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Grief overwhelmed the Southern Cemetery as Shaquell Roberts was laid to rest, nearly three weeks after her life was cut short in a tragic traffic accident.

As funeral directors slowly lowered the coffin, the mourning pierced the air.

“No, no,” her daughter cried, her voice breaking as she clung to the rails, refusing to let go. Some rushed to comfort her.

Another woman wept openly. “My friend, my friend,” she cried, as earth covered the coffin.

Shaquell Roberts was just 34 years old.
READ MORE |‘This can’t be true’: Friends mourn woman after tragic Western Road crash

Police say Roberts was driving along Western Road when a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction collided with her Honda. Her car spun out of control before overturning. She died at the scene. The male driver of the other vehicle was injured.

Her loved ones recalled her kindness and commitment to serving others.

Pastor Derrick Bastian of Rivers of Living Waters Ministries, where she worshipped for many years, remembered her as “the best usher”.

“It was a privilege for the life and commitment she gave to the church,” Bastian said. “For years, she laboured faithfully. She gave not only service, but time, commitment, and seeds. Her life will continue to speak for her.”

Her friends struggled to put their loss into words.

In a tribute shared on social media, close friend Myzz Williams wrote: “Death robbed you of life, and the truth hurts in ways words can’t soften. But it did not rob you of who you are. Lying there so peacefully, you still carried the same grace, the same beauty, the same presence that followed you in life.”

Roberts was also a dedicated employee at Bahamas Power and Light’s Clifton plant, where she was described as a warm employee.

Featured Picture: Styles by Kenstah

An unprecedented power outage swept through most of New Providence. The blackout, which began on Thursday night and stretched into the early morning hours, sparked widespread anger and frustration among Bahamians, as lights dipped on and off for hours before some areas were fully restored by daybreak.

Bahamas Power and Light, the state-run utility company, and one of the Bahamas’ troubled entities attributed the outage to “units that ripped offline” as they worked to “bring additional units online…through a major transmission fault on our network.”

The incident has intensified the public’s outcry for reliable services, with many angry customers taking to social media to voice their dismay and demand accountability.

“This is a national disgrace and It’s really discouraging,” Samantha Bauld cried. “I work hard to pay bills. There really shouldn’t be an excuse for my power being interrupted for nearly 5 hrs. And I have a two-year-old in this heat to provide her with some kind of comfort. I’m ready to quit this country.”

Guion Brennen added, “This is absolutely ridiculous. Yall (BPL) has hit rock bottom.”

Brittonee Newry questioned the company’s compensation for appliances that may have been destroyed because of the constant dipping.

“Thirty-plus times. That’s how much my power has been off and on. Don’t act crazy when people come with their destroyed appliances.”

Minister of Energy Jobeth Coleby spoke to reporters today emphasizing that the power system is “stressed and strained” because it is pulling a high volume of voltage and power to generate energy for thousands of homes and businesses.

The combination of the power outage and the extreme heat was a nightmare, though not uncommon. Amid sweltering heat, the power cuts not only caused inconvenience but also raised concerns over the safety and well-being of residents, with some fearing the risk of heat-induced illnesses.

“Bey it too hot for this. Yall gonna cause someone get a heat stroke! Me and my dog sweating.” Greer Deane lamented.

Simone Bain called for another light company because she, like many Bahamians, are not satisfied with the services provided by BPL.

“I am sick and tired of the services BPL gives to the Bahamian people. We need another power company.”

Donnell Knowles demanded that the company modify its energy to solar power.

“Bahamas Power and Light needs to switch to solar as a main method of sustainable energy now. Last night should be the last nain in Big Oil’s pocket,” she said.

“In 2024, we are expected to go back to street lights made from candles or every home invest in 5000 plus generators while still paying large monthly bills for disgusting service all because the country refuses to move ahead for our betterment? …I’m done with talking now. It’s time to fight for this country to get better and remove the incompetence.”

Nearly 30,000 gallons of oil spilled in oceans surrounding Exuma, authorities said.

The environmental disaster is believed to have occurred overnight Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper reported on Wednesday.

What happened?

The Arabian vessel contracted for Sun Oil was offloading fuel to Bahamas Power and Light in George Town, Exuma when the spilling occurred, Cooper told the Nassau Guardian.

How authorities are responding

Cooper said the oil is now contained in the bay area of the Exuma Sailing Club.

He said the relevant ministries have been aware and have deployed officials to deal with the matter.

What’s the impact of the oil spill?

Officials have not yet reported on the damage to the environment and the marine animals, but oil spills kill, poison, and suffocate sea creatures. Research indicates that toxic chemicals remain in the ocean for years and can sink to the floor, also poisoning the sediments.

Its severity on the environment depends on the amount of oil spilled, type and weight of the oil, location of the spill, species of wildlife in the area, timing of breeding cycles, seasonal migrations, and the weather at sea during and after the oil spill.

The big picture

In 2018, 3,800 gallons of diesel oil leaked into the waters at Emerald Bay Marina in Exuma reportedly from two tanks stationed in the marina.

Eye Witness News reported that one of the tanks was owned by Shell Oil and the second tank belonged to Emerald Bay Marina.

It was reportedly cleaned up with minimal impact on the environment.

Photo credits: The Nassau Guardian, Reno Curling Photography and Blaze 98.3 FM Exuma

Prime Minister Hubert Minnis announced that Desmond Bannister will be his new deputy prime minister.

This announcement comes after the resignation of Peter Turnquest on November 26th from the position after allegations of fraud were filed in the Supreme Court by a former business partner.

Bannister, a senior member of Minnis’ Cabinet will fill that position.

What did Hubert Minnis say?

At the national address on Sunday, the prime minister officially revealed the pick, touting Bannister’s “experience and good counsel.”

“The Hon. Desmond Bannister, the Minister of Works, will become Deputy Prime Minister.
Because of his portfolio, which includes capital works and infrastructure, and because of his experience and good counsel, he will be a part of the economic team.”

What did the governing party say?

In a statement, the party released a statement in support of Bannister, stating that his appointment as deputy prime minister “demonstrates the FNM’s continued commitment to populating the government with leaders focused on serving the people. Bannister’s dignity and relentless effort to solve problems are well known. He will make an excellent governing partner to our Prime Minister.”

The party says Bannister has shown strong leadership “as a steady hand with a measured temperament working for and on behalf of the people” while praising his leadership at Bahamas Power and Light (BPL).

“His boundless determination working to resolve decades-long problems that plagued BPL shows his skill and commitment to tackling challenges while getting results. Because of his leadership, load-shedding has been eliminated and BPL is now better equipped to produce more affordable, cleaner and reliable energy for generations to come.”

Who is Desmond Bannister?

The 62-year-old  was first appointed as Senator in 2002, then elected to Parliament in 2007 as a representative of Carmichael. He served as minister of state in the Attorney General’s Office and as education minister

He is described as a sports enthusiast, elected as President of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations in 1999.

Bannister received his LLB degree from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados and completed his Legal Education Certificate at the Norman Manley Law School in Kingston, Jamaica.

He was called to the Bahamas Bar in 1988 and served as Crown Counsel in the Office of The Attorney General between 1988 and 1991.

Bannister has served as a part-time lecturer for the Bahamas Bar, at the Bahamas Institute of Bankers and The College of The Bahamas, as well as having previously served as Stipendiary & Circuit Magistrate.

Desmond Bannister’s role

As Minister of Public Works, Bannister led and oversaw a host of infrastructure developments:

• Reconstruction of the of Bulkhead Government Dock and New Dock at Clifton Pier
• Replacement of the Government Dock in Barraterre, Exuma
• Construction of the Port Nelson Dock at Rum Cay
• Stabilization of the Coast Road in Elbow Cay, Abaco that had deteriorated
• Replacement of Newton Cay Bridge, Long Island
• Construction on the Smith Point Seawall, Grand Bahama
• Repaired the Glass Window Bridge, Eleuthera
• Construction the new Fishing Hole Road Causeway Project
• Repairs and Renovations to the Garnet Levarity Justice Centre in Grand Bahama
• Demolition of the Clarence Bain Building
• Construction of the South Andros Gym, which is nearing completion

During Minnis’ official opening of a dock in Exuma about two weeks ago, he mistakenly referred to Bannister as “deputy” before correcting himself, which drew laughter from onlookers.

Chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party Fred Mitchell condemned the government corporation Bahamas Power and Light for shutting-off power to thousands of homes for failure to pay overdue bills.

The big picture

Bahamas Power and Light disconnected 8,741 residents in New Providence and Family Islands for non-payments. The corporation says it is ‘strap for cash’ as it struggles to pay its staff, fuel, and equipment in the middle of a pandemic.

Why it matters

Thousands of people have been unemployed since the onset of the pandemic, which means many families cannot afford to pay electricity bills. When the electricity is shut-off, children in the home are unable to attend virtual school.

The PLP’s reaction

Fred Mitchell, the opposition’s chairman said the corporation’s decision to disconnect electricity from thousands of homes is unjustifiable. In a press statement, he called on the government-run corporation to stop disconnections.

“How could they in good conscience with the following facts before them countenance and justify such actions by a public corporation: covid is rampant; unemployment is at record levels – near 50 percent; children are at home who can’t go to school with many attending school on the government’s virtual platform; money is in short supply; NIB assistance has been reduced, and the little food that people get must be protected from being spoiled.

Power outage interrupts the update on Tropical Storm Isaias, that officials warned could reach the Bahamas over the weekend.

With officials gathered at the National Emergency Management Agency Headquarters on Gladstone Road on Thursday evening, screens went black and radios were blanked about twenty minutes into the press conference, .

Prime Minister Hubert Minnis was present as he told viewers about the seriousness of the tropical storm, telling them to “prepare for the worst”.

For nearly 10 minutes viewers waited for the address to continue.

The address resumed shortly after.

This blackout comes after Bahamas Power and Light advised the public that Central Westridge and Westridge Drive would experience disruption in electricity supply as a result of routine maintenance exercises on Wednesday.

Customers complained that it continued into Thursday, confirming that Blake Road was affected as well.

BPL did not give an explanation for the blackout in Gladstone Road on Thursday evening.

Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip Davis says the government is fast becoming “heartless, clueless and insensitive” after the government-owned energy plant, Bahamas Power and Light, announced that nearly 90 percent of its customers face disconnection as the corporation face rising debt.

Davis says, “On the face of it, this policy seems heartless in light of what appears to be a complete pause if not collapse of the local economy.”

Davis says thousands of Bahamians are without  jobs as retail and service industries remain closed, which he believes could have been opened by the competent authority, adding that the government must accept some responsibility for the economic consequences of its Emergency Orders and not penalize Bahamians.

“The hardship suffered by Bahamians is due to government incompetence and Bahamians should not have to pay for this,” Davis says.

The corporation which has a $46 million debt and has threatened disconnection of 12,4461 residents and commercial customers, says only 1,311 households and businesses have settled their arrears with the corporation.

Chairman of BPL Dr. Donovan Moxey said the the corporation has to pay its own bill and it cannot permit customers to incur debt they may never be able to repay.

“It makes no sense to put customers deeper in debt. We want to understand the customer’s situation and work with them. It makes no sense for anybody to keep on increasing the bill without having some payment arrangement on it.”

Moxey said the corporation wants to work with customers, and hope they come in to take advantage of the payment plans, as the corporation recognizes the tough times.