NASSAU, Bahamas -- Minister of National Security, the Hon. Bernard Nottage, MP, toured Bahamas Striping’s work site on Carmichael Road on Thursday and said he was pleased to see the Christie’s election promise to put Bahamians first was a success and working. Nottage learnt about Bahamas Striping’s plans to hire and train up to 40 young Bahamians by end of 2013 and about the company’s expansion into other road maintenance services.
In South West Plaza Minister Nottage met with five new Bahamas Striping trainees, all previously jobless, who began training four weeks ago at Old Fort Bay Shopping Center. Nottage praised Mitchell for sharing his success by training young Bahamians. When asked how it felt to see the Christie government’s pro-Bahamians policy working, Nottage replied “good, good, good.”
Mitchell claims that were it not for the government’s sincere desire to deliver on its election promise to put Bahamians first, these young men would not have jobs or careers. Mitchell was able to hire them because the Christie government policy to put Bahamians first was real and the fact that his company was starting to get government work, which might previously have gone to foreign owned or the larger Bahamian companies was proof positive of the policy in operation.
“Last year we decided to expand and invest because we felt sure the PLP government would deliver on its promise. Now we see its policy coming true. We’re getting more work that used to go to foreigners. So we have the confidence to hire and train young Bahamians to tap into this $4.5 million demand that we expect in the next five years,” said Mitchell.
“We took a risk on expensive training to be ready for any public roads jobs. Now the jobs have started coming in and we expect the frequency of bids to grow much greater. These five additional guys are just the start. We expect to create 40 more new jobs by year end. They’ll be trained, not only in striping, but as we diversify into new services such as production of wheel stops, construction of sidewalks and highway cleaning, they will have the opportunity to acquire those skills as well,” said Mitchell. “This country needs a lot of striping and drains maintenance.
NASSAU, Bahamas -- On Friday, February 1, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires John Dinkelman announced the five recipients of the 2012 President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Small Grants Program during a ceremony following a one-hour roundtable discussion held at the U.S. Embassy.
The program is part of the Caribbean Regional Partnership Framework against HIV/AIDS and focuses on prevention activities that encourage communities across The Bahamas to cooperate in the fight against the epidemic.
During the presentation, Chargé Dinkelman congratulated this year’s grant recipients and reiterated the Embassy’s continued commitment to partnering with the people of The Bahamas in the global fight to end HIV/AIDS.
Since 2009, the U.S. Embassy has provided local organizations with more than $104,000 in PEPFAR funding to support HIV/AIDS related community-based projects on New Providence, Grand Bahama and the Family Islands. This year, the U.S. Embassy received a record number of dynamic proposals from various non-governmental organizations throughout The Bahamas that target the most at-risk populations and those engaging in high risk behavior.
The five groups selected received grants totaling more than $18,000 to assist with initiatives to combat HIV/AIDS.
While a Jamaican-accented Volkswagen commercial received much of the attention in the lead-up to the Super Bowl, the Bahamas unveiled a tourism commercial after halftime.
The multimillion-dollar spot, which featured former Los Angeles Lakers star Rick Fox, who grew up in the Bahamas, and illusionist David Copperfield, was called “Behold.” Also featured was Bahamian model Shakara Ledard.
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Copperfield owns his own island, Musha Cay, which includes a private resort.
“Behold, sand so soft every step is like a stroll among the clouds,” the narrator says in the spot. “Behold, water so blue it seems to merge with the sky above.”
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- Key officials of The Grand Bahama Authority, Limited (GBPA) are currently in Panama on a week-long trade mission to attract new business to Grand Bahama. This marketing thrust is part of a collaborative effort between GBPA, the Ministry for Grand Bahama, Ministry of Financial Services and Trade, Hutchison Port Holdings, and The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce to find ways to bring additional foreign direct investment to the island.
“The importance of government and private sector relationships is critical to Grand Bahama’s future economic success,” stated GBPA President, Ian Rolle from Panama. “We just concluded a successful marketing initiative at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit in Los Angeles last week along with The Hon. Khaalis Rolle, Minister of State for Investments and Bahamas Investment Authority officials. Now, we’re pleased to be part of yet another joint delegation as we seek out opportunities for investment within the Latin American market.”
During their Panama visit, members of the Bahamian delegation will visit the Panama Canal, Colon Free Zone and Panama Pacifica with the aim of identifying joint ventures and new supply sources. Thus far, talks have been held to discuss possible ventures as it relates to the Freeport harbour and logistics transportation, as well as meetings with key Colon Free Trade Zone executives and Industry and Trade government officials for Panama.
“Discussions have been fruitful and we are optimistic that many of the industries being advanced in Panama can definitely be done in Freeport,” Rolle added. “The Port Authority is firmly committed to positioning Grand Bahama as a dominant trade hub for Latin America.”
NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes congratulated the Bahamas National Pride Association and the Ministry of Education for the presentation of the 17th occasion of the Clean Campus Awards Ceremony, held January 30 in the Grounds at Government House.
"I congratulate both the Association and the Ministry for this remarkable achievement which helps to increase the awareness of our citizens of our physical environment, the need to beautify our surroundings and to promote cleanliness and national pride," said the Governor General.
Sir Arthur said that the overall objective of these awards celebrations is to inculcate, at an early age, positive attitudes and behaviour amongst our youth from Kindergarten through Grades 12 and lifelong habits of cleanliness, responsible environmental behaviour and national pride.
"The theme for this year's Clean Campus Competition, "Forward, Upward, Onward, Together with Excellence and National Pride", is most appropriate as we embark upon our 40th anniversary as an independent nation," said Sir Arthur. "We are here today to recognise the winning schools for displaying and setting standards of environmental pride and excellence by keeping their school grounds and campuses clean, green and pristine."
