As the government prepares the country for the implementation of phase one of National Health Insurance scheduled for January 2016, the Ministry of Health held a NHI symposium for health professionals on Monday of this week at the Hilton Hotel. Delivering the keynote address was Health Minister Dr. Perry Gomez who said that because of the narrowed window, the government cannot fail in its processes in rolling out this policy. The first phase that provides a basic benefits package will cost $350 - $375 million and since the government’s current total health cost is in excess $400 million annually, the government will implement the first phase without imposing any additional taxes on the Bahamian worker.

The Ministry of Health announced this week that Mr. Marco Rolle, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, while representing The Bahamas at the Commonwealth Advisory Committee on Health (CACH) Meeting in the United Kingdom during the period 9th thru 10th April, 2015, was elected Vice-Chair of the CACH effective from 1st July, 2015 to 30th June 2016. The Bahamas takes up the Chair of CACH from 1st July, 2016 to 30th June 2017. This milestone represents the first time that The Bahamas was elected to this position in The Commonwealth.

Bahamas Foreign Minister the Hon. Fred Mitchell was in Qata this week where he met with Assistant Foreign Minister of Qatar H.E. Mohammed Bin Abdullah Mutib Al Rumaihi. During the meeting, the ministers discussed a number of bilateral issues including airlifts involving the country's national flag carrier Qatar Airlines, tourism and travel between the two countries, a Consul General appointment, investment possibilities and visa waiver facility between the two countries. The meeting was held at the Qatar Foreign Ministry in Doha. Mr. Mitchell was in Qata to attend the 15th annual Doha Economic Forum.

Attorney General Sen. Allyson Maynard-Gibson announced this week that retired Supreme Court Justice Joseph Strachan was appointed to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the delay in the release of the Black and Veatch report on the oil spill at the Robinson Road Rubis gas station. The spill was discovered in December 2012. The government received the report sometime in February 2014 and released it during a town hall meeting in April 2015.

The Popeye’s Bahamas Bowl has been acquired by ESPN Events, a subsidiary of ESPN. The second Popeyes Bahamas Bowl will be played at Nassau's Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015, showcasing schools from Conference USA and the Mid-American Conference. The bowl was acquired from Bahamas Bowl, LLC, which owned the inaugural game in 2014.

The Compliance Commission announced this week that Andrew Strachan has been appointed to the post of Inspector, effective Thursday, May 7, 2015. Mr. Strachan is a banker, portfolio manager, relationship manager, and an economist by profession with over 25 years of experience in international private banking at Clariden Leu, Nassau Branch, and Credit Suisse Bahamas, notably achieving outstanding investment performance results with funds invested in international equity and bond markets.

The headquarters and warehouse of the former City Markets supermarket chain located on East West Highway was engulfed in flames Thursday afternoon, but thankfully the building was saved through the quick work of our gallant fire fighters. The edifice did not have a supply of electricity and was abandoned at the time of the fire. Six firefighters suffered minor injuries of fumes inhalation during the fire and were taken to hospital for treatment.

Tourism Minister the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe confirmed this week that a major deal for a new casino operator for the Sunwings Memories Resort in Lucaya was imminent as the prospective operator has submitted a down payment to government. This agreement is expected to strengthen the tourism product in Grand Bahama and deepen Sunwing’s involvement in the Lucaya property.