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The Tribune

Volume:116 No.12, JANUARY 11TH, 2019

Established 1903

Weekend

OBITS OFFICIA

WEEKEND: SURF’S UP - ON LONG ISLAND

INSIDE

Time to make your mind up

Top judge calls on Minnis to name new Chief Justice

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net THE country’s top judge has criticised the government’s failure to appoint a substantive Chief Justice, saying the situation has proven to be a “tremendous challenge” for the judiciary in making any long-term plans for the future.

Acting Chief Justice Vera Watkins, speaking at the opening of the 2019 legal year, said she has been placed in a “tenuous position” due to the

government’s delay in making the appointment, adding it makes her unsure as to “whether I will be sitting in this chair later on today or tomorrow morning”.

The Acting Chief Justice echoed similar sentiments raised by Bahamas Bar Association president Kahlil Parker, who said the “proliferation of acting judicial appointments” has been a “deleterious effect on both the perceived and the actual independence SEE PAGE FIVE

FREETOWN MP Dionisio D’Aguilar leads his parliamentary colleagues with the most recorded House of Assembly absences since the Free National Movement took office in 2017.

According to House attendance records from 2017 and 2018 obtained

by The Tribune, the Tourism Minister has missed

22 sittings. This puts him on pace to possibly exceed the absences of his predecessor, former West End and Bimini MP Obie Wilchcombe.

Mr Wilchcombe, former Tourism Minister under the previous Christie administration, did not attend the House of Assembly for 48 sittings in the 2012-2017 session of Parliament.

Chief clerk David Forbes explained that an absence is SEE PAGE NINE

L SOUR CE

CONCH MAY BE WIPED OUT IN 10-15 YEARS

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas National Trust is gearing up for a major conservation push in the wake of research findings that warn the local conch supply could be wiped out in ten to 15 years.

Eric Carey, BNT’s executive director, yesterday called recent reports from the Chicago-based Shedd Aquarium group a “wake up call”, insisting Bahamians need to take the findings seriously if the “beloved conch” is to survive.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

BPL FACES $6M BILL TO CLEAN OIL SPILLS

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

TOTAL remediation of legacy oil spills at the Clifton Pier Power Plant site could cost Bahamas Power and Light up to $6m.

BPL CEO Whitney Heastie confirmed an engineering study by CH2M Hill that identified all contaminated areas and the electricity provider was now focused on soliciting firms for the clean up.

SEE PAGE SIX

DIONISIO HEADS ABSENTEE LIST

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

$1

40 JOBS LOST IN TAYLOR’S CLOSURE

MAJORITY RULERS

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Based on initial reports, the altercation appeared to be a brazen attack on the administration of justice, sending chills through the judicial community while attracting condemnation from current and former top legal officials.

TAYLOR Industries’ principals say three years of losses, combined with a harsh economic climate featuring escalating cost and tax hikes, gave them no choice but to close and layoff 40 staff.

The 74 year-old electrical retailer and contractor, confirming it had closed its doors for good on Monday, revealed that it was insolvent and will be naming a liquidator to wind-up its affairs due to a “significant liability” related to employee terminations.

SEE PAGE THREE

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

FORMER Prime Ministers Perry Christie and Hubert Ingraham enjoy a laugh together during the ecumenical service in observance of Majority Rule Day held at St Francis Xavier Cathedral. See page three for more photographs.

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

FILM CASTS NEW LIGHT ON PROSECUTOR ATTACK

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net LAVITA Thurston outfitted her home with surveillance cameras in December, three years after her daughter was killed on her front porch.

She hopes footage from

those cameras will save two of her sons from prison after they were accused of attacking a prosecutor, Joel Seymour, on Sunday.

The men are expected to be arraigned in Magistrate’s Court today on a charge of “causing harm”, according to their lawyer Romona Farquharson Seymour.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

PAGE 2, Friday, January 11, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

1,200lbs marijuana are seized by police POLICE on New Providence have seized more than 1,200 pounds of suspected marijuana in two separate incidents on Wednesday and took two men into custody. The combined street value of the drugs is more than $1m.

In the first incident, according to reports, shortly after 8pm, Drug Enforcement Unit officers acting on intelligence went to a residence on St Bart’s Road, Golden Gates, where they met a man standing near a white van. Upon seeing the officers, the man ran from the yard and escaped.

Officers searched the van and recovered 19 sacks and one taped package with suspected marijuana, weighing 545 pounds, with an estimated street value of $545,000. Two men who were also at the residence were taken into custody. They are expected to appear before a judge next week to be formally charged.

In the second incident, according to reports, shortly before 9pm, DEU officers acting on information, conducted a search of a property at Williams Drive off Cowpen Road and and discovered 26 sacks and one cooler containing 656 pounds of

suspected marijuana behind a building.

The drugs have an estimated street value of $656,000. No arrest was made in this incident.

Meanwhile, two people were arrested in Abaco after police discovered 60 potted marijuana plants this week.

According to reports, shortly after 1pm on Tuesday, police and immigration officers, acting on information, went to an area off Ernest Dean Highway where they found a number of stolen items and 10 pots of suspected marijuana plants, about one to three feet in height.

ASP Terecita Pinder reported that the officers arrested a 46-year-old Jamaican woman who was discovered in the area.

She said that a short time later, during a further search of the area, officers discovered 50 marijuana plants about one to four feet in height. As a result, police arrested a 44-yearold Bahamian man of Dundas Town who was also found in the area.

According to ASP Pinder, the plants have an estimated street value of $30,000.

Investigations are ongoing.

WOMAN IN HOSPITAL AFTER BEING STABBED A WOMAN is in hospital after she was stabbed during a fight yesterday morning.

Police said the 22-yearold was with a group of women at a home on Malcolm Road around 1am yesterday when they got into an argument, resulting in the victim being stabbed.

The woman was taken to hospital where her condition is listed as stable.

Meanwhile, police in Grand Bahama are

investigating an armed robbery that occurred at a Freeport business on Tuesday evening.

According to reports, shortly after 9pm two masked suspects entered a business on Logwood Road and Yellow Pine Street brandishing a firearm.

The thieves robbed the cashier of personal items, took an undetermined amount of money from the cash register and fled.

The investigations continue.

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THE TRIBUNE

CELEBRATING MAJORITY RULE DAY

Friday, January 11, 2019, PAGE 3

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis addressing the ecumenical service held to honour Majority Rule Day at St Francis Xavier Cathedral.

GOVERNOR General Dame Marguerite Pindling at the ecumenical service.

APOSTLE DELTON FERNANDER, President of the Bahamas Christian Council.

A WREATH-laying service yesterday at the mausoleum of the late Sir Lynden O Pindling, the first Prime Minister of The Bahamas. Pictured are Leader of the Opposition Philip Davis, Anne-Marie Davis, Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling and grandson Lynden O Pindling II. Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

Film casts new light on prosecutor attack from page one It was reported Mr Seymour was attacked because of a case he prosecuted and that his assailant was a witness for the defendant in that trial.

But Mrs Thurston’s footage complicates that narrative. The video shows an altercation happened within range of her home, not yards east at K-Souse on Blue Hill Road, the takeaway shop Mr Seymour was said to have visited when the confrontation happened. In the nearly ten minute-long clip, a man, purportedly Mr Seymour, is seen charging at Mrs Thurston’s son and as he does so her younger son intervenes and punches him in the head. A senior police official confirmed the legitimacy of the video to this newspaper and said it does concern the incident involving Mr Seymour.

Contrary to initial reports, the prosecutor was never stabbed – he was only punched to his head, a senior police officer said.

He required medical attention because George Rahming, 27, wore rings when he threw the punch, this newspaper was told.

The brothers voluntarily went to the Cable Beach Police Station and gave their story to the police, but they were subsequently arrested.

During interviews with The Tribune on Wednesday and Thursday, Mrs Thurston, a court interpreter, cried as she told us: “I am up this morning and I feel worse than when my daughter was killed. I can’t wrap my mind around it, how this happen to us. I haven’t eaten a good meal since Saturday.”

The family fears the brothers will not receive a fair hearing because they are going up against a prosecutor.

As proof of their point, their lawyer noted the sons are expected to be charged with causing harm under Section 266 of the Penal Code as opposed to Section 135 where they could secure

bail immediately and not be remanded to prison.

Once on remand, they could apply for bail, a process that could take weeks.

Mrs Farquharson-Seymour said a punch should not warrant the more severe ‘causing harm’ charge.

She said the sons were taken to court on Wednesday but were later taken to the Department of Correctional Services because they could no longer be kept at a police station. She could not say why the men were not arraigned at the same time, but said that is a matter she will deal with today.

However, a police prosecutor confirmed yesterday there was an issue with the men’s charge sheet, hence they were not arraigned on Wednesday.

Mrs Thurston said it is distressing to have her sons endure the conditions of the Department of Correctional Services. “My sons in that dirty, filthy prison suffering with the same clothes they had on from Sunday night,” she said.

Mrs Thurston claimed an effort of bystanders to restrain Mr Seymour took place out of frame of the footage. The video shows people standing around looking in the easterly direction from which Mr Seymour eventually emerges. One of those seen standing around is Daltino Thurston, 30, the oldest son at the centre of the encounter. He can be seen in the clip walking back and forth, at times gesticulating in the easterly direction.

Mrs Thurston said when the commotion started, she called the police but

officers did not immediately arrive and had called twice more before they eventually came. She can be seen in the video holding a phone to her ear, walking about in front of her yard.

She said responding officers made no arrests at the scene; one officer told her sons to report their side of the story at a police station, which they did minutes later, she said.

She acknowledged her video does not capture what preceded the events caught on camera, particularly the initial interaction between Mr Seymour and Mr Thurston at the takeaway shop. Residents say the shop is transformed into a club at night. Mrs Thurston said at the very least, the video should have discouraged police from pressing charges against her sons, the eldest of whom is not shown having physical contact with Mr Seymour.

“If it was civilian versus civilian, they were not gonna be charged,” she said.

She confirmed the older son testified on behalf of a defendant in an armed robbery case in which Mr Seymour was the prosecutor. However, she claimed her son did not have a strong relationship with the defendant and would never be moved to fight on his behalf.

“The defendant gave Daltino’s name as an alibi,” she said. “My son told him he don’t like courts and things like that, but he testified. They weren’t buddy, buddy like close friends from school or something.

I don’t know why they making it seem like because

Seymour was the prosecutor in the case my son hurt (him). Nobody even care (about the defendant).”

For his part, Mr Seymour maintained his side of the story when he spoke to The Tribune.

“Myself along with other prosecutors risk our lives everyday trying to protect the Bahamian people and yet still these same people are screaming ‘crucify him’,” he told this newspaper.

PAGE 4, Friday, January 11, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

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C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972-

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Halting illegal immigration a fight we dare not lose PUBLICITY about the recent successful interception on the high seas of large numbers of migrants from Haiti brings to the fore yet again the serious on-going problem for The Bahamas of the attempted illegal and uncontrolled mass movement here of people from our troubled neighbour to the south.

This has been a thorny issue for many years though it appears to be worsening, not only during the current peak season because of favourable winds but as a result of deteriorating conditions in Haiti itself. The situation constitutes a serious threat to our society as a whole, to our economy and national security and even, potentially, to our existence as a sovereign state.

While Haiti, with a population of some 11 million, continues to experience political and economic instability that has led to poverty and deprivation, it is inevitable that those affected will seek a better life elsewhere. The Bahamas – seen as an ordered, functioning and wealthy country, with its archipelago stretching over some 600 miles and relatively accessible - is an attractive destination for migrants that can also be used as a springboard to the ultimate ‘Eldorado’ of the USA. International migration is widely seen in a positive light as an important element of globalisation since it can be a source of increased prosperity for the receiving countries and generally beneficial to their societies. Orderly and controlled movement of people across national borders can contribute, in the right conditions, to economic growth and social development; and, recently, the European Union commissioner for migration described it as a moral, economic and social imperative.

By contrast, uncontrolled, disorderly and illegal mass migration is unacceptable since, self-evidently, it will place a strain on housing, education and the provision of health and other public services. It can also lead to increased crime and can threaten the security and stability of a receiving country. For example, the negative repercussions arising from German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s decision in 2015 to accept up to a million refugees from the Middle East and the continuing stream of migrants crossing the Mediterranean are never-ending – and the current debate about illegal immigration in the US, together with President Trump’s disputed wall on the Mexican border, remain currently top of the news agenda because of the controversy they generate.

For The Bahamas, with a population of less than 400,000 and its various under-populated and relatively remote Family Islands, the threat of mass illegal migration from its populous neighbour is also intensifying as a result of the involvement of criminals in human trafficking or people smuggling. Our circumstances are unusual, if not unique, and it is no exaggeration -- nor is it xenophobic -- to say that this represents a

ticking time bomb that needs to be dealt with urgently.

Fortunately, unlike EU leaders who decline to admit the downside of uncontrolled and illegal immigration, our own politicians readily recognise the dangers and the nation’s vulnerability. The Prime Minister has been quoted this week as saying the government is committed to dealing firmly with the problem and the Foreign Minister, Darren Henfield, has also acknowledged its seriousness and has provided assurances that steps are being taken to stem the flow of Haitian illegal migrants.

Such tough rhetoric is to be welcomed, but we believe the public should be given more information about the action being taken.

The practical difficulty of covering the vast expanse of ocean surrounding our archipelago remains daunting.

To the layman, the long-term solution should be to tackle the problem as near as possible to its source. This means the area of our southern border around the Great Bahama Bank which extends for hundreds of miles. It is public knowledge the US Coast Guard has a base in Inagua, less than 80 miles from Haiti, from which it conducts aerial and other surveillance. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force also has a base in Matthew Town which could presumably be expanded and we wonder whether consideration has been given to establishing a separate base on, for example, Ragged Island as well.

Given the nature of the task, it surely makes sense the assets available to the RBDF and the way they are utilised around our many islands should be decentralised as much as possible, not only to become more effective in catching smuggling boats at an early stage but also to fulfil the remit to protect Bahamian fishing grounds and prevent poaching as well as carrying out air/sea rescue work. We also wonder about a radar system and the possible use of drones which could be shared as needed with the police and with the immigration authorities and even the Department of Correctional Services.

We believe that, subject to security constraints, as much information as possible should be made public in order to reassure people that everything possible is being done to protect the nation. This could also serve as a deterrent to the wrongdoer.

Meanwhile, it seems the general public strongly supports the existing practice of deporting illegal migrants.

But in a democracy like ours we hope the responsible authorities will always be careful to act within the confines of the law and in accordance with the nation’s international obligations. We look forward to seeing the promised new Immigration Bill soon and trust the government will allow sufficient time for proper public consultation about such an important issue.

BAIC bailout and more to come EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Tribune advised this morning that BAIC has received a $500,000 bailout from the taxpayers money to pay down the $3.123m debt of that corporation.

Employees’ NIB contribution of $700,000 are part of this $3.123m.

The $700,000 represents monies for the most part deducted from employees cheques, under the previous administration, but not paid to NIB. The BAIC cash position has improved, and the $3.123m debt has been paid down to $2.573m. Kudos to the BAIC executive chairman, Michael Foulkes and

his team.

The current paydown of the debt, however, does not include the $700,000 owed to NIB. Mr Foulkes expressed the “fervent hope” that this year with the help of the Government, that the missing $700,000 will be paid to NIB. The Government can only assist with more money from the taxpayers.

As a taxpayer, and in the interests of Transparency and Fiscal Responsibility, I would also like to express my fervent hopes for this year: 1. That this Government determine where the missing $700,000.00 went.

2. That this Government has the will and employs the means to make sustained efforts to recover the $700,000.00.

3. That this Government will declare what debts were incurred by BAIC, whether they were properly incurred, and what efforts will be made to bring to account those not properly incurred.

Meantime I suppose we can enjoy what may be the most expensive local tomatoes and bananas on the planet.

LEANDRA ESFAKIS Winton, Nassau, January 8, 2019.

Queen’s Honours EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT has been a tradition that “worthy” Bahamians are acknowledged for contributions they may have made to nation building by being placed on the Queen’s New Year’s list.

For years, Father Sebastian Campbell has made it a personal mission to voice his utter contempt for this practice, even going so far as to have spearheaded a drive to have a national hero award as a substitute.

This year’s list stirred the ire of Father Campbell, who considers the Queen’s list inferior to the honorific title of a national hero.

I find the reasoning used to justify his statements both questionable and sad.

His acerbic, self righteous remarks reflect those of a person with an axe to grind with our former colonial masters.

Political correctness is often the enemy of truth; I am of the view that whenever Bahamians excel at home or abroad in a way that brings praise from international sources, we should all share in the acknowledgement of the accomplishment. Only a bitter spoil sport would do otherwise. It matters not the country or system from which the honour originates, once the person has earned the privilege of being acknowledged by their own merits. Therein lies the problem, any award that originates from within this country is seldom based on one’s personal

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net merits! This culture is not one that understands or respects the concept of meritocracy. Very little acknowledgement is given to those who work altruistically, diligently and honestly, and when they are honoured it is usually in the setting of churches or small civic organisations away from the public eye.

Now consider Father Campbell’s so-called national heroes. In reality, this nation has few if any national heroes. We have fought no wars as an independent nation. We have had no men spill their blood in violent opposition to invasion or oppression.

After weighing the pros and cons of the contributions those in public life in the past, I am hard pressed to think of the names of ten people who would epitomise what a hero truly is for this country and by misusing the word hero, we strip it of the dignity it should have. We have had men and women who were oppressed by our former colonial masters who through peaceful protest were able to gain independence and then establish oligarchies in the aftermath. We have had leaders who have run this country into the ground while the ignorant masses idolise them, but these are not heroes. One can’t help but wonder in retrospect if we

would not have been better off remaining a colony of Great Britain!

The persons who find themselves on the Queen’s list of honorees were recommended through a system endorsed by the government that invariably use them as political rewards rather than for actual contributions made to the country. I have observed over the years that many who have found themselves on the Queen’s New Year’s list have received far more from this country than any benefit the country may have derived from their “contributions”. In a country this size, where who you know is more important than what you know or do, it is easy to believe that any honour that is the product of government influence or intervention is invariably influenced by politics. The petty tribalism that controls and corrupts everything strips any so-called honour of its luster and significance.

We certainly need an objective way to reward deserving citizens, but these honorific titles that are not rooted in true meritocracy have had their time and serve no purpose other than to distort history, inflate egos and ingratiate recipients to the powers who award them. This is true of both awards, the one Father Campbell reviles and the other he propagates.

JB Nassau, January 8, 2019.

Why, why, why?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

WHY is the cable still off and when it is on why are there channels missing, you should get there channels that you paid for, if the package changed someone should let you know, channels have been taken away and added nobody let me know what was going on. I had to have a good amount of awareness?

Why is the Post Office

still closed for periods of time it seems like it is closed all the time?

Why is the Public Library still closed?

Why did COB change to a University? I heard that college is Government and University is privately owned, heard from students that the persons with private control of the University Of The Bahamas at this is not doing a good job; I heard student

campus life is bad under the private control and the University shouldn’t even be called a university because it doesn’t have a radio station, supposedly in order to be a university you have to have a radio station?

Why is the internet still off?

KYLE ARMBRISTER Nassau, January, 2019.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 11, 2019, PAGE 5

Top judge calls on Minnis to name new Chief Justice

from page one

of the judiciary, which compromises its ability to function as a check and balance against the other two branches of government.”

He said the Bahamas Bar Association “will not silently abide the invisible tether” ACJ Watkins and “other acting appointments represent and represented upon our Chief Justice and other justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal”.

Prior to former Chief Justice Stephen Isaacs, the country’s last substantive Chief Justice was Sir Hartman Longley, who was appointed in 2015. In late December 2017, Sir Hartman was sworn in as president of the Court of Appeal. Since that time, there was no substantive Chief Justice until July of last year when Isaacs was appointed, however he served in an acting capacity up until that point. Isaacs died last August, two weeks after he was formally sworn in to the post.

In early September 2018,

the opening of the legal year, and under circumstances similar to hers, he was serving in an acting capacity at the time.

And now, she said, “I am sitting in the same chair and presiding over the opening ceremony in the capacity of Acting Chief Justice.

“The fact that there was no appointment of a Chief Justice for a period of eight months, together with the untimely passing of former Chief Justice Isaacs and the fact that the judiciary is still without a substantive Chief Justice, has been a tremendous challenge as it is difficult for the judiciary to make any long-term plans for the future,” she said.

“The indisputable fact is that while it may be so that I am sitting in this chair as Acting Chief Justice at this moment, I am not certain as to whether I will be sitting in this chair later on today or tomorrow morning. As a result of the tenuous position in which I find myself, it may be a futile exercise to make any long-term plans for the judiciary.”

Meanwhile, Mr Parker

said Acting Chief Justice Watkins has the “unenviable task of projecting aspirations for the year from a constitutional post” which she has “no way of knowing whether she will continue to hold tomorrow.”

“As a Bar, we have been at pains to demonstrate to the public why it is that the proliferation of acting judicial appointments has a deleterious effect on both the perceived and the actual independence of the judiciary, which compromises its ability to function as a check and balance against the other two branches of our government,” he said. “…The Bahamas Bar Association will not silently abide the invisible tether which your, and the other acting appointments represent and represented upon our Chief Justice and other justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. While it appears that some may not appreciate why this is important, they ought to reasonably be guided by those of us who do understand.”

Tribune, Mr Mitchell said the lengthy delay in an appointment insults the judiciary.

“The appointment should be made forthwith,” Mr Mitchell said. “This is not an appointment that should be made on the personal whims and fancies of the prime minister.”

Current criticisms of the government’s pace are in line with those that arose ahead of the naming of the late former Chief Justice Stephen Isaacs to the post.

Isaacs’ appointment came

nearly seven months after his predecessor, Sir Hartman Longley, was sworn in as president of the Court of Appeal.

In that timeframe, Dr Minnis faced intense criticism for the delay, ultimately saying he would not be forced to appoint a Chief Justice, neither was he concerned about losing political capital over it.

ACJ Watkins has occupied the post in an acting capacity for roughly four months.

THE OPENING of the 2019 Legal Year parade.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff However, the prime minhave been moving through Acting Chief Justice Watister was tight-lipped on my head, but I have not kins was sworn in.

On Sunday, Prime Min- when the pick would be moved them yet from my ister Dr Hubert Minnis made, telling The Tribune head to any paper,” Dr told this newspaper the he did not want to commit Minnis told The Tribune.

On Wednesday, ACJ country will know in “very to a timeline and that it short order” who will be would be dealt with at the Watkins noted that in January 2018, Isaacs presided appointed to the post of appropriate time.

“There are names that over the ceremony to mark substantive chief justice.

NEWBOLD: PM WILL REVEAL CHOICE ‘IN DUE COURSE’

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis will reveal his choice for Chief Justice in “due course”, according to Press Secretary Anthony Newbold, who yesterday said the Killarney MP was still mulling over his shortlist of candidates.

Mr Newbold was responding to questions on the government’s current timeline to name and appoint a new Chief Justice, given concerns raised by Acting Chief Justice Vera Watkins at the opening of the 2019 legal year.

ACJ Watkins said the

government’s slow pace in naming someone to the post has hindered the judiciary in making any long-term plans.

The Tribune initially reached out to Attorney General Carl Bethel yesterday, but he declined to comment on the issue saying he had nothing to add to the discussion, nor a response to the concerns raised by ACJ Watkins.

The Tribune contacted Mr Newbold to confirm whether or not the naming of a new Chief Justice had been recently discussed at a Cabinet level, and if those talks identified a firm timeline.

Responding via text

message, Mr Newbold said while there was no timeline, the prime minister has committed himself to reviewing several names he had recently shortlisted, with a view to reveal his choice in “due course”.

On Sunday, Dr Minnis told this newspaper he had not yet made a decision on the matter, but it would be dealt with at the appropriate time.

“There are names that have been moving through my head, but I have not moved them yet from my head to any paper,” Dr Minnis told The Tribune on Sunday. “(But) I don’t want to give timelines, the press

holds me very seriously to timelines. So no timelines right now, but you will know in very short order.

“We’re at the beginning of the year and we will deal with it at the appropriate time.”

Meanwhile, Progressive Liberal Party chairman Fred Mitchell yesterday said the appointment of a substantive Chief Justice should be made immediately, asserting that Dr Minnis misunderstands the importance of the post.

In a statement to The

2019 HAPPY

‘NO PLAN, NO URGENCY’ OVER FIXING BUILDINGS

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Bar Association president Kahlil Parker has chided the government for not demonstrating “any semblance of urgency or a plan” to remediate the “vexing” infrastructural challenges attorneys face in the various court buildings on a daily basis.

Mr Parker, speaking during a ceremony on Wednesday to mark the opening of the 2019 legal year, said his members have yet to see any “substantive engagement” from the government on dealing with the various infrastructural deficiencies, which he said has adversely affected services attorneys offer clients.

According to Mr Parker, litigants at times have had to be physically lifted up several flights of stairs due to the lack of disabled access to the Supreme Court facilities. In other instances, he said, court matters have been adjourned due to malfunctioning air conditioning systems.

The latter is particularly true in the Magistrate’s Court complex, with Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt reporting that “much judicial time” was lost in New Providence and the Family Islands in 2018 due to “compromised airconditioning systems.”

Mr Parker also noted his members continuously observe judges and judicial staff contending with a “dislocated Supreme Court physical plant,” which requires files to be “trekked up and down the city of Nassau.”

“These are not new problems,” Mr Parker said.

“These are not novel problems. However, we have yet

to see substantive engagement from the government demonstrating any semblance of urgency or a plan to alleviate these vexing problems in the future.”

Mr Parker noted that because of those deficiencies, attorneys have had to “balance” their duties as lawyers to “ensure that our clients receive competent representation.”

“Along with the wider public, we have endured the status quo out of our shared commitment to the discharge of our duties as officers of the court,” Mr Parker said. “However, there comes a time when tolerating and enduring, becomes enabling.

“The Bahamian people, and visitors to our shores alike, deserve an improved level of service. There is no substitute for investing the necessary resources required for the delivery of world class legal services in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”

Attorney General Carl Bethel, in his remarks on Wednesday, stated the government is cognisant of the judiciary’s infrastructural needs, and the Minnis administration has consequently entered into a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), termed the Citizen Security and Justice Loan Programme, to enhance the delivery of justice.

He further noted that as part of the city centre project, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has announced his government’s intention to erect a new Supreme Court building on the site of the General Post Office building on East Hill Street. He also said the government will soon start renovations on the Supreme Court building in Grand Bahama.

Mr Bethel also said the government intends to acquire additional facilities in the downtown area in Nassau to house the Civil Registry.

Mr Bethel also announced the long awaited electronic bail management system is in its “final stages of implementation.” He said under the leadership of Justice Bernard Turner, the system will feature electronic filing in bail applications, even from the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS); and will allow accused persons on bail to fulfill their reporting requirements by way of facial and biometric scans at bail management kiosks that will be stationed at police stations in New Providence and eventually Freeport, Grand Bahama.

Mr Bethel also said the electronic bail management system, asides from reducing errors and false reporting, will also provide timely alerts when there has been any violation of the court reporting requirements.

Mr Bethel also announced that in the first quarter of this year, the government plans to implement a scheduling application in the courts called Curia Court Management Suite (CURIA), which he said has been reviewed by both the judiciary and his office, and is used by many courts in the Caribbean.

He also announced that a consultancy is currently being developed to examine the feasibility of an integrated management system for case management. He said the consultancy will advise on the interrogation of various systems concerning case management, bail, jury selection and “other fundamental aspects of the judicial system.”

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PAGE 6, Friday, January 11, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Bethel hails conviction rate rise of ten percent

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel during the annual parade for the Opening of the Legal Year.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

THE conviction rate for serious offences has increased by ten percent, Attorney General Carl Bethel has revealed.

Mr Bethel, speaking during the opening of the 2019 legal year, said the conviction rate is 70 percent, up ten from the 60 percent achieved in 2017.

Mr Bethel also noted the increase in the conviction rate for serious offences came during a year in which the nation’s first independent Director of Public Prosecutions, Garvin Gaskin, was confirmed in office.

“I wish to commend Mr Gaskin and his very fine team of prosecutors for excellent work in serving

the cause of justice and the Bahamian people over the past year,” Mr Bethel said.

During 2018’s legal year opening, Mr Bethel said the criminal justice conviction rate averaged around 67 percent for all offences and was just over 70 percent for murder and related offences, such as attempted murder and manslaughter.

He also said at the time the Office of the Attorney General prosecuted 78 murder and related offences in 2017, 54 of which resulted in guilty verdicts while 16 resulted in not guilty verdicts. He said while those figures were “still a ways off” from the 75-80 percent conviction rate his office was targeting, it is still a “very decent conviction rate” when compared with the statistics of “comparable jurisdictions”.

Additionally, Mr Bethel said at the time that 31 cases were disposed of in 2017 by way of a nolle prosequi – or a stop prosecution order – compared with the 92 in 2016, making for a 66 percent decrease.

In 2017, former Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson boasted a four percent increase in conviction rates for 2016 compared with the previous year. At the time, she said the Office of the Attorney General had a 67 percent conviction rate in 2016, and that the conviction rate for murder trials was 75 percent that year.

And during the 2016 legal year opening, Mrs Maynard-Gibson said the conviction rate for 2015 was 63 percent, compared with 31 percent in 2012.

BPL FACES $6M BILL TO CLEAN OIL SPILLS from page one

He spoke to The Tribune on the sidelines of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) workshop hosted by Shell at its Western Supply and Trading Office.

“The class estimate that we have done so far,” Mr Heastie said, “is that it’s running between five and six million dollars for the total remediation of the Clifton Pier site. The total remediation of the site is going to be BPL’s full responsibility, it would be no different because BPL is responsible for the site being the way it is. BPL has to bear the responsibility of cleaning that site, and having anticipated that we would have put some leeway in our budget to cover the costs of that remediation - which falls within what the estimates came back to be.”

The government entered into a contract with CH2M Hill/Halcrow (Bahamas) for an assessment the Clifton Pier site to develop a budgetary estimate of remediation and recovery work on November 17, 2015.

Mr Heastie said: “So the seeding money from the government would have done the engineering study by CH2M Hill. They would have paid for that work which really identified all the areas that are contaminated.

“Then from there it was up to BPL to engage in an engineering company to put together the design, and then subsequent to the design come up with a cost estimate to build the infrastructure to remediate the site.”

Mr Heastie added: “So that work has been done and now we’re in the phase of actually going out and

soliciting companies.”

The extent of the environmental degradation at Clifton Pier due to previous spills was a strong concern raised by the Chamber of Commerce last year as it weighed in on whether the site was suitable for current and proposed new power plants.

Those concerns levelled by former Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Edison Sumner in September came after a number of fires at BPL’s plant at Clifton, resulting in a week-long “load shedding” and power outages spread across the island as a result of lost generation capacity.

Shell North America’s proposed 220-250 megawatt (MW) power plant, with a liquefied natural gas (LNG) and bunkering facility, is expected to be constructed in the same Clifton Pier area.

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THE TRIBUNE

Conch may be wiped out in 10-15 years from page one In a press release issued earlier this month by Shedd Aquarium, the group revealed its research on more than 3,000 conchs at 42 survey sites throughout the Bahamas between 2009 and 2017, shows not only are the numbers of adult conch decreasing, but the densities of legalto-harvest queen conch are now far below the established minimum threshold for reproductive success, except in the most remote areas.

Additionally, the research showed that viable fishery for queen conch in the Bahamas might only last another ten to 15 years, unless significant measures are taken to cut fishing pressure.

Shedd Aquarium carried out the research study with the Community Conch Group, and the findings were published in the scientific journal “Reviews in Fisheries Science and Aquaculture” last October.

Addressing the findings in an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Mr Carey said researchers involved in the project like Dr Allan Stoner of Community Conch, and Dr Andy Kough, research biologist for Shedd Aquarium, embedded themselves in the local conch industry, gathering a true first-hand understanding of conch consumption in the Bahamas.

Mr Carey said over the course of the project, members of the research team compiled critical data obtained from local

environmental groups, fishermen, restaurant owners and exporters – all of which went toward obtaining the true range of the national and cultural importance of the species.

“That’s why this research is so key,” he told The Tribune. “This isn’t a foreign group that just sat back and gathered information on conch species. These persons have been among us for a long time learning, studying and going over the numbers with the local community walking with them every step of the way.

“They understand the importance we put on the conch and that is reflected in the study. We’ve been at this for some time now.

Bahamians across the length and breadth of the country know that this is a complex issue because

Friday, January 11, 2019, PAGE 7

CONCH being prepared at Potter’s Cay. conch impacts so many.

Conch is everywhere and to keep that up, we have to push efforts that are wideranging and all-inclusive.”

According to Mr Carey, current policy makers have already given “a degree of buy-in” to conservation efforts. He told The Tribune he is working closely with Agriculture Minister Michael Pintard to craft a comprehensive plan that will deliberately lay out key policy items across three categories: urgent, medium-term and long-term objectives.

He added: “This entire fight is a high priority flight, but we know it is something we can’t address or win through just legislation, conservation or the media.

This is something we have to do in a true sense of collaboration.”

Mr Carey said to that

end, local groups and teams have pitched ideas that address everything from habitat management to harvesting techniques – all issues that are key to sustaining conch sources.

“We’ve looked at things like adjusting how and when we allow exports.

There has also been talk around monitor measurements; there needs to be a stronger enforcement of the 15 millimetres lip thickness requirement. We’ve also talked about more protected areas for conch.

“Another thing we’ve looked at is the use of compressors in the process of harvesting conch. Compressors while still legal in the Bahamas, have been proven to be hazardous to conch habitat and therefore, that is something we want to review. When we

talk to fishermen about this, we tell them that we are trying to ensure that they always have a lifeblood. It is sometimes hard for them to hear, but we have to get them to understand.

“This is the only way.

Across the Gulf Stream in Florida, their population hasn’t returned since being overfished. There are talks about conch farms, but that is just another failed plan.

The only way out of this is true conservation, smart conservation, well-intending conservation.”

The BNT back in 2014 launched its “Conchservation” campaign to ensure the long-term survival of local conch populations.

Through several partnerships, the BNT raised tens of thousands of dollars for the cause, which is still continuing.

BIDS INVITED TO IMPROVE WATER IN LONG ISLAND, CROOKED ISLAND

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

WATER and Sewerage Corporation Executive Chairman Adrian Gibson on Wednesday invited bids for a project that will provide access to quality water supply systems in North Long Island and Crooked Island.

This is the latest prong of the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) Water Supply Improvement Project, which is funded by a $28.33m loan from the bank and $13.3m in funding from the Bahamas government.

Mr Gibson made this announcement during a press conference held at WSC headquarters with MICAL MP Miriam Emmanuel.

“I am pleased to announce that the invitation for bids has been issued for both Crooked Island and North Long Island, with works commencing on the ground in 2019,” Mr Gibson said.

“We plan to consecutively execute both projects.”

Mr Gibson said the North Long Island Project focuses on “the supply and installation of approximately 13 miles of water mains and approximately 180 service connections.”

He estimated 540 residents will be affected.

In May 2018, a contract was signed between WSC and BHM Company Limited to bring potable water to hundreds of residents in Long Island.

At the time, Mr Gibson said: “Today, many Long Islanders are served via water tanker or forced to rely on ground water supplies where the quality of the water is questionable and the reliability of the supply is adversely

WATER and Sewerage Corporation executive chairman Adrian Gibson (centre) held a press conference on Wednesday at WSC’s headquarters to update the public on water improvement projects. Pictured from left: assistant general manager Cyrian Gibson; Member of Parliament for MICAL Miriam Emmanuel; Mr Gibson and general manager Elwood Donaldson.

Photo: Raymond Bethel Sr/BIS affected during hurricanes, due to power failures and storm surges that bring the seawater inland, directly contaminating the freshwater aquifer,” he said.

The $5.3m contract with BHM involves the installation of 100,000 feet of pipe in two areas of Long Island, which are divided in lots.

Mr Gibson noted then that a separate contract would be used to extend the water supply system to other areas of Long Island.

On Wednesday, he discussed these additional areas as lots three and four.

Lot three focuses on the areas of Millerton, Bunches, Deals, Scrub Hill, Simms and Doctors Creek.

“The works will include the supply and installation of approximately 22,000 feet of 4-inch C900 water mains and 5,500 feet of 2-inch water mains and 80 service connections,” he said.

Lot four focuses on Doctors Creek, Bains, Morris’ and Wemyss settlements.

“These works will include

the supply and installation of approximately 15,000 feet of four-inch C900 water mains and 25,000 feet of 2-inch water mains and 100 service connections.”

“The expected duration of the works are approximately 12 months.”

Regarding Crooked Island, Mr Gibson said this project will include the supply and installation of approximately five miles of water mains and approximately 83 service connections.

“Let me note, the corporation, following that, will go out to tender for a (reverse osmosis) plant,” Mr Gibson added.

Settlements will include Church Grove, Cabbage Hill, Timothy Thompson and Colonel Hill where 250 residents will be affected.

Mr Gibson added that on this island, the project will be executed in a single lot.

“The works include the (supply and) installation of water/transmission distribution systems in the western end of the Church

WSC IMPLEMENTS MEASURES TO RESIST CLIMATE CHANGE

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net THE Water and Sewerage Corporation has implemented climate resiliency and disaster management measures in the Family Islands to help protect these islands in the face of climate change.

At a press conference held Wednesday, WSC Executive Chairman Adrian Gibson particularly focused on the measures for North Long Island and Crooked Island, which focused on equipment to assist in the wake of power outages, flooding, sea level rise and hurricane winds.

“Climate change is unavoidable and WSC has implemented climate change resiliency measures to reduce the vulnerability

of water systems across the country.…particularly as it relates to natural disasters,” Mr Gibson said.

The first measures Mr Gibson listed for North Long Island and Crooked Island focused on power outages.

“At the RO (reverse osmosis) site in Long Island, (a) full standby generator will be installed… and the same will take place in Crooked Island,” he said.

He added this measure goes beyond climate change as it also provides back-up power.

“This will feature the use of a solar PV (photovoltaic) power source, where practical.”

Regarding flooding, Mr Gibson noted WSC has identified “the 100-year flood levels”. Consequently, he said, it has ensured that

tanks, pumps and plants are installed at least two feet above the flood level where possible.

“An analysis was carried out by WSC’s climate change consultant to verify the climate change impacts on Crooked Island and North Long Island, to determine the pipeline and RO plant locations which could be subject to storm surge inundation (or) flooding,” Mr Gibson continued.

“In special vulnerable conditions, we required a four-foot pipe burial depth.”

He added WSC has identified structures and equipment that could be impacted by hurricane winds and said the corporation “will ensure” that these are designed to withstand Category 4 wind forces up to 156 miles per hour.

Grove settlement and proceeding northeast through the settlement of Cabbage Hill, ending at Timothy Thompson settlement and proceeding southeast through the settlements of Colonel Hill, ending at the intersection of Queen’s Highway and Pond Road.

He added that the expected duration of the works is also about 12 months.

“A week ago, we went to tender, and the invitation to bid has been running in all of the major newspapers as of the 31st of December.”

Mr Gibson said works will start on the ground

this year and WSC plans to consecutively execute both projects.

He added that the project will also include the expansion of the existing Simms’ Desalination Plant and the supply of additional water storage facilities “to ensure that the plant can produce sufficient potable water to meet the needs of all…residences and businesses in the affected areas on a 24/7 basis.”

Mr Gibson said residents can “finally” go without having to use unreliable pump and salty wells and instead have reliable fresh, drinkable potable water.

He added that the WSC is also exploring various options to provide potable water to sparsely populated settlements on Crooked Island, outside of the current scope.

“It is important to note that these persons, like many other Crooked Islanders, have been without decent, potable, running water for all of their lives,” Mr Gibson said.

Mrs Emmanuel said this represents a “great day” for the people of Crooked Island and shows that the government “has a heart” for the southeastern islands that she represents.

PAGE 8, Friday, January 11, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

True confessions OKAY, okay, okay, I’m glad so many of you enjoyed last week’s column.

Food store, gas station, corner bar .... I can’t lie it’s nice to see folks enjoy your work.

So, because I promised a few loyal readers “couple more” stories, here we go, and next week back to politics. I know you all saw the video of Minnis dancing!

SOMETHING’S FISHY When I was in college, I went to this girl’s party the week after she beat the living daylights out of my home boy.

While everyone was getting trashed, I went around putting tuna inside all the curtain rods and weeks went by and they couldn’t figure out why the house smelled like festering death.

They caught me through this video where these guys at the party were singing ‘New Jack Swing’ while I was in the background with a can of tuna.

Let’s just say, in true Bahamian fashion I had to duck out on the consequences!!

A COKE AND AN AISLE A few years ago while doing a road gig in the states, my fellow comedians and I were going to see a movie in the theatre at the mall.

Instead of paying the

ridiculous movie theatre prices for pop and candy, we decided to go to Target to buy some stuff.

This was when Coca Cola started to put people’s names on their bottles.

My good friend and fellow comedian Kenny Smith told me he had seen a bottle with my name on it inside this bin of Coke. I was weirdly excited since I hadn’t gotten one with my name on it yet. (Inigo or ‘Naughty’ aren’t easy to come by).

After I had bought the drink, I opened inside Target, and it exploded!

EVERYWHERE. The soda was at least five or six feet in diameter.

I watched as people passed the mess and made looks of disgust.

Imagine if I had opened it inside of the theatre… and once again in true Bahamian fashion I had to duck out on that scene too!

FLUSHING PHASE When I was three or four years old, I had a phase of flushing things down the toilet.

I would flush McDonald’s

toys I didn’t want any more or change I had found in my room.

The biggest and most hilarious thing I ever dumped was a gallon of milk.

One day I was bored and was looking around in the fridge, and lo and behold there it was, a new gallon of milk.

My tiny body dragged the bottle on the floor all the way to the bathroom.

I opened the cap, let it go into the toilet, and flushed.

I thought I was smart enough to let it go unnoticed but I’ll never forget what my dad yelled out when he walked in.

“Why in the hell is the water white?!“ My mom found the empty carton and just stared at me.

Once again in true Bahamian fashion I tried to duck out, but my mom wasn’t having it, and that’s why I haven’t drunk milk from that day to this.

If I knew then what I know now, I would have tried to flush as many politicians as I could!

SAINT AUGUSTINE’S COLLEGE

2019 ENTRANCE EXAM The Entrance Examination for students wishing to enter Grade Seven at St. Augustine’s College for September, 2019 will be given on Friday, January 25th, 2019.

Deadline for registration for this examination is Friday, January 18th, 2019.

Eligible students may register at their Catholic Primary Schools or at St. Augustine’s College. ONLY students in Grade Six will be allowed to sit the Entrance Exam.

BAHAMAS Humane Society.

Photo: Donavan McIntosh

HUMANE SOCIETY ISSUES CALL FOR HELP FROM PUBLIC

By RIEL MAJOR THE Bahamas Humane Society is seeking the public’s help in changing the lives of animals through adoption and donations.

Kim Aranha, president, said: “We need everything.

We need pet food; obviously we need dog food, cat food, puppy chow, kitten food, canned food for dogs and cats.

“We even need people to sponsor things like heart medication and flea and tick medication. There is a pill you can give a dog once a month and it stops them from having fleas and ticks.

They are expensive so we need people to be prepared to come out and sponsor them or they can call and

find out what exactly it is we would like them to buy.

“We need desperately to get another big spay and neuter programme because we are being brought (a lot) puppies. We are very full and we need people to adopt rather than shop.

People are still buying dogs when they can get beautiful dogs from us.”

Mrs Aranha said anyone interested in adopting an animal can either download an adoption form from the BHS website or come into the facility on Dunmore Avenue and pick one up.

“It is very important if you are adopting an animal, you have a fenced in area to keep the animal because it is against the law to have animals walking around the street.”

She continued: “You bring in the filled in adoption form and we do a quick house check to make sure all the details are accurate and you can adopt. It takes about three days to be approved. We try to advise people to come in during the week and they can come back on the weekend with the family to choose their new family member.”

Mrs Aranha said the organisation is in the process of putting together a fundraiser called ‘Party for the Animals’.

The event is scheduled to take place on February 2 at the Bahamas National Trust.

There will be a live band, a performance from the Bahamian artist Stazzie, a DJ will be present, raffle prizes, while food and drinks will be available for purchase.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 11, 2019, PAGE 9

Dionisio heads list of absentees from page one recorded once any member does not cross the bar of the lower chamber.

It would mean an MP does not have to remain for an entire sitting to be marked as having attended.

Asked about his record, Mr D’Aguilar said he was surprised to learn from this newspaper that House clerks recorded him as having 22 absences. His attendance could also suggest the MP has been travelling more than the former minister. Government travel and the costs associated with it was a major political point of contention for the FNM while in opposition.

“I had to go over to the House to check because I was surprised to learn I wasn’t there 22 times,” he told The Tribune.

The minister said there were four times he did not attend the House of Assembly for personal reasons and vacation to visit his “foreign relatives” and graduations.

Another four absences were attributed to aviation matters while the remaining, he said were visits to core tourism markets.

So far, there have been 71 sittings this session - 26 in 2017 and 45 in 2018.

Central and South Abaco MP James Albury was not too far behind Mr D’Aguilar with 18 absences.

Mr Albury, who lives in the constituency he represents, is parliamentary secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister in Abaco.

He attributed his record to not only having to commute to the capital to attend sittings, but said there are times when he gives some events taking place in the constituency precedence over the House of Assembly.

He said the cost to travel to the capital was not a factor, noting there was a system in place for reimbursement of expenses.

Eleven other members of Parliament had absences in

the double-digits.

St Anne’s MP Brent Symonette was among them with 16. He said in the past 18 months, apart from taking a vacation, the majority was travel to countries, including Switzerland, on government business. Mr Symonette is Minister of Financial Services, Trade and Industry and Immigration.

South Beach MP Jeff Lloyd, who is Minister of Education, missed House meetings 14 times according to the records.

Mr Lloyd said: “Every single time I have been absent has been for government business.”

He did note, however, there was an occasion when he was in hospital after having surgery.

Darren Henfield, North Abaco MP and Foreign Affairs Minister, is recorded as having 13 absences and told this newspaper his portfolio required lots of travel.

Elizabeth MP Dr Duane Sands had the same number. The Health Minister explained his absences were due to a mix of government business and vacation.

Bain and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson also had 13 absences and seemed to suggest this was not significant considering the House met 71 times.

“You mean 13 times out of 71?” Mr Robinson remarked when he was contacted. When he

was told most members of Parliament with major absences were being called, the MP further explained in his former role as parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Tourism there was much travel.

He said he was at times required to travel on behalf of Mr D’Aguilar on trips where government presence was required.

East Grand Bahama MP Peter Turnquest had 11 absences. He explained these absences by noting as Finance Minister he was required to travel to the InterAmerican Development Bank, World Bank and European Union meetings.

Long Island MP Adrian Gibson, however, when contacted about his ten recorded absences said he would speak to the chief clerk about it.

Meanwhile, Yamacraw MP Elsworth Johnson was recorded as also having ten absences. He said he was most certain they were all work related and pointed to even attending the House one time despite having surgery done relatively close to when Parliament was meeting.

Marathon MP Romauld Ferreira with 15; Fort Charlotte MP Mark Humes, ten; and Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis with 11 absences could not be reached for comment up to press time.

JAMES ALBURY - 18 ABSENCES

DIONISIO D’AGUILAR, who was absent from the House 22 times.

Marvin Dames who represents Mount Moriah and is National Security Minister, Southern Shores MP Frankie Campbell and Pinewood MP Reuben Rahming each did not attend the House nine times, while North Eleuthera MP Ricky Mackey was not in the House eight times.

Seabreeze MP Lanisha Rolle, who is the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, was not at seven sittings.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, Killarney MP; Desmond Bannister, Carmichael MP and Works Minister; Marco City MP Michael Pintard, Minister of Agriculture and Marine

Resources; Miriam Reckley-Emmanuel, MICAL MP and West Grand Bahama and Bimini MP Pakesia Parker Edgecombe all had six absences.

Reece Chipman, Centreville MP, has five as well as Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin and Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP Philip “Brave” Davis.

There are six members of Parliament who have not attended the House four times. These included Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells, leader of government business; Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine; St Barnabas MP

Shanendon Cartwright; Shonel Ferguson, Fox Hill MP; Picewell Forbes, Mangrove Cay and South Andros MP; and Exuma and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper.

Vaughn Miller, who represents Golden Isles, was absent three times.

Central and South Eleuthera MP Hank Johnson and Golden Gates MP Michael Foulkes each did not attend twice.

Garden Hills MP Brensil Rolle; Carlton Bowleg, North Andros and Berry Islands MP; and Tall Pines MP Donald Saunders have the best records with one absence each.

BRENT SYMONETTE - 16 ABSENCES

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PAGE 10, Friday, January 11, 2019

TRUMP LAWYER TO TESTIFY IN PUBLIC BEFORE CONGRESS WASHINGTON Associated Press

PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, will testify publicly before a House committee next month in a hearing that could serve as the opening salvo in a promised Democratic effort to greater scrutiniSe Trump, his conflicts of interest and his ties to Russia.

The House Oversight and Reform Committee announced Thursday that Cohen will testify before that panel on February 7, a little more than a month after the Democrats took the House majority.

The hearing marks the latest step in Cohen’s transformation from a trusted legal adviser to the president to a public antagonist who has cooperated extensively against him. It is likely to pull back the curtain on key episodes involving Trump’s personal life and business dealings, including hush-money payments to women and a proposed Moscow real estate deal, that federal prosecutors have been dissecting for months.

MADURO SWORN IN FOR SECOND TERM CARACAS, Venezuela Associated Press

VENEZUELAN President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in to a second term yesterday amid international calls for him to step down and a devastating economic crisis.

Seventeen Latin American governments, the United States and Canada rejected the legitimacy of Maduro’s next term in a measure yesterday. Most countries from Europe and Latin American didn’t send representatives to the swearing-in.

THE TRIBUNE

PAEDOPHILE: I KILLED JONBENET RAMSEY A SUSPECT in the murder of six-year-old beauty pageant queen JonBenet Ramsey has reportedly confessed to killing her “by accident” according to UK newspaper The Daily Mail.

Gary Oliva, 54, a convicted paedophile currently serving a ten-year sentence in prison in Colorado for child pornography, reportedly confessed to the crime in letters sent to a former high school classmate.

In one letter, the Daily Mail reports that he said: “I never loved anyone like I did JonBenet and yet I let her slip and her head bashed in half and I

watched her die. It was an accident. Please believe me.

She was not like the other kids.”

JonBenet’s body was found at her home in Boulder, Colorado, on December 26, 1996. Detectives believe she was murdered the night before through either a blow to the head or strangulation.

A prosecutor cleared her parents and brother.

The letters have been presented to police in Colorado.

Meanwhile, a $750m defamation lawsuit filed against CBS by the brother of JonBenet Ramsey has been settled.

The Daily Camera reports court records show that a Michigan Circuit Court judge on Wednesday dismissed the lawsuit filed by Burke Ramsey in December 2016. The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed.

The lawsuit said that Burke Ramsey’s reputation was ruined after a television series suggested he killed his sister.

A spokesperson for producers of the TV programme said in a statement that “an amicable resolution of their differences” has been reached. An attorney for CBS declined to comment.

JONBENET RAMSEY, who was killed aged six.

Bullied for her skin colour now Kheris is an inspiration NEW YORK Associated Press

KHERIS Rogers was in the first grade in a predominantly white private school in Los Angeles when she felt the bite of racism among her peers — she was being bullied because of her dark skin. She tearfully kept it to herself, eventually turning to her older sister, Taylor Pollard, and switching to a more diverse school, where colorism among fellow African-American students surprised and confused her.

With her young sister’s self-esteem bruised, Pollard inadvertently launched Kheris to social media fame in 2017 when she posted a photo of the girl on Twitter dressed up for a fashion show, using their beloved grandmother’s downhome words for a hashtag: “Flexininhercomplexion.”

Soon, Kheris had her own Twitter and Instagram accounts (@KherisPoppin) and was posting photo shoots of herself that she and Pollard created. Her own

KHERIS Rogers poses for a portrait in Los Angeles.

Photo: Rebecca Cabage/Invision/AP fashion line followed, with T-shirts sporting her tagline, “Flexin’ in My Complexion,” along with backpacks reading “The Miseducation of Melanin” and other

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Director/Manager of Surveillance Essential Duties & Functions: (Includes but not limited to) • Supervises and directs the daily operation of the Surveillance Department and its employees.

• Approves property shift schedules, employee hours worked and ensures attendance records are maintained for all Surveillance personnel.

• Ensures accurate incident reporting and logging of all required information by Surveillance staff is completed on a daily basis.

• Reviews daily Shift Reports, Incident Reports and Log entries generated by Surveillance staff and submits Incident Reports to Executive Management, • Overseas the department to ensure compliance of Policies and Procedures by the Surveillance Personnel.

• Directs and assigns duties to Surveillance personnel as required.

• Provides training in all aspects of the Surveillance Department, to include, but not limited to, internal and external theft techniques, etc.

• Ensures that personnel are properly trained in the use and care of all surveillance equipment.

• Maintain constant surveillance throughout the branches, looking to identify irregularities or illegal activity.

• Observe, document and report any variances to the Company, internal controls, money handling activity and Bahamas gaming regulations.

• Ensure the integrity of the gaming, count room and cash handling procedures • Ensure the integrity of the department is not compromised • Develops, refines, and directs the planning and implementation of long and short-range goals and objectives to improve and streamline surveillance operations.

Interested candidates are required to possess the following managerial skills and qualifications: • A Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Sciences or a related field is preferred, plus five years supervisory experience in the Casino Surveillance and/or Casino Security field; or equivalent combination of experience and education • Strong organizational skills, excellent time management and experience of balancing multiple projects essential • Ability to gather data, compile information and prepare clear and concise reports.

• Ability to detect problems and report information to appropriate personnel.

• Knowledge of fraud detection.

• Knowledge and ability of leadership, management, training, mentoring and coaching techniques.

• Knowledge of surveillance systems, cameras and digital recording equipment.

• Excellent verbal and writing skills.

• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.

Interested qualified candidates may submit their resume via email to info@242careers.com.

Deadline for submissions – January 18th, 2019 Only successful candidates will be contacted.

apparel and accessories.

Lupita Nyong’o posted a photo of herself wearing a black version of the shirt with bright yellow letters in support of Kheris. Whoopi

Goldberg sported one while attending the Rodarte show at New York Fashion Week in September. Alicia Keys lauded her black girl magic.

While the words of her tormenters no longer sting, they haven’t been forgotten. The behaviour wasn’t restricted to children, either.

“The kids would always call me names,” Kheris, now 12, told The Associated Press. “They would always tease me for my dark-skin complexion. They used to call me dead roach and say I’ve been in the oven too long. When I really knew I was being bullied because of my colour was when my teacher handed me a black crayon instead of a brown crayon to draw our portraits for parent conferences.”

Kheris was chosen as one of Teen Vogue’s “21 Under 21” inspiring girls and femmes of 2018 and attended the magazine’s teen summit. She was picked by LeBron James as one of 16 people to help mark his 16th shoe release with Nike, modeling in

ads for the company. She’s been featured in a spread in Essence magazine and walked the runway of “America’s Next Top Model” after Tyra Banks learned of her plight.

She has shown her own line in Harlem during New York Fashion Week, and she hasn’t hit the eighth grade yet.

Kheris said she now considers her life a mission.

“Flexin’ in My Complexion isn’t just about me,” she said. “It’s about every brown, dark, freckled, fairskinned person who wants to tell the world, ‘I am more than just the color of skin.’”

She hopes to spread her message across the world.

“I want to be a spokesperson for racism and colorism (issues),” she said.

Kheris now has lots of friends as a seventh-grader and knows exactly how to handle bullies: “Back off because I’m flexin’ in my complexion and it doesn’t matter what you think about me. It matters what I think about myself.”

PROSECUTORS ‘REACH OUT’ ON R KELLY CLAIMS STOCKBRIDGE, Georgia Associated Press A LAWYER representing a couple who appeared in a recent documentary detailing abuse allegations against R Kelly said prosecutors in Georgia have reached out to him.

Atlanta lawyer Gerald Griggs represents Timothy and Jonjelyn Savage, who

have said repeatedly that Kelly has kept their daughter from contacting them and has brainwashed her. The Savages, who live in Stockbridge, just south of Atlanta, appeared in Lifetime’s “Surviving R Kelly” series.

The series, which aired earlier this month, looks at the singer’s history and allegations that he has sexually abused women and

girls. Kelly, who turned 52 on Tuesday, has denied wrongdoing.

Savage and his wife have said they haven’t heard from their daughter in about two years. The Lifetime series reported that their daughter has repeatedly denied that Kelly has done anything wrong and has said she doesn’t want to talk to her family.