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BUSINESS: D’AGUILAR SAYS NEW TAX EVASION CLAIMS ARE LIES
$4m annual bill to market Baha Mar Govt also pledges to solve issues at landfill
By TANEKA THOMPSON Tribune News Editor tmthompson@tribunemedia.net THE government has committed to contribute $4 million a year for eight years for marketing of Baha Mar upon the opening of the resort’s casino, according to the heads of agreement signed between the Christie administration and CTF BM. The document, signed on April 25, was released to the media last night. It outlines a number of concessions granted to the new buyer of the beleaguered resort, including value added tax (VAT) exemption for the project’s completion until the end of 2019 and write off of $10m in casino debt. And while stressing that there must at all times be “continued efforts” to maximise Bahamian employment at the resort, the government has allowed for the granting of up to 300 work permits for non-Bahamian workers in senior management positions, those with technical or specialty skills including brand management, “where there is a demonstrable need and lack of qualified Bahamian applicants”. The Heads of Agreement (HOA) notes that after the first 18 months of operation of the resort and casino, work permit numbers are projected to drop to 200. The resort will also be exempt from the payment of real property tax for 10 years “commencing on the
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MINISTRY IN BID TO GET FYRE FESTIVAL VENDORS PAID
By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net WHILE the country’s image has been “insulated” from any direct repercussions stemming from the failed Fyre Festival in Exuma over the weekend, Ministry of Tourism Director General Joy Jibrilu confirmed yesterday that officials were in the process of determining which local vendors are still owed money for services by event organisers. However, she said Fyre Festival’s international promoters have assured officials that all outstanding debts will be paid. SEE PAGE SIX
‘MORTIFIED’ JA RULE SAYS EVENT WAS NOT A SCAM
By AVA TURNQUEST and KHRISNA VIRGIL Tribune Staff Reporters
THE BAHA Mar resort, whose heads of agreement have been made public. date of opening for business of each facility within the project.” The HOA also commits the government to solving the long-standing issues plaguing the New Providence Landfill and addressing the issue of unreliable electricity supply in the capital by the end of this year. The timing of the release of the HOA coincides with the end of the government’s self-imposed deadline to push for the release of the sealed Supreme Court documents relating to the sale of the resort to Chow Tai Fook Enterprises (CTFE). However those documents remain under the court or-
dered seal and as a result, the sales price and other conditions involved in the process are still unknown. On the issue of marketing, the HOA states that the government has already invested $16m for co-operative marketing of the resort. Despite this, the government and Baha Mar’s new buyer have both committed to contribute $10m for a marketing campaign to reintroduce Baha Mar to the marketplace, with $5m of this sum due by September of this year. “During the eight year period commencing on the opening of the new casino, the government shall contribute $4 million per annum towards the costs and
Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
RESORT ASSET TRANSFERS VAT AND DUTY FREE SEE BUSINESS expenses of the marketing activities of the project company . . . on a basis to be matched dollar for dollar by the project company. “ . . . The government has already contributed $16m for co-operative marketing to the project pursuant to the HOA with BML (the previous developer). Notwith-
standing any contributions already made, the government further agrees to enter into a co-operative marketing campaign with the project company on a match funding basis, to which the government and the project company will each contribute $10m, subject to substantial progress toward completion of the project. “ . . .As part of such marketing contribution, by September 30, 2017, the government shall contribute up to $5m towards the costs and expenses of the marketing activities” with the balance to be paid on a date to be mutually agreed, the document notes. SEE PAGE 12
PM’S WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE ‘SEVERAL STREETS AWAY’ FROM SCENE OF SHOOTING By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Perry Christie’s wife, Bernadette, and daughter Alexandria, were campaigning several streets away from an incident where a man was shot as he was walking through Mason’s Addition on Satur-
day night, according to Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean yesterday. Senior ACP Dean told The Tribune that the prime minister’s family members were not in any danger because they were not in the immediate vicinity where the incident occurred. However there was some
confusion yesterday over this situation as a wellplaced source within the Progressive Liberal Party told The Tribune that the incident happened “right across from” where the prime minister’s wife and daughter had been campaigning. SEE PAGE SIX
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
AS the chaos surrounding the failed Fyre Festival in Exuma caught international headlines over the weekend, “mortified” coorganiser Ja Rule denied Friday the claims that the luxury music festival was a scam. The American rapper, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, told The Tribune that he was heartbroken and confused by the ordeal but was focused on the safe departure of all guests and facilitating refunds. SEE PAGE SIX
POOR TURNOUT FOR CARNIVAL IN GRAND BAHAMA By KHRISNA VIRGIL and DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Staff Reporters
AFTER confusion early last month over Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival dates, officials yesterday admitted that attendance at the event’s kick off in Grand Bahama “was not as robust” as last year, but declined to state publicly reasons for the fall off in numbers with festival goers. Bahamas National Festival Commission (BNFC) CEO Roscoe Dames said yesterday he was not in a position to give specific attendance numbers, but confirmed that compared to 2016’s event, this year’s numbers were “different”. SEE PAGE 12
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, May 1, 2017, PAGE 3
Minnis: Payment of police overtime an election ploy By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis has labelled Prime Minister Perry Christie’s announcement that the government will finally pay Royal Bahamas Police Force officers for working 12-hour shifts in 2013 and 2014 nothing more than an election ploy, one he accused the Progressive Liberal Party of being “followers not leaders” on. Speaking during a rally in the Central and South Eleuthera constituency Saturday, the Killarney incumbent said his party had long promised the police that it would honour the court ruling and pay officers their overtime payments, if it wins the next election. Dr Minnis went on to suggest that in a last-ditch effort to win over the support of the law enforcement agencies, Mr Christie made the promise to pay on May 29 - after the general election. Dr Minnis called the
move “another promise” being made by a group doing everything possible for re-election. Last Thursday at a rally at R M Bailey Park, Prime Minister Christie announced that the first payment of the outstanding sum is to be issued on May 29, with the second instalment coming “in the next budget cycle.” He also mentioned longawaited promotions across several law enforcement agencies. His announcements came days before officers head to the advanced poll on Wednesday. On Saturday, Dr Minnis moved to reassure law enforcement agencies that in addition to addressing issues surrounding their health insurance coverage, he would see to it that all pending and promised promotions are finalised if elected. “You cannot have an acting commodore for almost three years in the (Royal Bahamas) Defence Force,” he said. “Your FNM government will immediately fix this. We will also ensure
timely promotions on the defence force and review the retirement age for enlisted personnel.” Addressing the island of Eleuthera specifically, Dr Minnis said he has made it a point to avoid making promises he knows his administration cannot deliver. He noted that the FNM is different from the governing PLP. “We are the party of good governance and public service. Yes, service, this is what true leadership is all about. Serving the people will be priority. Come May 10, finally it will be the people’s time,” said Dr Minnis. “All Family Islands can be assured that the FNM believes in empowering the people. “We have committed to reforming and modernising local government. We will also amend existing legislation and policies to enhance and increase the authority of Family Island local government. It is crucial that you have the ability to make decisions for your own economic growth. “Who better to make decisions for Eleuthera than
Eleutherians,” asked the FNM leader. “A new FNM government will work hard to bring investment, jobs and more economic opportunity. I want, and I know you want, more opportunities that will encourage your young people to remain home and allow those who have left to return home. “We are building a new Bahamas. Many of you are deeply concerned about healthcare on your island. Rest assured that our plans include the refurbishment of your clinic. Issues regarding proper equipment, adequate staff, and fulfilling pharmaceutical needs will all be addressed. As a doctor, and as the former minister of health, your health care needs will be front and centre in my government,” he said. Dr Minnis went on to assure residents that his administration would address infrastructural issues on the island, education and investment opportunities among the youth population. “In education, all of your students who qualify will be
allowed to attend the University of The Bahamas free of charge. They will also be assisted with accommodations and provided with a monthly stipend to assist with living costs. “All over Central and South Eleuthera, the roads, docks, and other pieces of government infrastructure have either not been completed or have fallen into a state of complete disrepair. You deserve your recreational centre and a new dock in Governor’s Harbour.” To the island’s youth, Dr Minnis said: “Young people of South Eleuthera, one of my key initiatives will be a programme for young Bahamians, like young people in Eleuthera who want to become entrepreneurs and business people. (Mr) Christie and the PLP have spent millions on the Trinidad-like carnival.” He continued: “I want to take those millions spent on carnival in Nassau, and invest those funds to empower a new generation of young entrepreneurs. We will launch a major youth entrepreneurship programme
that will help to develop the skills of thousands of young entrepreneurs.” Similar sentiments were shared by Dr Minnis on Friday at a rally in the North Eleuthera constituency. Speaking to a crowd gathered at the Spanish Wells Park, Dr Minnis invited North Eleuthera to play a role in the “wave of change” moving across the Bahamas. He told residents that Mr Christie had presided over the most corrupt, incompetent, victimising and most out of control administration since independence. He reminded the Spanish Wells community of the issues it has faced in its fishing industry over the last four years, asserting that an FNM administration would work to protect this island’s fishing industry from foreigners who “wish to rape our waters.” The FNM has put forward former local government official Hank Johnson in Central and South Eleuthera, and Justice of the Peace Howard “Ricky” Mackey in North Eleuthera.
FNM CHAIRMAN EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER NOTTAGE’S HEALTH By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement Chairman Sidney Collie has expressed concern over the medical condition of Progressive Liberal Party Bain and Grants Town representative Dr Bernard Nottage following his worrisome performance during an appearance at a recent campaign rally. In an interview with The Tribune on Sunday, Mr Collie said he was “surprised” at the level of competence displayed by Dr Nottage during his address to a crowd of supporters at last Thursday’s PLP rally at R M Bailey Park. Mr Collie said he and members of the FNM were concerned by what appeared to be “a major and pressing matter.” He told The Tribune: “Based on reports, we are now aware that he is unwell. He has been told by his doctors to remain on bed rest. At this time, we just want him to get as well as possible.”
Mr Collie continued: “Despite political differences, Dr Nottage is a man who has given a great deal of his life to the governance of this country. His career is a career of note and we pray that he return to good health in the shortest period of time.” Asked if Dr Nottage’s current condition should remove him from contention in the upcoming general election, Mr Collie said he wasn’t in a position at this time, to comment on such a suggestion. He stated: “His political future is not the focal point at this time. His health is. We in the FNM remain focused on seeing his medical condition recover to a point where that discussion could be had, firstly by him.” Dr Nottage, 71, was examined by a doctor at his home on Thursday night for “dehydration”, according to PLP chairman Bradley Roberts, shortly after slurring and stumbling over his words during his speech on the rally stage. Dr Nottage’s wife came to his side near the end of
‘NO IZMIRLIAN FUNDS FOR FNM’ By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net FREE National Movement Chairman Sidney Collie on Friday denied that former Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian was financially backing the opposition party. He spoke after incumbent Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner, who is now running as an Independent in the upcoming general election, admitted to last week that her second bid for the FNM leadership late last year benefitted from the financial resources of Mr Izmirlian. She made the comments on More 94 FM’s ‘Real Talk Live’ with host Rudolph Tinker. Mrs Butler-Turner’s admission sparked questions on social media focusing on the wider issue of campaign finance laws and whether the FNM had also received money from the investor at any time leading up to this election cycle. Mr Collie said: “The party doesn’t have anything to do with anything about Loretta. (But) Sarkis Izmirlian is not backing the Free National Movement.”
Asked if Mr Izmirlian has ever given financially to the party, Mr Collie responded: “Not to my knowledge.” Meanwhile, when he was contacted, Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Bradley Roberts said Mrs ButlerTurner’s confirmation that she received Mr Izmirlian’s money was all he needed to validate his persistent claims that “he gave money to many people in the party who he wanted to.” “What Loretta said is open confirmation right there,” Mr Roberts told The Tribune. “It’s personalities who make up the party and I believe he gave money to the people who he wanted to in the party. “There is no doubt that the financial backing from Izmirlian attributed to comments and actions of the FNM when it comes to Baha Mar.” Mr Roberts has in the past been critical of the fact that FNM Free Town candidate Dionisio D’Aguilar, a former Baha Mar director, joined the opposition party and was ratified to run on the party’s ticket. He has repeatedly accused Mr D’Aguilar of being “the mouthpiece” of Mr Izmirlian.
DR BERNARD NOTTAGE, PLP candidate for Bain and Grants Town, speaking at the PLP rally at RM Bailey Park. his presentation, during However, his dazed de- signalled his need to retire ficult experience. which the veteran politician meanour and incoherent from frontline politics. When contacted yestermispronounced words and speech led many in attendWhen asked whether the day, Mr Roberts insisted had to constantly correct ance to question his over- party had given any consid- that Dr Nottage’s condition his sentences. all health. Dr Nottage was eration to an outcome that had improved considerVisibly flustered as he forced to wrap up his speech would see Dr Nottage un- ably, according to him, to spoke to the large crowd of as the DJ played loud music able to contest the seat, Mr a degree where Dr Nottage supporters, Dr Nottage was to drown out his words. Roberts told The Tribune could address the media on attempting to praise memHis performance has on Friday that “nothing has his own behalf. bers of the various law en- sparked rumours that the occurred to consider that”. However, all attempts by forcement entities and plot senior MP’s behaviour sug- He also said on Friday that The Tribune on Sunday to the course ahead for the PLP gested a much more seri- Dr Nottage was “resting contact Dr Nottage directly and its fight against crime. ous health condition or comfortably” after the dif- were unsuccessful.
PAGE 4, Monday, May 1, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
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Police to be paid, but how much? AT a PLP rally on Thursday night, Prime Minister Perry Christie threw the Royal Bahamas Police Force a halfchewed bone — at last they will receive their court-ordered overtime pay. But how much will be paid is still a mystery. It took four years coming, but at last it was announced five days before a disgruntled police force goes to the polls to cast their ballots for the government of their choice. The police always vote early so that they are free for duty on election day – May 10. For four years, Police Staff Association Chairman Inspector Dwight Smith has been fighting for his members to be paid for the overtime they put in in 2013 and 2014. Until Mr Christie’s impromptu announcement on Thursday night, they were not certain if they would ever be paid, despite the fact that, exactly a year ago, the Court of Appeal upheld Supreme Court Justice Milton Evans’ ruling that all ranks had to be paid overtime if they worked more than 40 hours in a normal work week. At least the police are relieved to know that they will be paid overtime, but they do not know how much. That question is unlikely to be known before they go to the polls on Wednesday. Their first pay of what is owed will be issued on May 29 – 19 days after the May 10 election. Insp Smith told The Tribune that the next step would be to arrange a meeting with National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage to discuss the particulars of the overtime payment, such as how much should be paid to each officer for the hours worked, irrespective of rank, to ensure that the government doesn’t “just throw something to us”. Prime Minister Christie’s announcement on Thursday night was as much of a surprise to Insp Smith as it was to the men of the force. “And so that’s the question that for me, as the association chairman that I am being asked from all of the police officers, from all various ranks,” said Insp Smith. “And I cannot answer it because I did not actually sit with the government as yet to see what is it that they’re actually offering.” Really Mr Christie’s announcement was poorly timed coming so near to election day. Most Bahamians, including the police force, will interpret his offer as an inducement. However, inducement or not, regardless of which way they vote, the police will be compensated for the hours they have worked. The FNM has also guaranteed that if they become the government, the new prime minister will see them paid. We, therefore, hope that the members of the force will have sufficient self respect to vote their conscience and not be swayed by the toss of this bone that is minus some of its flesh.
Can such promises be kept? We caution DNA leader Branville McCartney to be less effusive in his promises to Grand Bahamians, especially promises that — like the PLP and its promises of a crime-free Bahamas — he is most unlikely to be able to keep. Mr McCartney promised at a rally in Grand Bahama on Thursday that if his party won, he would “restore the magic that was once Freeport”. He would also introduce new industry and make an effort to restore the island’s tourism. On July 26, 1969, Sir Lynden Pindling
attending the opening of the new Bahamas Oil Refinery Company (BORCO) made his infamous “bend or break” speech - Bahamians, he said, are “the victims of an unbending social order which, if it now refuses to bend must now be broken.” According to the leaders in Freeport that was the moment that the “magic” went out of the “magic city” – Freeport. Anyway, whoever attempts to revive a dying Freeport today should read with a great deal of thought the article published in the Insight section of today’s Tribune —page 13 — and learn of the major obstacles facing Freeport today. The article is written by Mr Carey Leonard, a commercial lawyer and an associate in the law firm of Callenders & Co, Freeport. It will be an uphill battle to solve today’s problems in Freeport, and so Mr McCartney would be well advise not to make the mistake of the PLP government in 2012 when they made promises that they should have known they could not keep. At the time they were either completely out of touch, or just tossing the dice to win an election.
Hired by government - no worries At a mini-rally in Marathon last month to mark the birthday of Marathon MP Jerome Fitzgerald, those attending seemed more concerned about whether the temporary jobs they now hold would continue after the election. Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell stepped up to the plate to assure his listeners that there was a clear difference between the Ingraham government’s 52-week programme and the PLP’s “empowerment programme”. We do not know what that difference is, but The Tribune participated in the 52-week programme accepting the young woman who was sent to us. Today she is one of our top reporters. However, we do not know what Mr Mitchell’s programme involves, but we question whether — as Mr Mitchell claims – his government’s present employees have nothing to worry about. “You’ve been hired by the government and the only way that will change is if you elect the FNM to be the government. What you need to do on Election Day is make sure the PLP is the government and then you don’t have to worry about losing no job,” said Mr Mitchell. Does that apply to the workers cleaning up the roadsides, and painting various buildings — always a sign that an election is near? And does it apply to all those inexperienced Bahamians now in the various government departments, who appear to members of the public to be unnecessary employees? In fact in one department where it seemed that these untrained persons were getting in the way of efficient service, one of the older staff members remarked: “Don’t worry, they’ll soon by out of here!” “If you vote PLP you don’t have to worry about whether you’re going to lose your job after election, so don’t come asking us what’s going to happen after Election Day. You have that power in your hands, vote PLP, you don’t have to worry,” said Mr Mitchell. In our opinion, judging from what we have seen and heard these Bahamians have much to worry about. We think that this is another promise that Mr Mitchell and his PLP will not be able to keep — especially when taxpayers learn that they are footing the bill.
Swing goes against Christie EDITOR, The Tribune. IN my opinion, both the PLP and the DNA have misread the outcome of the 2012 General Elections when many FNM supporters, just like Branville McCartney, revolted against Ingraham’s leadership, supported the breakaway DNA and de-
feated Ingraham. That constituency was the “swing vote” in 2012. Many of those FNM supporters might have remained with the DNA, had it been a formidable opposition force, filling in the vacuum, while civil war raged in the FNM. But Minnis has emerged as an extraordinarily
strong leader, with a united FNM; and so the vast majority of those DNA voters, those “swing voters” in 2012, are back with the parent FNM, determined to bring Christie down in 2017. J NEWBOLD Nassau, April 27, 2017.
Munroe deserves no votes EDITOR, The Tribune. I WAS sick to my stomach when I learned that outspoken and extremely controversial attorney and Queen’s Council, Wayne Munroe, had been both chosen and ratified to represent the constituency of Free Town, formerly Montagu, for the Progressive Liberal Party in the upcoming General Election. They say Bahamians have short memories, especially when it comes to our politicians, and this certainly rings true in reference to Mr Munroe. Already, we have completely forgotten the many head shaking, utterly nauseating things this reprehensible figure has said and done not too long ago. If you have been watching the news, reading any of the four dailies, or paying attention to social media, then you’ve probably seen and heard of Wayne Munroe’s latest act of sheer buffoonery. If you haven’t, dear reader, then allow me to enlighten you. At a recent PLP rally, Mr Munroe, while on stage and in front of a
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net podium, railed against the opposition Free National Movement (FNM), telling frenzied party supporters that if the FNM chooses to aim low, rather than do the honourable thing, they should do the same and aim low and use “gutter ways”as well. He even went as far as to punctuate his speech with obscenities and vulgar gestures, including slapping his “ bongie”, and telling his opponents to “kiss his a...” (you figure it out). This frat boy behaviour, from someone who should really know better, considering his profession, is just one of many reasons why Wayne Munroe, QC, doesn’t deserve votes, and should never, ever, under no circumstances, be made an MP. Since we Bahamians are so susceptible to “political amnesia”, we should be reminded that it was Wayne Munroe who suggested, rather pointedly, that illegal immigrants should be flogged (whipped) be-
fore being deported back to their country of origin, to serve as a deterrent to anyone foolish enough to attempt it. We should be reminded that Mr Munroe never apologised for his asinine statement. We should be reminded that Wayne Munroe once wore green as a candidate for the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), where he raked both Dr Hubert Minnis and Perry Christie over the coals for their “ incompetence” and “foolishness”. Now look who’s schmoozing with Prime Minister Christie. So much for party loyalty. May 10, 2017, is the day we Bahamians will mark our X to determine which party will govern us in the next five years. One can only hope that sensible voters will see Wayne Munroe, QC, for who or what he is, and not waste their votes on him, because he absolutely does not deserve them. SANDILANDS VILLAGE Nassau, April 26, 2017.
FNM and PLP go head-to-head EDITOR, The Tribune.
I, ALONG with other Bahamians, agonise over the fact that neither of the two major parties are completely acceptable. We are not card carrying members of either party and would gladly vote for another party. We would not, however, wish to wake up on the May 11, 2017, to another PLP government. To those persons, and there are so many, I would wish them to consider this. The PLP was a “minority” government from May 2012, in the sense that they did not gain more than 50 per cent of the votes. Because of our first past the post system they had 28 members of Parliament and the FNM 10. The majority of the vot-
ers voted against the PLP in 2012 and it is more likely than not, the same thing will happen again in 2017. We do not have a runoff system as in France, there are multiple political parties, you must get 50 per cent plus one of the vote to win outright, and the two top finishers face a runoff. In France, the two major parties will go head-to-head in two weeks. Our next election will be May 2022. The PLP made a big deal about going head-to-head with rallies against the FNM last week, they saw what happened and that strategy is no more a week later. The two major parties are different, do you believe after recent revelations Shane Gibson, Allyson Maynard and Jerome Fitzgerald would
still be cabinet ministers in an FNM government? Unfortunately, our first past the post system permits the prospect of minority PLP government again on May 11, 2017 and the present cabinet being reappointed. For the majority of Bahamians who do not wish to wake up to the nightmare of another PLP government headed by Perry Christie, this is our runoff, head to head, PLP against FNM. In effect, a vote for a party other than the FNM is a vote for the PLP, there is no such thing as a protest vote or staying at home or spoiling a ballot if you don’t want the PLP. EDROY DEVEAUX Nassau, April 27, 2017.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, May 1, 2017, PAGE 5
DNA pledges to bring magic back to Freeport By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net BRANVILLE McCartney told Grand Bahamians that a Democratic National Alliance government will restore the magic that was once in Freeport, introduce new industry and seek to revive the island’s stalled tourism industry. The DNA leader told Grand Bahamians that soon they will be called on to make what is arguably the most important decision not only in the country’s modern history, but one that will impact the future direction of the island’s economy. “For many of you living in Grand Bahama, your decision will literally impact the quality of life for yourselves and your children,” Mr McCartney said at the party’s rally in Freeport on Thursday night. Chris Mortimer, the party’s deputy leader, and all DNA candidates in Grand Bahama - Elkanah Pinder (East Grand Bahama), Leslie Lightbourne (Pineridge), Nevar Smith (Marco City), and Jedrick Robinson (Central Grand Bahama) also spoke. Mr McCartney, who delivered a powerful address at his first rally in Grand Bahama, expressed concerns about the record unemployment, the “crippling” high cost of energy and the need for more small and medium-sized businesses to help
fix the island’s economy. “Grand Bahama is not good. It has not been good for a long time. You are in a mess,” he said, blaming both successive Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and Free National Movement (FNM) governments for the island’s current of state affairs. Mr McCartney insisted that a DNA government will provide a better life for Bahamians. In Grand Bahama, he said that his party will work tirelessly to break the deadlock on hotel investments by securing suitable and sustainable buyers for the properties in Lucaya and inject new life into the island’s tourism product, as well as attract touristic developments in the east and west of the island. He indicated that Grand Bahama has the potential to be the “gem of the Western hemisphere;” however, greed and shortsightedness of those in power has stifled its growth. “For far too long, the government has ignored the vast economic potential which exists in and around Grand Bahama island,” he said. “Over past five years this inept PLP administration has failed to cultivate a culture of co-operation with the Grand Bahama Port Authority.” Mr McCartney said that the DNA has a plan to make Grand Bahama the bustling mecca it once was and create a better life for all residents. Under the
DNA, the party will move Grand Bahama towards becoming a technology hub of the Western hemisphere by encouraging creation of a technology park. “The DNA hopes to attract and develop the best and brightest minds in the field to facilitate further advancement in technology … which in turn will create additional opportunities in the creative and orange economy as well. “In our quest to provide a better life for Bahamians, the DNA will develop a collaborative and less combative relationship with the Grand Bahama Port Authority to ensure they are able to fulfill their mandate as laid out in the Hawksbill Creek Agreement and improve the ease and efficiency of doing business here,” he said. He emphasised that empowering Bahamians to become business owners to reverse the trend of high unemployment is a priority for the DNA. Mr McCartney believes that government must move away from the idea of creating jobs and work and encourage Bahamians to become business owners and for good government to create the kind of environment that will allow such enterprises to grow and flourish. He said the DNA will also ensure a level economic playing field by extending concessions to land and business owners in East and West Grand Bahama.
On the topic of energy, Mr McCartney said the DNA is committed to the establishment of an industry for renewable energy. “Sadly, here in Grand Bahama more than anywhere else in the country, exorbitant cost of electricity threatens the viability of small and medium-sized businesses.” In its national energy reform plan, dubbed the clean energy project, Mr McCartney said the DNA seeks to reduce the cost of kilowatt hours in the Bahamas to the lowest in the region, as well as endorse self-generation of electricity for consumers who will be able to resell electricity to the grid, providing the immediate benefit of lower energy cost for residents in The Bahamas. The party leader said that renewable energy also provides significant cost benefits. “It’s time to go green, using solar, waste and wind technology. Our plan provides for expansion of the country’s energy generation capacity which will in the short and long term provide generation to cover up to 30 per cent of the family overall consumption needs,” he explained. Mr McCartney stressed that a better life with the DNA is one in which Bahamian students are able to receive world class education, full employment at all levels of society, creation of new industry and a safe society from the fear of crime
and free from victimisation. He said Grand Bahama has been neglected and mismanaged for far too long and deserves a new start, new leadership and a new government that is committed to restoring the magic that once made the island a gem of The Bahamas. He stressed that the PLP and FNM have had an opportunity to govern and both have failed to deal with the crime problem, create jobs and stimulate the economy. “They told you they are only good for a D average; they have told you that they cannot fix the dump in New Providence; they have told you that we are a third world country; they have told you that you can only vote for one of them. People, if you vote for the PLP or FNM, you get what you have, and that is a bad country. That’s what you get with bad governance.” Mr McCartney urged Bahamians to vote for the DNA. “It is a vote for a better life, a chance to retire both sides of the political coin that has been tossed around for the past 40 years. “On May 10, I encourage you to think long and hard what direction you want to see this country take. I encourage you not to be misled by the noise in the market. Grand Bahama, your future is most important. Your vote on May 10 is going to be a vote for you, and your children, and the future,” he said.
RAID SUSPECT SHOT BY POLICE AFTER PURSUIT OFFICERS from the Mobile Division shot and arrested a man armed with a handgun minutes after he allegedly committed an armed robbery on Saturday, police said. According to a police report, shortly after 10pm, Mobile Division officers were on routine patrol on Fritz Lane when they heard the sound of gunshots and saw a man running. The officers pursued the man who, they claim, produced a handgun. The officers in “fear of their lives” shot the man and took a Glock pistol with ten rounds of ammunition from him, police said. Police also reported that officers then discovered that the man allegedly had just robbed two men on Fritz Lane of a cellphone and cash. The suspect was taken to hospital where he is detained in serious condition under heavy police guard. The investigation continues. The shooting happened less than a week after police shot and killed a car robbery suspect and critically injured another alleged thief during a high-speed chase in western New Providence. The drama unfolded shortly after noon on Carmichael Road last Tuesday and ended after the suspects crashed their vehicle into a wall in Pride Estates. Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean said officers arrested three men on the scene. Two of the suspects were taken to hospital where one man died a short time later. One of the men is listed in critical condition and the other suspect was unharmed during the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 919 or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS.
BREAK-IN AT OFFICE
THE SCENE of a traffic fatality after a motorcyclist died when he lost control and crashed into a tree.
Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
MOTORCYCLIST DIES AFTER LOSING CONTROL AND CRASHING INTO TREE By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
OFFICERS from the Traffic Department are investigating the country’s latest traffic fatality, after a man traveling south bound on Old Trail Road shortly after 11am Sunday lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into a tree. Circumstances surrounding the incident are unclear, with officers on the scene
yesterday only able to confirm that the driver of the motorcycle lost control of the vehicle resulting in him coming into contact with a tree along the eastern side of the road. According to Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean, who addressed reporters at the scene Sunday, officers were in the early stages of the investigation and were not in a position to identify the victim of the crash.
TWO HELD FOR DRUG POSSESSION TWO men were arrested for drug possession in separate incidents on Saturday. In the first incident, shortly after 9am, officers assigned to the Tourism Policing Unit were on routine patrol in the area of Prince George Wharf when a male visitor from California aroused their suspicion. The visitor was held up, searched and a quantity of marijuana was found in his possession. The American was taken into custody in connection with the find. Then shortly after 6pm, officers assigned to the Mobile Division were on routine Patrol in the Culmersville area off Mackey Street when they observed four men behaving suspiciously. The men were stopped, searched and 73 small packages of marijuana were found in their possession. The four men were taken into custody in connection with the find. Police also reported that officers from the Selective
Enforcement Team seized two handguns in separate incidents on Saturday. In the first incident, shortly after 1am, Selective Enforcement officers were on an operation on Kemp Road, when they conducted a search of an area behind a building and uncovered a .45 pistol along with a plastic bag with 29 foil wraps containing marijuana. Later that evening shortly before 10pm, officers assigned to the Selective Enforcement Team were on routine patrol on Peach Street when they saw a man behaving suspiciously. The man was approached and searched. Police said a Ruger Pistol with 21 rounds of ammunition was found in his possession. The man was taken into custody in connection with the find. Anyone with information on these incidents, or any crime, is asked to call police at 919 or the Crime Stoppers hotline at 328-TIPS.
Senior ACP Dean noted that an autopsy would be performed to determine the exact cause of death. He also used the opportunity to remind motorists to be aware of themselves and fellow road users, while cautioning the use of cellphones while operating vehicles. “We want to use this opportunity to ask motorists, whether on a cycle or in a vehicle, to operate with extreme care and caution
when traversing the streets of New Providence or anywhere in The Bahamas. “We are (warning) you also (about) the proliferation of cellphone usage in vehicles, we are asking you to please try to desist from using the cellphones.” While Senior ACP Dean would not say whether cellphone use played a role in Sunday’s crash, he added: “You may think that you can be on a cellphone and drive the same time, you
may try to text and drive. I can tell you that that has resulted in numerous accidents in New Providence. I can tell you so.” And he added: “We want to advise members of the public particularly, to be courteous to other road users, also realise that the road is for all vehicles and there are rules governing the road. So we are asking you, as we move forward in the year, exercise extra care and caution.”
BRENDAN Foulkes’ Hospitality Management Services office on Parliament Street was broken into sometime Friday evening, but nothing was stolen. Mr Foulkes, who is busy instructing FNM poll workers for the May 10 general elections, discovered the break-in when he went to his office on Saturday morning. The lock on his secretary’s desk drawer had been forced open as was the lock at his desk. He said that although his desk had been rummaged through, nothing had been taken, not even the one or two items that might have had some monetary value. Mr Foulkes agreed that whoever had broken in were obviously looking for something that they did not find. The police agreed that it had appeared he had been “targeted” because there were two other offices in the same complex that had not been entered. The doors to both of those offices were unlocked. However, no attempt had been made to open them. Mr Foulkes said that whatever the person, or persons who had entered were looking for they did not find, because, although locks were broken to get into drawers, nothing was missing.
PAGE 6, Monday, May 1, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
MINISTRY IN BID TO GET FYRE FESTIVAL VENDORS PAID from page one
Mrs Jibrilu said while the Ministry of Tourism is still unaware of all the details surrounding this matter because it was a private event, a team was seeking to obtain a list of vendors who still had outstanding balances. While officials have sought to distance the ministry from the failed event, in early April a press release was issued saying the Ministry of Tourism was “working tirelessly” to ensure the festival’s success. In that earlier release, Carla Stuart, senior director of national planning and special events in the Ministry of Tourism, noted that the ministry was a partner for the festival and served as a liaison between the organisers and various government and local entities on the island. “Our goal is to work with the organisers to ensure that the festival meets all of the local standards in safety, security, environmental, etc. We will also ensure that all local approvals required to coordinate a successful event of this magnitude are secured. Of course, ultimately, with a minimum of 3,000 persons on the island, we would wish to work together with the community to provide greater opportunities and ensure maximum benefit for locals. Exuma and its residents are jewels, and event organizers will have an opportunity to explore the same,” Ms Stuart noted in the April press release. Officials have struck a different tone since the event’s collapse. “Ministry of Tourism is currently in the process of determining which vendors are still owed monies,” Mrs
TENTS on the site of the Fyre Festival, as pictured on Twitter. Jibrilu said via email in response to questions from The Tribune. “Please recognise that this was a private event and therefore we are not aware of all the details. Our teams are seeking to get a list of who is owed and what they are owed. The promoter has assured that they will pay all outstanding debts.” Her statement to The Tribune came amid reports that the Bahamas Customs Department reportedly locked down the site in Exuma where the disastrous festival was scheduled to take place. According to a report aired on ABC News yesterday, security guards were seen on site in an effort to protect items that remain there. The Ministry of Tourism told ABC: “Customs has the area on lockdown because (festival organiser) Billy (McFarland) has not paid customs duty taxes on the items that he imported (for the event).” “He and his staff have left the items with a security company guarding it.” Organisers were said to have imported many items
and used the services of numerous local vendors in an effort to ready the island for the luxury concert with tickets costing up to $12,000. It was branded a disaster and postponed indefinitely amid a host of complaints that the infrastructure and accommodations were not ready and that there was no security. Flights were also cancelled as a result of the crumbling of the event, leaving passengers stranded. It led American recording artist ‘Ja Rule’, a coorganiser to respond, telling this newspaper he was “mortified” and “heartbroken” over the chaos. Ja Rule lamented that he and his partner, Billy McFarland, a tech entrepreneur, pumped $20m into the event, and “everyone hates us for it”. Yesterday, Mrs Jibrilu said once the ministry became aware of the event’s shortcomings, officials intervened to mitigate the fallout as much as possible. She said: “The Ministry of Tourism jealousy guards our brand image. As a result, we have been following
Ja Rule regretted that he and his partner, tech entrepreneur Billy McFarland,
pumped $20m into the event, and “everyone hates us for it”.
every story, lead, as well as interviewing festival attendees in order to get as many viewpoints as possible. “The organisers of the event, which was a private event, have readily admitted that they were in over their heads, and they have taken full responsibility for all that has transpired, and have issued a statement to this effect. It is also pertinent to note that the international media have recognised that all and any shortcomings came from the promoters, and The Bahamas has been insulated from any direct negative repercussions. The Ministry of Tourism has been actively engaged with our international media partners in ensuring that the integrity of The Bahamas is maintained.” She continued: “It should be noted that even though this was a private event, once the MOT became aware of event shortcomings, they did intervene to mitigate as much as possible any fallout, and in particular to try and secure the welfare of visitors that came in for the event. We have received commendation from both the promoters and guests over our efforts in this regard.” Chaos Headline performers and the Ministry of Tourism offered a “heartfelt apology” in expressing its disappointment for the “total disorganisation and chaos”. The ministry, while saying it was not an official sponsor of the private event, said it was lending its support to help with the safe return of all Fyre Festival visitors. On Friday morning, it was reported that flights were returning visitors to Miami. Exuma was busy over the
weekend, with the national Family Islands regatta in George Town, which is the biggest annual event on the island normally attracting tens of thousands of visitors. The organisers cancelled the Fyre Fest event at the last minute after many people had already arrived and spent thousands of dollars on tickets and travel. The organisers promised a “cultural moment created from a blend of music, art and food” over the next two weekends in Great Exuma. They also claimed they set out “to provide a oncein-a-lifetime musical experience on the Islands of the Exumas” and had billed it along the lines of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in southern California. In a statement on its website last Thursday night the event organisers said: “Due to circumstances out of our control, the physical infrastructure was not in place on time and we are unable to fulfil on that vision safely and enjoyably for our guests. At this time, we are working tirelessly to get flights scheduled and get everyone off of Great Exuma and home safely as quickly as we can. “We ask that guests currently on-island do not make their own arrangements to get to the airport as we are coordinating those plans. We are working to place everyone on complimentary charters back to Miami today; this process has commenced and the safety and comfort of our guests is our top priority. “The festival is being postponed until we can further assess if and when we are able to create the high-quality experience we envisioned. We ask for eve-
ryone’s patience and cooperation during this difficult time as we work as quickly and safely as we can to remedy this unforeseeable situation. “We will continue to provide regular updates via email to our guests and via our official social media channels as they become available,” the statement added. Tickets included a flight from Miami, a stay in a “geodesic dome” and activities including yoga and kayaking. Pre-publicity suggested festival-goers could pay up to $100,000 to mingle with models and be ferried around by private yachts and planes. But visitors described the event as a “complete disaster” and it attracted unflattering international media coverage. William Finley, of North Carolina, posted on social media that he and his friends had arrived to find “disaster tent city” when searching for their accommodation. One British visitor said the festival site “was worse than a refugee camp”. There were also complaints of missing luggage, unsatisfactory catered food, fears for people’s safety, piles of garbage and looting of alcohol. Blink-182, one band that was set to perform, pulled out on Thursday. In a Twitter post the band said: “Regrettably, and after much consideration, we want to let you know that we won’t be performing at Fyre Fest in The Bahamas this weekend. We’re not confident that we would have what we need to give you the qualify of performances we always give our fans.” International artists such as Migos, Major Lazer, Skepta and Disclosure were also set to perform.
“Heartbroken is an understatement,” he wrote to The Tribune via WhatsApp. “I’m mortified at what those people had to go through, me and my partner Billy are very upset. We spent $20m to make this event special and everyone hates us for it. “But I’ll live with that,” he said. “God knows my heart and intentions were in the right place. Now I just want everyone to get home safe and get refunded.” Ja Rule stressed that the total breakdown experienced by festival-goers was not his fault, but he committed to accepting responsibility for the debacle. In an earlier message, he wrote: “We are working right now on getting every-
one off the island SAFE, that is my immediate concern. “I will make a statement soon. I’m heartbroken at this moment. My partners and I wanted this to be an amazing event. It was NOT A SCAM as everyone is reporting.” He continued: “I don’t know how everything went so left but I’m working to make it right by making sure everyone is refunded ... I truly apologise as this is NOT MY FAULT ... but I’m taking responsibility. I’m deeply sorry to everyone who was inconvenienced by this.” In a video sent to TMZ, an American entertainment website, Mr McFarland put the blame on the event’s failure to poor infrastructure in Exuma.
He said organisers set out “to build a festival site” and “quickly learned that the basic infrastructure in place here was not what we are used to in the United States.” He claimed organisers had to install water and sewerage and bring an ambulance from the US. He also claimed the event site was hit by a storm hours before the festival, which he said took down tents and broke the site’s water system. He also admitted organisers needed “more manpower” and help. He said all guests are being refunded and claimed the event will be held next year at a beach location in the US. He also said organisers will donate $1 on behalf of each person who signs up for the 2018 event to the Bahamas Red Cross.
‘MORTIFIED’ JA RULE SAYS EVENT WAS NOT A SCAM from page one
PM’S WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE ‘SEVERAL STREETS AWAY’ FROM SCENE OF SHOOTING from page one
They were immediately taken to safety, the source added. Mr Christie, who is the area’s incumbent, was not in the area either, Senior ACP Dean said. According to police, shortly after 8pm, a man was walking in the Mason’s Addition area, when another man armed with a
handgun approached him and shot him before fleeing on foot. Police said the victim was taken to hospital where he is detained with non-life threatening injuries. Moments later, authorities said another shooting occurred involving a man who was standing in front of a home at Taylor Street, Nassau Village. Reports are that a man armed with a handgun ap-
proached the victim and shot him before fleeing on foot. The victim was taken to hospital where he is also detained with non-life threatening injuries. Anyone with information on these incidents or any other crime is asked to contact police at 919 or Crime Stoppers at 328-8477 in New Providence or 1-242300-8476 in the Family Islands.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, May 1, 2017, PAGE 7
Police feel ‘valued’ after decision to pay overtime By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net POLICE Staff Association Chairman Inspector Dwight Smith on Friday heralded Prime Minister Perry Christie’s announcement that officers will be paid for working 12-hour shifts in 2013 and 2014, saying that officers now feel “valued” for their efforts four years ago. Insp Smith, in an interview with The Tribune following Mr Christie’s announcement at a Progressive Liberal Party rally on Thursday night, said officers are “happy” and “satisfied” that they will finally be paid their court-ordered overtime pay, which he said puts to rest all of the “speculation” and uncertainty surrounding whether those officers would ever be compensated. Insp Smith told The Tribune that the next step would be to arrange a meeting with National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage to discuss the particulars of the overtime payment, such as how much should be paid to each officer for the hours worked, respective of rank, to ensure that the government doesn’t “just throw
DWIGHT SMITH, executive chairman of the Police Staff Association. something to us.” Insp Smith also said that in view of Mr Christie’s announcement, the association will withdraw its filed motion for the government to give immediate attention to paying the officers, which as of Thursday was still awaiting a date from the Office of the Attorney General. “Because of the public announcement we won’t
have to go through that,” he said. At R M Bailey Park on Thursday night, Mr Christie announced that the government will finally pay Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) officers for working the controversial 12-hour shifts, with the first payment of the outstanding sum to be issued on May 29. Mr Christie said the second instalment in overtime
pay would come “in the next budget cycle,” but was not more specific. He said officers who have died or retired will be paid in full. Mr Christie said that in reviewing the government’s options, it “became apparent that issuing days off in lieu of pay would create a significant challenge in meeting our policing objectives.” Hours prior to that announcement, Insp Smith had accused the Christie administration of “killing the morale” of police officers as he criticised the government for not consulting with the PSA over the association’s proposal to save the government 40 per cent in overtime pay owed to officers who had worked the 12-hour shifts. When contacted on Friday, Insp Smith said he and other officers are “happy” the government announced its intention to pay the officers. “The only thing of value for officers is that when people look at them and appreciate the work that they have done,” he also said. “Other than that, what the job pays does not really dictate (anything) for persons who would give up their lives for the country.
“The only two main things that we had was either promotions or salary increases or our health insurance. So I think a lot of officers feel that now they’re valued, they belong now in this life that we call workers and for human beings. Now we’re actually seeing the Constitution, at least the preamble of the Constitution, living through that decision through the courts.” He added: “We shouldn’t force labour on persons, at least without pay. And if you notice back in 2013, that was way more than forcing, because that was 13 weeks. “So I think a lot of our officers are satisfied that we got that; at least we feel that we got some recognition. So now we’re happy that someone is saying we’re going to be compensated, even though the court had already ruled on that.” Nonetheless, Insp Smith said the focus would now be on ironing out the particulars surrounding the payment method and the amounts to be paid, which he said is still a concern amongst various ranks of the RBPF. “We want to see now because officers are saying
‘Okay, so what you paying us?’ We don’t want you to treat us like dogs. Don’t just throw something to us. If you’re going to pay us pay us for what we’re worth and what we’re worth in terms of what you’re giving us now and for the overtime, in terms of what we make per hour or whatever general rates that we’re going to use. “And so that’s the question that for me, as the association chairman that I am being asked from all of the police officers, from all various ranks. And I cannot answer it because I did not actually sit with the government as yet to see what is it that they’re actually offering.” Last May, the Court of Appeal upheld Supreme Court Justice Milton Evans’ ruling that a Force Order issued by former Police Commissioner Paul Farquharson in 2003 was relevant to the case as it mandated that public officers be paid when they work for more than 40 hours in a normal working week. At the time, the PSA had estimated that if the choice is made to pay the officers, the government would end up paying as much as $16.4m in overtime pay.
JAMAICAN WOMAN WHO BEGGED FOR LENIENCY SENT TO JAIL FOR OVER A YEAR By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A JAMAICAN woman begged a magistrate for “lenience” before being sentenced to more than a year in prison for smuggling over three pounds of drugs into The Bahamas inside her abdomen. Stacey Ann Harrow, 37, of Kingston, Jamaica, was sentenced to 12 months and 14 months on Friday after pleading guilty to one charge of importation of dangerous drugs and to one charge of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. The sentences are to run concurrently, according to Magistrate Jeanine WeechGomez. According to the prosecutor, Harrow, a mother of four, swallowed 3.4lbs of marijuana in Jamaica
before travelling to the Bahamas. Once at the Lynden Pindling International Airport, the prosecutor said Harrow was taken into custody after officers suspected her of having drugs on her person. After initially denying that she had anything conspicuous on her, Harrow was subsequently made to undergo an X-ray at the Princess Margaret Hospital, which revealed foreign objects in her body. According to the prosecutor, Harrow had to be medically induced to pass out some 81 clear packages of marijuana in the first instance, and the remaining packages in a second pass. She also had $103 at the time she was taken into custody, which Magistrate Weech-Gomez ordered to be confiscated and submitted to the Crown. Harrow, who the prosecu-
tion said admitted while in custody to swallowing the packages in Jamaica with a promise to receive $700 for having done so, pleaded guilty to both charges. However, Harrow pleaded for mercy from the judge, admitting that while what she did was “shameful,” she is the sole provider for her four children, aged ten, six, four and one. Adding that she has been unemployed for two years and several months, Harrow tearfully told the magistrate that she is “beseeching for your lenience.” Nonetheless, Magistrate Weech-Gomez reprimanded Harrow for doing such a “reckless thing,” which she said put her four children in a most “unfortunate position”. Magistrate WeechGomez said the 14-month sentence was “as lenient as I could be.” At the conclusion of her sentence, Har-
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row is to be turned over to immigration officials for deportation. Harrow was one of three people arraigned for drug related charges on Friday, the other two being 41-yearold Tomico Horton and another Jamaican woman, 25-year-old Chantell Brown. Horton and Brown, of Water Street, Big Pond, and Ridge-
land Park West, respectively, were arraigned in connection with the seizure of nearly $400,000 of suspected marijuana in the Big Pond community on Wednesday. Both Horton and Brown faced one charge of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply in connection with Wednesday’s incident, when officers
seized a number of cocoa sacks and a children’s backpack containing $390,000 worth of marijuana. Both pleaded not guilty to the charge. They were subsequently remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until Tuesday, when a date for their trial will be fixed.
PAGE 8, Monday, May 1, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
NURSING Officer Una Bain, the March winner of the PHA/Tribune Unsung Heroes Award, shakes hands with Herbert Brown, PHA managing director.
Dynamic and dedicated leader wins March PHA award
Unsung
HER ES
By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
SHOCKED was how Una Bain described being named the March winner of the Public Hospitals Authority’s Unsung Heroes Award. Taken aback by being both nominated by colleagues and ultimately being selected, Ms Bain, a nursing officer at the Princess Margaret Hospital’s highly specialised Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, said while she was overjoyed and honoured by the award, she viewed her selection as a chance to extend her efforts at work even further. The veteran nurse, who is the national co-ordinator for the neonatal resuscitation programme and deputy to the unit manager, said the impact the PHA Unsung Heroes Award launched this year in partnership with The Tribune Media Group - has had on morale throughout the public healthcare system is immense, adding that the chance of recognition of the hard work and dedication that goes into health care has made everyone in the profession go the extra mile. A record 75 nominations were received for the March award, including a number from the Family Islands. Ms Bain said she has to now challenge herself to
meet higher expectations placed on her because the profession deserves the best. “I am going to continue to do whatever I am doing right now. I am going to continue to excel to the highest level. I am going to continue to take care of my patients and their parents and I enjoy doing it,” she said. Those who nominated Ms Bain praised her for being an “outstanding leader, honest, dynamic and dedicated” and for her “professionalism, empathy and desires the best for others”. Kevin Darville, The Tribune Media Group’s special projects co-ordinator, presented Ms Bain with a cash prize of $1,000, a voucher for dinner for two at the Dune restaurant at the One&Only Ocean Club, a pin to commemorate her selection as the third monthly winner and a certificate to mark the achievement. The PHA Unsung Heroes Award is a monthly recognition, given to employees in the PHA who have made extended and noteworthy contributions to the health services industry in the Bahamas. An annual winner, selected from the monthly champions, will be announced and honoured at a gala dinner early in 2018. The initiative recognises and rewards excellence, care and compassion in the Bahamas health care system as part of a ground breaking public-private partnership between the PHA and The Tribune Media Group. The award will identify and publicly honour those PHA employees who have gone “beyond the call of duty” in providing levels of care and compassion throughout the islands, in the authority’s two hospitals (Princess Margaret and Rand Memorial), Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre and its 108 clinics and agencies. PHA Managing Director, Herbert Brown, on hand for the award presentation,
NURSING Officer Una Bain, the March winner of the PHA/Tribune Unsung Heroes Award, receives her award pin from Kevin Darville, Tribune Media Group project manager. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff again acknowledged the renewed energy and effort the award has inspired since its introduction. As he commended Ms Bain in particular, he said that no level of success is obtained by someone simply doing the “bare minimum”. He praised her leadership and wisdom, her versatility and her application of professional skills and experience to the tiny, vulnerable patients. “She is a people’s person, offering calm and unflagging support to the families of her patients even in moments of crisis,” Mr
Brown said. To that end, he thanked employees throughout the public healthcare industry for going above and beyond the call of duty to benefit and accommodate people seeking help in the medical field. Ms Bain joins Patricia Laing, also a veteran nurse, and Veronica Ferguson, a wheelchair valet, as recipients of the monthly award. The Unsung Heroes Awards are open to employees of the PHA, with nominations now being accepted for April.
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THE TRIBUNE
Monday, Monday, MayMay 1, 2017, 1, 2017, PAGE PAGE 9 9
FROM left, Kevin Darville, Tribune Media Group project manager, Nursing Officer Una Bain, the March winner of the PHA/Tribune Unsung Heroes Award, Herbert Brown, PHA managing director and Verna Bonaby, assistant director, PHA corporate. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
AN AWARD TO RECOGNISE EXCELLENCE THE Unsung Heroes awards programme recognises and rewards excellence, care and compassion in the Bahamas health care system as part of a ground breaking public-private partnership between the Public Hospitals Authority and the Tribune Media Group. It will identify and publicly honour those PHA employees who have gone “beyond the call of duty” in providing levels of care and compassion throughout the islands, in the authority’s two hospitals (Princess Margaret and Rand Memorial), Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre and its 108 clinics and agencies. Nominations of employees for the monthly award will be made by co-workers and by patients and visitors. The winner each month will receive a cash prize, dinner for two, a framed certificate and a bespoke recognition pin. An annual winner, selected from the monthly champions, will be announced and honoured at a gala dinner in January, 2018. The prestigious awards programme is part of a partnership between the PHA and The Tribune announced in January to advance the fight against paediatric diseases in the Bahamas, an alliance local health officials said will have a “significant impact” on the delivery of paediatric care throughout the public healthcare system. Its aim is to raise awareness about and subsequently battle various diseases, such as Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), Leukaemia, Diabetes and Cancer. The partnership is the brainchild of Robert Dupuch Carron, president of the Tribune Media Group, and his wife, Elizabeth, whose infant son Aidan contracted HLH, a deadly auto-immune disease, and leukaemia. Aidan’s plight prompted the Carrons to establish the Aidan Roger Carron Foundation and forge a partnership with the PHA to ensure that what happened to their son does not happen to other families. Mr Carron said the initiative “is about bringing together partners from all walks of life with a common goal of transforming our approach to paediatric healthcare, so that no
Aidan Roger Carron
Children’s
Foundation
H e a l i n g L i t t l e Wa r r i o r s
child is left behind. It is also about recognising and saluting all those who, without their extraordinary efforts, many other children would not be here.” The Foundation’s mission statement is “Together we can fight HLH, Leukaemia, Cancer, Diabetes, obesity and other paediatric diseases by utilising worldclass partnerships, creative multi-platform educational campaigns, state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and treatment protocols, whilst recognising the ‘Unsung Heroes’ in our nation.” Criteria The criteria for nominees for the monthly PHA Unsung Heroes Awards encompass exceptional success in an area or aspect of work including consistent and outstanding performance; demonstrating initiative for personal development and professional knowledge while maintaining the highest standards of relationships with patients, staff and the community; consistent and outstanding leadership, actively promoting and encouraging colleagues to deliver a high standard of service; consistently high standard of service delivery to internal and external customers; achievement in promoting links with the community or enhancing the reputation of the PHA in it; and noted participation in community health activities at various levels. The attributes which make an employee suitable for nomination include attitude, drive to succeed, overall work quality, an exceptional act of service and willingness to go the extra mile. Nomination forms and full criteria for eligibility and selection can be found on the PHA website (phabahamas.org) or submitted via email to or obtained from Human Resources. They will also be available to patients and visitors at all facilities. Nominations must be submitted by the last day of the month and an independent selection committee will judge the entries. Employees can only win one monthly award per calendar year.
PAGE 12, Monday, May 1, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
$4m annual bill to market Baha Mar from page one The HOA also notes that in order to complete and open the project, “the project company shall be eligible for exemption through December 31, 2019 from value added tax (VAT) and all exemptions granted under the Hotels Encouragement Act and other existing legislation including, but not limited to, exemption from customs duty in respect of all materials and equipment used in the construction, equipping, furnishing, completing and opening of the project”. Items covered under this waiver include construction materials, bunker oil and diesel, furniture, fixtures, casino games and equipment and other equipment “required for construction and equipping” of the development. The HOA continues: “All construction plant and vehicles necessary to equip and complete the project may be imported by the project company and its affiliates (or any contractor employed by the project company, its affiliates or by any subcontractor employed by any such contractor) into and exported from the Bahamas free of customs duties, on a pre-approved basis.” On the issue of outstanding casino taxes, the document also reveals that the
government has written off $10.75m in casino taxes, which were deferred pursuant to letter agreements between the original developer, Sarkis Izmirlian, and the government. The HOA states that this sum “will not be recoverable by the government and this debt shall not be the obligation of the project company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries”. The concessions also state that the new owner will be liable for “any fees, taxes, or other amounts related to casino operation or ownership that were due to the government or Gaming Board, or any other relevant government agency prior to the granting of the casino license.” Infrastructure The government has also pledged to make several infrastructure improvements to maximise the resort’s success, including remediation and improved operation of the landfill; take measures to address electricity supply issues in New Providence and take measures to address the completion of a waste treatment facility to be operated by the Water and Sewerage Corporation, with a end of year deadline for these matters to be addressed. “In the event that the government is unable to address the forgoing concerns by December 31, 2017, the
project company shall consult the government as to the alternative measures that may have to be made by the project company to ensure proper operation of the project and the foregoing shall be deemed a force majeure event, provided that if the government’s inability to address the concerns by December 31, 2017 is itself as a result of force majeure, the government’s commitment to address the foregoing concerns shall be extended for a reasonable period of time not less than the duration of such force majeure.” A ‘force majeure’ is any unforeseeable event that causes elements of a contract to go unfulfilled. The HOA states that in the event of this, the company “shall be excused” from performing and the incentives in the agreement “shall be extended for a reasonable period of time”. These infrastructure conditions may appear lofty to some observers, as recurrent fires at the landfill have been an issue for years, with a blaze reported at the site just last week. Bahamas Power and Light, formerly the Bahamas Electricity Corporation, has also struggled to provide a consistent power supply since the management of the stateowned utility company was assumed by American company PowerSecure. Baha Mar held a soft opening on April 21.
PRIME Minister Perry Christie with Allyson Maynard-Gibson at Baha Mar at its ribbon-cutting ceremony last month. Photos: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff
POOR TURNOUT FOR CARNIVAL IN GRAND BAHAMA from page one
Paul Major, BNFC chairman added that Friday night’s numbers were “a lit-
tle weak” and Saturday “a little better” than the previous night. However, it was estimated by one police official in Grand Bahama that less than 1,000 spectators turned out on Saturday evening on the final night of the two-day event at Taino Beach. Attendance was also very low on Friday night, during the semifinals of the Music Masters Competition. No local DJs were contracted for the event by the BNFC, which brought in persons and equipment from Nassau and abroad, The Tribune understands. Given the short time to prepare, the Grand Bahama Carnival Company was not represented this year and there were only several carnival dancers on hand at the event. In 2016, the event drew over 16,000 spectators, and 18,000 at its debut in 2015 in Grand Bahama. About $1.5m to $2 million was in-
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jected in Grand Bahama’s economy. Prime Minister Perry Christie and Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe were not seen at the event over the weekend, although they attended in 2015 and 2016. Although one vendor The Tribune spoke with said business was good, others said it was not because of the low turnout this year. All declined to give their names. In early April, there was widespread backlash over a last minute delay of the controversial festival and the decision to cancel all events in Grand Bahama. With Grand Bahama’s economy in the doldrums, it was the last thing residents expected because BJC provided an economic boost and attracted thousands. However, after an intervention by Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe, it was announced that the original dates were reinstated, along with the Grand Bahama component. Many speculated at the time that the mix-up would cause the controversial event to suffer because its reputation had been damaged. “Compared to last year the attendance was not as robusT,” Mr Dames told The Tribune during a telephone interview yesterday. “I can’t give you any specific numbers because I have to get that report from our Accounts Department and the ticket agents and I doubt that information would be available at this particular time.
“But compared to last year, the attendance was different.” Asked why this was the case, Mr Dames said he didn’t want to speculate and declined to go into detail on what these factors might be. “I can’t speculate on why the attendance is less because there are a number of different factors that could contribute to that. I don’t want to say any one particular thing or give you a suggestion, but it could be a number of factors.” He continued: “Our budget overall for Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival was reduced significantly over 2016 and with a reduced budget we were required to produce the same quality of a production as we could with a reduced budget. “So a number of initiatives that happened last year were eliminated; day time activities were eliminated and things where we thought we had to make adjustments to accommodate the dollars that we had to spend to deliver a quality product.” He also refused to comment on the “reduced” budget only saying: “That number I can’t speak to until I get my report and everything that comes in after an event in order to be able to speak to that.” He said this report would not be complete for another “few weeks” as it is expected after the New Providence leg of the BJC. “The report is going to take a few weeks. We produced a report in 2015 and
we produced a report in 2016 and we will certainly produce a 2017 report and that will come after this week’s Nassau event. “Grand Bahama also makes a part of the 2017 report. We have to do some post mortem as well as accounting reconciliation and those kinds of things before we can produce a 2017 report. “I can’t give you a time, but it will definitely be out after carnival, that’s the only time that it could be available,” Mr Dames said. Despite the low attendance, the artists and entertainers gave a great showing and performance for the fans. Lady E rocked the stage with songs like “My Island In The Sun,” and also performed popular soca songs such as “Lucy” by Trinidad’s Destra. Lady E and Rick Carey of C Sharp Productions performed a hot duet, “So Rude and No Manners.” Rake and scrape artist D-Mack, backed by All for One Band, brought energy as always in his performance, with songs like “Dog Don’t Bark at Park Car,” and “The Boat Man,” among others. Ira Storr and the Spank Band, and Veronica Bishop performed some of their hits on Friday. Some of the semi-finalists that performed on Friday were Colyn McDonald, Mdeez, Bodine, and Avvy. The semi-finalists will go to New Providence to compete for $50,000 in the Music Master competition final at BJC on May 4 and 5.
MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017
LOST OPPORTUNITY
THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS
A case of what could have been S
INCE the mid1990s, The Bahamas has encouraged Chinese foreign direct investment. Most notable of these are the investments that have been made by what was Hutchison Whampoa in the Freeport area in Grand Bahama and the Chinese government-controlled China Construction America, through its wholly-owned Bahamian subsidiary in the Baha Mar resort project on Cable Beach and The Pointe in downtown Nassau. In 2015, Hutchison Whampoa split into two entities. The Container Port, energy, retail side etc is now called CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd, and the real estate, hotel side etc is now called Cheung Kong Property Holdings Ltd. As both entities are basically owned by one of the richest men in the world, Li Ka-shing, they will collectively be referred to as “Hutchison”. Interestingly, both these holding companies were incorporated in the Cayman
Islands even though Hutchison had well over a billion dollars invested in The Bahamas. Financial strength According to the Shareholders Interim Report, for the first six months of 2016, CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd made US$ 2.5bn (earnings after taxation), or roughly $420m a month, or around $20m per working day. Cheung Kong Property Holdings made US$1.129bn (earnings after taxes), or a little under $200m per month, or a little under $10m per working day. Note that these figures are “profit after tax”. So the Hutchison companies make a profit of about US$30m per working day. No wonder The Bahamas was, in the 1990s, so keen to attract such a large and successful conglomerate to Grand Bahama. So why has Hutchison, after 20 years of investment, failed to deliver anything more than a few extra jobs? Yes, the Container Port was a new industry, but all they did was to replace
three or four existing hotels on the Lucayan strip. There are fewer people working on the Lucayan strip than before Hutchison’s arrival. Therefore, although a number of new jobs have been created at the Container Port, these jobs need to be reduced by the number of jobs lost in the Lucayan strip. It is most likely that the employment numbers have not gone up as a result of Hutchison’s direct investment. On the positive side is the indirect creation of the Grand Bahama Shipyard, which employs not less than 500 and sometimes many more, depending on the number of ships in for repair or the type of repair required. But apart from the shipyard, Hutchison has nothing to show for the over 20-year management of its assets in Grand Bahama. It is unable to show that it has sold any Grand Bahama Development Company Ltd (“Devco”) land that has resulted in any meaningful direct investment, foreign
or domestic. The only non-Chinese investment of comparable size that we have seen in The Bahamas since 1992 has been that of Sol Kerzner’s Atlantis and that is about 70 per cent of Hutchison’s investment. For less investment Mr Kerzner was able to create at least 10,000 direct and indirect jobs for Bahamians. Incompetence Think what 10,000 additional jobs could do for Grand Bahama. Other than incompetence or negligence by Hutchison’s management there is absolutely no reason why 10,000 new jobs have not been created on Grand Bahama by Hutchison. As can be seen by its profits, Hutchison is perfectly capable of funding very, very large investments. So what does Hutchison have to work with in Grand Bahama? • Management ocntrol of Freeport Harbour • Management control of Grand Bahama International Airport
• Management control of Sea Air Business Centre (740 acres undeveloped) • Management control of Devco (70,000 acres of undeveloped land) • Management and ownership control Freeport Container Port • Management and ownership of Grand Lucayan/ Our Lucaya hotel complex • Management and ownership of Lucayan and Reef golf courses • Management control of the Lucayan Service Company • A conglomerate that makes a net profit of US$500m a month Hutchison is Devco in the 1960s pumped up on financial steroids. A review of what Devco controlled in its heyday of the 1960s shows that it controlled the Harbour, the Airport, and owned the 70,000 plus acres of land. It also owned the power company - though that can be more of a liability than an asset- but it did not own any hotels and had no control over 1,100 rooms.
FESTIVAL FIASCO SHOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED The Fye Festival organisers showed gross disrespect in clashing with the beloved and traditional regatta in Exuma, Robert Dupuch Carron says SINCE the wee hours of Friday morning, Bahamians from all walks of life have been venting their anger at the astounding level of disrespect displayed by the shambolic organisation and incompetence displayed by the Fyre Festival organisers, all whilst left scratching their heads in disbelief that our Ministry of Tourism would aid and abet such efforts during Exuma Regatta week. If reports from those who met with the Fyre Festival folks are to be believed, the organisers were warned their schedule was far too ambitious and that they lacked the necessary experience required to overcome the logistical challenges of executing an event on such a remote island as Norman’s Cay- the beautiful former hideaway of notorious Colombian cocaine kingpin Carlos ‘Joe’ Lehder. In addition, co-promoter Billy McFarland was strongly recommended to enlist the talents of Bahamians who had expertise in pulling off similar-sized international events like Jamzfest, P Diddy, Junka-
noo Carnival, Lady Gaga and Beres Hammond. While the Fyre Festival chose to ignore such sound advice, a gaggle of genetically-blessed, bikini-clad models - Alessandra Ambrosio, Bella Hadid, Hailey Baldwin, Emily Ratajkowski, Elsa Hosk, and Paulina Vega - shamelessly promoted the #fyrefestival coming to a Bahamian private island called Fyre Cay (real name Norman’s Cay) to their legions of fans and social media followers worldwide. They informed them that the festival would be “packed with music, culture, art, food, and more than $1m in real treasure and jewels hidden on the island” with tickets ranging from a basic $450 to a mind boggling $250,000 for a VIP Experience. Sadly this utopia ended up a far cry from the truth according to every report we have obtained. Instead of rescheduling the event, the Fyre Festival organisers decided to switch from tiny Norman’s Cay to George Town, situated on much larger Great Exuma. Like many a doomed ship, these foreign organisers took the ill-advised decision to ignore the dire warnings from many Bahamians and instead set sail on a course which would invariably place themselves on a collision course with the Exuma Regatta and the Bahamian populace. Sadly, the Fyre Festival failed to appreciate the
ABOVE, some of the images showing the conditions festivalgoers found themselves in, a world away from the life of luxury portrayed by models promoting the event on social media, right. historic significance of the Regatta. In desperation, the Fyre Exuma Regatta Week. If the Fyre Festival felt Festival organisers are reoverwhelmed by the logis- ported to have inquired if tical problems it was ex- the Exuma Regatta could periencing on Norman’s be rescheduled, lending Cay, these matters would credence to what Piers Morlook like child’s play in gan recently described as comparison to the night- a US culture of “rich, pubmare that was about to licity craving, materialistic, explode on Great Exuma talentless, self absorbed, given that all hotel rooms, social media fanatics” who buses, taxis and majority of arrogantly believe they can the rental houses had been do as they please. booked well in advance for SEE PAGE 14 the famous George Town
As
if
Most importantly, the Devco of the 1960s never had the cash resources that Hutchison has. When it comes to the economy of Freeport, it is Hutchison, not the Grand Bahama Port Authority, that can make or break Freeport. Hutchison has the “control”, not the Grand Bahama Port Authority. Therefore it is clear that Hutchison has the money and they own or control, or own and control, everything that is needed to make things work. What should and could have been done by Hutchison? With respect to the hotel, Hutchison did not have to look any further than 120 miles south at Atlantis. Sol Kerzner, took a small relatively unknown and bankrupt hotel with a golf course, spent $500m on refurbishments, the installation of a water attraction and promotion and created the globally recognised Atlantis resort destination. SEE PAGE 15
A10INSIGHT
PAGE 14 MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017 PAGE 10, Monday, January 23, 2017
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
GAIN AN EDGE A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Keys to a career Why diversified educationinishospitality key to social equity R
OCHELLE Smith had prayed long and hard about what she wanted to do with her life. She was in the 11th grade and a decision regarding the trajectory of her life needed to be made. She would inform her mother tonight. As she reluctantly approached Mrs Smith, she could sense the exhaustion. Mrs Smith worked hard both parents did, for they wanted the best for their children. “Mummy, I’ve made a decision. I want to do hair and nails.” Vexed, Mrs Smith replied, “Girl you crazy aye! All that money we plunking out to put you in private school and you say you wan’ do what?! Girl you better get out my face and pray about what to do with your life!” Rochelle retreated, heartbroken, despondent, but was determined to make her mother proud. She prayed long and hard and decided to pursue medicine. As Bahamians, we know this story all too well. We give our children the best education because we have hopes that they will become doctors and lawyers. Carpenters and massage therapists should only be the alternative when medical
G
A NA
A PROMISING career This month’s guest writer with an industry leader is the prize that everyone sets Nadene Charlton, an their sights on as gradua- experienced Human tion day approaches. Resources Director with As coveted as this prize is, many go through high Atlantis, outlines how to school, college and even succeed in hospitality and Failure to have intoboth the work world without the importance of continuing knowing what skills leading TVET and traditional corporations are looking education at every level. academics available in for in employees. and pastry items. Popular What advice can you give all school programmes So just what does it takes careers under this umbrel- to new graduates hoping to forto job seekers in the hospi- la include cooks, bakers, land a position somewhere is a disservice tality industry to edge out chefs, butchers and kitchen as competitive as Atlantis? our childrenthe and competition? stewards. My advice is one has to country, says Remiska What is your role at AtNo matter what the posi- be able to illustrate a dedilantis? tion, we are looking for em- cation to customer service Wildgoose, English My team and I support ployees determined to go which will help them stand instructor at the BTVI human resources needs the extra mile and make the out. of approximately 3,000 Atlantis is a dynamic enis aemfirst Atlantis option forguest experience school does not work out. TVET ployees. memorable. vironment and we are acsome is an important step Unfortunately, as a society, Human What towards plays progression. Theis your biggest tively looking for associates we place white collar jobs Resources a critical in maintainchallenge that is talented with in filling your who are open to change and on a pedestal. Our educa-rolechild ing Atlantis’ as an positions? committed to excellence. their hands is just as inteltional system separates the position international leader in the We want to recruit the How did continuing your students with “great poten- ligent as the child who ashospitality and the brightest and education personally give pires to pursue best medicine. tial”, and for those students industry. by focusing for ourwith industry that means you an edge in this indusequity begins we give our best. We do thatSocial on thesuch key areas Recruitseekingand out employees who try? us, offor the carpenter However, countries ment, Training and Dehave a genuine focus on Being awarded a Scholaras Finland, whose educa- the doctor both end up convelopment, customer ship from the Lyford Cay tributing toand the society as aservice. tional system rivals most, Rewards Recognition, TalentThus, Man-failureWe look for employees Foundations granted me an to have shows that 45 per cent of whole. believe in team work opportunity to take my edboth TVET and who traditional students choose aagement, technical Organisational and Labour and in areall committed to en- ucation to a level that would available track as opposedDevelopment to the tra- academics and Employee Relations. suring that every guests’ ex- not have been possible othprogrammes is truly ditional academics*. What school positions perience is priceless. erwise. disservice to our children if Joshua, who canWhat take kinds a a of does to fill our country. In your competitive field, It allowed me to gain andwork ultimately car apart and put it your backteam at Atlantis? do college graduates stand exposure to new concepts, At this pivotal moment, together, or Gabrielle, who I lovethere aboutisAtlanout answer from other applicants? people and experiences that no simple can paint nails like What artwork tis the is that College solve ourare social and eco- graduates cer- have expanded my world on a canvass, had op-thetopositions with ills. roomNevertheless, tainly do stand out; howev- view. nomic portunity early wide on toandbevaried forforboth er, there My education has helped one ofand ouradanswers lies inare opportunities seen as a success whogrowth vancement. for every educa-educational level. me become committed to they are, as opposed to the placing diversified have tionBahamians We currently have Vice professional growth - and at the forefront. All expectations that We society from allFor walkscountries, of life flockPresidents especially de- who started their that makes me a good fit projects onto them? ing totechapply because are careers as busy boys. with Atlantis. velopingwe countries, need students like these, for our efforts to development The key is that new hires • Nadene Charlton is Hubalanced nical vocational known education foster a passionate, winning must be committed to conman Resources Director, and training (TVET) is through all of the educaculture reflective of our Ba- intinuing to learn, growing Food and Beverage with tional sectors order to first choice. REMISKA WI heritage. and excelling Atlantis and a Lyford Cay make significantprofessionally progress While there hamian are still Our careerinoptions gento bedevelsuccessful. Scholar terms of national changes needed to be made well-diversified and look to 2027, when ourWEEK: erally fall intoopment what we call Through Atlantis UniverNEXT address(Bennell,1996). in our educational system, system educational system pro“front house” or “back sity, we offer a robust curricing the ‘Brain Drain’ is one s embracing the fact that We must see beyond 2017 duces more than enough nificant house” operations. ulum in collaboration with • “Gain An Edge”step is ato term economic qualified, visionary citizenscollaboration “Front House” refers to leading international corpoweekly of in ourFoundanation. could buildthea Lyford world Cay careers that focus on greet- rate educationwho providers. furthe resort that would ing and serving our guests As a team,class we are comtions, rival BahamasWhile Technical into developing most. Implementing TVET such as food and beverage mitted to ensuring that and Vocational Institute system programmes having a tional managers, restaurant man- you are successful becauseandand University of The Ba- m agers, cashiers, bartenders, we realise that once our hamas aimed at promotbutlers or a flair mixologist. employees are happy they ing a national dialogue on “Back House” operations will be equipped to blow higher education. To share generally include the prepa- away each customer with an your thoughts, email gainration of food, beverage amazing experience. anedge@tribunemedia.net.
FESTIVAL FIASCO SHOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED from page 14 As if that is not enough, the ensuing fiasco shows what happens when you waltz into a sovereign nation - demanding that your wishes be catered to - simply because you believe you have a few dollars in your pocket or a trust fund. The ensuing media circus and ire surrounding the Fyre Festival ended up being best described as a “complete train wreck” by festival goers. While paying guests were told they could expect to stay in ‘modern, eco-friendly, geodesic domes’ the super-rich had the option of upgrading to hire yachts for more than $100,000, says the Daily Mail of London. But those who expected to be pampered with luxurious VIP service likened the accommodations to disaster zone relief tents, where they had to search in the dark for their luggage, towels and toilet paper for the Portera-Pots. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) described the festival in glowing terms. “Instead of $250,000 luxury oceanfront accommodations, ‘pop up’ five star culinary experiences, people found shelter in half built tent cities alongside feral dogs, locked up in the international departure lounge of Exuma Airport or ‘luxury food court’ nothing more than people sitting on folding chairs.” Adding injury to insult, the same Z-list celebrities whose loyal followers and fans were not given advance notice of “kinks in the festival” were now left stranded - being fed slabs of cheese on sad white bread while the promised recording art-
HOW the Daily Mail reported the debacle. ists and security failed to Kalik and Sands Beer in appear, added the BBC. tow, descended upon Palm Instead, they shamelessly Springs demanding all hotel posted photos of themselves rooms, guest houses, taxi, lounging by the pool of top buses and RV parks - which Miami South Beach hotels had already been booked in or showcasing new scantily advance - informing the citclad outfits, instead of head- izens that we ain’t checking ing to Exuma to assist. for Coachella this year we For a government whose “Jammin’ Island Style”? manifesto was putting BaClearly, the Minister of hamians first, it is unfath- Tourism needs to provide omable that the Ministry answers to the nation as TECHNICAL vocational education training of Tourism did not have to how such aand matter wasis help students, says Remiska Wildgoose. the foresight to step in and allowed to develop withprevent such a colossal dis- out anyone in his Ministry connect, avoiding the ensu- having the foresight to say ing global public relations “Hold on fellas! Love the nightmare. concept but we have an isClearly, the promoters of sue with the dates?” the Fyre Festival seemed The sad reality is our naoblivious as to how offen- tion is once again left to sive their conduct would be pick up the pieces with a viewed by the Bahamian backhanded apology from populace and how they had the Fyre Festival and some now “yucked up our vexa- lame future promise of tion”. compensation. In the end, the vast maIf Ja Rule wanted to show jority of Exumians have some real testicular fortiexpressed ire that the festi- tude we would be delighted val was attempting to usurp to welcome him back next their beloved Regatta by year on his own and assist directly competing for the him in partnering with the visiting tourists and locals right individuals to successwith scantily clad wannabe fully execute what could be models, NFL stars and re- such a wonderful concept cording acts. for our Bahamaland. Let’s put this into perspective. Imagine for a min• Robert Dupuch Carron ute if thousands of Bahamiis president of The Tribune ans in Junkanoo costumes, Media Group. Comments with cowbells, goat skin and responses to insight@ drums, Bacardi, Heneiken, tribunemedia.net
MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017 PAGE 15
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
GRAND Bahama International Airport.
Lost opportunity from page 13 Hutchison should have easily been able to promote its $400m plus hotel complex and two golf courses as its management is located in the most populous part of the world. In addition, it is also one of the wealthiest. In US dollars there is a large number of millionaires, not to mention billionaires. • China has over two million millionaires. • China ranks second in the world for billionaires with over 250. • Hong Kong is ranked separately with over 60 billionaires of its own. So it is clear that Hutchison has a large populous and wealthy market to tap into. Yet, the Grand Lucayan/ Our Lucaya is sitting virtually empty, it only has a very small portion open and the fact that it is advertising to the local market for Easter lunch, “high heel, lipstick and bow tie Happy Hour” is a clear indication that it has little or no business. Its restaurants open on different days as they don’t have the guests to keep them open all the time. They should be required by government to bring a minimum number - say 30,000 room nights of guests per year - to the Grand Lucayan/Our Lucaya hotel complex with a local spend of not less than $1,250 ($37.5m total). They should also be required to properly maintain the Lucayan and the Reef golf courses. All as a part of the Real Property Tax exemption that the Bahamas has conditionally granted to Hutchison. Why is the Grand Lucayan/Our Lucaya not awash
TOURISTS visiting Port Lucaya marketplace. with wealthy Chinese visitors? If Sol Kerzner could fill and keep the Ocean Club, now the One&Only, constantly operating with $1,000 a night room rates, so should and could Hutchison keep the Grand Lucayan/Our Lucaya full with good paying guests who can easily spend over $150 per person for dinner. Abject failure They have no excuse for their abject failure. Hutchison has several hotels around the world in cities. If they could not run the Grand Lucayan/Our Lucaya, Hutchison should have sold the hotel rather than make the entire Bahamian public suffer. The Chinese management was, no doubt, busy saving face and not letting Mr Li and the upper management know what a mess they were making. It is clear from a read of the shareholder reports that the other assets of the property group make enough money so that the failure here can be buried in the
financials and neither Mr Li, nor the other investors, would see what a mess the management in Hong Kong was making. In the meantime hundreds of hotel jobs have been lost. The end result is that Grand Bahama would have been better off if Hutchison had never redone the Lucayan strip. In fact, Grand Bahama would have been much better off with investors like Eric Christensen who built the Pelican Bay Hotel. The Pelican Bay Hotel does much more for the Bahamian-owned businesses in the Port Lucaya Market Place on the Lucayan strip than the Grand Lucayan/ Our Lucaya ever does because, unlike the Grand Lucayan/Our Lucaya, the Pelican Bay Hotel has guests who go to the Lucayan Market Place, dine and drink in the restaurants and bars and purchase items in the shops. There has been the complaint that the cost of the Airport is too high. A good
part of the problem is the very low passenger throughput and Hutchison is the reason for that. They can, and should, remedy this if they ran their hotel and property divisions properly. Indeed, the Airport should be subsidised by the hotel and Devco to make it cheaper to come to Freeport. This is what Devco did in its heyday. Next to be considered is the land sale company Devco with its 70,000 acres of undeveloped land. This infrastructure is being maintained at the expense of hard-working Bahamians and other residents who own property in the Freeport area (legally known as the Port Area), not at Hutchison’s expense, as Hutchison pays no Service Charges. The Chinese investor is taking the money of hardworking Bahamians to take care of its property and the Bahamas government has done nothing. Indeed, by the Incentives Act, the government seems to have endorsed this abuse of their
fellow Bahamian citizens. To add insult to injury, Hutchison took most of the property off the market, putting a stop to land sales and thus killing the construction industry, which has been forced to lay off (not employ) hundreds, if not thousands, of construction workers. In addition, since there are no homes and buildings being constructed, there are fewer maintenance jobs, fewer taxi rides, fewer restaurants (most of which are owned by Bahamians), fewer retail requirements. There have been several reports of intended projects on the Barbary Beach property, yet nothing has happened. Considering the way Hutchison dealt with Memories, it is clear that the reason nothing has been developed is because Hutchison has stopped it. They should have allowed one or more with the resulting boom to the Bahamian economy and employment. It can be seen that Chinese investment is not good for The Bahamas. Good faith The Airport was approached several times by Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) who would have built and operated an FBO like Odyssey in Nassau. Hutchison does not negotiate in good faith: either you give them everything or nothing happens. They should have allowed at least one proper FBO to have been constructed. The operators have regular customers who they would have brought to Grand Bahama and helped the economy, not to mention the revenue at the Airport. Again, it can be seen that Chinese investment is not good for The Bahamas.
The SeaAir business could easily have been developed. The cost would probably be in the neighbourhood of $100m - less than one month’s net profit of Hutchison. It is perfectly located between the Harbour and the Airport for goods to come in by ship and then be broken up and processed in the SeaAir Business Centre before being flown out by air freight. For example, an Amazon type of operation. Think of the employment and revenue all of this would create for The Bahamas. For example, the costly delay (in terms of jobs and revenue for the Public Treasury) caused by China Construction America ... Hutchison has done the same but on a larger scale. Hutchison is used to situations where it is liable if it does not complete a project within a certain timeframe or do not do it properly. There is a warning in their property division to shareholders about this. With investors, other than the Chinese, The Bahamas has been able to rely on their moral sense of doing the right thing. It is clear that the Chinese have no moral sense at all. They don’t care who gets hurt as long as they can screw every last penny out of anyone they come in contact with, be they be the very Bahamians who have allowed them into their country. It is clear that Chinese investment is bad for Bahamians. • Carey Leonard is a commercial lawyer and an associate in the law firm of Callenders & Co in Freeport. Grand Bahama. Comments and responses to insight@tribunemedia.net
PAGE 16 MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
Globalisation policy change needed to help Caribbean World View
By SIR RONALD SANDERS
G
LOBALISAmany small states became TION was members of the WTO, the originally a rules had been set, includconstruct of in- ing rules that today militate dustrialised nations whose against their interest. economic activity had deFew small states have benveloped sufficiently to with- efited from the last 17 years stand competition within of globalisation, the notable their own borders from oth- exception being Singapore er countries, and who had for many reasons peculiar the capability of exporting to that country. And, while goods and services to other unquestionably, in the last markets. two decades, large developTheir objective was to ing countries, such as China persuade other nations to and India, have taken adopen up their markets by vantage of globalisation liberalising trade, invest- and benefitted enormously, ment and international cap- the rest of the world has not ital flows. gained the benefits it anticiSo, the notion was pro- pated, except for a handful moted that more liberalised of countries in South-East trade and investment would Asia - the so-called “Asian benefit the world, not just Tigers”. those industrialised counOf the rest of the world, tries that were desmall economies veloped enough to ‘The in the Caribbean, remove barriers to taken collectively, their own markets Caribbean did not gain at all. while penetrat- region has A few statistics ing the markets of benefitted tell the story: others. China’s share It was on this ba- little from of the world’s sis that the World globalisation gross domestic Trade Organisa- as it relates product (GDP) tion (WTO) was rose from 4.1 per started in 1995 on to trade, cent in 1990 to an the founding and investment astonishing 17.86 guiding principles and capital per cent by 2016; of open borders, India’s share grew the guarantee of flows.’ from 3.6 per cent most-favouredto 7.3 per cent nation principle and non- over the same period. discriminatory treatment. The major advanced When these arguments economies - the G7 of were being advanced and an Canada, France, Germany, architecture was being con- Italy, Japan, the United structed at the WTO, few States and the United Kingsmall states were involved dom - fell from more than in the discussions, and the 50 per cent in 1990 to 30.96 peculiarity of their circum- per cent in 2016. But having stances were not taken into started off from a high level account. By the time that of development, their mar-
ket share has contributed to their growing prosperity. The improvement in subSaharan Africa’s share of world GDP was less than half a per cent; and the Middle East, and North Africa’s share was also marginal. The share of the countries that once formed the Soviet Union shrank as did the share of the developing countries in Europe. And the whole of Latin America and the Caribbean’s share of the world’s GDP actually declined from 10 per cent to 7.9 per cent. Notwithstanding the increase in GDP share by some developing countries, it did little to close the gap between first world coun-
tries and developing nations. For example, while the income per head of population increased in the top 20 industrialised nations by roughly US$1,000 per year, people in countries such as Mexico, China and India received less than US$100. Further, as one example of how well the industrialised nations did, Germany’s real GDP grew by an average US$100 billion every year between 1990 and 2011 - a total of US$2 trillion. Incidentally, the industrialised countries would have reaped a greater share of the world’s GDP were it not for the 2008 financial crisis which began in the US and spread to Europe. Between
2008 and 2014, productivity and employment shrank by 5.5 per cent, but it was a problem of their own making, from which China, Asia and South East Asian nations were better protected. Not so for the Caribbean, where the effects of the financial crisis eroded the numbers of tourists, and the volume of foreign direct investment, contributing to a decline in GDP growth. As usual, the region contracted full blown pneumonia from the North American and European Union influenza. In the event, the Caribbean region has benefitted little from globalisation as it relates to trade, investment and capital flows. Indeed, for the Caribbean, globalisation has been a one-way street of impositions by powerful countries: fiscal sovereignty has been violated by the strong; tax competition remains under threat from the mighty; economic growth and development have been impeded by unfair and unequal trade arrangements; and the real perils that global warming and sea-level rise pose to the very existence of Caribbean islands, are intensifying. There has also been little reward to Caribbean jurisdictions from the international community, despite the region’s adherence to democracy and the rule of law; its faithfulness to international rules related to trade, investment and human rights; and its compliance with financial rules and regulations even though they have been extremely onerous. Within the Caribbean itself, the well-known is-
sues of lack of economies of scale; insufficient domestic capital formation to fund business projects; shortage of skilled labour; proneness to natural disasters; high public debt; and impediments to competitiveness continue. In this connection, despite current forecasts by the International Monetary Fund of world growth rising from 3.1 per cent in 2016 to 3.5 per cent in 2017 and 3.6 per cent in 2018, Caribbean countries, with a few exceptions, will continue to face fiscal constraints that will make it hard to manage financial, economic and other forms of volatility. If there is not transformation in policy formulation and implementation within the Caribbean, and if the international community continues to be neglectful of the endemic, structural difficulties the region faces, the Caribbean is in danger of being relegated to the backwater of global existence. This article is an excerpt from a speech delivered at a conference on April 27 in the Turks and Caicos Islands on “Globalisation and Small Island States: Challenges and Opportunities for the Caribbean”. • Sir Ronald Sanders is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organisation of American States. He is also Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www. sironaldsanders.com
THIS WEEK IN THE TRIBUNE Today The latest properties for sale and rent in the Home Buyers’ Guide Tuesday Woman and Health weekly advice on taking care of your mind and body and women making waves in The Bahamas Plus comment from Nicole Burrows and sporting mischief and mayhem with Inigo “Naughty” Zenicazelaya Wednesday
look at fishing in The Bahamas Friday Weekend - a 28-page section devoted to the best in arts, music, fashion, food, books, entertainment, gardening, animal matters, fitness, history and interviews Sports - The Finish Line, a look at the local sports scene, by Brent Stubbs Plus A Comic’s View Naughty’s unique take on the week in The Bahamas Saturday
Thursday
The Tribune’s Top 5: a special video review of the week’s top stories by Khrisna Virgil on www. tribune242.com Every day in The Tribune, news, business, sports, weather and Classifieds Trader - the best guide to cars for sale, real estate, help wanted and more.
Obituaries and Religion, a weekly review ‘On da Hook’, a weekly
Plus breaking news and updates on your mobilefriendly tribune242.com
Tribune Tech - a weekly look at what’s new in the world of technology Alicia Wallace tackles social and political issues of the moment in The Bahamas in her Culture Clash column
PAGE 18, Monday, May 1, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST TERMS OF REFERENCE
GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS The Ministry of National Security Management of Jury Summonsing System Consultancy in the Office of The Attorney General Institution: Inter-American Development Bank Country: The Commonwealth of The Bahamas Project: Citizen Security and Justice Programme Project Number: BH-L1033 Loan Number: 3499/OC-BH Process/Bid No.: 3.1 Sector: Citizen Security Deadline: May 5, 2017 1. Introduction and Background The Ministry of Finance of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas has received financing in the amount of $20,000,000 (twenty million dollars) from the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) (Loan BH-L1033), to implement a Citizen Security and Justice Programme. The overall objectives of this programme are to: (i) improve behaviours for non-violent conflict resolution in New Providence; (ii) increase employability and employment of the at-risk youth population in New Providence; (iii) strengthen institutional capabilities of justice services; and (iv) reduce the recidivism rate among persons within the juvenile system. In a 2013 survey of forty-eight (48) delayed trials, 47% could not proceed because a jury could not be convened. To address this issue the Office of the Attorney General will work with a consultant to implement a new system of jury summonsing to ensure that juries are regularly available for trials. This implementation is a continuation of work which started with the commissioning of new jury summonsing software and the hiring of ten (10) new jury clerks. The Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs is Executing Component three of this Loan Operation. 2. • • • •
3. • • • • •
Scope of Services and Activities Implementation of new jury summonsing software; Training of jury officers, court staff and of Department of Information Technology Staff; Monitoring the usage risk and performance of the new jury summonsing software; Providing troubleshooting support for the management of the jury summonsing office and the use of the jury sum monsing software. Deliverables Inception Report & Work Plan Implementation Report Training Report& evaluation summary Jury Summonsing Software Manual Quarterly Reports (months) (format)
4.
GENERAL INFORMATION FROM CONSULTANT RESPONDING TO THIS EOI The consultant will be required to clearly demonstrate the requisite experience and capacity for this consultancy. Provide information required to indicate compliance with IDB eligibility requirements: • Years of Experience • Applicants must include with their submission proof of the fact that they are a bona fide citizen of an IDB Eligible Coun try. This can be done by including a copy of an official verifiable documents such as Birth Certificate and/or Passport. Provide a summary list of similar projects undertaken by the Consultant. This should include the following: • Client’s Name Country (e.g. Ministry of National Security, Commercial entity, etc. • Official Project Name • Project Year and Dollar Value • Duration of Project 5.
CLARIFICATION ON THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OR SCOPE OF SERVICES OF THIS EOI MAY BE OBTAINED BY EMAILING Everette Sweeting Procurement Specialist Ministry of National Security everettesweeting@bahamas.gov.bs Tel: (242) 502-3300
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINES The original two (2) copies of the Request for Expression of Interest and e-mail clearly marked ”Request for Expressions of Interest in Jury Summonsing Management Consultancy in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas” must be prepared in English and delivered in sealed envelopes to the following address no later than May 5, 2017 by 4pm. Permanent Secretary Office of The Attorney General & Ministry of Legal Affairs REF: Request for Expressions of Interest in Jury Summonsing Management Consultancy in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas John F. Kennedy Drive Immediately West of Ministry of Public Works N-3007 Nassau, N.P, The Bahamas (242) 502-0400 Late submissions will not be accepted and will be returned unopened to the Applicant. Electronic submissions will not be accepted. The Office of The Attorney General reserves the right to accept or reject any application received.
‘The Bahamas’ own street philosopher’
PAGE 20, Monday, May 1, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
STRAW MARKET CREW SUPPORTS BAY STREET MILE
THE STRAW Market Authority held the ‘Bay Street Mile’ Fun Run/Walk on Saturday - and the support team was out in force to make sure all participants enjoyed the event. Now in its fourth year, the event was held in aid of the Sir Victor Sassoon Bahamas Heart Foundation. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
• 2Pc. Thigh & Leg • 2 Spicy Strips • Coleslaw • Individual Fries • Biscuit • 22oz. Pepsi®
10
$
(INCL. VAT)