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By KHRISNA VIRGIL Tribune Staff Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net LONG Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner has declared that she and running mate Senator Dr Duane Sands will make the “strongest team� to not only contest the top two leadership posts of the FNM, but to turn the country around. While formally announcing her intent to challenge FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis when the organisation convenes its three-day convention, Mrs ButlerTurner said the party, now more than ever, needs to be driven by leaders and doers. She appeared confident
and measured in her responses, maintaining that for the FNM, which is seemingly fractured and wrought with infighting, she and Dr Sands are “healers� with the ability to unify the opposition party. She said it is important that as the party comes out of a convention that the two are able to embrace fellow FNMs who might be hurting over the results and to stress that the matter is bigger than the election of party officials, but it is one for this country. Mrs Butler-Turner and Dr Sands will face off against Dr Minnis and FNM Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest during the convention. To
celebrate the official launch of this campaign and make public their plan for national development, the duo called on all Bahamians to join them at Rawson Square on Wednesday, July 6. For his part, Dr Sands said given his 22 years of experience in healthcare, he would be a very capable complement to Mrs ButlerTurner. Asked if the two had received the endorsement of former Prime Minister and party Leader Hubert Ingraham, Mrs Butler-Turner responded that they had not. However, she added that they planned to work over the next four weeks to get the endorsement of
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every FNM. It was speculated that Mr Ingraham endorsed Dr Sands when he attended the swearing-in ceremony for the surgeon and lawyer Monique Gomez to the Senate last week. “Now is the time for wise and competent Bahamians of the highest moral and ethical calibre to come together for the good of one country, one people, one future,� Mrs Butler-Turner said during a press conference in the Minority Room of the House of Assembly yesterday. She was also supported by her husband, Edward Turner. “Even as I ask this of you, I commit myself to leading
by example. It is in that capacity that I am here to announce my candidacy for leader of the Free National Movement. “And it is in this spirit of service that I will devote my energy and my life to this campaign and to turning our country around. I cannot do this alone, however. I am pleased to stand with Senator Dr Duane Sands, who has joined me in this fight.� Responding to questions regarding her qualifications to lead, Mrs Butler-Turner said she and Dr Sands were capable leaders and Bahamian patriots. SEE PAGE THREE
WELLS SAYS FELLOW FNM MP WAS DISRESPECTFUL TO HIM By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
BAMBOO Town MP Renward Wells went on the defensive yesterday, criticising Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant as disrespectful for his comments that criticised his performance during the 2016/2017 budget debate. Mr Wells told The Tribune that he was singled
out in Mr Grant’s scathing rebuke of FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis last week because he supported Dr Minnis’ campaign to stay on as leader of the party. Pointing out that he has also been the target of social media attacks, Mr Wells contended that individuals that engaged in “gutter politics� for power should not have it. “He’s (Mr Grant) a man who speaks about princi-
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ple,� Mr Wells said, “but he was very unprincipled in his attack on me. He speaks about respect but was very disrespectful about the way he treated me. “Not including me in an email that lambasted me, castigated me in connection with Dr Minnis, that is not the mark of a leader.� Mr Wells also said his colleague misrepresented him. Last week, The Tribune
FATHER-OF-THREE FOUND HANGED
By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net  A 48-YEAR-OLD father of three was found hanging from the ceiling of a wooden shed attached to his Hillside Estates home early yesterday morning. According to police, around 8am Wednesday, the victim’s wife found him hanging from the rafters with an extension cord wrapped around his neck. SEE PAGE SIX
exclusively reported on an email sent from Mr Grant to Dr Minnis and several other members of the FNM. The email outlined Mr Grant’s displeasure with the party leader’s performance during the wrap up of the 2016/2017 budget debate, saying the Killarney MP showed “no interest� in the head-by-head exercise and seemed unprepared.
LORETTA ButlerTurner announcing her bid for the FNM leadership yesterday alongside Dr Duane Sands.
PM OPEN TO PUBLIC DEBATE IN ELECTION CAMPAIGN By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Perry Christie said yesterday the country had “reached the level of sophistication� that warrants public debates among persons vying for public office, hinting that he would be open to such a move. He spoke during the launch of the Inter-American Development Bank’s Vision 2040 two-day seminar. The Centreville MP said political leaders should be mandated to demonstrate whether they have the capacity to manage a country. SEE PAGE SIX
BAHA MAR FAILS TO GAIN CONTROL OF LEGAL CLAIM MITCHELL ASKS FOR PATIENCE AHEAD SEE PAGE FIVE
BAMBOO Town MP Renward Wells.
OF MORE PASSPORT OFFICE DELAYS By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net
FOREIGN Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday that the Passport Office is experiencing the “summer from hell� as he announced delays of more than 12 weeks for e-passports. Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on West Bay Street, Mr Mitchell said the Passport Office has
been plagued with a series of issues including power failure, air conditioning failure and equipment breakdowns. Mr Mitchell said even if the public pays the $200 for expedited passports, there is no guarantee the documents will be ready on the specified date. He pleaded for “patience� as the government attempts to fix the outstanding issues at the department.
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By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
SUPREME Court Justice Ian Winder yesterday dismissed a petition Sarkis Izmirlian’s Granite Ventures filed as part of its process to get the Supreme Court to require Baha Mar’s Deloitte & Touche receivership team to surrender control of a $192m legal claim the company has against China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC). SEE PAGE SIX
PAGE 2, Thursday, June 30, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
US EXPERT TAKES UP BTVI PRESIDENT ROLE DR ROBERT W Robertson, an American education expert, has been appointed the first president of the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institution (BTVI) and assumed his position yesterday. In announcing the appointment, BTVI chairman Felix Stubbs, said that the board interviewed many good candidates for the presidential post but were “impressed by the international, online and most importantly the adult learning and workforce skills development experiences that Dr Robertson can bring to BTVI”. A release from BTVI said that Dr Robertson has served as the Chief Academic Officer and Research Fellow at the Centre for Workforce Diversity, University of Phoenix, Central Florida campus (Orlando) and a Visiting Scholar (Professor of Management) at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. He has more than 15 years of experience in the education industry as a teacher and as an administrator. His recent selection by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to the Fulbright Specialist Programme afforded him the opportunity to complete a two-week collaborative project with the University of Ljubljana. He helped to develop online classes so the university may expand its reach to improve skills development throughout Slovenia in a more flexible manner, suitable to match the needs of working professionals. Dr Robertson has also served as a city planner and a city manager in a number of Canadian municipalities. As an educator, Dr Robertson has served as a faculty member, Dean of Business, Dean of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education and Vice President of Academic Affairs. He has taught in the United States, Canada, Europe, Brazil, Taiwan, China and Vietnam.
DR ROBERT W ROBERTSON Throughout his career, Dr Robertson has shown a commitment to excellence across different types of universities in the United States, Kazakhstan, Canada and Slovenia. He is experienced in new campus start-up, a large multi-campus university and managing a large online division. He has extensive leadership and management experience directing teams in faculty development, new programme implementation, student services, admissions, marketing, and general administration. Dr Robertson’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science (East Tennessee State University); Master of Arts (Eastern Kentucky University); Master of Public Administration (Dalhousie University, Canada); Master of Studies in Environmental Law (Vermont Law School); Post Graduate Diploma in International Management-China (University of London, England); PostDoctoral Professional Certificate, International Business and Leadership (Argosy University); and a Doctor of Philosophy in Management and Organisation (Stirling University, Scotland). In addition, he has completed an Executive Certificate in Strategy and Innovation at the Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Recently, Dr Robertson was elected to Canada Sports Hall of Fame in Cornwall, Ontario, for his track and field experiences.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, June 30, 2016, PAGE 3
GRANT GIVES BACKING TO BUTLER-TURNER AND SANDS By KHRISNA VIRGIL Tribune Staff Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net CENTRAL Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant yesterday said it is no secret that he “absolutely” supports Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner and Senator Dr Duane Sands as the two move to challenge FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis and Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest at the party’s convention next month. Speaking to The Tribune yesterday, the MP insisted that there was no better team than Mrs Butler-Turner and Dr Sands to lead the FNM. Mr Grant said he was
also confident that the duo has what it takes to unify the troubled party. “Well it‘s no secret that I support the Butler-Turner and Sands team,” Mr Grant said yesterday. “They are the best for the party and the best team for the country.” However, when contacted on the same issue yesterday, FNM Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells said he was in full support of Dr Minnis. “I came into the FNM supporting Dr Minnis and I support the leadership of Dr Minnis. I believe we need a new vision, and a new direction in this country,” Mr Wells said.
Mr Grant’s endorsement came days after his strong rebuke of Dr Minnis over his performance during the wrap up of the 2016/2017 budget debate. Mr Grant said the leader showed “no interest” in the head-by-head exercise and seemed unprepared. Mr Grant, leader of opposition business in the House, said he was certain that Dr Minnis had not studied the budget and that his behaviour was “most disturbing” and “disrespectful.” He also accused Dr Minnis of abandoning ship by leaving the House session around 2.30am last Thursday under the guise of not feeling well as other
parliamentarians stayed behind to finish the work of Parliament. Before members of Parliament vote on and pass the budget, they routinely go through the heads of government ministries and departments, with members of the Official Opposition raising questions about matters of concern. Mr Grant’s scathing assessment of Dr Minnis’ performance, or lack thereof, in the House of Assembly was outlined in an email to the party leader and other members of the FNM. The Tribune was also able to obtain the email. “Mr Leader, you would be aware that the subject
provides an opportunity to highlight the government ministers’ shortcomings and their incompetence,” the email said. “A time when we opposition members should be on our ‘A’ game ready to pinpoint and call out the government’s shortcomings, as they are never prepared for it. “Your actions and behaviour during this exercise were most disturbing! You showed absolutely no interest in the exercise! “Your actions, sir, gave the impression, that like them, you also were not prepared. I am convinced that you did not study the budget. This was evident as your limited participa-
tion further confirmed this. Your actions were not only egregious they were disrespectful. May I remind you a leader leads by example. A leader sets the tone and pace for his team.” According to Mr Grant, Dr Minnis was absent from the floor of the House of Assembly during much of last Wednesday’s head-by-head exercise even though he was in Parliament. He claimed Dr Minnis “refused to return to the floor” even after FNM Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest requested that he do so. The FNM’s convention is set for July 27-29.
Butler-Turner confirms leader bid from page one “I believe that what we need in this country is a turn around, we need a new direction. I am a wife. I am a mother. I am a servant, but most importantly I am a Bahamian. “I think the difference that I am going to bring to this is all of the experiences that I have had thus far in both my private life in service and in my public life in service and obviously in all that I have done politically. So I believe the country is now ready for someone who encompasses what Bahamians feel. “I hear the cries of Bahamian mothers. I can empathise with that. I hear the cries of our children. I know what they mean. As a wife I know what it is to take care and nurture our families and so I believe in addition to my experience politically that brings a whole new dimension to the leadership in our country today.” Dr Sands added: “The last 22 years of my professional life in this country have been spent on the battle ground of healthcare where people are at their worst, their weakest, their most vulnerable (and) their most frightened. And so to say that I have had a crash course in understanding the things that concern Ba-
‘I hear the cries of Bahamian mothers. I can empathise with that. I hear the cries of our children. I know what they mean. As a wife I know what it is to take care and nurture our families and so I believe in addition to my experience politically that brings a whole new dimension to the leadership in our country today.’ hamians is an understatement. “In particular I have been on the battle front of violence and trauma that is where I have spent the last 22 years and so I believe that I can be a very capable complement to Mrs ButlerTurner.” And despite having already lost to Dr Minnis in the 2014 convention, Mrs Butler-Turner said through that experience both she and Dr Sands have grown, transitioned and developed. She said there are very valuable lessons to be learned whenever one is able to walk away from a loss and build on that experience. The leadership battle comes at a delicate time for
the FNM. The party’s Central Council voted to have a July convention after six parliamentarians, including Mrs Butler-Turner, threatened to seek Dr Minnis’ removal as leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Assembly. Dr Minnis’ tenure as leader has been defined by intra-party friction, creating fractures in the party. Nonetheless, when he was challenged in 2014, he defeated Mrs Butler-Turner by more than double her number of votes. Dr Sands also ran for the deputy leader post in 2014 and lost that bid. On June 19, he announced that he and Mrs
LONG Island MP Loretta ButlerTurner. Butler-Turner would contest the top two party posts, however until yesterday, the Long Island MP has been quiet on the matter. The announcement triggered a direct response from Dr Minnis, who usually shies away from publicly speaking of party matters. Dr Minnis told reporters last week that he has no doubt he will remain the FNM’s chief. And while making his contribution to the 2016/2017 budget debate, Dr Minnis was resolute as he addressed issues within his party, saying: “We are now preparing for a convention and I will enter as leader and I will emerge as leader of the Free National
Movement. “The delegates, Mr Speaker, will ‘roc wit doc’. The young people will ‘roc wit doc’. The Family Islands and the entire Bahamas will ‘roc wit doc’. My deputy will ‘roc wit doc.’”
SANDS: IF I LOSE BID, MY SENATE FUTURE WILL BE UP TO MINNIS By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net FNM Senator Dr Duane Sands clarified yesterday that his resignation from the Senate in the event of a failed deputy leadership bid at the party’s national convention would be up to the discretion of incumbent FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis. “It’s not a matter of necessarily leaving,” he told The Tribune. “I think the principle would be that having engaged the leader that it should be his discretion. It’s not a matter that I’m seeking to resign or no longer work with him, it is simply a matter of acknowledging that I have opposed his leadership and the honourable thing to do is to seek to allow him the discretion to decide yes or no, ‘do I have the confidence in this person to continue to work with him?’ “It is my way of thinking and there are people who feel it’s not a reasonable approach but I think that is what an honourable person would do.” Dr Sands replaced Lanisha Rolle when she resigned her Senate seat in mid-May after becoming embroiled in controversy over criticising fellow FNM MPs. Earlier this week, he told The Tribune he was “amazed and confused” to be told that former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham had recommended his ap-
pointment for the past four years. Mr Ingraham made the revelation while speaking to reporters last week at Dr Sands’ swearing-in at the Senate. Dr Sands said the delay to appoint him to the upper chamber, despite countless calls by “respected persons” within the party, shows that the organisation’s current leadership is not focused on putting the “best effort forward”. Dr Sands is running for the post of deputy leader on a ticket with Loretta Butler-Turner, who will vie for leader, when the party elections take place at the end of July. They are challenging the incumbent leadership team of Dr Minnis and K Peter Turnquest. It was earlier reported that as a guest on a radio talk show on Tuesday, Dr Sands said that if the present leaders were victorious at the convention he would step down from the Senate. Yesterday, Dr Sands said: “The context was that there are several outcomes of the convention. Loretta wins, I win, Loretta wins and I lose and Peter Turnquest wins, Dr Minnis wins and Peter Turnquest wins, or Dr Minnis wins and I win. What I said was in the event that Dr Minnis wins and I lose, the honourable thing to do, having opposed him, would be to resign from the Senate. “It is what a mature politician would do,” he added. The FNM’s convention is scheduled for July 27 to 29.
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THE TRIBUNE
The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”
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North America leaders urge against Trump’s isolationism OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — President Barack Obama and the leaders of Mexico and Canada pushed back forcefully on Wednesday against the isolationist and anti-immigrant sentiments that have roiled Britain and been championed by GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump. The leaders warned against easy solutions peddled by “demagogues” who feed on economic anxiety. With tensions growing over terrorism and fallout from Britain’s exit from the European Union, Obama acknowledged that Americans and others have reason to be concerned about their own future in a rapidly globalising economy. He said concerns about immigrants had been exploited by politicians in the past, but he insisted he wasn’t worried Americans will follow that path. “We should take some of this seriously and answer it boldly and clearly,” Obama said, without naming the Republican presidential candidate. “But you shouldn’t think that is representative of how the American people think.” Gathering in the Canadian capital, the leaders defended their calls for freer trade within the continent and beyond. They argued that instead of withdrawing from the world, advanced countries should focus on higher standards, wages and legal protections that would ensure the benefits of globalisation are widely felt. “The integration of national economies into a global economy, that’s here. That’s done,” Obama said. Obama’s comments at a news conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto came as the leaders sought to show unity amid growing nationalist movements in Europe and elsewhere, epitomized by Britain’s move to leave the 28-member EU. Though Britain’s decision has rattled the global financial system, Obama said he believed the markets were starting to settle down. Still, he acknowledged there would be “genuine longer-term concerns” about global economic growth “if, in fact, Brexit goes through”. “This doesn’t help,” he said. Obama said his message to British Prime Minister David Cameron and to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is largely spearheading Europe’s response, was that “everybody should catch their breath”. Though Merkel and other European leaders have urged Britain to start its withdrawal quickly, Obama called for a thought-out process that would be transparent and clearly understandable. “I think that will be a difficult, challenging process, but it does not need to
be a panicky process,” the president said. The Canadian and Mexican leaders largely echoed Obama’s calls for staying focused on closer economic ties. Pena Nieto said Mexico sees opportunity for growth and investment by broadening its relationship with the rest of the continent. “We are competitors, yes, but we have complementary economies, and that will give more development to our society,” the Mexican leader said. And Trudeau said the three leaders’ strategy for combatting protectionist views was to “highlight how much trade and positive agreement among our nations are good not only for the economy of the world and the economy of our countries, but it’s also good for our citizens”. Yet it was Trump and his insistence that Americans are better served by reasserting independence that shadowed the leaders’ meetings at the annual North American Leaders’ Summit. Even as the three took the podium in Ottawa, Trump was threatening to pull the US out of the North American Free Trade Agreement, chanting at a rally, “No more NAFTA.” When a reporter asked the leaders to weigh in on Trump, Obama intervened, suggesting his counterparts should be careful what they say in case Trump ends up winning. “I’m not saying they shouldn’t answer. I’m just — I’m helping them out a little bit,” Obama joked. He appeared personally insulted by Trump’s claims to represent the public’s best interests, accusing the presumptive Republican nominee of wrongly purporting to be a populist. He said people like Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders rightly deserve label of “populist” but that Trump is merely resorting to “nativism,” ‘’xenophobia” and “cynicism”. “We have to call this mentality what it is: a threat to the values that we profess, the values we seek to defend,” Obama said later during a speech to Canadian Parliament, where a packed audience of about 1,000 interrupted him repeatedly with standing ovations. They chanted “four more years” as Obama wrapped up his address. Ahead of the summit, Canada announced it will lift visa requirements for Mexican visitors as of December 2016, while Pena Nieto agreed to open Mexican markets to Canadian beef. All three leaders pledged to generate half of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025, and Mexico also committed to joining the US and Canada in tackling methane emissions. By Kevin Freking and Rob Gillies of the Associated Press
Unappreciated sponsor EDITOR, The Tribune. HAVING just read in today’s Tribune’s sports section the joint announcement of the Eleventh Annual Summer Sailing Camp by the Ministry of Education, Sports & Culture, Ministry of Agriculture & Marine Resources and the Bahamas Sailing Association, I should like to congratulate them and all of those sponsors mentioned for their continued support of this worthy programme.
I should like to point out, however, that the most important sponsors have been left off that list, they being the Nassau Yacht Club, its members and staff. The Club and its members have for many years generously allowed the Bahamas Sailing Association the full use of their premises and facilities rent free with the office staff also accommodating many of the Association’s administrative chores, promotions and events at no charge.
Therefore some official recognition and a sincere thank you to the Nassau Yacht Club, it members and staff for their continuing support of those government Ministries and schools, not to mention the Bahamas Sailing Association, would not be remiss. IAN MABON Past Commodore. Nassau Yacht Club, Nassau, June 29, 2016.
Property Tax assessments? EDITOR, The Tribune. ON a certain morning talk show a Mr Forbes from property valuations confirmed that today, ongoing, Ministry of Finance is reevaluating all properties that fall under Real Property Tax. The brilliance of whoever decided this was correct practice is beyond any form of rational thinking seeing there is at least $400m owed
to Real Property Tax. They are impotent – unable or not even trying to collect the $400m is amazing as surely if with re-assessments valuations will increase it is right to presume the Assessment Statements for 2017 will increase... Real Property Treasurer of the Bahamas – Minister of State Finance and Minister of Finance are so impotent and living in a make
believe world of disillusion. Shame and collect - even if it means leaking the persons who owe – shame and collect – this has to happen. Government you have to cancel your policy of enhancement of those who owe bills. It is law to pay your bill, Mr Prime Minister! W THOMPSON Nassau, June 27, 2016.
FNM and Minnis EDITOR, The Tribune. IT IS clear that Zhivargo Laing, Focus, Front Porch Simon and The Graduate see the world as they want to see it and not as the world is; therefore facts and truth is alien to them. They want to attack others with propaganda, lies and innuendo and when the facts and truths are revealed they cry foul and write nonsense about bragging but I will not lay down and play dead when I believe this country is fed doses of lies and false propaganda. I am basically in retirement and I am not looking for any position. All I want now is to help and if possible to guide the people of this country to see that for the last forty years or so they were hoodwinked and led to vote for leaders who may be good talkers and politicians but were failures in governance, business and otherwise. The Graduate and Laing seem upset with the partial list of my achievements – but that is usually the case with failures who have achieved little simply because they have no plan, vision or idea (Mr Laing) and lack the ability to execute a vision or an idea. Mr Laing, one example of having a vision, taking an idea and executing a plan for the development of the country is simply by breaking the non-sensible Bahamasair monopoly on scheduled flight services in this country, moving most of the air charter services from the old airport hangar to the main airport terminal and granting them schedule services licenses to operate daily scheduled flights to the Family Islands – that’s visions – ask the people who own and work for Sky Unlimited, Southern Air, Western Air, Majors Air, Cat Island Air, etc. – these people’s lives and the interisland aviation transportation in this country was transformed. I left my mark/stamp in the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Cooperatives, the Ministry of Transport and Communication and the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Offices and if I was not handicapped the mark/stamp that I left would have been much larger. Now compare
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net this record with someone who attempted to secretly reduce the customs duty on imported goods for the sole benefit of his relatives - is that Monavie? But Laing, The Graduate and Front Porch Simon are really not concerned about Tennyson Wells and C A Smith they are more concerned with deceitfully destroying Dr Hubert Minnis by lies, unfounded opinions and innuendos so that they, their family and friends could gain control of the public purse and become a part of the social elite. Laing keep talking about White Knights and Bay Street boys – he cannot provide one shred of evidence to prove where I have written anything about White Knights or Bay Street Boys, but he can find evidence where I said a small group of white people and black people (the oligarchs) believe they have the divine right to control the FNM. Now that the FNM has the chance to win the next election with an honest man of independent means this oligarchic group want control of the FNM and they are prepared to go any length to remove Dr Minnis and have engaged a few hired pens to achieve this. Thank God Dr Minnis does not have to boot lick because he has the independent means to fight back and make a stand for the black and white small man and the middle class. They (the oligarchs and a few hired pens) make many false allegations against Dr Minnis but let’s look at the facts and the evidence:1. They say he cannot win the elections but the uncontroverted evidence is that he won each of his general election campaigns while they (the big FNM honchos) had smaller majorities than Dr Minnis and the rest lost or failed to win their seats. 2. The same small group who are calling for his removal went up against him into the last convention and the council and were beaten back by three to one margins – isn’t that political skills exhibited by Dr Minnis!? 3. They say Dr Minnis is incompetent – my God! –
Where is the evidence of that? He established/created a successful medical practice and conducted/ managed it for decades. 4. He has been successful in his various business ventures for decades – what have Front Porch Simon, The Graduate and Laing accomplished? – Reveal yourselves, stand up and be counted. Compare your achievements with Dr Minnis’ achievements so that the general public can make a comparative analysis as to who may be able to move this country forward. What are the accomplishments of those you are promoting to lead this country? This country has had enough leaders who are just mere talkers and do nothings who have created more negatives and stagnant than positive growth rates in this country during the last 15 – 20 years. Over the last four years there has been no, or very little evidence of support for Dr Minnis from the former leader and senior leaders of the party who have or had some influence particularly in media circles. However, in spite of this lack of support Dr Minnis has shown the metal and temperament and has gained the admiration of friend and foe alike. Dr Minnis has increased his internal support in the party’s convention and council, he has attracted new members and sympathisers particularly those who have been cast in the Diaspora during the last two decades – this should be encouraging to all true FNM’s. This could not and cannot be achieved by those, other than Dr Minnis, who are now seeking the leadership in the FNM, including the possible return of the Rt Hon Hubert A Ingraham Now, unless the Graduate and Front Porch Simon are prepared to stand up and come out from under the dark caves and mud of your cowardice and the anonymity that you relish and wallow in with obscene pleasure, please consider this my last response to your bile/ hate and hogwash. TENNYSON WELLS Nassau, June 27, 2016.
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THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, June 30, 2016, PAGE 5
McCartney doubts FNM can recover in time for election By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney yesterday distanced himself from talks of a possible coalition with the Free National Movement, expressing scepticism that the embattled opposition party could recover in time for the next general election. With five years under its belt, Mr McCartney rebuffed the categorisation of his party as fledgling status, insisting that the organisation has been considered a major party since the 2012 general election. He claimed that the DNA has been more of an opposition party than the FNM in the past four years.
BRANVILLE MCCARTNEY “The FNM can’t get their own party together,” he told The Tribune. “We can’t have no type of discussions with them. We are focused on becoming the next government of the Bahamas. “We never thought about joining the FNM ever. I made a comment about numbers, but never thought about joining. The DNA is going into this election, we’ve been a major party
from the last election. We got 10 per cent of the vote in such a short time with no political history, you can imagine what we will do this time. “Every party has infighting but it’s how it’s handled,” he added, commenting on the ongoing turmoil in the FNM. “What’s happened with the FNM seems to have gotten way out of hand. It could lead to the destruction of the party as a whole notwithstanding the outcome of the convention. It’s unfortunate, but for the DNA, we continue to move forward. We are well prepared for the upcoming election.” Speculation over a merger picked up last month after Mr McCartney suggested on a radio talk show that a coalition between the
FNM and DNA would “finish” the Progressive Liberal Party. He later told The Tribune that he had been approached “several times” by senior members within the FNM, as well as sitting FNM MPs, to join the Official Opposition. While he maintained that the DNA would never “fold up” and join a “sinking FNM”, he proposed that the two parties “join forces and work together” to oust the PLP from government. Yesterday, Mr McCartney said the party was looking forward to its first national convention, scheduled for September 30 and 31. All positions will be open for contest at that time, and Mr McCartney said he welcomed challenges as a healthy part of
democracy. He noted that the party has attracted both FNM and PLP supporters, adding that 25 candidates have already been internally ratified. “It is some bad laundry being aired,” he said, responding to questions from The Tribune about the FNMs leadership issues. “Mind you from my understanding the same problem happening in the PLP, but the PLP has always been good at keeping dirty laundry within the party. My understanding is they’re having some very serious issues. “Everyday people are calling up and telling me the difficulty the (FNM) party is facing. But it’s for them to steer their ship. We are steering the DNA.
We’ve been more of the opposition than the Official Opposition for the last four years. We continue to become stronger, our base continues to grow, our support continues to grow as well. “At this stage, they are not cohesive enough to run a party, we will have to wait and see what transpires, and if in time for the upcoming election. Certainly their record thus far is not impressive at all. “But we don’t take anything for granted,” he added, “the fact this administration is the worst administration in recent history, and we’re not taking for granted that the FNM party seems to be in disarray. We are concentrating on preparing for the election as if they are viable parties.”
WELLS SAYS FELLOW FNM MP WAS DISRESPECTFUL TO HIM from page one
Mr Grant, leader of opposition business in the House, also accused Dr Minnis of abandoning ship by leaving the House session around 2.30am last Thursday under the guise of not feeling well – an excuse he said that he did not believe. The email ended with a postscript that said the communication was not copied to Mr Wells, “as his behaviour was similar to yours (Dr Minnis).” Reacting yesterday, Mr Wells said: “It was a very low blow to write something like that and include me, then didn’t include me in the email so I have to see it, read about it in the paper. He’s always a man who jumps up and speaks about principles and his name, but he was very unprincipled and disrespectful in what he did.” While he may not have directly asked many questions during the budget wrap up, Mr Wells said he offered suggestions to some of his colleagues who were standing up at the time and had fielded questions that he intended to ask. He contended that he was present for every sitting of the debate in the lower chamber, and only stepped away for a few hours on
the final night to fulfil a promise he had made to his daughter. Mr Wells’ daughter, Sasha, is currently ranked second in the region in the 100m hurdles, and sixth in the world in the under 18 category. On that night, she was due to compete in a qualifying event at the national stadium. Mr Wells said he informed both Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn and St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman, who were seated next to him, that he intended to leave Parliament at 7pm to watch his daughter compete. He said he asked Mr Lightbourn to pass the message on to Mr Grant. “When I became a politician I didn’t stop being a parent,” he said. “My daughter pleaded with me to be there that night because I have missed other times, other opportunities because of my job as a politician. I was able to promise her I would be there because we were supposed to finish the budget Tuesday night, not Wednesday. “I’ve held the national record for 11 years. This is a matter of family legacy. I have helped train my daughter, invested in her. She is one of the best athletes in her age category. I was absent from 7pm to 11pm, and then I stayed un-
til the budget was passed at 3.30am. They knew where I was. He (Mr Grant) was being very disingenuous.” Mr Wells said he believed he was included in the email attack because of his staunch support for Dr Minnis to remain party leader. He said that the anti-Minnis team was split into two factions, an aboveboard group and a more sinister “black-ops” team tasked with mudslinging, particularly on social media. He referred to a video that was circulated on Facebook that inferred that Dr Minnis was corrupt and featured himself and Lanisha Rolle. “That’s the black ops team of the get rid of Minnis minions,” he said. “All manner of malfeasance and all manner of wickedness they will do for power. People who engage in that kind of wickedness, not a contest of ideas but gutter politics for power, should not have it. Those people should not have power.” The scathing email came weeks after six FNM MPs,
including Mr Grant, wrote a letter to the party’s Central Council outlining Dr Minnis’ weaknesses as a leader. The letter was used to bolster their case for an early convention, which was later set for July 27-29. Yesterday, Mr Wells acknowledged that there will never be a contest without some form of negative campaigning. However, he said it will be left up to the voters to judge whether the actions of participants were fair and just. He said: “I came into the FNM supporting Dr Minnis and I support the leadership of Dr Minnis. I believe we need a new vision, and a new direction in this country. “Politics is a fight, a contest and there is always the internal fight politically within an organisation as to
who will lead. At the end of the day, by the very set up and nature of democracy you’re going to have a contest and from time to time that internal contest has to
be settled. “That is what we’re seeing now, it was settled but others were not happy with it and we’re going to settle it again.”
PAGE 6, Thursday, June 30, 2016
FATHER-OF-THREE FOUND HANGED from page one
He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not identified the victim but The Tribune understands he is Randy Sweeting. Officer-in-Charge of the Central Detective Unit, Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander said police do not suspect foul play. He said the family of Mr Sweeting said he had been depressed for some time and was receiving counselling. “He was found hanging from a drop cord thrown over a rafter,” Chief Supt Fernander said. “The only information we have is the family said they woke up and they prayed together and he got the drop cord and left to go into the shed. His wife went about her normal routine getting ready for work and when she realised she had not seen him for awhile she went to check on him and discovered him hanged.” The victim’s sister, Caroline Sweeting, said her brother had been “depressed for some time”, but was seeking help from the family pastor. “He was a loving and caring person and he just got into a situation that was too much for him. It was unbearable and he did not know what to do, where to turn or who to turn to. He just gave up on life,” Ms Sweeting said. “He couldn’t believe all of the things that were happening, he had to remortgage his house and he kept saying that he was flat broke and all his money was gone, but we thought he would get better. The pastor spoke to him, everyone spoke to him but he just couldn’t believe how his life had turned out. I told him if he loved his children he would work hard and get out of the struggle but all he wanted to do was sleep.” An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.
THE TRIBUNE
Mitchell asks for patience ahead of more passport office delays from page one “There is a significant backlog in passports,” he said. “The Passport Office is in the middle of a perfect storm, 12 weeks is about what is on average to be the expected wait time now. You can pay the express fee but even with the express service we have had a number of events last week, power failed, generator failed, wiring was deficient and now we have an air conditioning unit that broke down and so it is a cascading set of problems. The best I can do at the moment is to urge maximum patience,” Mr Mitchell said. “This is yet again a summer of hell when it comes to passports. We are trying our best to manage the issue.” Mr Mitchell said his office is in the process of locating another site for passport collection, in hopes that it will eliminate some of the wait at the current Thompson Boulevard location. “This will allow people to collect somewhere else because the lines you see are mostly due to collection issues and not an application issue. I think it is necessary to say that we need the pub-
THE PASSPORT Office on Thompson Boulevard. lic to be sensitive to the is- effort to get the passport to sues. It is really not a good get it out to you that day or experience for anyone,” Mr within 48 hours without paying the express fee.” Mitchell said. Following the disappear“The staff is working under conditions which are not ance of some $25,000 last acceptable but we are trying year at the Freeport Passto make sure the passports port Office and the firing of get out. This is an ongoing is- an employee, the minister sue but we are trying our best talked about looking into to get out all the passports having a cashless system for emergency situations. implemented. When asked about this Certainly if someone has had a long wait, where you put in in an earlier interview on your passport in say March Tuesday, Mr Mitchell indiand you show up for your due cated that it is something he date and they tell you cannot still supports, but that the collect, the staff will make an Ministry of Finance has to
make that decision. “Discussions are ongoing at the moment and it is up to, ultimately, the Ministry of Finance because the Treasury is the one that controls payments. And I am certainly hoping that within the next three to six months that system here is to avoid all cash payments and stop any corruption issues – that is very important,” he told The Tribune on Tuesday. Last year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs implemented a new $200 fee for
Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff people who require passports within 48 hours on an emergency basis. The announcement came as the Passport Office continued to grapple with a backlog of 6,500 applications. The regular fee for passport renewal is $50. Last year, a $200 charge in addition to the cost of the passport for anyone who has lost two passports or more within a 12-month period was implemented. This fee is not payable where there is a medical emergency.
PM OPEN TO PUBLIC DEBATE IN ELECTION CAMPAIGN from page one
Mr Christie said: “So you find that it is difficult to get whoever is the leader of the opposition to stand on the same platform as me and then openly discuss and debate where we are going. “It has been difficult, has not been a part of our cul-
ture and the country has not seen it necessary to bring that about,” he added. During a 2015 speech at the College of the Bahamas’ School of Journalism, Mr Christie implored students present to challenge him, FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis and DNA Leader Branville McCartney to a public debate to
determine who of the three has a better grasp on national issues. “Bring Minnis here, bring Branville here, Christie here and say ‘tell us what you believe in,’ and make your judgment. Ask questions, see who has a command of the country, who understands where the country ought to be going
and who could speak to those issues,” Mr Christie said at the time. The challenge was subsequently accepted by Mr McCartney who offered to also sponsor the event. However, Dr Minnis rejected the challenge. At the time, the FNM Leader said he had “no interest” in a public debate
BAHA MAR FAILS TO GAIN CONTROL OF LEGAL CLAIM
from page one
Meanwhile, Ed Rahming, a Supreme Court appointed provisional liquidator for Baha Mar, said the receiver managers in the case will “very shortly” update the public on matters relating to the completion of the resort and the selection of a buyer. He did not delve into specifics or give a timeline for the announcement, however. Granite Ventures had sought an order that would
place “custody and control” of its legal action against CSCEC, the parent company of Baha Mar’s general contractor China Construction America (CCA), into the hands of either a Baha Mar creditors’ committee or the joint provisional liquidators. The $192m claim against CSCEC seeks to enforce its May 12, 2011 guarantee that CCA, its subsidiary, would perform all necessary obligations under the terms of its Baha Mar construction contract.
The action was filed in the UK High Court on June 30, 2015, one day after Baha Mar sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States. In dismissing the petition, Justice Winder said Granite does not qualify as an interested person under the relevant law, Section 148 of the Companies Act. He wrote: “In the context of this application it would be difficult to find that Granite was an interested person, having regard to…the nature of Granite’s application to
sell off the secured asset for the benefit of all creditors both secured and unsecured; the absence of a nexus between Granite and the English claim; and Granite’s status as an unsecured creditor who is compelled to rely on the JPL’s as the holder of the equity of redemption in the English claim, which is in the possession and control of the JRM’s (joint receiver managers).” Justice Winder scheduled a hearing for next month after Granite asked for leave to appeal the ruling in the
case, a move that was opposed by counsel for the joint receiver managers. Nonetheless, Justice Winder said he “was minded” to grant the leave. In a statement released after the ruling, Granite Ventures said it is disappointed with Justice Winder’s ruling. “We are disappointed in this ruling because it denies the unsecured creditors of Baha Mar the opportunity to possibly realise monies they are owed,” the statement said. “The claims made by Baha Mar against CCA and its parent CSCEC for nonperformance are valid as various documents, now public,
between the political leaders, contending that he was “by far more interested in” beating Mr Christie in a general election. “My answer to that challenge remains the same, we have an ineffective CEO running our country. I am by far more interested in removing him than a debate,” said Dr Minnis.
about CCA cutting corners, missing its own schedules, requesting more workers from CSCEC, have revealed. “Furthermore, it speaks volumes about CEXIM and its relationship to CCA/CSCEC that it objected to the Granite motion. It is disgraceful that unsecured creditors have been shoehorned into the winding up/liquidation legal process here in the Bahamas in which their interests have been marginalised. The non-performance of the defendant parties in the litigation is the very reason the Baha Mar became a tragedy for so many in the Bahamas. Granite intends to appeal the ruling.”
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THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, June 30, 2016, PAGE 7
‘Jury should have heard of Donna Vasyli’s previous good character’ By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net AN attorney for a woman accused of killing her millionaire husband yesterday submitted that the absence of evidence of her client’s good character during trial may have negatively influenced a jury’s unanimous guilty verdict against her. Clare Montgomery, QC, lead attorney for Donna Vasyli, 55, yesterday submitted to the Court of Appeal that her client was denied the benefit of having evidence of her good character presented prior to her conviction for the March 24 slaying of her podiatrist husband Phillip Vasyli, something Mrs Montgomery claimed was a “breach of duty” on the part of defence counsel. Mrs Montgomery submitted that had counsel ensured that evidence of her client’s good character was led, it would have suggested that Vasyli likely did not have the propensity to murder her husband, and consequently might have resulted in a different verdict from the jury. Mrs Montgomery referred to the testimonies of three key witnesses, namely Myles Pritchard, Nicolaza and Alejandro Quintana to validate her claims, submitting that within those testimonies were snippets of information to suggest background evidence of a positive nature on her client’s behalf leading up to the incident in question. Mrs Montgomery submitted that those submissions – if they had been presented – coupled with her client having no prior convictions, would have possibly earned a different verdict from the jury. Thus, Mrs Montgomery submitted that it is up to the Court of Appeal to now
DONNA Vasyli outside court on the day of her sentencing in November last year. presence of her lawyers at determine whether or not Old Fort Bay. At trial, the jury saw Va- the time, Elliot Lockhart, those facts would have had syli’s videotaped interview QC, and Judith Whitehead. any bearing on the verdict. During that interview, VaHowever, after yester- while she was in police day’s hearing, Court of Ap- custody. During that inter- syli told police that her huspeal President Dame Anita rogation, a police officer band had been drinking and Allen adjourned the matter suggested to the widow that fell down the stairs – shattershe stabbed her husband for ing glass from picture frames to July 18. In October, a jury unani- embarrassing her in front along the way – hours before mously found Vasyli guilty of houseguests with his his dead body was found. She added that he was of the stabbing death of her drunken state. She strongly husband at their home in denied the accusation in the walking around the house
PAIR CHARGED WITH MURDER AND ROBBERY By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
TWO males, including a 17-year-old, were charged with murder and armed robbery in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. Tremayne Moss, 21, of Woods Rodgers Drive, South Bahamia, and a juvenile of Gordon Avenue, Freeport, appeared before Magistrate Debbye Ferguson in Court One. It is alleged that on June 23 at Freeport, the two accused killed Corey Thompson. It is also alleged that the two robbed the victim.
Thompson’s death was the island’s 10th homicide for the year. The men were not required to enter a plea to the charges of murder and armed robbery, which are indictable offences. The case was adjourned to September 1 when a preliminary inquiry will be held into the matter. Both were remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Moss was also arraigned before Magistrate Rengin Johnson in Court Two on the charge of possession of a firearm with the means to endanger life.
He pleaded not guilty and elected to have a summary trial. The matter was adjourned to October 24 26. Moss was also charged with armed robbery in connection with another matter reported to police on June 16. He was not required to enter a plea and the matter was adjourned to November 22, for trial. The juvenile was also charged with two counts of disorderly behaviour in a police station. The matter was adjourned to August 9 before a juvenile panel, and $1,500 cash bail was granted.
POLICE HUNT PAIR OF SUSPECTS By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
GRAND Bahama police have issued an all-pointsbulletin for 20-year-old Germaerico Christopher Gardiner, also known as Jermaerico Gardiner, of Coral Reef Estates No 2. Police believe he can help with a current murder in-
vestigation. He is about 5ft 8in and weighs 140lbs. He has a medium brown complexion and is of average build. Meanwhile police in Bimini want to speak with 21-year-old Trevin Thomas Roberts, of Bailey Town, for help with an investigation into a shooting incident. Roberts is about six feet,
and weighs 130lbs, with a medium brown complexion, slim build and long dreadlocks. Anyone who has information concerning these men is asked to call police at the Central Detective Unit in Freeport at 3503106 through 12, 911, or 919; the Bimini Police Station at 347-3144 or call the nearest police station.
looking “disgusting” with his pants hanging down even though she told him guests were coming. However, she said, she did not argue with her husband. During the trial, the Crown also called Constable Jermaine Knowles to the witness stand who said he saw Vasyli in the main house after the murder. He
claimed Vasyli told him “we had a fight last night.” Vasyli was then sentenced to 20 years in prison by Acting Chief Justice Stephen Isaacs on November 10; however, one of her attorneys said at the time that her legal team intended to challenge the guilty verdict of a jury that the widow felt had “betrayed” her.
PAGE 8, Thursday, June 30, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
Who will emerge to champion the FNM? A Young Man’s View
By ADRIAN GIBSON
YET again, the Free National Movement (FNM) is engaging in politically cannibalistic behaviour that would see delegates once more flying from the Family Islands to New Providence to select a leader less than two years after re-electing Dr Hubert Minnis to the party’s top post. With Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner announcing her candidacy for
the leadership of the FNM yesterday and quoting the late South African President Nelson Mandela to underscore how much she has learnt since her lost to Dr Minnis in November 2014, the race is on. Recently, Dr Minnis and the council of the party agreed to move the November convention date forward to July 27 to 29 after six members of the FNM’s
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ten-member parliamentary team threatened to petition Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling to have Dr Minnis removed as leader of the Official Opposition unless an earlier convention was held. According to most accounts, St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman, Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn, North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly, Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant, Mrs ButlerTurner and Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins all drafted a letter to the Governor General to have Dr Minnis removed, however that letter was never sent. Though Butler-Turner and newly minted Senator Dr Duane Sands have teamed up challenge Dr Minnis and his deputy, East Grand Bahama MP Peter Turnquest, for a second run for the top posts in the
Hubert Minnis appears has the art of survival down pat and is seemingly coated with Teflon because as much debris as is thrown on his head, he is able to shake it off and move on as if nothing can or will stick. He is tactical and strategic. His greatest strength is that he is underestimated. He has generated fierce loyalty.’ party, it is clear that there is not a smorgasbord of viable contenders. As it stands, the FNM’s political cupboard appears to be bare. The spectre of the return of former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham continues to loom. He has not endorsed either Minnis or Butler-Turner. Recently, he was asked by reporters if he would likely return and he asserted that if and when he has an announcement, he
would make one. He did not emphasise that he was in retirement nor did he rule out a return. That statement has left many to speculate about his imminent return. Frankly, Hubert Ingraham is the best Prime Minister that we have had. I grew up in the age of Ingraham. When Butler-Turner announced yesterday, many people watched to see if the former PM would endorse her or stand with her. He
did not. After the press conference, one media official described the press conference as “dull”. Another told me that it was “quite pedestrian” and “nothing out of the norm”. The fact that we have not heard from Ingraham leads one to believe that the former PM does not wish to rule out his return. In 2005, he showed that he can nominate at the eleventh hour and mount a successful campaign. Until and unless he publicly announces that he will not return, I’m of the view that it is likely, after all, he has yet to give his farewell speech in the House of Assembly. He resigned and the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) refused to allow such an occasion to be on the House of Assembly’s agenda. Former PM Sir Lynden Pindling gave his farewell speech.
THE TRIBUNE Current PM Perry Christie will likely have an opportunity to give his as well. Certainly, such thoughts must be running through Mr Ingraham’s mind. What’s more, the governing PLP has performed so abysmally, the electorate is seeking a saviour. The infighting in the FNM does not engender the confidence of the masses. The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) has not yet garnered the trust, attention and support of the masses and the United Democratic Party (UDP) is viewed as a party of alsorans who won’t get their deposit back. FNMs have told me that they are unsure of whether Minnis or Butler-Turner can lead the country away from the economic, social and political precipice. Given that, there are many who are calling for Hubert Ingraham to return for one last hoorah. If Ingraham returns, Loretta Butler-Turner would likely drop out of the leadership showdown. The race would be between Minnis and Ingraham. That would be an historic faceoff of epic proportions. Notably, unlike the race between Mr Ingraham and former Mount Moriah MP Tommy Turnquest, Minnis has seemingly travelled the islands, engaged the associations and seemingly shifted them in his favour. That said, Ingraham is no Butler-Turner and he would likely recapture the imaginations of many, even those who currently support Dr Minnis. As it stands, that is a hypothetical scenario. We shall see what happens in the coming weeks. Whilst Rome (Bahamas) burns, the brouhaha within the FNM has been a distracting, entertaining sideshow that has allowed the governing party to run roughshod over the people. They have not been held accountable. Mr Christie and his band of hapless merry men must enjoy the free ride that they have had over the last few years. The Opposition is a dysfunctional entity that has poorly represented the interests of the Bahamian public. No
Thursday, June 30, 2016, PAGE 9 doubt, if forensic audits are Minnis has not yet learned done, the instances of cor- the art of small talk and ruption, graft, nepotism, would prefer to say nothing cronyism and downright than to broach any effort thievery would be astound- at conversation with straning. We, the people, deserve gers. much better. On the other hand, my To some, Dr Minnis has contact argues that Minfailed as a leader. There are nis’ strengths are that he FNMs who tell me that they is “cousin to the energiser want to give Minnis a “swift bunny, seemingly able to go political kick.” There are on and on and on within a others who have spun Min- doggedly determined apnis’ slogan and coined their proach to accomplish his own phrases. Rodney Mon- personal desires”. Indeed, cur, a prominent talk show Minnis appears has the art host and Minnis detractor, of survival down pat and is has encouraged delegates to seemingly coated with Tef“throw Roc’ at Doc.” Mon- lon because as much debris cur always states that he as is thrown on his head, he does not advocate violence is able to shake it off and and argues that he is refer- move on as if nothing can ring to political rocks, the or will stick. He is tactical same “Roc” - he says - that and strategic. His greatest Dr Minnis refers to. strength is that he is unDr Minnis has been ac- derestimated. He has gencused of being secretive, erated fierce loyalty, even unco-operative, conniving, when the sycophantic aldisrespectful, selfish, dis- legiance might be countermissive, inarticulate, sus- productive. Dr Minnis has picious and been able distrusting ‘Loretta Butler-Turner to engenof his col- is an organiser and der sympaleagues, bethy which, ing insular seemingly has the some of and petty. In ability to think his detracthe eyes of have outside the box. She is tors many, Minargued, is nis is seen resilient and seems to inconsistas a hard possess the capacity ent with his worker who life’s realfought for to re-engineer herself. ity. the FNM in What’s more, she On the the trenches appears to command other hand, over the last Loretta few years respect. She is Butlerand has been articulate and she Turner is railroaded perceived has an affable and by Butlerby many Turner and personable presence, as spiteful, crew. making her at ease in haughty, One FNM a crowd.’ pretentious, told me that impetuous, Dr Minnis somewhat has demonstrated that he vindictive and is overly is a generally insecure hu- emotive. She has been chalman being by publicly de- lenged by punctuality and claring his willingness to has adopted the role of the work as leader of the team victim far more often than but doing otherwise. I’m she ought. told that Minnis has been Mrs Butler-Turner has an awkwardly uncomfortable inconsistent ability to genaround people with whom erate support and affection; he is unfamiliar, retreating there are some that adore into the shadows of the wall her and others who are as opposed to brightening put-off by her. There was up a room. I am told that at a time when her personal public functions, he adapts appearance suggested phewell to choreographed or nomenal indiscipline; she orchestrated interactions has seemingly changed that but seems generally uncom- impression. fortable with spontaneous That said, she is said to be embraces and exchanges. an organiser and seemingly According to my contact, has the ability to think out-
LORETTA Butler-Turner and Leader of the Opposition Hubert Minnis. Not since the referendum side the box. She is resilient Minnis. It’s amazing how words has there been a topic that and seems to possess the capacity to re-engineer her- can create a firestorm. has singularly united Baself. What’s more, she ap- Those who fault Dr Sands hamians in conversation, in pears to command respect. for choosing to be honour- argument and in “punditolShe is articulate and she able and offer his senatorial ogy”. Everyone is an expert has an affable and person- resignation to Dr Minnis and all claim to know how it able presence, making her if the Butler-Turner/Sands will all turn out. team loses at the convenYes, partisan party poliat ease in a crowd. After the last convention, tion are simply unapprecia- tics is the national pastime Minnis beat Butler-Turner tive of the codes of West- of the Bahamas. Through by a margin of three to one. minster governance. I think a newspaper or computer I will have to be convinced that that would be the noble screen, a radio or a televiover the coming weeks thing to do. However, if sion set, people have a ringabout what has changed Dr Minnis is successful, he side seat to this national and/or what will be done to should not accept Sands’ nirvana. It is clear that only two cause a different outcome resignation. Yes, Minnis should have full discretion can emerge victorious in this time around. Civility is not likely to given that Sands serves at both categories. Earlier this year, the be the order of the day. We his pleasure. It is the ethical can see that already with approach to take. But, he greatest boxer in the histheir planned rollouts. Both should reject Sands’ resig- tory of the universe passed campaigns plan to have nation. I applaud Dr Sands to his glory. He is perhaps their official launch next for showing local politicians most remembered for his Wednesday. Dr Minnis will how to be honourable! If three fights with Joe Fraroll out his campaign in his only Mr Christie attended zier. Their fight of the century was fought in 1971 at boyhood home, Bain Town. the same class. The next four weeks will Madison Square Garden; Mrs Butler-Turner will roll out her campaign in Rawson no doubt be superlative Ba- the second in 1974 at MadiSquare, presumably in front hamian political theatre. son Square Garden and the of the statute statue of her On the line are the political ‘Thrilla in Manila’ in 1975. late grandfather and first careers of many. Most sig- All acknowledge that the Governor General of the nificantly at stake is the via- great Muhammad Ali was bility of arguably one of the the greatest of all time. Bahamas, Sir Milo Butler. However, the optics of most progressive political Only true boxing fans will both roll outs is notable. movements in the history of acknowledge that at the first One will be cast as appeas- the Bahamas. Admittedly, showdown he was beaten. Since he was not invinciing the Bay Street Boys, the the FNM has had a hard ble, one could surmise that so-called White Knights time of late. In the battle for the heart Dr Minnis - as formidable and elites of society, who Butler-Turner has been ac- and soul of the FNM, there as a political foe as he has cused of being a willing sur- will be casualties and there been to date - can still be rogate. The other will be will be victors. Have no beaten. That said, I believe presented as a meeting of doubt about it, FNMs are he does have the upper the masses, as one where looking on and cringing. hand. Only time will tell. Regardless of who emergDr Minnis has come to the PLPs are watching and poor and downtrodden and wishing that the catharsis es, process should - this cast himself as their serv- that is ongoing in the FNM time - must be accepted. could take place in their ant. Comments and responses The sympathy of the pop- own party. But, all see this to ajbahama@hotmail.com ulace appears to be with Dr as drama.
PAGE 10, Thursday, June 30, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
VISA APPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL REJECTED AMID FEARS OVER HUMAN TRAFFICKING By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net THE United States Embassy in Nassau has rejected about “50 per cent” of visa applications for Bahamian high school students wishing to study in America due to concerns of “human trafficking,” Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell revealed yesterday Speaking to reporters, Mr Mitchell said some high schools in the US are luring Bahamian students with promises of college scholarships and a future career in basketball. However, once the child leaves the Bahamas to attend the school, administrators withhold the
children’s passports, isolate them from their parents and force them to work to “earn their keep.” “The US Embassy indicated that there is now a 50 per cent rejection rate for high school age students applying for visas in the United States,” Mr Mitchell said. “There is a suspicion that there is a high level of fraud going on and they have indicated to us that parents should be very concerned about the schools their children are applying to. It is important because basketball is something that drives young males and young females out of this country, but young males in particular it drives them
to want to leave school in the Bahamas and go to high school in the United States. They do this to obtain eligibility to get scholarships to go to college. But the problem is, we have been told, that these schools are not what they are cracked up to be. There is a suspicion that these schools have been involved in things which approximate to trafficking of persons. “In some cases there have been allegations of passports being held by the schools, parents not gaining access to their children, the children are told they get scholarships but once they get there they are told they need to work off their debt at the school. So all of
these things are contrary to what is presented by the school.” Mr Mitchell asked parents to “exercise a degree of caution” when sending their children to high schools in the US. “Please be careful. Make sure these schools are accredited and can take a foreign student in the United States. Go and visit the school,” Mr Mitchell said. “Make sure you understand the terms and conditions, make sure you know what you are getting into.” Mr Mitchell said he was told by the US Embassy that US law does not permit officials to reveal the names of the schools involved in the scheme.
FRED MITCHELL, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration.
PM says nation must change to keep up with rest of world By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Perry Christie said yesterday that it has become increasingly clear that The Bahamas must undergo a series of self-examination processes to achieve higher global standards. As a part of his clarion call to the nation to adhere to the proposals being developed by the National Development Planning Unit, Mr Christie said The Bahamas must come to grips with the “great deal of heavy lifting” yet to be done as the country continues to move forward. The Centreville MP, who
was speaking at the opening of the Inter-American Development Bank’s joint national development plan seminar, said the only way to improve the Bahamas’ current position would be through true self-analysis in the public and private sector. He suggested that modern times present the need for governments to be more transparent in their operations. “Particularly at a time in The Bahamas where we are faced with complex issues and increasingly so, where the absolute necessity for understanding what is happening in the outside world is even more profoundly important than it has ever
been before in our history and where the challenges of government have been able to be ignored by not having them confront you,” said Mr Christie. He added: “If we do not make a number of changes now, that divide will widen and we will be left behind and many of our citizens will feel even more marginalised. So there is this compelling urgency of making decisions now that are important to The Bahamas. There is a small window of opportunity to make some very hard choices and key changes. All changes take courage in government particularly as you approach general elections. “The accountability,
whether at my level, the ministerial level, the permanent secretary level; accountability is important. Knowing and having the capacity to do the job is critical. And you must clearly be able to meet the standard that is so vitally important today.” As proposed, the Vision2040 National Development Plan would address systematic flaws that exist in both the public and private sector, aiming to, for the first time, drive social, economical, environmental and governmental reform from a national, non-partisan platform. Mr Christie said the plan once implemented would give successive administrations something to aspire to. Crime and poverty Addressing crime through the prism of the 2040 plan, Mr Christie said the future of the fight against crime must be built around programmes crafted and maintained by data. “Lives are extinguished with an unimaginable degree of callousness,” he said. “Good, up to date data is essential if we are to understand the root causes of crime.” Mr Christie said the value of information is key to combating the criminal element as it presents platforms to both measure and manages programmes and procedures. “When the data suggests that a programme is not working let us discontinue that programme and redirect resources towards effective interventions. We have seen the importance of data driven solutions to those agencies fighting crimes, but it is not just limited to these agencies, data is vital to all government agencies,” he added. “We can address crime and the fear of crime through innovative, data driven programmes guided by clear, well executed strategies leveraging the best technology as we move to a smarter Bahamas.”
PRIME Minister Perry Christie. Touching on the issue of poverty, Mr Christie described it as a circumstance that “robs” the Bahamian society of the potential of the human spirit and “blights” communities. He cited statistics released in 2014 that show that 43,000 persons or 12.8 per cent of the population live in poverty. Of this figure, roughly 20 per cent are estimated to be children. “This is probably the most critical point in our country,” he said. According to Mr Christie, scores of Bahamians that now find themselves in poverty have now lost the will to move out of it. “Today, all too often we have become hostage to poverty and the incentive to escape from it have been dulled and the will of people have been sapped. And so governments therefore have more and more been designing and devising interventions into people’s lives to provide a connection point to survive it – unemployment, homelessness
– all of the social interventions that have been introduced.” He also launched what he termed a 30-day challenge of public service innovation. He challenged public service employees to submit ideas that could either strengthen existing services, improve an existing programme, propose a new programme or policy that could improve the lives of the citizens and residents that they serve daily. Director of Economic Development and Planning in the Office of the Prime Minister, Dr Nicola VirgillRolle said the Vision 20140 plan is expected to be concluded in the coming weeks at which time it would be presented to the public for review. Following the review process, the document will be reformatted to reflect any necessary changes and then advanced to Cabinet for review and then, if all goes well, implemented as a national plan in part or in full.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, June 30, 2016, PAGE 11
Minnis slams govt one year on from Baha Mar bankruptcy By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net ON the anniversary of the Baha Mar bankruptcy filing, Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis declared that “there is no opening in sight” for the resort as he criticised the government for offering “empty rhetoric and broken promises”.
“One year since Baha Mar went into bankruptcy this government continues to offer up empty rhetoric and broken promises and engage in secret deals, yet nothing has gotten Baha Mar open,” Dr Minnis said in a statement yesterday. “They promised us that Baha Mar was going to lift our tourism industry. From the outset they promised us 5,000 jobs yet that has not
happened. Weekly, we find out through the newspapers about secret deals that the PLP government has made with the Chinese that will rob Bahamian contractors of money they are due.” “This entire project remains on hold and there is no opening in sight. On top of the 5,000 jobs, 2,000 Bahamians were laid off when construction stopped on the $3.5 billion project.”
He said Bahamian contractors are waiting to be paid the millions they are owed, but Prime Minister Perry Christie has given them little hope that they will ever get their money. “Recently, an engineering inspector even questioned the structural integrity of Baha Mar since it has been sitting empty for a year with no upkeep. Could there be more roadblocks to
opening up the resort than is even known now? There are a lot of questions to be answered by the PLP government that they refuse to divulge any information on.” “The Bahamian people can expect the same type of campaign rhetoric that they heard last time offering up lots of hope yet only delivering despair and never creating the jobs they promised,”
he said. “The FNM stands for open transparency and will work every day for the Bahamian people and the jobs they so desperately need and deserve.” Baha Mar filed for bankruptcy in a US court on June 29, 2015. The cases for the resort’s Bahamian based companies were later thrown out and the resort was placed in receivership last October.
PATRICIA “Smiling Pat” Hoyte (in red blouse) with her mother, Mary Hoyte. dia, actively posting mescheese cruises, and church social media. “Smiling Pat added so- sages on Facebook, right visitations.” Although Ms Hoyte re- cial media marketing to her up to the time of her passcently returned to her na- expertise. She transformed ing. She was a beloved Bative Cat Island, the adven- herself as an online tourism hamahost who will be sadly tures continued through ambassador on social me- missed.”
Condolences were extended to the bereaved Hoyte family on behalf of Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe and the Grand Bahama Tourist Office.
MINISTRY PAYS TRIBUTE TO ‘A TRUE AMBASSADOR’ By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE Ministry of Tourism paid tribute to the deceased Patricia “Smiling Pat” Hoyte for the many years she has served in the tourism and entertainment industry in Grand Bahama. In a press release, Tourism Director Betty Bethel said Mrs Hoyte was a true tourism ambassador and offered visitors a unique experience to Grand Bahama through her tour company, Smiling Pat’s Freeport Adventures. Ms Hoyte’s unique tours attracted the attention of the international media along the way, including being featured on the Food Network on US television and the Ministry of Tourism’s Grand Bahama Island promotional video. She has received favourable reviews from her customers on TripAdvisor. com. Her involvement in tour-
ism began in her childhood in the world famous International Bazaar, along with her siblings. She was the eldest child of noted musician and steel pan manufacturer, the late Leslie “Little Sparrow” Hoyte Sr, and his wife, Mary. Ms Hoyte gained valuable experience working in the tourism sector for established tour operators in Freeport for 15 years, before establishing her own tour company. “Her innovative approach to delivering destination experience included heritage and Treasure Island type adventures in McLean’s Town, East End, Sunset Village, Eight Mile Rock; and the settlement of West End,” the release said. “An ever present tour guide on each adventure, she led her guests in unique activities, such as crab crawling, private Bahamian chef for the night, fish fry Cat Island style, banana boat rides, snorkelling, as well as sunset wine and
PAGE 12, Thursday, June 30, 2016
BANK BRANCH NAMED AFTER BAHAMAS OLYMPIC LEGEND SIR DURWARD Knowles, at 98 the oldest living Olympic champion, has been honoured by Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Ltd with the naming and dedication of its Cable Beach branch. Sir Durward won the Bahamas’ first gold medal at the Olympics in 1964 in Tokyo, where he won the Star class sailing with Cecil Cooke, eight years after taking a bronze medal with Sloan Farrington in Melbourne. He earned the nickname “Seawolf”. Despite his many sailing accomplishments, Sir Durward is perhaps best known for his commitment to community service. He serves on various committees, including Honorary Vice President, Charity Guide No37; Co-Chairman, One Bahamas; Member of Ebenezer Methodist Trustees; President of Bahamas Association for the Physically Disabled; and Past President of the Rotary Club of East Nassau. He,
with Bobby Symonette, were founders of the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA). He is also well known as a philanthropist, donating to several charities and individuals and also to local regattas. He is also the recipient of Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award. Fidelity Bank CEO, Anwer Sunderji, commended Sir Durward for his vision and leadership in helping to build a community where there is opportunity for any Bahamian, no matter their ability, to succeed in various fields - from athletics to academics to the arts. Naming the Cable Beach branch after Sir Durward, according to Mr Sunderji, is in line with Fidelity Bank’s philosophy. “Like Sir Durward, we are committed to empowering persons. For us as Fidelity, our goal is to help more Bahamians lead financially successful lives. To do that, we encourage
THE TRIBUNE
SIR DURWARD KNOWLES, in whose honour Fidelity Bank has named its Cable Beach Banking Hall, at the dedication on June 15 with (from left) Michael Anderson, President, Royal Fidelity Merchant Bank & Trust Ltd; Anwer Sunderji, CEO, Fidelity Group of Companies; and Gregory Bethel, President, Retail Banking, Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Ltd. fiscal responsibility, saving more and spending less. As such, Fidelity offers free financial coaching to anyone, no matter their bank-
ing relationship. This creates opportunities for more persons to thrive in our society - just as Sir Durward envisioned”.
Sir Durward has written two autobiographies, ‘Driven by the Stars’ - the story of his earlier years in sailing - and ‘Captain of Industry’
published in 2014, which explores his later years. The official naming ceremony took place on June 15.
South Africa factfinding trip for NHI Secretariat MEMBERS of the National Health Insurance Secretariat went to South Africa in mid-June to ob-
serve and evaluate best practices for the implementation of universal health coverage in The Bahamas.
A team consisting of Dr Delon Brennen, NHI project manager; Dr Kevin Bowe, deputy director of
National Health Insurance & special projects at the National Insurance Board and Damara Dillett, NHI legal counsel travelled to Johannesburg and to Cape Town over the week of June 13. The purpose of the trip was to facilitate a bilateral exchange of information and a global approach to building the best universal health coverage (UHC) model for Bahamians. A series of meetings provided team members with a better understanding of South Africa’s own journey towards UHC. The NHI Secretariat met with Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoadeli, who stressed
that the importance of providing quality healthcare must be at the primary care stage. Other meetings were facilitated during the week with key industry stakeholders, including health economists, the Government Employees Medical Scheme and the KwaZuluNatal Managed Care Coalition, which is a group of doctors with a mission to promote and enhance quality and accessible health care on the basis of sound economic principles. The NHI Secretariat also held healthy dialogues with representatives of the Discovery Health Medical Scheme, a shared value
RFP for IT Modernisation and Process Maturity Assessment The Central Bank of The Bahamas invites proposals from suitably qualified firms to undertake an information technology modernization and process maturity assessment. The scope of the engagement would include the following: • Identification of organisational and skills gaps relative to the requirements of a new proposed IT environment • Assessment of the maturity level of existing IT services and management, to identify opportunities for continuous improvements • Development of recommendations for a modernised, highly secure IT environment and infrastructure
insurance company that incentivises people to be healthier. The Bahamian secretariat was introduced to new and innovative avenues for small-to-medium sized businesses to have a positive impact on health and promote a healthier Bahamas. “We have to find ways to incentivise good behaviour. For example, when you go to the grocery store and purchase foods that are good for you, you receive 25 per cent off,” explained Dr Brennen. “Every day that you meet walking goals, you earn activity points that you can redeem for discounts on items like airline tickets, movie passes and otherwise. We have to take best practices and learn from them so that we can improve people’s health.” The team collected practical insights for the ways in which to set up and run the public insurer, as well as wellness programmes. Being able to engrain the importance of wellness in the culture is an important lesson learned in South Africa that must be considered in The Bahamas. “The trip provided a tremendous amount of validation that The Bahamas is moving in the right direction with its strategic implementation of NHI Bahamas,” said Dr Bowe. “We shared our experience just as much as we had the opportunity to learn from our hosts.” This fact-finding trip is part of a broader approach designed to promote a global exchange of information between The Bahamas and other nations, as the country moves towards the enrolment phase of NHI Bahamas. More information on NHI Bahamas can be found at www.nhibahamas.gov.bs.
• Proposals for a detailed transition or implementation plan for the modernisation process, including for transparent and competitive procurement processes • Proposals for business continuity and disaster recovery enhancements to support the modernised environment
Interested firms may obtain a detailed electronic copy of the request for proposal document by writing as follows.
The GoveRnoR CenTRAl BAnk oF The BAhAMAs Nassau, Bahamas E: governor@centralbankbahamas.com
The deadline for submission of Proposals is August 5, 2016
TO ADVERTISE IN THE TRIBUNE, CONTACT 502-2394
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, June 30, 2016, PAGE 13
‘Cut down on plastic bag usage’ By ALEXANDER HAWKINS THE Raising Awareness Bahamas Landfill (RABL) group is organising a Facebook photo contest on Sunday - “International Bag Free Day” - to raise awareness of the dangers and negative environmental impacts of plastic bags usage. Representatives of RABL told The Tribune that “participants are encouraged to take a selfie or a photo of themselves using reusable bags, boxes or other containers on Sunday, July 3, and post the photo on our Facebook page”. The three photos that receive the most ‘likes’ by 10pm will win a prize. Shoppers are being discouraged from using plastic bags on Sunday and businesses are being encouraged not to offer them to their customers by RABL, who said instead resuable bags, boxes or other containers should be used. Solomon’s Fresh Market will be among businesses supporting the initiative by cutting out the use of plastic shopping bags on Sunday. “The impact of plastic bags on the environment is enormous,” Laura Paine, attorney and founder of RABL, told The Tribune. “They are made using nonrenewable resources, either petroleum or natural gas and they take huge amounts of energy to manufacture. They don’t really break down in landfills or dump sites, and over time they release dangerous chemicals. They’re also difficult to recycle: in fact only one per cent of the plastic bags is recycled worldwide. They
contribute to a widespread, global litter problem.” The US Environmental Protection Agency says that “every bit of plastic ever made still exists”, explaining that in every square mile of ocean, there are 46,000 pieces of plastic. Millions of seabirds, whales, seals and dolphins as well as thousands of sharks die from the effects of plastic use each year. Most ocean pollution starts out on land and is carried by wind and rain to the sea. Once in the water, there is a near-continuous accumulation of waste. RABL are hopeful that the Minister of the Environment will take the lead of countries like the United Kingdom and legislate to reduce the number of plastic bags used by the Bahamas. “Our initiative is part of a bigger project to phase out plastic bags and styrofoam from the country,” Ms Paine said. “We have the support of many Bahamian environmental organizations such as BNT, BREEF, Friends of The Environment, One Eleuthera Foundation, Bahamas Plastic Movement … These groups are taking this initiative to the out islands as plastic pollution is a national issue that affects our archipelagic nation. “Even though Renew Bahamas is not supporting this initiative, we know that plastic bags are a serious issue for them. Plastic bags and Styrofoam contaminate recyclable material such as plastic and cardboard making it less profitable to sell.” She urged Kenred Dorsett, the Minister of the
Environment, and his successors to take the issue of plastic pollution seriously. “Many countries in the world have already banned or imposed taxes on plastic bags. While the Government and Renew Bahamas have been focusing on recycling we believe that more focus should be placed on reducing the amount of waste that is generated and imported into the country every day. Reducing is the first step of the environmental hierarchy and at this time we haven’t seen any effective steps being taken to prevent waste production.” RABL have also created a 60-second promotional/ educational video for Sunday’s event for screening with other trailers at Galleria locations and at the Island House movie theatre.
A FLIER issued by RABL encouraging people to reduce their plastic bag usage.
PAGE 14, Thursday, June 30, 2016
A STUDENT taking part in the Edukarting Summer Camp at Doris Johnson High School.
THE TRIBUNE
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
Summer camp to focus on hurricane management By ALEXANDER HAWKINS
THIS year’s Bahamas Engineering and Technology Association (BETA) summer camp will be focusing on hurricane and disaster management, following
the devastating Hurricane Joaquin in October. Dr Pamela McCauley, an ergonomics and biomechanics expert, will be addressing the participants on Monday, July 4, at the College of The Bahamas
to open the free, week-long science camp. Trenicka Rolle, co-organiser of the camp which is now in its third year, told The Tribune that BETA has “tried to include” students from several Fam-
ily Islands as it was mainly the southern Bahamas that Hurricane Joaquin affected. One hundred and twenty children age 11 to 14 have come from New Providence as well as Andros, Mayaguana, and Inagua to take part in the annual science camp. The students will be divided into several disciplines based on their interests including, bio-medical, chemical-medical, civil, electrical and industrial engineering. Groups, including students from all the disciplines, will then be tasked with devising plans to “tackle problems in The Bahamas connected to disaster preparedness and relief”. This culminates in a presentation on the final
day, at which sponsors of the summer camp judge the groups and award prizes. The organisers told The Tribune that they hope this programme would not only give the students “basic exposure” to the theory behind their disciplines but also “hands on experience”. To this end, field trips to relevant businesses have been planned, including to the Coca-Cola factory, Bahamas Waste, Lynden Pindling International Airport, Bahamas Medical Center and BTC. The opening panel will also include a number of prominent local experts. Civil engineer and former Director of Works Melanie Roach will also participate, bringing her experience as
Director of the National Repair and Reconstruction Unit for the Hurricane Joaquin efforts. In addition, environmental scientist, Chairman of the National Energy Policy Committee and Director of the Bahamas Environment and Science Technology Commission (BEST) Phillip Weech, an authority on climate change and biodiversity with extensive experience in small island water resources and systems, will be involved. The theme of the 2016 BETA camp is “Prediction, Preparedness, Provision: STEM tools to Sustain our Bahamaland”. Minister of Education, Science and Technology (MOEST), Jerome Fitzgerald, said that to keep up with the fast pace of modern development, Bahamas will have to continue to place focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programmes like BETA Camp. “Globally, greater emphasis is being placed on STEM education and the Bahamas’ Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) is following suit,” said Mr Fitzgerald. “As the world and technology evolves, we want to position our students to be a part of this global phenomenon. The MoEST’s commitment to STEM education is evident through our partnership with the BETA Camp. This camp has provided our students with wonderful opportunities to broaden their horizons in STEM.” He commended the founders, Trenicka Rolle and D’Andre Wilson-Ihejirika, for being “Bahamians investing in the lives of young people and sharing their knowledge and passion of STEM to empower the next generation of Bahamian scientists, technology specialists, engineers and mathematicians”. The camp will welcome 120 students from across the Bahamas to participate in interactive sessions in seven technology, engineering and science fields with professional engineers and qualified university student volunteers. Sponsors ofd the BETA Camp include MOEST, the United States Embassy, the Lyford Cay Foundation, RBC, Phoenix Engineering, Bahamas Social Engineering, Sun Oil, Sawyer’s Food and the Bahamas Medical Center.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, June 30, 2016, PAGE 15
THE EDUKARTING Summer Camp held at Doris Johnson High School. A student has his helmet checked before riding in a kart.
WHEN EDUCATION BECOMES EDUKARTING ANTONIO, a new student at the summer camp, is pictured gearing up to ride the karts.
Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
PAGE 16, Thursday, June 30, 2016
Britain’s Brexit gamble to go it alone T
THE TRIBUNE
Peter Young assesses the immediate aftermath of the UK’s vote to leave the European Union
HE headlines in the British press following last week’s referendum on the nation’s relationship with the European Union (EU) said it all. Each expressed different degrees of shock at the result, a win for those wanting to leave the EU by a margin elected and unaccountable of 52 to 48 per cent with foreign bureaucrats. But it some 33 million people has also been suggested that casting their votes in a high this was a protest against the political elite in Britain turnout. Variously described as itself and the gulf between an electoral earthquake, the so-called establishment the most tumultuous event and the traditional workingof modern times or, with class Labour Party supportless hyperbole, a momen- ers which had been widentous event in the history of ing for years and which has Europe, such extreme reac- been described as a “deeply tion was puzzling to some in entrenched national geolight of the polls’ prediction graphic inequality”. Linked to this was a that the likely result had broader dissatisfaction been too close to call. with globalisation, which It is hard, however, to has been seen exaggerate the to significance ‘It will be a while primarily benefit a small of this historic before judgments privileged elite decision by the rather than British people, can be made helping the so clichés were about whether masses. Not perhaps justieveryone has fied given the the short-term been happy to serious fallout, economic pain not only in Brit- of ‘Brexit’ will be see the accelerated free moveain and Europe worth the longment of capital, but also worldgoods and peowide in rela- term advantages tion to stock of Britain going it ple across borders, together markets and with greater alone.’ the value of the emphasis on pound sterling trans-national in a globalised economy. The long-term consequenc- market forces, which has es remain, at this early seen a diminished role for nation states. stage, hard to estimate. There is no doubt that In a closely-fought contest the results showed, the immediate and most in particular, a divide be- serious effect of the ‘Brextween, on the one side, Lon- it’ vote will be on Britain’s don, Scotland and North- own economy. As predicted ern Ireland – where the by the Remain group, the majority voted to remain stock market took an im– and, on the other, the old mediate hit and the pound industrial heartlands of the dropped to a 30-year low Midlands and the North against the US dollar, of England, which wanted though both have rallied. to leave, while, generally Banking stocks are down overall, younger people fa- because of fears about acvoured the status quo and cess to the Single Market and the Chancellor of the older people voted out. Analysts attribute the Exchequer has reiterated victory of Vote Leave to warnings about the threat the importance of two main of recession, higher taxes issues: unrestricted immi- and spending cuts. But gration from the EU and this was predicted by Vote the re-assertion of British Leave as inevitable in the sovereignty by taking back short-term while Britain recontrol from Brussels, the positioned itself both in reinstitutional seat of the EU, lation to the EU and to the over a full range of other is- rest of the world. Meanwhile, Prime Minsues as well. ister David Cameron has There is evidence that many people were simply resigned – a matter of conno longer prepared to be siderable regret in the eyes dictated to any more by un- of many in Britain who re-
garded him as having been an effective and successful leader for the last six years. This has triggered a Conservative leadership contest which should be completed by early September and, in any case, before the party conference in October. His resignation has been seen as a matter of honour and principle and he has said that, having campaigned for the country to stay in the EU and having felt strongly about the issue, it would not be right for him to take charge of Britain’s negotiations to leave the bloc. This would be a matter for a new prime minister and a new government. In order to reassert authority and stability in the wake of last week’s seismic events, Mr Cameron set out the government’s position in a statement to Parliament on Monday. He confirmed that the decision of the people (in what he described as one of the biggest democratic exercises in the country’s history) had been accepted and that there would be no second referendum, as had already been proposed by those dissatisfied with the result. Such a move would seek to overturn the democratic will of the majority who voted to leave and would thus be unacceptable. He stressed that now was the time to begin the process of implementing the decision to leave in the best way possible; and it was vital to bring the country together so he would include in the discussions the devolved administrations Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In particular, 62 per cent of Scots had voted to remain and wanted to protect their position in Europe. Mr Cameron said that the UK possessed one of the strongest of the major advanced economies of the world, with low inflation and a low budget deficit, a high employment rate and a high capital requirement for its largest banks. Despite the volatility of the markets and a ratings downgrade, which would put up borrowing costs, it was therefore well placed to face any challenges. He also announced that the Government would not trigger immediately Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which is the legal basis for any member state to leave the EU within a two-year
THE FRONT pages of Britain’s newspapers report on the EU referendum result. period for negotiations. It is now reportedly planning was important first to deter- to deepen integration by mine the kind of relation- forcing the eight remainship the UK wanted with ing member states which the EU, and, as a sovereign do not use the euro to join nation, this should be its the single currency. Furown decision. He had set thermore, there has been up a new EU unit of “the media speculation about brightest and the best” in new moves to do away with the civil service to explore the nation state and create objectively options for this a federal superstate with future relationship with the individual nations having EU, and with the rest of the to give up responsibility world, from outside it. for their own armed forces, He concluded by saying criminal law and taxation that Britain wanted to be systems. respected abroad, tolerant Following his statement at home, engaged in the to Parliament, Mr Cameron world and working with its attended on Tuesday what is international partners to likely to be his last EU sumadvance the prosperity and mit in Brussels. Described security of the nation for by the UK press as “an exgenerations to come. ercise in damage control”, The reaction of EU lead- he explained why Britain ers to all this has been a had voted to leave and armixture of sadness at Brit- gued that it was now in the ain’s departure, UK’s and EU’s but acceptance ‘The reaction of mutual interest that it was inevito agree a deal EU leaders has table and conon trade, secucern about the been a mixture rity and other likelihood of of sadness co-operation other member among neighstates following at Britain’s bours, friends suit. Some in departure but and allies in Brussels have acceptance what he termed demanded that a constructhe UK should that it was tive process of act quickly to inevitable and withdrawal. cut ties so as to concern about The vote on avoid a lengthy June 23 sent a period of uncer- the likelihood of strong message tainty, though other member about the imthe EU Com- states following portance to the mission has general pubmade it clear suit.’ lic of political that no negoand economic tiations can start before accountability and against formal notification to with- remote authority. With the draw has been made by current upheaval involvBritain invoking Article 50. ing both of Britain’s main Concern has also been political parties, the nation expressed about growing now needs calm and decianti-EU sentiment and sive authority and direction calls for a referendum in, from its political class, not for example, France, the only to ensure a successful Netherlands and Scandina- outcome of the negotiations via. In spite of this, the EU about its future relation-
ship with Europe but also to bring the people together after such a period of divisiveness. It remains to be seen whether the volatility of the markets is a temporary phenomenon. Amid fastmoving developments, it will surely be a long while before judgments can be made about whether the short-term economic pain of ‘Brexit’ will be worth the long-term advantages of Britain going it alone. To untie the UK successfully from a complex network of EU institutions will take some doing. Since immigration and trade were major issues in determining the outcome of the referendum, the most important immediate task will be to find a means of retaining access to the Single Market without being forced to accept the free movement of people which is an existing requirement. This will inevitably involve some form of give-and-take. In such a fluid situation, only a fool would predict likely developments even in the short-term. But, whatever happens, the supreme irony for the future of the EU is that Britain’s referendum could easily have gone the other way if Brussels had given Mr Cameron some meaningful concessions in February during his much-hyped but ultimately insignificant re-negotiation of the country’s relationship with the EU. That now seems to have been a costly miscalculation by EU leaders. • Peter Young is a retired British diplomat living in Nassau. From 1996 to 2000 he was British High Commissioner to The Bahamas.
‘TOO EARLY’ TO TELL EFFECT OF BREXIT ON THE BAHAMAS By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net
FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday while there will
“likely” be an impact for The Bahamas and the Caribbean of Britain’s vote to exit the European Union, it is “too early to say” what that impact will be. Mr Mitchell said The Bahamas enjoys strong tourism ties with the UK and the influx of tourists from the area will be determined by the health and strength of the UK economy. He said if the sterling is negatively affected due to Britain leaving the EU then it is possible that The Bahamas will experience a decline in numbers from the UK. Last Thursday, the UK held a referendum to decide whether Britain should leave or remain in the European Union (EU). The Leave campaign won by 52 per cent to 48 per cent. The referendum turnout was 71.8 per cent, with more than 30 million people voting. It was the highest turnout in a UK-wide vote since the 1992 general election. Yesterday, Mr Mitchell said the direct implication of the exit is still to be determined.
“We do about $30m worth of business with the UK every year and there is a net, a balance in our favour. We import about $14m a year from the UK, as you know we are a part of the economic partnership agreement which allows the goods and services of The Bahamas to enter under preferential terms in the European Union and with Great Britain exiting, those would no longer apply in Britain or British markets so we would want to be sure that our service people and people who trade in goods are able to continue to have that access,” Mr Mitchell said. “The Bahamas and the Caribbean have relations with both the UK and the EU as distinct entities. These relations are expected to continue but will no doubt be transformed in light of the exit. What exactly will happen is yet to be determined.” Mr Mitchell said the main tourism vehicle for the UK is British Airways and the airline is expanding the size of the aircraft to the Bahamas so he expects tourism to continue, and increase, in the short term.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, June 30, 2016, PAGE 17
A WORKER inspects the damages at the entrance of Istanbul’s Ataturk airport yesterday. Suicide attackers killed dozens at the busy airport late Tuesday, the latest in a series of bombings to strike Turkey in recent months. Turkish officials said the massacre was most likely the work of the Islamic State group.
Attack on Turkish airport leaves 42 dead, dozens hurt ISTANBUL Associated Press IT WAS an attack that echoed the carnage earlier this year at the Brussels airport, down to the taxi that carried the men to their target: Inciting panic and then taking lethal advantage, three suicide attackers unleashed a deadly tide of bullets and bombs at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport, leaving 42 dead. Authorities blamed the Islamic State group for the blood bath late Tuesday, a coordinated assault on one of the world’s busiest airports and on a key NATO ally that plays a crucial role in the fight against the extremist group. There was no immediate claim of responsibility by the militant group. Although the attack took a heavy toll, the assailants were initially thwarted by the extensive security on the airport’s perimeter, Turkish officials said. “When the terrorists couldn’t pass the regular security system, when they couldn’t pass the scanners, police and security controls, they returned and took their weapons out of their suitcases and opened fire at random at the security check,” Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said. One attacker detonated his explosives downstairs at the arrivals terminal, one went upstairs and blew himself up in the departure hall, and the third waited outside for the fleeing crowd and caused the final lethal blast, two Turkish officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak about the investigation publicly. None of the attackers were Turks, a third official said. As the chaos unfolded, terrified travelers were sent running first from one explosion and then another. Airport surveillance video showed a panicked crowd of people, some rolling suitcases behind them, stampeding down a corridor, looking fearfully over their shoulders. Other surveillance footage posted on social media showed one explosion, a ball of fire that sent terrified passengers racing for cover. Another showed an attacker, felled by a gun-
shot from a security officer, blowing himself up seconds later. Cihan Tunctas had just disembarked from a flight from Azerbaijan when he heard the sound of gunfire. “Then the bomb exploded. We were at the exit and ... the roof collapsed on our heads,” Tunctas said. The group tried to escape, but their path was blocked by the arrival of a second attacker. “Two of the security guards noticed him. They walked toward him. Just as they were walking toward him, I turned that way. They just caught him and at that moment he detonated the bomb.” Investigators later found a Kalashnikov assault rifle, a handgun and two grenades on the bodies, according to the state-run Anadolu news service. Raids at two addresses also uncovered encrypted organizational documents and computer files, the news agency said. Although the government quickly blamed the Islamic State, there was no immediate claim of responsibility by the extremist group, which did not mention the bloodshed on its social media sites Wednesday. However, an infographic released to celebrate the second anniversary of its self-proclaimed caliphate claimed to have “covert units” in Turkey and other countries. Islamic State, however, rarely claims attacks in Turkey. One possible reason is a reluctance to be seen as killing fellow Muslims, said Anthony Skinner, director of the analyst group Verisk Maplecroft. Another is its desire to exploit the violent rift between Turkey and Kurdish rebels, he said. “It very clearly meets Islamic State’s strategic objectives to leave this ambiguity,” Skinner said. Yildirim, the Turkish prime minister, also suggested the attack could be linked to steps Ankara took Monday toward mending strained ties with Israel and Russia. Late Wednesday, he told the Turkish public the authorities were increasingly convinced that the Islamic State group, also known as Daesh, was responsible for
the ghastly attack. “Our thought that it is Daesh, continues to gain weight,” Yildirim said. A key partner in the USled coalition against the Islamic State group, Turkey faces an array of security threats from other groups as well, including ultraleft radicals and Kurdish rebels demanding greater autonomy in the restive southeast. The country shares long, porous borders with both Syria and Iraq, where IS controls large pockets of territory, and the government has blamed IS for several major bombings over the past year, including in the capital Ankara, and on tourists in Istanbul. “The reality is that Turkey is situated in a very vulnerable situation, geographically speaking,” Skinner said. Victims in Tuesday’s attack included at least 13 foreigners and several people remained unidentified Wednesday. The Istanbul governor’s office said more than 230 people were wounded and dozens remained in critical condition. Among the dead was Muhammed Eymen Demirci, who had just landed a job on the airport’s ground services crew after more than a year of unemployment: “I got the job bro!” the 25-year-old texted a friend in May. He died while waiting for a bus after his shift. A childhood friend who had helped Demirci get the job was devastated. “He was such a friendly person, a man who fought for his ideals,” Deniz Dogan told The Associated Press. “Now I wish he hadn’t gotten the job.” “So, what can we think? We cannot think anything,” said Ali Batur, whose brother also died. “A terror attack might happen everywhere, it does happen everywhere.” Dozens of anxious friends and relatives waited Wednesday outside Istanbul’s Bakirkoy Hospital. “You can hear that people are wailing here,” said Serdar Tatlisu, a relative of a victim. “We cannot cope anymore, we can’t just stay still. We need some kind of solution for whatever problem
there is.” Funerals for some of the victims began Wednesday as Turkish authorities sought to put together an attack timeline, going through surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses. A Turkish court imposed a media ban on any information not officially released by the government. The devastation at Istanbul’s airport was a reminder of the March 22 attack on the Brussels airport, where two suicide bombings ripped through checkin counters, killing 16 people. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for that attack, as well as an explosion the same day at a Brussels subway station that killed 16 more people. As dawn broke Wednesday, workers were removing debris from the Istanbul airport and mere hours after the terminal erupted into chaos, it reopened to flights. It took 12 days for flights to resume in Brussels, and more than two months for the terminal building to fully reopen. Turkey has suffered a series of attacks that have frightened away visitors and devastated its economy, which relies heavily on tourism. The government has stepped up controls at airports and land borders and deported thousands of foreign fighters, but has struggled to tackle the extremist threat while also conducting security operations against Kurdish rebels. Turkish airports have security checks at both the entrances to terminal buildings and before the entrances to departure gates. This year alone, a Jan. 12 attack that Turkish authorities blamed on IS claimed the lives of a dozen German tourists visiting Istanbul’s historic sites. On March 19, a suicide bombing rocked Istanbul’s main pedestrian street, killing five people, including the bomber, whom the authorities identified as a Turkish national linked to IS. Last October, twin suicide bombings hit a peace rally outside Ankara’s train station, killing 103 people. There was no claim of responsibility but Turkish authorities blamed it on an Islamic State cell.
MISSION TO RETRIEVE FREIGHTER BLACK BOX DELAYED JACKSONVILLE Associated Press FEDERAL officials have announced a one-month delay in the mission to retrieve the “black box” of a freighter that sank in Bahamian waters during Hurri-
cane Joaquin last October. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said yesterday in a statement that the launch has been postponed to the first week of August because resources needed for the mission are not yet available.
Officials previously had said NTSB, US Coast Guard and Navy personnel would depart in early July from Little Creek, Virginia, to the site near Crooked Island where El Faro sank at the height of the category four storm.
The freighter lost propulsion during the storm and sank in 15,000 feet of water between Jacksonville, Florida, and Puerto Rico. All 33 crew members died. The recorder may hold audio that can shed light on its final moments.
PAGE 18, Thursday, June 30, 2016
A CONE marks the open drain on Bernard Road.
THE BERNARD Road drain fixed this week.
THE TRIBUNE
CITY Dump approach road before.
Photos: Valden Fernander
FIX MY STREET CITY Dump approach road after.
AN OPEN drain marked by a cone to warn motorists of danger in Garden View off Bernard Road which has caused frustration for at least three years has finally been fixed after frustrated residents contacted The Tribune. The hazard cone was placed in the drain by concerned locals worried about the potential damage to vehicles and possibly drivers and passengers. “Just a few months ago, a visitor to the community drove her car into it (cone was not visible that day),” an email to fixmystreet@tribunemedia.net read. “I understand that the person was not injured and was assisted in getting the car out of the drain by residents of Garden View. “On behalf of Garden View, we would greatly appreciate any assistance in having the drain repaired to prevent additional damages to vehicles and potentially to individuals who might be unaware of ‘the deep hole
in the road’.” Another reader says that potholes at the entrance to City Dump Road, off Harrold Road, have been left unattended for over a year. But after they were featured in The Tribune last month, they too have been repaired. Recent work by Bahamas Power & Light (BPL, formerly BEC) near the renovations to Potter’s Cay Dock caused a failure of the traffic lights at the busy East Bay Street and Mackey Street intersection at the foot of the inbound Paradise Island Bridge and left a large section of road dug up and rough. East Bay Street is the main thoroughfare for scores of motorists travelling to eastern New Providence while cars commute over the bridge and sweep down to the intersection on the mainland from Paradise Island. The lights being out for more than a week contributed to at least one latenight accident at the inter-
section. Both issues have now been sorted out. Frustrated residents and motorists continue to contact The Tribune in an effort to draw attention to daily woes of deepening potholes in the roads and unsightly and unhealthy mess around New Providence. The newspaper has been drawing attention to areas that are being neglected or ignored by the relevant authorities, whether they be potholes in the road, uncollected garbage or abandoned cars. Recently, The Tribune highlighted long standing issues in the Lewis Street and Comfort Street areas of Grants Town and after publication of the article locals reported some restitution, including the filling of all of the potholes to the relief of residents and motorists. They say there still remains work to be done, such as the continuation of the road re-paving. • Email fixmystreet@tribunemedia.net to let us know your issues.
A TRENCH at the intersection of Mackey Street and East Bay Street at the foot of the Paradise Island Bridge caused issues for a week with the traffic lights also not working.
PAGE 20, Thursday, June 30, 2016
DEAL
KAI Owen and Tyrler Ray speared a 67lb Black Grouper in Abaco BAHAMAS Sport Fish- and Ryan Wykoff took a ing Network (BSFN) ex- Rockfish near Spanish Cay, perts are still reporting ex- Abaco. cellent fishing throughout Keep checking the BSFN the archipelago. expert page for fishing reKai Owen and Tyrler ports throughout the BaRay speared a 67lb Black hamas: this will be helpful Grouper in Abaco; Bronson in tracking the “hot spots” Russell claimed a nice Aba- and providing advice on co Yellowfin Tuna; Captain gear and fishing methods Ryan Neilly put his guest on being used. late Wahoo in Eleuthera; For a sample of the spec-
$20.00
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tacular fishing to be had in The Bahamas, expert advice, tournament dates and results, informative features and photo galleries visit the BSFN page at tribune242. com or www.bsfn.biz. BSFN slideshows can be found on USA Today’s website in the Travel section at experience.usatoday. com.
BRONSON Russell claimed a nice Abaco Yellowfin Tuna.
VAT INCLUSIVE
RYAN Wykoff took a Rockfish near Spanish Cay, Abaco. CAPTAIN Ryan Neilly put his guest on late Wahoo in Eleuthera