jobethcolebydavis

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.”

For almost a year, the public awaited the outcome of the investigation against Transport and Housing Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis, who was accused of hitting an officer with her vehicle at a Carnival event.

Since politicians are rarely prosecuted in the Bahamas, many predicted that no charges will be brought against the sitting member of parliament even though the police claimed it was investigating the matter.

Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander announced the case’s closure on Friday.

Here is a look at the road to the Jobeth Coleby-Davis’ investigation

May 21, 2022

A Corporal of the Royal Police Force was allegedly struck with a vehicle driven by Housing Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis at Carnival Road March when he tried to prevent her from entering an area that was cordoned off on West Bay Street in the area of St Albans Drive.

Coleby-Davis was driving a silver SUV when the police officer told her that he was instructed not to let any vehicles through, to which she shouted, “Do you know who I am!’ as she attempted to go around the barricades and hit him before he moved from her pathway. A witness along with friends claimed to have seen the event around 10 am and filed a police report.

The officer was reportedly injured to the leg and received medical help at the hospital.

May 25, 2022

Coleby-Davis denied the allegations outside of Parliament stating that she would never react in the manner described since she was with her daughter at the time, hinting that she was politically targeted. “I stand by that and my grandmother always taught me that the last laugh is the best one and so it’ll be cleared up.”

Commissioner of Police at the time, Paul Rolle said the Royal Bahamas Police Force was investigating the matter and his assistant commissioner was finding out “exactly what happened.”

“We are dealing with that from within. I don’t have a timeline. Whenever that is finished, I don’t know that it’s something I will be discussing so much in the media, I don’t know what the outcome is going to be,” Rolle said.

July 6, 2022

Pressed by former Prime Minister Hubert Minnis who was asking for an update on the matter, Prime Minister Philip Davis denied there was ever an official investigation into the alleged incident during a debate in the House of Assembly.

He summed it up to be an internal inquiry to determine who was telling the truth, and nothing more.

May 30, 2022

By this time, a video to exonerate her, circulated on social media reportedly showing the incident. However, Police Staff Association Executive Chairman Ricardo Walkes said the video does not prove anything since it does not show what happened to the officer before filming began. “The video that’s going around shows what happened afterward, not what happened before the officer called and received backup,” Walkes said.

June 29, 2022

Former Police Commissioner Paul Rolle said he directed the incident be turned over to the complaints branch of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

“We were trying to get Jobeth, Minister Coleby to give her statement. Because there were statements made in the public domain, but none was made, no complaint, no official complaint was made.

“The officer’s alleging that he was struck. And I think she was making some allegations as well.

“I want to hear what her allegations were. I said let me take myself out of it.

“They do the investigation and then make the recommendation to me.

“I do want to believe that she did make an allegation. Like I said, the officer was out sick. So, we…can’t proceed until he is certified to return to work to be interviewed,” Rolle said.

January 27, 2023

Newly appointed Commissioner Clayton Fernander said the matter is closed and the investigations show no evidence that the police officer was struck by Coleby-Davis. “… We deal with facts and evidence. That’s what we deal with and that’s what you need to go to court.”

The officer will reportedly return to his duties as an officer of the RBPF.

FNM Elizabeth MP Duane Sands did not survive at the voting polls. Instead, PLP Jobeth Coleby-Davis beat him to become the new parliamentarian for the Elizabeth constituency.

Sands expected a win at the polls. He seemed to have a good repertoire with his constituents and touted his list of accomplishments in the area.

Poll numbers showed that he and Coleby-Davis were running a close race but it was not enough for Sands to win.

Why it matters

Sands was endorsed by former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham in the weeks leading up to the election. Ingraham showed up in the Elizabeth constituency to publicly express support for Sands, whom he called “a great man,” even expressing hope that Sands would become prime minister.

Ingraham did not endorse Minnis during this election cycle, as he had done in 2017.

Sands’ loss a the polls means he would not have the opportunity to run against Minnis for party leader when the FNM holds convention.

The big picture

In 2017, Sands won the Elizabeth constituency, doubling the votes to beat the PLP candidate.

Sands was a former minister of health but resigned last year amid controversy over donated 2,500 COVID-19 test swabs, when the donors were allowed to disembark on New Providence and quarantine at home while the country’s borders were closed.

Ingraham was hoping that Sands would have been re-elected to the House and eventually become prime minister, which he likened to his experience.