Category Archives: Bahamas

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

Disney promises 75 percent of itsfleet will have one stop inThe Bahamaswhen it becomes fully operational.

Kim Prunty, vice president of communications and public affairs at Disney Signature Experiences- speaking at a virtual town hall last week on the companys Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for its project at Lighthouse Point- said the company contributed $60m a year to our economy when fully operational.

Ms Prunty said: The Bahamas is as much our home as anywhere. From an economic impact perspective it is estimated their operations lead to more than $60m annually in direct spending in The Bahamas. Thats when were operational and when were operational, 75 percent of the cruises have at least one stop in The Bahamas.

Disney has been operating Castaway Cay off the coast of South Abaco for over 20 years.

The town hall last week was to assure members of the public in Eleuthera that the companys latest investment at the Lighthouse Point in South Eleuthera, will have minimal environmental impact and that Disney was following all of the environmental guidelines on maintaining proper environmental protocols.

Dr Mark Penning, vice president of animal science and environment at Disney, said: On the very first conversation we had about Lighthouse Point, we said that we as Disney would not move forward unless we could do so in an environmentally responsible way.

There are no unique marine habitats or species in the development footprint. There are no coral reefs in the footprint, there are no patch reefs either.

Disney intends to add a 75 foot buffer space on either side of the pier it will build off the point. Dr Penning said: When you think about the extent of the pier itself, that total space will result in around a 10th of an acre of coral that we will mitigate.

Scott Tiegs, a biology professor at Oakland University in Michigan, challengedDr Pennings analysis thatthere are no unique animal life and particularly, the EIAs claim that no bonefish have been sighted at Lighthouse Point.

He said through his own visits to the site over the past 10 years and bringing students to the area he knows that bonefish are all over the place. He wondered how could Disney put forward an EIA when this conspicuous species featured very prominently at Lighthouse Point.

Another of Disneys representatives respondedsaying: We do have plans in the fall to tag fish to understand exactly how to use that area.

One of the biggest concerns from the bonefish trust is the Marina. We have discussed with them exactly how we can mitigate that and they have given feedbackwhich weve incorporated.

Its kind of experimental at this point, but we are looking at having some time to tag in that exact area to make sure that we know exactly how to utilize that point.

MsPrunty also spoke about the partnerships Disney has created on the ground in Eleuthera saying: We spent a lot of time in The Bahamas, talking to people about whats important to make sure that when we contribute to the community, were doing it in a way that meets community needs.

A few things can come out of that and one is the importance of Bahamian ownership, which is why we invested a million dollars over three years to the Small Business Development Centre and the Eleuthera chamber to create an Eleuthera business hub to take advantage of the project that were bringing as well as the others that we are bringing to Eleuthera.

The EIA will now be open for public feedbackuntil May 7. Interested parties may submit their concerns to Disney itself or to the department of environmental planning and after this process is completed, the results will be posted on the departments website.

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Disney in 75 percent fleet visit promise to The Bahamas - Bahamas Tribune

By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT

tsmith-cartwright@tribunemedia.net

Condolences to the Queen and the Royal Family have poured in from around the world including from here in The Bahamas.

Governor General Sir Cornelius Smith, being the Queens representative, officially broke the news here of the Duke of Edinburghs passing.

It is with deep sadness that I inform Bahamians and residents in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas of the passing of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, husband of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 9 April 2021.

The Governor General said his thoughts are prayers are with Her Majesty and the Royal Family at this time.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, in a statement, mentioned the Princes previous visits to The Bahamas.

His statement read: It is with deep sadness and sorrow that we have learnt of the passing of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, husband of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II on 9 April 2021.

Very fond memories of Prince Philips visits to The Bahamas in 1966, 1975, 1977 and 1994 are warmly held by the people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. His work and interest in empowering young people throughout the Commonwealth and indeed globally, are especially cherished, for which he will be fondly remembered.

He sent condolences to citizens of the United Kingdom on behalf of the government and people of The Bahamas.

Celebrating the life and legacy of Prince Philip in a statement, the Governor General Youth Award (GGYA) organisation here in The Bahamas hailed him as a champion of young people worldwide and instrumental in their growth. The programme was initially called the Duke of Edinburghs International Award before it was renamed.

GGYA is one of the nations most popular after school programmes for non-formal education and learning.

The statement read: Across The Bahamas today, 729 participants, 124 volunteers, 42 units, the national office, council and board of trustees marked the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Sixty-five years ago, Prince Philip established the Duke of Edinburghs Award in the United Kingdom. Since then, its been rolled out in more than 130 countries and territories, empowering millions of young people to build the skills, confidence and resilience they need to support their communities and be ready for the world.

The Progressive Liberal Party, through a statement from its leader, Philip Brave Davis, also extended condolences to the Queen.

On behalf of the Progressive Liberal Party, I extend condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, our head of state, on the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Mr Davis statement noted.

Prince Philip has been an active and prominent figure during our national advancement; he frequently visited our islands in years past and remained a friend of the Bahamian people. He is remembered fondly by many of our people for his work in founding what is now called the Governor Generals Award scheme and his patronage of the work of the Bahamas National Trust (BNT).

In a statement to its Facebook page, BNT said it was honoured to have Prince Philip as its patron until he retired in 2017.

Over the years it was our privilege to have His Royal Highness open The Retreat Garden on October 18, 1985 and to attend the Heritage Fund Dinner in March 1989, marking the occasion of the creation of this important endowment fund for the work of the Bahamas National Trust, BNT said.

Prince Philip had an unsettled and peripatetic childhood.

His parents separated and his father settled in Monte Carlo where he amassed significant gambling debts, and his mother, who was deaf, went on to found an order of nuns before becoming depressed and being admitted to an asylum.

Once describing himself as a discredited Balkan prince of no particular merit or distinction, Prince Philip was born on June 10, 1921 on the kitchen table at the family home of Mon Repos on the island of Corfu.

He was the youngest child and only son of Prince Andrew of Greece, an officer in the Greek army, and Princess Alice of Battenberg.

When his father was charged with high treason in the aftermath of the heavy defeat of the Greeks by the Turks the family fled. They were evacuated in a British warship, with one-year-old Philip carried in a makeshift cot.

Prince Philip was the longest serving consort in British history, and was only months away from his 100th birthday in June.

A private royal funeral will be held for him at St Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday with under 30 people in attendance so as to comply with the UKs COVID regulations.

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The Bahamas sends its condolences after the death of Prince Philip - Bahamas Tribune

Trade export strategy part of economic diversification effortsCommonwealth Brewery and John Watlings Distillery tapped as immediate beneficiaries

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM In an ongoing effort to support the government of The Bahamas initiatives for economic diversification, Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary of The Bahamas to the Kingdom of Belgium and Head of Mission to the European Union Maria OBrien sought assistance under the African, Caribbean, Pacific-European Union (ACP-EU) TradeComm II Programme to develop a trade export strategy for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

The ACP-EU TradeComm II Programme aims to reduce poverty, improve sustainable economic development and encourage regional integration through capacity-building, which is critical in The Bahamas efforts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The expectation is that the exports of goods and services in traditional emerging sectors, including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME), will strengthen a viable sector of The Bahamas. The assistance provided by the TradeComm II Programme will be implemented in conjunction with the Ministry of Financial Services, Trade and Industry and Immigration to assist with streamlining bureaucratic procedures, market intelligence gaps and logistical constraints in the complex business environment that Bahamian exporters encounter.

This technical assistance will create a framework that provides timely and reliable trade information for business decision-making, enabling Bahamian businesses to have easier access to the export markets.

OBrien stated that the project would access approximately $30 million (24 million) in financial support implemented by the Caribbean Export Development Agency under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Regional Private Sector Development programme.

This targeted support to develop the export strategy of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas will be bundled with support for the local rum sector. Industry research discovered that rum production relied heavily on consumption at a national level and that the tourism industry was ineffective in sustaining consumption levels through the COVID-19 pandemic.

While some of the raw materials required for manufacturing rum locally are imported from European countries, there is minimum export of the final product. Export opportunities will focus on existing markets that were successfully penetrated by the United Kingdom and Cuba, including Spain, Germany, Australia and the Czech Republic. Notably, Ireland ranked 36th in rum imports, with The Bahamas accounting for U$4.5 million of rum exports to Ireland in 2017. However, the research conducted by the EU indicated that The Bahamas could provide 73.3 percent of the total Irish rum imports.

The bundle project will have access to the Caribbean Rum Programme under the ninth and tenth EDF original budget of approximately $83 million (70 million). The project is expected to provide the government with a comprehensive export strategy that prioritizes export sectors based on competitiveness, job creation, foreign exchange earnings and value-addition, capacity building and training activities for private and public sectors to be export-ready and to improve regulatory and operational for exports to emerging markets.

OBrien identified Commonwealth Brewery Ltd and John Watlings Distillery as the immediate beneficiaries of the project, but expects that newcomers to the industry will also benefit from this programme.

The Ministry of Financial Services, Trade and Industries and Immigration for the trade export strategy and the rum sector project will be supported by local technical experts Robby Thompson and Edison Sumner, chairman of the Bahamas eCommerce Advisory Board.

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RUM BUSINESS BOOST: Bahamas rum exports to benefit from over $110M in EU-supported trade development for the Caribbean - EyeWitness News

Atlantis and Baha Mar resort to serve as vaccination sitesVaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers still a concern as more non-healthcare workers are being vaccinated

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The government is aiming to have 80 percent of Bahamians and residents vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, according to Chief Medical Officer Dr Pearl McMillan.

As she gave an update on the current situation of cases and vaccinations in the country, McMillan urged Bahamians to continue to follow mitigation protocols and opt to get vaccinated.

Things that can wait should wait, she said.

Vaccinations have started, but until we get the critical number of about 80 percent of Bahamians vaccinated, the only way to slow the spread of this virus remains to avoid close contact with people, wearing masks and sanitizing.

The CMO noted that the intent is for us to move in the direction to vaccinate enough persons for herd immunity and that would be around 80 percent.

Just over 10,000 people have been vaccinated in The Bahamas to date.

McMillan noted that approximately 60 percent of vaccine recipients have been ages 60 and older, and more women than men have been inoculated.

More non-healthcare workers are being vaccinated when compared to healthcare workers, she said.

In early 2021, the Ministry of Health conducted a vaccination hesitancy survey among healthcare workers.

The results were similar to this real-world experience and though they are not surprising, the ministry hopes that healthcare workers will sign up and show up for COVID-19 vaccinations.

The CMO added that healthcare workers must continue to lead the charge on these important healthcare matters.

As of April 4, there were 69 individuals, or less than one percent, who reported one or more side effects after being vaccinated, including fatigue, nausea, headache, fever, chills and muscle pain.

Symptoms of a flu-like illness can be expected and are generally resolved within a few days, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and World Health Organization (WHO).

All of the events analyzed were classified as non-serious and mild, McMillan said.

In this period, there has been no report of any case of anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction). There have been no reports involving post-vaccination hospitalization or deaths.

Vaccinations resumed yesterday after the Easter holidays at Loyola Hall and Church of God, East Street, on New Providence, and at the Susan J Wallace Community Centre on Grand Bahama.

Additional vaccination sites will open on New Providence this week, including the Kendal G L Isaacs Gymnasium and the Atlantis and Baha Mar resorts, which will be used exclusively for hospitality workers.

Currently, vaccinations are open to healthcare workers; individuals 60 years of age and older; staff of uniformed branches; teachers and staff of schools; homebound, physically challenged residents; and students and athletes studying or competing abroad.

Hospitality workers include hotel and resort employees, public transportation workers, Lynden Pindling International Airport workers, Nassau Airport Development Company workers, Nassau Cruise Port workers, straw market vendors, port and beach vendors and tour operators.

A valid work ID indicating proof of occupation and/or proof of age is required at the vaccination centers.

In a letter to its employees, Atlantis advised that it will have two inoculation sites on the property, including the Prince of Wales and Crown Ballrooms in the Beach Tower.

While not mandatory for Atlantis employees to be vaccinated, we encourage our team members to participate in inoculation as it will provide another layer of protection against this deadly virus, the letter read.

The global effort to vaccinate all will support The Bahamas and our tourism industry in regaining a level of normalcy.

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GOALPOST: Bahamas aiming to vaccinate 80 percent of population to achieve herd immunity against COVID - EyeWitness News

John Rolle, the Governor of the Central Bank of Bahamas, has shared some updates on the rollout of the Bahamas central bank digital currency (CBDC) which went live in October 2019.

Also known as the sand dollar, the currencys motivations are to promote financial inclusion, modernise the payment system, and make private wallet systems interoperable.

A key goal of the Sand dollar is to be accessible and not to exclude users based on technology. Therefore, the currency is available on a smart card, not just smartphones, to help with the elderly. At the other end of the age scale, children often run errands and have pocket money, so they need to have access to digital cash. However, minors must get consent from their parents.

The combination of identity and minors also highlights the importance of privacy. The penalty for confidentiality breaches by wallet providers or others is USD 50,000 or up to three years in prison, or both, according to Ledger Insights.

The currency is not anonymous, so users must go through standard bank-grade know your customer (KYC) processes. However, not everyone has a photo ID thats needed for a bank account. So, a lower access tier only requires an email address or phone number, allowing balances of up to USD 500 and USD 1,500 in transactions per month. With full KYC, a person can hold up to USD 8,000 digitally.

Another key advantage of the digital currency is interoperability between mobile payment apps. Initially the apps can allow users to use the Sand dollar within their walled garden. Going forward, the wallet providers will be required to allow balances to be transferred to other mobile wallets.

While the Bahamas is progressing its rollout, others in the region are looking to catch up. The Eastern Caribbean has launched its pilot, and Jamaica recently announced plans as well. To learn more about CBDCs, download our ebook Central Bank Digital Currencies for Beginners A Quick Guide into CBDCs.

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Central Bank of Bahamas shares updates on Sand dollar CBDC progress - The Paypers

Dear Editor,

On April 6, 2021, I lost a very dear friend and mentor. He was a giant of a man; a fearless fighter for inclusion, justice, equality, and opportunity for all, no matter where you were from. Congressman Alcee Hastings was a voice for those without a voice and his impact on my life and the lives of many others will be long-lasting.

Congressman Hastings has been an inspiration and a model as a public servant. His support of the tourism industry and black hotel ownership did not stop when he appointed me to the White House Conference on Tourism during the Clinton administration. He made sure that the Congressional Black Caucus supported the National Association of Black Hotel Owners and Developers (NABHOOD) workshops and seminars on Capitol Hill. His support as a participant and speaker at our summits contributed greatly to my success and the success of the organization. He was also a great supporter of The Bahamas and from his first visit with me over 20 years ago to his last visit this past year, he always looked for opportunities to help. On his last visit, he met with local leaders in government and business, including the director general and permanent secretary of tourism; Brave Davis, leader of the opposition; Sir Franklyn Willson; and United States Embassy personnel. He dined at Fish Fry, where both he and his wife enjoyed our local cuisine. As a lasting commitment to his legacy and friendship, we are going to name the Bahamas Preclearance Center at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport The Alcee Hastings Bahamas Clear Center.

On behalf of NABHOOD and his many friends in The Bahamas, I want to personally extend our deepest sympathies to Congressman Hastings wife, Patricia, my college professor; son Jody; his entire family; and staff. Congressman Hastings was a leader who fought to create jobs and provide greater economic opportunities for all.

He was a true international leader and a blessing to our entire community, particularly The Bahamas. Goodbye, my friend, and thank you for the many opportunities and memories. May you rest in peace.

Andy Ingraham,

Founder/president/CEO,

National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers

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Letters to the Editor: A dear friend of The Bahamas dies - EyeWitness News

We have in hand the solution for what ails usHealth minister notes govt seeking to procure more vaccines, including from Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Just over 10,000 people have been vaccinated in The Bahamas to date, according to Minister of Health Renward Wells.

The country received 33,600 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine through the World Health Organization (WHO)/Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) COVAX Facility, last week, shoring up the nations supplies since it received 20,000 doses as a donation from India last month.

Wells said with the additional vaccines in-country, Bahamians are urged to continue to register to take it.

We are around 10,000 persons having been vaccinated, he said.

We have 53,600 doses of the vaccine and we are looking to get all of that into circulation.

The health minister noted that people have been signing up en masse and even calling him over the lack of appointments until May.

He said officials are looking to open additional vaccination sites to make sure that everyone who wants to be vaccinated can be and to combat potential further increases of COVID-19 cases.

While vaccinations were suspended over the holiday weekend, they are set to resume on New Providence and Grand Bahama today.

Doses of vaccines have begun to be administered on Eleuthera, and Abaco and Bimini are expected to begin inoculations this week.

Wells advised that to date, there has been no evidence of new strains of COVID-19 in the country from the 30 viable samples sent away to be tested earlier this year.

He noted that additional samples will be sent to a lab in Trinidad with a two-week turnaround time, to get a better sense as to whether there is a variant.

He added, however, that vaccines including Pfizer, Moderna and others have been proven effective against the variants as well.

We have in hand the solution for what ails us that is the vaccine, he said.

While he could not give a timeline, Wells said the government is seeking to secure additional types of vaccines, including the Johnson and Johnson one-jab vaccine.

He added: We are going to have our ultra-low-temperature storage refrigerator in-country at the beginning of May, which is in about a month, so we will be able to bring Pfizer in-country if we need to.

But we also have facilities in-country now where we can store Pfizer if we were able to access it.

Healthcare workers, residents over 60 and staff of the uniformed branches are currently eligible to take the vaccine.

The prime minister has said those with disabilities, teachers and hospitality workers will become the next eligible groups to receive the vaccine.

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ON THE BANDWAGON: More than 10K people in The Bahamas vaccinated against COVID so far - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Murders for the first quarter of 2021 rose sharply compared to the same period in 2020, according to an analysis of Eyewitness News records.

There were 28 murders in The Bahamas up to March 31 24 on New Providence, two on Abaco, one on Grand Bahama and one on Eleuthera.

A total of 18 murders were recorded between January 1, 2020 and March 31, 2020.

There were nine murders in January, 10 in February and nine murders last month.

Last year, there were six murders in January, seven killings in February and five in March.

This represents increases month-on-month of 50 percent, 43 percent and 80 percent respectively.

Murders are also up 47 percent over the 19 murders recorded up to March 31, 2019; and eight percent over the 26 murders recorded up to March 31, 2018.

There was a total of 73 murders in 2020 the lowest on record in 15 years.

There were 95 murders in 2019, a four percent increase over the 91 murders in 2018 the lowest in almost a decade at that point.

Minister of National Security Marvin Dames has acknowledged that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which resulted in months of closures, curfews and lockdowns last year, impacted criminal activity.

The latest killing in The Bahamas occurred on Friday.

This marked the 29th murder for 2020.

A man was shot dead on Kemp Road around 1pm.

Police yesterday identified him as Jahfine Osias, 30.

According to police, Osias was driving a Nissan Cube when the driver of another vehicle stopped in front of him, exited and shot him multiple times.

Assistant Superintendent Audley Peters said there was no indication the shooting was gang-related.

He said police were following positive leads on the matter and hope to bring the matter to a close as soon as possible.

In addition to 2015, when there were 146 murders the highest recorded there have been murder records in 2007 (78), 2009 (85), 2010 (94) and 2011 (127).

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KILLINGS ON THE RISE: Murders up 56 percent in Q1 - EyeWitness News

DALLAS (AP) Wayne LaPierre flies exclusively on private jets, he sailed around the Bahamas for security and he never sends emails or texts in the course of his work running the nations most politically influential gun-rights group.

LaPierres testimony this week during the National Rifle Associations high-stakes bankruptcy trial offered a rare window into the work and habits of the notoriously secretive titan of the American firearms movement.

Seldom seen in public outside choreographed speeches and TV appearances, the 71-year-old was blunt and occasionally combative under lawyers questioning. He took the virtual witness stand in a federal case over whether the NRA should be allowed to incorporate in Texas instead of New York, where the state is suing in a separate effort to disband the group over alleged financial abuses.

LaPierres testimony revealed him to be an embattled executive defending his leadership and punching back against what he characterized as a political attack by New York Attorney General Letitia James. But he also tried to acknowledge enough mistakes and course corrections to avoid having the NRAs reins handed to a court-appointed overseer a move he said would be a death blow to the 150-year-old group that claims 5 million members.

The NRA declared bankruptcy in January, five months after James office sued seeking its dissolution over allegations that executives illegally diverted tens of millions of dollars for lavish personal trips, no-show contracts and other questionable expenditures.

The NRA contends that its Chapter 11 filing is a legitimate maneuver to facilitate a move to a more gun-friendly state, Texas, and was made necessary by a Democratic politician who has weaponized her states government. Lawyers for James office, meanwhile, say its an attempt by NRA leadership to escape accountability for using the groups coffers as their piggybank.

LaPierre appeared on camera before a court in Dallas on Wednesday and Thursday and was grilled by lawyers for New York and Ackerman McQueen, an Oklahoma City-based advertising agency that says the NRA owes it more than $1 million.

The questioning has focused on LaPierres management of the NRA and the legitimacy of his filing for bankruptcy without first informing most of the groups top executives and its board.

On Wednesday, a lawyer for New York asked why the states investigation had turned up no emails or text messages from LaPierre.

Im old fashioned, he replied. I havent sent any emails or texts.

The allegations of financial abuses and mismanagement have roiled the NRA and threatened LaPierres grip on power. Political infighting spilled out in public during the NRAs 2019 annual meeting, where its then-president Oliver North was denied a second term. Tensions also eventually led to the departure of a man whod been seen as LaPierres likely successor, Chris Cox, who headed the groups lobbying arm.

To be sure, its not unusual for chief executives of organizations the size of the NRA to travel by private plane or live lifestyles beyond the means of most people. But LaPierres alleged misspending of NRA membership dues came even as the group was urging supporters to donate so that it would have enough cash to battle gun control efforts.

Board members and former NRA leaders who support LaPierre didnt respond to requests for comment or referred questions to the NRA. Others who are skeptical of LaPierres leadership said the trial has only reaffirmed their concerns.

Im looking for the next Wayne, said Phillip Journey, a board member and Kansas judge who is set to testify during the trial next week. This cant go on forever.

LaPierre said Thursday that he kept the bankruptcy secret from the full board because he was worried that someone on it would leak the plan. We were very concerned, he testified.

He also said he was within his authority to file for bankruptcy with only the assent of the boards three-member special litigation committee, he attacked James and New Yorks financial regulator as corrupt, and he repeatedly strayed beyond the bounds of yes or no questioning to defend his record.

LaPierres efforts to explain his actions led to opposing lawyers moving to strike from the record much of what he said after nearly every question. He occasionally raised his voice and his expansive answers drew repeated warnings from his own attorneys and the judge.

Can you answer the questions that are asked and do you understand that Ive said that to you more than a dozen times in the last two days? Judge Harlin Hale asked LaPierre on Thursday.

I understand your honor, he replied. I apologize if Ive gone too long.

LaPierre also, however, showed moments of regret and referred repeatedly to the NRAs self-correction.

For instance, he defended summer sailing in the Bahamas on a large yacht he borrowed from a Hollywood producer who has done business with the NRA. LaPierre said the family trips were a security retreat, noting that some came as he was facing threats months after mass shootings.

But he acknowledged that not mentioning the voyages on conflict-of-interest forms which New Yorks lawsuit contends violated NRA policy was an oversight.

I believe now that it should have been disclosed, he testified. Its one of the mistakes Ive made. ___

Associated Press writer Lisa Marie Pane in Boise, Idaho, contributed to this story.

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NRA trial opens window on secretive leader's life and work - The Associated Press

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

YOUTH, Sports, and Culture Minister Iram Lewis officially opened The Job Ready Programme in Grand Bahama on Friday.

The programme will provide jobs and skills training to more than 130 young persons who have not been able to find employment since the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the opening ceremony held at the St Pauls Methodist Church Hall, Minister Lewis told participants that they will be equipped with the tools needed to build lifelong careers.

Job Ready is a 7-week course for youth between the ages of 17 and 25 who have not been able to secure or sustain employment.

Mr Lewis said the programme provides opportunities for our youth to realign themselves and get on the right track through our soft skills development and on-the-job training.

This cohort is a special one, as this will be the first since the start of the pandemic and among other issues, this group will have to persevere through COVID-19 restrictions as we strive to create our new normal, he said.

In the Bahamas typically, the youth are presented with a variety of social issues such as crime, poverty, and social inequalities just to name a few. My Ministry understands the importance of our young people overcoming these issues on the road to a successful life.

Therefore, this programme provides opportunities for our youth to realign themselves and get on the right track through our soft skills development and on-the-job training.

Through acquiring these skills from our Job Ready Programme many young men and women have equipped themselves with the tools needed to build lifelong careers.

Mr Lewis was pleased with the overwhelming response to the programme, which has received 130 applications submitted from youth throughout the island.

As a result of this, he indicated that two cohorts were created, one in Freeport, and a second in Eight Mile Rock to expand their reach throughout the island.

The programme encompasses Bahama Host, Food Safety & Handling, Health & Safety Protocols Training, Hands-on Activities, Lively & Interactive Presentations, and Webinars to ensure the students receive a wealth of knowledge and the skills to succeed.

Mr Lewis encouraged participants to take full advantage of the opportunities made available to them. I implore you to stay closely connected with our team at the Ministry of Youth via social media, on Facebook, and on Instagram. We are committed to assisting you through mentorship, guidance, and networking to equip you for the workplace, he said.

Deon McKinney, Junior Youth Parliamentarian for East Grand Bahama, also encouraged participants to continue to reach deep within and let their light shine.

He told the participants the challenges he had to overcome in his life, from being a failing student through his formative years in school to losing his both parents and the financial struggles of getting a college education. He told them how he was able to turn his circumstances around by finding value deep within himself. McKinney said: I told myself: I am valuable because God doesnt make junk.

Carla Roker-Brown is the youth coordinator. The theme is "Resilient Youth: Ready for the Workplace!"

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Lewis opens Job Ready Programme in Grand Bahama - Bahamas Tribune