Mr. Speaker
Introduction
Every Bahamian can vividly recall the day when as a country we earned what is likely our most treasured Olympic Gold Medal. We remember watching our “Golden Girls” execute flawless baton passes. Picture Debbie Ferguson grabbing that baton from Pauline Davis Thompson and racing with all her might to the finish line bringing to this country what then was its first track and field Gold Medal.
As we watched that event transpire, the one thing that we all, Bahamians… everywhere on the planet... agreed … was in that moment, we were all united as a nation. We celebrated! Broke out into spontaneous elation and needed almost no coaxing to be in sheer jubilation. There is something magical that happens when the ultimate success is achieved.
This sense of one-ness; the sense that together we as a country can reach for and realize that which has been elusive thus far to ourselves and many others, is the sort of stuff that eliminates the trivial matters which have always divided us.
Albert Einstein made it clear that the problems which we face will require us to engage in thinking…. In planning… in executing strategies at a higher level of creativity and effort than it took to create them.
As Bahamians we have been reminded in words of our country’s motto of the solution to any challenge which we face: it reminds us that our progress rests in our ability and our capacity to stay connected. “Forward, upward, onward, together” provide us with the direction, the attitude, the motivation and the solutions to overcome the immense obstacles which we may face.
Mr. Speaker
Inherent in the motto is the battle cry which summons each citizen to forget that which separates us and to move, arm in arm, til we have triumphed over that which confronts us.
It is in this very spirit that my Ministry, the Ministry responsible for delivering services to our youth, developing and promoting our culture and providing the platform for our advancement in sports, has refocused our attention and redoubled our efforts to ensure that our various departments compliment each other and form a cohesive tool for nation building.
Our Nation is experiencing difficult times and like everyone else our Budget has been reduced, but our mission is too vital for us not to deliver on the promise. I am thankful that three years and one month to the day after receiving the vote of confidence from the Bahamian people, I am in a position to bring good news about what is being done and what is on the drawing board in this upcoming Fiscal year.
Mr. Speaker
Golden Isles
Mr. Speaker
Culture
- Dr. Linda Moxey Brown- settling in well
- Junkanoo successes- JCNP- reduce cost – extended partnership with Tourism $1.5 Mil
- Cultural Exchanges $100,000.00
- National Dance School- special event and summer programs- increase enrollment $ 30,000.00
- E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival- record participation- final Concert live last year $250,000.00
- Cultural Grants- because of savings- gone from a hand full 06/07 to 70 persons, organization or committee receiving grants- wide spectrum, music, dance, drama, visual art including film production, authors and poets- cultural industries “money well spent- expanded support for local and family Island festivals $215,000.00
- We have entered into a partnership with the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas to introduce the Bahamian Film and Directors Showcase, which creates the opportunities for Bahamian filmmakers to air their handiwork and possibly make some money at the same time. Pilots have already been submitted and very soon your will see the best of locally made Dramas, short films, variety shows and sitcoms as a substantial part of ZNS’s programming.
Mr. Speaker
AMMC
I am very pleased to advise that The Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas has given approval for redevelopment of Centreville House Shirley Street as the National Museum of the Bahamas.
This is something that the Board and Staff at the Antiquities Corporation - and indeed the entire cultural community - have been anticipating for some time.
This decision - together with the selection and restoration of Villa Doyle as the National Art Gallery - shows the strong commitment of this Government to the promotion of cultural education and awareness.
According to the United Nations, "culture is the whole complex of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features that characterizes a society." Clearly, such a definition covers a broad scope of activities. The aspect that the AMMC now lead by new Chairperson Orry J. Sands focuses on is historic preservation and heritage conservation.
This is something that necessarily must be taken in small steps because it is not an inexpensive or an easy task. I take immense satisfaction in announcing that we are proceeding immediately with phase one of the restoration of the 79-year-old Collins mansion.
Once the home of Ralph Collins, a prominent citizen and parliamentarian who died in 1946, the current building was erected in 1931, but a residence known as Centreville existed on the site as early as 1871.The estate itself once extended from Shirley Street in the north to almost Wulff Road in the south and east to what is now Palmdale. It is one of the few surviving remnants of another era. And the building itself is magnificent.
The property was acquired by the Government in 1971 and served for a time as the headquarters of
the Ministry of Education. The AMMC moved to adjacent buildings on the estate in 2005, and their investment and interest in this project is a shining example of the way in which the Corporation works to preserve our links to the past in ways that can have a beneficial impact on the modern economy.
We know that historical resources are key elements of national development, finding expression in visitor attractions, cultural activities and educational exhibits. And it is our goal to transform Centreville House into one of the premier educational and touristic attractions in the nation.
Up to this point, the priority has been to stabilize the building's structure, remove non-original partitions and infrastructure, and landscape the grounds. As you may know, Bahamian artist Antonius Roberts was given the task of transforming the grounds, and the whole compound has now become a reservoir for native trees and shrubs. It is already an oasis in the centre of our bustling city where people can relax and meditate.
The next stage of development will be the full restoration of the 35,000-square-foot mansion itself, but this will not happen overnight. To begin with, it is essential to make the building weatherproof. A $405,411 contract has been executed with Osprey Developers to repair the gutters, parapets, dormers and roof tiles. The entire roof will be pressure cleaned and a thermo flex waterproof coating applied.
Despite financial constraints, funds have been assigned to kick start the redevelopment process, because it is vital to secure the building and prevent further deterioration, but this is only the initial phase. There is a long road ahead, in an economic environment that is only slowly recovering from the impact of the global financial crisis.
The next phase would be the concrete restoration of the remainder of the structure to include all the floors from the basement to the attic; external plaster and textured stucco to the main entrance, external terrace walls and dormers. This phase is estimated at $1.6 million.
The final phase would be the interior restoration and fitting out of the National Museum of The Bahamas. I can say that the AMMC is working with a number of entities including the Historic Bahamas Foundation to raise the necessary funds to assist with this costly, yet very worthwhile project. I would invite the General Public to help us in this national enterprise.
Mr. Speaker
Clifton Heritage Authority
The newly appointed Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director are also settling in nicely. Mr. Raymond Farquahson a retired senior officer of the RBDF brings his experience and discipline to the post of Managing Director. Ms. Janine Gibson is a young Bahamian with a degree in Park Management and experience in working with the US park service brings fresh ideas and best practices to the post of Deputy Managing Director. They both have lead the staff forward in the continued development of this national treasure.
The Department of Archives
Freedom of Information Act
Mr. Speaker
Sports
A National Sports Summit was held on the 15th May 2010 there were three main areas of focus:-
- Discussion and adoption of new National Sports Policy:-
Overview of the Revised Policy:
- The revised Policy is a very progressive initiative far surpassing the efforts of other countries to formally enunciate their national position on sport and recreation as mandated by UNESCO as far back as 1998.
- Government’s cooperation and response is an indication of its desire to move local sports administrators into the direction of forward planning, that is, setting realistic goals as a normal practice and then creating performance indicators to measure the particular federation’s progress towards meeting those goals, ever mindful of local economies of scale and the need for cost efficiencies.
Summary of the Revised Policy:
- A. Old Policy - 17 Articles with 65 Sections.
- B. New Policy – 21 Articles with 138 Sections.
- C. Total Number of Amendments in the Revised Policy: 107
- D. Original Number of Amendments Proposed by Federations: 78
- E. Number of Amendments originally Proposed by Federations that were approved by Cabinet: 66
- F. Number of original Proposed Amendments that Cabinet requested further review by Federations: 11
- G. Number of Amendments disapproved by Cabinet : 1
- H. Number of new Amendments further proposed by Federations upon the advice of Cabinet and subsequently approved thereof: 28
Comments on the Revised National Sports Policy
Among others, the Revised National Sports Policy addresses the following areas lacking in the original Policy by:
- 1. Enunciating full endorsement of the World Anti Doping Code, agreed by the international sporting community and UNESCO.
- 2. Refining the process by which sporting bodies are officially recognized by the government of The Bahamas, qualifying, them for monetary aid.
- 3. Expanding the number of sports bodies eligible for annual assistance.
- 4. Mandating that sporting bodies receiving funds from the government ensure that their membership adhere to highest codes of moral behavior.
- 5. Setting benchmarks that must be met by national teams traveling abroad to represent The Bahamas.
- 6. Rewarding national federations for their growth and expansion into the Family Islands.
- 7. Rewarding a number of national federations for their sustained international success over the past decade.
- 8. Encouraging national federations to extend themselves into socializing youth into functional behavior.
- 9. Demanding financial accountability for all sporting bodies funded by the government.
- 10. Setting out Incentive Grants for all Core Sport Disciplines beyond individualistic sports such as Track & Field and Swimming.
- 11. Refining the process by which an Elite Athlete disqualifies himself/herself from receiving financial subvention.
- 12. Providing for the financial subvention of Bahamian coaches training Elite Athletes at home.
- 13. Requiring all athletes receiving subvention to provide an annual report on how the funding was spent.
- 14. Permitting for reduction in subvention for consistently marginal performances.
- 15. Stipulating that all athletes under government subvention present themselves for selection to national teams representing The Bahamas, with few exceptions.
- 16. Obligating athletes under subvention to volunteer their services to assist government in promoting non- profit public service programmes.
- 17. Stipulating a penalty for subvented athletes convicted of use of substance banned by the World Anti Doping Agency.
- 18. Making provision for providing aid to assist the training expenses of young and promising athletes through their respective national federation.
- 19. Defining a policy on providing Incentive or Performance Grants to Elite Athletes winning Medals by default at specified World and Olympic Games as a result of Anti Doping penalties meted out against others by the relevant organs of the International Olympic Committee.
- 20. Mandating the return of any Incentive or Performance gift awarded by the Government to an Elite Athlete achieving Medals at specified World and/or Olympic Games and thereafter convicted of Anti Doping violation, subsequently suffering Medal disqualification.
- 21. Removing the penalty for elite athletes electing to train at home.
- 22. Assisting with strengthening the athletic Programme at the College of The Bahamas.
- 23. Providing Incentive or Performance Grants to Special Olympians achieving Medals at their Olympic Games or World Championships.
- 24. Specifying Incentive or Performance Grants to Special Olympians achieving Medals at their Olympic Games or World Championships.
- 25. Establishing benchmarks or performance indicators for national federations over the next ten years.
- Introduction of the Anti-Doping Commission Chairman
The Anti-Doping Act was brought into force earlier this year, the Commission has been appointed and have started its work:
1. Dr. Jerome Lightbourne, Chairman
2. Mr. Charles “ Chuck” Mackey
3. Mr. Fred Sturrup
4. Dr. Myles Poitier
5. Mr. Kevin Knowles
6. Mr. Sam Haven
7. Mr. David “Stretch” Morley
8. Mr. Sterling Quant
9. Mr. Roscoe Davies
10. Director of Sports
- National Stadium Development Sports complex Master plan
Mr. Speaker
Damage to National Swim Complex:
I formally reported that extensive damage was done to the mechanical and computer systems which drive the automated operation of the National Swim Complex. Temporary provisions were made for local swim teams to utilize the newly refurbished pools at the South Beach Complex. Investigations revealed that there were both Plumping and Electrical failures that caused the incident and the first repair estimates were in the range of over half a million dollars.
This called for a comprehensive review by technical experts from the Ministry of Works and Transport and two separate scopes of works were defined. Gunite Pools has been awarded the contract relating to resealing the pools and the mobilization process begins today. The rest of the work which calls for major electrical and plumbing work is now out to bid.
The Bahamas Swim Federation has the National Swim Championships set for later this month and we are confident that Gunite will have their work completed in time and we will fill the pool and use stand alone pumps as a temporary measure until the rest of the work is completed.
Mr. Speaker
Formal presentation of the Gold Medal to Pauline Davis Thompson.
Mr. Speaker
Youth
- Self Starter
Self Starter Program, which is the newest program of my Ministry, introduced in 2007 - 442 successful young entrepreneurs benefited from grants of up to $5,000.00. We have had many successful stories coming out of this visionary program.
Since May 2007, The Government has spent the following:
July 2007/June 2008
- 178 grants were approved and $713,839.91was awarded:
July 2008/June 2009
- 153 Grants were approved and $748,07.47.
July 2009/Present
- 111 Grants approved to date and $569,615.00.
Mr. Speaker
National Youth Service
When we came to office we met a pilot program which was geared towards “at risk” young people. Files at the Ministry describe this project as an expansion of the yeast program which was moved to Andros. Initially in 2004 the project was funded to the tone of just over 100,000.00.
The funding progressed to almost 400,000.00 in 2005 and up to 700,000.00 in 2006. We budgeted almost one million dollars when we came to office. Yes, at this point we stopped, reviewed and cancelled this initiative.
Our good conscious would not and could not allow us to continue with a program that despite the increasing cost could not reach and touch the lives of more than a hundred young men a year. I would be the first to shout on the mountain top that you cannot put a price on the future of our young men, but we have major problems in our society and one million dollars could and should be spent more effectively.
We are in the process of giving final financial settlement to the employees that worked at the Andros site and are now moving on from that failed experiment. My Ministry and the Ministry of Education is exploring the matter and hope to replace this program.
Mr. Speaker
The GOLD Award
In my first meeting with the National Youth Advisory Council, I laid out what I thought were the broad criteria for a program, or an initiative which would speak to the needs of the youth of this country as well as satisfy this country’s requirement to enhance the positive development of young people.
I asked that the initiative be proactive and be one that has a proven track record with young people, and it should be an initiative that strengthens, not detracts from the existing programs and agencies and groups which our Ministry presently serves.
I am happy to report that youth leaders rose to the challenge and have designed a new and exciting program called “The GOLD Initiative”. This program builds on the acronym:
G…. for Greatness;
O… for Opportunities;
L… for leadership; and
D… for Development.
“The GOLD Initiative” embodies my Ministry’s vision and mission for our youth. The Initiative is achievement and growth based. It is grounded on clear concrete steps which each young person must take in order to achieve THE Gold. It is multi year and it is self sustaining, as the persons who achieve the GOLD will themselves serve as the next generation of leaders of the Initiative.
Mr. Speaker
What is more, is that the Initiative is:
- cost effective;
- September ready;
- available to all persons between the ages of 14 -25; and
- available to every young person in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, no matter which community, settlement or island of residence.
In essence, this Initiative will overcome all of the previously acknowledged obstacles or limitations which have hampered a National Youth Development Strategy.
This Initiative is a partnership between the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture and the Governor General Youth Awards Scheme.
Mr. Speaker
A Brief History of the Accomplishments of the Duke of Edinburgh Program globally, and the GGYA in The Bahamas.
Most Commonwealth Countries use the original name of The Award Scheme, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award; however, many countries have adopted different names for their Award Programme. For instance, Young People in Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad & Tobago, Kenya, Malta & Malaysia participate in “The President's Award”. The Award in Brazil is called “Mérito Juvenil”, in Russia, “The Interregional Youth Public Movement”, in Portugal, “Prémio Infante D. Henrique”, “The El-Hassan Youth Award Scheme” in Jordan, in Finland it's “Avartti”. Here in The Bahamas it is called The Governor-General's Youth Award Program. The main thing to remember is that whatever the name, The Award is the same!
In Mauritius for example, the Award Program has so far attracted more than 35,000 young people. With a youth population of about 220,000, it means that approximately 1 in 6 young people of that island nation is involved in the Program; this level of participation is highly commendable. The program commands great respect in all areas and it has become a way of life among young people strongly supported by parents, heads of schools and employers.
The GGYA program, was launched in The Bahamas some 24 years ago. It is a complete training program for young people, presenting to them a balanced non-competitive program of voluntary activities which encourage personal discovery and growth, self reliance, perseverance, responsibility to themselves and service to the community.
Despite its scope and its structure as well as its agenda of action, the GGYA has always been hampered by its limitations on resources: financial and human; however despite its shortcomings, the program has been able to train, and impact the lives of a significant number of young people within this commonwealth and among its award winners are children and grand children and relatives of members seated within this House.
What is more, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Victor Chandler himself is a recipient of the Gold Award. That shows sustainability; today’s Gold Award Achiever is tomorrow’s program leader.
Mr. Speaker
How will it work? Firstly, the MYSC will bring to this initiative, the entire machinery of The Government of The Bahamas and all of its partners.
- Government Agencies
- Uniform branches
- Local Government Officials
- Corporate Partners
- Youth Organizations
- Sports Organizations
- Cultural Organizations
This means, we will immediately move to identify, to source, to coordinate and to engage our experienced human resource pool towards the strengthening and expanding of this program.
Secondly, The Government of The Bahamas, through the MYSC will make available up to $350,000 to strengthen and to equip the GGYA to undertake the desired goal of a September ready, nation-wide “roll out” of this initiative.
Thirdly, my Ministry will assist in the recruitment and marketing of the Initiative to the youth of this nation, as well as parents, the local communities, the corporate sector and all relevant social partners. In essence the GOLD INITIATIVE will serve as a framework upon which interested partners can find room to add and to strengthen, all with the common goal of ensuring that we attain the desired goal of producing a whole, competent and resilient young Bahamian.
This initiative will be extended to the disabled and residents of rehabilitative institutions as well.
Mr. Speaker
Fourthly, this will be a 3 year Initiative in the first instance. During the three years, it is our intention to reach and to engage as many as 2,500 young people in the first year; up to 4,000 in the second year and as many as ,5500 in the third year.
The GOLD Initiative will retain the fundamental principles, and remain strongly linked with and entirely based on the GGYA. The designation will enable the desired changes to be effected to suit island and local conditions.
On its own, the GGYA has always been one of the popular youth development programs supported by my Ministry and instills in young people a deep sense of national responsibility and the need for hard work. Gold Awardees will be called upon to assist in the organization and implementation of selected National Events. They will be involved in the participation of many national projects undertaken by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture to foster a spirit of dedication and nationhood.
The GOLD Initiative has something for everyone – something that breaks down all barriers and provides that vital framework to expand and develop and see that there is more to life than yourself and material gains. This also harnesses the drive and energy of young people towards creative and outdoor activities.
Young people today are fully aware and convinced that leisure activities need not only be fulfilling, but can change their whole perspective in life, indeed change their lives completely.
The Gold Initiative with its accompanying cry, “Going for The Gold” will demonstrate to our nation’s youth that they are in fact our most precious national resource and will engage them at their level to ensure that each of them know they that they are a vital part of this country; The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
