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VOLUME:114 No.167, JULY 24TH, 2017
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SPORTS: THE BAHAMAS SHINES IN YOUTH GAMES
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Davis lashes out over PLP arrests Letter to Minnis asks for meeting
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
OPPOSITION Leader Philip “Brave” Davis wrote a strongly worded letter to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis last week regarding criminal probes into Progressive Liberal Party politicians, warning: “When you set out to dig a grave for your enemy, dig two.” The letter, which was written on July 18 and has since been leaked to the press, highlights Mr Davis’ frustrations with the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s (RBPF) anti-corruption investigations. Calling investigations like the one into former Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly Dion Smith an “abuse of power,”
Mr Davis warned: “When such abuses of power occur, the offending parties, be they police officers or politicians, need to understand that there will come a day of reckoning for them as well. “What goes around, comes around. And let me hasten to add that that is not a threat. It is an immutable law of the moral universe, one that is sometimes expressed in these words: when you set out to dig a grave for your enemy, dig two. “Those who are committing these abuses should therefore understand they cannot do so with impunity. To use your own words: where you do wrong and abuse your position, there are consequences.” SEE PAGE SIX
COMMONWEALTH GOLD FOR MIXED RELAY TEAM
TWO officers caught on video riding in a police squad car, one holding a bottle of Kalik while they appeared to ignore a call from the Police Control Room, have been suspended, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean said yesterday. In the video which went viral Saturday, the officers
appeared to drive without seatbelts on and they ignored a call from the control room because as one said, they were “f****** getting drunk”. “Police wish to notify members of the public that disciplinary action has commenced against two police officers of the RBPF shown in a controversial video that recently went viral on social media,” Senior ACP Dean said. SEE PAGE THREE
STAFF FACE 3-MONTH LAYOFF AS RIU CLOSES
By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
MORE than 100 employees at the Riu Palace hotel are expected to retain their jobs notwithstanding a three-month $25m renovation scheduled to begin today which will require the property to close its doors temporarily. In a statement released yesterday, Labour Minister Dion Foulkes said that his ministry and the Paradise Island hotel held discussions with the interested parties to ensure the rights and best interests of the hotel’s employees were secured. SEE PAGE SIX
DOCTORS HIT BY NHI PAY HOLD-UPS By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net MINISTER of Health Dr Duane Sands yesterday admitted that doctors’ complaints about not being paid by National Health Insurance are “unlikely to be the last” issue revealed about the scheme’s woes. Dr Sands told Tribune Business that private doctors who had signed-up to provide services to NHI’s 25,000-plus beneficiaries were “another potential casualty” of the Christie administration’s haste to roll-out the scheme as a preelection ‘vote grabbing’ tool. The Minister reiterated that the failure to fully implement the NHI Act and its governance structure meant the scheme lacked a lawful basis to make any payments whatsoever.
OFFICERS SUSPENDED OVER BOOZE VIDEO By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
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FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS GOLDEN MOMENT: Members of the Bahamas’ gold-medal winning 4x200 metre mixed relay team Shaquiel Higgs, Tylar Lightbourne, Kayvon Stubbs and Denvaughn Whymns - show off their medals won yesterday on the final day of the 6th Commonwealth Youth Games at the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium. See Sports for more - and closing ceremony photographs on page five. Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS
POLICE SWAMPING STREETS TO STAMP OUT KILLINGS By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
POLICE are actively investigating the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting of a man in Pinewood Gardens over the weekend. According to initial reports, the victim was shot in the area of Buttonwood
Street and Silk Cotton Street. Police were on the scene shortly after 6pm on Saturday. When contacted for further information yesterday, Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash told The Tribune officers had no motive for the killing. It marked the 78th homicide for the year, according to The Tribune’s records,
and the fifth murder last week. “We’re following some leads but we haven’t been able to determine a motive for the incident at this time as it is still early in the investigation stage. But we are actively investigating this matter,” the head of the Central Detective Unit said. SEE PAGE THREE
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Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
ATLANTIS WARNS GUESTS AFTER CYBER ATTACK A RECENT data security incident “may have compromised” the security of payment information of some customers who used debit or credit cards at food and beverage and retail locations at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island between November 1, 2016 and April 3, 2017, the hotel said. The luxury resort said it has engaged professionals “who have corrected the issue and customers can now safely use their credit and debit cards at the food and beverage and retail locations” at the property. SEE PAGE 13
PAGE 2, Monday, July 24, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
Baton tours The Bahamas
THE QUEEN’s Baton continued its journey during the Commonwealth Youth Games through New Providence on Sunday morning. At a church service at New Covenant Baptist Church, Senior Pastor Rev Trajean Jadorette gave blessings as the baton was held by Commonwealth Youth Games Organizing Committee chairman Wellington Miller. Later, during Sunday’s cycling tourney, Bahamian cyclist Mark Holowesko was pictured, top, holding the baton. Photos: Patrick Hanna/BIS
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THE TRIBUNE
Monday, July 24, 2017, PAGE 3
Officers suspended over booze video
IN these screenshots taken from a cellphone video, officers are seen driving with a bottle of Kalik and seemingly ignoring a call from the control room. from page one “At 11am this morning (Sunday) Commissioner Greenslade suspended both officers from duty and restricted their privileges. Both officers were given 14 days to show cause letters. This allows due process and natural justice. Police Commissioner Greenslade will make a final decision on
both officers once he receivers their written responses in hand.” Over the weekend the video, which was viewed and shared thousands of times on Facebook, prompted widespread condemnation and calls for the men to be fired. Key details, such as when the video was recorded, were not known up to press time. However, the video appeared to be recorded by
THE BODY is taken from the scene at Boyd Road. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
POLICE SWAMPING STREETS TO STAMP OUT KILLINGS from page one
Police said the victim was cleaning a car when two male occupants of a Suzuki Swift car, armed with handguns, approached and shot him before leaving the scene. The victim’s identification has been withheld by police pending identification of next of kin. However, loved ones on social media have identified him as Everette “Lil Lloyd” Rolle. “This one hit home tonight,” a friend wrote on Facebook. “We’ll miss you so much Lil Lloyd. One thing I can say is that you were always sweet and respectful. From we were kids you always had people enticed by your smile. This one really hit home.” Saturday’s incident occurred a day after police were called to the scene of a fatal shooting near the Oakes Field roundabout. According to police reports, shortly before 4pm Friday, two women and a man had just left a fast food eatery near the Oakes Field roundabout, when two men armed with handguns approached their vehicle and fired several shots before fleeing on foot. Alert police officers on routine patrol nearby gave chase after the two suspects, but were unable to catch them.
The driver of the vehicle was able to drive to Boyd Road where the victim was pronounced dead. Police confirmed that the victim was on bail and was being electronically monitored. Chief Supt Cash also told this newspaper yesterday the police do have a person of interest in custody assisting the investigation, but said it was too early to determine if and when charges could be filed. Police also said a man is in hospital after he was shot around 1am Sunday. He was attending a party at a home in Pride Estates when a gunman shot him and fled the area on foot. The victim is in stable condition. Meanwhile, on Friday, a woman was shot while driving on Blue Hill Road south. According to reports, shortly after 7.30pm, the woman was driving in her Toyota car, when a man fired several shots at another man whom he was chasing. The woman was hit in the incident and taken to hospital for medical treatment. Investigations into all three incidents are continuing and anyone with information is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328TIPS.
COURT CASE CORRECTION IN Friday’s edition of The Tribune, it was erroneously reported in a headline on page five that Dino Nixon was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court for a recent killing in Fox Hill. The Tribune would like
to clarify that Nixon, 20, was arraigned last Thursday for the murder of Kalif Adderley, which occurred in the area of Third Street in Coconut Grove and not in Fox Hill. The Tribune apologises for this error.
the driver on his cellphone who said in the expletive laden recording: “Don’t send this video out you know.” For many observers, the video and what it captures was the latest incident to cast some law enforcement officers in a negative light. In recent weeks, several prison and defence force officers have been arrested and have faced drugs and
weapons related charges before the courts. On Saturday, Commissioner Greenslade, who is said to be on vacation, responded to a posting of the video on Twitter, saying: “This is being investigated as I text.” Meanwhile, a man on Facebook claimed the video was part of an “incomplete movie” he is creating. However when asked about this claim, police did
not comment and referred The Tribune to the RBPF’s earlier press release on the matter. Commissioner Greenslade has, in the past, spoken about dismissing officers from the force. Earlier this year he said during a press conference that he fired 13 police officers in 2016 for misconduct and betrayal of the public’s trust. “Again this year I had
to send home what I call a significant number of rogue police officers, and I make no apologies for that,” he said at the time. “Thirteen officers who were frauds in my view wore our uniform under false pretenses with criminal ideas, behaved in an unethical fashion, ceased to become efficient police officers and betrayed my trust and the public’s trust.”
PAGE 4, Monday, July 24, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
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Cleophas Adderley achieved his grandfather’s dreams FIFTY-SEVEN years ago, Christ Church Cathedral was filled with Bahamians from all walks of life — among them the leading citizens of the town — to pay tribute to a humble tailor considered by many to be the wisest man in town. On Saturday, the same cathedral was again filled with family, friends, students and admirers of his grandson, who was honoured by a grateful country with a State funeral in recognition of the cultural contributions he has made to his homeland. Cleophas Adderley, OBE, was only five years old when his much respected grandfather died. Robert Melvin (RM) Bailey would have considered his life well lived to have been blessed with such an illustrious grandson, who brought music and discipline together to introduce magical harmony and beauty of rhythm from The Bahamas to many of the world’s concert halls. It is interesting to compare the times in which these two talented men lived. Grandson Cleophas and his generation, could aspire to achieve the almost impossible. Not so Cleophas’ grandfather. Born so soon after slavery, RM Bailey’s own father felt that the family could not be seen to be reaching too far beyond their station if they wanted to survive. The problem was that young RM had dreams loftier than his family’s station. His father was a carpenter, and his mother, a seamstress. RM was the second son of nine children born in Barbados. He was an outstanding student who had won a scholarship to study law. That presented a major problem for RM’s father who believed that if his son studied law with the sons of his wealthy clients — the clients would believe the Baileys had independent means – and as a result Bailey, the carpenter, would lose business. Instead, RM was sent to Codrington College, where he studied the Classics — not only Greek and Latin, but also music. His instrument was the violin — and like grandson, Cleophas, he was a talented musician. However, while Cleophas, lived in a time in which he could and did become a lawyer by profession, his grandfather became a tailor by trade. While in Jamaica at the age of 24, RM Bailey heard that a hotel was being built in Nassau — the Colonial Hotel. With such activity, he rightly believed that a good tailor might be needed and so he headed for Nassau. Eventually, The Bahamas became his home, where he settled, married and raised a family. He eventually became well estab-
lished, not only as a tailor for the leading men of the town, but as the mentor of many of them. It was not unusual for House of Assembly members to consult with him for advice on matters of government. Many of them became his friends. He was passionately interested in education and pushed for the establishment of the government High School. He was a friend of The Tribune’s founder, Leon Dupuch, later of Leon’s son, Sir Etienne Dupuch. He also wrote a regular column for The Tribune. We even called him friend. When we were a graduate at Columbia University, rather than go to a library, we flew to Nassau, to sit in his tailor shop while he stitched away, and we picked his brain on the social history of The Bahamas for a paper we were writing for the university. By then, he was a wizened old gentleman, with a delightful twinkle in his eyes, a devilish smile, and a mischievous sense of humour — but what an active brain. We sat on a stool in his Bay Street tailor shop and took notes. And now his grandson, who had achieved all that was denied his grandfather because of the times in which they lived, had come to the end of his journey after a long and debilitating battle with cancer. It was Cleophas Adderley who had created the Bahamas National Youth Choir in 1983 and took it around the world, making a name for The Bahamas wherever it performed. A noted composer, he wrote, “Our Boys”, the first opera to be written and performed in the English speaking Caribbean. He also composed the first Bahamian concert Mass – “Missa Caribe.” Cleophas Adderley was a great believer in discipline and insisted that if a person wanted to belong to the Bahamas National Youth Choir they had to follow the rules. “Discipline,” he once said, “is very important, because we are training these people to be ambassadors. When they go away people don’t just see them — they see a whole country. And if we don’t give our best, and show our country in the best light possible, they judge every Bahamian by their experience with us.” On June 17 Cleophas Adderley was wheeled onto the stage at the Melia Nassau Beach Hotel to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 5th Aliv Bahamian Icon Awards ceremony. By July 5, at the age of 62 years, he was dead. We now hope that there is another Adderley-Bailey in the wings to carry on the proud tradition of this remarkable family.
BTC must be commended EDITOR, The Tribune.
YESTERDAY marked the opening of the Commonwealth Youth Games at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium. I couldn’t help but notice that BTC was once again a major sponsor. This company must indeed be commended for its commitment to the youth of this country, in particular the constant investments that they make in sports. When I actually counted, I realised that BTC
has supported every single major sporting initiative in the country for the year. They were the sponsors for the IAAF World Relays and the first ever FIFA World Cup games to be held in the country. BTC has also supported Flag Football, which is a growing sport, huge amongst the millennial community. The company also sponsored both the track and field and the swimming teams for CARIFTA and sponsored High
School Nationals. This level of contribution must not go unnoticed. BTC should be credited for their commitment to nation building. It takes each and every single Bahamian to do their part to build a better Bahamas. BTC has continued to do its part to ensure that we have a bright and blossoming future. I certainly commend them for their work. PROUD BAHAMIAN Nassau, July 19, 2017.
Setting an example EDITOR, The Tribune.
WHAT Island Country with seven letters beginning with “B” has a Standard & Poor’s rating as A Plus. Give up? It is Bermuda which, it has been said, is “a leading jurisdiction for reinsurance, capital markets”, etc.
Also to quote a local Senior Lawyer the attraction “is that it has been able to find the right balance in combining robust regulatory oversight with speed and efficiency”. Apparently Bermuda has been given “a clean bill of health by the OECD” as well as being able to trade
on an equal footing with all other countries, and with no Chinese affiliation. Compare all of this with The Bahamas and weep. INTERESTED SPECTATOR Nassau, July 21, 2017.
Toughen up law on phone use EDITOR, The Tribune. THE most mysterious phenomena of all times is the proliferation and saturation of the use of cellphones. Everyone has several, children as early as 2 years are playing games on the cellphone. iPad or kindle. We have become a slave to the phone, paralysing us from being able to function without it. When people are texting, the whole world could come to an end, they would not raise their head until they are finished. A pedestrian was almost hit by a speeding bus because she refuse to discontinue steering on her cell while crossing the street, and texting. People are even risking their jobs by using the phone, where they should be giving and honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay. They are frantic, if they are not allowed to use it, giving family concerns as an excuse why they should have it on them at all times. More progressive establishments completely
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net restrict staff from using cellphones on duty time, of course break time and lunch are permissible. But the most dangerous use of cellphones is while driving and the police is either oblivious, don’t care or cannot see the seriousness of the consequences. Too many accidents or near accidents putting lives and innocent children at risk are happening all too often. The laws are not strong enough or the police just are not vigilant enough to enforce it to prevent lives from being lost. It is time for the laws to be stiffened to prevent or deter anyone from attempting to use a phone while driving. Bus drivers filled to capacity are using their phones texting. This cannot be right. The seriousness probably would not be realised until someone is killed or a bus crashes endangering the lives of many. Since lives are invaluable,
there is no reason why the fine for the infraction could not be raised to $5,000 for anyone caught texting while driving. No explanation should be accepted because it is dangerous. I know the suggested fine is lenient, but I am sure the message would be received better. Deviating slightly, the police must get serious about monitoring the wanton behaviour of bus drivers who simply do as they wish. They overtake and undertake anywhere, drive on the sidewalk, in people’s yards, take shortcuts across parking lots, go off their route and disobey the rules of the road stopping on corners and hills blocking other motorists and creating another lane where non existed. When is the law going to begin to be administered on the roads? Sadly, some of the passengers on the bus many times are police officers who could care less. The slackness must stop and now is a great time to start. IVOINE INGRAHAM Nassau, July 22, 2017.
Wonder woman EDITOR, The Tribune. AS a PLP, I was devastated after the horrendous loss of May 10th 2017. Never before in The Bahamas has a party suffered such a loss. With my party holding just four seats in Parliament I was certain that the PLP, my party, would offer little or no opposition to the FNM with 35 seats in Parliament. The week of the Budg-
et debate gave me a ray of hope. Glenys HannaMartin turned out to be wonder woman when she stood up to the Minister of Finance, Peter Turnquest, who presented a budget which protected the airplane owners and gourmet types. The next day, she put Mark Humes in his place when he attempted to malign the good name of former PLPs by suggesting that everything
they did in the former parliament was dishonest. She made him eat his words. She made me proud to be a PLP. I feel happy because of Glenys Hanna-Martin leadership in Parliament. I can look forward to the PLP holding the FNM feet to the fire over the next five years. DIE HARD PLP Nassau, July, 2017.
THE TRIBUNE
THE COMMONWEALTH Youth Games closing ceremony last night, marking the ending of the sixth annual games as they came to visit The Bahamas. The host nation had its best ever performance at the event, and finished 17th overall in the competition. See Sports for more. Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
Monday, July 24, 2017, PAGE 5
Saying farewell
PAGE 6, Monday, July 24, 2017
Davis lashes out over PLP arrests from page one
Mr Davis wrote that while he believes crimes should be investigated when reasonably suspected, exonerating information should be taken into account during investigations. “For example,” he wrote, “monies originally suspected of being a bribe may actually turn out to be perfectly lawful political donations made in the middle of a general election campaign. “Where the facts lead to such a conclusion, it is not only irresponsible, it is, in fact, criminal to persist in pressing charges against the persons under investigation.” Mr Davis also expressed concern that investigations have not been “free of political contamination.” “Already, there are disturbing indications that political considerations may have influenced the manner in which these matters were handled,” Mr Davis wrote. “Indeed, at least two senior members of your Cabinet have spoken publicly about these matters. One of them went so far as to inform the public last week to stay tuned because there are more to come—meaning more former ministers
OPPOSITION leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis. are being investigated and will likely be charged,” the July 18 letter noted. “Who told him that? What was he told that gave him the confidence to publicly declare that the investigations will result in criminal prosecutions? Has the minister in question been in touch with the police on these matters? Has he received information from the police as to the quality
and weight of the evidence they have, and the number of persons who are under investigation? If so, the minister has committed an egregious abuse of power for which is accountable.” Mr Davis was likely referring to Health Minister Dr Duane Sands who said earlier this month the public will find a number of people brought before the courts “if the information
that has been brought to us, in the opinion and findings of the commissioner of police, prove to warrant pressing charges.” In his letter to Dr Minnis, which was also sent to Attorney General Carl Bethel and National Security Minister Marvin Dames, Mr Davis protested the treatment of the PLP politicians who have been in custody, including Mr Smith whom
he felt should not have “spent a night in jail even after it had become unmistakably clear that there were no reasonable grounds for believing that he had committed any criminal offense whatsoever.” Mr Smith, former executive chairman of the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation, was arrested and held in police custody overnight in late May in connection with a theft probe from the government agency, police said at the time. Eight other people were also arrested over the course of the investigation, however no one was ever charged. Earlier this month, Assistant Commissioner Paul Rolle said police closed the investigation into the matter and found no evidence of wrongdoing. Meanwhile, Mr Davis also wrote that the handcuffing of one of the recently arrested PLP politicians flies in the face of the law. He said the politician’s reported admission into the general population of the prison was problematic. It showed “no concern whatever for the special security risks that this might pose for him so soon after a general election which you yourself have said has left many people filled
THE TRIBUNE
with anger and hatred for former ministers of the PLP government,” he wrote. He asked Dr Minnis to accept his invitation to meet “as soon as possible, as your convenience, to discuss how public confidence in our system of law and order and in the police as our impartial protectors can be better secured.” The recent corruption probes have created tension between the two major political parties. They have led the PLP to call into question the impartiality of the police force conducting the probes. Damian Gomez, who served as state minister for legal affairs in the last Christie administration, said last week the Minnis administration should have waited until an autonomous anti-corruption agency, one whose supporting legislation should ensure there exists no incentive for its members to please the governing party over an opposition one, is established, rather than direct the police to create an anti-corruption unit within the force. As a counter-action, Mr Gomez said the PLP may investigate what it suspects to be past corrupt activities by FNM politicians and submit its findings to the police for investigation.
STAFF FACE 3-MONTH LAYOFF AS RIU CLOSES from page one The hotel will temporar-
ily close from July 24 to October 28 for the multimillion-dollar renovation that includes hotel rooms, res-
taurants and public spaces. “In this regard, the ministry confirms that during the renovation period ap-
proximately 110 employees will remain employed during the construction phase. This includes employees from security, housekeeping, front desk, food and beverage and the grounds department,” a statement from Mr Foulkes noted. He also said once the hotel opens in October, the more than 300 employees at the property are expected to be reengaged. “During the temporary closure, all employees will receive their contractual va-
cation: two-three weeks entitlement. During the first week in September 2017 the management of RIU has agreed to pay a one-week salary bonus to all staff to assist with back to school preparations,” the minister also revealed. “After consultation with National Insurance, the Department of Labour has confirmed that the remaining 195 employees that are out of work as a result of the temporary closure, are entitled to receive unemployment benefits as set out
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in the National Insurance Act.” The minister also said the Department of Labour “recommended that the management of RIU take immediate steps to properly inform all employees as well as members of the general public of the details surroundings the temporary closure of the hotel.” Last October, Hurricane Matthew, a category four storm that brought 140mph winds, pounded the Cabbage Beach property and compromised rooms resulting in guests having to be relocated to other parts of the property. Following the passage of Hurricane Matthew, the RIU told Tribune Business the property had suffered “cosmetic damage, and neither the structure nor the basic services were affected.” In February of this year, Ministry of Tourism’s Director-General Joy Jibrilu foreshadowed that the allinclusive property was set to undergo “major renovations” at a press conference during the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association’s (CHTA) Caribbean Marketplace summit.
THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS
insight@tribunemedia.net
MONDAY, JULY 24, 2017
Opening Pandora’s Box
FORMER Environment and Housing Minister, Kenred Dorsett was brought to Magistrate’s Court yesterday to be formally charged with bribery.
By MALCOLM J STRACHAN
O
N the campaign trail, the mantra, “they gern’ to jail” reverberated throughout the islands. While some may have seen this as empty campaign rhetoric, the newly elected prime minister’s pledge on election night removed all doubt from the minds of the electorate. He indicated that anyone in government who was found to have been misusing or abusing their office would have something to fear from a Free National Movement Government. Bahamians sat back and waited with bated breath for what would come. Since the election, there have been numerous revelations of millions of dollars going missing from one Ministry or the other, or the misappropriation of public funds from one department after the next. Combined, they paint a ghastly portrait of a PLP administration that was completely out of control, drunk on power, and on a wild spending spree that appeared to have no end. Revelation after revelation, the public was left gasping in disbelief as the state of the nation’s finances were laid bare for the world to see. And throughout it all, the threat from the Prime Minister could be heard ringing in the background, reminding us that consequences could, and quite possibly would, be coming. By now our readers are well aware of the recent police activities, and the charges that have followed with respect to two members of the Progressive Liberal Party who have been arrested and charged before the courts. As these matters are before the courts we cannot and will not discuss the merits of these cases but we will analyze the impact they will, and have had thus far. Legal minds close to the recent arrests have purported that the government may be setting a “dangerous precedent”. The new sheriff in town, Prime Minister, the Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis made it clear that the “old way” of conducting government is over with, as he is poising himself, along with his government to usher in a new wave of governance that promises to make
FORMER Progressive Liberal Party Senator Frank Smith appeared in Magistrate’s Court facing 15 criminal charges. a better Bahamas for the future. These are quite lofty goals considering the culture of our politics. It seems everyone knows how the system works, but much fewer have been prepared to overhaul the system to give our country a fighting chance. The unspoken, but known goings-on of how contracts are issued by ministers to friends who shave a few dollars off the top in return for favours have been cutting off the country’s circulation for years. This myopia has increasingly soured the country’s prospects, as we have been unable to evolve as a result. There is still a large group of us, on both sides of the partisan divide that do not believe the government is seriously going to pursue hardcore justice. This only promotes the widely held belief that politics, for the most part, is a fraternity whereby those within protect one another – particularly in a community as small as ours. There are still some much bigger dominoes we’ve yet to see fall in the midst of the government’s sweep of audits, which leaves many people wondering if this is all for show. Is the government only pursuing the “low hanging fruit” or small fish, while the whales continue to swim free? This will hardly garner
true justice for the segment of the electorate that desire to see the entire house of cards come tumbling down. Once Pandora’s box is opened, there is no telling what will come out, or how damaging that would be to either side of the political divide. The prime minister must certainly be aware of those implications. This begs the question – Is Prime Minister Minnis ready for what may come out of pursuing small and big fish alike? Or is this just to garner confidence from the public that the government is keeping its campaign promises? If the latter, this will hardly be well-thought out, as some in the public are salivating for more and will not settle for a few slaps on the wrist of some little guys, when there are widely held opinions on certain individuals that have been living “high off the hog.” No doubt, there are politicians on both sides waiting to spill the dirt on the next if Minnis’ crusade dared to expand to their doorsteps. It’s a dangerous proposition that could unravel many Bahamians’ preconceived notions of their current, and former elected officials. The prime minister will surely have to choose between continuing to pull at threads that may eventually unravel an entire system that has given him a platform, or effectively losing
the confidence of the people so early on in this term. Will he find it worth the risk to chance it all? The reality is that something must be done to change the trajectory of The Bahamas for the better. We can no longer exist in the same manner, where members of government are
accused and counter accuse each other of emptying the proverbial cookie jar of the treasury every five years. A change to the culture is necessary for the viability of the country, and the prime minister must be prepared to push forward full throttle with the government’s promise of justice - for bet-
ter or worse. It is for the good of the people, whom he swore that it’s their time. Any wavering or flippancy on the part of the government to pursue justice will surely relinquish any goodwill the prime minister has left with the people that voted for his government. Time will tell.
PAGE 10 MONDAY, JULY 24, 2017
INSIGHT
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
HONG Kong’s Victoria Habour during a celebration of the the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover to China. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
China asserts authority over Hong Kong (Following the 20th anniversary of Britain’s handover of Hong Kong to China, Peter Young offers a personal view about developments). IN VIEW of longstanding fears about the future of Hong Kong, the celebration earlier this month of the 20th anniversary of its handover by Britain to China was a significant milestone, and it was also noteworthy that President Xi Jinping participated in the local events to mark the occasion
I
N a speech which was seen as both tough and reassuring, he praised the government for maintaining stability and curbing ‘independence advocacy’ and he confirmed support for a continuation of the policy of ‘one country, two systems’. At the same time, in condemning publicly any activities that could be seen as threatening China’s sovereignty, he warned against separatist forces. He also oversaw the swearing-in of the new chief executive of the Hong Kong government who was Beijing’s preferred candidate. Furthermore, in addition to the stationing in Hong Kong in 1997 of troops of the People’s Liberation Army, the largest military parade of the last twenty years took place and China’s new aircraft carrier sailed grandly in to Hong Kong harbour. All this has come at a time of heightened tension, with many in Hong Kong concerned at what they perceive to be increasing lack of respect for their status as a Special Administrative Region. Reportedly, younger people in particular fear that China is steadily restricting the territory’s responsibility for its own affairs with
the result that democracy campaigners are ramping up their protests again following the massive street demonstrations of 2014. Political polarisation is apparently growing between the pro-Beijing local government and a pro-democracy faction so that the battle for full democracy and freedom may become almost the defining issue for the new Hong Kong. This has in turn led to calls in the territory for Britain to live up to its purported responsibilities as the former colonial power which is still criticised by some for having, in their view, handed over a free city to a Communist tyranny and should live up to its residual obligation to ensure both the enhancement of democracy and protection of freedom in Hong Kong. With a potential crisis brewing, it is interesting to look at the background to Hong Kong’s handover and how Britain approached the issue, not least because of the differences between policy-makers in London and the former Conservative government minister, Chris Patten, who was appointed Governor in 1992. First, a look at the pre1997 history. Parts of Hong Kong were ceded to Britain in perpetuity in the wake of the opium wars, but the majority of the land (some 90 per cent of the total) was leased in 1898 for a period of 99 years. The remaining area, which was held by grant, depended on the leased New Territories for food and water and was considered to be unviable on its own so that it would not be practicable or administratively feasible to hang on to this separately.
Thus, the parts ceded and leased were integrated for the purposes of the SinoBritish negotiations about Hong Kong’s future. Fast forward to the 1970s and 80s, when the colony gradually developed a lowcost manufacturing base. Thanks to good governance, the rule of law and market economics, it was progressively transformed into a prosperous financial and commercial centre of global importance and a secure base for international investors wishing to do business in China. Finance and trade came first and there was little appetite for political reform until the 1990s when the citizens of Hong Kong became increasingly eager for change and a greater say in local politics. Against this background, in fulfilment of its international obligations Britain negotiated with China the Joint Declaration of 1984. This detailed treaty sought to guarantee for fifty years from 1997 the way of life enjoyed in Hong Kong – that is, to retain its capitalist system, the rule of law and its autonomy in order to run its own affairs. Later, there was agreement about the number of directly elected seats to the Legislative Council and this was followed by a Basic Law which became Hong Kong’s mini-constitution after the handover. With China’s commitment to safeguard the territory’s freedoms and development, these accords served as the foundation of its confidence and prosperity in the intervening years. In successfully securing China’s agreement, the sole criterion for Britain was the
FORMER BRITISH HONORARY CONSUL PETER YOUNG
CHINA and Kong Hong national flags are displayed outside a shopping center to mark the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong handover to China. Hong Kong is planning a big party as it marks 20 years under Chinese rule. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) long-term welfare of Hong Kong’s more than seven million citizens. In order to protect that, British negotiators realised from the outset that they would have to convince the Chinese, who had the option of ultimately taking over the territory by force, that it was in their interests to have a smooth and orderly transfer of power – not least because, with its close ties to the southern mainland, Hong Kong’s service-oriented economy formed about one-fifth of China’s national economy. Thus, the argument went, it was better for everybody to have an agreed political settlement as China launched itself on the road to becoming a global economic powerhouse. The intensive and tough talks were a real test of the skills of the officials concerned at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. I recall occupying an adjoining office at the time, dealing with policy on the Falkland Islands following the conflict with Argentina in 1982, and everybody was aware of the difficulty and importance of the Hong Kong negotiations. Meanwhile, China made it clear that it could go no further than the Joint Declaration and warned against any subsequent unilateral tampering with it. Public opinion in Britain was affected by the Tiananmen Square killings in 1989, but the main concern was the
possibility, in the long runup to the handover, of Beijing interfering with Hong Kong’s political and economic structures. Then, the new Governor of Hong Kong arrived on the scene. As a politician, Patten adopted a more assertive approach than diplomacy dictated and pressed unilaterally for instant social and democratic reforms and full enfranchisement. Inevitably, the Chinese objected to his plans and there was a danger of the agreed arrangements for the handover falling apart. The objective of the British negotiators was to preserve the structures, freedom and unique aspects of Hong Kong while avoiding confrontation at a time when China was in a position to impose its wishes whenever it was ready to do so. The new Governor’s activities were seen as potentially undermining the Joint Declaration and therefore unnecessarily provocative, damaging and counterproductive, though critics who favoured his approach had also accused the negotiators of the Joint Declaration of being too willing to compromise. As a co-signatory of the Joint Declaration, Britain is committed to monitoring implementation of its terms. Following the 20th anniversary, officials in Beijing are on the record as stating that this bilateral treaty has become redundant and that the UK has
no sovereignty or power in relation to Hong Kong after the handover. But, even though China is firmly in control, it is probably not in its interests to close Hong Kong down given the territory’s economic success and close business links to the mainland. Nonetheless, Britain has now publicly reasserted that its commitment to Hong Kong, enshrined in the Joint Declaration which is legally binding, is as strong as it was twenty years ago. While China has increasingly made it clear that it will not accept any intervention, it remains to be seen what action, if any, the UK might be able to take in order to protect Hong Kong’s future if there were any serious breach of the Joint Declaration. While it is incumbent on Britain to defend robustly what it signed up to, China holds the trump cards so realpolitik requires in this instance a degree of conciliation. In the words of Dr Henry Kissinger, during any negotiation the prudent course is moderation and conciliation unless ‘the weaker is in a position to make its defeat costly beyond the tolerance of the former’. More prosaically, as Lord Patten reveals in his book about his governorship entitled ‘East and West’, the blunt advice given to him by the bluff former Labour prime minister Lord Callaghan was that the British interest was simple – to make sure their businessmen could do a lot of trade with China. As he expressed it, the Chinese would do whatever they wanted after the handover and, realistically, Britain could do little about it. An oversimplification, perhaps, but uncomfortably near to the brutal truth.
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INSIGHT
MONDAY, JULY 24, 2017 PAGE 9
What do Bahamians know about climate change?
By DR ADELLE THOMAS and LISA BENJAMIN INTERNATIONAL experts consider The Bahamas to be one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change, but what do Bahamians know about this issue? The Climate Change Initiative, a Bahamian-based climate change think tank, recently conducted a pilot survey to determine public perceptions about climate change risk in The Bahamas. While many other countries have conducted surveys of public perceptions about climate change, and update these surveys on a regular basis, The Bahamas has not yet begun to systematically assess what the public knows about climate change. As a highly vulnerable country where climate change will have environmental, economic, social and cultural impacts, it is imperative that Bahamians are educated about what climate change means for the nation, for their communities and for themselves. This survey is a first step in assessing what Bahamian residents know about climate change, and determining what public education is needed to ensure that residents are well aware of how climate change will affect them. The pilot survey was administered online and Bahamian residents were recruited using email, social networking sites and mailing lists. Over 500 residents completed the 24 question survey and the results were enlightening. Compared to other developing countries, Bahamian residents have a high awareness of climate change, with over 80 per cent be-
FROM the poles, such as in this picture where a polar bear walks along the ice flow in Baffin Bay above the Arctic circle, to the shores of The Bahamas, climate change is predicted to have a huge effect on the world we live in. ing familiar with the terms ‘climate change’ or ‘global warming’. However, most residents thought that climate change would have more significant impacts for the rest of the world than for The Bahamas or for themselves. This result shows that residents are not aware that The Bahamas is ex-
tremely vulnerable, and that climate change will affect all residents of the nation. Despite thinking that the rest of the world will be more significantly impacted, over 80 per cent of respondents foresaw negative changes to The Bahamas due to climate change in the next 50 years. Natural resources such as coral
BACK 2COOL
reefs, fish stocks and fresh water were identified as being most negatively affected by climate change. Social and economic impacts such as standards of living, tourism and rates of disease were thought to not be as “at risk’’. This shows that there is a lack of understanding of the connection between natural re-
sources, industries such as tourism that rely on these resources, and implications of a decline in the economy and in standards of living and health due to climate change. The impact of climate change that residents identified as being of greatest concern was sea level rise. This makes sense for a nation comprised of small, low-elevation islands. However, migration of people was identified as being of least concern. This result shows that there is lack of understanding of the connection between sea level rise, loss of land, and the need for people living in vulnerable coastal areas to relocate. The vast majority of respondents indicated that they did not think that The Bahamas was doing enough to address climate change and over half of respondents also indicated that they personally do nothing to address climate change. About 50 per cent of people taking the survey agreed that protecting the environment should be given a greater priority over economic growth. These responses show that there will likely be support for public policies and action that seek to reduce vulnerability to climate change, even if there will be costs for such action, and this is good news for policy makers. There are some limitations to this pilot study that should be addressed in future studies. Respondents were generally females in their early 20s with some level of college education, a group that is not representative of the average Bahamian resident. This is likely due to the usage of an online survey that decreases
the inclusion of older persons or people without internet access. A future survey should have the option to be completed on paper, be sure to include residents of all ages, and ensure that people living on Family Islands are also involved. It is also important that the survey be repeated over time, to garner an overall picture of climate change knowledge in the country. The pilot survey demonstrates that Bahamian residents generally have a good knowledge of what climate change is, but need further information on the variety of impacts that climate change will have for The Bahamas. The survey also indicates that public support for policy making in the environmental arena, and climate change in particular, is high. As the number of extreme events such as Hurricanes Joaquin and Matthew impose everincreasing losses damages and costs on the country, both residents and policymakers alike should be motivated to focus effort and attention on climate change adaptation policies and actions. The full results of the survey can be found in ‘Perceptions of Climate Change Risk in The Bahamas’ in the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences (2017) DOI: 10.1007/s13412-0170429-6. More information about climate change can be found on the Climate Change Initiative’s website: www.climatechangebahamas.org • Lisa Benjamin and Dr Adelle Thomas are assistant professors at The University of The Bahamas, and co-founders of the Climate Change Initiative (www.climatechangebahamas.org).
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INSIGHT
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
The relevance and state of US-Caribbean relations – Part 2 T
HIS commentary continues the discussion on the relevance and state of US-Caribbean relations against the backdrop of a publication by the Washington-based, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), entitled, “The Relevance of US-Caribbean Relations – Three Views”. In the discussion of the security relationship between the US and the Caribbean, Evan Ellis, identifies China as a problem, presumably for the US. He rightly says that expanding loans and equity investment in the Caribbean will give China “increasing leverage in the region of critical issues”. The latter point is true. And, it should have been obvious to US government policy makers and planners a long time ago, particularly when the decision was made to reduce official development assistance and investment to their “third border” as they themselves describe the Caribbean. The latest affirmation of the region’s ‘third border’ status is contained in the first sentence of the most recent US State Department’s “Strategy for Engagement in the Caribbean”. But the Caribbean did not choose China over the US, nor did it set out to encourage Chinese interest in the region. China went into the Caribbean as part of its global strategy to end its own isolation, to expand its economic interests, and to gain support for itself as a global player. When it got to the Caribbean, it found the US largely preoccupied elsewhere. Caribbean governments, faced with the need to provide employment and curb poverty by growing their economies through investment in infrastructural development, found a willing partner in China. Unsurprisingly, they welcomed China, and naturally, as a result, they will listen to China’s voice on international matters. If the US worries about a Chinese voice in Caribbean ears; it should place itself in a better position to rival the voices to which the region is paying attention. Ellis makes too much of training of the region’s military officers in PRC institutions and gifts of Chi-
THE US Embassy celebrations for US Independence this year, with the official cutting of the cake decorated as the US flag. Officially cutting the cut was Governor General Marguerite Pindling and General Lori Robinson. The role of the US in the Caribbean continues to be a strong one - but are the political tides changing? Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
World View
By SIR RONALD SANDERS nese military equipment as a security issue. Surely, it would require much more than a handful of training opportunities, and small gifts of military equipment to a few countries, for a security threat to be posed to the US. If Washington is truly concerned about any undue influence on the Caribbean from China, it should match the level of China’s bilateral investments in these countries on the same terms of soft loans and without con-
ditionalities of a non-economic nature. What the US should concern itself with more is that, due to its own policies that have vastly reduced scholarships for Caribbean students and that do not encourage Caribbean students to study in the US, the present generation of younger people are getting their higher education mostly in Cuba and China which do offer generous scholarships. Is it not axiomatic that they would lean more toward those countries than to the US? One of Mr Ellis’ disturbing conclusions is that, as part of its engagement with
the region, the US should send “strong signals regarding engagement with Iran, Russia and China in the security domain”. What is envisaged as “strong signals” is left to the imagination, but if it is a “sticks” not “carrot” approach, those signals will serve to worsen not improve US-Caribbean relations. History has taught that intimidation breeds resistance over time. And, it is co-operation that is needed, not coercion. Turning to the view of Scott MacDonald on the economic issues. He rightly identifies “de-risking” – the process by which US banks are withdrawing correspondent banking relations (CBR’s) from Caribbean financial institutions – and infrastructure needs as two big challenges for the region. De-risking directly affects US-Caribbean relations and addressing Caribbean infrastructure meaningfully would help to improve the relationship.
MacDonald is correct that “de-risking could push transactions to informal channels, making it difficult to monitor illicit trafficking and in effect countering anti-money laundering efforts”. The reality is that more than making it difficult to ‘monitor’ such transaction, it will be impossible to stop them. MacDonald offers no solutions to the problem. But, as a matter of record, the Caribbean, at various levels, have proffered a few, none of which have yet been taken-up by US authorities who see the issue through the prism of demanding higher levels of stringent anti-money laundering regimes in the region. Everything has room for improvement and the Caribbean has continuously been upping its anti-money laundering game, both in relation to laws and implementation. Factually, the majority of Caribbean countries
are more in compliance with Financial Action Task Force rules on disclosure of beneficial owners of bank accounts, corporations and trusts than several states of the US. If concerted action is not taken by the relevant US authorities to improve the situation with regard to derisking, not only will financial transactions go underground outside the reach of governments, it will also force Caribbean countries – through no fault of their own – to move their trade in goods and services from the US to other countries. If they can’t pay, they can’t buy; and similarly, they can’t sell. The US will lose the trade in goods and services that earns revenues and provides employment. More importantly, of course, the US will also lose influence in the region. The US expends a great deal of money on an annual basis, producing reports on money laundering, people trafficking, terrorism financing, and arms trafficking. Caribbean governments have questioned them every year. These reports are based on dubious sources and this year, many of the US agencies that were supposed to have participated in the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, denied any involvement according to information they provided under the Freedom of Information Act. The approach of the reports has not been constructive; it has not been geared to detecting real problems and identifying ways in which the US can help. The reports have been condemnatory without showing hard evidence. They are unnecessary irritants to US-Caribbean relations, particularly as they have contributed to increasing fear in the US banks that have severed correspondent banking relations with Caribbean financial institutions. • To be continued • Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organisation of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are his own.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, July 24, 2017, PAGE 11
Clean-up begins after blaze at Rand Memorial
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net CLEAN-UP efforts are underway at the Rand Memorial Hospital following Friday’s fire and some of the evacuated patients are now back in the hospital. Health Minister Dr Duane Sands reported that 20 of the 48 patients transferred to the Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King were returned to the hospital by 2am Saturday, and the other 28 were discharged by their attending physicians. Of the 11 patients taken to Sunrise Medical Centre, eight remain there. According to Dr Sands, two of the ICU patients were airlifted to Nassau on Friday evening. “I have been informed that even with the challenges of a fire in the hospital, our OB/GYN Department reported that a patient who began labour at our hospital gave birth to a healthy baby boy at Sunrise Medical Centre,” he said extending congratulations to the parents. A physician who suffered from mild smoke inhalation has now recovered and returned to active duty at the hospital. During a press conference at 2pm Sunday at the hospital, Dr Sands brought the media up to date on the cleanup and recovery efforts, which include plans of outsourcing the services of the kitchen. “We can now confirm the initial report that most of the damage was limited to the kitchen area. Other areas significantly impacted by smoke include medical, surgical, obstetric and paediatric wards, the cafeteria, and the intensive care unit (ICU). Clean-up of those areas will be completed today,” he said. Dr Sands indicated plans are now at an advanced stage to restore the kitchen to meet the onsite dietary needs of patients and staff. In the meantime, he noted that discussions are underway to determine the comparative cost of outsourcing the services of the kitchen given that a new state of the art kitchen and cafeteria is under construction.
Minister Sands said an estimate of the damage is still not known as officials are in the process of defining the scope of work, and determining the relative cost. “The construction of the new hospital cafeteria complex is well on the way, and we anticipate being able to move into the facility by year’s end. So as we are determining the amount of electrical and structural repairs required in the kitchen, it becomes very important to compare that potential investment to what it would cost to continue outsourcing food preparation and cooking elsewhere,” he explained. He commended acting hospital administrator Sandra Mortimer-Russell, the executive management committee, and staff of the Rand Memorial Hospital “for averting what could have been a far more serious event” on Friday. “I am indeed proud and grateful for a job well done,” he said. PATIENTS being evacuated after the fire at the Rand Memorial Hospital. At 2.30pm on Friday a blaze erupted the hospital’s kitchen after a deep fryer caught fire. Patients and staff were immediately evacuated. Some 48 patients were taken to the Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King Church’s Foster Pestaina Centre and 11 patients to the Sunrise Medical Centre. Dr Sand said the Ministry of Health and the Public Hospitals Authority are grateful to the organizations that partnered with them to accommodate their patients. The Accident and Emergency & Urgent Care Centre remain open 24 hours at the RMH for emergencies only. He said that the Outpatient Specialty Clinic at Pearce Plaza, Coral Road, is open 24 hours for nonurgent cases, as well as at the Eight Mile Rock Community Clinic. Pharmacy services are also available at the 24-hour sites for filling prescriptions. A command centre has been established at the Rand Memorial Hospital to provide information for their clients and the general public. The telephone numbers are 351-8056 or 7, or 350-6761/2/3.
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis among those assessing the damage after the fire.
Photos: Vandyke Hepburn/BIS
PAGE 12, Monday, July 24, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
Mourners pay respects to Cleophas Adderley By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net HUNDREDS gathered at Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday to say goodbye to Cleophas Adderley, the iconic Bahamian composer and choir director who died on July 5. The Bahamas National Youth Choir, whom Mr Adderley directed for many years, performed throughout the service. The choir’s celestial sounds consumed the cathedral, with such songs as “Pride in Our Native Land”, composed and arranged by Mr Adderley, reminding them of what was lost when he died of pancreatic cancer at 62. “The man I knew was always happy,” his wife, Françoise Brooks-Adderley, said. “I am happy he is relieved of the pain he was feeling here when he was sick.” She described their marriage as “mystical, magical, meaningful and effortless”. She invited the audience
to close their eyes and visualise Mr Adderley “conducting up there in heaven” as he did so often here on earth. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis remembered Mr Adderley as an “extraordinary Bahamian and native son”. “Though his voice may have been halting and his body infirmed, his remarks upon receiving the Bahamian Icon Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award revealed a vibrant and courageous spirit; one grateful to God, and grateful for his Bahamaland, which he loved with all of his heart, body and soul,” Dr Minnis said. Mr Adderley, whose family encouraged having something to fall back on besides music, earned a law degree from the University of West Indies. He practised law for 14 years and was director of culture in the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture in 1993. He founded the Bahamas National Youth Choir in 1983 at the invitation of the
late Sir Lynden Pindling. The choir was revived in 1990. For 27 years after that, Mr Adderley selected and trained hundreds of young Bahamians. He had two children: Cleophas Leon Alexander Adderley III and Deisha Russell. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Bahamian Icon Awards on June 17 for his contributions to nation building through youth development. Mr Adderley wrote the first Bahamian grand opera “Our Boys,” which was the first opera to have been written and performed in the English-speaking Caribbean. He is the last son and eighth of nine children born to the late Cleophas E Adderley, former member of Parliament, and Helen Bailey Adderley, a seamstress, pianist and organist and daughter of the late R M Bailey. • See Editorial on page 4
FRANÇOISE BROOKS ADDERLEY, centre, leaving Christ Church Cathedral after the funeral mass for her husband, cultural icon Cleophas Adderley, on Saturday.
GOVERNOR General Dame Marguerite Pindling and Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis among mourners at the funeral of Cleophas Adderley. Photos: Peter Ramsay/BIS
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, July 24, 2017, PAGE 13
FNM ‘spiteful’ to civil servants over politics PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts has accused the Minnis administration of being spiteful towards civil servants based on perceived political affiliation. He said he attended the funeral for Dr Baldwin Carey on Friday and did not see Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis present. Dr Carey was a gynaecologist who died of a heart attack earlier this month. He also served as a consultant at the National Insurance Board (NIB) and was one of several employees who were instructed by letter in late May to take vacation leave as the agency prepared to undergo an audit. At the time, a government official said this did not mean the employees were suspected of any impropriety or had done anything wrong. However, Mr Roberts said Dr Carey was shocked and deeply saddened by the contents of the letter. He said more than two months have gone by and there has not been an announcement of the future of the remaining NIB executives. Mr Roberts said the treatment of the NIB employees is “reminiscent of the unceremonious summary dis-
missal of several employees at the Bahamas Information Services shortly after the 2007 election victory of the FNM.” He added: “The casualties (were) Luther Smith, Earlin Williams, Al Dilette and Dudley Byfield. The motivation for the summary dismissal could only have been political. As fate would have it, Dudley departed this life shortly thereafter. “We must find a way as a country to move beyond the divisiveness of politics in nation building and certainly in public administration. “The priority of any incoming government must be the continuity and stability of the public service. These public officers are tasked with executing the policies of the government of the day and those agencies must not only be, but must seen to be neutral at all material times. “Dr Carey played an important role in the implementation of NHI and in protecting NIB and its revenue against fraud and shrinkage from unscrupulous individuals in the filing of medical and industrial injury claims. “Dr Carey was not a politician. He was never in the public domain bashing the policies of the FNM while enjoying a big fat govern-
ATLANTIS WARNS GUESTS AFTER CYBER ATTACK
from page one
The incident did not affect credit and debit cards used to make or pay for hotel reservations or purchases made by guests who charged their food and beverage or retail purchases back to their room, the resort also noted in a press release. The hotel added it began investigating unusual activity after receiving reports from its credit card processor. “The resort immediately began working with thirdparty forensic experts to investigate these reports and to identify any signs of compromise on its computer systems,” the hotel’s press release noted. “On May 10, 2017, the resort confirmed the existence of suspicious files on its computer systems that indicated a potential compromise of customers’ credit and debit card data for some credit and debit cards used at food and beverage and retail locations at the resort. “The resort has been working with third-party forensic investigators to determine what happened and what information was affected. The resort has confirmed that malware may have captured data from some credit and debit cards used at food and beverage and retail locations at the resort. “The resort has removed the malware at issue to contain this incident and implemented additional procedures in an effort to prevent any further unauthorised access to customers’ credit and debit card information. This incident did not affect credit and debit cards used to make or pay for hotel reservations or purchases made by guests who charged their food and beverage or retail purchases back to their room.” According to Atlantis officials, the resort has confirmed that the malware in question may have captured credit and debit card data from some credit and debit cards used at food and beverage and retail locations
between the period in question. “The information at risk as a result of this event for credit or debit cards used at the impacted locations includes the card number, expiration date and CVV,” the hotel said. “This incident did not involve customers’ Social Security numbers as this information is never collected by the resort. This incident did not involve customers’ names or PIN numbers, either,” the press release added. Howard C Karawan, president and managing director of Atlantis, Paradise Island said the resort takes the security of customers’ information seriously. “We continue to work with third-party forensic investigators to ensure the security of our systems on behalf of our customers and would like to take this opportunity to remind customers to remain vigilant against fraud by reviewing their financial account statements regularly and reporting any suspicious activity,” Mr Karawan added. Customers can email notices@atlantisparadise.com for more information regarding this incident. They can also find information on this incident and what they can do to better protect against fraud and identity theft at www.atlantisbahamas.com. The resort also recommended that customers stay vigilant against identity theft by reviewing bank statements regularly and monitoring credit cards for suspicious activity. Customers should immediately report any unauthorised charges to their card issuer. Customers may also place a security freeze on their credit reports, the resort recommended. A similar incident happened at the resort last year. In late 2016, Atlantis announced that a recent data security incident may have compromised the security of payment information of some customers who used debit or credit cards at food and beverage and retail locations at the resort March 9 and October 22, 2016.
ment consultancy the way (Minister of Health) Dr Duane Sands did for many years. It never occurred to the PLP to spite Dr Duane Sands in the manner the current FNM government is behaving. They are a disgrace and have much to answer for. “(Press Secretary) Anthony Newbold was (wary) of the PLP while he worked at ZNS. At no time did the PLP government consider taking punitive acts of reprisals against Mr Newbold or Dr Sands. We must be tolerant of dissent and build our democracy. “We must find a better way to build our country and make use of the best talents available without the rancor of politics. “There are very important lessons to be learned in the way the PLP government treats public servants versus the FNM. Dr Minnis should take notice,” Mr Roberts said.
PLP chairman Bradley Roberts.
PAGE 14, Monday, July 24, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
Safety tips for children at home alone
IF you determine that your child is responsible enough to care for himself/ herself when at home alone, he/she should be properly briefed on these rules. • Post a list of emergency numbers including family members, trusted friends, neighbours, and emergency personnel; • Make sure your child knows his/her phone number and address. Write these on the list of important numbers. It is very easy for anyone, especially a child, to panic in
Police advice
By SERGEANT NATHALIE RANGER
an emergency. If included on the list, your child can easily read aloud to a 911 operator in case of emergency. • Keep a first aid kit in the house. Teach your child basic first aid.
• Make sure there are working smoke detectors on every floor of the house and teach your child what to do in case of a fire. Practice fire drills and evacuation routes with your children.
• Keep a flashlight and batteries in an easily accessible place in case of power outage. Show your child where to find it. • Make sure that your child has a way to contact you when you are away from the home, including a cell phone and/or work number. Check your messages often and promptly return your child’s calls. • Limit the kind of cooking that can be done without adult supervision. • Call and check on your
FAMILY and supporters of Frank Smith pictured outside court on Friday.
child. Always call and let them know if you are running late. While teaching your child these safety rules, it is important to stress the importance of rules, without unnecessarily instilling fear Tips for Children • Never let anyone into the house. Do not open the door to strangers. • Use caller ID or an answering machine to screen calls. When answering the phone, never tell callers you
are home alone. Tell them your mom/dad is busy and will call them back. • Keep all doors and windows locked. • If coming home to an empty house never enter the house if there are open and/or broken windows/ doors, or other signs of forced entry. Leave immediately and get help from a trusted neighbour. • Do not invite friends over. • Tell parents of any fears or concerns.
Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
Smith faces 15 charges over alleged $65,000 extortion By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net FORMER Progressive Liberal Party Senator Frank Smith appeared in Magistrate’s Court Friday morning facing 15 criminal charges concerning the alleged solicitation of
$65,000 in bribes from a woman he is said to have assisted in getting a contract. The 50-year-old Eastern Road resident stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt facing 13 counts of extortion and a count each of attempted extortion and bribery.
The extortion and attempted extortion charges were brought under Section 453(1) of the Penal Code while the bribery charge was brought under Sections 4(2)(a) & 10(b) of the Prevention of Bribery Act. It is alleged the former Public Hospitals Authority
chairman, between April 2016 and April 2017, in respect of his duties as a public officer, demanded and obtained $5,000 per month from Barbara Hanna, knowing that he was not lawfully authorised to do so. He is also alleged to have attempted to extort another $5,000 from Ms Hanna in May 2017. Concerning the bribery charge, it is alleged that he solicited $5,000 a month from Ms Hanna for assisting her in getting a contract
FRANK SMITH, who is accused of extortion. with the Public Hospitals Authority. Smith pleaded not guilty to all of the allegations during his arraignment as his wife Sharlyn Smith, father-in-law Sir Franklyn Wilson and mother-inlaw Lady Sharon Wilson, along with other family, friends and PLP supporters, including former State Minister for National Security Keith Bell, looked on. Damian Gomez, QC, lead lawyer for Smith, questioned why the witness list was not made available to the defence. Anthony Delaney from the Office of the Attorney General said the non-disclosure of the witnesses was the result of a concern for the possibility of witness intimidation. Mr Gomez asked for a copy of the bank statements from the virtual complainant in the matter. The chief magistrate said she has no doubt that the case against Smith will be disclosed, but wanted to assure that there is full disclosure to the defence. She adjourned the matter to August 18 for a status hearing. However, given the nature of the allegations, she could not consider bail and remanded Smith into custody in the interim. However, she advised him of his right to apply for bail to the Supreme Court. Mr Gomez, and assisting lawyers, Glendon Rolle and Valentine Grimes, appeared before Supreme Court judge Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs within an hour of the arraignment asking for Smith to be released from custody ahead of trial. The judge granted the application, setting bail at $50,000 with two sureties.
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FREDRICO BETHEL, 27, pictured outside court.
THE TRIBUNE
Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
Suspect accused of murder
By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A MAN appeared in Magistrate’s Court on Friday afternoon facing a murder charge. Fredrico Bethel, 27, stood before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes accused of intentionally causing the death of Simon Paul
between May 14 and 17. The charge was brought under Section 291(1)(b) of the Penal Code. However Bethel, alias “Faraway”, will not be allowed to enter a plea to the allegation until he is formally arraigned before a judge in the Supreme Court. The case is scheduled to be forwarded to the higher court on September 4
through the presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment. Given the nature of the allegation, the deputy chief magistrate could not consider bail and remanded Bethel to the Department of Correctional Services in the interim. However, he has a right to apply for bail in the Supreme Court.