THIS WEEK IN THE BAHAMAS WITH ELCOTT COLEBY 27 JULY TO 31 JULY
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PM Christie opens CANTO Conference
Urging industry professionals to move quickly on increasing broadband network capacity, Bahamas Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie addressed delegates at the 31st Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Operators (CANTO) Conference and Trade Show in Miami, Florida on Sunday.
Outlining the inherent benefits of broadband technology, Prime Minister Christie pointed out that broadband networks connect individuals and businesses to the marketplace, improves public service and opens new doors of opportunity by equalizing the economic playing field and democratizing invention. He therefore urged ICT Ministers and Regulators to pursue policies that would support broadband innovation.
“I accept that and I have heard it here tonight that broadband provides an equalizer to the economic playing field. I accept that it results in the democratization of invention and so for me I have to challenge Ministers of ICT and our regulators just as I did the last time I was here to proactively pursue policies and legislation that will support the initiatives of organizations like CANTO and improve the lives of our citizens through the innovation of broadband. Let’s just do it and let’s just put behind us the talking and recognize that the talking is over.
Bahamas Government welcomes TIP tier 1 ranking
The U.S. Chargé d’Affaires H.E. Lisa Johnson – U.S. Embassy in Nassau congratulated The Bahamas Government on Monday on its Tier 1 ranking in the US State Department’s 2015 TIP Report.
The Charge commended the government for its efforts “to strengthen anti-trafficking law enforcement, protect trafficking victims, and inform the public and potential victims about trafficking.”
Her Excellency outlined the policy initiatives of the Bahamas government that led to this Tier 1 designation.
“This Tier 1 ranking means that the Government of The Bahamas fully complies with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.
“The government successfully convicted one trafficker and sentenced two traffickers from previous convictions in 2014, initiated three new prosecutions, adopted a four-year national anti-trafficking strategy and action plan, provided anti-trafficking training to officials, and continued to implement a victim-centered assistance protocol for identified trafficking victims.”
In its response, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said the Bahamas government “welcomes the country’s designation by the United States government to tier one status in the 2015 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report.”
Further, “with today’s announcement, the commitment of The Bahamas in fighting modern day slavery should not be in doubt.
“We thank all responsible for this recognition” said the Ministry in a short press release.
The Bahamas Cabinet meets in Grand Bahama
For only the second time in history, the cabinet of The Bahamas met outside of Nassau. The only other time was in October 2012 when that body met in Marsh Harbour, Abaco.
Below is a quick summary of what was accomplished:
The Prime Minister officially commissioned the newly refurbished fire substation in Eight Rock, complete with a brand new $250,000 fire engine.
The Prime Minister led a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new fire station for Freeport. The location is Settlers Way.
The Cabinet met with principals of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Hutchison Port Holdings Ltd.; the Grand Bahama Development Company; Graham Thompson and Co.; the Grand Bahama Shipyard; and the Hawksbill Creek Agreement Review Committee to discuss specific tax exemptions under the Freeport, Grand Bahama Act 1993. These tax exemptions will expire on the 4th August 2015.
The following four contracts were signed:
A storage facility at the C.A. Smith Complex on East Mall Drive;
Renovations to the Farmer’s Market;
The construction of thirty-six (36) homes;
An administrative complex on the island of Bimini
Additionally, below are four projects to come on stream by the end of this fiscal year:
A new high school for West Grand Bahama;
A new and elevated causeway to replace the Fishing Hole Road;
A sea wall at Smith’s Point to prevent further coastal erosion; and
The expansion of a critical care section and new kitchen facilities at the Rand Memorial Hospital, prior to the launch of National Health Insurance in January, 2016.
This Week in Parliament
The Bahamas Parliament met on Wednesday, 29th July at 10am and following is a cursory summary of House Proceedings.
Statements by Ministers:
National Security Minister the Hon. Dr. Bernard Nottage delivered a comprehensive communication on the 2015 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report released by the US State Department on the 27th July 2015. He advised the House that The Bahamas achieved a ranking of Tier 1 in this report. The Minister also reported that this was the first time The Bahamas achieved a Tier 1 ranking and was the only country in the region to achieve such a ranking.
Grand Minister Minister Dr. Michael Darville reported to the House on the meeting of the Cabinet in Freeport on Tuesday, 28th July.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Dr. Daniel Johnson paid tribute to the late entertainer Franklin “Count Bernadino” Ellis, businessman Alfred Bismark Coakley, PLP Stalwart Councilor Doris Burrows (mother of Sen. Greg Burrows), and Junkanooer Brian Gibson. He noted that five Bahamians entered the Major League in 2015 and congratulated our Pan Am games athletic team for wining 6 medals at the Pan Am games in Toronto, Canada. Swim sensation Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace was singled out for high praise as the fastest female swimmer in the region. He thanked the Tourism Ministry for hosting successful Junkanoo and Goombay summer festivals. He concluded with the mention of the road naming ceremony at the entrance of the Queen Elizabeth Sports Center in honour of Mychal “Sweet Bells” Thompson and the establishment of the Legend Walk of Fame at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.