Hurricane Joaquin pounds the central and southern Bahamas

The biggest news this week in The Bahamas was a destructive force of nature called JOAQUIN. This category four Hurricane brought torrential rain and surges in tides and surfs, causing widespread flooding in the central and southern Bahamas this week. By Thursday, the entire Bahamas was placed on hurricane warning. By Friday, the central and northwest Bahamas remained under a hurricane warning.

Schools in New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco joined the Family Islands schools in being closed on Friday. Banks were closed at 1pm and government departments not delivering essential services were closed at noon.

The Ministry of Tourism, Bahamasair, the National Dug Prescription Plan, the Public Hospital Authority, the Bahamas Electricity Corporation, and the Bahamas Telecommunications Company all implemented their individual hurricane preparedness plans.

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, activated its National Command Center where the agency communicated with the entire leadership of the Royal Bahamas Police Force across The Bahamas. NEMA admitted to some communication challenges with local government officials in some of the Family Island districts.

There was international criticism. The Weather Channel stated that the Doppler Radar System at the Bahamas Meteorology Department was not functioning. The Bahamas Department of Meteorology immediately issued a statement denying this, indicating that its radar system functioned continuously through the storm and any suggestion to the contrary was incorrect.

The Commissioner of Police, Ellison Greenslade, tested the national communications platform during a live press briefing on Thursday afternoon.

Addressing the nation at the live press briefing was Prime Minister Christie who underscored the need for vigilance in the era of global warming and irregular weather patterns. He underscored the need to protect and preserve human life as the primary objective of responders.

The Prime Minister also read a piece of draft legislation that is still in the consultative stage. The proposed policy essentially empowers NEMA to cause for mandatory evacuations if it is determined that areas anywhere in The Bahamas are under serious threats of a natural disaster.

At 2pm, the center of Joaquin was located 45 miles north-northeast of Clarence Town Long Island or 185 miles from New Providence. Maximum sustained winds were 130 MPH. Joaquin was moving northward near five miles per hour with hurricane force winds extending up to 50 miles from the center of the storm and tropical force winds extending up to 205 miles from the center. Storm surges reached as much as six to twelve feet.

Bahamians are encouraged to tune into ZNS radio and television for frequent updates and to communicate all pertinent information from the family islands to NEMA for immediate action. As of Friday, 2^nd October there was no report of personal injuries or loss of life. To God be the glory.

Prime Minister Christie meets with Baha Mar developer

Prime Minister Christie met with the Baha Mar developer Mr. Sarkis Izmirlian on Monday afternoon as promised, characterizing the meeting as “excellent.”

He had spoken with the Chairman of the China State Construction and Engineering Corporation in New York one week earlier and to the president of the China EXIM Bank two days later.

In a statement released shortly after the meeting, the Prime Minister indicated that he was pleased that Mr. Izmirlianhad given assurancesof hiscontinued cooperation with the Provisional Liquidators andof hispreparedness toparticipate in meetings convened by them to explorethe settlementofoutstanding issues between the partiesoncommercially viableterms.

“Mr. Izmirlian, the China EXIM Bank and China State Construction Company haveall reiterated their desire and commitment to complete and open the Baha Mar resort as soon as possible” said Mr. Christie. “This continues to be the primary objective of my Governmentas well.Wecontinue to urge all parties toconscientiously work towards adefinitive settlement of their differencesso thatthe interests of all stakeholders, especially the Bahamian contractors and employees, canbe well and justly served" said the Prime Minister.

URCA announces Spectrum Auction round

This week the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) announced the commencement of the spectrum auction for the selection of the second cellular license holder.

The remaining participating contenders were Cable Bahamas Limited and Virgin Mobile Bahamas Limited. The multi-round Auction process will continue until one bidder concedes in price to the other.

In November of 2014, Prime Minister the Right Honourable Perry G. Christie, the Minister responsible for the Electronic Communications Sector (ECS), decided the method for allocating and pricing cellular mobile spectrum in accordance with Section 30 of the Communications Act, 2009. The Government then initiated acompetitive selection processthat would result in the authorization of one additional cellular provider.

Phase 1 of the process, the technical assessment of proposals, was completed in April 2015. URCA is responsible for the execution of Phase 2 of the process, the auction Phase, on behalf of the Government. At the conclusion of the auction, an announcement will be made in accordance with the process.

The new cellular operator will require an Individual Operating License and an Individual Spectrum License from The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA).

This day in Parliament, Wednesday 30^th September 2015

Below is a summary of the proceedings of the Bahamas Parliament, specifically the House agenda item, “statements by Ministers.” This House summary is released for public information and edification.

The Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Hon. Dr. Daniel Johnson welcomed special guests - local primary school students and 400 meter intermediate hurdle national record holder Jeffrey Gibson. He also won the gold medal in the 2015 Pan Am games and a bronze at the 2015 IAAF track and field championships in Beijing, China last month.

Minister of Transport and Aviation Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin updated the House on the status of category one hurricane Joaquin which is an immediate threat to the Central Bahamas. Long Island, Cat Island, Exuma, Rum Cay and San Salvador are all under hurricane warning and the Northwest Bahamas including Eleuthera, Abaco, Grand Bahama, New Providence, Bimini, the Berry Islands are under hurricane watch.

The Minister urged all Bahamians to be vigilant, tune in to all advisories issued by NEMA and to take all necessary precautions to protect themselves and their property.

Financial Services Minister Hope Strachan read for the first time the following bills: a Bill for the Establishment of The Bahamas Agriculture, Health and Food Safety Authority; a Bill for an Act to Protect and Promote Plant Health; a Bill for an Act to Protect and Promote Animal Health; and a Bill for an Act to Regulate Food Safety and Quality at all stages in the food chain.

Minister of National Security Hon. Dr. Bernard J. Nottage delivered the second reading of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Amendment Bill, referred to as THE SECOND CHANCE BILL in some quarters of Bahamian society. The original bill was legislated into law in 1991. This proposed amendment was first read into the House records during October 2013.

Dr. Nottage advised that under the current law, minor criminal offences remain on a person’s record for seven years from the date of conviction and major criminal offences remain on their record for fourteen years from the date of conviction. The amended law would reduce these times to four and ten years respectively.

“What we are planning to do at this time according to the bill is to reduce the seven year period to four year. That is a reduction of three years. And reduce the fourteen year period to ten years. That’s a reduction of four years although it will not be automatic” explained the Minister.

Dr. Nottage said a rehabilitation of offenders committee will be established “which will set certain standards, certain measurements by which it is determined who would be eligible (to have their criminal records permanently expunged).”

Under the existing law, there are offences for which the applicable criminal records cannot be expunged from the files of those persons convicted. Dr. Nottage listed those offences.

“Under the existing legislation, manslaughter in respect of which five years or more have been imposed on the conviction; murder, possession of drugs with the intent to supply, treason, armed robbery and rape and unlawful carnal knowledge” are the offences that, because of their nature, cannot be expunged from the criminal records of the convicted persons.

Minister of Tourism Hon. Obie Wilchcombe supported the bill. He also drew the attention of House members to an article that appeared in the business section of the Tribune about a series of emails written to him by senior executives of Carnival that he never received ostensibly because the email account used was incorrect. The email found its way into the possession of DNA Leader Branville McCartney who used them to accuse the Minister of ignoring cruise lines warnings in the media.

Wilchcombe questioned the ethics of Mr. McCartney who received a private communication under “questionable” circumstances, only to use the material in the public domain and in the process mislead the public. Wilchcombe said for a man who seeks to lead a nation, McCartney was setting a bad example; the matter was turned over to the police for investigation and he demanded a public apology from Mr. McCartney.

Mitchell at the 70^th anniversary of the United Nations

Covering a wide range of international themes on Thursday was Bahamas Foreign Minister Hon. Fred Mitchell as he addressed the 70^th Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, juvenile gangs, irregular migration, firearms trafficking, the economy, gender equality, the disabled and climate change were just a few of topics and existential threats covered in a speech that lasted less than twenty minutes.

While acknowledging the enormous value of tourism to the continued viability of Caribbean economies, Mitchell pointed out the urgency in seizing control of some of the existential threats that feed criminality in The Bahamas and the region.

“The Caribbean region including The Bahamas provides a tourist experience unparalleled in the world.

“But the world must pay attention to the underlying development issues that face the region, lest that benefit be threatened. We must stop the escalating crime and violence from drug trafficking, human trafficking and smuggling, and juvenile gangs. That is why we have been so strong in our support of the Small Arms Trade Treaty. The carnage of our young people because of the easy availability of guns to young males in particular, is not acceptable and is unsustainable.

“The Bahamas was pleased to have participated actively in the recent First Conference of States Party to the Arms Trade Treaty held in Mexico in August last. While we are disappointed that the ATT Secretariat will not be located in our region in our sister CARICOM country of Trinidad and Tobago, we nevertheless, are committed to the full and effective implementation of the ATT. We call on the producers of these weapons to do more though to stop their illegal export to your region and end the carnage. As Mr. Manley rightly pointed it out, the developed world will not be immune if the matter is not brought under control” said Mitchell.

Pre-Paid debit cards distributed in North Andros

North Andros became the first Family Island community to receive Pre-Paid Visa Cards Tuesday , when 168 clients who have qualified for the Department of Social Services Food Assistance Programme received their cards “fully loaded and ready to be used immediately.”

North Androsians joined more than 6,000 persons in New Providence and Grand Bahama who currently receive this assistance.

Launched in New Providence in November, 2014, the reloadable Pre-paid Visa Card is the first phase of the Government of The Bahamas’ Social Safety Net Programme.

Persons with enduring and genuine economic hardships, low-income wage earners, senior citizens, persons with disabilities on a fixed income, and the unemployed qualify for this public assistance.

Tuesday’s launch in Morgan’s Bluff, allows the Government of The Bahamas, through the Ministry of Social Services and Community Development and the Department of Social Services, to move another step closer towards its goal of ensuring timely access to this assistance while streamlining operations and reducing operating costs.

“The Pre-Paid Card offers clients the opportunity to shop with dignity while empowering families to lead a better way of life,” Mrs. Griffin said. “We have partnered with industry professionals and merchants to offer our clients a variety of shopping options when using the Pre-Paid Card.

Used in many countries in the region and around the world, the pre-paid debit card forms part of the Conditional Cash Transfer Program. It is a component of the reformed Social Safety Net Programme, intended to modernize the entire social assistance delivery machinery.

Strachan applauds strategic plan for BBSQ

Minister of Financial Services, Hon. Strachan addressed an international consultancy on standards and quality this past Monday. She pointed out that the development of the Bahamas Bureau of Standards Quality (BBSQ), updated legislation and a strategic plan were consistent with the government’s mandate to meet international standards, reduce technical barriers to trade; comply with the WTO membership requirements and modernize the sector’s infrastructure in support of the economic growth and development of The Bahamas. The second consultancy is scheduled for Friday, 2^nd October 2015.

Specifically, the updated legislation is designed to comply with World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (WTO TBT) Agreement and international best practices and finalize the three-year (2016-2018) Strategic Plan for the BBSQ. Both consultancies are focused on strengthening the institutional capacity of the BBSQ.

In passing…

Sunday past, the 27^th September was World Tourism Day and under the theme “one billion visitors, one billion opportunities,” Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe extolled the virtues of sustainability as he urged Bahamian entrepreneurs to build greater linkages between other industries such as agriculture and our fledging lumber industry and tourism to further diversity The Bahamas’ economy. He characterized the turnaround in tourism in just three short years as “meteoric” and thanked all of the relevant stakeholders who made it possible. He also applauded their “no-quit” attitude and “indomitable spirit” in building the country’s tourism plant, product and securing the country’s “Top Brand” award.

In his effort to use his international platform to promote religious tourism, Bishop Neil Ellis invited twenty journalists to The Bahamas to experience firsthand our country’s product offerings, including a trip to the place of his birth, Bimini. The journalists report for media outlets serving a predominantly African American readership and audience. The journalists along with Ms. Sherri Shepard, one of the hosts of The View, met with Prime Minister Christie recently an ahead of the release of her latest movie.

The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) International conference was held in The Bahamas on Thursday of this week and marks the first time this conference was held outside of the United States and Canada. The LETR campaign is the largest of its kind that raises funds for the Special Olympics. On hand to show his support was Prime Minister Christie.

The Straw Market Authority held its 3^rd annual Vendors Appreciation and Recognition ceremony on Thursday, 1^st October at the Authority on Bay Street. In attendance to pay tribute and thank the vendors were Prime Minister Christie and Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis.

Princess Ann made an official visit to The Bahamas this week. She met with the Head of State, the Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling and was feted to a reception at Government House attended by the Prime Minister, the Attorney General and the Youth and Sports Minister. She also participated in the gold youth awards ceremony there. Princess Anne is the president of the Caribbean Canada Emerging Leaders’ Dialogue (CCELD). Her arrival in The Bahamas on Sunday, 27^th September 2015 marked the first stop of her tour.

With voter registration for the 2017 general elections set to begin on Monday, 5^th October 2015, Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall said he expects as much as 20,000 up voters to be placed on the new register. More than 176,000 voters are on the current register which expires in July 2016.

Good news came out of a plane crash on Monday in waters near Chub Cay when all four of the male passengers onboard the plane survived. The men were onboard a Piper Aztec that crashed one half mile off Chub Cay near Diamond Rock after the aircraft experienced engine trouble. In other news, another small plane crash landed at the Grand Bahama International Airport on Wednesday.

Local businessman, philanthropist and former president of the Bahamas Petroleum Retailers Association, Kenneth Vernon Perigord passed away on Monday afternoon at the age of 68. May his soul rest in peace.

A welcome reception was held on Tuesday at Government House for the chair of the African Union Commission and South Africa Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma. The South African Foreign Minister was visiting The Bahamas. Also in attendance to welcome Mrs. Dlamini-Zuma were the Prime Minister Christie, Deputy Prime Minister Davis, Foreign Minister Mitchell, Attorney General Maynard-Gibson, Minister for Financial Services, Hon. Hope Strachan and Parliamentary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Cleola Hamilton.

Campbell Shipping Company Limited received delivery of a new 37,500 dead weight ton dry-bulk carrier, September 29, 2015. Wife of the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Mrs. Bernadette Christie, sponsor of the new vessel, was invited to break a bottle of champagne and officially name the vessel at the Imabari Shipyard of Imabari, Japan. After the ceremony Mrs. Christie toured the vessel with Company officials and other special guests.

Tourism Minister the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe revealed this week that the government, via the Gaming Board, will issue conditional gaming licensees on the 15^th October 2015. Nine companies have applied for licenses and the ones not issued licenses on October 15 will have to shut down.

A three-year Industrial Agreement was signed between the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) and the Bahamas Communications Public Managers Union (BCPMU) on September 28th at the BTC Headquarters on JFK Drive, Nassau

National Youth Month was announced this week by Youth and Sports Minister, Hon. Daniel Johnson. A number of activities are planned to highlight the contributions of youth to the development of The Bahamas.

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