Bahamas celebration

After welcoming guests in six different languages, much to their delight, Davis addressed the celebration on “Honouring Our People’s Excellence”.

“You will no doubt agree that at Rio 2016 the world is doing well, the region is doing brilliantly and The Bahamas is golden. Congratulations Shaunae!” She was of course referring to Shaunae Miller who threw herself over the finish line to secure Olympic gold in the women’s 400m race in Rio.

Earlier though, Davis remembered TT ’s former Prime Minister Patrick Manning. Noting that The Bahamas independence day is actually July 10, Davis stated it would not have worked to have the celebration soon after the July 2 passing of Manning, or in close proximity of his funeral on July 9.

Describing Manning as a great statesman she said: “It appeared to me that the 37th Meeting of Caricom Heads, which I attended, was cradled in death by the very man who gave it so much life, as if in one last memorable orchestration of his indubitable passion for the region. Though official letters were sent and there was a condolence book in Georgetown, I am minded one more time, on behalf of the beneficiaries’ of The Bahamas, to salute Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning and wish his family well.” Davis lauded Caribbean Airlines (CAL) for putting on three weekly flights to and from Bahamas with a stop in Jamaica for fuel. She said: “My passion to close the geographic gap between TT and the Bahamas grew, in anticipation of reliable and sustainable airlift between our two countries. Through a successful collaboration with CAL, a direct flight between POS and NAS has been in operation for three short of a year! This is being hailed as a distinct achievement for boosting integration through airlift!” Toasts were then made to the people of TT and The Bahamas.