business@tribunemedia.net
Tuesday, augusT 11, 2026
$ 6.75
$ 6.54
$ 6.75
Bahamas ‘clearly ahead’ over shipping clean energy switch BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE BAHAMAS was yesterday hailed as “a strong leader” in the Caribbean on the shipping industry’s transition to cleaner fuel and energy sources, with Nassau Cruise Port’s top executive yesterday asserting this nation will be “clearly ahead” of all rivals by 2027. Michael Maura told Tribune Business that the Government’s energy reforms and climate change policies have “laid the foundation” for The Bahamas to lead the region in switching to greener fuel and cleaner on-shore power sources “without a nickel” of taxpayer monies having to be spent due to the enabling climate for private sector investment. He identified, in particular, the Island Power Producers project on Arawak Cay that is constructing a 70 mega watt (MW) power plant to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelled electricity to ships docked at Nassau Cruise Port as a facility that can further accelerate The Bahamas’ transition by also providing shore power to vessels at Nassau Container Port, the island’s main commercial shipping location, This possibility was outlined by a just-released report from the Trinidad-based consultancy, Kenesjay Green, conducted on behalf of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA), which ranked The Bahamas as being among the “most advanced” Caribbean nations in efforts to reduce the shipping industry’s climate change impact
Public Accounts Committee to also proble National Investment Fund’s $265m Pintard voices suspicion some of drawdown used for spending prior to vote
Regional study puts among top for shore power, clean fuel drive
through providing ‘green fuel bunkering’ and clean ‘shore side power’ to docked vessels. The study, which has been seen by Tribune Business, named The Bahamas as a leader alongside Barbados
Adds that Grand Cay residents without BPL electricity supply for seventh day
MICHAEL MAURA
BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
when it came to possessing the necessary laws, regulations and policies for reducing the shipping industry’s carbon emissions, as well as “emerging readiness” in the adoption of cleaner shore power through the Island Power Producers project. And the report also identified The Bahamas’ “enabling legislation and a mature conventional bunkering
PARLIAMENT’S spending watchdog will today probe whether $1.5m worth of building vouchers were used to influence voters in the May 12 general election as the Opposition’s leader voiced suspicions the National Investment Fund’s $265m may have been used for similar purposes. Michael Pintard told Tribune Business he did not accept the Government’s explanation that the drawdown of the Fund’s $265.3m, leaving a remaining balance of jiust $200,000 at endMarch 2026, was to finance multiple Family Island airport upgrades. Besides the short three-month window in which this was done, he again accused the Davis administration of a lack of transparency by failing
VESSEL - See Page B4
NASSAU CONTAINER PORT
LPIA transport rules unchanged amid fresh driver confrontation BY ANNELIA NIXON TRIBUNE Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net THE MINISTRY of Transport yesterday warned taxi, livery and tour operators that existing rules at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) remain in force amid competing accounts over a proposed two-week trial that threatens to deepen a long-running dispute. The Ministry, in a statement issued amid renewed tensions at the airport yesterday, said it remains committed to finding a workable solution but warned that disruptions to airport operations will not be tolerated. “These issues cannot be resolved without co-operation from all sides. Unfortunately, one of the challenges has been getting all stakeholders to sit in the same room and engage constructively,” it added The statement came as Tory Austin, the Bahamas Livery Drivers Union (BLDU) president, disputed claims that an agreement had been reached with the Government for a two-week trial changing the way taxi and livery operators function at the airport. Mr Austin said the livery union remains in discussions with the Government and other stakeholders, and insisted that no trial has been agreed upon. “I cannot speak to that because we know nothing of that,” he said. “I don’t know about no two-week trial. I don’t know about no trial. One-week trial. Twoweek trial. No trial I know about. “All I can tell you is we are in discussions. We’re having continued meetings with all of the partners that are necessary, that needs to be involved, and no decision or no final decision, no trial, no nothing, has ever been in place at this point.” Mr Austin’s comments directly challenge the account given by Tyrone Butler, the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union’s president. He has asserted that, following a meeting with Leon Lundy, minister of transport last week, it was agreed that livery operators would no longer stand alongside taxi drivers
DRIVING - See Page B6
$ 6.89
Spending watchdog to investigate $1.5m pre-election vouchers
Cruise port chief hails nation as ‘strong leader’ in Caribbean
But brands Nassau Container Port opportunity as ‘medium term’
$ 6.60
$2m marina project ‘won’t compete’ with Potter’s Cay BY FAY SIMMONS TRIBUNE Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net THE MARINA developer targeting a Nassau harbourfront location just west of Potter’s Cay said he plans to invest more than $2m in the project while promising vendors it will generate extra business rather than compete with them. Larune Russell, president of the proposed Blu Cay Marina
development, told Potter’s Cay business owners last night that the project will focus primarily on tour boat operators, particularly those who he said have difficulty securing space at other Nassau marinas. He rejected concerns that the development will worsen traffic congestion or take business away from existing vendors. The meeting gave Mr Russell an opportunity to directly address concerns raised publicly in recent weeks over the proposed 25-slip marina,
including its impact on traffic, parking, competition, environmental issues and the identity of the project's investor. Mr Russell said he is the sole investor behind the development and described the project as both a business venture and a personal investment in an area with which he has a long-standing connection. “I’m just a sole investor. I always had a vision for it,” he said, explaining that he had started working in the area as
Digital wallet screening to put Bahamas ‘in step’ with world BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE SECURITIES Commission’s top executive yesterday said the proposed “screening” of licensees’ digital asset wallets will bring The Bahamas’ “in step with global best practice” and ensure they are being used properly. Christina Rolle, the regulator’s executive director, told Tribune Business that the its draft ‘wallet information collection and screening policy’, which was released last Thursday for consultation and feedback with the digital assets and wider Bahamian financial services industry, is focused on facilities operated by licensees rather than those of their private clients.
CHRISTINA ROLLE She explained that the proposal will impose an obligation on Digital Assets and Regulated Exchanges (DARE) Act licensees to provide information on their own wallets - the assets they contain, where they were sourced from and what they will be used for - when three specific events or circumstances occur. These are the initial application to be licensed and registered in The Bahamas; within ten days of a “material change” that retires or alters a specific wallet, including the transfer of assets between wallets; and when annually affirming “the completeness and currency” of records submitted to the Securities Commission.
OVERSIGHT - See Page B5
MICHAEL PINTARD to identify the specific airports where the funds were invested and the respective “scope of works”. And, when asked whether he believed some of the $265m may have been used to finance pre-election spending, given that the draw down took place just months before the May 12 vote, the Opposition leader replied: “Without question. Definitely.” Mr Pintard told this newspaper that the
SEARCH - See Page B5 a packing boy for the former City Markets at age 11. Mr Russell said those early experiences at the waterfront, including interacting with fishing boat operators, mailboat workers and vendors, helped shape his appreciation for Potter’s Cay and influenced his decision to invest in the area. “When you’re young, you remember these things. They stick with you,” he explained. Mr Russell said he was concerned by the condition of parts of the waterfront, including sunken vessels and what he described as activities that have contributed to a negative image of the area.
CONSTRUCT - See Page B3
PAGE 2, Tuesday, August 11, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
We owe Andros crash victims learning for safety oversight BY CAPTAIN RANDY BUTLER Dear Editor, The Tribune’s front-page reporting on the preliminary investigation into the fatal accident near San Andros on Independence Day understandably raises serious questions for the travelling public and the aviation community. The preliminary information establishes important facts about the aircraft’s final approach and impact sequence, but it does not yet determine why the accident occurred. That distinction should remain central to the public discussion. A preliminary accident report is not a determination of probable cause, nor should it be used to assign responsibility to a pilot, operator, regulator, maintenance organisation, air traffic service provider
THE LETTER TO
EDITOR
or any other person or organisation before the investigation has been completed. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority should be allowed to perform its responsibilities independently, professionally and objectively. Accident investigation serves an essential safety purpose - not the apportionment of blame, but establishing what occurred, understanding the circumstances and contributing factors, and identifying lessons capable of preventing recurrence. At the same time, prevention
Water Corp’s debt to top provider slashed by $5m BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE MAIN water provider for the Water & Sewerage Corporation’s New Providence customers yesterday revealed that the debt owed by the latter was slashed by more than $5m or 21.4 percent during the three months to end-June 2026. Consolidated Water, whose shares are listed on the Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) as Bahamian Depository Receipts (BDRs), revealed in just-disclosed filings with the US Securities &
Exchange Commission (SEC) that the outstanding sums due from the Water & Sewerage Corporation for supplies sourced from its two New Providence reverse osmosis plants had been cut from the $23.9m at end-March 2026. The remaining $18.8m is also lower than the $20.7m owed by the state-owned water utility to Consolidated Water at year-end 2025, signalling that Bahamian taxpayers have been called upon to inject further subsidies to help pay down the Water & Sewerage Corporation’s debt. However, almost twothirds, or 64 percent, of the remaining $18.8m - around
should not begin only when the final report is published. The absence of a final ‘probable cause’ determination does not prevent the wider aviation system from examining whether existing surveillance information, occurrence histories, maintenance data, operational trends and other safety intelligence reveal risks that warrant attention now. A mature aviation safety system continually asks whether information already available to the state could reveal emerging risks. Accident and incident reports, surveillance findings, maintenance information, operational events, confidential safety reports and other safety data should not simply remain in separate files. Collectively, they should contribute to an integrated picture of national aviation risk. This requires us to ask important questions:
* Are recurring accidents and incidents being analysed for common trends?
* And are the regulator, accident investigation authority, air navigation services, airports and operators exchanging safety information effectively enough to recognise developing risks before they result in another serious occurrence?
These are not accusations against any organisation or individual. They are questions that an effective State Safety Oversight System should routinely ask of itself. Certification is an essential part of aviation regulation, but certification alone does not guarantee continuing safety performance. An Air Operator Certificate, Certificate of Airworthiness, licence or other approval confirms that established requirements have been satisfied at a particular point in the regulatory process. The greater responsibility is ensuring that those standards continue to be met through effective surveillance, competent personnel, sound maintenance, training, operational discipline, occurrence reporting, risk analysis and timely corrective action. The tragedy in Andros should therefore encourage a broader
$12.5m - was yesterday described by Consolidated Water as “delinquent”, likely meaning that it has 90 days or more past due. The BISX-listed water supplier, in its 10-Q filing with the US SEC, said: “Consolidated Water Bahamas’ accounts receivable balances, which include accrued interest, due from the Water & Sewerage Corporation amounted to $18.8m and $20.7m as of June 30, 2026, and December 31, 2025, respectively. “Approximately 64 percent and 71 percent of the accounts receivable balances were delinquent as of those dates, respectively. The delay in collecting these accounts receivable has adversely impacted the liquidity of this subsidiary. “From time to time, including presently, Consolidated Water Bahamas
has experienced delays in collecting its accounts receivable from the Water & Sewerage Corporation. When these delays occur, we hold discussions and meetings with representatives of the Water & Sewerage Corporation and the Government of The Bahamas,” Consolidated Water added. “All previous delinquent accounts receivable from the Water & Sewerage Corporation, including accrued interest thereon, were eventually paid in full. Based upon this payment history, we have not provided for a material allowance for credit losses for Consolidated Water Bahamas’ accounts receivable from the Water & Sewerage Corporation as of June 30, 2026, or prior periods. “We continue to be in frequent contact with
officials of The Bahamas government, who continue to express their intention to significantly reduce Consolidated Water Bahamas’ delinquent accounts receivable balances. However, we are unable to determine when or if such reduction will occur.” As to the consequences for the cash flow and liquidity of its Bahamian subsidiary, Consolidated Water added: “If Consolidated Water Bahamas is unable to collect a sufficient portion of its delinquent accounts receivable, one or more of the following events may occur. “Consolidated Water Bahamas may not have sufficient liquidity to meet its obligations; we may be required to cease the recognition of revenue on Consolidated Water Bahamas’ water supply
* Are operators receiving surveillance appropriate to their operations and risk profiles? * Are aircraft maintenance and continuing airworthiness programmes being effectively monitored? * Are inspectors sufficiently trained, experienced and resourced? * When safety concerns are identified, is corrective action followed through and verified as effective?
national discussion focused not on premature blame, but on prevention. The families who lost loved ones deserve a thorough and independent investigation. The aviation community deserves the opportunity to learn from its findings. And the travelling public deserves confidence that legitimate safety lessons are identified and acted upon. We owe those families something more meaningful than speculation. We owe them learning. We owe the travelling public effective oversight. And we owe future passengers and crews a commitment to use safety information before another accident occurs. The ultimate measure of an accident investigation should not simply be whether we eventually understand the accident that happened. It should be whether what we learned helps us prevent the next one. Respectfully, Captain Randy L. Butler, ATP principal consultant Aviation Safety & Security Consultants Ltd Former aviation safety inspector agreements with the Water & Sewerage Corporation; and we may be required to significantly increase our allowance for credit losses for Consolidated Water Bahamas’ accounts receivable. Any of these events could have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Consolidated Water, meanwhile, has begun to supply the Water & Sewerage Corporation’s Cat Island customers with water from two new reverse osmosis plants now commissioned and online. “The Cat Island contract expires in 2041 and requires the two plants located in Bennett’s Harbour and New Bight to deliver 504,000 gallons of water each week
REDUCE - See Page B6
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, August 11, 2026, PAGE 3
Ex-Club Med site’s $200m revival eyes mid-2027 start BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE DEVELOPER bidding to revive Eleuthera’s former Club Med property is targeting a mid-2027 construction start for the $200m-$250m project featuring a boutique hotel and 100 residences. Myles Ahead Ltd, headed by Bahamian businessman Anthony Myers, the Bahamas Hot Mix chairman and founder, and James Lyle, founder of Lyford Cay-based investment management firm, Fulmar Advisors, said in a statement that it is aiming for a partial opening in 2029 with full completion of the redevelopment occurring in 2030. Speaking out following last Thursday’s meeting with Governor’s Harbour and Eleuthera residents over its “five star” resort and residences proposal,
Myles Ahead said its plans presently call for a 40-60 key hotel and “up to” 100 residences on a 93-acre site that will be constructed via a phased approach. It had previously billed the August 6 meeting, held at Workers House in Governor's Harbour, as a “a listening session” where it would “share its vision for the site” of the original French Leave estate, which later became the Club Med resort, and invite residents to help shape the project’s development. The event lasted two-and-a-half hours, and was attended by 150 persons, who both voiced support for the project and raised concerns. Myles Ahead said key questions centred on beach access, infrastructure and the pace of development. Some residents also provided recommendations about economic inclusion, community investments and programmes the project could support,.
Vendors Association backs planned marina investment CONSTRUCT - from page B1 “This has such good history and is not being really held up,” he said. “I want to hopefully be some type of empowerment to that, and try and bring back the good old Potter’s Cay.” A key concern raised about the proposed marina has been whether additional vehicles and boat traffic would worsen congestion around Potter’s Cay, particularly on busy mailboat days. Mr Russell rejected that concern, arguing that the development’s traffic patterns would not significantly overlap with existing mailboat activity. “It cannot add congestion because we’re not a spot where there’s any stopping to offload or unload,” he said. “If you’re going into the marina parking area to the front, you’re simply waiting on a line that exists.” Mr Russell said the marina would primarily cater to tour boat operators who typically leave in the morning before the heavier mailboat activity begins. “If we’re catering, as we intend to cater, to mostly tour boat operators, they’re going to be leaving from that tour boat marina around 8am, 9am,” said Mr Russell. “The mailboat traffic doesn’t start until 10, 11 o’clock.” He added that the development has secured overflow parking that would be dedicated to vessel operators, with the facility to be monitored by CCTV and controlled access. On competition, Mr Russell said the development would not operate a restaurant or food business that would directly compete with Potter’s Cay vendors. He said an initially-proposed deli had been
misunderstood, explaining that it was intended primarily to provide coffee and light breakfast items for early-morning boaters. “My intention is to be no kind of competition; to sell no food or what you sell,” Mr Russell said. “We ourselves would probably have a souveniur shop... But again, there’s no competition from us outside of us wanting to sell coffee.” Mr Russell said the development would instead seek to direct visitors toward existing vendors and help them capitalise on additional tourist traffic. He envisioned partnerships with tour boat operators, including arrangements that could encourage their passengers to visit Potter’s Cay vendors, while also proposing business and marketing initiatives to help existing operators increase their revenues. “We intend not to just be developing. We intend to figure out how we could be a contribution to you,” Mr Russell said. Part of that effort, he said, would include a welcome centre at the marina where representatives of the Potter’s Cay Vendors Association could help introduce visitors to the businesses and products available in the area. The development would also include amenities intended to improve the wider waterfront experience, including cabanas and spaces for dominoes and checkers players. Mr Russell said he wanted the project to enhance the area without stripping away its local character. “I want you to make that commercial money, but keep this native feel,” he said. Mr Russell added that the marina would provide overnight docking and would specifically welcome
The developer said it pledged public beach access at French Leave beach will increase from four points of access to five, with enhanced, paved pathways and new facilities for residents and visitors alike. “[It] was exactly what we hoped for,” said Mr Myers of the meeting. “We came to listen, and to ensure that the community understood our vision for the project included increased and enhanced beach access at French Leave Beach. We also learned about the community's priorities and concerns, and that's exactly the kind of engagement we held this Town Hall to facilitate, and we're grateful for it.” “We came to the community in the early stages of this project to hear the real questions about beach access, about infrastructure, about what this project will mean for daily life here, and we take all of it seriously,” said Dr Alyson Myers, a
Bahamian marine scientist and member of the development team. “This is the start of an ongoing conversation, not the end of one, and as we build out more of our commitments around training, entrepreneurship and community development, we will continue our engagement with Central Eleuthera.” The former Club Med site has been abandoned for more than 26 years since Hurricane Floyd’s passage in 1999. “When Club Med was open it employed more than 300 people directly. It was the breadbasket of central Eleuthera,” said Austin Knowles, a long-time resident of Central Eleuthera who attended the Town Hall. “When it closed in 1999, many workers migrated to the Club Med in San Salvador or were scattered across The Bahamas looking for employment. After listening
tour boat operators who he claimed are sometimes unable to secure space at other marinas. “We want that tour boat to feel welcome there, that he can dock there at night and still carry his guests and bring them back at that same dock,” he said. Mr Russell said the project would involve more than the marina itself, with the marina structure expected to take about a year to a year-and-a-half to complete and other planned improvements targeted within a two-year period. He said the total investment is expected to be “around $2m-plus, up over $2m”. Environmental concerns were also raised during the consultation process. The project’s environmental consultant, Janeen Bullard of JSS Consulting, said the development would be subject to environmental monitoring during construction and dredging, including the use of turbidity curtains and regular testing of water conditions. Mr Russell stressed the development was not approved for fuel sales and would not operate a fuel facility. The proposed marina is expected to have 20 slips available for its operations, according to Mr Russell, with the wider plan also including dry storage for jet skis. He said the development is being designed around the needs of tour boat operators rather than as a conventional marina catering primarily to private boat owners.
Mr Russell said the project would require years to recoup its investment, but argued that its value extended beyond its financial return. “It’s more so a personal thing for me,” he said, describing his long-standing connection to the waterfront and his desire to see Potter’s Cay regain some of the character he remembers from his youth. The Potter’s Cay Fish, Fruit and Vegetable Vendors Association has welcomed the proposed development. Ormanique Bowe, its president, said the group had decided to partner with Blu Cay Development, describing Mr Russell as a young Bahamian who had grown up in the area and whose vision could help enhance the community. “We welcome the new extension to this area and will work hand in hand so that tourist vendors and natives can enjoy what Potter’s Cay has to offer,” said Ms Bowe. The Association also pointed to its own broader vision for the redevelopment of Potter’s Cay, which it claimed to have presented to the current administration in 2023. Ms Bowe said the Association believes relocating mailboat operations to Arawak Cay would create
TO ADVERTISE TODAY IN THE TRIBUNE CALL @ 502-2394
tonight, I wholeheartedly support this project. “It will give Eleutherans a chance to come home and build their lives through business ownership and employment. Young Eleutherans who are graduating or looking for employment will have the option to stay here and build their communities. This is what our community needs.” Myles Ahead added that Thursday's town hall was the first of several community engagements as the project moves forward, with additional opportunities for public input to be announced. “This doesn't end with one meeting,” said Mr Myers. “We're looking forward to continuing to engage with this community every step of the way.” The Central Bank last November described the Myles Ahead project as having an all-in cost or value of $180.1m, including the hotel and residential components, along with supporting infrastructure, soft costs at market value and land acquisition expenses. Based on the figures given by the developer, that investment outlay seems to have increased. Myles Ahead had previously pledged to Tribune
Business that it will preserve beach access and rights of way for Bahamians and the local community after concerns over this issue resurfaced. And it also confirmed that it is in a legal fight with the nearby French Leave Resort over allegations relating to “dune destruction” and property access, although it declined to give further details. “For clarity, Myles Ahead has no intention of eliminating public beach access. Public access to the beach will be maintained as part of the proposed development. Our intention is to provide access in an environmentally-responsible manner, including properly designed elevated wooden walkways over sensitive dune areas. This will allow residents and visitors to reach the beach without trampling vegetation, destabilising the dunes or contributing to further erosion,” Myles Ahead said. “On the question of legal action involving French Leave Resort, there is a matter presently before the courts relating to dune destruction and access across the property. As it remains before the courts, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further on it at this time.”
room for additional stalls, a family entertainment area, an entertainment stage, high-end shops and a cultural square. The Association’s proposed redevelopment vision extends from the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge
to Potter’s Cay, and is intended to address what Ms Bowe described as the area’s growing congestion and deterioration while expanding its commercial and cultural potential.
PAGE 4, Tuesday, August 11, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Gov’t policy, Arawak Cay LNG plant lay foundation to speed green switch VESSEL - from page B1 sector” as providing the building blocks for supplying cleaner “green fuels” to shipping traffic although the necessary port infrastructure is not yet in place to permit this. All other Caribbean states also lack the required port systems, with this nation again ranked among the most ready in this area alongside Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago. “From a legislative, regulatory and policy standpoint, Barbados and The Bahamas are identified as the most advanced with aligned climate, energy and maritime frameworks. Barbados is the only country with binding port-specific cold-ironing regulations, while The Bahamas benefits from strong national climate and energy legislation and a mature bunkering sector,” the Kenesjay Green study said. “Shore side power readiness across the region remains low overall, with no berth-level infrastructure installed at any assessed port. Common constraints include the absence of ship-to-shore electrical interfaces, unassessed or insufficient distribution-level grid capacity, high capital costs relative to uncertain vessel demand and limited co-ordination between ports and national utilities. “Emerging readiness is observed only in Barbados
and The Bahamas. Barbados has enacted binding cold-ironing regulations and strong port governance frameworks, but grid capacity and electricity cost constraints limit near-term feasibility. The Bahamas benefits from national energy reforms and planned LNG-based power generation adjacent to port areas, creating a credible medium-term pathway for shore side power, though port level execution is not yet in place.” The Kenesjay Green report highlighted, in particular, highlighted the potential additional benefits that could flow from the $180m Island Power Producers development, which will supply LNG fuelled electricity via an underwater cable linking its Arawak Cay power plant to the Nassau Cruise Port and the ships berthed there on a daily basis. This is designed to reduce the cruise industry’s carbon emissions, and global warming/climate change impact, when running engines and generators in-port. “At Arawak Cay, adjacent to Nassau Container Port, new energy infrastructure is under development, including LNG-based power generation intended primarily to serve cruise operations and the national grid. While not currently integrated into Nassau Container Port operations, this infrastructure represents
a potential enabling asset for future port electrification initiatives,” the report asserted. “While there are no confirmed plans for shore-side electricity or green fuel bunkering infrastructure at Nassau Container Port, the proximity of new power assets and the country’s broader energy transition agenda create a credible pathway for future consideration of port electrification. Any such developments are expected to be phased and aligned with national energy planning, port modernisation priorities and evolving international shipping requirements.” Mr Maura, who chairs Nassau Container Port’s BISX-listed owner, Arawak Port Development Company (APD), as well as heading the Nassau Cruise Port, yesterday told this newspaper that the proximity of the Island Power Producers’ plant does potentially pave the way for the latter to in future supply LNG-fuelled energy to New Providence’s sole international cargo port. “The focus on onshore power supply (the report’s shore-side power supply), and installing a power plant at Arawak Cay, does support the electrification of the equipment that operates the port - the re-stackers, cranes, strands or top picks,” he said. “The investment happening today creates a platform for the Nassau
Container Port, as equipment comes to retirement age, for that equipment to transfer to electricity. That’s a big plus as well.” Mr Maura said the Davis administration’s combined focus on energy reform and combating climate change, plus transitioning to cleaner LNG from ‘dirtier’ fuel sources such as heavy fuel oil (HFO) and diesel, have combined with the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) drive to reduce the shipping industry’s carbon footprint to create a fertile environment for the private sector “to step up” and invest in potential solutions. Suggesting that the Kenesjay Green study should have gone beyond focusing on Nassau Container Port, given the cruise industry’s scale and importance to The Bahamas, Mr Maura added: “From a mega watt demand perspective, for us, given the large volume of cruise traffic, I don’t have the data but I’d be willing to bet that there will be more demand from cruise than cargo.” He said that investing in the provision of shore power in Nassau, via Island Power Producers, will - by extension - make The Bahamas and all its ports of call more attractive if the cruise industry can reduce its carbon emissions and footprint when docked in the capital. “It’s the future of being able to enable our cruise partners to enjoy The Bahamas, move through The Bahamas and calk on our Bahamas and, in so doing, minimise their carbon footprint while calling on The Bahamas,” Mr Maura said. “We are seeing investments in LNG terminals and bunkering in-country, which makes our country more attractive for vessels calling into port for cargo, transshipment, and vessels that call to bring visitors. “The Bahamas is a strong leader. I think we will be
a great case study. If they had written this report a year later, I don’t think we’d be side by side with another country. We’ll be clearly ahead… I think The Bahamas, for the foreseeable future, will be in strong demand by the cargo sector and cruise sector. In my opinion, we’re already ahead. I think we have more vessel traffic than most, when you lump cruise and cargo together. “What BPL is experiencing today, in my opinion, that reinforces the Government’s energy policies and efforts to modernise energy infrastructure,” Mr Maura added. “It’s most definitely unfortunate that BPL is going through what it’s going through but, if anything, it’s good that it’s happened at a time when the Government is transitioning to modern infrastructure and they haven’t been caught on the back foot. We are moving forward. “I would say we are at the forefront. Very few countries in the region face the challenges we face given the number of islands that the Government is working to advance simultaneously. It’s not as simple as fixing Nassau or improving Freeport. It’s bringing the country along.” However, the Kenesjay Green study found: “There are currently no port-specific regulations mandating shore-side electricity or green fuel bunkering at Nassau Container Port. Regulatory oversight related to port electrification and alternative fuels remains indirect, embedded within broader energy and environmental policy frameworks rather than explicit maritime or port regulations…. “At present, Nassau Container Port has no operational shore-side power infrastructure and no dedicated green fuel bunkering facilities. Vessels calling at the port rely on onboard
auxiliary engines while at berth, and fuel supply is limited to conventional marine fuels provided through third-party arrangements elsewhere in the port system. “While The Bahamas possesses strong enabling conditions at the national policy and energy system level, port-level implementation of shore-side energy and green fuel bunkering remains at an early stage. Overall, The Bahamas exhibits emerging readiness for maritime decarbonisation, with stronger foundations for future development than many regional peers, but with no immediate operational capability for shore power or green fuel bunkering at the assessed port.” Still, the study praised The Bahamas for possessing “one of the most coherent policy and legislative frameworks” among Caribbean states thanks to “strong national climate, energy and carbon market legislation provide a solid enabling environment for future maritime decarbonisation”. It added: “Nassau Cruise Port is currently a nonshore-side power port with no shore connection infrastructure and no near-term implementation plan. However, The Bahamas has a notable enabling factor in the form of the planned LNG-based power plant at Arawak Cay, including ship-to-shore electrification capability for cruise operations and grid interconnection. “Accordingly, shore-side power at Nassau Container Port is best characterised as a medium-term opportunity that could become technically attractive once the adjacent power asset is operational and once berthlevel electrical upgrades, standards alignment and commercial arrangements are defined.”
In the Estate of KENDALL LIVINGSTONE LIGHTBOURN late of Philox Close, Kiskadee Drive, Tropical Gardens in the Western District of the Island of New Providence one of the Islands of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, deceased. NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that al persons having any claim or demand against hte said estate are required to send the same duly certified in writing to the undersigned on or before the 13 day of October, AD. . 2026, after which date the Executrix wil proceed ot distribute the estate having regard only to the claims of which she shall have had notice. AND notice is hereby given that all persons indebted to the estate are required to make full settlement on or before the date hereinabove mentioned. CEDRIC .L PARKER & CO. Attornevs for the Executrix 9 Harcourt (Rusty) Bethel Drive Nassau, Bahamas
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, August 11, 2026, PAGE 5
Opposition chief challenges if all $265m used for airports SEARCH - from page B1 National Investment Fund drawdown, and what the Bahamian people’s $265.1m has been used for, are now “a priority” and “urgent matter” for Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which he heads and is the only committee on which the Opposition holds a majority with three members as opposed to the governing Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) two. However, the Free National Movement (FNM) leader yesterday confirmed there are multiple issues competing for the Public Accounts Committee’s attention as it today resumes its inquiry into the Government’s purchase of $1.5m worth of vouchers from various building materials suppliers in New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco during March and April immediately prior to the general election. “We are dealing with the voucher issue; the ones that were bought from Premier Importers, that were also used in Grand Bahama and the others that were purchased,” Mr Pintard said. “We are dealing with the issue of vouchers to
incentivise voters tomorrow [today].” Tribune Business previously reported that the Government’s own procurement records showed the Ministry of Finance collectively purchased more than $1.5m worth of building vouchers during March and April 2026 in the general election runup. Some $663,437 worth were acquired in April, including $413,437 from Freeport-based Contractors Direct, with the $250,000 balance obtained from Premier Importers. Both purchases were made by the ‘direct award’ method, meaning there was no competitive bidding, and took place on April 13, 2026 - less than one month before the general election.The vouchers were acquired for the purpose of obtaining “building materials in Grand Bahama and Abaco” - seemingly to assist still-struggling residents with rebuilding and repairing their homes more than six-and-a-half years after Hurricane Dorian devastated both islands. Controversy, though, had already arisen after Premier Importers revealed they had been purchased by the Ministry of Finance. But the
vouchers, which were issued in “amounts of $200, $300 and $500”, carried the names and signatures of Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) election candidates and officials, raising concerns - vehemently denied and disputed by the governing party - that taxpayer monies were being employed to finance its campaign. The April 2026 purchases also added to the $900,000 worth of building materials vouchers purchased by the Ministry of Finance in March. Some $250,000 was sourced from 21st Century Building & Hardware, located on Palm Beach Street, along with a further $200,000 from Wulff Roadbased FYP. Some $150,000 was obtained from each of Cartwright’s Building Supplies, Pinder’s Enterprise and Hanson Building Materials to bring the total to $900,000 for that month. Mr Pintard, meanwhile, argued that the vouchers controversy and National Investment Fund drawdown are part of “a pattern of behaviour” by the Davis administration, citing various financial moves - such as the $110m loan made to Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) in its first term, plus the borrowing of $232m
Reform helps Bahamas meet global ‘best practice trends’ OVERSIGHT - from page B1 All information will be kept confidential and not disclosed by the Securities Commission other than via a court Order, to law enforcement or to other regulators via established legal and co-operation mechanisms. Ms Rolle told this newspaper that the proposed policy is designed to ensure all Bahamas-based DARE registrants and licensees are using their digital asset wallets for the specific purposes which they have previously disclosed to the Securities Commission. “It’s very straightforward,” she said. “This is really the trend that the regulation of digital assets is moving in. Some jurisdictions have already implemented it. This is just the next step in digital assets regulation. “What we are really concerned with is the operating wallets of licensees and registrants, not the private wallets of their clients.
What is happening with the regulation, the Commission is not only able to monitor activity but have the ability to scan what licensees and registrants are using their wallets for so that the use aligns with the activities that were disclosed. “And also whether there are being wallets being used in-jurisdiction outside the activities known to the Commission,” Ms Rolle added. “This is a trend, and regulators are moving more and more to introducing it. It’s in step with where regulation has advanced. “We want to regulate our digital assets market sector in accordance with best practices globally, and this is one of the best practice tools for regulation.” The Securities Commission said that, while feedback has yet to be submitted given the proposal’s relative infancy, she does not anticipate major opposition or non-compliance. “I don’t anticipate non-compliance on the issue at all. The issue is
PUBLIC NOTICE
INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The public is hereby advised that I, MYESHIA TANAKA WRIGHT of #18 Brian’s Way, Cowpen Road, New Providence, Bahamas, mother of FAITH ELIZABETH MUNNINGS, intend to change my child’s name to FAITH ELIZABETH CAMBRIDGE. If there are any objections to challenge the name by deed poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, The Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice.
NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that I ESTEPHENE EXIMOND of Faith Avenue, New Providence, Bahamas, applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 11th day of August, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that I OCHITOE MAHIYAMA LOUIS of P.O.BOX N-4615 Golden Isles Southern, New Providence, Bahamas, applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 11th day of August, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
too straightforward for that,” she explained. “I’m interested to hear and see what licensees’ thoughts will be on this. I imagine the feedback will be relatively neutral. That’s my suspicion.” The proposed wallet policy stipulates that the Securities Commission will collect information for specific purposes, namely the “assessment of applications
in IMF special drawing rights (SDRs) from the Central Bank - as transactions that were undertaking without the necessary Parliament approvals and authorisations. Turning to the $265m National Investment Fund situation, which was exclusively revealed by Tribune Business, the Opposition leader said of the Public Accounts Committee’s stance: “That is an urgent matter for us and will definitely be a priority. We have a duty to continue to sound the alarm when we see violations. It’s a blatant abuse of public funds, and we don’t know where the money is and what it was used for. “We will again seek to have agreement tomorrow over the funds’ transfer to have the matter raised and investigated by the Public Accounts Committee.” Mr Pintard voiced scepticism that the entire $265m was directed to the Grand Bahama and Family Island airport upgrades, as the Davis administration has said, noting that this sum was rapidly drawn down in three months given that it was shown as still there on the Government’s books at year-end 2025.
“It’s not possible for them to have spent the money for the purpose they said within that time,” he argued. “They did not provide any details on the airports or the scope of works.” The Opposition leader also questioned who approved the $265m drawdown, and whether the National Investment Fund even has its own bank account, because the Board required to oversee and authorise such actions appears not to have been appointed. Mr Pintard, in his letter to Michael Halkitis, minister of finance, setting out 20 questions relating to the draw down and National Investment Fund’s governance, asked whether a Board of Governors was ever appointed for the National Investment Fund and, if so, their identities. He also challenged whether a custodian has been named, and if the governance mandate and operational guidelines have been completed or are operational. The Opposition leader also queried whether regulations governing deposits, allocations and withdrawals from the National Investment Fund have been enacted, and under what
legal authority the $265m draw down occurred. Questions were also asked over whether an independent audit has ever been done. Meanwhile, Mr Pintard yesterday said Grand Cay residents, whose unpaid bill arrears owed to Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) from Hurricane Dorian’s aftermath were wiped out by Prime Minister Philip Davis KC ahead of the May 12 general election, were now enduring their seventh day without any electricity supply. The generator sent from Moore’s Island, he added, was said to have failed resulting in one Grand Cay resident spending $90 per day for fuel to fill-up his portable generator. And the power interruption has also disrupted water and Internet services, Mr Pintard said, adding that he only learned of the situation when residents were able to contact him via Starlink. The Opposition leader said BPL workers are now due to visit Grand Cay on August 20 to collect bill payments despite the island’s power outage and loss woes.
for licensing or registration, including source of funds analysis” plus for ongoing risk-based supervision that may involve blockchain analysis. Other purposes involve the examination of licensees and registrants, and to allow the Bahamian regulator to fulfill and discharge all its legal obligations. “Wallet information shall not be used for any purpose other than those stated, and shall be held as confidential regulatory information subject to the Commission’s confidentiality obligations,”
the Securities Commission’s proposed policy states. “Disclosure outside the Commission occurs only through lawful gateways, including with the express consent of the person to whom the information relates, to the Financial Intelligence Unit and domestic law enforcement, and to foreign regulatory counterparts under the Commission’s co-operation arrangements. “Screening under this policy is a supervisory activity. A screening result is not, of itself, a finding against a licensee, registrant or
applicant. The Commission will put material adverse indications to the person concerned and provide them with an opportunity to respond before drawing supervisory conclusions from them.” However, a failure to provide wallet information under the Securities Commission’s new policy, as well as supplying inaccurate and incomplete details plus failing to affirm their veracity, could expose a DARE licensee to “supervisory and enforcement consequences”.
NOTICE
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that I MANISE SAINT PHAT of Allen Drive, New Providence, Bahamas, applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 4th day of August, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE is hereby given that I ROCHENEL DUVERSE of Bowe Avenue, Montel Heights, New Providence, Bahamas, applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 31st day of July, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
PAGE 6, Tuesday, August 11, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Some 64 percent of Water Corp debt ‘delinquent’ REDUCE - from page B2 per plant,” the BISX-listed provider said. As for its Nassau operations, it added: “The contracts to supply water to the Water & Sewerage Corporation from its Blue Hills and Windsor and plants
require to guarantee delivery of a minimum quantity of water per week. “If the Water & Sewerage Corporation requires the water and Consolidated Water Bahamas does not meet this minimum, Consolidated Water Bahamas is required to pay the WSC for the difference between
the minimum and actual gallons delivered at a per gallon rate equal to the price per gallon that the Water & Sewerage Corporation is currently paying Consolidated Water Bahamas under the contracts. “The Blue Hills contract expires in 2032 and requires Consolidated
Competing accounts of ‘trial’ as tour operator wades in DRIVING - from page B1 at the airport door while three livery vehicles would remain in designated spaces. The proposed changes were to be tested for two weeks, with the taxi queue also being extended by three spaces. However, the BLDU’s position is that no final agreement has been reached. Mr Austin said the union has been meeting with Mr Lundy, senior government officials and Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) representatives in an effort to improve the situation at LPIA. He added that the dispute would be better addressed through direct discussions involving all parties operating within the airport’s transportation system. “It’s very important to have all the stakeholders that are involved with transportation here at the airport and to have these type of meetings to bring positive change,” Mr Austin said. He added that the livery union has even attempted to meet with the taxi union to resolve their differences. “We’ve made several attempts to sit down, even with the taxi cab union, and to try to iron this out again,” he said. “And they deem us public enemy number one,
and they refuse to have any meetings with us. “The Taxi Cab Union, they march to their own drum. They do their thing. So like I said, it’s not important to us. What is important is we continue to try to converse, bring things to the table, bring our ideas, our concerns, etc. to the table, and try to improve the transportation sector, which is a major tourism sector in this country.” Mr Austin also questioned how information from Government meetings could be communicated to one group of operators without being properly communicated to the others. “A message can’t be given to the taxis and nobody else knows about it,” Mr Austin said. “Again, I don’t understand how that worked or whatever.” The disagreement over whether a trial exists comes amid a confrontation at LPIA yesterday involving the allocation of parking spaces. Mr Austin said livery operators arrived to find two taxis occupying spaces designated for livery vehicles, and they contacted the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) and requested that the taxis be moved so they could access their designated spaces. “The livery drivers never blocked up anything,” he
said. “What we did is we came into work, business as usual, and there were two taxis that were parked in our designated areas. The police came and made them move. “We have six spaces that are designated for livery, and taxis occupied two of them early this morning. And all we did is ask them to move. We didn’t approach the taxi drivers. We went to NAD and the police, and the police came and made them. And there was no issues.” However, Mr Butler blamed the situation on a failure by senior government officials to properly communicate the outcome of Wednesday’s meeting. “We were there, queue up as we normally do,” Mr Butler said. “Obviously, the minister of transport, the minister of tourism, the permanent secretary of tourism and the permanent secretary of transport, along with the road traffic controller, all have dropped the ball and have failed to communicate to their relevant agencies what was the plan coming out of the Wednesday meeting. All of them bear responsibility for this debacle that happened this morning.” The latest confrontation also highlighted a concern from a tour operator,
Water Bahamas to deliver 63m gallons of water each week. The Windsor contract expires in 2033 and requires Consolidated Water Bahamas to deliver 16.8m gallons of water each week.” Rick McTaggart, Consolidated Water’s chief executive, said of the results for the three months to
end-June: “Bulk revenue increased 20 percent and gross profit increased 27 percent, primarily due to higher energy pass-through charges by Consolidated Water Bahamas driven by significantly higher energy costs. “Revenue and gross profit also benefited from
two new Cat Island desalination plants supplying potable water to the Water and Sewerage Corporation of The Bahamas.” For the 2026 first half, Consolidated Water said bulk segment gross profit improved due to a $226,000 decrease in insurance expense for Consolidated Water Bahamas.
who said they have been excluded from the Government’s discussions despite being impacted by changes to the airport’s transportation arrangements. One tour operator, who requested anonymity, said Mr Lundy had met separately with livery and taxi operators but had not consulted tour operators. “Me, Majestic, Leisure Tours, they had no meeting with us. They made all kind of changes at the airport without us,” they said. The operator said tour companies were now facing changes to their designated airport spaces without having been consulted. The tour operator also criticised the presence of livery vehicles in areas traditionally associated with other airport transportation providers, arguing that tour operators operate differently because their services are pre-arranged. “I have no problem with them making money,” the operator said. “But when they want to come frig with me, they want to take away my space for them to hack on the door, take a space for me so they can showcase their car to be hacking, and they are there illegally. And we are legal. We are pre-arranged. We don’t go out there looking for jobs.” The operator said tensions escalated after taxi drivers began parking in spaces designated for livery operators. “The taxi drivers came and parked in the livery spaces,” the operator said. “The livery drivers
said they was going to park in whatever space available. And that’s when I call NAD and NAD called the police.” The operator argued that the Government cannot make decisions involving airport transportation without consulting every category affected. “He had a meeting with the taxi drivers. He had a meeting with the livery, but he didn’t have a meeting with us,” the operator said of Mr Lundy. “And so, the taxi drivers and the livery drivers are saying they’re taking space from us, and they doing this and whatever and so, how do you take space from the tour operators to give to livery drivers?” The Ministry of Transport stressed that no changes to the existing rules should
be assumed until formally agreed. “While negotiations continue, the existing rules remain in effect and will be enforced,” the Ministry said. “Disrupting services or creating disorder will not be tolerated.” It warned that the dispute cannot be allowed to interfere with airport operations or damage the country’s tourism product. “LPIA is our primary international gateway, and disagreements cannot be allowed to impact the travelling public or our tourism product,” the Ministry said. “We remain committed to dialogue and finding a way forward, but until changes are agreed upon, the existing rules must be respected.”
LEGAL NOTICE International Business Companies Act (No.45 of 2000) ASG INVESTMENT LTD. (the “Company”) Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the Dissolution of ASG INVESTMENT LTD. has been completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued, and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the Dissolution was the 13th day of July, 2026. Gustavo Dos Santos Vaz Liquidator
NOTICE MI QUATRO LTD. Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Registration Number 203248 B (In Voluntary Liquidation) Notice is hereby given that the above-named Company is in dissolution, commencing on the 07th day of August, A.D. 2026. Articles of Dissolution have been duly registered by the Registrar. The Liquidator is MR. PEDRO FREITAS ITO, whose RUA GUAIANAZDA FONSECA 127, VL MARIANA, CEP 05451- 050, SOA PAUL - BRAZIL, Any Persons having a Claim against the above-named Company are required on or before the 09th day of September A.D. 2026 to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they may be excluded from the benefit of an distrib tion made before s ch claim is pro ed Dated this 07th day of August A.D. 2026. MR. PEDRO FREITAS ITO Liquidator
JUDGE PARKER
CARPE DIEM
I have a 54552 called 1532 and a 54112 called 12345. I like to 152 on them when they are both playing 45. 12345 will 41435 1532’1 position by the fire while 1532 often 1451 the 54112’1 tea. 12345’1 5433 is a low 14143341 that annoys the 54552 but at least he can always 1411 out where she is.
➔
6
➔
CL O
the numbers 12345 Tuesday, August 11, 2026, PAGE 7 represent different letters:
THE TRIBUNE
ar be ent clock face. each begins w previous one, answer six endi answer o 1
5
Solution in Monday’s puzzle pull-out
SUMTHING
MARVIN
Fit the missing numbers into the grid so that all the sums are correct – reading left to right or on single lines top to bottom. There are 11 squares to fill, with one digit in each, and the 11 digits you must use are listed below. But where do they all go? Solution in Monday’s puzzle pull-out
BLONDIE We’ve given you one digit to get you started. Here are the missing digits to fit in:
1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9
HAGAR THE HORRIBLE
TIGER
5 =
SAMURAI SUDOKU
WORDSEAR
7 3 8 1 9 2 5 4 6 8 4 6 3 7 5 2 9 1 1 4 9 6 8 5 2 3 7 9 7 5 6 1 2 4 8 3 2 5 6 3 4 7 9 8 1 3 2 1 8 9 4 5 7 6 4 6 5 7 2 9 3 1 8 4 8 2 5 3 1 7 6 9 9 7 3 8 1 6 4 5 2 6 1 9 4 8 7 3 2 5 8 1 2 5 3 4 6 7 9 5 3 7 9 2 6 8 1 4 5 2 1 4 6 8 7 9 3 6 1 4 2 5 8 1 6 3 9 4 7 6 8 4 9 7 3 1 2 5 8 3 9 7 6 4 2 5 9 1 3 8 3 9 7 2 5 1 8 6 4 5 2 7 1 9 3 7 4 8 6 5 2 9 3 1 4 7 2 6 8 5 5 4 6 9 8 1 3 7 2 2 8 7 3 5 6 4 1 9 9 3 4 1 5 2 6 7 8 2 4 5 9 3 1 5 7 6 4 2 8 5 6 7 4 8 9 3 1 2 7 9 8 5 4 6 2 8 9 1 3 7 1 2 8 7 6 3 4 5 9 1 6 3 8 2 7 1 3 4 9 6 5 3 7 9 5 1 6 8 2 4 4 8 3 6 1 5 7 9 2 8 5 6 2 7 4 9 3 1 1 7 9 3 2 8 6 5 4 2 4 1 9 3 8 5 6 7 2 6 5 4 9 7 8 1 3 7 8 2 3 4 5 1 9 6 3 9 4 7 6 2 5 8 1 4 1 5 6 9 7 2 8 3 6 5 2 8 4 1 3 7 9 6 9 3 8 2 1 7 4 5 7 1 8 9 5 3 2 4 6
T Z W T B Q O M E D L O C C M D J Q I A B A A T R N D F M L P T L H T U A A E Z A E T L I C W J Q O F C L F X U R O P A L P A R L C Z E G L A C L O G B X C H S I F D L T R A F F I
SMALL CROSSWORD Across: 1 Platforms, 7 Arctic, 9 Stomach, 10 Tees, 12 Tea, 13 Entered, 14 Mar, 15 Span, 17 Storage, 19 Stairs, 20 Thickness. Down: 1 Pastimes, 2 Late, 3 Ado, 4 Framework, 5 Occurs, 6 Mined, 8 Channels, 11 Static, 13 Earth, 16 Ages, 18 Axe.
CALVIN & HOBBES
−
TARGET MOCKINGLY clink clonk coking conk gink icky ikon inky kiln kilo king kingly lick link lock locking milk milky mink mock mocking MOCKINGLY monk nick nock oink yoking yolk
THE ALP
Black squares 23, 25, 27, 32, 3 Across: Blanke Embryo, Fuller, Larvae, Baklava Down: Banjo, A Playmates, Exa Stumbling, Stir,
CROSS DO
Across: KINGS Down: JACKS
SUMMIT U 76 and 97
DENNIS THE MENACE
CRYPTOQUOTE AXYDLBAAXR is L O N G F E L L O W One letter stands for another. In this example, A is used for the three L’s, X for the 2 O’s, etc. Single letters, apostrophes, the length and formation of words are all hints. Each day the code letters are different. Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so the each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday
Yesterday’s Sudoku Answer
MICRO CROSSWORD
CHALLENGER
Yesterday’s Answers
PAGE 8, Tuesday, August 11, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
'I was ready to quit':
Mother's breastfeeding journey inspires others PUBLISHED author and mother of three Kelly Fowler never imagined that one of the greatest challenges she would face after giving birth would be breastfeeding. Like many first-time mothers, Fowler expected breastfeeding to come naturally. Instead, she found herself battling pain, frustration and self-doubt as she struggled to feed her newborn. "The beginning was painful, and the milk that I expected to flow freely and naturally just did not," Fowler recalled. "I was ready to quit in the first few weeks." Like many first-time mothers, she had carefully prepared for childbirth but soon realised she knew very little about what to expect once her baby arrived. Every feeding became an emotional experience as she questioned whether her son was getting enough nourishment and wondered if she would ever breastfeed successfully. "I experienced all of it with the looming worry of, 'Is my baby getting enough?'" she said. Determined not to give up, Fowler sought the advice of retired nurse and midwife Ampusam Symonette, a longtime breastfeeding advocate and leader in the Bahamas National Breastfeeding Association (BNBA). Through guidance on proper latching techniques, increasing milk production and caring for herself during the process, Fowler gradually overcame the challenges that had nearly ended her breastfeeding journey before it had truly begun. "It is because of her that I was able to successfully breastfeed," she said. Today, Fowler considers that difficult beginning one of the most rewarding experiences of her life. She breastfed her first child for 19 months, and with each subsequent child, she found
For too long, our conversations about mental health began too late. Too often, we only recognise it’s importance after it has deteriorated. After a life has been lost, purpose has been eroded, relationships have fractured, addiction has taken hold, or a young man has quietly reached his breaking point beneath burdens that everyone saw but no one truly recognised. By then, we are no longer protecting well-being; we are trying to recover what years of neglect, silence, and missed opportunities have already compromised. Somewhere along the way, we accepted intervention as our primary response when prevention should have been our greatest commitment. As we continue to engage in conversations surrounding mental health, particularly that of our young men, I challenge us to ask a deeper, more uncomfortable question: What have we accepted as standard that young men should never have been expected to carry in the first place? Confronting this question forces us to face a reality that too often goes unexamined. The greatest threat to the mental health of young men is not their unwillingness to seek help; it is our collective willingness to normalise the conditions that make help necessary. This dynamic is frequently misunderstood because we speak about mental health most when it is already deteriorating. Yet, it quietly shapes how young men think, make decisions, build relationships, respond
Bahamas National Breastfeeding members, participants and breastfed children attending the World Breastfeeding Week Big Latch on at the Mall at Marathon Friday August 7.
Nurses from the Anne's Town Clinic proudly display their trophies for winning the national title for World Breastfeeding Week Exhibit 2026
(l-r) Acting Deputy Principal Bursing Officer Angela Forbes, Bahamas National Breatsfeeding Association President Nurse Trineka McCardy, and Acting Administrator for Community Health Service Veronica Rolle
A lovely three-wall display by Anne's Town Clinic captures first place in the World Breastfeeding Week exhibition competition
Kelly Fowler
Beyond Awareness: Protecting young men’s mental health to disappointment, pursue purpose, and navigate adversity long before anyone recognises that something is wrong. This shaping process becomes critical during youth, as these are the formative years in which identity takes root. Developmental psychology has consistently shown that these core beliefs are learned, molded entirely by what young men repeatedly experience, observe, and come to adopt as standard. Which raises an important question: Who is teaching them what normal looks like? Inevitably, the answer begins where all human development begins: the home. Before a boy ever enters a classroom, joins a sports team, walks into a church, or begins his first job, he has already learned something about love, conflict, discipline, belonging, and his own worth. Home can become the first place where resilience is nurtured or where silence is learned. Too many boys are taught how to be responsible before they are taught how to process disappointment. Too many learn that achievement earns affirmation while vulnerability invites criticism, while
JOSHUA CARTWRIGHT, School Counsellor others grow up believing that material provision is a substitute for being emotionally present. These lessons do not disappear with age; instead, they become the lifelong framework through which many young men understand themselves, their relationships, and their values. But families do not shape these frameworks alone; they operate within a much larger ecosystem. Schools, faith communities, sporting organisations, youth programs, workplaces, and neighbourhoods all reinforce beliefs about identity, belonging, and masculinity. Every institution leaves its mark on the next generation. The
the process easier as her knowledge and confidence grew. "Breastfeeding gave me the freedom and convenience of feeding my baby whenever, wherever, without the need to carry extra equipment," she said. "I love that breastmilk contains everything the baby needs for nutrition and immunity at every stage of growth, and the emotional bond it builds." In addition to raising her family, Fowler is an accomplished author whose publications include the children's books Sleepy Heads, Aunt Love, My Friend Uncle and Things Above. She also authored the heritage research publication History to Heritage: A Heritage Assessment of Tarpum Bay, Eleuthera. She believes education and support are just as important as the decision to breastfeed itself.
question is whether those influences cultivate confidence, purpose, and healthy relationships, or quietly validate isolation, burnout, emotional suppression, and the belief that asking for help should be postponed until life becomes unbearable. Consequently, we often praise young men for being resilient without ever asking what they have been forced to become resilient against. Over the years, I have come to believe that most young men are not asking society to lower its expectations of them. They are simply asking whether anyone is willing to help build the foundational support that allows them to meet those expectations without losing themselves in the process. This responsibility, however, cannot rest solely on the shoulders of families and communities; it requires systemic backing. For decades, successive governments have spoken about young people as the future of our nation. Yet if that belief is genuine, it must be reflected not only in speeches, commemorative months, and awareness campaigns, but in sustained investment, measurable policy, and effective institutions intentionally designed to strengthen the lives of young people before they reach a crisis. If we truly believe young people are among our nation's greatest assets, then that belief must manifest as increased accessible mental health
"I think my breastfeeding journey would have been less stressful had I known what to expect," she said. "I had prepared for every part of childbirth except this part." Her experience reflects the message promoted by the Bahamas National Breastfeeding Association in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness during World Breastfeeding Week
services, stronger schoolbased support, holistic community mentorship, family-strengthening initiatives, and a coordinated national strategy that recognises the specific developmental needs of boys and young men on each island. After all, every national budget tells a story about what a nation is truly prepared to protect. Considering the state of a young man's mind directly influences educational achievement, workforce participation, family stability, public safety, and national development, it cannot remain confined to conversations about healthcare alone. An ecological understanding of development reminds us that young people are shaped by interconnected systems. When those systems intentionally foster belonging, opportunity, accountability, and support, they strengthen resilience long before a crisis demands intervention. To be clear, this conversation is not about lowering expectations or removing adversity. Life will always require resilience. The fundamental question is whether we are prepared to ensure that boys and young men have the relationships, opportunities, and support to meet adversity without being defined by it. Therefore, the work before us extends far beyond raising awareness. It is the work of nurturing spaces across every level of society where our young men are genuinely affirmed, supported, and valued— backed by policies that recognise mental health not
2026, observed annually from August 1-7. This year's theme, "Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works," emphasised the importance of protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding while ensuring mothers have access to the education, encouragement and practical assistance they need to succeed. Throughout the week, the association hosted breastfeeding promotion displays, educational exhibitions at participating health clinics, newspaper features and radio interviews aimed at increasing public awareness of the health benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and babies. The observance concluded with The Big Latch On at Mall at Marathon, where breastfeeding mothers gathered in a public show of support for breastfeeding. As part of the week's activities, Annes Town Clinic captured the national title for the World Breastfeeding Week Educational Exhibit Competition, earning top honours for its creative and informative display promoting the benefits of breastfeeding. Anne's Town Clinic displayed nutrition during pregnancy. The second place winner was the Lower Bogue Clinic in Eleuthera, which displayed family planning themes. Third place was the South Beach Health Center, which focused on infant safety. Judges were Jennifer Pearce, Ampusam Symonette and Melissa Colebrook. For Fowler, receiving the right guidance transformed what began as one of the hardest experiences of motherhood into one of its greatest blessings. "I am grateful for the assistance I received to be able to breastfeed all of my babies and give them the best possible start to life." The Bahamas National Breastfeeding Association continues to encourage pregnant women, new mothers and breastfeeding families to seek support, information and community resources that can make all the difference as they begin and continue their own breastfeeding journeys.
as a cost, but as an indispensable investment in our nation's future. We should never underestimate what that collective work can accomplish. A safe space can change a conversation. An empathetic response can restore hope. One intentional act of support can alter the course of a life. The right investment at the right time may save a young man, preserve a family, strengthen a community, and ultimately shape the future of our nation. Every generation inherits the consequences of what the generation before it chose to tolerate. Ultimately, the legacy we leave the next generation of young men will not be determined by what we were willing to acknowledge, but by what we were willing to change. Joshua Cartwright is a School Counsellor, National Youth Ambassador at Large, and youth development practitioner with a background in psychology and a passion for advancing mental health, education, and youth leadership in The Bahamas. Through his work in schools, national youth advocacy, and community engagement, he is committed to strengthening the systems, policies, and environments that empower young people to thrive. Joshua actively speaks on issues affecting youth, leadership, mental health, and national development, with a particular interest in shaping conversations that inspire meaningful action and lasting change.
THE TRIBUNE KNOWING the signs (like a cough that won’t quit) may help some people detect lung cancer early Finding and treating lung cancer early usually leads to better results. Some people with early lung cancer may have symptoms, which can start them on the pathway to diagnosis and treatment. But often, cancer has gone beyond the early stages before symptoms appear. This delay in symptoms is one reason why lung cancer claims more lives than any other cancer type. “Knowing the warning signs may help you find lung cancer early,” says pulmonologist Peter Mazzone, MD. “But there are other important steps you can take. If you’re at high risk, you may be eligible for lung cancer screening to find cancer before you have symptoms. And if you smoke, quitting smoking can help reduce your lung cancer risk. Dr Mazzone explains the warning signs to look for and when you should get screened or tested for lung cancer. Warning signs of lung cancer Symptoms of lung cancer can vary from person to person. The main symptom is a cough. “Most of the time, a cough is due to another condition,” says Dr Mazzone. See a healthcare provider if you have a cough that: • Doesn’t go away or gets worse over time. • Isn’t related to a known condition like allergies, a cold or asthma. • Produces bloody or rust-coloured phlegm. Other symptoms of lung cancer include: • Chest pain when breathing deeply, coughing or laughing. • Fatigue or tiredness. • Repeat bronchitis or pneumonia. • Shortness of breath (dyspnea). • Unexplained weight loss. If lung cancer spreads outside of your lungs to other parts of your body, you may feel:
Do people with early lung cancer have symptoms?
Tuesday, August 11, 2026, PAGE 9 that carries blood from your head and neck to your heart. A lung tumor pushing on the superior vena cava can cause this syndrome. The main symptoms are redness and swelling in your face and neck.
Paraneoplastic syndrome
Some lung cancers produce hormones or hormone-like substances that travel through your bloodstream, causing problems
How early will you notice symptoms of lung cancer? Whether you experience symptoms and when they occur may depend on the tumor’s: • Location. • Size. • Speed of growth.
When should you get screened or tested? Screening and testing have different purposes: • Screening checks for cancer before you have symptoms. • Testing looks for the cause of symptoms after they have started.
Who should be screened for lung cancer? The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends lung cancer screening if you’re between ages 50 and 80 and: • Have smoked at least 20 pack-years of cigarettes. (To calculate pack-years, multiply the number of packs you smoked each day times the number of years you smoked.) • Currently smoke or have quit smoking within the past 15 years.
When should you get tested?
• Bone pain. • Neurological symptoms like headaches, dizziness or seizures. • Shoulder or arm pain. • Swollen lymph nodes.
called syndromes. These symptoms could signal lung cancer:
Horner syndrome
Whenever you feel “off” — when something just isn’t right — it’s a good idea to see a healthcare provider to get checked out. Unexplained pain, lumps, coughs or other symptoms could be signs of something serious.
A tumor in the upper lung can press on nerves to your eye and face, causing Horner syndrome. Symptoms typically affect one side of your face and include: • Decreased sweating. • Drooping eyelid. • Smaller pupil.
Syndromes caused by lung tumors
Superior vena cava syndrome
Some lung tumors can cause groups of symptoms
The superior vena cava is the large blood vessel
far from the tumor. Paraneoplastic syndromes are more common in people with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). There are several paraneoplastic syndromes. An example is a syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). In SIADH, cancer cells make an antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which lowers sodium levels in your blood. Low sodium levels can lead to: • Confusion. • Cramps. • Fatigue. • Nausea and vomiting. • Muscle weakness.
Hannah Foster-Middleton
Photo : www.magnific.com/ JERO SenneGs
Many people describe it as losing trust in their body. Someone with back pain may stop bending because they worry they will “throw it out again.” Someone recovering from an ankle injury may avoid walking normally because they fear another twist. A runner with knee pain may stop exercising altogether. At first this feels sensible. Rest protects. But over time, too much protection can become part of the problem. Avoiding movement can reduce strength, confidence and fitness. The body becomes less adaptable and more sensitive. Suddenly the person is not just recovering from an injury—they are recovering from fear of the injury. This is where physiotherapy can make a huge difference.
Modern physiotherapy is not simply about stretches and strengthening exercises. A good physiotherapist helps people understand what is happening in their body and rebuild confidence alongside physical capacity. That often starts with education. Patients generally recover better when they know what to expect. Understanding healing timelines, learning that discomfort does not always mean damage, and recognising that recovery is rarely perfectly linear can make symptoms feel less alarming. The next step is usually gradual exposure. Rather than forcing people through pain or telling them to “push through,” physiotherapists help patients return to movement in manageable stages.
• Type. For example, two of the most common types of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. Squamous cell cancer tends to occur toward larger breathing tubes, while adenocarcinomas are usually deeper in your lung. “It’s not always the case, but a squamous cell tumor near a large breathing tube may be more likely to produce a cough with some blood in it,” notes Dr Mazzone. “A deeper tumor of the same size may not cause any symptoms.”
Many people think they’re not at risk of lung cancer if they never smoked. But about 20 per cent of people with lung cancer have no history of smoking. Regardless of your smoking history, talk to a healthcare provider if you have symptoms with no known cause like: • A cough. • Coughing up blood. • Chest discomfort or pain. • Shortness of breath. • Unintentional weight loss. Your provider will ask you about your medical history and perform an exam. They may order pulmonary function testing to check how well your lungs are working. Imaging tests, such as a chest X-ray or chest CT scan, are also helpful in diagnosing lung problems. “Your symptoms may not be lung cancer, but they require a healthcare provider to check them out and discuss them with you,” states Dr Mazzone.
Health officials urge caution for Gulf Coast beachgoers during surge of deadly bacterial infections
Why anxiety can slow physical recovery — and what good physiotherapy looks like
When most of us think about recovering from an injury, we imagine the process is fairly straightforward. You hurt your shoulder, strain your back, twist your knee. You rest, do your exercises, attend physiotherapy, and gradually improve. But anyone who has gone through rehabilitation knows recovery is rarely that simple. One factor that often catches people by surprise is anxiety. Not because anxiety causes injuries. Not because pain is imaginary. But because our minds and bodies are more connected than we sometimes realise. Physiotherapists see this regularly: two people can have very similar injuries and receive very similar treatment, yet one returns to normal activities quickly while the other struggles to move forward. Often, anxiety is part of the picture. An injury can create uncertainty. People begin asking themselves questions: Have I damaged something badly? Am I making it worse? Will this ever go away? Will I get back to normal? Those thoughts are understandable. But when fear and uncertainty become constant companions, they can change how recovery feels. The body becomes more protective. Muscles tense. Movements become cautious. Sleep can worsen. Everyday aches feel more noticeable. Activities that once felt automatic suddenly feel uncomfortable or even frightening.
Because the symptoms of paraneoplastic syndromes often seem unrelated, healthcare providers may not suspect lung cancer as a cause.
If climbing stairs feels intimidating, they start smaller. If lifting feels unsafe, they rebuild load slowly. If returning to sport feels overwhelming, they create stepping stones rather than one giant leap. Each successful experience becomes evidence that the body is capable again. Language matters too. Words from healthcare professionals can stay with people for years. Phrases like “your back is unstable” or “your joints are worn out” can sound frightening, even when they are not intended that way. Good physiotherapy balances honesty with reassurance. The goal is not false positivity—it is helping people understand that bodies are often stronger, more adaptable and more resilient than they realise. This does not mean anxiety should be ignored or brushed aside. Sometimes it deserves direct attention, particularly if fear, stress or low mood are becoming barriers to everyday life. But recognising anxiety as part of recovery is not a sign of weakness. It is simply recognising that healing is about more than tissues. Recovery is not just about whether the body is ready. Sometimes it is also about helping the person believe that it is. • For questions and comments, call Hannah Foster-Middleton at 356-4806, or visit www. physiotherapybahamas. com.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Health officials in Louisiana are urging beachgoers to take precautions during a summertime surge in infections from a flesh-eating bacteria found in coastal waters. Louisiana has confirmed nine cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections this year, the state's health department said last week in a news release. All were hospitalised, and five died. During the same period over the previous decade, Louisiana reported an average of seven cases and one death. "Seek medical care immediately if a wound exposed to brackish or salt water becomes red, swollen, painful, warm or discoloured," officials said in the release. "Tell the health care provider about the water exposure."
The Gulf is an ideal environment Vibrio bacteria thrive in seawater and in the brackish mix of fresh and saltwater found in estuaries and lagoons. Most infections are reported from May to October, and most happen in states along the Gulf Coast. Doctors say the Gulf is an ideal environment with the right amounts of salt and heat to let this organism proliferate. The most deadly type is Vibrio vulnificus, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. As many as one in five of those infections are fatal, a much higher rate than other types of Vibrio bacteria. Florida, which tends to have more infections than other states, has reported 14 Vibrio vulnificus cases and two deaths so far this year, compared with 33 cases and five deaths for all of last year. Records show more cases in years when Florida is hit by tropical storms and hurricanes. Bacteria enter through breaks in the skin
Some people become infected by eating raw or undercooked shellfish — particularly oysters. But a large percentage fall ill when the person is in ocean or brackish water and the bacteria enter the body through small breaks in the skin. Doctors say severe cases are seen more often in elderly patients, people with weakened immune systems, and those with liver disease, diabetes and certain chronic illnesses. Scientists say climate change is helping the germs proliferate and spread northward. A 2023 study found that the northernmost case has been shifting by about 30 miles each year, and that cases overall have been rising.
Beachgoers can protect themselves Vibrio vulnificus can enter the body through unhealed cuts and scrapes, recent piercings and tattoos, and recent surgical incisions. People should immediately wash cuts and scrapes thoroughly with soap and clean running water after coming in contact with coastal waters or raw seafood, the CDC said. They should see a doctor if they start to develop symptoms such as fever, chills, and hot red areas on the skin that start to turn dark and blister. Oysters are a particular risk, and there is no way to tell if an oyster is contaminated just by looking at it. People should wash hands with soap and water after handing raw shellfish and wear protective gloves if they have a weakened immune system and are at a higher risk of infection. Health officials also offer cooking instructions for clams, mussels and other shellfish. They recommend throwing away any with open shells before boiling or steaming.
SECTION D
TuESDay, auguST 11, 2026
Beyond the Gates -
Lives are being transformed at the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls BEYOND the secure gates of the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls, a large airbrushed mural greets every visitor with a simple but powerful message: "We Are the Future." For Minister of Social Services, Barbara Cartwright, those four words became the defining theme of her first official visit to the residential rehabilitation facility, where she discovered a programme built not on punishment, but on discipline, dignity, opportunity and transformation. Accompanied by Minister of State for Social Services, Bacchus Rolle; Permanent Secretary Phedra Rahming-Turnquest; Director of Social Services Maxine Duncombe; Senior Deputy Director and Head of Human Resources Gabrielle Romer; Deputy Permanent Secretary for Human Resources Stephanie Brown; and other senior Ministry of Social Services officials, the Minister toured the facility, gaining a firsthand appreciation for the work being done to help young women rebuild their lives through education, structure, counselling and practical life skills. Guiding the delegation was Superintendent Monique Greenslade, alongside Deputy Superintendent Lavette Saunders, Chaplain Samantha Evans and other members of the Centre's leadership team, who provided an in-depth look at the philosophy, programmes and daily routines that shape life at the Centre. The Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls, operated by the Department of Rehabilitative Welfare Services within the Ministry of Social Services, provides residential care, rehabilitation, education and life-skills development for young women, helping prepare them for successful reintegration into their families and communities. Throughout the tour, Greenslade repeatedly emphasised that rehabilitation begins by recognising the potential in every young person. It is a philosophy she said is reflected throughout the Centre and one that aligns with United Nations principles promoting rehabilitation, dignity and successful reintegration into society. "This is a home," Greenslade said. "This is where lives are transformed." That philosophy became evident almost immediately. One of the most striking revelations came when Greenslade pointed to what was once an isolation cell used for disciplinary purposes. Today, it serves a very different purpose - as a storage room. The change, she explained, reflects the Centre's belief that meaningful correction comes through guidance, accountability and opportunity rather than punishment alone. "If you pass through Willie Mae Pratt, you will leave with a skill that will last you a lifetime," Greenslade said. As officials continued through the facility, they encountered a structured environment designed not simply to supervise residents, but to prepare them for successful futures. Discipline remains central to daily life, with residents expected to
maintain cleanliness, complete assigned responsibilities and demonstrate respect for themselves, one another and their surroundings. Yet every aspect of that discipline is paired
examinations, with many performing successfully. Learning extends well beyond the classroom. The delegation toured a fully equipped cosmetology salon featuring
Minister of Social Services, Barbara Cartwright (second left), and Minister of State for Social Services, Bacchus Rolle (centre), are led on a tour of the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls by Superintendent Monique Greenslade (left), accompanied by senior Ministry and Department of Social Services officials, during the Minister's first official visit to the residential rehabilitation facility.
(From left) Deputy Superintendent Lavette Saunders, Director of Social Services Maxine Duncombe, Permanent Secretary Phedra Rahming-Turnquest, Minister of State for Social Services, Bacchus Rolle, and Minister of Social Services, Barbara Cartwright, listen as officials continue the tour of the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls, highlighting the Centre's rehabilitative programmes and resident-focused approach to transforming young lives.
with opportunities for personal growth. The Centre's dormitories themselves reflect that philosophy. Rather than numbers, they bear names such as Hope, Persevere, Opportunity, Success, Faith and Love - constant reminders of the values the Centre seeks to instill. Greenslade also explained how positive behaviour is recognised and rewarded. While the dormitories are comfortably equipped with industrial fans, one air-conditioned residence is reserved for girls who consistently demonstrate exemplary behaviour, excel academically and serve as leaders and positive role models among their peers. Education remains at the
Nearby, the Centre's kitchen serves another important purpose beyond preparing daily meals. Under the guidance of Chef Dennis Dean, residents receive hands-on training in food preparation and food service, equipping them with practical skills that can open doors to future employment in the hospitality and culinary industries. The emphasis on preparing residents for independent adulthood extends throughout the Centre. Recognising that the girls are growing into young women, the Centre provides guidance on womanhood, home management and other essential life skills while ensuring their everyday needs are met. Residents
and outdoor recreational spaces, exercise equipment, a library and an arts and crafts area where residents are encouraged to develop their creativity and express themselves positively. Even leisure time is purposeful. Each evening, residents gather in the recreation area to watch the 7 pm ZNS broadcast, helping them remain informed about national events and connected to the wider community. Greenslade explained that maintaining those community connections is an important part of the Centre's rehabilitative philosophy. Residents regularly participate in programmes supported by churches, civic organisations and community stakeholders
Superintendent Monique Greenslade (right) welcomes Minister of Social Services, Barbara Cartwright, Minister of State for Social Services Bacchus Rolle, and senior Ministry and Department of Social Services officials to the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls as she outlines the Centre's mission of rehabilitation, personal development and successful reintegration for young women.
are provided with personal hygiene products, undergarments, pajamas and other necessities that promote dignity, self-care and personal well-being. Officials also toured a well-stocked pantry, complete with fresh fruits, vegetables and other nutritious food items, as well as the Centre's medical office, which ensures residents have access to healthcare services when needed. The Centre further promotes healthy lifestyles through indoor
whose continued involvement provides mentorship, encouragement and positive role models. Among the Centre's valued partners is the Governor General's Youth Award (GGYA) programme, which affords residents opportunities to participate in leadership development activities, including annual trekking and camping experiences that build confidence, teamwork and resilience. Greenslade also explained that when
Deputy Superintendent Lavette Saunders (left), Superintendent Monique Greenslade (centre) and Chaplain Samantha Evans stand beneath the Centre's mission statement as Greenslade outlines the rehabilitative philosophy and programmes of the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls during the first official visit by Minister of Social Services, Barbara Cartwright, and senior Ministry officials.
heart of rehabilitation. Many of the residents attend the special school that serves both the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls and the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys, while others who demonstrate readiness have the opportunity to attend private schools. Residents are also encouraged to pursue national certifications, including the Bahamas Junior Certificate
professional shampoo stations, dryers and styling workstations, where residents receive practical training while styling one another's hair, serving staff members and even members of the public. The salon not only develops marketable skills but also allows the young women to earn a modest income while building confidence and work experience.
Superintendent Monique Greenslade (left) demonstrates the equipment in the cosmetology salon to Minister of Social Services, the Hon. Barbara Cartwright, during the Minister's first official tour of the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls. The fully equipped salon provides residents with hands-on training in hairstyling and beauty services, helping them develop practical skills for future employment.
residents participate in approved activities outside the Centre, they do not wear institutional uniforms. Instead, they wear modest everyday clothing—a practice that reflects the Centre's commitment to preserving the dignity of the young women while supporting their successful reintegration into society. "This is a home," she reiterated. "I treat them like I do my own children and myself." Family relationships are also encouraged as part of that rehabilitation process. Residents are able to receive family visits every Sunday from 1pm to 5 pm, with as many as ten approved visitors, strengthening the family bonds that are essential to successful reintegration. Throughout the visit, Minister Cartwright engaged with residents who confidently shared their experiences and aspirations, leaving a lasting impression on the delegation. I am proud of what I have seen here today," she said. She commended Greenslade and her team for their professionalism, dedication and the positive environment they have created for the young women entrusted to their care. Ms Cartwright said she was particularly impressed by the confidence displayed by many of the residents, noting that they were articulate, engaged and comfortable interacting with visitors. "The girls were outspoken and confident, and that speaks to the effort being invested in them," she said. "They appeared happy, healthy and comfortable, and that tells me they are being cared for in an environment that truly supports their development." For the Minister, the visit reinforced that rehabilitation is not simply about addressing behavioural challenges, but about creating pathways to education, employment, personal responsibility and renewed hope. It is a mission quietly reflected throughout the facility—from vocational training and academic achievement to family engagement, community partnerships and the values displayed on the cafeteria walls, where portraits of virtuous women of the Bible offer daily reminders of character, faith and perseverance. Even the shirts worn by staff carried a message that echoed throughout the tour: "Rehabilitation Starts From Within." As the delegation departed, the message that welcomed them at the gate carried an even deeper meaning. At the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls, the future is not simply imagined—it is intentionally nurtured, one young life at a time. “We Are the Future."