The Bahamas National Statistical Institute is pleased to announce the release of its ConsumerPrice index, March 2023.

The Monthly Inflation Rate in the Bahamas, which represents the overall change in prices, for 2023increased by 0.4% when compared to February 2023. This increase is reflected in the overall priceof items purchased by the average consumer during this period. This March 2023 increasefollowed a 0.1% decrease between the months of January 2023 and February 2023.

The category of Furnishing, Household Equipment saw an increase of 6.5%, when compared tothe previous month. The Miscellaneous Goods and Services category also recorded an increase of1.6%. However, over this same period Clothing and Footwear saw a decline of 0.9%, for the monthof March.

On a year over year basis, the CPI rose 4% over the same period last year in 2022. The majorcategories that contributed to this rise included Recreation and Culture, Alcoholic beverages, alongwith Food and Non- Alcoholic beverages with increases of 17%, 11 % and 8% respectively.

Diesel prices were up 12%, and gasoline declined 8% compared to this period in 2022. However,compared to February 2023, gasoline prices decreased by 9% while diesel prices declined 2%, forthe month of March 2023

 

The Bahamas National Statistical Institute is pleased to announce the release of its Consumer Price index, March 2023. The Monthly Inflation Rate in the Bahamas, which represents the overall change in prices, for 2023 increased by 0.4% when compared to February 2023. This increase is reflected in the overall price of items purchased by the average consumer during this period. This March 2023 increase followed a 0.1% decrease between the months of January 2023 and February 2023. The category of Furnishing, Household Equipment saw an increase of 6.5%, when compared to the previous month. The Miscellaneous Goods and Services category also recorded an increase of 1.6%. However, over this same period Clothing and Footwear saw a decline of 0.9%, for the month of March. On a year over year basis, the CPI rose 4% over the same period last year in 2022. The major categories that contributed to this rise included Recreation and Culture, Alcoholic beverages, along with Food and Non- Alcoholic beverages with increases of 17%, 11 % and 8% respectively. Diesel prices were up 12%, and gasoline declined 8% compared to this period in 2022. However, compared to February 2023, gasoline prices decreased by 9% while diesel prices declined 2%, for the month of March 2023

In the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, the northern Bahamas was flattened, demolished, and would be forever associated with the deadliest natural disaster in Bahamian history. On Thursday, however, at the 15th Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) Abaco was recognized for its resiliency through its recent solar and storage projects. 

With 185mph maximum sustained winds, Hurricane Dorian left 2,500 people missing & thousands more displaced. “Rebuild stronger and better” was the motto adopted by Bahamians, government agencies, and non-profits from around the world. Among them were the Rotary Bahamas Disaster Relief and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, which funded the solarization of three Abaco schools—Man-O-War Cay Primary, Great Guana Cay Primary, and Central Abaco Primary Schools.

With solar panels that can withstand +185mph winds, each school features battery storage, each school functions as a hurricane shelter.

Compass Power, a Bahamian-owned EPC contractor, managed the Abaco projects. According to Compass Power principal, Justin Cunningham, “Our goal was to make Abaco more resilient and reliant on its natural resources. Using the world’s leading technology and long-standing solar equipment, these schools are not only self-efficient, but now serve as hurricane shelters for their communities.”

At CREF in Miami, Florida, the project received the 2023 Best Energy Resilience Project award, an honor reserved for leaders in the Caribbean energy sector that oversaw a clean energy project with outstanding resilience this year. The Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, Vaughn Miller; Permanent Secretary, Phedra Rahming-Turnquest; and the Director of the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection, Dr. Rhianna Neely accepted the award.

“The Abaco schools solar and storage project represents a further step in The Bahamas’ continued commitment to rebuild stronger and cleaner, and provide equitable access to reliable energy,” said Dr. Neely. 

"The successful implementation of the Abaco school solar and storage project demonstrates how collaborative efforts between the government, donors, private sector entities, and NGOs can lead to truly transformative outcomes that benefit communities in need," said Fidel Neverson, technical manager with RMI’s Islands Energy Program, a part of a global non-profit, independent organization focused on accelerating the clean energy transition.

The project’s official commissioning will be held in the Abacos in the coming weeks. 

In the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, the northern Bahamas was flattened, demolished, and would be forever associated with the deadliest natural disaster in Bahamian history. On Thursday, however, at the 15th Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) Abaco was recognized for its resiliency through its recent solar and storage projects.  With 185mph maximum sustained winds, Hurricane Dorian left 2,500 people missing & thousands more displaced. “Rebuild stronger and better” was the motto adopted by Bahamians, government agencies, and non-profits from around the world. Among them were the Rotary Bahamas Disaster Relief and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, which funded the solarization of three Abaco schools—Man-O-War Cay Primary, Great Guana Cay Primary, and Central Abaco Primary Schools. With solar panels that can withstand +185mph winds, each school features battery storage, each school functions as a hurricane shelter. Compass Power, a Bahamian-owned EPC contractor, managed the Abaco projects. According to Compass Power principal, Justin Cunningham, “Our goal was to make Abaco more resilient and reliant on its natural resources. Using the world’s leading technology and long-standing solar equipment, these schools are not only self-efficient, but now serve as hurricane shelters for their communities.” At CREF in Miami, Florida, the project received the 2023 Best Energy Resilience Project award, an honor reserved for leaders in the Caribbean energy sector that oversaw a clean energy project with outstanding resilience this year. The Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, Vaughn Miller; Permanent Secretary, Phedra Rahming-Turnquest; and the Director of the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection, Dr. Rhianna Neely accepted the award. “The Abaco schools solar and storage project represents a further step in The Bahamas’ continued commitment to rebuild stronger and cleaner, and provide equitable access to reliable energy,” said Dr. Neely.  "The successful implementation of the Abaco school solar and storage project demonstrates how collaborative efforts between the government, donors, private sector entities, and NGOs can lead to truly transformative outcomes that benefit communities in need," said Fidel Neverson, technical manager with RMI’s Islands Energy Program, a part of a global non-profit, independent organization focused on accelerating the clean energy transition. The project’s official commissioning will be held in the Abacos in the coming weeks. 

Attorney General Ryan Pinder has called on the United Nations (UN) to recognize the effects of the climate crisis on human rights.

He was addressing the 43rd Session of Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland earlier this week.

"Climate change directly impacts the human rights of individuals living in The Bahamas. These rights include life, as well as access to water, sanitation, food, health and housing. The Bahamas emits 0.01 percent of greenhouse gases, but experiences billions of dollars in loss and damage as a result of climate change," Pinder told the council.

"The Bahamas is no stranger to the effects of the climate crisis and can represent first-hand the devastating effects it has on the basic tenants of human rights. As hurricanes and rising water levels further threaten Caribbean islands, it is becoming more urgent to fully fund and support climate initiatives. The vulnerabilities experienced in The Bahamas are exacerbated by limited access to climate finance. We call on the United Nations to recognize the effects of the climate crisis on human rights and to ensure it is a top priority in the preservation of all forms of human rights."

The Davis administration has prioritized sounding the alarm on the effects of climate change on small island developing nations (SIDs).

Last year, Prime Minister Philip Davis said large countries that significantly contribute to climate change should consider forgiving the climate change fueled debt of small island developing states.

It's a position recently endorsed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) which was held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

There, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva admitted that the world is "falling short" of commitments made to countries like The Bahamas, which are most affected by climate change, and she agreed to work closer with The Bahamas on carbon credits and additional financing.

As the 50th Anniversary of Bahamas Independence approaches its landmark on July 10, 2023 the Independence Secretariat has held a plethora of activity for its 'Road to 50' celebration. On 'Arbour Day,' April 28, the Secretariat recognized international 'tree day' with Lignum Vitae tree plantings by various government agencies that would amount to 50 across the landscape. To the mantra, 'Plant a Tree.  Leave a Legacy!' -- Minister-of-State for Education and Technical & Vocational Training, the Hon. Zane Lightbourne joins school youngsters of H.O. Nash Junior High in planting the Lignum Vitae, Bahamas National Tree, on their school grounds.