标签： Bahamas

A remarkable collection of Bahamian history, featuring rare antiques from the Baker Estate, will be auctioned on December 5 and 6 in Nassau. The event marks the first public sale of private antiques from a single Bahamian home, offering a glimpse into the life and legacy of Anthony Baker, a pioneering merchant who shaped Bahamian commerce in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The auction will include over a century-old coins, first-edition Bahamian stamps, antique tools, vintage furniture, fine chinaware, collectible books, vinyl records, and rare artifacts salvaged from the historic Windsor Hotel. Born Thannous Michael Saadi in Mount Lebanon in 1873, Baker immigrated to The Bahamas in the 1890s and founded A. Baker & Sons, a retail empire that revolutionized local trade. The auction, organized by the Bahamas Liquidation and Auction Centre, also serves as a heritage exhibition, celebrating Baker’s contributions to Bahamian society. Highlights include 1920s telephones, mid-century radios, handmade mahogany furniture, and scrapbooks from the 1930s. A private viewing and early-bidding session will be held on December 5, followed by a public auction on December 6. The event will be cashless, with card payments and next-day delivery for larger items. A digital catalogue will be accessible via QR code.

Long Island Member of Parliament Adrian Gibson has publicly criticized the Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRMA) for its failure to deliver essential hurricane relief supplies to the island, describing the situation as “disgraceful,” “deeply disappointing,” and “unacceptable.” In a recent Facebook post, Gibson revealed that he personally donated tarps to Island Administrator Jandile Archer, with Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) officers present, to assist residents whose homes were severely damaged by Hurricane Melissa. Despite repeated assurances from the DRMA, no relief supplies have been sent to Long Island, leaving residents struggling with shortages of tarps, construction materials, and other critical resources. Gibson emphasized that the people of Long Island deserve timely and adequate support during this recovery period. DRMA Executive Chairman Alex Storr responded by stating that officials are collaborating with the island administrator to assess needs and plan to dispatch supplies soon. He noted that RBDF officers are already on the ground conducting assessments and repairs but could not provide a specific timeline for the arrival of relief items. Hurricane Melissa, which struck The Bahamas in late October, was one of the most powerful storms to ever hit the region, causing widespread devastation across several islands, including Long Island, San Salvador, and Cat Island. The storm left many residents without electricity for days and severely damaged homes and infrastructure. Local officials have warned that the prolonged lack of assistance could exacerbate the already dire living conditions for affected families.

Muriel Lightbourn, President of the Bahamas Nurses Union, has publicly accused Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Michael Darville of hypocrisy regarding the suspension of public health nurses. Since assuming office in 2023, Lightbourn revealed that over 30 nurses have been suspended, with some cases occurring as recently as three weeks ago. Although three nurses have since returned to work, Lightbourn criticized the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) for what she described as excessive disciplinary measures. She specifically questioned Dr. Darville’s sincerity after he expressed concern over the suspension of veteran nurse Pearl Williams, calling his remarks ‘disingenuous’ given his silence in other cases. Lightbourn highlighted the flawed disciplinary system within the PHA and called for reforms to ensure fairness and efficiency. She emphasized the union’s intention to revisit its industrial agreement to address these issues and prevent future occurrences. The controversy stems from the suspension of Williams, a 44-year veteran, who was disciplined for recording a video exposing poor conditions at Princess Margaret Hospital, including leaking roofs, rodent infestations, and supply shortages. The PHA accused her of violating its social media policy and imposed strict restrictions, including surrendering her identification badge and limiting her hospital access. Lightbourn argued that such punishments are overly harsh and strain already limited hospital resources. She also criticized the prolonged investigation process, suggesting that warnings or relocations would be more appropriate than suspensions. Dr. Darville defended his ministry, stating that he is not directly involved in all human resources matters and that suspensions are necessary for policy violations. Lightbourn further called for greater transparency in disciplinary proceedings, noting that nurses are often left uninformed about investigation outcomes. She defended her leadership style, emphasizing that her preference for private negotiations should not be mistaken for inaction. Meanwhile, Williams expressed hope that her case would prompt authorities to address the systemic issues she raised, though she has no plans to pursue legal action.

In a significant development for Bahamian culture, all major Junkanoo A-groups will participate in the upcoming Boxing Day and New Year’s Day parades on Bay Street, dispelling weeks of uncertainty. The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Office of the Prime Minister on Friday by the National Junkanoo Committee (NJC). The Shell Saxon Superstars, Valley Boys, Roots, One Family, Genesis, and Music Makers have all confirmed their involvement, marking a resolution to the recent tensions between the government and the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP).

The dispute arose when the government transferred oversight of the parades to the NJC and initiated an audit of the JCNP, raising concerns about transparency, consultation, and funding. This led to fears that the A-groups might boycott the events. However, the NJC’s intervention has restored unity within the Junkanoo community. NJC Chairman Andrew Pinder described the resolution as “a defining moment,” emphasizing the importance of fairness and collaboration in preserving this cherished tradition.

Youth, Sports, and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg reiterated that the audit aimed to enhance accountability and public trust, ensuring the parades remain a national priority. NJC Co-Chair Kishlaine Smith highlighted plans to expand Junkanoo’s reach, including bolstering Family Island parades and supporting Junior Junkanoo initiatives. Meanwhile, Bahamas Junkanoo Festival Co-Chair Anthony Bostwick announced a 15-day national celebration, transforming Junkanoo into a broader cultural experience featuring Bahamian music, art, fashion, and cuisine.

Leaders of the six major A-groups expressed their enthusiasm for the upcoming parades, pledging to deliver unforgettable performances. Parade Management Team leader Douglas Hanna assured that preparations are nearly complete, with a focus on safety, efficiency, and adherence to existing rules. The resolution ensures that Junkanoo, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, will continue to thrive as a cornerstone of Bahamian identity.

A heated protest by members of the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union (BTCU) brought Nassau Cruise Port to a standstill yesterday morning, as dozens of taxi drivers blocked the entrance with their vehicles, demanding action on long-standing grievances. The demonstration, which escalated into clashes with police and tow truck operators, resulted in the arrest of three drivers who refused to clear the road. The protest highlighted years of frustration over what drivers describe as unfair treatment, worsening working conditions, and a lack of basic amenities. Taxi operators claim they are being marginalized in favor of private tour and livery drivers, receiving less than 40% of ground transportation business from cruise passengers. Union president Tyrone Butler defended the drivers’ actions, calling them a desperate response to years of neglect and broken promises. Despite ongoing meetings with port executives, little progress has been made to address the drivers’ concerns. The protest underscores broader tensions within the taxi industry, which has faced challenges from unlicensed operators and government inaction. Authorities and port officials have yet to comment on the situation.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) has reported a significant increase in participation for its community surveillance initiative, with nearly 2,000 residents and businesses registering their security cameras. This marks a notable shift from the program’s slow start two years ago, when only 50 registrations were recorded within the first two weeks of its 2023 launch. The initiative, powered by the FUSUS platform, integrates private security systems with public CCTV feeds, body cameras, drones, and ShotSpotter technology to establish a comprehensive real-time crime monitoring network. Assistant Commissioner of Police Zhivargo Dames, who oversees information and communication technology, highlighted the program’s growth, emphasizing its role in enhancing public safety. Registration is free and voluntary, allowing participants to decide whether police can access their cameras directly or upon request. The process involves providing basic details such as name, address, email, and the number of cameras installed. Despite initial skepticism and online backlash over privacy concerns, the RBPF has continued to advocate for community collaboration in modernizing crime prevention efforts. The FUSUS system is part of a broader strategy by the RBPF to leverage technology in policing. Commissioner of Police Shanta Knowles has prioritized equipping all frontline officers with body cameras and ensuring mandatory ethics and conduct training. Currently, the force has 800 to 900 body cameras in use, with plans to acquire an additional 200 to 300 by early 2026, aiming to outfit all 3,000 officers. Mr. Dames noted that the cameras have already improved accountability and transparency, fostering greater public trust in interactions with law enforcement.

Chief Justice Ian Winder has acknowledged the failure to finalize the long-promised judicial complaints procedure in The Bahamas, nearly a year after committing to its completion. Speaking to The Tribune, Justice Winder admitted that progress has been hindered by the challenge of identifying committee members and other pressing judicial priorities. Despite the delay, he pledged to intensify efforts to collaborate with Bahamas Bar Association President Khalil Parker to establish the framework. He emphasized that complaints against judicial officers are currently handled by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, which regularly receives and investigates such grievances. However, the lack of a formalized procedure has drawn criticism from attorney Tavarrie Smith, who warned that the delay undermines public confidence in the judiciary. In a letter titled ‘The Urgent Need for a Judicial Complaints Procedure in The Bahamas,’ Smith highlighted the absence of updates or a published procedure since the December 2024 pledge to finalize the framework before the 2025 legal year. He argued that the delay raises serious concerns about accountability, transparency, and the administration of justice, particularly in light of high-profile controversies involving judges last year. Smith stressed that the proposed mechanism would enhance judicial independence by ensuring fair and transparent review of allegations. He described most judges as ‘unsung heroes’ but cautioned that a lack of accountability could erode public trust. The issue gained traction in late 2024 when Justice Winder and Parker announced plans to finalize a unified framework. Attorney General Ryan Pinder has also supported the initiative, emphasizing the need for clear conduct standards for judges. Critics argue that the current process lacks transparency and public redress mechanisms, with some viewing the Judicial and Legal Services Commission as a political body. Smith urged swift action, asserting that judicial accountability is essential to maintaining public trust and upholding the integrity of the legal system.