000

ABNT20 KNHC 312314

TWOAT

Tropical Weather Outlook

NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL

800 PM EDT Mon May 31 2021

For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:

Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 5 days.

$$

Forecaster Latto

THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY HAS ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FROM 5:15 PM UNTIL 7:15 PM DST, MONDAY 31ST MAY 2021.

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED FOR THE NEW PROVIDENCE AND NORTH AND CENTRAL EXUMA KEYS AND CAT ISLAND…

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR ABACO, THE BERRY ISLANDS, CENTRAL AND SOUTH ANDROS AND SOUTH ELEUTHERA ALONG WITH THEIR ADJACENT WATERS.

AT 5:10 PM, LIGHTNING DETECTION, RADAR AND SATELLITE IMAGERY DEPICTED CLUSTERS OF SHOWERS WITH EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS ASSOCIATED A STATIONARY FRONT NORTH OF THE NORTHERN BAHAMAS INTERACTING WITH A MID TO UPPER LEVEL TROUGH OVER THE AREA.

SOME OF THESE THUNDERSTORMS MAY BECOME STRONG TO SEVERE AT TIMES PRODUCING STRONG GUSTY WINDS, DANGEROUS LIGHTNING, HEAVY DOWNPOURS, HAIL AND POSSIBLE WATERSPOUT OR TORNADIC ACTIVITY.

LOCALIZED FLOODING IS ALSO POSSIBLE DURING THE PASSAGE OF THESE STORMS.

BOATERS IN THE WARNING AREAS SHOULD SEEK SAFE HARBOUR AND RESIDENTS IN THE WARNING AREAS SHOULD STAY INDOORS AND AWAY FROM WINDOWS WHEN CONDITIONS WORSEN. RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER TREES OR IN WATER AS THESE CAN BECOME LIGHTNING CONDUCTORS.

ISSUED BY DUTY FORECASTER: GREGORY D THOMPSON (CCO) 5:15 PM MONDAY 31STMAY 2021

A UNITED Nations fact finding team has just completed a visit to The Bahamas which took in visits to the Carmichael Road detention centre and The Farm shanty town in Abaco.

After the tour at Carmichael Road on Friday, the UN delegation described the walkabout as “constructive” and recognised efforts are being made to treat the temporary residents with dignity. #Although members of the press were not allowed to take the tour with the UN’s team, which consisted of about five people, the representatives answered limited questions afterwards outside the compound’s gate. #Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also onsite for the tour with the UN team, but opted not to speak with the press afterwards. #Although it is unclear what prompted the UN team to make the tour, it is believed that the organisation found it necessary after certain shanty towns were demolished recently and some of its occupants were transferred to the Detention Centre. #Gary Conille, UN resident coordinator for Jamaica, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Turks and Caicos and the Cayman Islands, told the press that this visit was not a one-time thing, but instead part of ongoing discussions. #“I just want to make the case that our visit here is much more than this visit here,” he said. “Although this visit is certainly an important part of what we want to discuss, it’s really looking, overall, how to work closely with the stakeholders on the ground and the government to make sure that the goals and the vision of the Bahamian people are able to be reached. #“Now the tour today, I think was extremely constructive. It allowed us to see the amount of effort that has been done to ensure that people are treated well, with dignity. It also allowed us to discuss with the government possible areas where we can help improve because as you understand this is an ongoing process and certainly will be a part of continued discussions. #“We are going to have ongoing discussions around this issue. The idea really being looking at ways we can provide technical assistance, we can work with the government to improve the circumstances under which populations that find themselves under this type of stress continue to be handled with significant amounts of dignity.”

After the tour at Carmichael Road on Friday, the UN delegation described the walkabout as “constructive” and recognised efforts are being made to treat the temporary residents with dignity.

Although members of the press were not allowed to take the tour with the UN’s team, which consisted of about five people, the representatives answered limited questions afterwards outside the compound’s gate.

Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also onsite for the tour with the UN team, but opted not to speak with the press afterwards.

Although it is unclear what prompted the UN team to make the tour, it is believed that the organisation found it necessary after certain shanty towns were demolished recently and some of its occupants were transferred to the Detention Centre.

Gary Conille, UN resident coordinator for Jamaica, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Turks and Caicos and the Cayman Islands, told the press that this visit was not a one-time thing, but instead part of ongoing discussions.

“I just want to make the case that our visit here is much more than this visit here,” he said. “Although this visit is certainly an important part of what we want to discuss, it’s really looking, overall, how to work closely with the stakeholders on the ground and the government to make sure that the goals and the vision of the Bahamian people are able to be reached.

“Now the tour today, I think was extremely constructive. It allowed us to see the amount of effort that has been done to ensure that people are treated well, with dignity. It also allowed us to discuss with the government possible areas where we can help improve because as you understand this is an ongoing process and certainly will be a part of continued discussions.

“We are going to have ongoing discussions around this issue. The idea really being looking at ways we can provide technical assistance, we can work with the government to improve the circumstances under which populations that find themselves under this type of stress continue to be handled with significant amounts of dignity.”

In keeping with its commitment to education and the youth of The Bahamas, RUBiS has provided The Bahamas Debutante Foundation and The Bahamas Primary School Student of The Year Foundation with $6,500 in scholarship funds amidst this global pandemic. The realities of COVID-19 have impacted all sectors of The Bahamian economy and increased pressure has been placed on families.

"Rubis cares for each of the communities that we operate in and our Nation's youth. We recognize and reward the diligence and perseverance exhibited by these students in the pursuit of success. Their years of hard work and sacrifice should not go unnoticed despite the challenges and setbacks faced due to Covid-19. We will continue to contribute to the growth and development of Bahamian excellence" said Latia Duncombe, RUBiS Bahamas Sales & Marketing Manager.

The Bahamas Debutante Foundation and The Bahamas Primary School Student of The Year Foundation are two prominent organizations dedicated to the development of Bahamian students and ensuring they are recognized and rewarded for their outstanding achievements. The funds donated by RUBiS are used to provide scholarships to deserving students.

The RUBiS Bahamas Road Safety Essay Competition was awarded to three twelfth-grade students: Niara Black, Charzia Curtis and Miranda Jack, who placed first, second and third respectively. These bright young ladies received $2,500 in scholarship funds to assist with their tertiary education. The competition was facilitated by The Bahamas Debutante Foundation and they expanded on ‘The Use of Cell Phones While Driving - Is A Call or Text Worth Your Life?’ encouraged first-time drivers to reflect on the dangers associated with the use of cell phones while driving.’

Demian Brice II, a sixth-grade student at Temple Christian Primary School received the RUBiS Bahamas Chairman Scholarship at The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Ceremony. Brice, the recipient of $2,000 is one of many to receive a portion of $1.9 million in scholarships and prizes donated by the foundation in the last 23 years with the help of its corporate partners. In keeping with Rubis’ commitment, another 2,000 scholarship will be awarded to a 2021 sixth grade student nominee.

As a responsible corporate entity, RUBiS hopes to inspire students to go above and beyond. In a thank you letter, Demian Brice II wrote, “As the world now faces tough economic times, I applaud RUBiS for continuing to invest in the future of students such as myself. The scholarship will be used to pay my tuition at St. Augustine’s College. Be assured that I plan to continue to strive for academic excellence as I pursue my dream of becoming an Engineer.”

RUBiS Bahamas Limited is a leading provider of high-quality fuels and lubricants in The Bahamas. RUBiS premium fuels are powered by Ultra Tec Advanced Fuel Technology. The company carries the TOTAL brand of lubricants, one of the largest lubricant suppliers in the world. In the Bahamas, RUBiS operates 23 service stations offering excellent customer service with every experience.