NASSAU, Bahamas -- Governor General His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes signs the Book of Condolence for the late Patricia Lady Isaacs, former Deputy to the Governor General at Parish Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Thursday, May 13

Garden Hills artisans who graduated from the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation course in shell and straw craft were encouraged to take advantage of money-making opportunities.

 “These are exciting times to be a part of the growing handicraft industry of The Bahamas,” said BAIC executive chairman Edison M Key during graduation ceremonies Friday, June 25.  “We are surely witnessing a rebirth like nothing before.

 “Newer, better and more creative products are entering the marketplace thanks in no small measure to the enthusiasm with which Bahamians have embraced opportunities in the handicraft industry.”

 Forty residents of Garden Hills took the courses that were conducted by regionally recognized Bahamian handicraft tutors Eldina Miller and April Martin-Fox.

 Thousands of persons throughout the islands have taken various courses in handicraft production that BAIC through its Handicraft Development and Marketing Department has been promoting.

 As a result of the increased interest in Bahamian handicraft, said Mr Key, more opportunities are being opened for small businesses, cottage and family operations.

 He took “special note” that construction of the new straw market downtown Nassau “is continuing at a brisk pace.”

 “We will do the best we can to ensure that it will be a centre for presentation to the world of authentically Bahamian handicraft, including the wonderful works of art that you are producing here in Garden Hills,” said Mr Key.

 “After all, it is Bahamian tax payers’ money being used to construct the straw market. So it should be no more than right that Bahamian products get preference and priority with what goes in there.”

 Vendors have gained the confidence of the Ministry of Tourism whose public relations department is promoting Bahamian handicraft “in a big way.” 

 “Our tourists have been saying in no uncertain terms that they prefer Bahamian-made souvenirs and items of interest when they visit our islands, not something made elsewhere with the name Bahamas written on it,” said Mr Key.

 In conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism provision has been made for vendors to show off their wares along downtown Bay Street and Woodes Rogers Walk during cruise ship days.

 With BAIC as organizers, he said, the Ministry of Tourism’s colorful Authentically Bahamian handicraft show this year “is destined to be bigger and better than ever.”

 And, BAIC’s internationally acclaimed BahamArts Festival at the Arawak Cay Culture Centre “simply blows everyone away with splendor.”

 Bahamian artisans have caught the attention of regional bodies who want to assist in marketing products internationally, he disclosed.

 In that regard, the Inter-American Development Bank has made a $500,000 regional award for the marketing of handicraft on the Internet.

 “As that would involve bringing our products up to international standards, we have intensified our training programs throughout the islands,” he said.

 Also, the Caribbean Export Development Agency is offering Bahamian artisans assistance in product development, marketing and export.

 “The ball is in your court,” said Mr Key. “I say let’s take back our handicraft industry!”

Officials at the Public Hospitals Authority are awaiting autopsy results for a man who died while in the Maximum Security Unit at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre nearly three weeks ago.

The autopsy is part of an investigation into the death of Arthur Bain, a convicted murderer who died at the rehabilitation facility on June 7. His death sparked an investigation after allegations of negligence and concerns that maximum security prison patients were putting staff at risk surfaced.

According to Tribune sources Bain, 66, was sent to prison for a North Eleuthera murder in 1963 and died in his bed at the Fox Hill Road rehabilitation centre. Hospital sources claim doctors were called when he showed signs of sickness at 3pm but did not arrive until 7pm. It is claimed Bain died during the four-hour wait.

A statement released by the PHA said Bain was transferred to the MSU from Her Majesty's Prison with a history of mental illness and "had other medical conditions while institutionalised that were being appropriately managed".

The statement said Bain's medical condition remained stable until the day of his death, June 7, when it was noted he lost his appetite and complained of weakness.

"The on-call physician was contacted and apprised of Mr Bain's condition by the duty officer for which a verbal order was given to the nurse to treat his condition," said the statement.

The release also said that at 5.30 pm that day, Bain was found unresponsive by a nurse during a routine check and was pronounced dead an hour later despite resuscitative efforts.

Now the PHA is awaiting the details of a requested autopsy.

The PHA also looked into concerns - which emerged after Bain's death - that staff caring for serious offenders detained at Sandilands' maximum security ward are at risk.

Yesterday they acknowledged that those working in MSU, due to the nature of the services provided in the psychiatric unit, are exposed to some risk.

Still, said the statement, employee safety is a "key priority" and the PHA is satisfied that the risk of exposure to danger is "minimised" due to the enforcement and monitoring of policies of patient management.

The statement added that Bain was a "beloved member" of the Sandilands family who knew staff by name and will be missed.

Click here to read more at The Tribune

Three of four large generators that were off-line over the weekend, prompting load shedding that cut power to thousands of homes across New Providence, have been repaired a week before originally anticipated.

According to a press release issued by the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) repairs to the fourth generator are underway.

"Consistent with our earlier advisories that we expected full stabilization of the generation situation to be achieved by the end of June, it is anticipated that the fourth generator with a capacity of 26.5 megawatts will be returned to service by Monday."

The release added that work is also underway to improve the output of other generators which are presently in service but not operating at full capacity.

"The present generation availability is 251.9 megawatts and the demand is 225 megawatts, providing a spare capacity of 26.9 megawatts," it stated.

"When returned to service the fourth generator will increase the spare capacity to in excess of 50 megawatts, or about 20 percent anticipated peak summer demand."

The corporation also apologized to customers in the Stapledon Gardens and Thompson Boulevard areas who experienced outages on Wednesday. BEC management said those outages were sparked by planned maintenance in the area.

On Monday The Nassau Guardian revealed that BEC's financial woes have made it difficult for the corporation to properly maintain its generators.

The state-run entity's General Manager Kevin Basden said the run-down state of BEC's equipment had triggered widespread blackouts and more could be on the way. Basden blamed BEC's current financial state on its 2003 rate reductions.

Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts has also weighed in on the recent blackouts and statements made by Basden.

Roberts, who had ministerial oversight of BEC, pointed out that Basden was the GM when the rate decrease was approved.

BEC's financial woes have been well documented in recent months, with Basden estimating the corporation's 2009 losses at around $20 million.

BEC is looking for a five percent rate increase this summer. Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham recently told The Guardian that this rate increase is unavoidable; however, the government has not yet formally announced its approval.

As for the corporation's more immediate goals, BEC's management said in the short-term the corporation will continue looking at ways to increase its service and reliability.

"BEC's management wishes to express thanks and appreciation to customers for their patience and understanding during the recent challenges," said the statement.

"Customers are assured that in spite of continuing financial limitations, great effort and focus are being placed on improved delivery of service in the short and long term - increased generation availability and improved reliability among other things."

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian