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VOLUME:114 No.159, JULY 12TH, 2017
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SPORTS: JONQUEL JONES TO START IN ALL-STAR GAME
BPL theft haul soars to $7m Auditors working ‘non-stop’ on probe at power company By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
THE amount of money missing at Bahamas Power and Light has skyrocketed to nearly $7m, The Tribune understands. According to a source close to the matter, forensic accountants have uncovered “much more missing money than anyone originally thought”. Government officials have not confirmed the $7m figure, but Works Minister Desmond Bannister previously told The Tribune the
SURPRISE AS BTC SHOWS CEO THE DOOR By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
UNION leaders and key allies were “taken aback” yesterday after the Bahamas Telecommunications Company confirmed that chief executive Leon Williams is leaving the communications provider. Bradley Roberts, BTC’s former deputy chairman, said he was “surprised” to learn of the impending departure. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
CHRISTIE: YOU CAN’T LIE ABOUT NOTTAGE NOW
final figure will be released to the public when the audit has been completed. When contacted about the reported new figure on Tuesday, Mr Bannister told The Tribune he would not be surprised if the amount of money stolen was $7m, but added the government is letting police and the auditors do their job. Meanwhile, a well-placed source told The Tribune that the auditors have been working “non-stop” for several weeks in order to bring the matter to a resolution. SEE PAGE SIX
THREE POLITICIANS MISSED DEADLINE FOR DISCLOSURE By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
THREE parliamentarians have missed the deadline imposed by the government to file financial disclosures, but that list is not at the Office of the Attorney General just yet, Press Secretary Anthony Newbold said yesterday. Tightlipped over the identities of the delinquent parliamentarians, Mr Newbold explained that movement in this matter hinged on the appointment of two more board members to the
Public Disclosure Commission (PDC). As for outstanding board appointments, the press secretary advised that all appointments will be made public by the end of the week. PDC Commissioner Myles Laroda has been reappointed to the post but requires two additional members to convene an “emergency meeting” to review the matter and submit a formal communication to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, Mr Newbold said. SEE PAGE THREE
FORMER Prime Minister Perry Christie speaking at the memorial service yesterday for Dr Bernard Nottage at the Progressive Liberal Party headquarters. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff By KHRISNA VIRGIL truths about him, they can no longer government to name the late Bain and Deputy Chief Reporter tell “lies” of the late former National Grants Town MP a national hero for kvirgil@tribunemedia.net Security Minister Bernard J Nottage his contributions to sports, urban dein death. velopment and advancements in NaFORMER Prime Minister Perry During a memorial service and tional Security, a portfolio he held as a Christie last night told Progressive viewing at the PLP’s headquarters, Cabinet minister in the former ChrisLiberal Party supporters that al- the former PLP leader urged the sit- tie administration from 2012 to 2017. though people continue to spread mis- ting Free National Movement (FNM) SEE PAGE TWO
HEALTH HQ NOT FIT FOR WORKERS By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
THE Ministry of Health has lost more than $150,000 worth of productivity because of “serious challenges” with a badly leaking roof and a faulty air-conditioner at its Meeting Street headquarters, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands confirmed yesterday. Dr Sands, in an interview with The Tribune, said the Bahamian people are “not getting ideal productivity” from his ministry, as, he said, for weeks senior officials at the Ministry of Health have had to imple-
ment half-day shifts for line staff “because the working conditions are significantly less than optimal” at the Poinciana Hill complex. So bad is the building’s physical infrastructure, Dr Sands said, that if one were to stand in a particular room “you can look and see the sky through the plywood in the roof.” Dr Sands also said that the roof “leaks tremendously” during heavy rain. This, he said, is despite “hundreds of thousands of dollars” being spent over the past few years on repairing the roof, which, he said, was “not done properly” in any event.
Dr Sands also said that his ministry has looked at “all of the options,” including relocation; however, the “ideal” remedy would be to “accomplish a definitive repair.” The statements by the Elizabeth MP reflect those made by Bahamas Public Service Union President John Pinder last year, who, at the time, complained of the terrible mould infestation and deterioration at the Department of Public Service, which shares the same building. In February 2016, Mr Pinder blamed the poor SEE PAGE SIX
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
MAN KILLED IN DRIVE-BY SHOOTING
By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
A 24-YEAR-OLD man died in hospital shortly after he was shot multiple times on Independence Day during a backyard celebration with friends. The killing took place shortly after noon off East Street and took the country’s murder count to 72 for the year, according to The Tribune’s records. SEE PAGE SIX
PAGE 2, Wednesday, July 12, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
CHRISTIE: YOU CAN’T LIE ABOUT NOTTAGE NOW fro m page o ne Mr Christie further recalled the decades of friendship he and Dr Nottage shared, saying despite his health challenges, he never expected to bring remarks at a memorial for his close comrade. “I just want to be able to say, ladies and gentlemen, that I don’t know how often I will have the opportunity to speak from this podium. One thing, BJ, they lying on me right up to today at least they can’t lie about you (now),” Mr Christie said as he paid tribute to Dr Nottage at the memorial. While he did not say specifically who was spreading “lies” about him, many in the room thought he might have been referring to the FNM. He also said: “I could not imagine that I would be here. This is someone who was brilliant, gifted
brilliant, excellent writer, excellent thinker. One who would never subject you to shame because he took pride in his integrity.” Scores of PLPs came together for the event to remember the life of the late 71-year-old veteran politician. There were highs and lows, with many at times shedding tears or laughing as friends and colleagues shared fond memories. It was a service that also saw several former Cabinet ministers reminisce about the former MP. For his part, PLP Leader Philip “Brave” Davis remembered Dr Nottage as a man who loved God, family, the country and his political organisation. “BJ was an exemplar on and off the track,” Mr Davis said. “As a policymaker and nationalist, his life’s work demonstrates that he was up to a marathon-like chal-
PORTIA NOTTAGE, wife of Dr Bernard Nottage, places a pin on her husband’s body at last night’s memorial.
FORMER Prime Minister Perry Christie and his wife, Bernadette, pay their respects to Bernard Nottage at the memorial held last night at the PLP headquarters. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff lenge that beckons us to run Florida hospital. He was well, keep pace, focus and airlifted to the United to finish strong,” he added. States nearly two weeks ago “Beyond running and fin- after spending three days in ishing, BJ kept the faith and the Intensive Care Unit at ran his race according to Doctors Hospital. the rules. In all his affairs Dr Nottage is survived by he pledged to compete in his wife, the former Portia honesty and honour. Butterfield, and their two “So here we are today, sons. BJ at the end of his race The official funeral for and we confirm that he did Dr Nottage will be held at just that. His race was long, St Agnes Anglican Church lonely, often difficult and at 11am on Friday, July 14. demanding, but he was the Another ceremony in his ultimate warrior. We find comfort in his passing be- honour will be held today cause we know his was a life at the national stadium and viewing at the House of Aswell lived.” Dr Nottage died on sembly will follow on July Wednesday, June 28, in a 13.
TEARS among mourners in the crowd last night.
SOUTH Andros MP Picewell Forbes breaking down on stage during his reflection on Dr Nottage.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, July 12, 2017, PAGE 3
THREE POLITICIANS MISSED DEADLINE FOR DISCLOSURE from page one
This comes more than a week after the July 3 timeline set by Dr Minnis for the files to be sent to the Office of the Attorney General expired. “Once that meeting is held,” Mr Newbold said, “then a formal communi-
cation will be sent to the prime minister advising him of the situation formally, and then, of course, he (Dr Minnis) will issue the directives, as we expect whomever they are that did not disclose will be dealt with as the law provides. “I have to tell, you senior public servants are also going to be called into account
again as the law provides.” Present and former parliamentarians and senators, along with senior public officers, are required to submit their disclosures to the PDC by March each year. The law specifies that persons in breach could face a fine of $10,000, or two years in prison, or both, or confiscation of land if
land is involved. At yesterday’s briefing, Mr Newbold said the selection of the two additional board members would be discussed in Cabinet that day, but did not provide an updated timeline on when those names would be sent to the attorney general. He recalled that delinquent parliamentarians
flooded the PDC in the weeks following the announcement of the June 30 deadline and threat of prosecution. Moving on to other news items, Mr Newbold advised the media that Dr Minnis will conduct a tour of the Baha Mar property next week and also deliver a national address. Dates for
both items were not disclosed. Mr Newbold added that Dr Minnis also planned to arrange a Cabinet tour of North Andros’ west coast, with a view to sensitising colleagues to the island’s rich ecological value as the “marine hatchery and nursery for the Western hemisphere”.
Opposition says FNM rhetoric has triggered Moody’s alert By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Repo rter rwells@tribunemedia.net MEMBERS of the Official Opposition have accused the Minnis administration of triggering Moody’s looming review of this country’s credit rating with damaging rhetoric, saying the actions and words of the current government prompted the threat of a new downgrade. In a statement issued Tuesday, PLP Senator Fred Mitchell said the new administration engaged in “reckless” borrowing shortly after assuming office, stating: “You made the broth, so now stew in your own fat.” In a separate statement, the PLP’s finance spokesperson and Exuma MP Chester Cooper said the Free National Movement’s description of the country’s finances since assuming office prompted Moody’s latest stance on the matter. The reaction came after Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance K Peter Turnquest on Monday blamed the Christie administration’s efforts to “hide the true extent” of the country’s fiscal crisis on Moody’s announcement that it has placed the Bahamas’ Baa3 credit rating on review for a downgrade. Mr Mitchell berated Mr Turnquest for his claims. The former Fox Hill MP said the assertion put forth by Mr Turnquest reflected the thoughts of a person who had not read the Moody’s report in full, noting the credit rating agency did not differentiate between the actions of either administration. “All one has to do is read what Moody’s said. They talked about the government and The Bahamas,” Mr Mitchell noted. “In our parliamentary debates, the leader of the opposition, our MPs and senators tried to warn the FNM, stop talking down this economy. We thought it reckless to borrow nearly a billion in their first week in office. We said the only reason for the less than promised fiscal performance was Hurricane Matthew. Moody’s affirms that fact.” Mr Mitchell added: “Mismanagement and corruption by the PLP figured nowhere in what Moody’s had to say. Those were FNM propaganda lines. Now look what you’ve done. “And yet the only thing you can say, having called
FRED MITCHELL, now a senator, pictured previously during his time as an MP in the House of Assembly. your own fish stink, is that it’s the PLP’s fault. As my mum used to say: ‘You all ain’t shame?’” The Minnis administration previously announced plans to borrow $323m to cover the deficit for the 2017-2018 fiscal year and an additional $400m to cover the fiscal overhang for 20162017. Moody’s last week cited these revelations, together with poorer fiscal consolidation prospects, as the key factors behind its decision to place The Bahamas’ sovereign creditworthiness on review for another potential downgrade. The move comes nearly a month after Moody’s indicated that it had been spooked by the incoming government’s nine-figure review of budget estimates left by the former administration. During the budget debate, Mr Cooper attacked Mr Turnquest’s budget presentation for sending the wrong message to investors and the rating agencies with talk of $722m in new borrowing. Despite calling for a bipartisan approach to fixing the issue, Mr Cooper said yesterday the damage has already been done and urged the Minnis admin-
istration to “take a course of corrective action” as it looks to “stave off a likely downgrade”. Mr Cooper’s statement read: “The FNM must, no matter how late to the game, develop an economic recovery strategy that will encompass drawing in more foreign direct investment, increasing the ease of doing business, continuing and expanding mortgage relief for troubled homeowners, job creation, reducing the cost of electricity, stemming the tide of crime, and further allowing Bahamian businesses to access global capital to increase employment, and laying out a plan to further develop our capital and Family Island infrastructure. “To be sure, there is not much point at this juncture in blame-casting; and this latest development is nothing to be celebrated, as despite our divergent views, the failure of the FNM government will mean the failure of The Bahamas.” Mr Cooper said the government and opposition must work together despite their differences in philosophies and approaches toward the success of the country. Advice The Exuma MP called
SIX CHINESE NATIONALS HELD AFTER OVERSTAYING By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
SIX Chinese nationals who overstayed their time in Grand Bahama were apprehended by Bahamian authorities at a resort in the Lucaya area on Independence Day. Bahamas immigration officials believe the group was taking steps to be smuggled into the United States. Immigration officer
Napthali Cooper said at 10am on Monday, officers acting on information received, went to a resort in Lucaya to investigate. On arrival, they checked two rooms and found the six Chinese nationals – two men and four women. Mr Cooper said that on checking their passports, it was discovered that they had arrived in the Bahamas during the months of April, May, and June and had
since overstayed their allotted time as visitors. The immigrants were taken into custody and transfered to the Department of Immigration’s headquarters in the C A Smith Government Complex for processing. They were flown to New Providence on Tuesday where they will be detained at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre to await repatriation.
TWO ACCUSED OF SHOP-BREAKING IN FREEPORT By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and the matter was adjourned to September 4, 2017 for trial. TWO men were charged Rolle also appeared in with shop-breaking in court three before Magisthe Freeport Magistrate’s trate Rengin Johnson where Court on Tuesday. he was charged with two James Rolle, 52, of no counts of shop-breaking and fixed addressed, was ar- stealing from a dwelling. He raigned in court two before pleaded not guilty to the Magistrate Charlton Smith charge and the matter was on five counts of shop- adjourned to October 3. breaking, causing damage, Another man, Moses and stealing from a shop. Storr, 33, of Freeport was
convicted of shop-breaking and stealing and sentenced to 12 months in prison. Storr, a resident of Adventurers Way, appeared in court one before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson on four counts of shopbreaking and three counts of stealing from a shop. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to one year in the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services in New Providence.
on the government to engage a bi-partisan solution to the problem and consult the top private sector experts in formulating an economic growth plan and appointment of an economic growth czar. He added that organic growth from domestic investment and entrepreneurial growth through the streamlining of the business license process and significant investment in entrepreneurship via the Bahamas Entrepreneurial Venture Fund must be key to this new plan of action. Touching on Baha Mar, Mr Cooper said the government must also “reject any suggestion that fosters uncertainty” regarding the development and its new owner Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Ltd. Mr Cooper continued: “The Minnis administration’s pontification over wild requests by Sarkis Izmirlian that suggests he should somehow reacquire the property at Cable Beach has surely led to uncertainty among those who would wish to book and invest in the property in this most fragile stage of its infancy. “We note that S&P (Standard & Poor’s) cited the stalled opening of Baha Mar as a reason for their
downgrade. The former administration was successful in ensuring the opening of Baha Mar. We reiterate in the public’s interest that Baha Mar must succeed. “Mr Izmirlian remains a friend to The Bahamas and a permanent resident of this country. A prudent government would be assisting him in finding another project in the country in which to invest his considerable resources; the property at South Ocean situated next to Albany comes to mind. “Anything less than fullthroated support in word and deed for Baha Mar is potentially harmful to our economy at this time.” Mr Cooper also insisted the government postpone its resolution to borrow $320m to facilitate deficit
spending this fiscal year and implement appropriate alternative strategies. “We suspect this was mere posturing, optics, from the current administration with a plan to revise such a hefty downward outlook at the time of the midyear exercise to appear the saviour of the economy,” Mr Cooper noted. He added: “But such dangerous games are not suited for serious-minded governments to play. Governance is serious business. This government should focus, like the last, on using the revenue and spending control tools at its disposal to focus on reducing the deficit, not prefacing the year to come with such a burdensome level of debt without looking for cost savings and ways to increase revenue.”
PAGE 4, Wednesday, July 12, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
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Only Fox can give the heave-ho EVERYONE keeps talking about Donald Trump. There seems to be no end to conversation about the flamboyant chief executive, and on the rare occasion when something else – the latest North Korean missile test, a flood or other natural disaster, riots in Venezuela or elsewhere, ISIS horrors in the Middle East – distracts people from Trump, the 24-hour news cycle stirs up something new to return our focus to the US president. Often, Trump supplies the ammunition for the news cycle with his tweets. As outrageous as they seem, these tweets are the machinations of a master manipulator who understands their distractive value when his wobbly administration faces the latest disclosure on Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russia and the Trump electoral campaign. Germany’s Angela Merkel and others may be listening to Chinese sophistry on trade and strategy. Maybe they have all moved on from an America led by a nativist who seems to betray the free trade principles that were a Republican hallmark until Bill Clinton did NAFTA and stole their hallmark. Closer to home, Trump’s presidency increasingly resembles a stricken warship in a hostile combat zone. The establishment American press has its eye glued to its submarine’s periscope, calculating the torpedo kill shot that seems inevitable. Through it all, the president’s base holds firm. Disparaged by observers on both American coasts as the uneducated 35 per cent of irremediable “deplorables” who cannot see through Trump’s mirages, these supporters remain steadfast. The current situation does beg the question why these stalwarts seem to remain resistant to a wave of conventional wisdom that Trump is fundamentally bad for the US. As with many things, the answer lies mostly beyond Washington’s circumferential Beltway highway. It lies west of the Hudson River and even east of the Pacific coast mountain ranges. For the many Americans living off the coasts, Washington and the US federal government have long been a reality to be tolerated but mostly ignored. People have become well accustomed to national politics as a largely irrelevant distraction. While local news and opinion touches them literally where they live,
the Washington circus has become a form of entertainment. It is a sideshow. Federal activities in the capital have been like the weather: something to talk about, but what can you do about it? Shrug, offer an opinion maybe. Washington is like the dark side of the moon for many Americans. It is almost inconsequential to their daily lives. Enter Donald Trump as the American President, still only six months ago. His appeal to often-overlooked Middle America is certainly not unprecedented, but it is impressive. How is he doing it? Maybe Bob Leonard has the answer. He is the news director for a couple of local radio stations in eastern Iowa, serving among other communities the town of Pella, which has given its name to a well-known line of windows and doors for homes. Pella is also known for its pies. Leonard is a trained anthropologist who has often interviewed national political candidates when they make their quadrennial pilgrimage to Iowa in advance of the state’s early season presidential preference caucuses. Leonard writes occasionally for the New York Times web service, and offered a hearty dose of reality on that site recently. Here are some excerpts from Leonard’s take on Trump’s solid popularity among mostly conservative American voters who in the minds of establishment pundits should know better: “Here (in Iowa) conservatives celebrate the successes in Mr. Trump’s short time in office: a conservative Supreme Court justice (Neil Gorsuch) now seated; Mexico and Canada back to the (NAFTA) trading table; red tape cut; the EPA hamstrung; climate change nonsense tossed aside. (Trump has racked up) victory after victory in a battle for America’s soul.” “Trump is the leader in a cultural war. Liberals mock Christianity and demean Christian morals. Conservatives respect our police and military; liberals romanticise street thugs. Conservative tax dollars pay for public schools and colleges that indoctrinate liberal values.” Leonard concludes that only one political player can give conservatives and Republican office holders sufficient cover to move toward impeaching Trump if Mueller’s investigation reveals too much damaging evidence. “Only Fox TV,” he writes. “No one else has that power among conservative voters I know.”
What goes around... EDITOR, The Tribune. I RELY on the Fourth Estate to continue to keep some semblance of decency and honour in this country. We have seen in the past election that people were not free to exercise their God-given right, but there was a hush from those who should protect us from that happening. I usually do not like to offer my opinion about things political because we all know that Bahamians are not politically matured to be able to accept contrasting points of view, but right is right. We all must remember the humiliating “cut skin” that Hubert Ingraham endured in the 2012 General election. Needless to say, Ingraham did not in his wildest imagination believe he could be defeated. Never mind how he overspent the
Road Improvement Project by a whopping $100m. Never mind that he caused great hardship on the businesses in the areas where the roadworks were more pronounced. Ingraham’s behaviour was that he would lose a few seats, but he was “strong as a monkey’s tail”. Suffer it to be so, Ingraham and the FNM was shellacked. His ego was so deflated that he “break off running” into retirement. Upon his departure and as a former Prime Minister, the Christie Government, showed the greatest respect by making sure that Ingraham enjoyed the dignity accorded to his service and position. Ingraham was given an executive secretary, bodyguard, other staff, a car(s) and other perks deserving of his stature. These things was hurried by Christie to make sure Ingraham did
not skip a beat as far as maintaining his lifestyle. Today, on the 44th Celebration of Independence, July 10th, Mr Christie still has not received his “deserved pension” and “earned gratuity”, befitting of a former Prime Minister and a man who served in parliament for 40 years. Why has his staff not been paid and a vehicle that is policy not been issued? The election is over, and many FNM supporters have been asking for blood, but why should we, who have been elected, be seen to be cannibalistic in our actions. Ingraham never thought he would be defeated in 2012, but he was. There is an invaluable lesson to be learned from this. What goes around, comes across. LAURENE LOWE Nassau, July11, 2017
Minnis carries the UWI torch EDITOR, The Tribune. HOT on the heels of his impressive domestic policy roll-out here at home, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis cut his teeth in foreign policy recently when he represented us at a turbulent but comfortably familiar Caricom family reunion. In a very real sense, the Conference of Heads of Governments of the region that was held in Grenada was akin to an American style collegiate homecoming celebration where former students get together to celebrate a school’s existence and its accomplishments. Probably without realising it, Dr Minnis, a graduate of the University of the West Indies, added to a complement of no less than nine of the 13 Caricom Heads of Government who are alumni of UWI (UWee). The Prime Ministers of Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, St Kitts & Nevis and St. Vincent & the Grenadines as well as the President of Guyana, are all fellow Pelicans (UWI’s mascot). By all accounts, Dr Minnis acquitted himself exceedingly well. Showing his intuitive chops, he skilfully side-stepped the current brouhaha within Caricom over what to do about the deteriorating situation in Venezuela or the tempest in a teacup over the parlous state of West Indies cricket. The venue for this year’s Caricom meeting was the serene Grand Anse beach, the very spot where, 34 years ago, American troops landed during the US-led invasion of Grenada. This hallowed ground is where Minnis decided to extend the proverbial olive branch to the now 44-year-old Caricom. In public, Minnis steered clear of the current skirmishes, instead taking the
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net statesman’s high road, appealing to Caricom’s better angels to guide the organisation to its nobler true calling - serving the people of the Caribbean. It was his call to unity that few veterans expected from the junior member of this most exclusive of Caribbean clubs. A confident Minnis mixed it up with the best of them. Minnis sauntered into the meeting with the confidence of a man who had more political capital under his belt than most of the Prime Ministers there assembled. Where some Prime Ministers govern with as little as a one seat majority in their parliaments, Minnis enjoys a comfortable working majority at home and so he could back up his talk. He could have lectured the meeting about his electoral landslide. Or he could have bragged about Bahamian exceptionalism. But he did the opposite. He spoke to the hearts of all West Indians reminding them what is right about Caricom and how it is the best forum to advance a platform of Caribbean achievement and ingenuity. More than a few heads nodded in agreement as Minnis outlined a list of things that Caricom ought to be proud of – from sports to culture and the arts to the vibrancy of our diversity and the passion of our people. He made us all feel privileged to be Bahamian and proud to be in the West Indies. The West Indies doesn’t enjoy a high profile amongst some Bahamians until you lay out for them notable West Indian accomplishments. We are proud of the University of the West Indies for its almost 70 years
of educating Bahamians. We are proud of the peaceful assimilation into our society of literally tens of thousands of fellow West Indians. We make no apologies for the fact that if there is no Bahamian in a race, then our default position is to pull for the other West Indians over any other nationality. Usain Bolt runs for us almost as much as he runs for Jamaica. Machel Montano and the Mighty Sparrow might as well be from here for as often as their songs get played at our parties. Minnis batted for the home team while praising Caricom. He proudly quoted from us. He reminded delegates of our geography. He shared with them our tourism experience. He “big up we culture” by implying that junkanoo is an integral part of the rhythm of the Caribbean. As a UWI man, Dr Minnis brings a certain insight into the Caribbean. Sir Lynden Pindling spoke eloquently about Caricom. Hubert Ingraham embraced Caricom and engaged his colleagues. Perry Christie abrogated his Caricom responsibilities to Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell except for those occasions when he needed to profile or babble. Minnis proved that on all levels he empathises with the people. He brought passion. He brought style and he brought humility. Sixty-eight years ago, as was the custom in academia, UWI adopted as its motto Oriens Ex Occidente Lux (Light Rising from the West). Minnis knows a thing or two about carrying a torch. He didn’t let UWI down last week in Grenada. And he lifted us all up in the process. THE GRADUATE Nassau, July 11, 2017.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, July 12, 2017, PAGE 5
July 18 date announced for extra security on US flights By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net THE Nassau Airport Development Company yesterday confirmed plans to implement enhanced security measures for all commercial flights to the United States as of Tuesday, July 18. A statement issued on Tuesday called for travellers to the US to arrive an estimated three hours ahead of their departure times and said those travelling with electronics larger than a cell phone in carry on or checked luggage should expect more strin-
gent screening measures. This statement comes after an announcement by US Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly last month about enhanced security measures for international flights into the US. NAD’s statement read: “The Bahamas and 104 other countries globally are impacted by these new security measures. The enhanced security measures include but are not limited to: enhancing overall passenger screening; conducting heightened screening of personal electronic devices; increasing security protocols around aircraft
and in passenger areas and deploying advanced technology, expanding canine screening, and establishing additional pre-clearance locations globally. “As a result of the new measures, the travelling public is reminded to arrive three hours ahead of time for US bound flights. It is important to note that persons travelling through LPIA with electronic devices larger than a cell phone — for example laptop computers or tablets — as carry on or checked luggage are advised that these devices could require further security screening.
“The [US] Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are working with local aviation stakeholders to ensure these enhanced security measures are fully implemented.” NAD said it expects the majority of these changes at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) will fall under the purview of the Airport Authority (AA) and the airlines that service US destinations. According to NAD, the AA is the entity responsible for security at LPIA, and as the airport’s main operator, NAD will work closely with
AA and the airlines to support the implementation of the changes and the passenger experience at LPIA. NAD insisted these enhanced security measures will help to secure all commercial flights departing Bahamian airports that serve as last points of departure to the United States. Passengers are asked to stay connected to the airport and their airlines with social media for important updates. Additionally, LPIA will also post updates on its website associated with any further changes. Last Tuesday, Minister of
Tourism and Aviation Dionisio D’Aguilar said the government was considering a significant investment in the aviation industry as it looks to bring the country’s airports in accordance with new security screening measures. He further indicated that equipment upgrades could cost the country $50,000 to $75,000 per apparatus, per airport. In addition to New Providence, Abaco, Exuma, Grand Bahama and Eleuthera, there are occasional direct flights from the US into Long Island, San Salvador and Bimini.
MAN JAILED FOR 13 MONTHS OVER DRUG POSSESSION
MARINE JAILED OVER ILLEGAL FIREARM
By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
LLOYD CARL JOHNSON, 24. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
A MARINE, who pleaded guilty to firearm and drug related offences, was sent to prison for 15 months yesterday by a magistrate who told him that he should have known better. Lloyd Carl Johnson, 24, reappeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes nearly a week after his initial arraignment on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of ammunition and possession of dangerous drugs concerning an arrest on July 2. It was alleged that he was found with a silver and black coloured Millennium Taurus 9mm pistol and seven live rounds of ammunition for the weapon without having a licence or certificate to possess them. He was also alleged to have been found with a quantity of Indian hemp. He pleaded guilty to all three offences at his July 5 arraignment. His lawyers, Tai Pinder and Lillith Smith-Mackey, had asked the court to defer sentencing pending a psychiatric report, as Johnson allegedly had been previously treated at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre. In yesterday’s hearing, Deputy Chief Magistrate Forbes said he had received documentation verifying that Johnson had an incident in 2014 warranting his detention at the SRC. Johnson’s lawyer called
Samuel Pinder, pastor of St John’s Native Baptist church, as a character witness. “I’ve known him all his life. Mr Johnson was dedicated as an infant to St John’s Native Baptist Church. He was nurtured by the church, participated in the Boy’s Brigade and his mother is a deaconess in the church. “She makes every effort to be a godly example for her son,” the minister said. The witness also described Johnson as an “intelligent young man who was involved in youth ministries.” Ms Pinder, in her mitigation plea, said that based on the minister’s testimony, “this seems out of character for Mr Johnson.” “We all make mistakes and although this is a grave one, he has accepted responsibility,” the lawyer said. “He was previously employed at the (Royal Bahamas) Defence Force and recently left his position without being discharged. He was experiencing problems on the job and refused to return to the job notwithstanding intervention by concerned personnel. “He has not wasted the court’s time and he’s expressed to me that he regrets his actions. He’s taken responsibility for the drugs and firearm. He has no previous convictions. “We’re asking the court
to exercise some leniency as he is still young, redeemable and not a career criminal,” the lawyer concluded. In formally accepting Johnson’s plea as unequivocal and formally convicting him of the three offences, the deputy chief magistrate acknowledged the character evidence and mitigation plea on Johnson’s behalf. “The court does note that he suffered some mental issue in 2014 although it is not clear whether that extended into 2017,” the deputy chief magistrate added. The judge expressed concern that young men were continuing to find themselves in possession of a handguns. “Mr Johnson being a defence force officer, he is certainly trained in the use of a firearm and he ought to know better,” the magistrate added. Johnson was sentenced to 15 months at the Department of Correctional Services on both the possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition, which were ordered to run concurrently. Concerning the drugs, he was fined $300. Johnson still faces a charge of armed robbery concerning a separate matter. That matter is scheduled to be transferred to the Supreme Court on July 31 through the presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment.
A MAN who admitted to having custo dy o f illegal drugs was sentenced yesterday to 13 months at the Department o f Correctional Services. Andre Hines, 34, appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes facing a charge o f possession o f dangero us drugs with intent to supply which was bro ught under Section 22(1) o f the Dangero us Drugs Act. It was alleged that he, on Friday, July 7, being concerned with ano ther, was fo und in possession o f a quantity o f dangero us drugs – Indian hemp – with intent to supply to ano ther. Hines, alias “Yardy,” pleaded guilty to the charge.
Aro und 6.30am on the date in question, Drug Enforcement Unit o fficers went to a residence on Spikenard Ro ad with a search warrant for suspected drugs and/or illegal firearms. A search o f the home led to the disco very o f fo ur packages o f suspected marijuana in a backpack in a closet in the home, five packages in a clo thes hamper and an additional small quantity underneath a television stand. Hines admitted the drugs were his, police prosecutor ASP Clifford Daxon told the co urt. The to tal weight o f the drugs was 10 po unds. Hines’ lawyer, Ian Cargill, said his client admitted possession o f the drugs from the o utset as he was do ing so in co urt. He also had no anteced-
ents, Mr Cargill added. The lawyer said his client worked in masonry and claimed he was holding the drugs for a friend. He asked the co urt no t to mo ve to an immediate custo dial sentence, but instead to impose a fine. The deputy chief magistrate ackno wledged the mitigation plea made by Mr Cargill, but no ted that given the amo unt o f drugs involved, he co uld no t o blige his request to impose a fine. Instead, the deputy chief magistrate sent Hines to prison for 13 months.
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PAGE 6, Wednesday, July 12, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
MAN KILLED IN DRIVE-BY SHOOTING from page one
Officer-in-charge of the Central Detective Unit, Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash, said officers are on the hunt for “up to four men” they believe were involved in the murder. “We are still in the early stages of our investigation but I can tell you that we have some leads we are following,” Chief Supt Cash said. “What we do know is shortly after noon, the victim was on Fowler Street, off East Street sitting in an open yard with a group of people when a black Nissan Teana drove past in a westerly direction. The car turned around, heading east, and a lone gunman got out of the vehicle on the rear passenger side. He was armed with a handgun and shot the victim before getting back into the vehicle and speeding off in an unknown direction. No one else was hurt during the shooting. The victim was taken to hospital by a private vehicle, where he died of his injuries shortly after his arrival. We are following some leads, but we need the public’s help to solve this crime.” Police have not identified the victim but The Tribune understands he is Levardo Sherman Deveaux Thompson. Anyone with information on this homicide is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS. Last month, Minister of National Security Marvin Dames said the FNM would start rolling out its new crime plan “with immediate effect,” but cautioned that there will not be a “quick fix” to the high levels of crime. He did not specify what these initiatives will be. At the time, Mr Dames said he was in the process, along with the executive team of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), of examining how to best utilise RBPF officers and resources.
THE UNVEILING of the BPL sign earlier this year. Investigators now believe the thefts at the company have reached the $7m mark.
BPL theft haul soars to $7m from page one “They (the auditors) removed all of the hard drives last week and copied them. I mean hard drives from everyone’s computers, all the managers, all their assistants, everyone’s computer is being checked to make sure nothing is being missed,” the source said. Last week, several managers attached to a depart-
ment at BPL were placed on leave. At the time, Mr Bannister stressed the action was not an “indictment” on the employees, but said the auditors needed “full access” to all BPL files without interference by the staff. Mr Bannister would not say how many persons were sent home, but The Tribune understands the three senior officers were suspended. “This does not mean they
are guilty of anything, we have to wait until we see the full report,” Mr Bannister told The Tribune. “We have hired persons that are highly experienced and very thorough because we want the answers as to what happened. I told the board that this is not political and I wanted them to use their best judgment and to follow the advice of the auditors. I want them to be able to do what they feel
is best so there will be no interference from me whatsoever. “There is no politics in this at all. Wherever this investigation leads us, that is what we will do.” Mr Bannister said he is unsure how long the investigation will take, but added: “We have to be careful not to put time limits on their work.” In late June, the administration building at BPL’s Big Pond office was shut down to staff and customers
HEALTH HQ NOT FIT FOR WORKERS from page one
working conditions on the National Insurance Board (NIB), which owns the building, charging that the mould infestation was
caused by “shabby work” by NIB’s private contractors. The mould infestation, Mr Pinder said at the time, had been lingering for over two years, despite an assessment from the Ministry of Environment advising that
the matter should be dealt with promptly. Yesterday, Dr Sands confirmed that the Ministry of Health was still plagued with the same challenges, which he said has created “hardships” in his ministry. Dr Sands said officials conducted an exercise in which they sent civil servants home for four hours a day, five days a week. He said the end result was that “thus far, the lost productivity to the people of The Bahamas has been in excess of $150,000”. “That doesn’t include the public service side,” he said. “That doesn’t take into account what happens when certain important matters are delayed and so on and so forth. But you cannot insist that human beings (be) subjected to these things, these kinds of conditions indefinitely. And so we have sought to move as quickly as possible to get the matter resolved.” He added: “Bear in mind this building is owned by
NIB. We happen to be tenants in this building. And as such the maintenance contracts for these things are not under the control of my ministry, they are under the control of the National Insurance Board. And we have been challenged to get action in a timely fashion. “So yes, the Bahamian people are not getting ideal productivity from this ministry, because for weeks now we’ve had to have staff go home for half day because the working conditions are significantly less than optimal. Many people have soldiered on despite and I must express my personal gratitude to them for their commitment. “But the infrastructure of this particular building is less than ideal. Now there are certain staff members who have continued to work despite, you know they bear the heat, they bear the aggravation and inconvenience. But it is difficult to demand that the line staff subject themselves to that
over a weekend, while the audit was being carried out. According to a source close to the matter, the offices were closed to allow “full access” to Ernst and Young auditors to investigate the millions of dollars that have allegedly been “stolen” from the company. The source also said that the Ernst and Young auditors were flown in from an office in the United States to conduct the investigation.
type of hardship.” When asked by The Tribune if plans are underway to remediate the subpar state of affairs at his ministry, Dr Sands said a “high level person” from NIB toured the facility last week “with a view to personally inspect the challenges,” and that it would be at least another week before the air conditioner is repaired. “We have been advised that there will be some major work being done to the chiller,” he added. “The prime minister has made it very clear that this matter will be addressed and I’m sure it is in significant part due to his intervention that we are making some headway on this matter. “…So all of these things will be resolved. I think you have to appreciate the challenge of subjecting persons to this type of environment. But going through the appropriate persons with responsibility, they now have a commitment to get it resolved.”
ABACO BEARS BRUNT OF POWER BLACKOUTS By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net ABACO residents, fed up with having to contend with frequent power cuts, have in some cases been without electricity for more than 24 hours at a time over the past several weeks. When contacted for comment, Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU) President Paul Maynard called the frequent power outages in Abaco “disgraceful” and “unacceptable” as he urged Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) to “overhaul the island’s protection system,” which he claims has not been upgraded in 25 years. His comments came after another power cut in Abaco that, he said, lasted nearly two days in some areas. A spokesperson for BPL told The Tribune that a system fault, in addition to a car accident caused the most recent outage and said the utility provider is working “to eliminate the frequent power cuts on the island.” Meanwhile, Mr Maynard said the system in Abaco is so outdated and fragile that if someone happens to knock down one pole, the entire island will shut down.
“The transformer on the mainland that feeds Green Turtle Cay went down and when it did, it caused the power station to trip and the whole island went down,” he said. “When they finally found out what was wrong, it took crews up to 30 hours in some areas to get the issue fixed. So persons went down Saturday morning and did not come back up in some cases until late Sunday, even Monday. Then to make matters worse, when the power came up in some areas, a car knocked a pole and it tripped the island off again. We need a new protection system, it needs to be overhauled. We need a new study done because the minute something happens, instead of the trip being isolated to the nearest switch, the entire station shuts down. We have not had a protection system done since 1991 and it is sickening. They had no power the whole weekend, who does that to people? This cannot continue in New Providence and in Abaco.” Abaco residents expressed their disgust on BPL’s Facebook page with some persons calling for a march to Parliament against the company. Timothy Roberts, an Abaco resident and a journalist, told The Tribune that
the past few weeks have been unbearable and the frequent outages are also affecting the island’s tourism industry. “It has been really bad for the last two to three weeks. There has been a particular issue in Green Turtle Cay, but we get sparse, vague information from BPL about what is going on. We were told last week that it was a control system issue that caused the last outage and it was a miserable three days without power. Then on Saturday there was an outage that lasted a few hours and then the power went out again after midnight and the power was on and off into most of Monday. “In Green Turtle Cay, there has also been issues. In Coco Cay, where there are second home rentals, people left because they could not find a place that had generators. The water goes with the electricity for places, so persons could not bathe. There are larger issues in Abaco and people are frustrated.” Last month, Works Minister Desmond Bannister said he has “serious concerns” with BPL’s ability to “keep the lights on this summer.” At the time, he said he is already “looking at new, alternative ways” of producing energy, including solar.
PAGE 8, Wednesday, July 12, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
Tackling the abuse of online harassment
“Talkin’ to people bad” is the Bahamian way. That’s what they want us to believe. We play into the narrative that to be Bahamian is to be abrasive, rude, and condescending without second thought, apology, or recompense. We imagine that adulthood gives us the right to say and do as we wish with no consideration to the impact we have on other people. A “Christian nation,” we spin, bend, and reshape scripture until it tells us what we want to hear. We convince ourselves that it is our job to give people what they deserve. We cut their skin, we hit their car, we vote them out, we embarrass them on Facebook. In our minds, there is justification for this. There is righteousness in this. Vengeance is ours. We are doing The Lord’s work. Right? Online harassment is seldom discussed as it is generally viewed as a minor issue, its impact ignored and trivialised by most. Taking various forms, online harassment is a growing beast, used to disempower, embarrass, and defame people. When discussed, whether it affects a celebri-
ty or a community member, too much attention is put on the personality, politeness, and profession of the victim. Many are quick to search for reasons to justify the attack and blame the victim for the harassment they experience and its subsequent effects. Most recently, Blac Chyna and Rob Kardashian have entered the headlines, dominating online conversations for days after Rob posted nude photos of her on Instagram. Public dialogue centred around Blac Chyna’s career as a stripper, perceptions about her reason for being in a relationship with Rob, and the amount of money Rob spent on her. It is telling that people are more interested in excusing Rob’s behaviour, using Blac Chyna’s behaviour to somehow cancel out Rob’s, or painting Blac Chyna as the villain in this situation than seeing online harassment for what it is — abuse. As a human being, Blac Chyna — like all women and all adults — has bodily autonomy. This means she can strip. This means she can be a sex worker. This means she can take photos
BLAC CHYNA, right, and her attorney Lisa Bloom smile at a news conference outside a courthouse on Monday, July 10, 2017, in Los Angeles. A court commissioner has granted Chyna a temporary restraining order against her former fiancee, reality television star Rob Kardashian, right. Photo: Jae C. Hong/AP and videos of herself in all ally explicit images by a forstates of dress. This means mer sexual partner for the she can share those photos purpose of embarrassment. and videos with people of It was the distribution of her own choosing. These images Blac Chyna did not are her rights. You, too, can intend for public consumpdo all of these things. May- tion. Using her work hisbe you do. You may even do tory as justification of Rob’s one or more of these things actions is both ridiculous without realising it. None and counterintuitive. If of these things makes Blac Blac Chyna’s body and the Chyna (or you) deserving of ways she provides access to it is a means of incomeonline harassment. Rob’s Instagram post was generation, why are Rob’s revenge porn — the non- actions not recognised as consensual sharing of sexu- theft? Why would he not be sued for loss of potential income? This happens in cases of copyright infringement and intellectual property disputes, so why not with the body? In any case, the act is classified as revenge porn. Revenge porn — a form of abuse — is illegal in California, and Blac Chyna has since been granted a restraining order. Instagram responded by suspending his account. These two consequences are a validation of the real impact of revenge porn and other forms of online harassment. We need to understand online harassment as abuse, a crime, and the cause of emotional distress and, potentially, professional ruin, for those experiencing it. We have to be able to separate personality from the details of criminal acts. When we start to respect people’s bodily autonomy, we may finally be able to talk to our children about consent. We may be able to help young people recognise early signs of abusive relationships, and create an environment where they can report incidents without fear of being blamed or ridiculed. When we are able to see sexual violence as a spectrum, from harassment to rape,
we may be able to address it at multiple levels — not just enforcing punishment, but implementing effective preventative measures. Online harassment has many faces. It is not always sexual in nature. It can seem innocuous at the start, and build to become a scary, damaging, embarrassing experience. At a time when so much of our national dialogue lives on social media, it is important that we are considerate in our communication with others, especially those we do not know personally. Divergent points of view should not lead us to participate in hate speech, threaten, or defame others. There are ways to disagree respectfully without losing “stripes” or the argument. Even more, there is a responsibility to intervene when we witness online harassment. The intervention may not be of the Sermon on the Mount variety, but should be a visible form of support for the person being attacked, and a clear message to the attacker that their behaviour is being monitored and is condoned
or welcomed in the space. If you see someone sharing sexually explicit images or videos without consent of the people depicted, report it to the platform and to the Royal Bahamas Police Force Cyber Crime Unit. If you know the person, take the opportunity to tell them to delete the post because it is a form of abuse and a crime, and there is no excuse for it. If you see other forms of online harassment, say something to the harasser. The experience of online harassment is compounded when people standby in silence, failing to rebuke the asinine behaviour of the harassers. There are many ways to intervene. You can be direct and speak to the harassers on the post, in their inbox, or in person. You could also ask someone with a better relationship to the harassers to address the issue. If you are not comfortable with any of these options, check in with the person experiencing harassment. Knowing someone sees it, knows it’s wrong, and supports you makes a big difference.
PAGE 10, Wednesday, July 12, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
We cannot correct the ship of state in a blame game
YOUR SAY By ALFRED SEARS, QC I CAUTION the Minnis government that “official statements” of ministers, unlike statements of candidates during the general election campaign, can have negative legal consequences, talk down the economy and undermine the national interests of The Bahamas. Moody’s announced, on June 6, 2017, that “official statements” that The Bahamas’ position was weaker than previously estimated and debt ratios will continue to worsen over the coming years had prompted it to review for downgrade the Baa3 bond and issuer rating of government of The Bahamas. Surely, Moody’s proposed review for downgrade of The Bahamas was prompted, amongst other things, by the official statements in the budget communication presented by the minister of finance during the budget debate on May 31, 2017. In that budget communication, the first ten pages contain an unprecedented partisan defence of the 2007–2012 Ingraham FNM government’s alleged achievements and the Christie PLP government’s alleged fail-
ALFRED SEARS ures between 2012–2017. The communication asserts that “the fiscal situation in the current fiscal year is far bleaker than we could ever have imagined”. “Our predecessors have literally left us with a cupboard that is bare.” The minister of finance stated the $100m GFS deficit forecasted 12 months ago was now expected to be around $500m or five times more than forecasted; a shortfall of $216m in the recurrent revenue collections; a $400m slippage in the GFS deficit; the recurrent expenditure during the year amounted to some $137m more than had been forecasted; with $21m increase in debt redemption and $27m more in higher interest payments on gov-
INDEPENDENCE celebrations in Grand Bahama.
ernment debt; and with total government direct debt of $6.5bn, or 71.5 per cent of GDP. Clearly, the unintended consequences of the accusatory context of the “official statements” on the Bahamian economy during the budget debate, without any careful blueprint for an aggressive growth strategy, prompted Moody’s review to downgrade the bond and issuer ratings of The Bahamas. However, Moody’s made it quite clear that a further downgrade will depend on “the likelihood of stabilisation of the government’s debt ratios over the coming years”. Further, Moody’s states that its review “will examine whether the debt trend is likely to continue to deteriorate, or whether the macroeconomic and policy conditions that would support the stabilisation of the government’s debt metrics are likely to crystalise”. Bottom line: a further downgrade will depend on how successful the government will be in maintaining fiscal discipline and crafting and implementing a growth strategy to reverse the current unsustainable trajectory over the next five years. This is no time to engage in a blame game, this
Photos: Derek Carroll
CELEBRATIONS IN FREEPORT FOR 44TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE need for unity among all Bahamians was stressed by Baptist minister Rev Dr Elvis Burrows during his sermon at the country’s 44th independence celebrations at Independence Park in Freeport. “We must recognise (we are) one people are living in one Bahamas,” he said. “There is an urgent call for us as a nation to become one people again. This is a serious call for us to strive for national unity as a people.” Rev Burrows, the pastor of Central Zion Baptist Church, said the country is struggling in the area of unity, even in the church. “We must work towards unity for the survival of our nation. If we see ourselves as Bahamian, why after 44 years as a free, sovereign independent nation, we still label (ourselves) - we are not Grand Bahamians, white Bahamians, naturalised Bahamians, Haitian Bahamians, and Jamaican Bahamians - we are Bahamians. “I know it is important as a nation that we must keep records, but we should not...label and discriminate against fellow citizens, regardless of the process by which they have obtained Bahamian status,” he said. Rev Burrows said Bahamians are too often at war with each other and one only needs to read the newspapers and watch the news to see this. “We will never achieve oneness until a greater majority of our people feel that they have equal opportunity toward what this country has to offer; we will never achieve oneness in
The Bahamas when basic opportunities are denied to the best and brightest, and who for survival seek the same opportunities in foreign lands.” He explained that the culture of caring and being concerned for one another had been replaced by hatred, selfishness, and lack of love. “That love is replaced by materialism and greed. I submit that this slowly emerging trend is one of the catalysts behind the rising subculture of crime and lawlessness, and if something is not done soon we are headed for bigger problems,’ warned Rev Burrows. “But if we have God on our side, no matter how bad it gets there is never an excuse for crime and violence.”
Referring to the theme of this year’s independence celebrations, Rev Burrows said that it is time for Bahamians to reset and refocus themselves, and begin to move in a direction that the country’s ancestors started some 44 years ago. The celebration Sunday night was filled with cultural and inspirational songs, dance and exciting performances. One of the highlights of the evening was the procession of the various law enforcement branches. Deputy Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest, MP for East Grand Bahama, conducted the inspection of the guard ceremony. At midnight, a spectacular fireworks display left Bahamians in awe as the country entered its 44th year of independence.
is a time to get down to the serious business of growing the Bahamian economy and shifting the development paradigm in a more sustainable direction. The government of The Bahamas, with an open economy in crisis and dependent on international confidence, does not have the luxury to engage in any further loose talk. The obligations of the government of The Bahamas are continuous, irrespective of change in political parties, therefore confidence in the capacity of the state should never be compromised for partisan political consideration. Cautionary examples from our past should have taught us to avoid such loose talk from government officials. For example, in March 2008 then Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, in the House of Assembly, while criticising the Christie administration with respect to the concessions that it had granted to the Baha Mar project, expressed doubt Baha Mar had the $400m in equity financing that it and its principals, Darkis and Sarkis Izmirlian, had committed to and whether it would meet the March 2009 deadline for fulfilling its heads of agreement com-
mitment. Two days later, Harrah’s Entertainment backed out of a joint venture with Baha Mar. Bahamian government leaders do not have the luxury to talk-down the Bahamian economy or engage in emotive partisan declarations which undermine the confidence of multilateral bodies, rating agencies and the local and international investors. The general election campaign is over. Now is the time for the government to cease and desist from the constant allegations of misfeasance, abuse and corruption by the previous government officials and focus its attention on solving shifting our development paradigm to a more sustainable economic model. Moody’s announcement should signal to us that we cannot squander the opportunity to correct the ship of state in a blame game. Stafford Sands demonstrated in the early 1960s when he invited the then leader of the PLP, Henry Milton Taylor, to join him on several trips to Europe to promote year-round tourism and financial services in The Bahamas, that the successful shift of a development paradigm requires innovation, creativ-
ity and bipartisan cooperation. The Bahamas has not added a substantive sector to the economy since. To expand the productive sectors of the Bahamian economy requires all hands on deck! All patriotic Bahamians want the public resources of The Bahamas to be used solely for the public good and not personal aggrandisement by public officials. Any information relating to misfeasance, corruption and wrongdoing by public officials in previous administrations should be turned over to the able attorney general to be investigated and pursued either in a commission of inquiry, civil action for misfeasance or criminal prosecution. Let the chips fall where they may. In the meantime, stop the loose talk, get on with the serious business of governing, reversing the current unsustainable trajectory and growing the economy. We all have a stake in the success of this undertaking. • Alfred Sears, QC, is a former minister of education and attorney general. He represented the Fort Charlotte constituency for the Progressive Liberal Party from 2002-2012.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, July 12, 2017, PAGE 11
SOME of the trash that residents have complained about in the area of Hay Street and Honeycombe Street.
RESIDENTS ISSUE THE CALL TO CLEAN UP OUR STREETS RESIDENTS of East Street have complained about mounds of unsightly trash left indiscriminately in their area, as they claimed that calls to environmental health officials have fallen on deaf ears. The Tribune was told by residents who live near Hay Street and Honeycombe Street that a virtual dump-
ing ground has appeared in the area, creating an environmental hazard and eyesore. When this newspaper visited the area, trash, an abandoned car and other debris were seen uncollected. Residents are appealing to the relevant authorities to clean up the area.
Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff