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Friday, October 9, 2026

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GB Power ‘heading down BPL road’ amid $80m wait

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@ tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama Power Company is “about to head down the same road as Bahamas Power & Light”, its management union president warned yesterday, as he revealed the utility has yet to receive the $80m in capital works funding approved by Parliament pre-election. Kendal Culmer, head of the Bahamas Industrial Engineers, Managers and Supervisory Union, confirmed to Tribune Business that he and others were

‘Capital works’ funding approved by Parliament delayed Union chief told utility could ‘be in trouble come January’ Adopting BPL rate structure ‘blown away’ prior profitability informed in a recent meeting by GB Power executives that the $80m financing - repayment of which is guaranteed by Bahamian taxpayers - remains outstanding and the utility could “be in financial trouble come January” if it does not materialise by then. Critical network repairs and upgrades have been put “on pause” in its absence, he

added, while also disclosing that the three utility-scale solar farms installed on Grand Bahama under previous owners, Emera, are “only good in the day” because plans to add battery energy storage systems (BESS) are also on hold until funding is received. And Mr Culmer voiced fears, harboured by many in Grand Bahama’s private

sector, that a taxpayer subsidy for GB Power could be included in the Government’s Budget for the next 2027-2028 fiscal year because it has “blown away” all its profitability through the Davis administration converting it to the same Equity Rate Adjustment (ERA) tariff structure employed by BPL for the rest of The Bahamas.

* Fears more liabilities ‘on backs of Bahamian people’ * Debt switching from private company to taxpayers * Gov’t: Adjusting $131m loans to ‘strengthen’ utility

THE Opposition’s leader yesterday slammed the Government’s plan to refinance $331m in Grand Bahama Power Company-linked debt as “a bombshell” amid concerns it is placing more liabilities “on the backs of the Bahamian people”.

Michael Pintard, the Marco City MP, challenged why the Davis administration is seeking to refinance the $200m it borrowed to acquire GB Power so swiftly given that the deal with Emera was completed just five months ago. And

he questioned why the refinancing of two existing loans on GB Power’s books, totalling $131.82m, was only being publicly disclosed now given that the Government would have been aware of this through its due diligence process.

Jitneys, water operators suffer fuel price squeeze By ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net JITNEY drivers are spending up to $150 per day on fuel, while boat tour operators in Exuma face an extra $200 in costs per vessel, as soaring fuel prices squeeze profits, force charter fee surcharges and threaten to price customers out of excursions. Corvell Colebrooke, general secretary of the Bahamas Unified Bus Drivers Union (BUDU), said operators are struggling to

keep pace with rising fuel and maintenance costs. “We’re in a bad state right now,” Mr Colebrooke said. “Very, very bad state. The high price of fuel, and it’s not only fuel because diesel oil is skyrocketing. Parts. It takes diesel to bring the parts in over the sea. So everything right now is high, high, high.” Mr Colebrooke said drivers are seeking relief through lower fuel prices and the removal of VAT on fuel as fares have failed to keep pace with their

PRESSURE - See Page B5

CONCRETE SHORTAGE FEARS ON BAHAMA ROCK’S HALT By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@ tribunemedia.net THE Bahamian Contractors Association’s (BCA) president yesterday warned The Bahamas could face a shortage of ready-mix concrete if Bahama Rock's production halt becomes prolonged or permanent. Leonard Sands said the loss of domestic aggregate production, as a result of the Grand Bahama producer’s temporary 60-day shut down, has forced concrete suppliers to manage their

inventories more carefully, with the possibility that a surge in construction activity could exhaust available stock before replacement shipments arrive. “We could face a situation where there is no concrete on the island. That's a possibility,” he said. “Now, I don't want to freak people out by saying that that's an imminent possibility, but it's a risk that we now could foresee.” Mr Sands said he had confirmed that two concrete suppliers are sourcing aggregate from Jamaica,

BUILD - See Page B6

UPGRADE - See Page B4

Agency banking ‘won’t crack the nut’ on access

FNM leader slams GB Power funding’s $331m ‘bombshell’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@ tribunemedia.net

The union president said making the first 200 kilowatt hours (KWh) free for consumers has had an immediate impact on GB Power’s income, reducing its revenue collections even as costs remain unchanged, which applies pressure to its financial sustainability. Mr Culmer warned that, should the utility be plunged into consistent annual losses,

these will ultimately have to be covered and plugged by the Bahamian people through the taxes they pay. As a result, he warned that GB Power will “soon be heading down the BPL path” of multi-million dollar annual losses, government/taxpayer loans and subsidies to keep it afloat and operational, and growing power outages and unreliable energy supply, notwithstanding the lower electricity bills enjoyed by Grand Bahama businesses and residents that the Government has justified the acquisition on.

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@ tribunemedia.net

MICHAEL PINTARD The total $331.82m borrowing resolution, tabled in the House of Assembly on Wednesday evening, seeks Parliament’s approval for

ENERGY - See Page B4

AGENCY banking will “not crack the nut” of financial inclusion challenges in remoter Family Island communities, a senior banker asserted yesterday, but provides another “tool in the toolkit” for improving such access. Gowon Bowe, Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief executive, speaking as the

Central Bank prepares to issue its agency banking “guidance note” during the fourth quarter, told Tribune Business this method “opens another avenue” for giving Family Island residents access to financial services in areas where commercial banks no longer maintain a physical presence. However, he warned that significant education will have to take place so that communities and

FINANCIAL - See Page B2

PAGE 2, Friday, October 9, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

Business growth solutions

Keeping the faith in the workplace By IAN FERGUSON IN a country as proudly Christian as The Bahamas, it can be unsettling to share an office with people who see faith, family and lifestyle very differently. Many believers quietly struggle with how to hold firmly to their convictions while working beside colleagues who do not share them. The answer is not to hide your faith. It is to live it respectfully. Start with what we share. Many Christian values line up with good professional ethics. Honesty at work

means transparency and fair dealing. The ‘golden rule’, treating others as you wish to be treated, is also the foundation of teamwork. And the dignity of work means every colleague deserves respect for what they contribute, whatever their background. When you lead with these shared values, you find common ground before you ever discuss differences. Let your actions preach. There is a difference between living your faith and pressing it on others. Kindness, excellence and

integrity speak louder than any lecture, and colleagues who watch you handle pressure with grace may one day ask what sustains you. The workplace exists for professional output, not religious conversion, so let your conduct open the door rather than forcing it. Respect the word ‘no’. If faith comes up naturally, treat it like any other personal topic. If a co-worker seems uncomfortable or asks to change the subject, honour that immediately. Every employee has a right to a workplace free of hostility,

and that includes believers and non-believers alike. Choose civility over agreement. You do not need to agree on theology, politics or lifestyle to work well together. Respecting someone’s right to live differently is not the same as endorsing their choices. It is simply recognising their shared humanity. You can hold your convictions firmly and still greet a colleague warmly, collaborate generously, and speak of them kindly when they are not in the room. Expect fairness, and extend it. Employers should have clear codes of

conduct that protect staff from mistreatment over their beliefs, while also ensuring non-religious employees are not judged or excluded. Reasonable accommodations, such as space for prayer or time for religious observances, should be matched by equal flexibility for others’ personal needs. Fairness only works when it runs in both directions. A final thought. Scripture calls believers to be salt and light, not to be a spotlight aimed in someone’s face. The most persuasive witness in any workplace is the colleague

who is honest, dependable and kind to everyone, including those who disagree with them. Faith lived with humility strengthens a team rather than dividing it. NB: Ian R Ferguson is a talent management and organisational development consultant, having completed graduate studies with regional and international universities. He has served organisations, both locally and globally, providing relevant solutions to their business growth and development issues. He may be contacted at tcconsultants@coralwave.com.

Concept’s impact ‘hinges’ on education, commercial viability FINANCIAL - From Page B1 residents become “comfortable” with the concept and use of agency banking, which would involve Bahamian commercial banks

partnering with non-bank businesses - such as food stores, pharmacies and other retailers - to permit and facilitate them providing services such as cash withdrawals and deposits.

Mr Bowe, suggesting that the idea is “novel” for The Bahamas despite it being relatively commonplace in rural areas in developing countries, added that agency tie-ups must also be

profitable and commercially viable for both banks and their partners. This, together with consumer acceptance, will determine whether agency banking can solve the financial inclusion and access concerns impacting the less-populated Family Islands. The Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief spoke out after Karen Rolle, the Central Bank’s inspector of banks and trust companies, confirmed in her 2026 third quarter letter to regulated institutions that long-awaited agency banking policy and guidance is set to be released during the current quarter before the 2026 year-end. She wrote that it “establishes a regulatory framework for the provision of basic financial services through approved agents. The policy guidance permits licensed banks and credit unions to engage eligible non-bank entities, including payment service institutions, money transmission businesses and other approved entities, to provide specified financial services on their behalf,” Ms Rolle wrote. “The framework establishes eligibility and approval requirements for agents and sub-agents, including non-exclusive agency arrangements, while maintaining the accountability of participating financial institutions for their agents’ activities.” Mr Bowe, who said Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) presence on Exuma, and soon-to-be Eleuthera operation, incorporates some elements of agency banking, told Tribune Business: “I think, to be perfectly honest, this is just another tool in the tool-kit for addressing remote areas’ access to banking.” He explained that his BISX-listed institution’s Exuma tie-up with the

Cash N’ Go money transmission business is not a pure agency banking relationship but, rather, one where Fidelity has installed a kiosk similar to those found in European and US fast-food restaurants where customers order and pay for their meals using debit and credit cards. In Exuma, customers use the kiosk to conduct account deposits, withdrawals and chequing transactions and, if cash is involved, this can be picked up from or deposited at Cash N’Go whose role is strictly that of a cash provider. “The Fidelity model is conceptually similar, combines some elements of third party agents, but we’ve kept transaction management in-house,” Mr Bowe said. “Agency banking is a novel idea in The Bahamas. It’s very common in rural areas areas around the world. It’s going to be very interesting to see how Bahamians will respond to, say, a grocery store effectively being a bank; to walk into a grocery store and say: ‘I want to withdraw or deposit money on my account’.” Mr Bowe said the Central Bank’s agency banking guidance note will likely be more of a policy document setting out how the service will be regulated and “codify” the procedures institutions and their agents must adopt. He emphasised that “it’s not a mandate that you must engage agency banking”, and individual commercial banks will do their own vetting on potential agents, plus determine via risk management who they partner with and their agreement. Acknowledging that food stores and other retailers operating as banking agents may take some getting used to for Bahamians, especially when they do not see bank logos on the property’s exterior, the Fidelity chief added: “I think it is going to require a fair amount of education, but it’s only one method of getting to the islands. It’s really only a tool in the tool-kit…

“I’m probably going to sound overly tempered, but it will only be as effective as its environment is accepting of the concept. It’s still a business decision for licensed banks as to who they partner with and, equally, that it be accepted in the community as the equivalent of a bank. Some people may say they don’t want to do their banking business in a food store because there are persons shopping, persons will know my business if they see me putting in or taking money out. “It’s really going to hinge on how the final agreement looks, how they set-up the agency business, and what’s going to make it commercially viable for agents and banks? The agent is not doing it for free. There’s going to be a fee associated with it. Is the principal [bank] charged that fee, is it going to be passed on? Will it be similar to highly-populated areas that have a bank?” Mr Bowe asked. “There are a lot of things required before it will have a meaningful impact. This isn’t going to crack the nut, if you will, but this is another avenue being opened to say that if you are accepting of it, and it’s commercially profitable, this is another tool in the tool-kit for banks to provide access to the industry.” Mr Bowe recalled a recent conversation with an Inagua resident who was “critical” of the island’s sole bank branch, Bank of The Bahamas, suggesting it was still cash, cheque and paper-based reliant with cash having to be flown in from New Providence as opposed to being digital and ATM-based. The resident, who was recently living on Exuma, suggested Fidelity’s model there was well-suited for Inagua and it should be brought to the island. “We have to continue education with respect to moving away from cash and cheques, and as persons see that they become more comfortable with agency-type services as opposed to full ATM and banking services,” the Fidelity chief added.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, October 9, 2026, PAGE 3

Abaco hotel invests $200k in upgrades By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@ tribunemedia.net AN Abaco resort is investing about $200,000 in renovations during its seasonal closure as the property prepares for the upcoming winter tourism season amid weaker yearover-year room revenue and room nights sold. Molly McIntosh, the Bluff House Beach Resort and Marina’s general manager, told Tribune Business the property is renovating its kitchen and pool deck ahead of its October 30 reopening, with the investment coming as tourism operators contend with reduced airlift, higher travel costs and the challenges of attracting visitors outside the traditional peak season. “I will tell you that our year-over-year room revenue and room nights sold were both down, as they were collectively in all of Abaco. I don't know if there were any resorts that

were not down, but we were all down,” she said. Ms McIntosh said the withdrawal of Silver Airways had hurt the resort, with the anticipated replacement service from Bahamasair yet to materialise. She said visitors can still reach the island by chartering a plane or paying substantially higher air fares, but those options were not financially feasible for many guests. “We've been hearing that Bahamasair was going to pick up that route, and it hasn't done it. And now they're talking about in 2027, so that has hurt us,” she added. “I mean, you can get here if you want to charter a plane or pay $900 a ticket, but that's not feasible for a lot of our guests.” The Bluff House was also affected by changes to boating fees, Ms McIntosh said, with some visitors making decisions based on the higher charges before changes were implemented after the Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach boat shows.

She voiced hope that those changes will encourage boaters to return, but warned that additional airline fees are increasing the cost of reaching the Family Islands. “So all of the ticket prices have gone up again. So we're just kind of thinking that, you know, maybe if the Government could relax some of the fees,” said Ms McIntosh. “I mean, the airlines are bringing people in to spend money here. I would think we want to encourage that, not discourage it.” Beyond access and transportation costs, she said Abaco's tourism industry needs to find ways to extend its season, noting that business typically slows considerably outside the Christmas and New Year period, and the busier winter and summer months. “We just need to extend our season. You know, we need a longer season,” Ms McIntosh said. “September and October are dead. Most places either close or have reduced hours because of

the slow, you know, lack of business.” She said the goal should be to attract visitors throughout the year, creating more consistent business for resorts and employment opportunities for residents. “We want people coming 12 months out of the year and give us all, you know, work all the time,” Ms McIntosh said. Bluff House is preparing to re-open with a Halloween fly-in, when private pilots are expected to visit Green Turtle Cay for a costume party. Ms McIntosh said about 30 per cent of the resort's rooms remain available for the event. The property plans to remain open through Labour Day next year, she said, while the renovations and other improvements are intended to support the resort's operations and service standards. However, electricity costs and reliability remain additional concerns for tourism operators. Ms McIntosh said the resort's power bills had increased again during

the latest billing period, while recent outages and fluctuations had affected operations and damaged equipment. “We had trouble. It was what, about 10 days, two weeks ago? I think it was when, I mean, the power just kept going, you know, going off and coming back on and going off, and we had some damage, too. We had like brownouts and stuff where it really hurts the equipment,” she said. Although electricity has been more stable in recent days, Ms McIntosh said she was concerned about the prospect of further interruptions when visitor numbers and demand on the grid increase during the spring and summer. She added that recruiting workers remained a challenge, particularly when prospective employees could not find accommodation on the island. Bluff House expects to nearly double its workforce as it expands its operations and places greater emphasis on guest service, she

said. The resort has already increased staffing by about one-third and is building additional staff quarters. “We're going to need probably close to double what we have as far as employees here,” said Ms McIntosh. “And we can't find them. And if we can find them, we don't have anywhere for them to live.” Ms McIntosh argued that greater government investment in the Family Islands, alongside measures to make travel more affordable and promote destinations such as Abaco, could help tourism businesses attract more visitors and generate greater economic returns. “I just want some consideration given to the Out Islands and how much business they bring in, and the more that the Government invests in the Out Islands, particularly Abaco, the more money they're going to get back in that because we're going to get more business. “And I think it's a good investment,” she said.

Eleuthera hit again from BPL outages By ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net ELEUTHERA businesses are suffering lost sales, damaged equipment and spoiled food as persistent power outages worsen, with the island’s Chamber of Commerce president yesterday warning that years of inadequate planning have left the network struggling to keep pace with growth. Thomas Sands said the recurring disruptions were undermining business operations, investment and staff productivity, while residents voiced mounting frustration over blackouts that have increasingly affected the Eleuthera mainland. “So, in terms of businesses and power outages, again, it’s been devastating for businesses in terms of opportunities lost in terms of servicing customers,” Mr Sands said. “In some instances, people in the food service businesses have lost inventory. And also, equipment is being affected.” He added that the uncertainty created by inconsistent Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) supply was making it increasingly difficult for businesses to plan and operate effectively. The latest wave of complaints surfaced on Wednesday, with numerous residents reporting power failures, damaged appliances and overwhelming frustration with the frequency of outages. Aldred Albury, a former local government representative for The Current settlement, said electricity interruptions had varied across the island, with the longest outages lasting around four hours. He said that while BPL workers attempt to reconfigure the system to allow the utility’s own generators to carry the load instead of rental units, electricity repeatedly went off and returned at intervals of about five minutes. Mr Albury said the most recent disruptions have generally occurred during evening peak demand, placing particular strain on residents returning home after work. “When you come home from a long day at work and just want to relax, the power off when you reach home and don’t come on until 9-10pm at night,” he said. “The nights have been hot but I know the workers of BPL are doing their best with the resources they have.” Mr Albury warned that the growing frustration could eventually lead to another public protest, similar to demonstrations held on Harbour Island several years ago over electricity and water supply.

He added that residents could mobilise again if conditions failed to improve, adding that the island needs additional generation capacity to meet peak demand and maintain supply when an engine becomes inoperable. “The island needs more generation capacity to carry the load during peak times, especially, should one engine become inoperable for various reasons,” Mr Albury said. Mr Sands said the recurring reliance on short-term fixes was contributing to public frustration, and called for a comprehensive master plan to address electricity generation and infrastructure requirements. “I think that frustration will continue until we really lay out a concise master plan,” Mr Sands said, adding that the costs of repeated temporary solutions to the Government and taxpayers could be substantial. He also called for tax concessions and incentives to encourage businesses to invest in energy-efficient equipment and renewable energy systems, arguing that commercial consumers could help ease pressure on the national grid. Mr Sands proposed a model under which businesses could generate their own electricity while eventually supplying excess power back into the system, reducing the burden on conventional generation while improving overall capacity. “I think, yes, you will continue to have people very frustrated because it appears it is, as I said, up today and down tomorrow,” he said. “And the next time it seems more entrenched because it’s almost like we’re piecemealing the solution.” Mr Sands said he was not disputing that BPL and the Government were making efforts to address the crisis, including the construction of a new renewable and LNG power plant. However, he argued that successive administrations and utility management failures have contributed to the present difficulties. “The power plant that they are building should have been here 10 years ago,” he said. “And that’s a lack of planning on both the administration side and poor management in terms of the utility, and also the change from one management to the other based on changes in the Bahamas government.” The electricity problems in Eleuthera reflect a wider national struggle with unreliable power supply, with disruptions affecting schools, healthcare facilities, households and businesses across New Providence and the Family Islands.

Senator Arinthia Komolafe yesterday said frequent outages were disproportionately affecting children and older people, while adding to the pressures facing businesses already contending with the high cost of living and under-employment. “The frequent power outages have been causing disruptions to our children’s learning during the school year,” the Opposition senator said, listing schools in Eleuthera and several New Providence institutions, including Anatol Rodgers High School, Government High School, C.C. Sweeting Senior High School, C.W. Sawyer Primary School, Sandilands Primary School, Eva Hilton Primary School and Tiny Tots Preschool among those affected by early dismissals or closures. Mrs Komolafe also raised concerns about elderly and sick people who depend on reliable electricity for medication and oxygen treatment, as well as facilities caring for seniors that are grappling with blackouts and high electricity bills. She said businesses across the country, including those in downtown Nassau and the Family Islands, are demanding answers from BPL over sustained outages. “The time for heads to roll has long passed,” Mrs Komolafe said. “The Bahamian people deserve more accountability from the leadership of BPL,

AN outside view of the Bahamas Power Company. the responsible ministers in the Davis Ccabinet and Bahamas Grid Company (BGC), which continues to receive millions of dollars of the taxpayers’ funds.” Mrs Komolafe called for resignations at the highest levels, and said the Government should apologise for the failure of its energy reform efforts, arguing that the persistent outages were undermining confidence in the promised improvements. Meanwhile, BPL has acknowledged significant power supply problems in Great Guana Cay in Abaco, where residents endured repeated interruptions linked to generator failures and faults in the subsea cable network. In a statement, BPL said Great Guana Cay had been

equipped with a standby generator more than a year ago, but that unit suffered a major electrical failure on August 26 and had to be removed for repairs. The utility said the Man O’ War Cay generator, which served as a secondary stand-by source for Guana Cay in the event of a cable failure, was subsequently used to restore electricity after a subsea cable fault disrupted supply on October 2. However, that generator tripped offline on October 4 because of a mechanical problem, leaving only portions of Guana Cay energised while repairs and troubleshooting continued. BPL said the cable fault affecting the Kent Smith area of North Guana Cay was repaired around

midday on October 7, restoring electricity to that section after around three days without power. Later that evening, another feeder trip revealed a separate subsea cable fault between Scotland Cay and Guana Cay, leaving the entire community without electricity overnight. Power was restored to Guana Cay at around 12.50pm on Thursday, October 8, BPL said. As a longer-term measure, the utility said the tender for installing new reinforced subsea cables was in the final approval process. Once the purchase order is issued, the contractor will be mobilised, with the project expected to take around four to six weeks after work begins.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION (pursuant to section 23 of the Natural Gas Act, 10 of 2024, Statute Laws of The Bahamas) NOTICE is hereby given that RenugenPro Ltd. has made applications to the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (“URCA”) for licenses to: import liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) (commercial) and operate LNG terminals. The applications are made with the object of licensing and regulation of the Applicant’s activities for the import of LNG and the operation of LNG Regasification Terminals at (1) Cat Island (2) San Salvador and (3) Long Island. The applications can be inspected by appointment at the Applicant’s office at No. 138 Robinson Road, New Providence, The Bahamas. Any objections to the applications must be made on or before the 16th October, 2026 and shall be made by Affidavit and solemn declaration to be submitted exclusively to URCA’s office located at Frederick Street, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas. Dated the 14th day of September, 2026 Italia C. Chambers Attorney for the Applicant No. 36 Nassau Street New Providence, The Bahamas

MGG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED LIQUIDATOR’S NOTICE Pursuant to Section 138(6) of the International Business Companies Act

NOTICE is hereby given that MGG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, a company registered under the International Business Companies Act, has been dissolved and struck off the Register as of the 18th day of August 2026. Sterling (Bahamas) Limited Liquidator

PAGE 4, Friday, October 9, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

Pintard: Staff told me upgrades on hold due to financing delays UPGRADE - From Page B1 “That is correct,” Mr Culmer replied, when asked by Tribune Business if it was accurate that GB Power has yet to receive the $80m in borrowed “working capital” authorised by Parliament before the May 12 general election. “We had a meeting a few weeks ago, and I asked the question of how the revenue was being collected now seeing that the first 200 KWh are free. “That has slowed down, and we’re not collecting as much money as previously. But, before I could ask about that $80m, the finance person said if we don’t get that $80m soon we could be in trouble come January. They [senior management] have been going to Nassau every two weeks to meet with the Ministry of Finance to ask when we will be able to access those funds, and they’ve just been getting the run around. “They keep getting turned around in access to the funds. We don’t know where it is. It’s as if it has vanished… We are in a terrible state right now. Revenue collection has dropped tremendously because of the first 200 KWh being free. We are almost at the point where we can almost see, in the next Budget, we are going to have a line item to subsidise GB Power,” Mr Culmer asserted.

“We are going to need some subsidy somewhere down the road. What they did basically was they blew away all the profitability from May to now.” GB Power, based on Mr Culmer’s confirmation, has now been waiting five to six months for funding that is critical to maintenance and improvements to the network infrastructure that serves the whole of Grand Bahama. Neither Nikita Mullkings, GB Power’s chief executive, nor Senator Latrae Rahming, the Prime Minister’s communications director, responded to Tribune Business text messages sent to their cell phones seeking comment before press time last night. The $80m was to be borrowed by Grand Bahama Energy Company, the special purpose vehicle (SPV) wholly-owned by the Government, which acquired GB Power from Emera, the Canadian energy giant. However, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), the lender, imposed a pre-condition that the $80m borrowing must be guaranteed by the Government, meaning the Bahamian taxpayer, before it would advance the funds. This underwriting was duly approved by Parliament prior to the general election, so it is unclear why the funding has yet to be released to GB Power.

In the meantime, Mr Culmer confirmed that key upgrades, which had been planned by Emera, have effectively been left in limbo. “They gave us January as the benchmark,” he told Tribune Business. “If we don’t get anything before then, it is possible we will see some deterioration. There were some plans with Emera to do some things in the summer, around $50m. “Emera had a plan for five years, and that was where we figured they’d got the $80m from; put something on top of that, but they [the Government] didn’t put in the money.” As a result, Mr Culmer said plans to equip Grand Bahama’s utility-scale solar farms with battery energy storage, which would allow excess power generated during the day’s son to be stored and supplied to the grid at night, have been delayed. “Those solar farms in Grand Bahama are only good in the day,” the management union head told this newspaper. “There were plans to implement battery storage for the solar farm, and do some network upgrades, but that’s gone on pause because we are just barely paying the bills right now. “We’re about to head down the road of BPL. We are about to head that way if we don’t do something

soon. Your source was correct when they told you we haven’t received those funds yet. If we don’t get anything soon we will be heading down BPL’s path.” That is precisely the fear voiced by Dillon Knowles, the former Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce president, and others in the private sector. While agreeing that Grand Bahama electricity costs needed to be lower, they warned that in the absence of a coherent strategy by the Government - simply lowering GB Power’s costs by adopting BPL’s rates and prices, in the absence of cost reductions, would plunge the utility into unsustainable losses. These losses would then have to be covered by the Bahamian people through the taxes they pay, rather than Grand Bahama business and resident light bills, in the absence of any wider strategic reform plan for GB Power. Meanwhile, Michael Pintard, the Opposition’s leader and Marco City MP, yesterday also disclosed that constituents who worked at GB Power had also informed him that the $80m funding had yet to be released. “Earlier in the week, I had raised the concerns being expressed by persons at GB Power that there was an outstanding $80m, which I understand did

not necessarily come,” Mr Pintard told Tribune Business. “I was hearing from employees of GB Power who live in my constituency that they have not been able to proceed with repairs and upgrades in the absence of the funding actually coming. “There was concern as to whether they had completed the financing.” Mr Pintard said his and the Opposition’s inquiries had sparked no response from the Government, as he argued it was impossible to expect it to any better with GB Power given that it had “presided over failure” at BPL. The Government has yet to disclose its “game plan”, and the commercial and economic rationale, for acquiring GB Power and adding more than a quarter-of-a-billion dollars to The Bahamas’ $12bn-plus national debt other than implying that Grand Bahama businesses and households will see a reduction in energy bills and costs following the acquisition. Emera’s financials for the 12 months to year-end 2025 show that GB Power generated a $10m Canadian dollar contribution to the utility giant’s “consolidated adjusted net income” for the period - a figure that was slightly down on the prior year’s $11m. Using the current exchange rate,

that $10m Canadian dollars translates into about US $7.3m. Those profits were generated from $162m Canadian dollars worth of revenue, which represented a 16.5 percent year-overyear increase compared to 2024’s $139m Canadian dollar top-line. The increase is likely due to increased economic activity among GB Power’s 20,000-strong customer base, with Carnival’s $600m Celebration Key destination having opened last July. The exchange rate conversion means GB Power generated $118.26m worth of revenues in US dollars last year. The value of the Grand Bahama-based electricity provider’s physical assets, namely property, plant and equipment, narrowed slightly last year from $371m Canadian dollars at year-end 2024 to $361m Canadian dollars some 12 months later. To give an idea of what the Government has acquired, Emera said: “With $378m US dollars of assets, and approximately 20,000 customers, GB Power owns 98 mega watts (MW) of oil-fired generation, approximately 100 kilometres of transmission facilities and 1,000 kilometres of distribution facilities. GB Power’s approved regulatory return on rate base is 8.52 per cent.”

Opposition chair: Borrowing makes fuel relief less likely ENERGY - From Page B1 transaction that would permit it refinancing GB Power’s existing loans - one worth $109.892m, the other $22m - plus the $200m that the Government borrowed from a consortium of banks, led by Standard Chartered and Scotiabank (Bahamas), to finance the electrical utility’s purchase from Emera. Refinancings are typically done if the borrower, in this case the Government and Bahamian people, can secure better terms and conditions - in particular, a lower interest rate and reduced debt servicing costs. Here, repayment of the $200m loaned by the Standard Chartered-led consortium was guaranteed, or underwritten by the Government, on behalf of its Grand Bahama Energy Company acquisition vehicle. What the proposed refinancing will do, though, is convert the $200m acquisition loan, plus the $131.82m existing GB Power liabilities, into direct debt owed by Bahamian taxpayers rather than contingent liabilities that are guaranteed.

This, in effect, also transfers the debt burden from GB Power and Grand Bahama Energy Company to the Bahamian people while leaving the two corporate entities with cleaned-up balance sheets that have less liabilities. The borrowing resolution, seen by Tribune Business, asserts that the refinancing will “strengthen the position of GB Power Company, facilitate the operation and orderly development of the electricity infrastructure on Grand Bahama, and will allow for the more efficient management of these obligations within the Government’s debt portfolio”. The refinancing of these commercial bank loans, the resolution adds, will be part of the Government’s “broader debt refinancing exercise for fiscal 20262027” by which it seeks “to reduce annual debt service, provide certainty of interest coverage and lessen refinancing risk”. Mr Pintard, though, accused the Government of “dropping a bombshell in Parliament” through a resolution that places Bahamian taxpayers “on the hook” for

what is a net $131.82m debt increase as a result of loan liabilities being transferred to them from a formerly privately-owned utility. The remaining $200m is becoming a direct debt rather than a contingent liability.“This is a government that just completed the Grand Bahama Power Company acquisition a few months ago. This is a government that just went through a Budget exercise. This is a government that, this July, published its annual borrowing plan for the current fiscal year,” Mr Pintard argued. “At no time during the acquisition discussions, the Budget debate or in its annual borrowing plan did this government mention that it intended to add $331m to our sovereign debt. Even when directly questioned by the Opposition, the Government failed to tell us that the Bahamian taxpayer would be responsible for an additional $131m-plus in old debts from Grand Bahama Power.” Dr Duane Sands, the Opposition’s chairman, meanwhile, told Tribune Business that the Government is seemingly “paying no heed” to warnings from Standard & Poor’s (S&P), which in last week’s assessment of The Bahamas singled out GB Power over the threat posed by loss-making stateowned enterprises (SOEs) and growing guarantee liabilities. And he suggested that the increased borrowing could eliminate any “headroom”

the Government may have to offer VAT breaks and other tax-related relief to Bahamian families and businesses struggling with the ongoing cost of living crunch. “The chickens have come home to roost,” Dr Sands argued. “Obviously, they [the Government] have taken no heed of the admonition or warning of the rating agencies. It’s damn the torpedos, full speed ahead. To put this around the necks of the Bahamian people is a betrayal, and you have to go back to the original transaction. “Why was it necessary to purchase GB Power, particularly since we were buying it from a private entity. They did not give a cogent or reasonable explanation why this takeover of GB Power had to take place, and now it’s being refinanced to add debt on the backs of the Bahamian people. The only people that will suffer are the Bahamian taxpayers. I think it’s a foregone conclusion we will get downgraded when next year’s review cycle takes place.” S&P, in last week’s Bahamas country report, voiced concern about the Government’s guarantee of the $280m borrowing that financed its GB Power Company purchase as “further straining its fiscal accounts”. The Davis administration’s own pre-election update revealed the GB Power borrowing would more than double government guarantees for SOEs, raising these from $317.4m

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL

them but on the Bahamian people who have to pay. “Clearly, this additional funding makes it far less likely they will find headroom to give relief from rising fuel prices. I believe they will say they cannot afford to reduce taxes on VAT, gasoline or LPG because of this ‘unexpected’ debt. I am certain this is an example of an anticipated transaction that they simply did not disclose in the Budget debate but knew full well they would have to make.” Dr Sands implied that, despite knowing it would need to refinance GB Power’s existing debts, the Government delayed announcing this until after the general election to avoid any impact on voters. And Mr Pintard, his party leader, added: “First, why did the Government originally come to Parliament with a resolution to guarantee the $200m purchase of the Grand Bahama Power Company when they knew they would come back months later and instead turn it into direct debt? “Secondly, why didn’t the Government disclose that the Grand Bahama Power Company owed more than $130m in debt that Bahamian taxpayers would have to take on? “These revelations change the entire complexion of the transaction. The Government held back this information on purpose and instead came to Parliament with a misrepresentation of this Grand Bahama Power Company deal.”

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL

The public is hereby advised that I, DAWN SHARON HIELD of Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas intend to change my name to DAWN SHARON BAIN-HIELD. 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.

The public is hereby advised that I, ALIISON GWENDIKE FORBES of P.O. Box# N3630, 361 Soldier Road West, Nassau, Bahamas intend to change my name to ALLISON GWENDIKE WILLIAMS. 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 MORISTHENES SIMEON of Miami Street, 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 2nd day of October, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

at end-December 2025 to $718.1m in this 2026-2027 fiscal year. “Transforming the typically loss-making SOEs through reforms has been a long-running challenge for the Government. We also think the Government’s recent purchase of the Grand Bahama Power Company could strain its fiscal accounts further and limit the reductions it expects for subventions to public entities,” S&P asserted. “As a result, we think general government debt could increase for reasons other than the Budget balance - namely, off-balance sheet financing and, potentially, the materialisation of contingent liabilities. All that said, with a growing economy, we expect annual increases in The Bahamas’ general government net debt averaging 2.5 percent of GDP (gross domestic product) over 2026-2028.” Dr Sands yesterday argued that the Government has also yet to explain the rationale for the latest $331.82m refinancing package, including why taxpayers are assuming responsibility for GB Power’s existing debts that were left behind by Emera, its former private sector owner. “Where are they going to find the money to pay for it?” he asked. “We are three months into the new Budget year, and we are taking on additional debt, coming to the House for a resolution for additional debt already…. The fiscal consequences that arise will not fall on

NOTICE is hereby given that I CLAUDE PROPHETE of Firetrail Road, 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 9th day of October, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, October 9, 2026, PAGE 5

GB Power’s $332m refinancing part of wider debt management By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@ tribunemedia.net THE Davis administration is seeking to fold $331.82m in Grand Bahama Power Company-related borrowing into its wider 2026-2027 debt refinancing as it looks to reduce debt service costs and limit the risk of having to refinance existing commercial bank facilities. Michael Halkitis, minister of finance, tabled a resolution in the House of Assembly this week seeking parliamentary authorisation to refinance

the combined obligations, including accrued interest and related transaction costs. The proposed refinancing covers the $200m syndicated bank loan arranged to finance the Government's acquisition of GB Power, alongside the utility's existing loan facilities valued at around $109.82m and $22m. In the resolution, the Government said refinancing the commercial bank facilities will “reduce annual debt service, provide certainty of interest coverage, and lessen refinancing risk”. The exercise, it added, will strengthen GB Power's financial position, facilitate

the operation and orderly development of Grand Bahama's electricity infrastructure, and allow for more efficient management of the obligations within the Government's debt portfolio. The resolution seeks Parliament’s authority for the minister of finance to borrow the required sum through government loan agreements or lines of credit, the issuance of securities or other debt instruments. The proposed refinancing follows the Government's acquisition of GB Power from Canadian utility giant Emera, a transaction completed on

May 12, 2026, through the government-owned special purpose vehicle (SPV), Grand Bahama Energy Company. The acquisition was part of the Davis administration's strategy to address long-standing complaints about high electricity costs on Grand Bahama and bring the island's electricity tariffs in line with those elsewhere in The Bahamas. Prime Minister Philip Davis KC said at the time that the move was expected to reduce electricity bills by an average of 37 percent through the adoption of BPL’s tariff schedule Parliament had previously approved a

government guarantee for the $200m syndicated borrowing used to finance GB Power’s acquisition, alongside a separate $80m loan intended to support the utility’s capital expenditure and working capital requirements. The utility also carried legacy commercial debt, which the Ministry of Finance is now proposing to incorporate into the broader refinancing exercise. The Government's June 2026 public debt figures identified approximately $131.8m in legacy GB Power debt, in addition to the financing obtained for the acquisition and the utility's operational needs.

The resolution invokes the Public Debt Management Act 2021, which permits the minister of finance to borrow to refinance or reschedule existing public debt, including through the repayment, buy back or exchange of government loans and securities. However, the Act also requires parliamentary approval for changes to the form of public debt that would increase its present value. The Government is seeking approval for the proposed refinancing as part of its 2026-2027 debt management programme.

Out Islands hit hard: ‘You in Nassau have no idea’ PRESSURE - From Page B1 expenses. The Government approved a 25-cent increase in adult bus fares in 2024, bringing the standard fare to $1.50, but the union has continued to press for further adjustments. Mr Colebrooke said the increase had largely been swallowed by higher fuel costs, leaving drivers with little room to make a profit. “You are operating on a bus where you are spending $140 to $150 a day on fuel, and another $15, $16 to buy oil,” he said. “That can’t work. There’s no profit in this.” The pressures extend beyond public transportation to the boating and excursion industry, where operators are grappling with rising gas and diesel prices, reduced margins and customers becoming increasingly sensitive to tour costs. Kate Nottage, first mate for My Bahamas Private

Tours & Excursions, said rising gasoline prices are significantly reducing profits, forcing operators to either increase their charges or absorb the additional expenses. “We spend a lot of money on fuel, but we’ve definitely seen those numbers go way up recently, and they just continue to climb,” Ms Nottage said. “Your fuel is definitely not stretching as far.” She said even a $250 top-up seemed to buy substantially less fuel than it did before, while operators serving the Family Islands faced particular pressure because of the volume required to reach those destinations. Ms Nottage said some operators have raised prices by at least 10 to 15 percent or more to offset higher fuel costs, but those increases are coming at a difficult time for the tourism sector. “With it being slow season, that hits even harder

NOTICE

because people are already not necessarily coming here to spend as much during the season,” she said. “The rise in prices, it really is costing people tours and costing people business and their income.” Although her business has benefited from repeat customers, Ms Nottage said the traditionally slow part of the tourism season has been particularly difficult, with rising fuel prices adding another obstacle for operators trying to maintain bookings. Ray Lightbourn, principal of Exuma Water Sports, said higher fuel prices are costing his business an additional $200 per day for each boat in operation. He said the company typically has four or five boats operating much of the time, although it did not run its entire fleet every day. Fuel in Exuma, he said, is about $8.53 per gallon. He added that increasing tour prices is not a

straightforward option because operators are competing with unlicensed Airbnb owners offering tours. “It’s not that easy to raise prices because we got so many illegal Airbnbs doing tours, and we got to compete with them, unfortunately, because nobody enforces in Exuma,” Mr Lightbourn said. Rather than immediately passing the higher costs on to customers, he said his operation is absorbing the pressure through reduced profits while maintaining its staffing levels. “We haven’t cut back on anything. Just going with the flow right now,” he said. “I can’t really cut back on the staff. We need our staff. We cut back on our profits. I don’t know what we’re going to do.” Mr Lightbourn said the business plans to continue operating under current conditions for at least another month before reassessing its position, while hoping fuel prices fall.

NOTICE

He warned that higher tour prices could also put excursions beyond the reach of families travelling on tighter budgets, further limiting the industry’s ability to recover its rising costs. Michael Dillon, owner of Abaco Yacht and Charter Services, said fuel prices are already affecting bookings, with some customers cancelling trips because of the expense. “We’ve definitely had people cancel because of the cost of fuel,” Mr Dillon said. “I know

it’s definitely hitting our bottom line because we have charters where fuel is included. So we’ve had to put surcharges on the charters to cover the fuel cost.” Mr Dillon said the business is also receiving fewer bookings as customers weigh the cost of chartering a vessel against their travel budgets. Fuel in Abaco, he said, costs about $7.80 per gallon. “If you’re in Nassau, you have no idea,” he said. “You guys are living cheap.”

CARE - We listen to your needs COMMITMENT- We are committed to helping your business grow CONSISTENCY- We offer consistent service to all clients Call our Advertising Department on 502-2350, and speak to a Sales Executive today. Get started on the road to success!

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that I REYNOLD FLEURIDOR of Durham Street, 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 9th day of October, 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 VIERGELA DESILME of Coco Plum Close, Off Carmichel Road, 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 9th day of October, 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 JUDAH GREENFIELD STUBBS of Evergreen Close, 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 9th day of October, 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 JEAN FRANCOIS VICTOR of #4 Kent Circle, 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 2nd day of October, 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 Jesula Julien Grant of Kool Air, Sub Road, 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 2nd day of October, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

FIRST LEGAL NOTICE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT, 2000

ELGITA PIC Ltd.

EASTLAKE ASSETS CORP.

Voluntary Liquidation

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in accordance with Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, 2000 as follows:-

ELGITA PIC Ltd. is in dissolution under the provisions of the International Business Companies Act, 2000.

EASTLAKE ASSETS CORP. is in dissolution under the provisions of the International Business Companies Act, 2000.

The dissolution of the said Company commenced on 6th October 2026 when its Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

The Liquidator of the said Company is Amicorp Bahamas Management Limited whose address is Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-4865, New Providence, The Bahamas.

Charlene Edgecombe-Adderley Amicorp Bahamas Management Limited Liquidator

NOTICE is hereby given that I JOSE ALBERTO POLONIA HERNANDEZ of South Beach, 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 9th day of October, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

PAGE 6, Friday, October 9, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

BCA president calls for Bahama Rock solution BUILD - From Page B1 providing a short-term solution following Bahama Rock’s temporary departure from the market. However, the additional reliance on imported material leaves the industry exposed to shipping delays and sudden increases in demand.

Mr Sands said one concrete plant was already running very low on supplies and was prioritising which customers received deliveries, while another supplier had received a shipment from Jamaica the previous week. “With the other plant pretty much going towards empty, now you’re going to

have all concrete demand supplied by one plant, which is going to pretty much exhaust that supply,” he added. Mr Sands cautioned that it was too early to predict when the Bahamian construction industry might run out of material, as the BCA did not yet know how much aggregate had been

delivered or how long existing stocks would last. However, he said the prospect of a shortage was a serious concern because concrete is essential to commercial construction, infrastructure works and development projects throughout The Bahamas. “Project delays are going to impact all projects that

require concrete, whether private sector or public sector, infrastructure projects or otherwise,” he said. Mr Sands added that delays could have wider financial implications for projects operating under deadlines and completion commitments, potentially affecting repayment terms as well as construction schedules. The BCA president identified several major developments that could place additional pressure on concrete supplies, including the planned New Providence Specialty Hospital project, the Melia replacement at Baha Mar and the Four Seasons Ocean Club Residences project on Paradise Island. He said significant demand from larger developments could leave smaller contractors struggling to obtain concrete if supplies are already stretched. The use of Jamaican aggregate also creates a vulnerability to weather-related shipping disruptions, he added, noting that orders could take around two weeks to reach Nassau. “If you have a hurricane or you have anything interrupting shipping lanes, then you can’t get that aggregate,” said Mr Sands. “That means concrete production stops.” While he acknowledged that sourcing aggregate from Jamaica has helped maintain supplies, he said imports are not a suitable long-term replacement for domestic production because of the risks associated with relying on shipments from overseas. The imported material is available at a price point similar to locally-sourced aggregate, the BCA president said, but shipping added to the overall cost. Mr Sands urged the Government and Bahama Rock to negotiate a solution that could allow domestic production to resume, arguing that the consequences of leaving the situation unresolved could extend beyond the construction industry.

“So I think it speaks to the fact that we need to address this Bahama Rock situation,” he said. “This is relevant in the room, and it affects potentially the GDP of this country.” The warning comes after Bahama Rock halted production at its existing Grand Bahama operation on September 18, following the depletion of its permitted aggregate reserves and failure to secure the approvals needed to mine additional sources at the former Bahamas Cement Company property. The company said the shutdown would initially last no longer than 60 days, with 69 hourly-paid employees temporarily laid off from September 21 while it awaits the necessary regulatory approvals. Its proposed expansion has faced opposition from residents concerned about blasting, flooding and other environmental impacts. In September, Bahama Rock warned that losing its production could drive aggregate costs higher and disrupt construction and infrastructure development. The company has argued that approval to mine the additional site is necessary to secure its future. However, Freeport Aggregates, a rival supplier based in Grand Bahama, pledged on September 22 to invest a further $9m to expand production and help fill the gap left by Bahama Rock’s shutdown. The proposed expansion is targeting completion in the third quarter of 2027 and would require additional land and equipment. Mr Sands said the BCA is monitoring the supply situation closely but will need more information from concrete suppliers before making a reasonable assessment of how soon shortages might develop. “If you cannot have the right aggregate, you can’t batch concrete. If you can’t batch concrete, you can’t deliver concrete, and so projects will be impacted,” he added.

PAGE 8, Friday, October 9, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

Empire Sports Medicine Series

The Athlete’s Biological Clock Why timing matters in training, recovery and performance By DR KENT L BAZARD Sports Medicine Physician WE spend considerable time discussing how athletes should train. We examine exercise selection, intensity, recovery, nutrition and progressive overload. We measure strength, speed, power and endurance, and carefully consider how these qualities change over time. Yet one variable receives relatively little attention despite influencing nearly every physiological system involved in performance: the time of day. Consider an athlete completing the same workout at six in the morning and five in the afternoon. The training programme may be identical, but the athlete's response may not be. Strength, power, coordination, alertness and perceived effort can fluctuate throughout the day, partly because of the body's internal biological clock. Understanding these variations can help athletes and coaches make better decisions about training, competition and recovery. Human beings operate according to biological rhythms, the most familiar being the circadian rhythm. These approximately 24-hour cycles influence sleep, body temperature, hormone secretion, metabolism and cognitive performance. At the center of this system is the suprachiasmatic nucleus, a small region of the hypothalamus that coordinates biological timing using environmental signals, particularly light. Other tissues, including skeletal muscle and the liver, possess their own molecular clocks that help regulate local metabolic processes. One of the clearest examples is core body temperature. It typically reaches its lowest point during the

latter part of the night and rises throughout the day, often peaking in the late afternoon or early evening. This matters because temperature influences muscle contraction, nerve conduction, joint mobility and metabolic activity. Research has frequently demonstrated better results in certain measures of maximal strength, sprintingand explosive power later in the day, although the magnitude of these differences varies between individuals and activities. This does not mean morning training is ineffective. An athlete struggling to produce maximal power at six in the morning may simply need more preparation before demanding activity. A longer, progressive warm-up can help increase muscle temperature and neuromuscular readiness. Sprinters may benefit from additional preparatory drills, while strength athletes may require more gradual loading before heavier sets. Hormones also follow daily rhythms. Cortisol typically rises toward waking, while melatonin increases during the evening to help regulate sleep. However, it would be a mistake to assume that a temporary hormonal peak automatically identifies the ideal time to build muscle or lose fat. Long-term adaptation still depends primarily on training quality, progressive overload, adequate nutrition, sleep and consistency. Another important consideration is chronotype, an individual's natural preference for earlier or later activity. Some people function best in the morning, while others become more alert later in the day. These tendencies are influenced by genetics, age, environmental light and lifestyle. They are particularly relevant in adolescent athletes because puberty commonly

shifts biological sleep timing later. Many teenagers naturally become sleepy later at night, yet school and training schedules require them to wake early. Add homework, transportation and extracurricular activities, and chronic sleep restriction becomes a genuine concern. Adolescents generally require eight to 10 hours of sleep, but many obtain considerably less. For young athletes, sleep supports learning, memory, emotional regulation, immune function and adaptation to training. A student-athlete who consistently sleeps five or six hours while training intensely may be undermining the improvements they are working to achieve. Poor concentration, irritability and sluggish performance may sometimes reflect insufficient recovery rather than poor discipline. This is worth considering when schools and sporting organizations establish training schedules. Practical limitations certainly exist, but adolescent sleep biology should influence decisions about early-morning sessions, particularly when athletes are balancing demanding academic and sporting commitments. When early training is unavoidable, coaches should consider warm-up duration, exercise intensity, total workload and recovery opportunities. Competition presents another challenge because athletes rarely control their event schedules. A sprinter accustomed to afternoon training may have preliminary heats at nine in the morning. A swimmer may compete in morning heats and evening finals. A boxer may spend hours waiting before entering the ring late at night. Each situation creates different demands on alertness, nutrition,

warm-up preparation and recovery. Where practical, athletes can occasionally rehearse training at their anticipated competition time. Familiarity with early starts, late events or multiple daily sessions may help reduce the disruption associated with unfamiliar schedules. This does not require permanently changing the entire training program, but it allows the athlete to become accustomed to performing under conditions that more closely resemble competition. International travel makes biological timing even more important. Bahamian athletes frequently travel for CARIFTA competitions, collegiate events and international championships. Crossing several time zones can create a mismatch between local time and the body's internal clock, producing jet lag. Sleep, appetite, alertness and performance may all be affected. Eastward travel is often particularly challenging because advancing the biological clock is generally more difficult than delaying it. When significant time-zone changes are anticipated, gradually adjusting sleep schedules before departure, obtaining appropriately timed daylight exposure and planning meals and rest can support adaptation. The approach should be individualised according to the direction of travel, number of time zones crossed and competition schedule.Nutrition also interacts with biological timing, although there is no universal eating schedule that suits every athlete. The priority remains adequate energy and nutrient intake to support training. Athletes exercising early may tolerate a light carbohydrate-containing snack before training

and a substantial breakfast afterward. Those training later should distribute meals appropriately rather than arriving at practice under-fueled. Adequate protein throughout the day supports muscle repair, while carbohydrate availability becomes particularly important during prolonged or high-intensity exercise. Caffeine deserves attention because athletes sometimes use it to compensate for poor sleep or unfavorable schedules. Although caffeine can improve alertness and certain aspects of performance in appropriate adult athletes, excessive intake may produce anxiety, tremor, gastrointestinal discomfort and sleep disruption. An energy drink consumed late in the afternoon may improve alertness during training while compromising recovery that night. For younger athletes, relying on highly caffeinated beverages to overcome chronic sleep deprivation is particularly concerning. At Empire Sports Medicine & Performance, biological timing is also relevant when interpreting objective performance testing. Strength, sprint speed and jumping performance can vary with sleep, fatigue, nutrition and time of day. When monitoring an athlete's progress, testing under reasonably consistent conditions helps distinguish genuine adaptation from normal day-to-day variation. A small difference in force production or jump height should not automatically be interpreted as improved or declining fitness without considering the circumstances surrounding the assessment. For most athletes, the best time to train is the time that permits consistent, high-quality sessions without sacrificing adequate sleep, nutrition or recovery. Where schedules allow,

particularly demanding speed and power sessions may benefit from being placed when an athlete feels most physically prepared. However, consistency and recovery generally matter more than pursuing a theoretically perfect training hour. Coaches should pay attention to how athletes respond to different training times, particularly when preparing for major competitions. Parents should recognise that adequate sleep is part of athletic development, rather than something that can be sacrificed indefinitely to accommodate increasingly demanding schedules. Athletesthemselves should understand that fatigue, poor concentration or reduced performance may sometimes reflect the timing of their activities rather than a lack of effort. We cannot always choose when we train or compete. School schedules, employment, facility availability and competition organizers often make those decisions for us. What we can do is prepare more intelligently for the demands of those schedules. Sometimes that means adjusting a warm-up, changing meal timing, protecting an earlier bedtime or gradually adapting to a different competition schedule. The biological clock is unlikely to be the deciding factor in every athletic performance, but it is another piece of physiology worth understanding. As we continue to refine how athletes train, recover and prepare for competition, paying attention to the timing of those activities may help us make better use of the training they are already doing.

Fred ‘Papa’ Smith to be honoured By FELICITY DARVILLE LONG before generations of young Bahamians dreamed of taking their baseball talents to the professional ranks, Fredrick “H” “Papa” Smith Sr was already blazing that trail. The pioneering Bahamian baseball player who signed with the Cleveland Indians organisation in 1968 and advanced as high as Triple-A will be among eight outstanding sons and daughters of Bain and Grants Town honoured with the Cotton Tree Award during the 2nd Bi-Annual Bain and Grants Town Homecoming & Music Festival, October 30-31. For Smith, the recognition brings his story back to the community where his love for baseball took root. A proud son of Bain and Grants Town, Papa Smith began playing baseball at around 10 years old and developed into a talented third baseman. By 19, his

FRED ‘PAPA’ SMITH

FRED ‘PAPA’ SMITH signed with the Cleveland Indians organisation in 1968 and spent six years in professional baseball, from 1968 through 1973, progressing through the organisation and reaching the Triple-A level. ability had opened a door few Bahamian players of his generation had the opportunity to enter — professional baseball.

Smith signed with the Cleveland Indians organisation in 1968 and spent six years in professional baseball, from 1968 through 1973, progressing through the organisation and reaching the Triple-A level. His accomplishments came during an important era in Bahamian baseball, when the sport occupied a prominent place in community life and local ballparks produced players capable of competing internationally. But Papa Smith's contribution to Bahamian baseball did not end when his professional playing career did. He returned to the game as a coach, educator and mentor, pouring his knowledge into younger players and helping another generation understand that success in sport required more than natural ability. At the historic Priory Grounds and throughout

the community, Smith taught baseball while stressing discipline, hard work and education. He became known not simply for what he had accomplished on the field, but for his willingness to share what he knew with the young people coming behind him. His contribution to Bahamian sport was formally recognised in 2008 when he was inducted into the Bahamas National Sports Hall of Fame. Yet those who knew Papa Smith through baseball also remember the personality behind the accomplishments. He has been described as “one of the friendliest personalities in the game” — a man whose warmth and approachability complemented his passion for developing young players. That commitment to giving back has remained an

important part of his legacy, including his continued involvement in community baseball and opportunities for young players to learn the fundamentals of the game. The Cotton Tree Award will therefore recognise not only the young third baseman who entered professional baseball more than half a century ago, but the coach, teacher and mentor who brought his experience home. Smith is one of eight Cotton Tree Award honourees being recognised at this year's Homecoming, alongside Ursula Coakley, Dr Joan Ilene Frazier Hunter Carey, Brian R. Christie, Leviticus “Romeo” Farrington, Bishop Simeon B. Hall, the late Prince Albert Richardson and Darren Edward Bastian. The award takes its inspiration from the enduring

cotton tree as a symbol of community, strength and a brighter tomorrow and honours individuals whose lives and contributions reflect the rich legacy of Bain and Grants Town. The 2nd Bi-Annual Bain and Grants Town Homecoming & Music Festival, under the theme “Celebrating Our Heritage and Building Our Future,” is scheduled to be held October 30-31 on Market Street, opposite the Southern Recreation Grounds. For a community that has produced outstanding Bahamians across sport, education, religion, culture, business and public service, Papa Smith's story is also a reminder of the sporting talent that emerged from Over-the-Hill communities and went on to represent The Bahamas beyond its shores. More than five decades after he first entered professional baseball, Fred “Papa” Smith's legacy has come full circle — from Bain and Grants Town, to professional baseball, and back home to the community and young people to whom he gave so much.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, October 9, 2026, PAGE 9

Jonquel Jones and New York Liberty in 0-2 hole By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net JONQUEL Jones and the New York Liberty find themselves with their backs against the wall in an 0-2 deficit against the Atlanta Dream in their WNBA semi-finals series. But the Bahamian 6-foot-6 centre from Grand Bahama feels like they're not yet ready to make their exit when the Liberty hosts the Dream tonight in game three of their best-of-five series at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. "We understand it's a series. It's a series for a reason. We go into game three. We go back in front of our home crowd. We get back into New York and into more familiar territory for us," she said. "But you know, it's about every possession, winning a quarter, winning another one, stacking four of those and being able to win the game. "So we're not getting too high, we're not getting too

low. We have to watch the film. We have to figure out how we can be more effective to come out with a win in the next game." In game two on Wednesday night, Jones put up another credit performance for the Liberty, but it wasn't enough as the Dream held on for a 101-98 victory. Jones, 32, made her presence felt with 21 points and eight rebounds. She efficiently converted eight of 11 field goal attempts (72.7%), scorching the nets from downtown on 2-for-4 shooting (50.0%). The number sixth pick overall in the 2016 WNBA draft (then traded by Connecticut to Los Angeles) connected on 3-of-4 from the free throw line (75.0%) added a steal, and intimidated drivers with four blocks over 37:60 minutes of action. She also posted a steal and committed six turnovers. Despite the loss, Jones, who was matched against the Dreams' Angel Wilson, who scored 23 points, said it was a tough one to swallow, but they have to find a

way to figure out what went wrong. On the final play, Breanna Stewart, who led the game with 35 points, missed a desperation attempt after the Liberty didn't use their reset to advance the ball. Head coach Chris DeMarco said the game was a done deal and they just have to find a way to regroup for game three to avoid getting swept and eliminated from the postseason. "We came with the right mindset. We are physical and I mean, not blaming anybody. End of the day, like we had our chances," he said. "They hit a layup, we missed a few rebounds we couldn't come up with, but the series is not over. We believe in ourselves and we believe in this team going forward." DeMarco, who has some history with The Bahamas, having just recently coached the men's national team that was one game shy of advancing to the 2026 Olympic Games at the qualifying tournament in Spain,

ATLANTA Dream forward Angel Reese (5) and New York Liberty centre Jonquel Jones (35) fight for a rebound during the second half in Game 2 of the WNBA basketball semifinals on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Daniel Varnado) said the important thing is for his Liberty to concentrate on game three tonight. "That's got to be it. There's nothing we could do about this game, about this season, or anything like that," said DeMarco, who is in his first year with the Liberty after serving as a long-time assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors. "Obviously, what happened, happened and yeah, there's plenty of calls that we could talk about that we

feel could have gone our way. I'm sure they have the same idea. I just think our focus is going to be on game three." If the Liberty win, they will force a game four on their home court on Sunday at 7:30pm. And, if they are successful, the fifth and deciding game will return to Atlanta on Tuesday. The winner of their series will go on to play the winner of the other half of the semis between the Golden

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-DAY FORECAST

TODAY

TONIGHT

State Valkyries, who hold a surprising 2-0 advantage over the defending champions Las Vegas Aces. Jones is hoping that they can stay alive and she can add to the list of her credentials that include winning this year’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in her sixth All-Star appearance. In 2024 when the Liberty won the title, Jones was named the MVP as well. She also won the 2023 WNBA Commissioner's Cup MVP, the 2021 Kia WNBA MVP and was named the 2018 Sixth Woman of the Year and the 2017 Most Improved Player. Over the course of the season, she has averaged 14.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game compared to her 13.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists during her 10 year season combined in the WNBA. She is also listed as just the 13th player in WNBA history to record a 20-20 game with her feat coming on May 28, 2021, at Chicago where she scored 23 points with 21 rebounds.

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

UV INDEX TODAY

TUESDAY

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11+ LOW

ORLANDO

High: 90° F/32° C Low: 75° F/24° C

TAMPA

Humid with a thunderstorm in spots

Mostly cloudy, a couple of t-storms

A stray a.m. t-storm; breezy, humid

Humid; a couple of morning showers

An a.m. shower; partly sunny, humid

Humid; a stray afternoon t-storm

High: 89°

Low: 80°

High: 90° Low: 80°

High: 91° Low: 79°

High: 90° Low: 76°

High: 89° Low: 76°

AccuWeather RealFeel

104° F

89° F

101°-87° F

104°-89° F

105°-88° F

103°-85° F

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 78° F/26° C

ABACO

High: 91° F/33° C Low: 78° F/26° C

7-14 knots

WEST PALM BEACH High: 91° F/33° C Low: 79° F/26° C

6-12 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

FREEPORT

High: 91° F/33° C Low: 79° F/26° C

High: 91° F/33° C Low: 78° F/26° C

MIAMI

High: 91° F/33° C Low: 79° F/26° C

8-16 knots

The higher the AccuWeather UV Index number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection. Shown is the highest value of the day.

TIDES FOR NASSAU High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

3.4 3.2

1:15 a.m. 1:44 p.m.

0.3 0.4

ALMANAC

Saturday

8:09 a.m. 8:26 p.m.

3.5 3.1

1:56 a.m. 2:30 p.m.

0.2 0.3

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 86° F/30° C Low .................................................... 77° F/25° C Normal high ....................................... 86° F/30° C Normal low ........................................ 73° F/23° C Last year’s high .................................. 88° F/31° C Last year’s low ................................... 77° F/25° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ................................................ 23.35” Normal year to date ................................... 30.45”

Sunday

8:50 a.m. 9:06 p.m.

3.5 3.0

2:35 a.m. 3:13 p.m.

0.2 0.3

Monday

9:30 a.m. 9:46 p.m.

3.4 2.8

3:13 a.m. 3:55 p.m.

0.3 0.4

Tuesday

10:09 a.m. 10:25 p.m.

3.3 2.7

3:50 a.m. 4:37 p.m.

0.4 0.6

Wednesday 10:50 a.m. 11:06 p.m.

3.2 2.5

4:28 a.m. 5:20 p.m.

0.6 0.8

Thursday

3.0 2.4

5:08 a.m. 6:05 p.m.

0.8 1.0

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 81° F/27° C

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 80° F/27° C

6-12 knots

7:05 a.m. 6:49 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

6:02 a.m. 6:06 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Oct. 10

Oct. 18

Oct. 25

Nov. 1

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 80° F/27° C

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 82° F/28° C

7-14 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Sunrise Sunset

CAT ISLAND

11:33 a.m. 11:50 p.m.

SUN AND MOON

KEY WEST

EXT.

7:25 a.m. 7:43 p.m.

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

VERY HIGH

Today

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 84° F/29° C

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 80° F/27° C

HIGH

The patented AccuWeather.com RealFeel Temperature® is the only index that includes all the weather factors that play a role in how we perceive temperature, including the effects of wind, humidity, sunshine, precipitation, pressure, and elevation. Shown are the highest and lowest values for each day.

MODERATE

ANDROS

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 83° F/28° C

W S

LONG ISLAND

TRACKING MAP

High: 90° F/32° C Low: 80° F/27° C

7-14 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 90° F/32° C Low: 81° F/27° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND

High: 90° F/32° C Low: 81° F/27° C

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 82° F/28° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 90° F/32° C Low: 80° F/27° C

N W

N E

E S

6-12 knots

MARINE FORECAST ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday:

WINDS SE at 6-12 Knots SE at 8-16 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots SE at 7-14 Knots SE at 8-16 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots ESE at 7-14 Knots E at 10-20 Knots ESE at 7-14 Knots SE at 8-16 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots SSE at 8-16 Knots SE at 7-14 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots E at 6-12 Knots E at 10-20 Knots SE at 7-14 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots E at 10-20 Knots ESE at 6-12 Knots SE at 7-14 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots SE at 7-14 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots

Tribune First Alert Weather

NASSAU WhatsApp Channel

WAVES 2-4 Feet 3-6 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-6 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-6 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-6 Feet 1-3 Feet 3-6 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 5-9 Feet 1-3 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-6 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet

VISIBILITY 7 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 85° F 85° F 85° F 84° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 86° F 86° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 84° F 85° F 85° F 87° F 86° F 84° F 84° F 86° F 85° F

“We got you covered under the radars”

SPORTS SECTION E

Friday, October 9, 2026

JONQUEL JONES - PAGE 9

‘Jazz’ and Yankees eliminated By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE New York Yankees’ season ended on Wednesday in a 4-3 loss as the Tampa Bay Rays completed a sweep of their American League Divisional series. But Bahamian second baseman Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr is hoping that he will be back next season for the Yankees, whom he followed from a youngster. "I've had a great time being a Yankee," said Chisholm Jr, who was acquired in a trade by New York from the Miami Marlins on July 28, 2024. "Who doesn't want to stay with a team that you've had such great times with and great years with?" The Yankees signed Chisholm Jr to a oneyear $10,200,000 deal on January 8 to avoid salary arbitration as an

unrestricted free agent ahead of the 2027 season. The Yankees can now re-sign him or allow him to walk directly into the open market where he could secure a long-term deal with another team. According to the New York Post, the Yankees will have to extend Chishlom Jr a qualifying offer of $23.15 million for next year and that's something that they will have to consider. Chisholm Jr, a longtime fan of team captain Derek Jeter growing up as a youngster, told reporters after they made their exit from the postseason that the Bronx is "where I want to be." The season came to an end for the 28-yearold Chisholm Jr in the ninth inning when he beat out a throw at first base to avoid hitting into a game-ending double-play. But in the next at-bat, Trent Grisham struck out

to end the game and the season for the Yankees. After finishing 0-for-2 on the night, Chisholm Jr called their exit "very frustrating. You can see it on my face," he insisted. "You can see it on everybody else's face. “We're not happy and nobody wants to go home, and have to go home and think about it for about four months until the season starts up again." After enjoying a healthy 2025 season with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases, Chisholm Jr had predicted that he would be able to at least duplicate or surpass those performances by joining the 50-50 club this year. But in 137 games, he fell short by managing to only hit a .231 average with 19 homers with 55 runs batted in (RBI) and 41 stolen bases. The two-time All-Star, having made it first in 2022 with the Marlins and last

NEW York Yankees second baseman Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr makes an error against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of Game 2 of the American League Division Series on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, in St Petersburg, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) year with the Yankees, will now have to wait to see his fate in MLB with the decision New York will make in the coming days.

Chisholm Jr entered MLB as an international agent in July, 2015, when he signed his first professional contract with the

Arizona Diamondbacks. He eventually made his MLB debut in 2020 with Miami before the trade to New York.

Charlton to host free hurdles clinic this Saturday By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net DEVYNNE Charlton, the country's leading track and field performer, will be hosting the first of two series of clinics of the next generation of female hurdlers on Saturday at the

original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium. Charlton, returning home after the sensational season she had, retaining her world indoor title, tying her world record, clinching the Commonwealth Games gold, and lowering her 100m hurdles national record, is

expected to stage the free hurdles clinic from 10am to 1pm. She will be joined by the newly minted Athlos women's 100m hurdles champion American Alaysha Johnson as they collaborate on developing skills and building confidence in the young Bahamian hurdlers.

"Coming back to host these clinics gives me the opportunity to reset and pour everything I’ve learned on the world stage directly back into young Bahamian athletes," Charlton said. During the clinic, the focus will be hands-on, specialised technical

instruction covering sprint and hurdle mechanics, lead and trail-leg efficiency, and race mentality. "We are specifically targeting junior hurdlers and local coaches because hurdling requires dedicated, early guidance to build proper habits, and involving coaches ensures this development continues long after the clinic wraps up," she stressed. The clinic is being organised through Charlton's Barrier Breakers Foundation. She noted that her goal is to elevate Bahamian track and field by offering world-class coaching right at home. Following Saturday's clinic, Charlton will head to Eleuthera where another clinic will take place at the brand-new synthetic track at Preston H Albury High School in Rock Sound. "Reaching talent across the Family Islands shows that your on-track goals are possible no matter which island you call home," Charlton pointed out. She thanked Eleuthera's track and field coach Kennord Mackey for on-ground assistance on the island and to her incredible sponsors, The Prescription Parlour Pharmacy and Sage Marketing & Events, for making this vision a reality for our youth. Johnson, 30, closed out another competitive track and field season for the women hurdlers by winning the Athlos London title in the 100m hurdles event in 12.50 seconds last month

with Charlton (12.63) placing third behind former world record holder Tobi Amusan (12.50) of Nigeria. Charlton, also 30, cemented her reign of supremacy on the world indoor 60m hurdles by securing her third consecutive title with a matching world record before she captured the Commonwealth Games title and finished third at the Diamond League Final. In 2024, Charlton hosted a previous camp, which was conducted along with her father/coach and former 400m hurdles specialist David Charlton. Charlton, who trains in Lexington, Kentucky, under the supervision of Bahamian Rolando 'Lonnie' Greene, the head coach at the University of Kentucky, also hosted her inaugural Devynne Charlton Invitational on Saturday, February 7, and attracted a number of international stars. Through her Barrier Breakers Foundation, she also brought in her training partners, newly crowned unbeaten world champion Masai Russell and Megan Simmonds as well as fellow Jamaican hurdler Danielle Williams. With all of these women performing at an incredibly high level, the 100m hurdles is considered to be one of the events to watch going into the 2027 World Championships in Athletics in Beijing, China and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, California. No doubt, Charlton hopes to continue to be The Bahamas' flag bearer, along with her other challengers, including national champions Denisha Cartwright, 26, and Charisma Taylor who, at 27, is also a long/triple jump threat.