June 23rd, 2022 - from 9am to 3pm.

Public schools will re-open after the summer break on Monday, August 29th, 2022.

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‘Youth in Parliament’ Relaunched - Eleutherans Participate

The Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture on Monday, May 9th, launched the return of ‘Youth Parliament Week’ which ran from May 9th to May 13th, 2022. Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture, the Hon. Mario Bowleg expressed his delight at the return of Youth in Parliament after its two-year pandemic hiatus. The week-long experience for young Bahamians was designed and organized to allow participants the unique experience of gaining a deeper understanding of the arena of politics in The Bahamas.

Two young people from Eleuthera took part in ‘Youth Parliament Week’. Don Johnson of Lower Bogue represented the Constituency of North Eleuthera,

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and Lynette Farrington of Rock Sound represented the Central and South Eleuthera Constituency.

As part of their orientation within the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s relaunched ‘Youth in Parliament’ programme, participants paid a number of courtesy calls during their experience, including, the President of the Senate the Hon. Lashell Adderley on Wednesday, May 11th, 2022, in the Upper Chamber; with a number of Parliamentarians and Cabinet Ministers - also on Wednesday, May 11th; and at the Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister, on Thursday, May 12th, 2022, where they met Mrs. Ann Marie Davis.

Nat’l Security visits FWC

agencies, possessing high levels of training and equipped with adequate resources and modern technology to mitigate wildlife crime and protect natural resources in The Bahamas.” “At its inception stage,” he said, “it is vital to appreciate and understand the broad concept of what such an agency can evolve into, if properly facilitated.” The Bahamas Wildlife Enforcement Network is ultimately proposed to monitor the natural resources in the country and enforce the various laws protecting them.

Young people within the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s relaunched ‘Youth in Parliament’ programme visited the Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister, May 12, 2022 and met wife of the Prime Minister, Mrs. Ann Marie Davis. Mrs. Davis is pictured in the front row, centre. Don Johnson is in the front row, far left. Lynette Farrington is third from left in the third row, and Clara Young is in the front row 4th from the right. (BIS Photo/Kristaan Ingraham) The first lady encouraged the young people to continue to bring their passion and energy into the political landscape, and she particularly encouraged young women not to be afraid to enter the political arena.

At the meeting with the panel of Parliamentarians and Cabinet Ministers on the Wednesday, who were joined

by Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Mario Bowleg, youth participants from throughout The Bahamas were able to speak with the panel during the event which was held at the Ministry of Youth’s head office on University Boulevard. At the table on the day were the following Members of Parliament: Minister of Transport and Housing, the Hon. Jobeth Coleby-Davis; Minister of State for the Public Service, the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle; Ambassador to CARICOM Her

Excellency Leslia Miller-Brice; and Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Leonardo Lightbourne.

On Friday, May 13th, the ‘Youth in Parliament’ participants took the opportunity to make individual presentations in the House of Assembly on a variety of issues affecting their individual representative constituencies and also debated on topics such as the global climate crisis and gender based violence amongst an array of others when they met in parliament.

Mrs. Clara Young, with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Office in Eleuthera, accompanied Lynette and Don during their ‘Youth Parliament Week’ experience in New Providence.

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BCMC Hosts Annual Spiritual Growth Conference in Eleuthera

Above: Leaders and Ministers in the Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church stand in front of the Methodist church in James’ Cistern on Sunday, May 29th, 2022, as they close out the 2022 Spiritual Growth Conference in Eleuthera.

The Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church (BCMC), after two years of virtual-only annual conferences during the pandemic, came together in-person for the first time since 2019 to host their Annual Spiritual Growth Conference in Eleuthera, from Wednesday, May 25th until Sunday, May 29th, 2022.

Reverend Carla Culmer, President of the BCMC on Sunday, May 29th, ahead of the final closing service, expressed that it had been a wonderful week of fellowship, and shared, “On Eleuthera we have 15 Methodist churches and in the BCMC there are 36 churches in our conference around The Bahamas, from as far as Abaco to Inagua. We also had people virtually, so people who could not come were with us virtually on-line... This is the first time we have gathered in two years. We’ve been doing it all virtually, so this is what the excitement is about - that we can gather for the first time in-person in such a long time. But we also had - because of technology, and because of the Covid experience - we had people joining us online from Inagua, Cat Island, Abaco, New Providence, and Eleuthera as well. So, it’s been exciting.”

The conference theme and focus this year, said Reverend Culmer, was ‘Recommitting to the Mission’. “We focused on the passage from Luke chapter 14, verse 23 - ‘Go into the highways and byways and compel the people to come in, and God’s House

will be full’. So we want to re-energize, re-focus, that we have work to do, and it is critical. We can’t just rest on our laurels - there are too many people out there that need to know Christ loves them, to know that God has a purpose for their life, and for them to be transformed.”

The five-day conference was filled with varying events and activities, including all ages and strata within the churches explained Reverend Culmer, “We started on Wednesday with our staff gathering and our pastoral session in the morning. We had a half day of business session after lunch, and then we went into our time of spiritual growth, where we are in retreats and worship services, as a way of helping our staff and delegates to be refined and to grow in the Lord. To be aware of things that are happening in society and how we can respond as a church.”

On Wednesday evening everyone came together for the opening worship service held at the Wesley Methodist church in Governor’s Harbour. Thursday morning began with ‘Morning Glory’, a worship service which was held for about an hour and a half.

Then participants broke out into small groups for a session called ‘Prayer and Share’. A panel discussion took place from 11am until 1pm, before lunch, and a workshop session followed in the afternoon.

Thursday evening saw the conference shift its worship service from the within the walls of a church building, to an outdoor worship service hosted in

Lower Bogue, North Eleuthera.

Friday evening’s service saw the accreditation of three new Lay Preachers for the BCMC in Eleuthera.

Lay Preachers, who are people trained to hold services in the absence of a minister, explained Reverend Culmer, are critical, especially in Eleuthera where there are not enough ministers for all of the churches. The three people accredited after having completed their Lay Preachers training included: Mr. Harvey Roberts, Mr. Michael Culmer, and Mrs. Lashelle Sands.

On Saturday it was all about the young people within the conference, with a variety of activities taking place, dubbed ‘OmniFest’. The Methodist youth took part in novelty games, as well as competitions in softball, basketball, volleyball, as well as other activities, like tug-o-war. “They compete for bragging rights - the last time we did it I believe North Eleuthera won - so it’s big and it’s fun. We’ve had young people come in from Nassau, as well as the island of Eleuthera, and they have been in friendly competition, and they would know the overall winners in the closing service on Sunday afternoon - an exciting part of the friendly rivalry,” shared President Culmer.

The final day of the Annual BCMC Conference on Sunday, May 29th, saw everyone coming together in James’ Cistern for the closing worship service that morning. President Culmer P41 gave a charge to the conference of peo-

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ple gathered, and after a march through the settlement following the service, participants fellowshipped with a luncheon before going their separate ways. Reverend Culmer commented about the culmination following the five days of worship, reflection, prayer, discussion, fun, and importantly spiritual growth, saying, “Now we go back into our communities to see how we can make a difference.”

She also expressed her thanks to everyone who had made the 2022 conference possible, saying, “I’m so grateful for the hospitality that we received from

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Eleuthera, especially the ladies who coordinated the people. Eleuthera was very accommodating. We were housed at Governor’s Harbour, and everyone came together, and we are so grateful. I want to say my thanks, because it couldn’t happen without them. I’m also so appreciative to our young people of the technology team. It’s because of them that we are here. When I saw that they could do it, then I knew that we could host the conference here, and beam to the whole Bahamas, and I am so grateful. So, thank you.”

Above: Young Methodist group displays the elegance and grace of worship through dance during the closing service of the Spiritual Growth Conference 2022.

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SEARS ANNOUNCES WORKS

unique and it is important that the selected option for a replacement structure takes advantage of the character of the location for the benefit of the people of The Bahamas and also visiting tourists. The replacement of the existing bridge crossing provides an opportunity to create a potentially world-famous feature that could attract additional tourism benefits... The Glass Window Bridge is in a poor condition and a replacement has been needed for many years... In early 2023 it is planned to commence the construction of the new bridge. The estimated time period for this work is 2 years so the construction will be phased over a three year budget cycle.”

The Water and Sewerage Corporation, which also falls within Minister Sears’ portfolio received detailed attention is his budget address with many issues across the country and within the Corporation being tackled. “The provision of safe, potable and accessible water is critical to the livelihood, health and welfare of our people. This is where the Ministry of Works and the Water and Sewerage Corporation have a responsibility... Following the September 16th, 2021 General Elections, the government appointed a new Board headed

by Chairman, the Hon. Sylvanus Petty, Member of Parliament for North and Central Eleuthera and the Deputy Speaker in this place [the House of Assembly]. Chairman Petty and his team immediately got to work in assessing the status of the Corporation and working with the Corporation’s Management to address critical challenges,” said Sears.

Commenting on water works in Eleuthera, he informed, “The Corporation has recently com-

menced a major water mains extension project on Russell Island off of Spanish Wells. This project which also includes a Public Private Partnership component, is estimated at one million, five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) for Phase I and will provide a piped water supply for 150 residents.”

The contractor Nu View Construction was awarded this contract in August 2021. These works have not started as the contractor was already working on a Tarpum Bay contract which was just completed in May 2022. It is expected that now that the Tarpum Bay project is completed, the contractor will begin on the Governor’s Harbour road in short order.”

He continued, “The Corporation has also completed a recent tender exercise and is now awaiting final approvals for contract award for a new one million (1,000,000) imperial gallon potable water storage tank for the Governor’s

Minister Sears also commented on road works recently completed in Harbour Island, Hatchet Bay, and Tarpum Bay.

Harbour (Naval Base) Pumping Station and another one million (1,000,000) imperial gallon tank for the Bogue Pumping Station. This three million, three hundred thousand ($3,300,000) project will greatly reduce the frequency of water supply interruptions for the community of North and Central Eleuthera.”

“Preliminary works have also commenced to increase the water production capacity available for North Eleuthera, noting the rapid expansion of the tourism sector in that community and its resultant increasing demands for potable water,” said Minister Sears.

Updating on road repairs and carriageway rehabilitation projects on the island, Minister Sears highlighted upcoming road works in Governor’s Harbour, saying, “Repairs to existing roads in the Governor’s Harbour Settlement of Central Eleuthera, are estimated to cost one million four hundred and sixteen thousand and twenty-six dollars and ninety-two cents ($1,416,026.92). The works will be in the traditional pea rock and sand seal.

He described recent road works of re-construction and repair to more than 6 miles of roads in Harbour Island, done in pea rock and sand seal.

“The project was awarded to Rowdy Boys Construction in February 2021 at a cost of two million six hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($2.65 million). The contractor worked earnestly and the project was substantially completed in April 2022. The project is now in the defects liability period.”

In Hatchet Bay and Tarpum Bay, he added, “Repairs in pea rock and sand seal to existing roads in the Hatchet Bay Settlement of North Eleuthera, was estimated to cost eight hundred and sixty two thousand dollars ($862,000). The contract was awarded in March, 2021 to Quick Fix Construction from Rock Sound Eleuthera and the works were completed in September 2021... Repairs in pea rock and sand seal to existing roads in the Tarpum Bay Settlementof South Eleuthera, were estimated to cost eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000).

The contract was awarded to Nu View Construction in August 2021 and the works were completed in May 2022.”

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Sixth-Grader Launches New Chapterbook (Mother Nature’s Daughter by Charity Knowles) Charity Knowles, a ten-year-old sixth grader at the Emma E. Cooper Primary School, recently launched her first chapterbook, all about the adventures of a fictional pre-teen girl named, Lavender. An official release launch event was hosted in May 2022 for the new book, titled ‘Mother Nature’s Daughter’, at the Eleuthera Arts and Cultural Center (Lil Prep) in Tarpum Bay. The Saturday afternoon launch event featured a backdrop reflective of the book cover, described Mrs. Fontella Knowles, Charity’s mom, with Bahamian music playing and an array of beautifully arranged balloon décor, as a flow of supportive family members, well-wishers, educators, business owners, schoolmates, and friends stopped in - all eager to read the story of Lavender.

Young Charity, who is soon to be a 7th grader of Central Eleuthera High School, says her mom, has a passion for writing short stories, and would use her spare time writing stories whenever an idea popped into her head. “So, it was no surprise that she actually decided to turn one of her brief stories into a chapter book,” said Mrs. Knowles.

An avid reader, since pre-school, who blosAbove: Young author, Charity Knowles congratulated by DSE Michael Culmer and his wife, Mrs. Culmer. somed into a ‘read-a-holic’ thoughout her primary school years, Charity’s desire to write, shared her mom, was a natural offshoot, “Books would be everywhere and anywhere as long as it was available and accessible for her reading pleasure.”

Sharing a bit about the path to writing her seven-chaptered, 43 page book, Charity said that it all began during the month of October in 2021, when she took up her laptop and started writing.

She informed her mom that she was writing a book and continued writing until she completed chapter two (2) when she decided to take it to Mrs. Vaulda Caeasar (Master Teacher) to review and edit. Her passion, she said, sparked even greater when she received positive feedback from Mrs. Caesar who encouraged her to continue writing and developing her book. After six months of writing and editing, Charity’s manuscript was finally completed for the publishers.

The story, which follows pre-teen Lavender Above: Charity’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Knowles smile brightly with Charity’s ‘Cat in the Hat’ mascot on - endowed with super powers, as she discovers launch day. responsibility, betrayal, wealth, friendship and forseph’s Book Store, Nassau; Doongalik Art Studios, story that they too will be encouraged to write. To giveness, is filled with plot twists, and even ends in Nassau; Office General, Governor’s Harbour, Eleuboth writer and readers, I say “Happy Happy reada cliffhanger - to be revealed in Charity’s next book. thera; Faith 4 Life, Rock Sound, Eleuthera; as well ing” of “Mother Nature’s Daughter”. I look forward Vaulda P. Caesar, Retired Master Teacher, who as Amazon Kindle. to the best story in the development of Lavender, assisted Charity in the editing of her script, comMany people participated in making Charity’s created by Mother Nature and molded by Ms. Rita, mented about the new book, saying, “Mother Nafirst book a reality, so, she expressed a huge thank her second mom. ture’s Daughter” by Charity Knowles - a ten year you to her parents and family members for their ‘Mother Nature’s Daughter’, published by New old grade 6 student, is a very promising and maunwavering support in ensuring that her dream of Providence-based True Vine Publishing and Marture story line. Reading this story helps me to have becoming a published author was realketing, is described as having a wide range of apcontinuous faith in a new generation of Bahamian ized. She extended a hearty thanks and peal - from 8 to 17-year-olds (5th to 12th graders), writers. It is my prayer that when her peers read this appreciation to Mrs. Vaulda Caesar who and even adults. The book is now available at: Jo-

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FAO launches One Country, One Priority Product in Latin America and the Caribbean (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, México, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela are already promoting special agricultural products)

May 25, 2022 - Santiago, Chile - Latin America and the Caribbean joined the Global Initiative on the Development of Special Agricultural Products: One Country, One Priority Product (OCOP), promoted by The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

OCOP’s objective is to support small farmers to promote agricultural products with special value – developed with sustainable and innovative practices– in global markets.

In the region, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela are working with cocoa and Cuba, Guatemala and Panama with coffee.

Nicaragua wants to promote livestock, and Argentina and Chile are working with honey.

To promote these products, FAO trains countries in the application of a methodology called the Integrated Agrifood Systems Initiative (IASI), created

by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center.

This methodology analyzes the current situation of a product and allows projected future scenarios, building strategic plans between governments, producers, researchers, civil society and private parties which allow establishing longterm priorities and objectives to support the sustainable intensification of selected agri-food systems.

Chile, Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago 90 percent of the honey produced by Chile is exported to the European Union and the United States. Honey is a great business opportunity for the 10,000 farms dedicated to honey in the country, with 454,000 hives that generate different bee products; OCOP will work to provide the sector with a strategy of value and positioning of honey for the external and internal market.

Guatemala is one of the world’s lead-

served as both her mentor and editor. A special thanks also went from Charity to her Principal Vernitta Thompson, classroom teacher Mrs. Karen Culmer and all her homeroom teachers who played a vital part in her development - especially Mrs. Evelyn Deal, Mrs. Alvene Sands, Mrs. Audrey Pinder, Mrs. Ashley Hall, Mrs. Ramnauth, Mrs. Cindy Thompson, and Mrs. Genele Williams. She also thanked her Goddie Marcia for ensuring the book launch was a success, and sent a shout out to all of her friends, schoolmates and well-wishers who supported the book launch and purchased a signed copy of ‘Mother Nature’s Daughter’.

Right: Well wishers and friends come out in support of Charity during her book launch event. Left: Young author, Charity Knowles during launch at the Eleuthera Arts and Cultural Center (EACC).

ing coffee exporters: more than 120,000 small-scale coffee farmers and their families depend directly on coffee, and the sector generates more than 500,000 jobs.FAO seeks to support the country to promote investment in innovation, technology, training, technical assistance and marketing, to improve the performance of the sector.

Trinidad and Tobago is one of the eight countries certified as a producer of fine aroma cocoa, a product of high quality and international recognition. 65 percent of the country’s cocoa comes from small producers (less than 5 hectares), and the country exports mostly fermented beans.

The total economic potential of this product is currently underexploited; FAO seeks to promote investment in strengthening this value chain, providing market intelligence.

In Mexico, OCOP will work with amaranth, a product of great

importance for small producers in central and southern Mexico.

Amaranth is cultivated on surfaces of less than one hectare, under traditional agricultural systems, such as milpa and chinampas.

Despite its nutritional and food properties and its climate adaptation characteristics, amaranth faces low demand in the Mexican population: OCOP will seek to work to promote consumption.

Source: The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO). May 25th, 2022 -END-

Global Bodies driving Local Policies

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Deep Creek NNWC partners with American Bridge to Help members of the Community

On Saturday afternoon, June 11th, 2022, Deep Creek National Neighbourhood Watch Council (DC-NNWC) President Marvin Gibson and Vice President Donnalee Miller, of the Deep Creek Eleuthera National Neighbourhood Watch Council (NNWC), came together with Guenole Cavarec, Camp Manager of American Bridge, the company managing the Disney Project at Lighthouse

Point, who donated ten bags of fruit and grocery items, which were distributed to elderly, disabled and less fortunate residents within the Deep Creek community.

Mr. Cavarec shared his passion for community-building, and he was excited to partner with the DC-NNWC to structure initiatives that would uplift residents and help young people.

Picture this...

Former Prime Minister Ingraham presents book to public schools (L-R: Former PM Hubert Ingraham with Education Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin.

Former Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham presented copies of volume 1 of his newly published book, ‘I Say What I Mean and I Mean What I Say: Hubert A. Ingraham in His Own Words’ to public schools in New Providence and the Family Islands, Thursday, May 19, 2022.

L-R: Mr. Marvin Gibson, DC-NNWC President, Mrs. Donnalee Miller, DC-NNWC Vice President, and Guenole Cavarec, American Bridge Camp Manager.

Purchased by Colina Insurance Limited, the books were presented to junior and senior schools at a ceremony in the foyer of the Ivy Dumont Building.

The Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training; the Hon. Mario Bowleg, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture; Lorraine Armbrister, Permanent Secretary and Dr. Marcellus Taylor, Director of Education, were other among Ministry of Education executives at the event. Also present were representatives of schools and Colina Insurance Ltd. “It is our hope that the youth of our nation and leaders of tomorrow would read and be inspired by the life and legacy of the barefoot boy from Cooper’s Town, raised by his grandmother who would ascend to the office of Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” said Wendy Butler, Vice-President, Group and Health Benefits, Colina.

Former Prime Minister Ingraham said it is his hope that Social Studies teachers would find in this collection many examples they could point out to the students that could serve as inspiration to them.

He said when he agreed to release the project he wanted to make sure that Bahamian students understood that he

is the son of an unwed woman, who never saw his biological father until he was 11 years old, he grew up in Cooper’s Town, Abaco and attended school in a one school room.

“In this country you can become whatever you want to become,” he said.

Minister Hanna-Martin expressed appreciation to Mr. Ingraham for his contribution to the nation. She said the Ministry embraces the opportunity with wide-open arms and is honored to share the book in schools. “His life is exemplary to a people as to the possibilities of who we are and what we can be,” she said.

She recognized Mr. Ingraham as one of the nation’s “finest” sons who will one day be one of the fathers of the nation.

“His contribution to our national life and national development for 15 years as Prime Minister, which are pivotal, are going to be very important to understanding the shaping of our nation,” added Minister Hanna-Martin.

A compilation of statements and speeches, the book highlights core themes in Mr. Ingraham’s political career.

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Local RBPF shares efforts in engaging At - Risk Groups to calm down when you are angry; and whether they could report a parent for abusing another parent?

The students expressed their gratitude to Inspector Taylor-Major taking the time to speak with them, and presented her with a certificate of appreciation. P.T.A President, Mrs. Tamara Lorey also thanked the police department and invited them to join the upcoming P.T.A meetings to share this topic with parents within the Harbour Island community.

Officer interacts with young students.

On Tuesday, May 31st, 2022, as part of their grade 6 graduation class activities, the Harbour Island All Age School hosted a Symposium and T-Shirt day. Invited to speak on the topic, “Excercising good judgement to achieve good consequences”, Inspector Tekenia Taylor-Major took the opportunity to address a number of issues surrounding gender-based violence. She tackled, what genderbased violence is, risk factors for boys and girls, teen dating abuse, how they could end gender-based violence, the long term effects, and staying positive in a negative environment.

During a question and answer period following Inspector TaylorMajor’s talk with the sixth-graders, the students were said to have had many questions. Some of note were: what was the penalty for various criminal offences - like fighting, using obscene language and stealing “small things”; who has to report abuse; how

in the audience. The objective of the seminar, said Inspector Newbold, was to provide positive male influence and mentorship, through frank conversation and advice.

The Inspector put together an allmale slate of presenters including;

ing, personal hygiene and safe road use. The primary-schoolers were also given copies of the National Child Protection Council’s work books, ‘Say No, Then Go’ and ‘Stop N Think’, and shown exhibits of drugs and weapons confiscated off the streets of Eleuthera.

On the same date, in Governor’s Harbour, at the Emily G. Petty Primary School, Inspector Julian Newbold, on invitation by the Principal, Mrs. Tanya Mcphee-Pinder, organized a oneday seminar to male students at the school. 38 young boys from the upper primary classes of grades 3 to 6 were

Above: Officers engage with young male students at the Emily G. Petty Primary School, during a one-day seminar for mentorship.

Local Pastor and Minister Christopher Darling and a group of officers from the Eleuthera police division led by Superintendent Franklin Neely, Assistant Superintendent Anthony McCartney, Inspector Dale Clarke, along with Sergeants 1774 Johnson, 2657 Wallace and 3397 Thurston.

Inspector Tekenia Taylor-Major presented with certificate of appreciation.

The young participants were given presentations on topics of: knowing who you are and being a solution, rules of life, making good choices, being safe (good and bad touch), bully-

PAHO Director urges greater investments in primary care to achieve universal health Geneva, Switzerland, May 25, 2022 (PAHO)- Achieving universal health requires greater investments in primary health care, financial mechanisms that guarantee access to care, reduce out-of-pocket health spending to almost zero, and build a skilled workforce, the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Carissa F. Etienne said.

Speaking at a panel discussion held on the sidelines of the 75th World Health Assembly, Dr. Etienne stated that “primary care is the foundation for achieving universal health

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access and coverage, the Sustainable Development Goals and human development,” but “unless we invest more in primary care, we won’t get there.”

It is estimated that about a third of the population in the Americas does not have access to primary care, and that the average investment in health is 4.2% of country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), below the 6% stipulated in PAHO’s 2014 Strategy for Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage.

“There must be increased investment in health,” Dr. Etienne reiterated, and 30% of that investment, should go to primary care.

The PAHO Director also indicated that “significant investments have been made in the development and training of tertiary and secondary level health workers, but not much in primary care,” and urged countries to work with academic institutions to have “primary health physicians that understand the communities, and nurses and other health workers for primary health care”.

She also called for more investment in referral systems, digital transformation and in equipment and supplies to ensure quality care. “Unless we increase the capability of primary health care to deliver quality services, our people will continue to bypass primary care and go to the hospitals where the cost is so much more.”

The PAHO Director asked delegates to take these messages back to the heads of state.

“Long before the pandemic, health systems were in crisis and broken.

COVID-19 made it clear that we have not developed them sufficiently,” she said. Heads of state “must also take the lead in radically transforming our health services based on primary care.”

-END-

Global Bodies driving Local Policies

46 www. EleutheraNews . com

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May/June, 2022

Founder of Life After Stroke Organization, Publishes Book on Her Journey To Recovery after being Ambushed By A Stroke Celeste A. Williams Ed.D., founder of Life After Stroke Organization, a non-profit organization in the Bahamas, has turned the tables on the tragic unannounced stroke that almost took her life 14 years ago. Dr. Williams, a vivacious artist, jewelry designer, and educator, firmly believes that she has to make her years of recovery count. While she is not a medical doctor and does not offer medical advice, Dr. Williams is determined to touch lives for the better. Her way of doing this is, in her words, “two-fold.” First, in the formation of the Life After Stroke Organization (www.LifeAfterStroke.org), whose mandate is to make

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the public aware of strokes and provide information and resources to remove misconceptions and improve survivorship rates of those affected by strokes.

Secondly, by empowering people through her newly released book, Loving Life, Embracing Your Healing Journey (Inspire Publishing - April 2022), to embrace life despite the changes that have presented themselves.

In her highly charged, straighttalking book, Dr. Williams pulls back the curtains to let readers enter the private space of a stroke victim. She takes them on her walk from living a fast-paced, energized life to her debilitating, ill-fated trauma and through the highs and lows of her recovery process. Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist Mr. Lavaughn Neymour highly recommends Dr. Williams’ book, noting, “If you’ve ever wondered what having a stroke feels like or need inspiration to keep fighting through life’s twists and turns, then this book is a must-read.”

Myra E. P. K. Mitchell calls it a “riveting yet sobering, captivating, and hopeful depiction of what it truly means to ‘Let Go and Let God!’” “Many people are like I was,” Dr. Williams said, “they don’t know what a stroke is, the different types of strokes, and how to recover from them if you were ambushed by one as I was.” Explaining that there are crucial things survivors, their families, friends, and caregivers should know about their loved one’s way forward, Dr. Williams hopes the book and her organization will become a resource to receive guidance. “I feel that because I went through this health betrayal, I can share and perhaps even motivate stroke patients to stay the course despite the emotional rollercoaster you may feel you are on. Threaded through her nurturing tone and quick wit, Dr. Williams encourages readers not to take their health for granted. She highlights the importance of being supported by family and friends when your emotions reach that tipping point and confusion tries to make its presence felt.

Even though friendships are appreciated, and prayers are essential, Dr. Williams addresses the need to protect your space from naysayers and negativity to stand and recover your health.

Although many irreplaceable people were with her on her journey to recovery, Dr. Williams remembers her mother Esther Williams’ strong faith in God be-

Celeste A. Williams Ed. D. ing the tower she leaned on. “Mummy’s faith, encouragement, and unyielding love kept me centered. It was contagious! Though she is no longer with us, I feel her cheering me on to help others walk through as she helped me.” The help, Dr. Williams noted, often came in the form of sticky post-it notes on the railing of her bed, on her pillow, and anywhere there was a free space to place them. It also came when all you needed was a shoulder to cry on as your brain underwent its healing gymnastics causing uncontrollable bouts of weeping—for no apparent reason. “Despite the emotional bouts, the quotes, scriptures, and encouraging words became a part of my daily nourishment.”

Dr. Williams believes the information is critical before, during, and after experiencing a stroke and believes her foundation will play a pivotal part in assisting patients, their families, and caregivers.

Loving Life, Embracing Your Healing Journey is now available in Nassau at Logos Bookstore, All Occasions Books & Gifts, Shell Craft on Robinson Road, and Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle formats.

Source: www.BooksByBethel.com May 31, 2022

2022, Page. 37

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May/June

PM on the Country’s Budget

who view LNG as a bridge to a renewable future.

“And as I announced yesterday, Bahamas Power & Light will provide 60MW of its power from a solar field by early next year,” Prime Minister Davis said. “Our country is finally making progress on our goal of achieving 30 percent reliance on renewables by 2030.”

Investment to increase security measures The Prime Minister also noted, during his Contribution to the 2022/2023 Budget Debate, that with smart investments and innovative programmes, his Government is seeking to increase security for Bahamians “in our homes, in our communities, and at our borders”.

“We are also seeking health ‘security’ – in a world where the next COVID variant is always around the corner, we need the best protections from infectious diseases that an open economy can provide, and a stronger health care system so that Bahamians can receive quality medical care, when it comes to this disease or any other,” he said in the House of Assembly, on June 1, 2022.

“Promoting health security includes ongoing vaccination campaigns, a new wellness programme, the Catastrophic Care fund I spoke about earlier, funding for a new hospital in Freeport, funding for repairs and renovations to clinics throughout our islands, and more,” he added.

“We also have allocated $500,000 for a new women’s centre, which will help women coping with problems from violence to unemployment.”

Prime Minister Davis pointed out that his Government included strengthening The Bahamas’ resilience to hurricanes and adverse weather events, via smart investments in infrastructure, planning and expertise, as a matter of national security as well.

“In that regard, we have already made progress with new Building Code

standards designed for an era of climate change and adverse weather events,” he said.

“The Government has made a decision to renew the CRIF policy on the basis that risk components will be reassessed.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that his Government’s budget makes significant investments in the three core national security agencies, namely the Department of Corrections, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

“We have allocated $6 million to fund the purchase of new vessels for the Defence Force,” he said.

“We have increased our capital allocation for our police, so that the CCTV and Spot Shotter are fully funded,” he added. We have added funding so that we can recruit more police officers.”

Prime Minister Davis said that, over the past four years, the force was not able to sustain recruitment levels to replace retiring officers, with the result that the force is now short some 900 officers.

“The Minister of National Security is emphasizing training opportunities, and will diversify staff, employ university graduates, and aggressively recruit officers until the force is at full strength,” he said.

“We’ve also added a substantial funding increase for Urban Renewal, to expand that programme’s presence and outreach in our communities.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that his Government will use a public-private partnership vehicle to invest in the construction of a new prison complex, one which “will offer more humane conditions and, for the first time, real opportunities for rehabilitation”.

“It is just simple common sense that this will make all of us safer: reducing recidivism increases public safety,” he said.

Source: BIS

The Eleutheran

The Eleutheran

Select JIF Peanut Butter Products Recall due to potential Salmonella Contamination

On May 27th, 2022, The Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA) issued a public statement on a Products Recall by JIF Peanut Butter, which stated: “The Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority continues to monitor the May 20th, Recall by J.M. Smucker Co. in Lexington Kentucky, USA, for the Select Jif Peanut Butter Products due to potential Salmonella contamination.

“A number of Companies and Brands have recalled multiple products containing Peanut Butter, for example, Cargill, Walmart, Del Monte, Wawa, Albertson’s, Fresh Seasons, Country Fresh, just to name a few. Therefore, persons are asked to remain vigilant in identifying any food products named in the multiple product recalls of these companies by going directly to the www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts or to the BAHFSA website, www.bahfsabahamas. com under NEWS and ALERTS or copy and paste the following URL: https://www.bahfsabahamas.com/alerts.

“Due to the long shelf-life of Peanut Butter, i.e., up to two years, consumers are asked to check their cupboards and pantry thoroughly to throw out any products having lot numbers between 1274425 and 2140425 which appears alongside the best-if-used-by date.

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1 (242) 332-2993 The Eleutheran, P. O. Box EL-25166, Governor’s Harbour Eleuthera, The Bahamas.

47

“Symptoms may mimic other types of illnesses, thus, if you have consumed the affected product and have developed diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting or abdominal cramps within 12-72 hours, visit your nearest healthcare provider. Protect unsuspecting children as Peanut Butter Products are preferred snacks for many children. Other vulnerable populations should also be on alert for the multiple recalled products. There have been no reported cases of illness in country to date.

“The investigation remains ongoing.

“Feel free to contact BAHFSA at bahfsa@bahamas.gov.bs or patriciajjohnson@bahamas.gov.bs for any additional inquiries.”

Source: Bahamas Information Services/BAHFSA May 27th, 2022