The Tribune

By EARYEL BOWLEG

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

PROMOTIONS for Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) officers are likely to be announced soon, National Security Minister Marvin Dames suggested.

Mr Dames did not want to preempt the announcement, saying it is up to the RBDF commodore to reveal the promotions.

Yet while speaking at a contract signing at the RBDF base yesterday, he hinted at the news while showing appreciation to officers for their work during the pandemic.

“..We are indebted to all of you for the work that you continue to do and I’m certain very shortly the acting commodore would be showing that appreciation in a very tangible way. So hold on - not long now,” he said.

He later told the media: “The rank and file I know...These men and women work hard and you know reach a point where you wish you could promote everybody but that’s not possible but so we start with you know their recommendations and their advice - who’s the most deserving and we’ll continue to encourage those who are not in the line up at this time to ensure that they too at some time are rewarded.”

This comes after nearly 70 Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) officers were promoted to chief superintendent and superintendent last month. A 2018 manpower audit revealed massive increases of the ranks of chief superintendent and superintendent over the years. The ranks saw a rise of 2,200 percent and 212 percent respectively between 2011 to 2017 and the report suggested they contributed to the force becoming top-heavy.

Nonetheless, Mr Dames argued the institution has been adhering to the audit and the number of ranks continue to decline.

“We continue to work through with the new commissioner to ensure that the audit is adhered to as much as possible and we’ll continue to support him and ensure that he gets the tools that he needs to get the job done,” he said.

He indicated the provision for the promotions would have been made during the last budget. Mr Dames also said Commodore Tellis Bethel is still on leave for a few weeks.

Meanwhile, the RBDF signed a contract for the electrification of works required to activate the 17 pedestals installed on the quay walls which was a part of Sandy Bottom Project. The contract would facilitate the electrification of the jetties thus allowing the patrol craft to connect to sure power and alleviate the need for the vessels to use generators when in harbour.

The contract was awarded to Flameless Electrical Contracting Limited.

Quentin Knowles, company president, expressed his pride to work on the project.

He said: “I’m truly excited to be a part of that project and believe that it will substantially help the Royal Bahamas Defence Force reinforce their vision of becoming a model of excellence in guarding our heritage.

“From the team of Flameless Electrical, I am proud, to say a fully Bahamian team, We shall provide a world class electrical installation that will service the electrical needs of the Bahamas Defence Force for years indeed decades to come.”