PM addresses climate
change at COP21 in Paris
Expressing again in person on behalf of the people of The
Bahamas his sincere condolences to the French nation and the families of the
victims of the recent atrocities committed in Paris, Prime Minister Christie
reiterated two pressing issues as regard climate change, its impact on The
Bahamas and what must be done to mitigate its risks.
Mr. Christie was delivering The Bahamas’ statement this
week in Paris at the United Nation’s conference on climate change called COP
21.
Firstly, acknowledging that with 80% of our land within one
metre or five feet of mean sea level, the PM told delegates that The Bahamas could
afford a “business as usual” approach to this environmental phenomenon. He then
outlined some steps The Bahamas has taken to date.
“We have strengthened building codes; built new coastal
defences; and moved to relocate vulnerable communities – all through (the) use
of our national resources” said Mr. Christie. “We have also outlined the
actions that The Bahamas will take in its efforts to assume responsibility for
the country’s global greenhouse gas emissions. Among them is the development of
indigenous renewable energy resources with the goal of increasing the
percentage of renewables in the energy mix to a minimum of 30% by 2030.”
Secondly, the Prime Minister stressed that the “$100 billion per year pledge by
developed countries needs to be honoured
and built upon in the post-2020 period” and that in accessing this fund, the
gross domestic product or national per capita income cannot be the main qualifying
component for SIDS like The Bahamas to access such funds at concessionary
rates.
“The Bahamas should be able to access these funds” said
Mr. Christie. “We deplore the continued use of Gross Domestic Product/Gross
National Income per capita as the main component in determining the access that
The Bahamas and other SIDS have to financial resources for our adaptation
needs.”
The United Nations COP 21 climate change conference which
opened on Monday, 30th November will conclude on 11th December
2015 with a legally binding agreement between UN member states.
Davis: Bahamasair upgrade
“critical pillar” of infrastructure improvement
“For The Bahamas, we have given infrastructural
investments priority of place to ensure that there are no significant
bottlenecks to successful marketing of our Bahamas. Investment in Bahamasair is one of the
critical pillars of our strategy for infrastructural improvement and national
economic recovery.”
Laying out one of the overarching policy objectives of
the government for a stronger Bahamas was Acting Prime Minister, the Hon.
Philip Davis, as he commissioned the first of five new seventy seats ATR72-600
series turbo-prop jets at a ceremony
on Wednesday at the Bahamasair hangar.
Speaking more specifically about the nation’s flag
carrier, Davis said that Bahamasair has not enjoyed this level of investment
since April 1990. Additionally, he said the fleet upgrade was critical to
improving the travel experience for both domestic and international tourists
and it’s a fulfillment of a commitment to the future of Bahamasair.
“As we work together to improve the air travel experience
for Bahamians and tourists, the acquiring of new aircrafts represent the fulfillment
of this Government’s commitment to improving the short and long-term future for
our National Flag Carrier.
“Some have questioned our investment in this
infrastructural requirement. For those people, I say, the many years that
Bahamasair took to build a reputation of safe air travel can be dashed in an
instant in the absence of heavy investment of the kind now being made.”
Mr. Davis justified the $100 million investment as strategically
necessary to proactively build on and enhance Bahamasair’s legacy of safe air
travel, improve on its operating economics and necessary to allow the national
flag carrier to compete more effectively in the market.
“So notwithstanding the harsh economic realities, we have
invested one hundred million dollars towards upgrading Bahamasair’s turboprop
fleet in order to enhance safety, improve operating economics, and effectively
compete with other carriers.”
Also on hand at the commissioning ceremony was Minister
of National Security, Hon. Bernard Nottage; Minister of Transport and Aviation,
Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin; State Minister in the Ministry of Works and Urban
Development, Hon. Arnold Forbes; senior government officials and the executive
team of Bahamasair including Chairman Valentine Grimes and General Manager
Henry Woods.
The remaining four aircraft, one more with seventy seats
and three with fifty seats are due in The Bahamas over the next six months.
Mitchell responds to
questions about border protection
Assuring the public that “all the heads of the law
enforcement agencies meet regularly to exchange information and make joint
plans” on both the national and international levels, Foreign Minister Hon.
Fred Mitchell responded to media reports earlier this week about the government’s
action plan to protect and secure the borders of The Bahamas.
Following is a summary of some of the government’s substantive
initiatives:
- The immigration
law was recently amended to increase the penalties for offences under the Immigration
Act.
- Eighteen million
dollars are being invested in a new border management system. This new state
of the art integrated system includes new machine readable passports, new
electronic procedures for entry into The Bahamas and the ability to
exchange information accords various law enforcement data bases.
- The Bahamas has
signed on to the APIS system which allows for the exchange of valuable
information on passenger traffic into The Bahamas. The enabling legislation
will be introduced to Parliament shortly so that this system can go live.
- There have been
successful prosecutions under the new laws for harbouring illegal immigrants
and for assisting in illegal landings. This operation continues in tandem
with continued and unabated repatriation exercises.
Additionally, the Foreign Minister expressed the concerns
of the government that the Opposition is “unable to restrain its friends in the
activist community who seem intent on tying up the courts in frivolous and vexatious
litigation, racking up unnecessary court costs to prove points that are not
exactly earth shattering in law.
“This together with the international cries of wolf by
their activist friends are cause for concern. Their activist friends spread
alarm in this country and abroad and unwittingly (we hope) provides cover for
people who are engaged in these criminal enterprises bringing illegals in and through
this country.”
Another concern expressed by Mitchell was that the court
imposed penalties “do not seem to reflect the policy change made by the
Government when the law was amended to provide for more severe penalties.”
Correctional
Services Recognition Week commences
The Department of Correctional
Services began
‘Correctional Services
Recognition Week’ with a ‘Wall of Remembrance’ commemoration in honour of
fallen comrades on
on Sunday morning, November 29. In the afternoon, the staff participated
in a parade and worshipped at the Annual Church Service at the Myles Munroe Diplomat
Centre, Carmichael Road.
In attendance at the church
service of thanksgiving were Minister of National Security, the Hon. Bernard
Nottage; Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Senator the
Hon. Keith Bell and officers from the Department of Correctional Services.
Minister Nottage addressed the
assembly.
The week of events also featured
Community Outreach to the Homes for the Aged, Awards Luncheon, Art & Craft
Exhibition and a Drill and Display Performance in Pompey Square.
Hanna-Martin hosts Potter’s
Cay re-development town hall meeting
A
Town Meeting was held
Monday evening, November 30, 2015 at the National Center
for the Performing Arts, Shirley Street to discuss the proposed upgrade to the Potter’s
Cay dock.Addressing members of the community in attendance were the Minister
of Transport and Aviation, the Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin and the Member of
Parliament for the Montagu Constituency, Richard Lightbourne.
Nassau Grouper
Season closed
The
Department of Marine Resources advised the general public this week via a press
release that effective the 1st December of each year until the 28th February
of the following year,
the season for the fishing the Nassau Grouper will be closed.
“The
Department of Marine Resources further wishes to advise the public that the
taking, landing, possessing, selling and offering for sale of any fresh Nassau
Grouper will be prohibited during the period 1st December, 2015 to
28th February, 2016 throughout The Bahamas.Further, any
grouper that is caught must be landed with head, tail and skin intact. Persons
found in violation may face a fine of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or
imprisonment to a term of one year or both upon conviction.
“As
practiced in the past, persons possessing Nassau Grouper prior to the
initiation of the closed season are required to make a written declaration of
the quantities of the resource in their possession to the Department of Marine
Resources or in the case of the Family Islands, to their local Fisheries
representatives, the Police or the local Family Island Administrator” said the
statement.
Regional experts in
Nassau to discuss climate change
Regional
concerns about a sustainable approach to the resilience of climate change was
the topic of discussion on November 30th at the Opening Ceremony of the 9th
Annual Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) held at
Melia Resort under the theme "Sustainable Development: Pathway to an
Integrated Agenda for Resilience." Delivering the keynote address was the
Most Hon. P.J. Patterson, former Prime Minister of Jamaica.
"This
conference has become well-known to regional and international stakeholders
engaged in the enhancement of the capacity of the Caribbean to withstand
disasters of all kinds. It is acknowledged as the forum which brings together
the policymakers, the development agencies, stakeholders, the academic gurus
and professional experts for meaningful dialogue in the search to chart a
strategic course of action for the way forward" said Mr. Patterson
Defining
sustainable development based on the Brundtland Commission, Patterson encouraged
regional delegates to take a consolidated approach and pursue collective action
to protect our environment, avert disasters, or at least mitigate the effects
while spurring sustainable development to consistently meet the needs of not
only the current but future generations.
"The
most widely accepted definition is that given by the Report of the Brundtland
Commission in 1987: 'Sustainable development is the kind of development that
meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs.' These 'needs' represent the present and
future economic, social and environmental goals that we set for our
countries," said Mr. Patterson.
Supreme Court orders
Bet Vegas closed
The
Bahamas Gaming Board issued the following statement
Thursday evening on the
Supreme Court ruling in the case of web gaming operator BET VEGAS in its bid to
remain open after failing to a receive a provisional gaming license from the
Bahamas government.
“On
26th October 2015, Mr. Justice Roger Gomez, handed down an ex parte
order giving Bet Vegas Casino liberty to operate until the hearing of an appeal
application and suspending the Gaming Board closure notice dated 19th
October 2015.
“On Tuesday, 1st
December 2015, upon hearing a motion to set aside the 26th October
2015 injunction filed by the Attorney General’s Office, it was ordered that the
ex parte order be set aside with immediate effect.
“The Principal of Bet Vegas,
who was present when the ruling was handed down, has since been advised by the
Gaming Board to cease their operations by Monday 7th December
2015. Further, the public is advised
that as Bet Vegas is not licensed to conduct gaming transactions, they should
not engage in any gaming activities at any Bet Vegas locations and should seek
to retrieve any and all funds held on account with the company.
”
Marathon Bahamas
wins Tourism Impact Award
Marathon Bahamas has won a
Tourism Impact Award for its contribution to the sports tourism world, beating
out Battle 4 Atlantis and Bahamas Speed Week to name a few.
The National Sports Awards were held
recently at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island.
On Monday, Youth, Sports
& Culture Minister Dr. Daniel Johnson presented Sunshine Insurance with the
award at a news conference at the company’s Shirley Street headquarters.
Sunshine Insurance is the lead
organizer and sponsor of the annual endurance event, which made its debut seven
years ago in January 2010.
BIFF welcomes local
and international film makers
International Film Festival (BIFF) kicked off
its list of activities this week with over 35 filmmakers worldwide presenting
their movies, participating in panel discussions, and enjoying some Bahamian hospitality
and culture.
BIFF Founder and Executive Director
Leslie Vanderpool said, “this year’s range of directors coming to the Festival
is extraordinary,” pointing out that film lovers attending BIFF this year will
have the chance to meet and discuss the works of great creative artists as they
mix and mingle with them at BIFF events.
Ticket prices range from $4 for a
general screening, to $25 (advance) or $40 (on the day) for BIFF Opening Night
and Closing Night films “Carol” and “Janis: Little Girl Blue”.
Concluding on
December 12th, BIFF
will screen more than 130 films from 40 different countries including nine
international premieres and 28 Caribbean premieres. All films are Bahamian
premieres with premieres by Bahamian film makers Tyrone Burrows, director of ‘Stone
Shacks one’ and Dean Jacobs who directed ‘Island Dreams.’
New mobile homes for
Crooked Island
NEMA
and Social Services earmarked four RV Mobile Homes for Crooked Island to assist
persons whose homes were completely destroyed by Hurricane Joaquin; three
trailer homes were earmarked for families in Long Island. The trailers left
Nassau by mailboat
on Thursday and are expected to be in the designated Islands
by the weekend.
World AIDS Day
observed
Dr.
Gail Saunders, Deputy to the Governor General, and Minister of Health the Hon.
Dr. Perry Gomez, attended the World AIDS Day Church Service, Tuesday, December
1, 2015 under the theme "Getting to Zero" at St. Matthew's Anglican
Church, Shirley Street. Children of St. Thomas More School performed a
musical selection during the service.
Chinese delegation
in town for Trade Mission
A
delegation from Hubei Province China Trade Mission is in The Bahamas to exchange
ideas on bilateral trade with local Bahamian businesses. The delegation has
already travelled to Grand Bahama to meet with small business owners on that
island. They are now in Nassau, where they have met with several business
owners to discuss and exchange ideas on small businesses, investment and trade
opportunities.
In Passing…
Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs
was sworn-in as Acting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by Dr. Gail Saunders,
Deputy to the Governor General, during a brief ceremony at Government House on
Monday, November 30, 2015.
The Star Sailing League spent this week in Nassau and
will remain until
Saturday (5th December). The league is in town to
sail the final leg of its annual international sailing competition.
On Tuesday
at the Montague shores, a number of local captains and sailors teamed up with
the international sailors and staged a mini regatta using Bahamian sailing sloops.
The official opening ceremony for the final leg of the tourney took place later
in the day at the Nassau Yacht Club. Minister of Agriculture and Marine
Resources, the Hon. Alfred Gray brought brief remarks. A Regatta Conclave will
be held
on Friday evening at the Melia Resort where the Deputy Prime Minister,
the Hon. Philip Davis, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address.
Members of the Board of Trustees of
the Governor General Youth Awards (GGYA) held a press conference at the Hilton
Hotel
on Wednesday of this week to bring greater awareness to the public about the
benefits of involvement in the Governor General's Youth Award. Management
Council Chairman Jack Thompson said that since 1987, over 10,000 young Bahamians
between the ages of 14 and 24 have participated in this program in the
categories of Services, Skills, Physical Recreation and Adventurous Journey;
this represents the highest level of participation among participating
countries. Today there are 51 GGYA units in The Bahamas. The GGYA has scheduled a
Royal Visit to HRH Prince Edward for March 2016.
The
United Nations celebrated Disabled Persons Day on Thursday, 3rd
December 2015. The Bahamas observed this day with a ceremony at the Saint
Joseph’s Parish Center on Boyd Road. Delivering remarks was Financial Services
Minister Hon. Hope Strachan who represented Social Services Minister the Hon.
Melanie Griffin.
Acting
Prime Minister the Hon. Philip Davis traveled to Abaco
on Wednesday of this
week to inspect the progress of ongoing road works on that island. He was
accompanied by South Abaco MP the Hon. Edison Key. He and his delegation then
traveled to North Andros where he toured the Bahamas Agriculture Marine Science
Institute (BAMSI) campus and addressed members of BAMSI’s associated farmers
program. Citing the lessons learned from the fallout of 911 where the United
States government sealed off its borders in the wake of the terrorist attack, he
told farmers that they were playing an important role in bolstering the country’s
food security while earning a “good living” from the local food production
industry.
The
management of the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) conducted a full
scale emergency drill
on Wednesday of this week to heighten the level of airport’s
preparedness in the event of an emergency. It is always good to test the effectiveness
of the emergency response procedures.
Pompey
Square came alive with the spirit of Christmas in the air as a huge sleigh,
lots of Christmas lights and decorations marked the official countdown to
Christmas. This was the brainchild of the executive team at the Ministry of
Tourism under the leadership of Joy Jibrilu, Tourism Director General.
Prime Minister Christie is scheduled to return home
on Friday, 4th December after a two week government business trip
that took him first to Malta where he met with commonwealth heads at the CHOGM.
The Prime Minister and his delegation then flew to Paris for the United Nation’s
COP 21 meetings with global leaders on climate change. Foreign Minister Fred
Mitchell flew from Paris to Grenada
on Thursday (3rd December) where
he is representing the Prime Minister at a CARICOM heads of government meeting to
continue discussions on the future of West Indian Cricket.
About the author: Elcott Coleby is a Deputy Director at the
Bahamas Information Services. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in
Chemistry (B.Sc) and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA). He provides
frequent commentary on public policy and communicates the works of the
government. Address all comments to the following email:
egcoleby44@gmail.com