Minister of National Security Marvin Dames.
By RIEL MAJOR
THE public will learn which drone company the government plans to engage at the end of February, according to National Security minister Marvin Dames.
He said officials expect to narrow down bids within another week or two.
He revealed the ministry received more than 20 bids in an interview with reporters on the sidelines of an inaugural security conclave at Island House.
Mr Dames said: "We had representation from all over…Europe, United States, Canada and then we had a few contacts with Bahamian companies and a foreign company, and I think one was in Israel as well and so it was very diverse. We’re excited because this presents a very unique opportunity for us in the Bahamas.
Mr Dames underscored the ministry’s target to reduce the level of crime, noting its impact on tourism and the fear of crime.
"I find it so interesting because I was reading something the other day, “ he added, “I think it was about Kentucky and in the US that many cities now are moving in this direction and so we in the Bahamas are certainly ahead of the curve. We intend to be on the cutting edge because it is extremely important for us as a government to reduce the level of crime in this country."
Mr Dames could not say how many drones will be purchased, stating the number really depends on how far the money will stretch.
"You can pay a few hundred bucks for a drone and you can pay a few million bucks for a drone, so which one do you want? So, we have to as we move to select the right company, we have to do that with our budgetary contracts in mind,” he said.
Comments
Bonefishpete 5 years, 10 months ago
I can hear it now "Don't Mash My Drones"
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 10 months ago
Just another tool of our new spy agency. The Minnis-led government wants to know where Brave Davis and Fred Mitchell are at all times for purposes of gathering juicy bits of info that can be used at politically opportune times. Can't wait to hear who will be the lucky muck-a-mucks to get the padded contracts for supplying and maintaining the drones, not to mention operating training services. LOL
All of those fare paying passenger planes that usually fly low over New Providence are going to be in for a big surprise. I can just hear some of the pilots saying: "My God, did you see the size of that mosquito that just buzzed by us?!" LMAO
Damifiknow 5 years, 10 months ago
Keep spending the people’s money ! Can’t do much worse then 75,000 thousand a month for a antiquated post system ! Probably could refurbish the old building one for two months rent! Mold ? Does any one Change the Ac filters? Paint ? 50 bucks a gallon with vat !Oh you need a brush holder ! No painters or maintenance man! Now you want to play with drones ? Don’t forget to get a broom to sweep up the scrap when it broke!
BahamaPundit 5 years, 10 months ago
It's the people's job to pay money into the treasury. It's the politicians' job to find ways to get it out.
TalRussell 5 years, 10 months ago
Yes or no while drones can be a smart security investment but if indeed 20 are drones bidding then the comrade Imperial red guard should not have enter into long term contract required lots up front PeoplesPublicPurse's monies with the selected drones provider. Yes, no and hasn't US been operating drones up in skies for years over we colony of out islands - maybe even Chinese intelligence too - so why not just have our intelligence hitch ride the US or maybe even China?
DDK 5 years, 10 months ago
Another hilarious idea! Somehow, I do not think we are "up to" operating drones successfully! I can see them crash landing all over the place! We cannot even operate computer accounting systems!
xtreme2x 5 years, 10 months ago
"I find it so interesting because I was reading something the other day, “ he added, “I think it was about Kentucky and in the US that many cities now are moving in this direction and so we in the Bahamas are certainly ahead of the curve. We intend to be on the cutting edge because it is extremely important for us as a government to reduce the level of crime in this country."
They (government) are following in the America's foot steps. When will they introduce Body
cam for officers
K4C 5 years, 10 months ago
Lets all hope it is not from Acme drone
bogart 5 years, 10 months ago
NATIONAL SECURITY......IS LIMITED TO FINANCIAL BUDGET ON GETTING ....DRONES......WEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLL.....on the $300 millions dollars in the SAME NATIONAL BUDGET FOR EDUCATION.....1....they must stop illegal students without school entrance snd the illegal migrants without citizenship hiding on ghe bushes....2...Give fining illegals illegal harbouring workers in houses.....3....start fining drivers for speeding cars....4....start fining for dark tinted cars....5...obtain money fines.for illegals migrants comstruction illegal shanty hpuses...no BUILTING PERMITS.....6....have for fining any liiegal working at work ....7...Govt needs to fime any EMPLOYERS have employing workers.....8....any hackers airplanes have ever fined for flying all over thd Bahamas..any one ever been charged over the decades...????....9....any govt employees ever been FIRED FROM GROSS INCOPETANCE....WASTING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS...??....doing CONTRACTS WORK....COSTS....OVERCOME 2X...3X....4X.....even to govt money spending to digging one HUGE HOLE IN ELEUTHERA...10.....any alleged fraud ...how money...taking from anyone Ministries...ask the excrlleng AUFITOR GENERAL on many incidents....????....................how the constraints on NATIONAL SECURITY...........an on thd other side Gubbermint employed salaried...wasting precious money ......duh....!!!!
DDK 5 years, 10 months ago
They need to, they must, they should, all of the above, but........keep on dreaming!
BahamaPundit 5 years, 10 months ago
Let's call this drone deal what it is "theft" from the treasury. Nothing more, nothing less.
stislez 5 years, 10 months ago
Lol say, you can pay a few hundred bucks for a drone and you can pay a few million bucks for a drone, so which one do you want?.....how bout the one wa cost the most, but buy the cheapest one and pocket the rest of money like y'all usually do......
joeblow 5 years, 10 months ago
I hope they intend to watch our borders to stem the tide of immigrant boats unloading their human cargo by the Defense Force base instead of watching the Bahamian people!
Sickened 5 years, 10 months ago
I hope they don't crash into the American drones that fly over our island every night!
DDK 5 years, 10 months ago
Maybe we should hope they do!
TheMadHatter 5 years, 10 months ago
Yall can at least save money on ya FNM campaign. No point spending a dime. PLP going back in and maybe even before 2022.
People are SICK & TIRED of hearing about yall finding new ways to spend money. We dont need NOTHING new. Try keep blood pressure pills in the clinics first before you out on the big boy pants.
Stop spending and borrowing please. You already had the people block the P.I. bridge last year. What the vex people gah do next?
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