#242NewsBahamas Newsletter Edition: April 12th, 2019

Nassau Child Abductions – What’s the real takeaway

We learned a valuable lesson from the recent child abductions in New Providence, we must pay better attention to our communities. Over the past two months, reports of child abductions worried parents and guardians, and left the nation bewildered at the fact that someone residing in our midst, had launched an attack on the safety of our children, and they were executing this attack with supreme ease.

After weeks of intense investigation, the Royal Bahamas Police Force recently arrested two female suspects, who are believed to be responsible for four of the abductions. And although the victims, who were all little boys, were found unharmed hours after each abduction, the bizarre incidents frightened residents with each passing day and sparked a public outcry for the police to solve these mysterious occurrences immediately.

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Prime Minister Minnis officially opens Smith’s Point Seawall

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis says the Smith’s Point Project is part of a broader vision and program for the revitalization and renewal of Grand Bahama.

During the official opening of the newly constructed sea wall in Smith’s Point, Prime Minister Minnis, who was the keynote speaker, noted that his government is committed to investing in sound infrastructure which supports economic growth and which fosters efficiency and normalcy in the day-to day-lives of Bahamians, while protecting the country’s natural and built environment.

“After many, decades of struggle, neglect, and fits and starts, the Grand Bahama revival has begun,” added Dr. Minnis.

Government must deliver on promised free tuition

The recent announcement by the President of the University of The Bahamas (UB) that tuition fees will be increasing beginning in the Fall of 2019 took many by surprise. Additionally, the revelations that the costs for attending UB were up to approximately $30k for a UB student were also startling. Many were alarmed by the President’s announcement considering the fact that the Prime Minister had on many occasions promised that tuition at UB would be free for Bahamian students – a campaign promise which the current administration has failed to deliver on.

It is imperative that our societal leaders craft policies and programs that will create a path that is clear to the middle class for Bahamians from all walks of life to ensure our nation's economic prosperity. This entails opening the doors of higher education to more Bahamians in the best way possible by ensuring access and affordability.

CIBC FirstCaribbean Increases Annual Donation to Cancer Organizations Across The Bahamas

Seven cancer organizations across The Bahamas will be able to provide free services to even more patients thanks to a recent $90,000 donation from CIBC FirstCaribbean.

“This continued support has allowed us to touch so many lives, be it male, children, or women,” said Helen Rolle, Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group representative.

Rolle spoke alongside Sister Sister President Andrea Sweeting and Cancer Society of The Bahamas President Dr. Williamson Chea at a brief ceremony at the bank’s Airport Industrial Park location, where Chief Executive Officer, Colette Delaney, presented the New Providence funds from the 2018 “Walk for the Cure” cancer fundraising campaign.

Agriculture's 'Expo 2019' Announced

The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources held a press conference Tuesday, April 9, at the Ministry's offices to announce its Bahamas National Agri-Bahamas Expo for 2019 at the Gladstone Road Agricultural site Thursday, May 9, thru Saturday, May 11.

Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources the Hon. Michael Pintard said the shorter title, 'Expo 2019,' will be used; and this year's theme is "Embracing change, improving lives through agriculture." The theme is reflective of the mission in Agriculture, which is to use the natural resources of land and sea to empower the Bahamian people.

The intent of Expo 2019 is to expose the nation's farmers, artisans, craftsmen, processors, agri and marine business people to the consuming public, as well as provide opportunities to learn, enhance and grow their approaches to their business.

WSC Chairman announces move to digital operations

Mr. Adrian Gibson, Chairman, Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) and Member of Parliament for Long Island has announced that the utility company is implementing a digital business strategy that is expected to result in an improvement in operational efficiency and a platform that allows customers and suppliers to interact more easily with the organization.

“This is a move to a more efficient organization, and means that we are embracing a new approach to normal ways of doing business for our staff as well as our customers,” said Mr. Gibson.

He spoke of the Corporation’s transformation during a press briefing Monday, April 8th 2019 at WSC headquarters on University Drive.

Oasis Sandyport to Serve up Junior Achievement 1st Cookbook Launch Saturday

Ever wonder what the First Lady of Bahamian food, Elaine Pinder, cooks when the Bamboo Shack and Sapodilla genius is in the kitchen herself? Or how super Chef Kevyn Pratt makes his famous cracked lobster taco?

The secrets will be available for sale in the first cookbook ever produced by Junior Achievement (JA), a nearly 120-page treasure of all things tasty with a local flair and recipes by local names you know.

“Funds raised through the sale of the cookbook that was nearly one year in the making will support the Junior Achievement program that is celebrating 40 years of helping prepare high school students for the business of life and the life of business,” said JA Chairman Philip Simon.

52-Year Old Dolphin Gives Birth at Blue Lagoon Island

The team at Blue Lagoon Island has officially introduced its newest member of the family – a healthy and strong native Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin calf named Duchess.

Her mother, Princess, at age 52 is one of the oldest known dolphins under human care around the world. Duchess’ father is Stormy.

Duchess was born in the all-natural habitat on Blue Lagoon Island on November 21, 2018. The marine mammal team was able to confirm her gender a few weeks after her birth and has been monitoring her health and progress daily.

“She’s a very pretty little dolphin,” said George Rodgers, Blue Lagoon Island’s Zoological Director, “As with people, they all look different, believe it or not. And she’s a very good looking little dolphin. Perfectly formed. Weight distributed exactly where it should be. Very active, energetic, all the signs are good. She will continue to nurse from her mother for quite some time yet.”

Young Women of S.T.R.A.W Become Financially Savvy

Nearly 300 girls recently received some crucial financial literacy advice, courtesy of CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Treasury and Finance Department, as part of S.T.R.A.W. Inc’s 15th Annual Girls’ Leadership Conference, themed “Girls Empowered - #SpeakUp.”

According to Executive Director and President Therena Cunningham, S.T.R.A.W. (Strengthening, Transforming, Restoring, and Affirming young Women) “is a community-based youth development organization where we engage underserved adolescent girls and young women.”

“The point of this year’s theme was to allow the young women to have a platform to be able to identify the voices they hear within themselves on a daily basis.”

Story Link HERE