Bahamas News
Minister Halkitis opens BAF and Cash n’ Go in Grand Bahama
By: Andrew Coakley
Bahamas Information Services
#Freeport, GB, The Bahamas, August 21, 2022 – Minister of Economic Affairs and Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Senator the Hon. Michael Halkitis says that Grand Bahama has a large role to play in the government’s national development plan.
Noting that the government is committed to fulfilling the vast potential for economic growth and diversification that has always existed in Grand Bahama, he said: “We have not yet tapped into Grand Bahama’s potential as a hub for Fintech. The local farming and manufacturing industries still provide tremendous potential for development and expansion. And we are in the early days yet of rebuilding the tourism industry.”
Minister Halkitis was the keynote speaker at the opening of Bahamas Assurance Financial’s (BAF) new offices, along with the new office for Cash n’ Go, August 12, 2022 in the Regent Center. The opening of the two new businesses is expected to create more job opportunities for Grand Bahamians.
Minister Halkitis said it was always intended for Grand Bahama to join New Providence as central pillars of the Bahamian economy. Many people still fondly remember when Grand Bahama’s quality of life was unparalleled, said Minister Halkitis — “it is time to rebuild, restore and return to those days.”
He continued, to return to those days, “we not only need government resources and foreign direct investment, we also need Bahamian-owned businesses to lead the way. BAF Financial & Insurance, and Cash n’ Go, are two such
Bahamian brands that are leading the way.
“In an ideal environment, this is exactly how it works: the government provides the infrastructure and paves the way for opportunity, while private sector minds provide market-driven solutions. BAF and Cash n’ Go represent Bahamian-led enterprise at its finest.”
Minister Halkitis noted that as the government seeks to improve the ease of doing business and facilitate economic growth; innovative businesses like BAF and Cash n’ Go will be the primary engines of growth for the local economy. He pointed out that every business that re-opens or expands in Grand Bahama is another small step in the right direction.
Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey also congratulated BAF Financial and Cash n’ Go for the re-opening of their new locations in Freeport. She noted that the BAF story of 2007 is one that characterizes Bahamian empowerment, when two young Bahamians, of humble beginnings pioneered the buy-out of one of the leading and the oldest insurance companies in the Bahamas. Those two business visionaries were I. Chester Cooper and John Wilson.
“This kind of story continues to be an inspiration to many young entrepreneurs in the Bahamas,” said Minister Moxey. “I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the leadership of BAF and Cash n’ Go for remaining a part of the Grand Bahama community. The relocation and opening of these new offices in the Regent Center is an indication of your level of confidence in this island.
“Both of these businesses provide employment and crucial services to the residents of Grand Bahama at a time when our island is still rebounding and rebuilding from the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian.
“As the Member of Parliament for Pineridge, where these offices are located and as Minister for Grand Bahama, I would like to congratulate the executive team from both BAF and Cash n’ Go on the opening of your new location. Thank you for your investment in Grand Bahama and your contribution to the growth and development of the Grand Bahama economy.”
Photo Caption: Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey cut the cake to commemorate the opening of the new offices of BAF Financial and Cash n’ Go, during a celebration ceremony on Friday, August 12, 2022 in the Regent Center. Looking on is Minister of Economic Affairs, Sen. the Hon. Michael Halkitis (left) and Mr. Felix Stubbs, Chairman, Board of Directors BAF Financial (right).
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TheBahamas, August 5, 2023 – An American woman has been arrested in The Bahamas, accused of conspiring with two men, one of them alleged to be her lover, to murder her estranged husband.
The woman, 36 year old Lindsay Shiver and the two men, 28-year-old Terrance Bethel, the alleged lover and 29 year old Faron Newbold, were taken into custody last week following police investigation of a reported burglary at
Grabbers Bar and Grill restaurant on Great Guana Cay.
The police looked into their cell phones and found WhatsApp messages detailing the assassination plot to kill her husband.
The couple, who built a life in South Georgia have three children and are home owners on the island in the Abacos.
News outlets throughout the US have reported on the scandalous story, including that a nasty court battle over the couple’s reported, $5 Million dollar fortune and three children was underway. Shiver, an entrepreneur is a former beauty Alabama queen, her husband a former football player was an insurance executive.
According to US media, the husband, Robert, recently filed for divorce from Shivers after a decade of marriage upon discovering she had an alleged extra-martial affair with Bethel whom she met in The Bahamas.
While the husband claims infidelity on the part of his wife, the wife claims he was abusive.
The suspects Shiver, Bethel and Newbold appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley on Friday July 28th. Their next court date is set for October 5th.
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TheBahamas, August 5, 2023 – The Bahamas is now facing an unfortunate reality as sexual assault has become and is a growing issue since 2023. Women and girls are said to be living in fear for their safety from these perpetrators.
The Royal Bahamas Police force has reported on instances of assault in press releases found on their Facebook page.
One report spoke of a 50 year old they were searching for after he burglarized a home and sexually assaulted an elderly woman, 82 years old. She was reported to be asleep when he woke and assaulted her.
This took place on Tuesday July 11th, 2023 at the home in the Centreville area of Nassau.
There is another incident that took place on July 17th, 2023 which the police are seeking in catching the suspect as they investigate. It involves a man believed to the perpetrator in for an armed robbery and sexual assault.
According to preliminary data, he approached the victim, a female, with a firearm, robbed her and sexually assaulted
her. He proceeded to enter the house and robbed a male and escaped. This happened in the Cowpen Road area; also in Nassau.
The assaults continue to grow in number as the police reported that they were investigating two other incidents that took place on July 24th.
The first had to do with a female, 30 years old who reported she was driving on West on Marshall Road when two men approached her after she slowed down near Faith Avenue. One of the males with a firearm, forced her from her vehicle and took her to nearby bushes where they sexually assaulted her after which they escaped.
The second incident involved à 32 year old woman who was sexually assaulted by a male known to her. It is reported that she was walking in the Fleming Street area when she accepted transportation from the suspect, who drove her to a dirt road off Gladstone Road where he presented a firearm and proceeded to rape her.
Furthermore, another assault, this time involving a 9 year old girl, was reported. As revealed by preliminary information, the victim was playing with friends outside where she lives on Saturday July 29th, 2023 when the suspect, a 42 year old male of Summerset Estate, driving a white Nissan Skyline, arrived and gestured to her to enter the car.
She entered the car after which he took her to an unknown location, threatened her and sexually assaulted her. She was later found somewhere in Spikenard Road; this also happened in Nassau.
Fortunately, he was caught and arrested for abduction and sexual assault on Sunday July 30th by officers affiliated with the Drug Enforcement Unit.
There are other reports of sexual assault throughout The Bahamas as well as rape and attempted rape during the earlier parts of the year, dating back to as early as February.
CAPTION: Women Leaders, including Ann Marie Davis, wife of the Prime Minister filled the gallery of The Bahamas Senate this week as members of the upper chamber debated the Protection Against Violence Bill 2023. The debate came just as the country experiences a spike in sexual assaults against women and girls. Photo by Patrick Hanna, BIS.
#TurksandCaicos, August 5, 2023 – On August 3rd, 2023, Premier Misick met with the Leader of the
Opposition of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, the Honorable Michael Pintard. The discussion was highly productive, and they delved into matters of mutual concern between their neighboring nations. Hon. Pintard was accompanied by other opposition members, including Senator the Honorable Darren Handfield and Mr. Joshua Sears.
Group photo caption:
From Left to Right: Mr. Joshua Sears, Senator Hon. Darren Hendfield, Premier Hon. Charles Washington Misick, Bahamas Leader of the Bahamas Hon. Michael Pintard and Deputy Premier Hon. Erwin J. Saunders.
-
Crime5 days agoMan killed in Grace Bay in broad daylight; Murder No. 12
-
Caribbean News1 week agoBarbados price reduction to facilitate CARICOM inter-regional travel
-
News1 week agoSoldier the dog pulls in 2 million views
-
News6 days agoBTC CC and Sports Club Reminisce on the Way Forward in Work and Play
-
News5 days agoInvest Turks and Caicos boosts economy with MSME Program
-
Caribbean News6 days agoCaribbean and African entities request reparations for slavery.
-
Bahamas News5 days agoHusband Murder Plot foiled in The Bahamas; Wife and two others arrested
-
Crime5 days agoPDM Calls on Leaders to Stand Up, Speak Up on shocking Crime