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Volume: 112 No.224

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016

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Art tells tale of the Taino Inside Weekend

Baha Mar bidder is Hong Kong firm Chow Tai Fook Enterprises named as being in talks

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net AFTER months of speculation and intense national interest, the identity of the company in negotiations to acquire Baha Mar has been disclosed as Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited (CTFE).

The Hong-Kong based company said in a statement on Thursday that it “has entered into negotiations in connection with the ownership of Baha Mar.” The conglomerate also said it will work with the government to conduct a phased opening of the beleaguered resort.

The press release suggests that Baha Mar’s hotels will be managed by separate brands as originally

PRIME Minister Perry Christie fell ill with a “stomach virus” prompting the Progressive Liberal Party to postpone the ratification of businessman Chester Cooper last night as its standard bearer for the Exuma and Ragged Island constituency, party Chairman Bradley Roberts confirmed.

“We put it (the event) off because he (Mr Chris-

Weekend

design your lifestyl e Page 19

Art of disco very explored in new

Taino legac y

exhibit

See pages 14

&15

PLP DELAYS CONVENTION UNTIL EARLY NEXT YEAR

By TANEKA THOMPSON Tribune News Editor tmthompson@tribunemedia.net THE Progressive Liberal Party has postponed its national convention for the third time, pushing the anticipated event to early next year.

SEE PAGE SIX

FORMER SENATOR LANISHA ROLLE AND BUSINESSMAN D’AGUILAR RATIFIED BY FNM

planned, and not by a signal hotel operator.

The company, however, did not disclose details about the terms of the transaction for acquiring Baha Mar or the ongoing negotiations, citing a nondisclosure agreement.

“CTFE, a world-class developer with immense experience in global hospitality and mixed-use development, has applied to the government of the Bahamas for approval as a proposed investor and acquirer of the Baha Mar resort, by way of acquisition of Perfect Luck Assets Limited (Perfect Luck), the company to which certain assets of the Baha Mar Resort have been transferred,” the company’s statement said.

SEE PAGE FIVE

RATIFICATION DELAYED AS PM SUFFERS ILLNESS

By TANEKA THOMPSON Tribune News Editor tmthompson@tribunemedia.net

books cult ure film fash ion music friday, october podcasts 28, 2016 charity ente rtainment

tie) wanted to be here and the DPM is away from The Bahamas,” Mr Roberts said, adding that the ratification will likely be held in the next seven to ten days.

When asked about Mr Christie’s illness, Mr Roberts said: “He has a stomach virus.”

He said the prime minister felt ill after a trip to Eleuthera on Wednesday.

“He is hanging in there,” he added.

SEE PAGE TWO

THE NEWLY ratified candidates for the FNM are, from left, Carlton Gomez, candidate for North Andros; Travis Robinson, candidate for Bain and Grants Town; Raymond Rolle, candidate for Englerston; Lanisha Rolle, candidate for Sea Breeze; Reese Chipman, candidate for Centerville; and Dionisio D’Aguilar, candidate for Montague.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE Free National Movement ratified six candidates for the next general election during a Central Council meeting last night, including businessman Dionisio d’Aguilar and former Senator Lanisha Rolle.

Most of the six constituencies the candidates will represent are some of the most historically challenging areas for the FNM, including Centreville, Bain and Grants Town, North

Andros and the Berry Islands and Englerston.

Mr d’Aguilar, a fierce critic of the Christie administration, will represent the FNM in Montagu while Mrs Rolle will represent the party in Sea Breeze.

Travis Robinson, a 21-year-old College of the Bahamas student, will represent the party in the Bain and Grants Town constituency, where he hopes to become the youngest parliamentarian in this country’s history.

Earlier this year, Mr Robinson announced that

he planned to run as an independent candidate in the area.

He delivered a fiery and well received speech to a packed crowd of more than 100 people at the FNM’s headquarters last night, declaring his nomination proof of his party’s commitment to youth.

Meanwhile, accountant Reece Chipman was ratified for Centreville, lawyer Raymond Rolle for Englerston and customs officer Carlton Bowleg for North Andros and the Berry Islands.

“I’m excited by the pros-

pects of our many talented candidates who are seeking to represent constituencies under the FNM banner, including our six new candidates,” FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said in a statement. “It is time for all Bahamians to unite behind the FNM and its candidates to rid this country of the PLP and their empty rhetoric and broken promises.

The FNM and our great candidates will fight for the Bahamian people each and every day.”

SEE PAGE TWO

TEENAGE WOMAN SHOT $20M CONTRACT SIGNED IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD FOR FOUR NEW RADARS

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

AN 18-year-old woman was shot in the back of the head and killed early yesterday morning in front of a home in Jubilee Gardens.

The murder happened shortly after 6am off Fire Trail Road and brought the country’s murder count to 83 for the year, according to The Tribune’s records.

Officer-in-Charge of the Central Detective Unit,

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Superintendent Ashton Greenslade said police had little details on the homicide but he expected a break in the case “very soon” as officers were canvassing the area and going door to door.

“Officers got a call shortly after 6am that shots were heard in the Fire Trail Road area,” Supt Greenslade said.

“When officers arrived on the scene they met the SEE PAGE SIX

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE government yesterday signed a contract for nearly $20m with a Finnish company for the acquisition of four new Doppler radars, something local meteorologists said will give the Department of Meteorology “no excuse” for not being more accurate with weather forecasts and tracking weather systems.

Transport and Aviation

Minister Glenys Hanna Martin, during a contract signing ceremony, said the purchase of the four radars from Finnish company Vaisala signifies a “technological injection” that will arm the Met Department with the necessary tools for its work.

In addition to acquiring the four new radars, Mrs Hanna Martin said new “airport weather observation systems” will be SEE PAGE SIX

Oct 22nd thru Nov 5th!

PAGE 2, Friday, October 28, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

DIONISIO D’AGUILAR, FNM candidate for Montagu.

FROM left, Carlton Gomez, candidate for North Andros; Raymond Rolle, candidate for Englerston; Travis Robinson, candidate for Bain and Grants Town; Dr Hubert Minnis, FNM leader; Peter Turnquest, deputy leader; Lanisha Rolle, candidate for Sea Breeze; Reese Chipman, candidate for Centerville; Dionisio D’Aguilar, candidate for Montague and Sidney Collie, chairman.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

LANISHA ROLLE, FNM candidate for Sea Breeze.

FORMER SENATOR LANISHA ROLLE AND BUSINESSMAN D’AGUILAR RATIFIED BY FNM from page one Dr Minnis and the newly ratified candidates stuck with their theme of harshly

criticising the Progressive Liberal Party while promoting the FNM as a source of relief for the country.

Mr d’Aguilar called the Christie administration

the worst of any government in Bahamian history; Mrs Rolle and Mr Chipman criticised the government’s Hurricane Matthew response to the areas they

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RAYMOND ROLLE, FNM candidate for Englerston.

TRAVIS ROBINSON, FNM candidate for Bain and Grants Town.

hope to represent, while Mr Rolle and Mr Bowleg promised to break the strangleholds that the PLP has had in their respective constituencies.

Of the ratifications, those of Mr d’Aguilar, Mrs Rolle and Mr Robinson are the likeliest to prompt the strongest reactions.

Mr D’Aguilar, owner of the Superwash chain of laundromats, who once served as chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, has attracted the ire of top PLP members for his comments on a range of issues, from Baha Mar to the ease of doing business.

REESE CHIPMAN, FNM candidate for Centerville.

His business credentials will be heavily touted by the party.

As for Mrs Rolle, her ratification signals how much Dr Minnis has consolidated power in the FNM after retaining his leadership title at the party’s convention earlier this year. Her initial appointment to the Senate upset some in the party, including sitting parliamentarians who thought she had little experience.

Frank Watson, former deputy prime minister, previously called her appointment “one of Dr Minnis’ tragic mistakes”.

Following a rough ten-

CARLTON GOMEZ, FNM candidate for North Andros.

ure, she resigned from the Senate after The Tribune published stories about a recording in which she made disparaging comments about several FNM MPs, including Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner, during a conversation with Lincoln Bain.

Despite that resignation, she appeared to remain within Dr Minnis’ circle of trust, frequently attending FNM political events and occasionally being seated in the front row of the party’s events, next to party officers and parliamentarians well before she was officially ratified for a nomination.

RATIFICATION DELAYED AS PM SUFFERS ILLNESS from page one

Mr Roberts said if Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis had been in the country, the party would have gone ahead with the ratification. Mr Davis is in Trinidad.

The issue of Mr Christie’s health was first mentioned

by Mr Cooper’s campaign, which explained in a post on Facebook that the ratification had been delayed because the nation’s leader was ill.

“Chairman Roberts has informed us that the prime minister has taken ill and will not be able to attend tonight’s event,” a representative from Mr Cooper’s campaign, Team Cooper - Chester Cooper, posted last night.

“Some things are more important than politics.

Prime Minister Christie has been going non-stop in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. We pray for his speedy recovery. We will

keep you updated on the new date.”

Throughout this term, Mr Christie, 73, has frequently boasted about not taking any days off and working late into the night.

In May 2005, during his first term as prime minister, Mr Christie suffered “a very small stroke” that left him in hospital. Then Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia “Mother” Pratt served as acting prime minister in the interim.

The Exuma constituency is currently represented by PLP MP Anthony Moss, who has held the seat since 2002.

Mr Cooper has been on the ground working in the constituency for months.

He has also been very visible in the area since the passage of Hurricane Matthew earlier this month, surveying damage in the constituency.

In April, The Tribune reported exclusively that

almost 60 Exuma residents gathered to express “overwhelming support” for a new PLP candidate.

This was the result of a poll taken during a meeting of leaders of the PLP Exuma constituency obtained

by The Tribune. Fifty-six PLPs expressed the desire to have a new candidate, one person did not vote and another failed to indicate clearly whether they would still support Mr Moss.

When contacted in April, Mr Moss said the outcry for a new PLP candidate to replace him in the 2017 general election was a road he has travelled many times before, insisting that for the last 14 years he has worked to the best of his ability on behalf of all constituents.

Mr Cooper hails from Forbes Hill, Exuma. He is chairman & CEO of BAF Global Group and president & CEO of BAF Financial & Insurance (Bahamas).

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, October 28, 2016, PAGE 3

Minister rejects FNM claims over Road Traffic

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

TRANSPORT Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin yesterday dismissed claims from the Official Opposition over the rollout of the Road Traffic Department’s automated system as misinformation.

The Free National Movement continued its rebuke of the government’s rollout of the new system yesterday, stating that it was “dumbfounded” by the lack of planning concerning the exercise.

The FNM claimed that the government had re-engaged Deloitte and Touche for the registration process, and that senior staff had been sidelined at the department. Both claims were denied by Mrs Hanna Martin.

The party said while it has “trail blazed” efforts to improve revenue collection and service delivery, it found the introduction of a new system without sufficient information or internal staff training “unacceptable and unprofessional”.

It said furthered that the government exacerbated the issue because the new license plates are unavailable, noting that the new system was driven by license plate numbers.

The party said it was disgraceful that the government found it acceptable to collect fees but only issue a receipt to motorists, a move that disregarded the law.

The license plates are being manufactured by John R Wald Company Inc, a US industry leader in license plate manufacturing and distribution systems.

Mrs Hanna Martin explained that the company will be engaged in a maintenance role once plate manufacturing resumes at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

She said that distribution of the new plates should begin within the next two days. In

GLENYS HANNA-MARTIN, Minister of Transport and Aviation, at the Road and Traffic Department. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff not get replacement plates department and the leaders the past plates were always vehicle every year.

Mrs Hanna Martin yes- and the department is in the of the automation process.” made by the prisoners with the assistance of the Minis- terday defended the new process of reserving plates “This has not only totally system as a major and criti- and charging fees which demoralised many of the try of Works.

It is unclear why license cal investment, pointing out may be contrary to the ex- hardworking staff memplates were not available in that the total cost for the isting legislation.” bers but it has also resulted The party questioned in making the department time for the rollout; how- system included more than ever, a source close to the just the Data Torque con- why the government re-en- even more dysfunctional. matter said that the pur- tract. Also included were gaged the firm Deloitte and It continued: “The lack of costs for locally purchased Touche to oversee the reg- experience and trained cuschase was “ill timed”.

The FNM also criticised hardware and software, and istration process, pointing tomer service staff memto the large recall of license bers is further proof that the doubling in cost of the local consultants.

The FNM statement said: discs that occurred the last the government does not new system by Data Torque, which it said was initially “The government has yet time the company was con- give priority to customer estimated at $4.5m but in- to formulate and present tracted. service in their agencies.” to Parliament the legisla“The government lost troduced at a cost of $9m.

Mrs Hanna Martin called The RTD’s $8m auto- tion that would amend the hundreds of thousands of both claims untrue, stating mated system eliminates ‘licence plate for life legisla- dollars in this process so we that Deloitte and Touche handwritten vehicle infor- tion’ that would permit the ask the question, why are have not been engaged in mation discs, in a bid to reservation of plates and for we engaging a failed com- the registration process, streamline the licensing the government to issue ex- pany in the process once adding that the RTD’s team and registration processes. isting numbers to different again?” the statement said. boasted a cadre of experiThe party also claimed enced senior staff.

The new electronic system customers.

It read: “This is signifi- that the government has is expected to make it easier The Road Traffic Defor persons to license their cant because persons who sidelined permanent senior partment also dismissed the vehicles and put an end to have lost one of their plates staff in favour of temporary FNM’s claims yesterday. having to register the same during the hurricane can- workers as the “face of the “The claims made by the

FNM are patently false and irresponsible,” the department said. “There is no contract with Deloitte and Touche with the Ministry of Transport and Aviation to carry out any function at the Road Traffic Department. Licence plates have been produced and the Road Traffic Department expects the plates to be distributed by Monday, October 31.

“The consulting company Data Torque successfully won the bid and was approved by the Tenders Board after a competitive process overseen by the Ministry of Finance. There has been no doubling of the contract: the sum of $8m incorporates local consultancies, training, travel, acquisition of hardware and other components to the system.

“The hardworking Road Traffic Department team has been working even harder over the last weeks and days, including in the registration of vehicles.

They have exhibited the highest standards of commitment and excellence of which all Bahamians can be proud. The FNM should not misrepresent their invaluable contribution in this historic and new paradigm in the business of our country,” the statement said.

On Tuesday, Mrs Hanna Martin admitted the department did not anticipate the chaos and “glitches” with the new system, which she acknowledged was “unacceptable”.

She said the department would roll out several measures aimed at combatting the chaos and long lines at the department’s temporary national stadium location, beginning with extending operating hours.

Apart from new operating hours of 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm, the Carmichael Road office, which was previously closed down, will reopen during the first week in November, she said.

UNIFIED BUS SYSTEM PILOT ‘BY THE END OF THE YEAR’

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE government is “hoping” to roll out a “prototype” for a unified busing system by the end of the year, a Cabinet minister said yesterday, adding that this is the furthest the government has got in its decade-long quest for jitney industry reform.

Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin told reporters yesterday that the government’s appointed steering committee for jitney/bus industry reform, comprised of bus owners, officials from both her ministry and the Ministry of Finance, have agreed to proceed with rolling out a “pilot project” which will be the “prototype of a public transport system” by early December.

She said that the pilot project will “have all of the features or as many of the features” as the government would like it to have, including schedules, fare boxes, established signage for bus stops, and uniformed, salaried bus drivers.

Mrs Hanna Martin said the government will be assisted in its tentative December roll out by a Canadian consultant, whom she

said will also “do all that is necessary legally, structurally” and otherwise to “lead to a universal rollout throughout New Providence” in parallel to the pilot project.

Mrs Hanna Martin also announced that the government now has a completed draft of the revised Road Traffic Act, which has had very few changes since 1958.

The proposed unification of the public bus system is part of the New Providence Road Improvement Programme (NPRIP), funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which also involved the upgrading of New Providence’s road network.

The project, which is being financed by $500,000 from the IDB, is an attempt to encourage jitney operators and franchise holders to take the next step towards reform, and overcome what appears to be entrenched stakeholder resistance.

However, an IDB paper, obtained by Tribune Business earlier this year, revealed that little progress towards practical jitney/bus industry reform has been made despite numerous reports and studies being presented to the government,

some of which date back to 1992.

“The agreement is that we are going to proceed with a pilot project which will be the prototype of a public transport system and will have all of the features or as many of the features as we would like it to have, including schedules, employees of bus drivers, not people hustling for a dollar, also established signage for bus stops, and also fare boxes and things of that nature,” Mrs Hanna Martin said of the steering committee’s discussions.

“Pursuant to that we engaged through the IDB a grant, and a consultant out of Canada was engaged, he’s been here several times. I met with him myself on Monday. And we’re hoping in early December to begin the roll out of a new prototype for transport. He has two roles.

That’s one. His second role is on a parallel basis to do all that is necessary legally, structurally, etc, along with out people in his consultancy role to lead to a universal rollout throughout New Providence.”

She added: “So this is the furthest it has ever gotten. Some people - I’m being criticised because we haven’t done it, but this is

MAN DETAINED OVER GUN AND DRUGS FIND

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A FREEPORT man was arrested on Thursday for possession of firearms, ammunition and dangerous drugs, police reported.

According to police, the 26-year-old male was taken into police custody in the area of East Sunrise Highway, where he was searched and allegedly found carrying a black .40 Glock pistol,

with six live rounds of .40 ammunition, and a quantity of suspected marijuana.

The man is expected to be formally charged in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court this week.

In other news from police, a man who was struck by a car and killed last week in Eight Mile Rock has been officially identified as Emmanuel Wilson, of Martin Town, Eight Mile Rock.

Wilson was walking and attempted to cross the street

when he was struck by a motorist on October 19. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police have also released the name of a man who drowned on October 20 as Cephas Wilson, 48, of Pheasant Road, East Sunrise Highway.

And in Abaco, the man murdered on that island on October 23 has been officially identified as Christopher Hield, 25, of Murphy Town, Abaco.

the first time we have gotten this far.”

Mrs Hanna Martin also said that the government now has a completed draft of the decades old Road Traffic Act. In 2014, it was reported that Canadian Neville Weeks, an independent transportation consultant, had been chosen to spearhead the revision of the Road Traffic Act, with a view to modernising the country’s transportation system.

“A consultant draftsman was brought in by the Office of the Attorney General, primarily to help us with this, and this is the first time in 60 years that we

have a comprehensive legislative, modern umbrella for road traffic, including public transport, offences, etc, the entire spectrum,” she said.

Friday, 28th October 2016

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PAGE 4, Friday, October 28, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

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Fierce debate on shape of Brexit LAST week in this column, we referred to a court hearing in London about parliamentary sovereignty in face of the British government’s decision to start the process of leaving the European Union (EU) following the nation’s referendum in June. Today we address the important broader issue of Brexit which is likely to have repercussions around the world as well as being a seismic event in Europe itself.

While new Prime Minister Theresa May’s government has made it clear that the wishes of the majority of the British people will be respected, the final shape of the country’s changed relationship with Europe will not be determined for some time. Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty provides the formal procedure for a member state to leave the Union and allows for a two-year period of negotiations. These will start no later than the end of next March because Mrs May has announced that she will trigger the process in the first quarter of 2017.

It will come as no surprise to all concerned, and in particular political commentators, that the narrowness of the victory of the Leave campaign has resulted in the implementation of Brexit being seriously contested. The so-called Remainers have been forced to accept the result of the referendum, but they argue that a hard Brexit, defined as leaving the single market and thus ending the free movement of workers, will have a bad effect on the UK’s economy and is not in the country’s overall interest. They regard retention of access to a customs union and single market of some 500 million customers as essential even with the fundamental EU requirement of linked immigration; but a complicating factor is that control of immigration was a key issue determining the result of the referendum.

The Government now faces not only a recalcitrant EU unhappy with Britain’s decision to withdraw, but also a domestic opposition of Remainers who are equally dissatisfied because of the referendum result, while the eurosceptics and Leavers believe that the EU will cooperate with

the UK in relation to the single market.

Britain is in a strong negotiating position because of its importance as an export market to the eurozone so that to risk denial of access to it would cause EU countries economic damage.

Furthermore, the Director General of the World Trade Organisation has stated that Britain will not suffer major trade disruption even if it pursues a hard Brexit, since trade with the EU would simply continue on WTO terms. However, given that the first priority of the EU is to stop other member states from leaving, it is unlikely to give the UK any concessions lest that might encourage others to follow their lead.

It is clear that government ministers and their civil servants in London face a daunting task in securing the best deal possible allowing access for British companies to trade goods and services with the EU, not least because the latter’s stance may be politically motivated.

As the UK progressively frees itself from EU institutions and brings an end to the supremacy of EU law over domestic law in managing the nation’s affairs, the government has pledged to be more outward-looking and, as a newly independent country with fresh vigour, ready to engage with the rest of the world, including the Commonwealth. It will take time for the effects of this to work their way through, but it is to be hoped that former colonies in the Caribbean region like the Bahamas will benefit through new trade and investment as well as increased assistance leading to greater technical, educational and cultural cooperation.

One of the tasks of the Fourth Estate is to place politicians under scrutiny and hold them to account on behalf of the people. This newspaper makes no apology for doing just that, without fear or favour, here in The Bahamas. But in the case of Brexit we can truly sympathize with Mrs May and her ministerial colleagues as they wrestle with the hideously complicated job of disentangling the UK from more than 40 years of EU membership.

Waste disposal and Baha Mar EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE talk, loose talk, of Talk Shows and their hosts and callers.

Disposing of residential waste in Nassau - a morning show transmitted from Oakes Field supports we gather the New Providence Waste and barge it to a nearby Cay. The host of that show overwhelmingly supported the idea. Have they not a sense of costs?

New Vehicle Licensing process - the same host seemingly has been enrolled to do the PR for Ministry of Transport at the complete chaos they created. Wait five plus hours and come away with No new license disc?

Third world that has to be

ninth world. Obviously his birthday is not in October!

Baha Mar... Mr Christie we were told everything “sealed and secret” so how ya tell everyone who is the new owner?

Perfect Luck Holdings Limited... Company reg #2072340 Hong Kong.

Baha Mar... if what Izmirlian had was transferred then the freehold of the Crown Property was not transferred. Did the Government grant the freehold?

Baha Mar... The Court agreed in very short order the Petition and EXIM took total possession of the Assets surely that still was subject to application and approval of NEC/National Economic Council which has no legality, but Christie

& Co swears by NEC? Will contractors after Matthew be interested in doing any work for Baha Mar or China State? If I was them I would not be as my profits at Baha Mar will be squeezed to a drip against big profits involved in the $650m hurricane restitution.

Fool’s talk from Minister responsible for Investment - come off it how can you say Foreign Direct Investment has not changed since Matthew - no it hasn’t it has been zero except for very old applications but nothing since June, 2012….nothing changed Minister.

JEROME ROBINSON Nassau, October 27, 2016.

We don’t need any more gaming EDITOR, The Tribune.

RAISING funds for ongoing Emergency-hurricane relief.

No! No! No! Mr Wilchcombe no more Gaming you have your head stuck in the sand in fact deep in the sand, if you cannot see the financial and social damage to the living fabric of

the residents of the Family islands legalising numbers has caused.

No… No… No… Rt Hon Prime Minister.

We all remember, never will forget, you deceived us with the result of the Number referendum and to remind you there was a “No” for lottery also.

The Gaming Referendum

was binding and you totally disregarded the voice of the people. May-June, 2017 coming soon and ‘OOO’s will use their ‘X’ against the PLP for sticking the people.

No... No.... No... more Gaming.

SINCLAIR HUMES Nassau, October 23, 2016.

The mess at Road Traffic EDITOR, The Tribune.

ALLEGED STATE OF THE ART ROAD TRAFFIC LICENCE SYSTEM. BOY the PLP don’t like those born in the 10th month (Sir LO would never have treated the 10th month people this way).

Questions have to be asked - it was reported that the original RFP/Tender was won at $4m but the end programme doubled in cost to $8m and from day (1) a total mess.

Where has this programme been used before?

Is it correct that a Bahamian used to work for a Vehicle Licensing Department in the US came home with the idea and sold it to Road Traffic and now is employed?

Pre the launch we were swung that this programme

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net was integrated and linked to NIB VAT - Business License and Immigration but I am reliably told nothing of the sort.

Question: NIB - VAT Business License and now Vehicle Licensing Why is government insisting on so much personal data to fulfill registration? Is the PLP designing a 1984 scenario as George Orwell suggested would be around where the State knew precisely what you were thinking!

My neighbor gone through this Licensing mess and blow me down after five plus hours he still have not gotten the new License disc! Told road Traffic will call him in two-weeks - pray they don’t mail it as that will

never arrive as that next department in this Ministry is underwater with all kinds of paradigm confusion... letters take two-three weeks for delivery at the General Post Office.

Same goes with those deceiving TV ads for NHI… nothing going to change January 1st, 2017 except those who cannot attend a private doctor will now be able - what happened to the Prime Minister’s concern that yearly 700 people died because they could not afford heath care?

Swinging again PLP swinging again. So after January 1, 2017 still 700+ will die but who cares this is election year. Best little what? Not under Christie and the present PLP. W THOMPSON Nassau, October 26, 2016.

Police reserves in the hurricane EDITOR, The Tribune.

I WOULD be most grateful if you would afford me some of your valuable space in your news daily in your next publication.

I am a resident of Grand Bahama and have been for many years. My boyfriend is a Police Reserve Officer here on the island, which is now his only job. I am employed with one of the major fast food restaurants on the island. Together, we have three children, ages five, seven and eight in school.

Since the passing of Hurricane Matthew, many of

the neighbourhoods and businesses have been vulnerable to break-ins and theft by vandals looking themselves for relief items from the storm, and unfortunately from those who are just “menaces to society”.

The Police Force has been doing its best with maintaining order, however, because of the extent of the damage and the state of the entire island, the manpower needed to maintain order, to patrol and to investigate is not sufficient.

My plea is directed to Mr Prime Minister, Mr Minister of National Security, and Mr Commissioner of Police.

Knowing the impact that Hurricane Matthew has had on North Andros, Grand Bahama and New Providence, and that around 90 per cent of the Police Reserve Officers are on these islands, I am asking for consideration to be made to allow the Police Reserve Officers to be utilised to work the 200 hours that was referenced by the Prime Minister on 31st May, 2016, on the new National Security Initiatives, especially during this time.

Editor, there is absolutely no way that 500 Bahamian construction workers worked on that building.

Daily we saw in regimental fashion the Chinese construction workers cross West Bay under security guard. On site, we saw a few

Bahamians, clearly obvious and evident but lord far far from 500. 500 Chinese probably! Hurricane stress, Prime Minister?

SYLVIANTI BAPTISTE Nassau, October 18, 2016.

The Pointe garage EDITOR, The Tribune.

CAN the Ministry of Immigration confirm how many work permits were issued to China State Construction, Americas for work on the Garage Development at the Hilton?

W THOMPSON Nassau, October 19, 2016.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, October 28, 2016, PAGE 5

Baha Mar bidder is Hong Kong firm from page one “CTFE is dedicated to the successful opening of Baha Mar and will work with the government to achieve the goal of a phased opening,” the statement added. “As part of the company’s commitment to the project and the Bahamas in the immediate term, CTFE will invest millions ahead of the official deal completion through pre-opening activities and employment – which has already commenced and will be expanded in the coming weeks and months.”

A company official said CTFE is committed to hiring as many Bahamian employees as it can to work at the shuttered resort.

“CTFE is looking forward to having Baha Mar join its portfolio of world-

class integrated resort development projects,” said Dr Henry Cheng, chairman of CTFE. “We are fully committed to this project and plan to hire as many Bahamians as possible to work at the property.”

Graeme Davis, the president of CTFE’s Bahamas subsidiary, said: “CTFE is a company that embraces and champions the culture and values of the communities where it does business around the globe. We are excited to create an experience in the Bahamas that showcases what we collectively have to offer the world. We are confident that Baha Mar will be a property that Bahamians can be proud of.”

Rosewood Hotel, a subsidiary of CTFE Group, has had a relationship with Baha Mar since 2011 as one of the originally selected

operators for one of Baha Mar’s hotels.

However, after the resort, under the direction of original developer Sarkis Izmirlian, filed for bankruptcy in a US Delaware court in 2015, Rosewood requested that the court void its licensing agreement with Baha Mar, arguing that its brand had been tarnished by its association with Baha Mar. The company will now be re-engaged to work with Baha Mar, CTFE said.

“As part of the remobilisation efforts, CTFE is already in discussions with hotel brands previously involved in the Baha Mar project, including Hyatt and SLS Hotels,” the company said. “CTFE also intends to re-engage its subsidiary, Rosewood Hotel Group, as a luxury hotel operator at Baha Mar.”

The company said it has significant experience in the tourism and hospitality sector, noting that Rosewood Hotel Group manages “55 hotels in 18 countries under three different brands.”

“Some of CTFE’s most iconic owned properties include The Carlye, a Rosewood Hotel (New York); Rosewood London; The Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel (Beverly Hills); and the Grand Hyatt (Hong Kong). Rosewood Hotel Group also operates three resorts in the Caribbean: Jumby Bay, a Rosewood resort in Antigua, Rosewood Tucker’s Point in Bermuda, and Rosewood Little Dix Bay in the British Virgin Islands,” the company said.

“CTE also has extensive experience with large-scale integrated developments.

For example, one of the

largest investments in London’s history, the over $10b Greenwich Peninsula development project, as well as the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane, a $2.3 billion integrated resort development project in Australian, are both CTFE and affiliated company projects.”

CTFE is owned by the family of Cheng Tu Tung.

Mr Tung, a jewellery tycoon, was a Hong Kong billionaire who died last month – September 29 – at the age of 91. The year before his death he transferred his personal holdings in six-Hong Konglisted companies to Chow Tai Fook Capital Ltd. On his death Forbes magazine listed him as the third richest man in Hong Kong with an estimated worth of US$16.6 billion This announcement came two weeks after Mr

Izmirlian made another offer to buy Baha Mar. In a letter dated October 10, Mr Izmirlian made an offer to purchase the stalled $3.5 billion resort “at a price in excess” of the current undisclosed bid.

Mr Izmirlian said his company BMD Holdings is prepared to pay 100 per cent of all “substantiated” Bahamian claims and all money owed to Bahamians and foreign employees.

In a letter to Liu Liange, vice-chairman and president of Export Import Bank of China (CEXIM), earlier this week, Mr Izmirlian said not only has the bank not acknowledged receipt of the proposal, but “nor has anyone associated with either the bank, the receivers, or Perfect Luck,” made contact with him.

CHANCES DONATES $50,000 TO NEMA

THE CHEQUE for $50,000 is handed over at the Ministry for Grand Bahama.

IN view of the current plight of his employees and residents of the Bahamas in general, President and CEO of Jaroh Investments Ltd Raymond Culmer presented a $50,000 cheque to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assist those islands affected by Hurricane Matthew.

The donation was made at the Ministry for Grand Bahama on Wednesday.

Hurricane Matthew is the second hurricane to hit the country in two years.

Following Hurricane Joaquin, Mr Culmer’s com-

pany trading as Chances, made a donation in the same amount.

He said: “We understand the devastation. We are a national company located in seven islands and we know the devastation our staff experienced and so this is the reason we are doing this.”

“Our customers are what keeps us afloat and who make us profitable and so our first obligation is to give back to them.

We are giving it to NEMA so it can go all over The Bahamas.”

Accepting the cheque on

behalf of the government were Minister of Labour and National Insurance Shane Gibson and Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville.

As coordinator for Hurricane Matthew relief and recovery, Mr Gibson thanked Chances for what he described as a very generous donation.

PAGE 6, Friday, October 28, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

PLP DELAYS CONVENTION UNTIL EARLY NEXT YEAR from page one

The convention was set for the last week of November, but has been further delayed due to the extensive damage Hurricane Matthew brought to several islands this month.

New Providence, Grand Bahama and Andros were the islands most affected by the storm.

The decision was made by the party’s National General Council during a meeting Thursday night.

“We decided to postpone it until late January or ear-

ly, first week in February,” PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts told The Tribune after the meeting. “And arrangements have to be made with the hotel. It was done out of the concern and sympathy with the people who are still in the process of recovery.”

“It was an overwhelming decision and everybody had their say - we had a packed house tonight,” he added.

He said he does not anticipate another delay to the convention unless “somebody sends another hurricane.”

Last week, West Grand

Bahama and Bimini MP Obie Wilchcombe laid out a compelling case for another postponement. He said many of his constituents were hard hit by the storm and are picking up the pieces of their lives. He urged the party to consider its priorities.

“There is something that we have to consider, Mr Speaker, and the PLP has to consider,” Mr Wilchcombe said. “And I say so because my constituents are asking me. And they are very concerned about it - should we move the convention? That is a

very serious concern. Do we go to convention next month?

“My constituents don’t think we should, Mr Speaker, because how do you go to the convention next month? That’s my constituents, Mr Speaker. At the end of the day I don’t support it either.

And you know why, you all don’t have constituents that you have to ensure come to New Providence.

That is an issue that has to be raised and we have to look at it. We cannot, Mr Speaker, not deal with it.”

Former Attorney Gener-

al Alfred Sears, who plans to run against Prime Minister Perry Christie for the party’s top post, on Sunday said there was no need to delay the convention.

He said the only change the party should consider is moving the venue to Grand Bahama so that all of the money spent on the event would be injected into that island’s economy.

“This is an essential democratic process within the PLP,” Mr Sears told The Tribune earlier this week.

“It is not a governance process within a social organisation. We are talking

about a process within the political organisation that is governing this country.”

The PLP has not held a convention since 2009, even though the party’s constitution mandates that one be held every year.

Initially, the convention was planned for November 2015 but was rescheduled for April 2016 because of Hurricane Joaquin, which pummelled the southern islands last October.

Then the April date was rescheduled to later this year to give attention to the June referendum on gender equality.

$20M CONTRACT SIGNED FOR FOUR NEW RADARS

PERMANENT secretary Lorraine Ambrister and Vaisala regional director Aleksis Kajava signs contracts for new doppler radars yesterday at the Ministry of Transport. from page one installed that will automatically provide weather observation that complies with international aviation standards to air traffic controllers and pilots.

Additionally, Mrs Hanna Martin said the Christie administration hopes to have further dialogue with Vaisala over refurbishing the country’s lone Doppler

radar, which she said is still a vital component in the creation of a “network of Doppler coverage” in the country, despite it being a decade old.

The acquisition of the four Doppler radars cost $19,136,110, Mrs Hanna Martin said. The agreement with Vaisala comes with a five-year service agreement, in which the company will assist local met officials with the maintenance of the

radars. Additionally, Vaisala officials said the Finnish Meteorological Institute also will be involved in “developing further the capacity” of local meteorologists.

The four new radars will be installed in New Providence, Abaco, Long Island, and Mayaguana, in that order, according to senior met officials. Vaisala officials estimated that the radar for New Providence will be fully operational by February.

“This was a major decision by the government in terms of priorities. It’s a lot of money,” Mrs Hanna Martin said. “But it was made because we understand that we are a small island developing state, that we are vulnerable. That we are seeing weather patterns changing and more ferocious hurricanes and storms that we are being affected by directly, that it is actually impacting us in material ways.

“And as a consequence this investment was absolutely essential to ensure that in terms of weather and the ravages of weather, that we are able to ensure that our people are not made vulnerable by lack of information or lack of analysis of what is happening.” “…This is very important because it is a loud statement that we are expressing as a matter of policy, that weather, and our vulnerability to the ravages of weather, is something that requires the attention of the state, the resources of the state, so that our people can enjoy a higher quality of life.”

Director of Meteorology Trevor Basden said once all of the radars have been installed, their collective network of coverage will span the entire Bahamian archipelago, as well as some parts of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and some parts of Cuba.

“We have now been given essential tools that would allow the Department of Meteorology to advance Met in the Commonwealth in the Bahamas,” he added.

“So you can be expecting more accurate weather forecasts, more detailed information on exactly where rain is falling. This new technology is cutting edge really.

“We’re at the forefront even I would say in the world now with these systems. So water spouts, tornadic activity, every meteorological hazard, the Department of Meteorology would now be in the position to forecast and also to nowcast to give information, especially when we work at NEMA, to be able to give information right up to five minutes or less on where rain bands and tropical cyclones might be.”

Aleksis Kajava, Vaisala regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean, commended the government for display-

Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff ing “extreme urgency” in its attempts to better augment the country’s weather tracking services.

“We feel very honoured, very responsible for being able to help you,” he said. “I assure you we are a responsible company. We have been in the business for more than 80 years, and that’s not by accident. It’s because we take care of the customers and projects we have and we don’t leave them alone.”

When asked for a timeline for implementation, Mr Kajava said: “We have already taken some measures to be able to manufacture the first radar, record quick for us, and it means it will be ready at the factory in December, but then it will take quite a bit of time to ship it by sea freight to the Bahamas where it will arrive in January.

“Then it will take approximately a month to have it installed. We will also build new infrastructure for the radar, a new tower, and all that takes some time. So we expect that in February the radar will be fully operational here in New Providence.

“And also we can accelerate certain other phases of the project, but we have to agree obviously on those together with the Bahamas, Department of Meteorology and the Ministry of Transport and Aviation on how and when we should proceed with all of the stages.”

The government first announced plans to strengthen the country’s weather tracking service in November 2015.

The need for the radars came to a head following the passage of Hurricane Joaquin last year when the Department of Meteorology came under fire after some forecasters claimed the Doppler radar was allegedly not functioning for several hours during the storm’s passage.

TEENAGE WOMAN SHOT IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD from page one

lifeless body of a female lying in the driveway with gunshot wounds. At present, officers are still investigating as we are still in the initial stages. We are conducting inquiries and knocking on every door.

We expect to get a break very soon.”

Supt Greenslade said po-

lice do not know the motive for the murder and have no suspects in custody.

According to sources, the woman was shot in the back of the head and the neck, execution style.

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.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, October 28, 2016, PAGE 7

Appeal Court confirms bail for man on murder charge

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net THE Court of Appeal yesterday affirmed a Supreme Court judge’s decision to grant $25,000 bail to a man awaiting trial on a murder charge.

Olivia Nixon argued on behalf of the Crown that Justice Milton Evans had not adequately considered the serious nature of the offence and strength of the evidence against Ivan Darius Pinder when he granted Pinder’s application in July.

The 23-year-old accused, who is due to stand trial in June 2017, faces a charge of murder in the February 3, 2015 killing of Tarino Tucker on New Hope Drive, off East Street South.

Around 9.30am on the day in question, Tucker was

fatally shot multiple times while visiting a friend in Bamboo Town – just hours before his 28th birthday.

Tucker walked from home to a friend’s house and was sitting on a wall using his cellular phone when an armed gunman approached and opened fire on him.

He tried to run, but died at the scene.

Pinder pleaded not guilty to the allegation when formally arraigned in the Supreme Court in July 2015.

Nixon, in yesterday’s hearing before Justices Dame Anita Allen, Stella Crane-Scott and Roy Jones, stressed that the judge had not adequately considered the serious nature of the offence and cogency of the evidence as the amended Bail Act (2011) requires.

“The reason for the judge

hearing the application is to inform himself whether, in fact, the applicant is likely to appear for trial.

Is there any allegation that he wouldn’t?” Dame Anita asked the prosecutor.

“It was listed in the initial affidavit of Sgt 1600 Barry Smith that was filed in opposition to bail,” Ms Nixon said.

Justice Jones said the affidavit doesn’t reflect those exact terms.

Justice Crane-Scott also raised an issue with the affidavit of Sgt Smith, noting that the contents of his affidavit conflict with the witness’ statements on which he relies.

Sgt Smith, the judge noted, indicated that two witnesses saw the incident.

However, one of the witnesses’ statements said he heard gunshots and then

proceeded to the area where he heard the sounds.

“Cogency will depend on the quality of the identification,” Dame Anita said.

Ms Nixon clarified that the witness claimed to have passed and talked with the respondent on the way to the scene.

The prosecutor contended that the judge had not “adequately considered the serious nature of the offence and the cogency of the evidence.”

Justice Crane-Scott disagreed, noting that Justice Evans indicated in his judgment that he had done so.

Ms Nixon was asked if there were any other circumstances leading to the objection by the Crown and she said the severity of the penalty Pinder faced, if convicted, was a likely incentive for him to abscond

if granted bail.

However, Ms Nixon was told that this was not raised in their objection.

“The whole purpose of the bail hearing is for the judge to be sure that the applicant will appear for his trial. So where did the judge go wrong in law?” Dame Anita asked.

Justice Jones, in agreement with the appellate president, noted that Justice Evans had referenced the relevant case authorities that outline the principles for which he has to consider when deciding on bail.

Ms Nixon noted that the judge had not properly considered that Pinder’s trial fell within the three-year threshold set out in the amended Bail Act (2011) concerning an accused man’s right to trial within a reasonable time.

However, Justice CraneScott told her that the very same legislation provided the court with the alternative option to grant bail if it was satisfied that the preceding factors had been considered.

The Crown’s application was dismissed and the Supreme Court’s decision was affirmed.

Pinder, as a condition of his $25,000 bond, must have two suretors and must surrender his travel documents to the court. He is also to be fitted with an electronic monitoring device and has a daily 9pm curfew.

Pinder is also required to report to the Quakoo Street police station on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays on/ or before 6pm.

Attorney Keith Seymour appeared for Pinder in yesterday’s hearing.

CRIME ‘DOWN BY 49 PER CENT SINCE SEPTEMBER’ IN GRAND BAHAMA

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

SENIOR Assistant Commissioner of Police Emrick Seymour revealed that there has been a 49 per cent decrease in crime on Grand Bahama since the end of September.

The 400 officers under his charge on Grand Bahama, he said, remain on heightened alert. He assured the public that the police have matters under control and noted that there had been no looting on the island at any time.

Senior ACP Seymour stated that there were incidents of petty theft by individuals who were breaking into homes and businesses stealing items.

“That is not looting, it is housebreaking and shopbreaking, and so reports of looting is utter rubbish,” he said.

He noted that due to significant arrests there has been a reduction of thefts on the island.

Meanwhile, Grand Bahama Minister Dr Michael Darville reported that good progress is being made to restore the essential utilities of power and telecommunications in Grand Bahama.

He told a group of pastors

SENIOR assistant commissioner of police Emrick Seymour. at a special meeting at Pelican Bay Resort on Thursday that 40 per cent of the island’s electricity has been restored, with power supplied to the industrial sector, most businesses in the commercial sector, and various residential areas.

Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) and EMERA were commended for the work they are doing to restore power after having lost some 2,000 poles during the storm. EMERA has brought more than 200 additional people to help with restoration of power on the island.

Dr Darville also reported that BTC services are up but there are still issues in certain areas.

In regards to public safety, he commended the Royal Bahamas Police and Defence Forces for their support in ensuring safety on the island and dealing with the incidences of petty theft taking place on the island. He noted that there was no looting on the island of Grand Bahama.

Meanwhile, Dr Darville said relief efforts are going quite well, with clean up efforts in Freeport underway

by Sanitation Services.

The government, he said, has contracted multiple contractors to remove debris in the areas of East and West Grand Bahama, which is the responsibility of government.

Minister Darville reported that there was no outbreak of infectious diseases on Grand Bahama post Matthew.

“One of the key factors of government was to ensure we did not have an outbreak of infectious diseases as there was surge in the southern parts of the island, but also West End was seriously hit with surge up to 6ft in some areas which brought microscopic crustaceans that began to rot and could create the possibility

of rodent infestation and the spread of leptospira. We made sure it didn’t happen and there was no outbreak of any form of infectious disease on Grand Bahama,” he said.

The second phase in the restoration effort is home repair, where the government will be launching technical assessments soon.

Grant funding is also being provided for residents affected, and small loans for small and medium size businesses.

Sherrick Martin, assistant controller of the Customs Department in Freeport, reported that the government’s exigency order will continue for a period of 180 days from October 7 to April 4, 2017.

Persons can import goods up to $3,000 without a home consumption entry form.

The exigency covers goods, such as building materials, household furniture, fixtures, generators and motor vehicles.

He also noted that residents may purchase building materials duty and VAT free in Freeport from business licensees of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, but they must fill out the necessary exigency forms at NEMA which must be submitted for approval, and presented to the local stores.

Mr Martin reported that to date the Customs Department has seen close to

$1 million in imported materials processed and exempted in Grand Bahama.

Friday October 28 - Saturday December 24, 2016

SUSPECT SEEKS BAIL IN FATAL SHOOTING CASE

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net A MAN appeared in the Supreme Court yesterday seeking bail ahead of his trial concerning a late-night murder that occurred in August.

Kyle Newbold, 24, appeared before Justice Joyanne Ferguson-Pratt where Dr Heastings Johnson of the Department of Correctional Services was expected to give testimony on the prison’s ability to provide adequate treatment for Newbold who has an existing medical condition.

However, that testimony has been adjourned to Monday, October 31.

Last week, Newbold and co-accused 22-yearold Christopher McQueen appeared in Magistrate’s Court for a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI) presentation that would fast track his case to the Supreme Court for trial in relation to the August 23 slaying of Martin Nixon.

According to initial police reports, shortly after 11pm off Blue Hill Road South, Nixon was involved in an argument with another man in front of a home that led to him being shot.

He was rushed to the hospital, but died of his injuries early the next morning.

Magistrate Constance Delancy informed the pair of the contents of the VBI and their right to enter an alibi in court or in 21 days to the Office of the Attorney General.

Both men chose the latter option and are now sched-

uled to appear in the Supreme Court on November 4, before Justice Bernard Turner for their formal ar-

raignment.

It is at that hearing that he will be allowed to enter a plea to the murder charge.

Newbold is represented by attorney Krysta MasonSmith and McQueen by attorney Glendon Rolle.

House & Spray

We can computer colour match:

PAGE 8, Friday, October 28, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Our Ancestors’ Strength

YOUR SAY

By GEORGE SMITH HURRICANES have inflicted great damage to The Bahamas.

Wayne Neely, who works at the Met Office, in his book ‘Great Bahamas Hurricane of 1929’, wrote that the September 1866 hurricane took 387 lives, the 1899 hurricane took 334, the July 1926 hurricane killed 268 and the 1928 hurricane claimed 18 lives.

On September 24, 1929 a powerful hurricane began its trek through the northern Bahamas. On its westward turn it did great damage, particularly in New Providence and Andros, killing 134.

Tales have been told about the heroics, compassion and leadership which distinguished many men and women of those years, who rendered assistance where needed by any who were severely impacted by the killer hurricanes.

Hurricane Matthew came to The Bahamas from the south 87 years after 1929.

It took a westward route as did the ’29 hurricane. It left devastation in its path especially in Andros, at Chub Cay, the Berry Islands, in Grand Bahama and New Providence, with the southern perimeter of New Providence hit hard.

Miraculously, not a single life was lost or a major injury reported. We should, therefore, be grateful and thank our Creator that lives were spared and that we live on these islands of incomparable beauty.

We should stop our grumbling, count our blessings and apply our energy in assisting those most impacted by the hurricane and at all times the indigent and the elderly in the society.

GEORGE SMITH In times like these it is important for Bahamians to remind ourselves of the stuff of which we are made, of the strength and courage of our ancestors and the great trials and adversities they overcame. From them we can draw the strength we now need.

I share with you a number of examples of their great courage. The first revolt by those of our ancestors who were enslaved took place in 1787. It took them 47 years to win their freedom. In 1942 they fought against the injustices at Windsor Field and in 1958 they forced the government to submission during the General Strike.

Having fought for universal adult suffrage, the vote for women was secured in time for the 1962 general election.

The fight against racism was a major part of the struggle, attracting great numbers of supporters to the progressive movement.

They made Majority Rule a reality in 1967 and Independence in 1973. They endure many natural disasters and paid heavily in lives. Over the years they overcame many indignities with their pride intact. They

were knocked-down many times, but never stayeddown. Their heads were often bloodied, but unbowed.

We should pray that their indomitable spirit encircled us in times of disasters, afflictions and when we weakened.

So as those affected by Hurricane Matthew struggle to rebuild their properties and restore their lives to normalcy, we must inspire our young people, in the spirit of their ancestors to assist their neighbours and help the elderly and those in need during this recovery period. They may just develop a sense of charity and realize that feeling of pride, which only comes when you give of yourself for the betterment of others.

Now is a good time to call on the spirit of our “noble” ancestors to strengthen and guide us to overcome our adversities and our weaknesses, moving us with God’s blessing to a lofty plateau.

• George Smith is a former Cabinet minister and former member of Parliament for Exuma. He is a member of the Progressive Liberal Party.

SOME of the damage in Andros following Hurricane Matthew.

READERS GIVE THEIR VIEW ON FUTURE HURRICANE FUNDING IN Tribune’s latest Big Question, we asked readers how they thought the gov-

ernment should raise money to fund future hurricane relief efforts.

Funeral Service For

Etta Stubbs, 83

Affectionately called

“Grammy”

of Arthur’s Town, Cat Island will be held on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at St Gregory the Great Anglican Church, Carmichael Road. Officiating will be the Reverend Father Canon Sebastian Campbell.

Interment will follow at Woodlawn Gardens Cemetery, Soldier Road.

Left to cherish her memories are her four children: Julia Isaacs Pierre, Edward (Boisey), Sidney Margaret Isaacs; 3 very special In-Laws: Vincent Pierre, Jacklyn and Sharon Isaacs; Nieces and Nephews: Mark and Christopher Stubbs, Ann Stubbs; Grandchildren: Melekah, Jamiro, Jawara, (Ranel), Tamissa (Oscar), Kendel, Charlene, Davia, Edward II, Covan, Amber (Dejaun), Sydney, Bashar, Kendal, Sidnesha, Canderon, Sidney, Jayven, Jaiden; Great Grandchildren: Lakia, Lyric, Jonathan, Dasia, Jeremy, Meacher, Oneisha, Dikaios, Kendia, Eathen, Hailey, Edward III, Chanay, Brianna, Tianna Jayden, Kyla, Chloe; Adopted Children: The Honourable Philip Brave Davis, Mr. Daniel Wreckley, Rev. Father Cannon Sebastian Campbell, Oscar, Kirk, Eddie, Julian, Earl, Ashley, Romane, Daren Newbold, Paulette Brown, Dorcas Farrington, Earnest Sands, David King, Roselda, Tricia, Marcus Newbold, Beautiny and Beauford, Nuck Wells, Vanessa Burrows, Glen Smith, and all who came to school during Grammy time, too many to mention; Numerous Cousins, other relatives and Friends: The Cleare’s of Orange Creek, Mr. Fritz Stubbs and Family, Stuarts and Stubbs of Orange Creek and Dumfries, Thompson’s of Arthur’s Town; Children of Osneb McDonald, Isaacs’ Family, Charles and Jennifer, Minkey, Rogan, Glen, Robert, Bobby, Pamela, Vivian, John, Maurice, Ann Albury and Family, Mrs Beverley Finley and Family, Evelyn Burrows, Dean, Thurston and Rahming Family, Stafford Storr, Smith Family, Andy Taylor, The Armbrister’s of Arthur’s Town, Edgar, Joe, Jimmy Moxey and Patrick Bain, King Family, Candice, Nigel, Lavado, Ophelia, Jane Curry and Family, Shannow Cove Resort management and staff, Fernandez Bay, Pigeon Cay, Nurses Jessie, Mackey , Chriswell and Stuart, Ambrose Family, Children and Grandchildren of Doreen and Hubert Pratt, Webb Family, Dean Family, Russell Family, Farah Family, Bill and Hilda Dean Children, Larrimore Family, Wilfred Hepburn and Family, the Police Officers of Arthur’s Town and the Bight Police Station, Wilfred Rolle Children, Miller Family, Childhood Friends; Dorothy Bowe, Margeret Murphy, Inez Farrington, Laura Dean Miller and Effiemae Bonaby, Granville and Silvia O’Brien. Godchildren: Yvonne Pratt, Dorothy Thompson, Kendal Campbell, Lillis Dean, Bethowlon Smith. The Entire community of Arthur’s Town, The entire community of Cat Island, and a host of other family and friends.

Relatives and Friends may pay their last respect at Dignity Mortuary, #15 Freetown, East Shirley Street on Friday from 12 noon to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m until service time.

BahamaPundit said: “Use the VAT money of course. It should be sitting there neatly waiting for an emergency and lowering the debt as promised.”

URD called for better tax collection: “Proper tax collection! Collect taxes from individuals who WE ALL KNOW do not pay their fair share of taxes.”

DillyTree suggested this: “Stop rampant government spending and curb corruption. Trim the civil service down to a reasonable size – so we the taxpayers don’t

keep paying for dead weight freeloaders installed under the ‘friends, family and lovers’ programme.”

ThisIsOurs said: “More in line with cost savings

Funeral Announcement

Stephanos Elias Antonas, 92 of Market Street, Nassau, Bahamas, died at his residence, on Wednesday, 26th October, 2016.

The service will be held at Annuciation Greek Orthodox Church, West Street, Nassau, on Saturday, 29th October, 2016 at 3:00 p.m.

Father Irenaeus Cox will officiate and the family ask that their wishes be respected for a private interment at the Western Cemetery, Nassau Street, Nassau.

Mr. Antonas is survived by his wife, Maria Antonas; sons, John Antonas and Elias Antonas; grandsons, Steffan Antonas, Paul Antonas and Byron Antonas; step granddaughter, Kelsey O’Rawe; daughters-in-law, Pavia Antonas and Lori Antonas; granddaughters-in-law, Julie Antonas and Ashley Antonas; great granddaughter, Olivia Antonas; brother-in-law, Byron Pateras; sister-in-law, Alice Pateras; numerous nephews and nieces and many other relatives and friends including Chryss Hionis, Jimmy Hionis, Leo Hionis of Philadelphia, Susan, Ricardo and Riley Mayberry of Bermuda, Chris, Diana, Sophia, Nicholas and Ally Pateras, The Tyrakis Family and The Girakios Family in Kalymnos, Greece, The Antonas Family of Ohio, U.S.A., The Klonaris Families of Nassau and Australia, The Thomas Family of London, England, Nick and Maria Gatis of Nassau, Krystal Cartwright and family of Nassau.

In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be sent to Annuciation Greek Church, P.O. Box N. 823, Nassau, in memory of Mr. Stephanos Elias Antonas.

Arrangements Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited.

but: Start hiring competent people. You save money on two ends, work starts to get done, we’re producing more with less people and you don’t have to pay the cost of fixing mistakes. No more perfect storms of mishaps for example.”

John had this to say: “The major thing that must change is the Bahamian government must stop living on the edge, over leveraged and credit maxed out.

That way when emergencies, including events like hurricanes, occur, the government can easily access

funds vis à vis low interest loans on a short term basis and have the ability to pay them back. As they operate now, too much of government revenue is going to service loans. To avoid having to constantly borrow, government must operate more efficiently, reduce corruption and get more value for the Bahamian tax dollars. Because borrowing was so easy in the past, it led to government operating inefficiency and a lack of accountability. Fix that!”

And there was this from Sheeprunner12: “If we reduce the Treasury teefing, and overpriced public budgeting and paying hologram civil servants there will be lots of money to stow away for ‘rainy days’. Get rid of the culture of corruption in government.”

• Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.

Funeral Notice For

Anastacia Louise “Anna” Fox, 88

of Valentine Subdivision off Johnson Road, formerly of Whymm’s, Long Island, will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2016, at 10:00a.m., at St. Anne’s Anglican Church, Fox Hill Road. Officiating will be Rev’d Fr. Hugh Bartlett Jr. Interment will follow in St. Anne’s Church Cemetery, Fox Hill Road.

In Lieu of flowers the family requests donations may be made to the Cancer Society of The Bahamas, East Terr. Centreville P. O. Box SS-6539; Telephone: 242-323-4482.

PAGE 10, Friday, October 28, 2016

Anglican Diocese Anglican Diocese. - Upcoming Events: 1 St James ACM Grill Fest - October 29 from noon.

2 St Mary’s ACM Steak Out - October 29 from noon.

3 St Ambrose Fair - November 5 from noon.

4 St Matthews Fair - November 5 from noon.

5 All Saints Feast of Title - November 6 at 3pm.

6 St Maragrets - November 12 from noon.

7 Holy Spirit Fair - November 19 from noon.

8 St Barnabas Old School Dance – November 11, 2016, Happy Hour 6-9pm until, Tickets $10.

Bahamas Press Club Bahamas Press Club. Anthony Newbold, president of The Bahamas Press Club 2014, has been appointed to the Executive Council of the newly formed African Caribbean & Pacific (APC) Press Clubs Federation at the founding congress convened in the Ubumwe Grande Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda, on October 20 to 21.

“It was an amazing and priceless experience,” said Mr Newbold. “The opportunity to network with fellow journalists from the African continent and the Pacific Islands, as well as establish the name of The Bahamas and The Bahamas Press Club in a world class setting cannot be overstated. There is no limit to the potential benefits from this association!”

Addressing the assembly, Mr Newbold noted the young and robust press corps in The Bahamas and

JOIN THE CLUB OUR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers.

To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@ tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line.

For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 5022373 or 447-3565.

their efforts to continually deliver on their mandate to inform and educate the public by holding the government to account for its actions, publicising issues that need attention, educating the public and bringing people together.

At that General Assembly, a charter was adopted for the formation of the Federation as an umbrella organisation, to build a platform for ACP press clubs, international press centres and press associations to exchange useful information, collaborate on joint projects, share expertise and build an international platform for communication initiatives.

The 12-member Executive Council is comprised of press club heads from six regions: West Africa, Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, Central Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands and is headed by Mr Gaspard Safari, President of the Kigali Press Foundation.

The council will support the work of the General Assembly and monitor the implementation of decisions taken by the General Assembly.

Mr Newbold is joined on the Executive Council by Ms Jewel Forde, President of Barbados Association of Journalists.

The Federation is expected to serve as a platform to not only raise awareness of ACP issues, but also to enhance the visibility of the ACP Group of countries.

The first official meeting of the council is expected to take place at the end of February in Kigali, when more concrete plans will be discussed and agreed to be pursued, leading up to the first official General Assembly of the Federation in late 2018.

Recognising the need to establish a network of media associations across the member states, the ACP Secretariat signed an MOU with the European Press Clubs Federation in September 2013, chaired at the time by Belgium (Brussels EU Press Club), to explore the establishment of a federation of ACP Press Clubs.

Efforts under this partnership resulted in the European Commission funding the first regional congress of ACP Press Clubs in Cotonou, Benin in July 2014, attended by the ACP Secretary General and opened by Benin’s Minister of Information and Communication.

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FROM left, Abdou Gningue, president of Press Club of Senegal; Anthony A Newbold, president of The Bahamas Press Club 2014, Abubakar Karsan, executive director, Union of Tanzania Press Clubs and Ernest Sagaga, head of human rights & safety for the International Federation of Journalists.

Since 2015, the Brussels EU Press Club and the ACP Secretariat have continued to work closely to advance this project. The Brussels EU Press Club is currently in discussions with relevant officials on the anticipated bid by Rwanda to host the General Assembly of the International Association of Press clubs in 2017, which will be the first for the African continent and the ACP as a whole.

Kiwanis Club of Nassau AM Kiwanis Club of Nassau AM. - On Wednesday, October 26, at 8am, Kiwanis Club of Nassau AM Youth Services was on the move as they officially implemented a breakfast programme at Palmdale Primary School.

Rotaract Club of East Nassau Rotaract Club of East Nassau. - On October 24, the Rotaract Club of East Nassau celebrated World Polio Day by hosting a viewing party to watch the live stream from the Rotary International Headquarters with updates on Rotary’s continued efforts to eradicate polio. We were joined by our sponsor club, The Rotary Club of East Nassau, members of other Rotary and Rotaract clubs and other guests.

YOUNGSTERS with members of the Kiwanis Club of Nassau AM. Polio is a disease caused by the poliovirus and can affect people in two ways.

No interaction with the central nervous system, which causes mild symptoms, but it can also affect the central nervous system and this may cause paralysis. Rotary International saw a need to eradicate this disease, and one of the ways they do this is through trips to endemic countries to help to administer vaccinations. There are currently three endemic countries; Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria.

The viewing party brought awareness to the ongoing efforts of Rotary International and also served as a fundraiser to raise money to donate towards the campaign. It was a great night of fellowship and we celebrated the suc-

cesses of Rotary and the fact that we are this close to eradicating polio.

Youth Environmental Corps Youth Environmental Corps. - Nearly two hundred young Bahamians have enrolled in the firstof-its-kind Youth Environmental Corps.

The corps is a work programme created and funded by the government for young adults between the ages of 19 and 39 to learn skills in administration and trade jobs and

environmentally friendly professions such as marine management, plant identification and park management.

Through the programme, the Forestry Unit is expected to receive 200 people over the next five years while the Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority is expected to hire between 100 and 300 young persons while additional persons will be sent to The Bahamas National Trust to add to the complement of apprentices already there.

Over the course of the next five years the YEC is expected to provide 1,200 new jobs.

MEMBERS of the Rotaract Club of East Nassau, above and below.

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Friday, October 28, 2016, PAGE 15

CLIMATE change protestors featured in the documentary Before The Flood.

WATERKEEPERS HIGHLIGHT IMPORTANCE OF DICAPRIO DOCUMENTARY ON CLIMATE CHANGE HE has explored love aboard the ill-fated Titanic and life at full throttle in The Wolf of Wall Street, but Leonardo DiCaprio may soon be best known for his most important exploration to date – opening the eyes of millions to the impact of climate change.

A documentary entitled Before the Flood will air this Sunday, October 30, for two hours on National Geographic starting at 9pm EST. It is an historic presentation, airing on TV and streaming online without interruption.

With coral reefs of The Bahamas included in the footage, local Waterkeepers Bahamas members have been invited to deliver the message about the documentary’s importance and urge others to view the film described as riveting, packed with dramatic evidence of the escalating forces of climate change and erasing any lingering doubt about the need to rid the planet of burning of fossil fuels.

“The film promises to provide an unnerving realisation of the state of the earth,” said Joseph Darville, Waterkeepers Bahamas president who also serves as chairman of environmental advocacy group Save The Bays and is a certified climate change trainer.

LEONARDO DiCaprio with Pope Francis in the documentary.

“The deterioration ex- the latter as he travels to five perience over the decades, continents and the Artic a huge portion directly re- to get a first-hand glimpse lated to our dependence of the effects of climate on fossil fuels, is far more change. Mr DiCaprio uses frightening than we at first his celebrity status to interfeared, but it is still not too view world leaders includlate to take steps to slow the ing US President Barack rate of change. But we must Obama and Pope Francis. act. Climate change is here.

“The very thing that The It is real. You can no longer Bahamas is globally known put it off and think of it as for, our beautiful oceans a tomorrow thing. We just and seas, which for many is witnessed the impact when their life blood, is already Hurricane Matthew blew threatened,” said Rashema through The Bahamas with Ingraham, Waterkeepers storm surges higher than we Bahamas executive direchave ever experienced in tor. “In Before the Flood, certain areas and low-lying Leonardo DiCaprio and coastal areas impacted in marine biologist Jeremy ways they had never experi- Jackson use a submarine enced before.” to explore the vastness of The film, produced by coral reefs in The BahaAcademy Award®-winning mas. They are forthright filmmaker Fisher Stevens about the likeliness of the and Mr DiCaprio, an Acad- reefs, the birthplace for emy Award-winning actor, thousands of species, dying environmental activist and due to the large amounts of UN Messenger of Peace, carbon emissions being abchronicles the journey of sorbed by the oceans.”

PAGE 16, Friday, October 28, 2016

BAMSI star goes on to study in China GIMEL Morley, the top graduating student in the Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute’s aquaculture associate degree programme, has been awarded a Chinese government scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in aquaculture.

She is currently attending Ningbo University in the Jiangbei District, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.

Ms Morley received numerous awards during the institute’s inaugural summer commencement exercise, including the Prime Minister’s Award for Overall Academic Achievement and Excellence. She initially discovered the science of aquaculture during her first semester at BAMSI. Enrolled as a marine science student she quickly realised this subfield of agriculture was more in line with her vision for her future.

“In the beginning I didn’t realise there was a difference between marine science and the aquaculture programme, but as the semester went on I noticed I wanted to do the aquaculture, I was more into growing things instead of studying the scientific aspect of marine life,” she said.

With the support of a number of talented lecturers, Erin Cash-Povey, Cameron Lightbourne and Dr Vallierre Deleveaux who heads BAMSI’s marine and aquatic sciences division, Ms Morley excelled in the area and emerged as a front runner and class leader.

“The course work was interesting. I got to spend more time on the farm and I also had the option of doing some practical work that the marine students did; fish health, fish nutrition and pond tank management,” she said.

ROMEO JOSEY

As she looked back over her two-year stint in the heart of North Andros, Ms Morley admitted that there is no experience in the world like the BAMSI experience.

“It’s a way to get a feel for college and even if students don’t like it there they will know what going to an institute of higher education feels like.”

For her, there are absolutely no regrets – BAMSI opened up the world of agriculture for Ms Morley and exposed her to the wonders of the natural world around her.

After successful completion of her studies in China Ms Morley expects to return to BAMSI. “I want to give back from what I’ve learnt. I’m looking forward to designing programmes for the marine students and assisting in a number of environmental projects in Andros.”

Ms Morley, who also has a bachelor of science degree in biology, encouraged new students to the institute to work hard, stay focused on their studies and not allow themselves to become distracted. “Be selfish and put yourself first with your studies. There’s a time for playing, but you really need to put in the hard work if you want to succeed.”

Along with Ms Morley, BAMSI’s first graduating

GIMEL Morley with Prime Minister Perry Christie. class is filled with success but more furniture and cusstories. Some 15 members tom made cabinets and not of the graduating class just pine trees, but mahogwere absorbed into BAM- any, horseflesh and lignum SI following a two-week vitae.”

Mr Josey describes his intensive training session in extension and outreach BAMSI experience as one practices. They now work as that was absolutely needed assistant extension officers because it has prepared for the institute and have him for a more rigorous been placed in a number of academic experience as he islands – Eleuthera, Long looks to purse studies leadIsland, Andros and New ing to a master’s degree. It also helped him discover Providence.

Romeo Josey, another more about himself.

“The challenges that I outstanding graduate and recipient of the Eneas Ag- faced academically and ricultural Policy Award will socially, in terms of livbe following in Ms Morley’s ing with persons who are footsteps and is set to fur- not like-minded to some ther his education at South degree, helped me to find Dakota State University myself and broaden my hoin January. Mr Josey plans rizons on how I see not only to study resource manage- people, but college life in ment and forestry business. general.”

Among the high points of “I see myself owning a logging company, not so his school career, Mr Josey much large scale lumber, said, was achieving a 3.79

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GPA during his first semester, a visit by officials from the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation, and the opportunity to address a town meeting in Nassau on climate change.

“The BAMSI experience is hard to compare,” he said. “It showed me what life with a degree would be like.”

Registration for BAMSI’s online courses and the 2017 Spring Semester are currently open.

Interested persons should contact the school in North Andros at 242-329-1700. In New Providence, contact BAMSI’s main office at 397.6580 or visit us in the Levy Building, East Bay Street. Family Island residents should contact their island administrator’s office for application forms and more information.