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VOLUME:115 No.36, JANUARY, 15th, 2018
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‘Doctors sent my Shany home to die’ Mum of four died after PMH ‘misdiagnosis’ By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net AFTER 23 years together and four children, Craig Forbes finally asked the love of his life, Shantell Michelle Bain, to marry him. But their wedding plans came to a screeching halt in July of 2017, when Ms Bain’s appendix ruptured, killing her almost instantly, just hours after being sent home from the Princess Margaret Hospital with a kidney stone diagnosis. Now after almost six months of “no answers” and “dead ends,” Mr
Forbes said he just wants to know “how doctors could make such a big mistake”. In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Forbes said his fiancee was a healthy woman who only went to to PMH three times – when she gave birth to their children, a boy, a girl and a set of twin boys. On Sunday, July 23, 2017, Mr Forbes said Ms Bain, 44, called him at work around 1pm to tell him she “wasn’t feeling very well” and she was having stomach pains. Nearly 24 hours later, she was dead. SEE PAGE SEVEN
THE Water & Sewerage Corporation is owed $44m by customers, its chairman has revealed, as he disclosed plans to “change the culture and embrace” private sector methods. Adrian Gibson, the Long Island MP, likened the Corporation’s $151m accumulated deficit (combined losses) and $100m
unfunded pension liability to “the deficit of a small country”. He told Tribune Business that he wanted to eliminate the state-owned water supplier’s multi-million dollar annual taxpayer subsidy and take it to “less than nil” by the time the Minnis administration’s term in office ends, and acknowledged: “My hands are full.” FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
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By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
POLICE are investigating the discovery of two badly decomposed bodies in bushes near Treasure Cay, Abaco on Saturday. According to reports, shortly before 3pm police received information that a body was seen in the S C Bootle Highway area. When officers arrived on the scene, about five minutes from Treasure Cay, they discovered two badly decomposed bodies in the bushes. Officer-in-charge of the Central Detective Unit (CDU), Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash said police are unsure of the sex or identities of the victims and a team of officers from CDU in the capital are in Abaco assisting police with their investigations. SEE PAGE THREE
By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel suggested yesterday the government may reconsider previous amendments to the Bail Act which withdrew the authority to grant bail in certain offences from magistrates. In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Bethel said he was aware of the concerns raised by Acting Chief Justice Stephen Isaacs last week, when he urged Parliament to give more than “lip service” to the issue of magistrates granting bail in certain matters. Acting Chief Justice Isaacs, during his address to mark the opening of the A PARTICIPANT in Marathon Bahamas nears the finish line during the race weekend that also saw the Race for the Cure take place. See page eight for more photographs. Photos: Donavan McIntosh
PM: LET’S PROVE U.S. WRONG By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
SAUSAGE, EGG &
POLICE PROBE DECOMPOSED BODIES FIND
AG HINTS AT BAIL ACT CHANGE
WSC OWED $44M IN UNPAID BILLS By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
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PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis on Friday said the US State Department was within its rights to warn American citizens about crime threats in the Bahamas and insisted the advisory offers the country a chance to “elevate” its tourism product. In an interview with reporters following a courtesy call from Transport Minister Frankie Campbell and representatives from the Bahamas Maritime
ARAWAK CAY, which has been named in a warning from the US embassy. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff Authority, Dr Minnis chal- faults and, with the same lenged Bahamians to energy and passion being remain focused on proving used to respond to the negative reports about the recent warning, to address Bahamas wrong. any shortcomings. He also called on the SEE PAGE FIVE country to acknowledge its
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CARICOM BLASTS TRUMP’S INSULT By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE Caribbean Community (CARICOM) said it was “deeply disturbed” by the reported use of “derogatory and repulsive language” by US President Donald Trump relating to Haiti, El Salvador and countries in Africa. In a statement, CARICOM condemned “in the strongest terms”, the unenlightened views reportedly expressed by President Trump. SEE PAGE SEVEN
PAGE 2, Monday, January 15, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
30 YEARS ON, SUSPECT ACCUSED OF MULTIPLE ARMED ROBBERIES By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
A 49-YEAR-OLD man was arraigned in a Magistrate’s Court on Friday accused of committing multiple armed robberies almost 30 years ago. Salathiel Thompson, of Bacardi Road, stood before Magistrate Samuel McKinney faced with eight armed
YOUR
robbery charges stemming from various incidents that occurred in 1989. The armed robberies took place between May and August of that year, and saw him accused of stealing over $300,000 worth of cash, cheques and other items from several persons and/or businesses during that period. According to police officials, Thompson’s arraignment some 29 years
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later is due to him being recently deported from the United States. Concerning his charges before the local courts, it is alleged that on May 12, 1989, he robbed Carey’s Food Store of $750. It is further alleged that on July 14 of that year, he robbed Ronald Pinder of one gold chain worth $1,500; $519 from Coral Harbour Club; one handbag from Linda Aranha worth $110; and one wallet worth $5, one Bahamian driver’s licence worth $15 and along with $450 in cash from Noble Al Green. It is further alleged that on August 4 of that year, Thompson robbed Keith Lightbourne of $6,474.50, along with $300,000 worth of cheques belonging to Commonwealth Brewery Limited. It is further alleged that he robbed William Stimey of a 1985 1.6 SR Toyota Corolla worth $5,000. Thompson was not required to enter a plea to the charges and the matter was adjourned to March 23 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment. He was denied bail and remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services in the interim. He has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, January 15, 2018, PAGE 3
Social Services in ‘complete crisis’ says former minister By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net
THE Ministry of Social Services is in a “complete crisis,” according to former Social Services Minister Melanie Griffin. Mrs Griffin made this assessment while speaking with The Tribune about the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities) Act, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) and general state of the ministry. She questioned whether the ministry is being “allowed” to operate as it should. The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities) Act was passed unanimously in the House of Assembly in 2014. It mandated that every public building in the country be easily accessible to those who are blind, deaf, use a wheelchair, or have other disabilities requiring particular accommodations. These buildings must also have sufficient accessible parking spaces. Ultimately a deadline of December 31, 2017 was set to do this. That deadline has passed and a great number of public spaces, including government buildings, have not complied. Despite repeated requests, officials in the Minnis administration have not said if the regulations will be enforced. When asked her perspective on how the government is handling the enforcement
of the disability law, Mrs Griffin said although the regulations came into place “automatically” at the end of last year, as far as she is aware “really nothing substantive has been done with regard to the provisions of the act” since the Minnis administration assumed office last May. “(But) there are some questions to be asked with regard to the total situation at Social Services,” she added. This includes the disability law and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities. Mrs Griffin said: “We do know that there is a secretariat where the executive secretary and the assistant executive secretary have both resigned.” When asked what the Ministry of Social Services did previously to ensure compliance with the law, Mrs Griffin said: “From when the act came in we would have publicised it. The commission - through the executive secretary - they would have been moving around the country and dialoguing with persons. And so some places would have come in (line). “The last provisions that would have come in were supposed to be the provisions whereby there would be penalties or... repercussions with regard to the enforcement of persons not parking in disabled parking spots. And then of course, accessibility of buildings. “Inspectors were
MELANIE GRIFFIN, former MP for Elizabeth Estates. “All I could say is I do not supposed to be in place who were supposed to be think that they’ve been able responsible for moving to carry out their duties as around to different public they ought to.” She also spoke about the places and trying to ensure that they were accessible. importance of her former And the commission has ministry. “You will find that Social carried really the implementation for the act Services is one of the most in conjunction with the important ministries in the country because it secretariat. “And whether they have speaks directly to the social been allowed or…. ena- welfare of the most vulnerbled is another question able amongst us,” said Mrs that ought to be asked— Griffin. “You’re talking about whether the secretariat with the commission has been the elderly, indigent pergiven what they need to sons or persons in need of ensure that the provisions social assistance, persons of the act are brought into with disabilities, and you’re talking about children. force (by the government).
‘PASSED OUT’ MAN DIES AFTER BEING HIT BY CAR By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net A MAN is dead after he was crushed by a vehicle in a freak accident off Carmichael Road early Sunday morning. The traffic fatality took place shortly before 4am near Boatswain Hill Road. Chief Superintendent Craig Stubbs, officerin-charge of the Traffic
Division, said police believe the victim “passed out” in the road after leaving a night club and was accidentally hit by a car driven by a woman. “Right before 4am, we got a call from a motorist that a man was lying on the southern side of Carmichael Road in the west bound lane. One of our units immediately responded,” Chief Supt Stubbs said. “A few minutes later
we got another call saying that someone had rolled over the body. Now from our initial investigations we believe the male might have been attending a local night club in the area and was lying down in the road. “He is known to police and we believe he is a resident of the Adelaide community. Half of his body was in the road and at this point based on the evidence, there are no
physical signs of trauma to the lower body, he only had severe trauma to the head so we do not believe there was any foul play at this point but of course an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death and if he was under the influence of alcohol. The female driver, who was driving a 2011 Chevy Aveo, is assisting us with our investigations.” Investigations continue.
PILOT INJURED IN BERRY ISLANDS CRASH
POLICE are investigating a plane crash in the Berry Islands that left a pilot with minor injuries on Friday. Shortly after noon, police on Great Harbour Cay received a report that a plane had crashed in swamp
land a short distance from the airport. Officers and rescue personnel responded to the call and upon arrival at the site found the crashed plane, a twin engine Aztec aircraft, registration #N222AH which recently left Chub Cay
airport en route to Grand Bahama with five passengers onboard. Shortly after take off the aircraft began experiencing engine problems and as a result, a controlled landing was made 1.5 miles from the airport.
The Bahamian pilot, who received minor injuries, and the passengers were rescued and taken to Great Harbour Cay. Police said the matter will be referred to the Department Civil Aviation for further investigation.
GUNMEN RAID FAST FOOD RESTAURANT POLICE are looking for the gunmen who robbed a fast food eatery and a convenience store on Saturday. Shortly before 1pm, a male armed with a firearm entered a local fast food restaurant on Nassau Street and robbed employees of an undetermined amount of cash before fleeing on foot, police said. In the second incident, shortly before 8pm, a man
POLICE PROBE DECOMPOSED BODIES FIND from page one Autopsies will be performed to determine the cause of death. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.
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armed with a firearm entered a convenience store located on Prince Charles Drive and robbed an employee of an amount of cash before fleeing on foot. Police have not said if the two robberies are connected. Investigations into these matters are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 919, 502-9991 or the Crime Stoppers hotline at 328-TIPS.
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Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff And you will find that right the RISE programme has now Social Services is defi- been aborted. That is the nitely not operating the programme that we had in way it ought to. If you go place… to combat poverty on the streets, there are in families and to break persons complaining about the cycle of poverty in poor not being able to get social families. And that proassistance. gramme has been stopped. “You’ll find that all of “The multi-purpose these social workers, they building for persons with know what to do. But are disabilities, developmental they being allowed to do it? disabilities, that we were That’s a question you need just in the final stages of to ask. going to build, that has “But we have a serious been aborted. crisis at Social Services. “There’s a whole lot And there’s a whole lot not happening in Social (of issues). For example… Services.”
PAGE 4, Monday, January 15, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
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France vs fake news in democratic dilemma PARIS (AP) — Can a democratic country outlaw fake news? France is about to find out, after President Emmanuel Macron ordered a law to quash false information disseminated around electoral campaigns. Criticism is pouring in from media advocates, tech experts — and Kremlinbacked broadcaster RT. They say the law smacks of authoritarianism, would be impossible to enforce and is sure to backfire. Macron’s stance “could be just the beginning of actually censoring freedom of speech. We believe it is a very dangerous situation”, Xenia Fedorova, director of RT’s newly launched Frenchlanguage channel, told The Associated Press. Yet in a world where a falsehood can reach billions instantaneously and political manipulation is increasingly sophisticated, Macron argues something must be done. A congressional report by US Democrats released Thursday detailed apparent Russian efforts to undermine politics in 19 European countries since 2016, using cyberattacks, disinformation, clandestine social media operations, financing of fringe political groups and, in extreme cases, assassination attempts. Macron’s own campaign suffered a big hacking attack last year, though the government later said it found no proof of Russian involvement. Propaganda and disinformation aren’t new or unique to Russia. Author and technology historian Edward Tenner argues that fake news is as old as George Washington’s cherry tree — an enduring but untrue legend about the first US president. While democracies usually rely on defamation and libel laws to combat false publications, Macron wants more. In a New Year’s speech to journalists, he said he’s ordering a new “legal arsenal” that would oblige news sites to reveal who owns them and where their money comes from. It could cap the money allowed for content seen as aimed at swaying an election and allow emergency legal action to block websites. The French broadcast regulator’s power would expand to allow it to suspend media seen as trying to destabilise a vote — notably those “controlled or influenced by foreign powers.” That probably means outlets such as RT — whose coverage was seen as favoring far-right candidate Marine Le Pen in last year’s French election and which many consider a tool of the Russian government — and Sputnik, another Russian-backed outlet that drew attention for reporting a rumor during the French presidential campaign that Macron was having a gay affair. He denied it, and beat Le Pen anyway, but never forgot. RT’s Fedorova says they are being unfairly targeted. Speaking from RT’s gleaming French studios on the banks of the Seine River, she says she struggled to get permits to open in France, and her journalists are routinely barred from the Elysee Palace after Macron accused RT and Sputnik last year of being “organs” of Russian influence. RT France’s coverage appears broadly similar to other French networks, with
No to tax
EDITOR, The Tribune.
WHEN we have one of the most expensive tourist destinations in the region, why is anybody proposing another tax on each tourist arrival? What is the knock on impact of this? Is there any reason we should not get the $60 million fund out of the Web-Shop Numbers Boys –- which is funded by money from the pockets of those who can least afford hurricane insurance/damage anyway? Ditto for the tax to fund the new NHI scheme. LEANDRA ESFAKIS Nassau, January 13, 2018.
a slightly greater emphasis on street violence and migrants. The biggest difference: its extensive coverage of Syria, which stresses the views of the Russian and Syrian governments. “RT stands for giving the floor, the platform to different opinions, and I personally believe that diversity of voices is absolutely necessary in order to have the big picture,” said Fedorova, who says RT will be watching Macron’s plan closely. Media freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders is also watching closely. It has decried fake news as undermining journalists who work hard to uncover wrongdoing and verify information, but the group is wary of Macron’s order. “We are not opposed to the principle of a law against fake news. But the point is to be able to write a law without endangering the freedom to reveal things,” the group’s chief, Christophe Deloire, told the AP. “Probably our democracies have to be defended in front of the fake news wave,” he said, but not “with the ways that despotic countries use”. His group, also known by French acronym RSF, is working with partners on a potential certification system that could classify news sources according to their verification methods, transparency about financing and other criteria — and leave it up to the public to decide what to believe. As France’s government prepares its bill, it will be learning lessons from a German law that went into effect this month cracking down on hate speech on social networks. Some fear legitimate posts by satirists or journalists are being accidentally caught up in the dragnet. Shutting down websites can also backfire by calling more attention to them. “The only long-term solution for the fake news problem is a more sophisticated public,” Tenner said. “Sophisticated manipulators of facts will always find a way around whatever regulations are in place,” such as creating a front company to sponsor a website or writing “something that is misleading and inflammatory that is factually true”, he said. Daniel Castro, vice president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, outlines another problem: “People like fake news. It reinforces their beliefs.” Macron is prompting “a very valid conversation” about campaign funding and transparency. But “where it runs into trouble is when they try to define fake news”, he said. The Macron government’s digital affairs chief is lucid about the challenges ahead. “This is the beginning of the debate. We won’t go too fast,” Mounir Mahjoubi told the AP. He insists governments shouldn’t remain complacent, especially with elections coming up in Italy, Russia and the US, and for the European Parliament next year. “We need to ask this question,” he said, “and work all together on what can be done.” By Angela Charlton and Oleg Cetinic, Associated Press
Ignore the judiciary’s bail plea EDITOR, The Tribune. JUSTICE Stephen Isaacs’ call (at the ceremony opening the legal year) for amendments to the Bail Act to return to magistrates the discretion to grant bail to violent criminal offenders should be respectfully treated for what it is: the (wrong) opinion of a spokesman for an interest group. It should not be taken as having any special legitimacy, not least as against the opinion of any other resident of a country where violent crime is far too high largely because of failures of the judiciary. Judges occupy a unique place in our society in terms of their ability to influence norms throughout the society. While we have many fine and competent judges (such as Dame Anita Allen and many others), as a whole the criminal bench (magistracy included) has failed us miserably in terms of sentencing and decisions over bail. This has led not only to countless individual tragedies (people killed, robbed and raped by individuals out on bail) but has undermined the country’s orderly development in many ways. Many areas of New Providence
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net are commercial dead zones after dusk thanks to the prevalence of repeat offenders and people wearing ankle bracelets. These are places where judges and magistrates do not live. Far from returning to magistrates their discretion over bail, what our politicians should be doing is examining ways to remove from all judges any discretion to grant bail in any offence involving firearms or violence against the person. This may involve a constitutional referendum, although parliamentary/ executive control over judicial behaviour is certainly achievable by other means. The first thing we need is for our politicians (and Bahamians generally) to understand that the judiciary has no automatic right to influence public policy over these issues. And it has neither an immunity from criticism nor a right to deference from the public. Thanks to past instances of our politicians’ deference to judicial opinions,
sentences for violent crimes in The Bahamas are often absurdly light. A few years ago, Mr Ingraham’s government backed away from a measly four-year minimum sentence for illegal firearm possession in the face of Judicial pressure (Cayman, Bermuda and the UK all have 15 year minimum sentences). Magistrates were given discretion instead. The result has been atrocious. In a country where armed robbery occurs with casual frequency and gunfire is heard all night in some neighborhoods, people are routinely sentenced to nine months or a few years for possession of illegal firearms. By comparison, the norm in our region is 10 to 20 years, even (or perhaps especially) in countries with far lower gun crime levels, and hence far less compelling need for sentencing aimed at having a normative effect. Politicians who are serious about this country’s development should by now recognise when it is time to thank the judiciary for its sage advice – then flatly reject it. ANDREW ALLEN Nassau, January 12, 2018.
The statistics of crime EDITOR, The Tribune. THANK you for lending your ear to my concern. Let us think about our society as it relates to crime. During the year there are a number of serious crimes. According to the IDB’s (International Development Bank) report on crime and violence dated June 2016 a number of statistics were revealed. In this report there were statistics concerning violent crimes in 2013. Per one hundred thousand there were 787.8 assaults, 270.8 arm robberies, 31.5 murders and 27.6 rapes. For the sake of my opinion,
let us work on the unrealistic (assumption) that 80 percent of those crimes were solved across the board. That would mean that in 2014 there would have been 157.56 assaulters, 54.16 armed robbers, 6.3 murderers and 5.52 rapists who would have evaded capture (per one hundred thousand). To solidify my opinion, we will also assume that in 2018 there would be a flat 20 percent decrease in all crimes (another optimistic assumption) since 2014. That gives us approximately, 126.046 assaulters, 43.32 armed robbers, 5.04 murderers and 4.41 rapists, per one hundred thousand, who will
avoid capture this year. They will be circulating among us until capture or a decision to change their ways. Now without further elaborate calculations, it is quite reasonable to suspect that in a randomly rounded up group of 50,000 people their will be a guarantee that some criminals will be in attendance. It is a numbers game. The people charged with avoiding ordinary citizen getting in the cross-hairs of these criminals can only advise on how not to become a target of crime. Because, crime will continue for at least the foreseeable future. To avoid murders and
assaults, people are asked to watch how they deal with misunderstandings. To avoid robbers, people are asked to not to be flashy. Criminals are not reasonable people. If they were reasonable, they would not be criminals. ... But it is my right to walk in the crowd during junkanoo with my big gold chain around my neck, diamond bracelet, Rolex watch, Jordan tennis, Fendi bag, polo shirt and my pockets bulging with money. CHARLES FORBES Nassau, January 11, 2018.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, January 15, 2018, PAGE 5
PM: Let’s prove US wrong from page one “I think every country has a responsibility to its people to do what they think is right, and we also have a responsibility to our people and we must assure them that regardless of what negatives they may hear out there, we must continue to remain focused and prove those individuals wrong,” said Dr Minnis. “I think that, yes, we may have challenges, but every nation has challenges, and the most important thing is to recognise and admit that you have challenges. Once you recognise them, then you are able to overcome them, and the mere fact that Bahamians are
speaking out against it... it helps elevate and take your country to another level in terms of responsibility and ensuring that there is no avenue for such a statement moving forward.” The US State Department’s advisory, issued on Wednesday, ranks The Bahamas at ‘Level 2: Exercise increased caution’, stating that violent crimes, such as burglaries, armed robberies and sexual assault, are common, even during daylight hours and in tourist areas. The State Department maintained its position on banning embassy personnel from visiting the Sand Trap in Nassau or using water sports rentals on New Providence and Paradise
Island. The latest warning also struck a major blow to one of the city’s most popular cultural spots, the Fish Fry. Americans have been warned not to travel there at night. National Security Minister Marvin Dames in an interview with The Tribune on Thursday said police were unaware of any serious issues of concern at the popular tourist attraction. Mr Dames insisted that no recent occurrences would have caused any serious level of concern, especially at Arawak Cay, where there is a police station on-site headed by a superintendent and supported by the RBPF’s Central Division – one of the largest divisions in New Providence and
which has the backing of mobile patrols. Nonetheless, the State Department report specified: “If you decide to travel to The Bahamas: avoid the area known as ‘Overthe-Hill’ (south of Shirley Street) and Fish Fry at Arawak Cay in Nassau at night. Do not answer your door at your hotel/residence unless you know who it is. Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.” Last week, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell said the advisory was “counterproductive”, but used the warning to criticise the Minnis administration over its crime strategy. Mr Mitchell urged the government to get to work
and produce the results they “smugly” boasted about prior to the May 10 general election. “We note the latest travel advisory issued by the US government to its citizens travelling to The Bahamas. We thought that the FNM promised that all these advisories would stop once they became the government,” Mr Mitchell said in a press statement Thursday. “Alas, just as in the case of the three murders in one week in Freeport, FNM policies on crime have not made a bit of difference. By many measures it is worse. “Of course, the advisories are a double-edged sword in that they do not often adequately tell the true story and are often counterproductive.
But unlike the FNM, the PLP takes no joy or pride in telling both the prime minister and his national security minister ‘we told you so’. “The US does what it feels is best for its citizens. It is now your job to do what is best for Bahamians. The PLP can help but not if the FNM continues with the blame game and victor’s justice.” He continued: “A weak Ministry of Foreign Affairs also does not help, increasingly manned by political operatives instead of professionally qualified staff. The government needs to get to work and produce the results they smugly boasted about prior to May 10. Bahamians are watching and taking note with each passing day.”
FISH FRY VENDORS SAY THEY WARNED OFFICIALS LAST SUMMER By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net
THE president of the Arawak Cay Conch, Fish, Vegetable & Food Vendors Association said he warned officials last summer about “illicit activities” and solicitation at Fish Fry, but claimed the complaints fell on deaf ears. During a press conference at Arawak Cay on Friday, members of the association said government mismanagement, insufficient police presence and poor lighting are among the many factors contributing to the current state of the Fish Fry. The association spoke out in response to the US State Department’s most recent advisory to its citizens warning them to avoid visiting the Fish Fry at night. The advisory is a major blow to operators at the cultural site, which caters to locals and tourists. Although Minister of National Security Marvin Dames expressed “surprise” at the warning and told The Tribune on Thursday that Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) officials were unaware of any serious issues of concern at the popular tourist attraction, members of the association told reporters a different story. Rodney Russell, association president and owner of the Red Snapper Restaurant, said: “In July 2017, the (association) met with the minister of agriculture and fisheries, where we aired our concerns about safety, illicit activities, lighting, security and harassment of our guests to this date. “In July 2017 we met with Mr Patrick Johnson, chief superintendent of police concerning illicit activities and harassment of our (guests) and soliciting in Arawak Cay. We also discussed the impediments that hinder stakeholders’ (businesses). Today
ARAWAK Cay President Rodney Russell and Arawak Cay Vice President Lilliam Smith along with other board memebers and vendors at a press conference on the latest warning issued for tourist safety when visiting the Fish Fry. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff we have not received any support from these two agencies that would propel us forward.” Regarding the US advisory, Mr Russell said: “It is very sad that it takes a foreign entity to shed light on a problem that the Arawak Cay Association was being proactive with. “It’s also degrading when a responsible president took the initiative to address these concerns that impedes growth and development of our people and erodes the structure of our culture.” Mr Russell also apologised to all patrons for any “negative experiences” they may have had at the Fish Fry. When asked by reporters if the local police station has been an asset, Mr Russell said, “The police (station) in Arawak Cay is undermanned. There is not sufficient police in Arawak Cay, especially on the weekends, on holidays or during the night.
“I mentioned the night (because) from the previous hurricanes, the lighting in Arawak Cay (was) being destroyed… It’s been two years now we (have) been asking and begging for lighting. It’s not illuminated for persons to venture far from these establishments. “We have begged…the ministry responsible to put temporary lights in Arawak Cay until such time that we would have proper lighting, nothing has been done so far.” Mr Russell said the response from government and police officials has not been helpful, and “it appears as though they are interested in impeding (our) businesses.” Mr Russell and other association members spoke of the frequent gate closures, which they said occur approximately “62 days a year…every Sunday (and) every holiday.” Mr Russell said: “There is no other business in
this country that is being impeded (besides) Arawak Cay. And today we still don’t know why. I must assume that the plutocrats with their parasitic cohorts that use arbitrary force to impede sustainable growth and development of our people in Arawak Cay.” The gate closures force consumers to park quite a
distance from the restaurants. Mr Russell spoke about the impact this has on the disabled community in particular: “When (a person has) to tote his mother in on a wheelchair on a Mother’s Day…just to come to black Bahamian businesses - why? The gates are closed, the roads are closed.
“What that tells you? It tells you that you don’t have no respect for our mothers. When you have a mother with a paraplegic son, (who) has to be put on his bigger brother’s shoulders to walk into Arawak Cay, just to take part in one of our businesses….you’re telling us, ‘to hell with y’all! Don’t come here!’ “But there’s no other businesses that are being impeded. Every foreign entity who has business in this country, if they have a Dollar Day or a Sandwich Day, long lines! But you come to Arawak Cay, the gates are closed. “Who is calling the shots? I’ve asked this question many times (to) the police. Who gives you the order to impede our business? I’ve asked the minister responsible. And everyone is telling Arawak Cay president, ‘We gonna look into it.’ And we are tired.’ Alvin Butterfield, association treasurer and owner of Anchorage Seafood Haven, also criticised the government for leasing the grounds of Arawak Cay to outside food vendors. He said: “We have that grounds over there, that venue over there that we have created. And (the) government leases that out for $50-$100. We have 32 stalls that you can get any amount of food from.
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PAGE 6, Monday, January 15, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
AG hints at bail act change from page one new legal year, said stripping magistrates of the authority to grant bail in all but the most serious offences was “counter-productive” and had created nothing but “confusion” for magistrates and senior judges. He argued instead of being a “crime fighting tool”, the recent amendment only left magistrates open to the “potential of creating resentment toward the authorities by those young persons caught up in this conveyor belt process.” Responding yesterday, Mr Bethel said he didn’t want to create an atmosphere where it seemed that he, or other members of the government, would be viewed as “engaging in a debate” with the acting chief justice on the matter. The leader of government business in the Senate said: “Some things will probably happen, but we will see. We are looking at it. We have heard the complaints and we will work on it. We are looking at it.” Asked to further clarify the government’s official position on the matter, Mr Bethel said he couldn’t elaborate further, but asked The Tribune to remain vigilant on the topic. The 2016 amendment to the Bail Act made charges of intentional libel, assault, stealing and a number of other previously bailable offences non-bailable in Magistrate’s Court. It resulted in an increase in the number of people being remanded to the Department of Correctional Services and having to apply for a bond in the Supreme Court. An earlier amendment removed the power of magistrates to grant bail for the offences of drug possession with intent to supply, certain firearms matters, rape, housebreaking, attempted murder and threats of death. Last week, Acting Chief Justice Isaacs said what now typically happens in the Magistrate’s Court, is defendants charged with minor crimes, typically “young offenders”, ultimately find themselves remanded to prison. Former Chief Justice Sir Hartman Longley echoed these sentiments last year, in the same forum. Addressing scores of legal officials at the 2017 Legal Year opening ceremony, Sir Hartman called the 2016 amendment a “sore issue.” However, at the time, he indicated he had raised the issue with then Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson, who he claimed shared his view.
ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel at the start of the legal year.
Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
80 COMPLAINTS TO BAR ASSOCIATION IN 2017 By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
THE BAHAMAS Bar Association’s ethics committee received almost 80 complaints in 2017, its president said Friday, with just 12 percent of these currently settled or closed. Kahlil Parker, in his address to mark the opening of the 2018 Legal Year, said the committee received
76 complaints last year, six of which have been closed and three of which have since been settled. One complaint was withdrawn, Mr Parker said. Four of those complaints have been referred to the association’s disciplinary tribunal, Mr Parker said. Complaints not referred to the tribunal are either awaiting information from the complainant or a response from the attorney
concerned and are under “active review” by the association’s ethics committee. Mr Parker said the Bar Council has placed “increased emphasis” on the work of the ethics committee and the disciplinary tribunal “so as to ensure that members of the public and the attorneys who may be the subject of a complaint receive prompt, efficient and transparent service.”
He added that 20 new lawyers were called to the Bahamas Bar in 2017. During his speech, Mr Parker also addressed the need to “ensure the judicial independence of governance and resources, which is necessary to make real the constitutional guarantee of a fair and impartial court.” He said the “tragedy” facing the Bar Council is its members “suffering the effects of systemic neglect.”
“We have judges whose trial calendars extend into 2020, through no fault of their own,” he said. “Which constitutes an abuse of both the judges themselves and our clients who are being denied justice. It is a situation we cannot abide. It is a crisis in all but name.” In 2012, then-BBA President Ruth Bowe-Darville said the ethics committee received 131 complaints the year before which resulted
in several lawyers being suspended. Mrs Bowe-Darville said at the time 24 of those complaints were referred to the disciplinary tribunal for further action and of those, 17 were withdrawn, settled or resolved. The suspensions included orders of payment and suspensions as pre-conditions to disbarment; however she said at the time two suspensions were being appealed.
CIVIL REGISTRY SEEKS NEW HOME By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net JUDICIAL officials are in the process of trying to find a new home for the Supreme Court’s Civil Registry in light of a “serious sewer problem” at the registry’s British American Building headquarters, the country’s top judge has said. Acting Chief Justice Stephen Isaacs, during his address to mark the opening of the 2018 Legal Year, said the Civil Registry, which is housed on the ground floor of the British American Building, is facing a “perennial
problem” with sewer issues that affects the ground floor given “certain conditions”. He did not specify what those “certain conditions” are, but said the registry is forced to close at half day at times because of the release of “noxious gases”. As a result, he said there has been an “ongoing search” for a “suitable location closer to Bank Lane where all of the Supreme Courts are located”. “Hopefully that situation will be resolved soon with the backing of the executive,” he added. In 2012, business at the Civil Registry was reportedly shut down when staff refused to work because of
sewer problems. Workers at the registry on Marlborough Street walked out of the building after the stench became unbearable. Workers were permitted to leave work around 2pm as a result. The Civil Registry, which is responsible for the administration of the courts, moved from Ansbacher House to the British American Building after the first building sustained roof damage from Hurricane Irene in August 2011. The Criminal Registry was also reportedly relocated to the main Supreme Court building at Bank Lane because of stormrelated damage.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, January 15, 2018, PAGE 7
‘Doctors sent my Shany home to die’ from page one “Her sister took her to the hospital. I got there around 3pm and she was still waiting to be served. Around 10pm, she finally went in the back and the nurse gave her a morphine shot for the pain,” Mr Forbes said. “I left her there around 1am on Monday to go get her phone and some stuff from home while she waited to see the doctor. She ended up getting an x-ray and was told she had kidney stones and she got a prescription and was told to come back in six days. She stayed there until about 4am because she was still hooked up to an IV and then she went home,” he said. Mr Forbes, who did not live with Ms Bain, said he received a call around 2pm from their son Malik. “That morning I went to go and get some fresh fish so I could make her some soup for her stomach. I went and got the fish and was cleaning it when my son called me crying. He said she couldn’t breathe and was vomiting,” he said. “I left immediately but then I was told that her sister took her to PMH. So I went to get her some clothes because my son said she only had on a robe. I got to the hospital at 3pm and she was dead. I never expected her to be dead. The doctor said they tried to revive her and she came back but then her heart failed again and that was it. That’s when they told me her appendix burst. “When I looked at her lying on that gurney I said, “Shannie, what do I tell the children - how do I explain it to them? “I mean, I just don’t understand it. She had never been sick besides a cold and she only went to the hospital when she she had the kids. “Why did they discharge her? How could they not know it was her appendix? How can you say she has kidney stones? I mean who makes such a big mistake? I have been trying to get answers but no one would tell me anything. No one at the hospital would speak to me.” Mr Forbes said their children, Trinitee, 18, Craig Jnr, 17 and 13-year-old twins Malik and Vicario are all “coping” but he still feels like a big part of him is missing. “The kids are okay but you can never really tell. I call myself ‘Madea’ because now I am mother and father,” he said. “I mean life goes on but how do you really live when the person you love is gone? We really just take it one day at a time.” The Tribune attempted to contact officials at PMH but calls were not returned up to press time.
SHANTELL MICHELLE BAIN, who died in July 2017 when her appendix ruptured, with Craig Forbes and their child.
CARICOM blasts Trump’s insult from page one
The regional body said it was also “deeply saddened” that the alleged comments emerged around the anniversary of the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake “which took the lives of so many”. “Of additional concern, is this pattern of denigrating Haiti and its citizens in what seems to be a concerted attempt to perpetuate a negative narrative of the country. We are especially saddened that such narrative emerged around the time of the anniversary of the devastating 2010 earthquake which took so many lives of citizens in that country,” the statement released on the weekend noted. “The Caribbean Community expresses its full support for the dignified statement of the government of the Republic of Haiti in reaction to this highly offensive reference. It should be recalled that Haiti is the second democracy in the Western Hemisphere after the United States and that Haitians continue to contribute significantly in many spheres to the global community and particularly to the United States of America. CARICOM therefore views this insult to the character of the countries named and their citizens as totally unacceptable.” When contacted for comment yesterday, Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield said the Bahamas is a part of CARICOM and “we speak with one voice”. He declined further comment on the US president’s reported remarks. Other international organisations including the UN and the African Union, politicians and people from African countries and the Caribbean are outraged over President Trump’s latest remarks, deemed
“racist” by some. The Washington Post first reported President Trump criticised immigration to the United States from El Salvador, Haiti and Africa calling the group “s***hole countries.” This was later corroborated by other US media outlets and one Democratic lawmaker who was in the White House meeting at the time. According to CNN, citing people with knowledge of the conversation, Mr Trump allegedly asked: “Why are we having all these people from s***hole countries come here?” at a meeting with Congress members at the White House. He also suggested the US should instead focus its immigrant entry policy on countries such as Norway. On Friday, Mr Trump denied the “racist” remarks, tweeting that the language he used “was tough, but this was not the language used,” as he called for a “merit-based system of immigration and people who take our country to the next level”. He later tweeted that he has “never said anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is, obviously a very poor and troubled country”. However, according to international reports, Dick Durbin, a Democratic senator who attended the meeting, disputed Mr Trump’s statement. “He said these hate-filled things and he said them repeatedly,” Mr Durbin told US reporters. The White House did not directly challenge the authenticity of Mr Trump’s comments, but issued a statement saying: “Certain Washington politicians choose to fight for foreign countries, but President Trump will always fight for the American people.” The US president has consistently faced criticism
over racially insensitive comments made during the campaign trial and since taking office. Before he was elected, he infamously
said Mexican immigrants coming to the US were rapists and criminals. Last year he was criticised after he failed to
explicitly condemn the role of white supremacists in clashes with counter-protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, that ended in a car
running into a crowd, killing a woman. At the time, Mr Trump said there was “blame on both sides”. • See Insight pages.
PAGE 8, Monday, January 15, 2018
Race weekend
THE TRIBUNE
ACTION from Marathon Bahamas during a weekend that also included the Race for the Cure on Saturday. Photos: Donavan McIntosh
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Monday, January 15, 2018, PAGE 9
Global rise in flu cases lead to shortage of Tamiflu medicine By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
A RECENT spike in flu cases around the world has led to a shortage in The Bahamas of Tamiflu - an antiviral medicine used for the treatment of the potentially deadly virus, Heath Minister Dr Duane Sand has confirmed. Dr Sands told The Tribune Princess Margaret Hospital has been having “great difficulty” getting the drug Oseltamivir, which is sold under the brand name Tamiflu. Dr Sands said Tamiflu not only treats flu symptoms but it can also shorten how long someone is sick. He said there is a limited supply of the drug on hand and some more on order. In order to work, he said, the prescription drug must be taken within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms, which could include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches and headaches. “It is one of those drugs that most hospitals don’t have and we have had great difficulty getting. Tamiflu is used for the treatment of influenza-related complications and there is a short supply around the world,” Dr Sands said Friday. “We need it and we could say we need it but that doesn’t mean we will get it, we have had great difficulty getting it in the past five to ten years. The only thing we can do is support patients when they are sick as best we can... We can worry about it all we want but the truth of the matter is we cannot (always) get it. The manufacturer doesn’t make enough and the countries with the biggest buying power suck up all the supplies.” Dr Sands said a similar
DR DUANE SANDS, Minister of Health. problem in securing supplies was occurring with IV fluids around the world, however, he said, luckily The Bahamas has not experienced a shortage of the “life saving” fluid yet. “The devastation in Puerto Rico has caused an IV shortage problem. Now there is a problem with this life saving water,” he said. “We don’t have a problem yet but if they can’t gear up and replenish the ordinary supply line, the
United States will take theirs first and then we will have to get whatever is left. But as far as Tamiflu goes, it has been a problem for the last couple years that is why prevention is what we have been preaching.” Last Tuesday, Dr Sands urged Bahamians to take warnings related to the H3N2 flu strain seriously. He implored all at-risk Bahamians to get vaccinated to avoid catastrophic health risks from a deadly strain, dubbed Aussie flu.
‘PORT LUCAYA MARKETPLACE STILL SAFE’ By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net DESPITE the recent shooting death of a man at Port Lucaya Marketplace, it is still a safe place for tourists and locals, according to managing director Ivan Moss. The incident a week ago in Grand Bahama left many persons in shock when a gunman opened fire and killed a man at one of the main walkways, near two popular restaurants and bars. Surveillance footage of the gunman shown holding a gun and firing shots while fleeing on foot has been circulating on social media. His victim was Anthwan Simms. The Tribune spoke with Mr Moss at Port Lucaya Marketplace on Friday. He said the area is still a safe place. He said there are
sufficient security officers stationed throughout the property, in addition to surveillance cameras and increased police visibility. “Many of the vendors have been here for 20 to 30 years, and they know it (the shooting) is not the norm; they know there is nothing we could have done (to prevent) what happened, and they still see Port Lucaya Market as a safe zone,” Mr Moss said. “We all know that this incident was an isolated matter that happened off the property and the suspect was looking for a particular person, and unfortunately it (the shooting) happened here.” The official said the marketplace was full and that police were on the property the night of the shooting. It is hoped the incident does not discourage the weekend crowd at
the marketplace, which has already been negatively affected by the closure of the Grand Lucayan Resort property. Mr Moss said officials of the marketplace are working with police to ensure it is safe and secure. “I had a chat with the Assistant Commissioner of Police for Grand Bahama Clarence Reckley and Superintendent Hilton Cash, the officer in charge of the Port Lucaya Police Station, who had promised before this incident happened to have police in the area,” he said. “And so far this has been the case; police are always in PLM.” He stressed that security officers are also on foot patrols at all times. “We just took down the old cameras in November because they were outdated, and have put up more accurate high-performance HD surveillance infrared cameras in their place,” he added.
ALIV HOSTS SOCIAL MEDIA WORKSHOP BELIEVING in innovation and technology, ALIV is pleased to announce its support of Let’s Get Social: Manage Your Business’ Social Media, a workshop geared towards providing entrepreneurs, businesses and organisations with social media management skills. ALIV’s Marketing Executive Norman Lightbourne said ALIV is a company centred around the Bahamian public and its advancement. He said sponsorship like this are very important as social media is key for the success
of all businesses, no matter the field. “ALIV has taken on an initiative to further expand the use of innovative technology throughout The Bahamas. In so doing, many of our day to day social media is used on various forms of technology. Persons attending this seminar can expect to receive insight into how social media can increase their company’s visibility and expand their brand. Social media is the personality of a company and customers and clients visit these channels to get a feel of the company. ALIV has a forward-thinking
approach to social media and we are proud to be a part of Get Social.” Let’s Get Social workshop organiser Valdez Russel said the partnership with ALIV makes sense. “Believing in the best of Bahamians is empowering entrepreneurs to be successful and ALIV believes in that as well. We are glad to collaborate with them on an initiative that will aim to hep Bahamians ultimately contribute to the economic success of The Bahamas.” The one-day workshop is being held in Nassau at Melia Nassau Beach Resort, Tuesday at 8.30am.
US EMBASSY CLOSED FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY
THE United States Embassy in Nassau will be closed today in observance of the US Martin Luther King Jr holiday. The embassy will resume normal business operations tomorrow at 8am.
For any emergencies involving US citizens, persons are asked to contact the US Citizens Services Unit of the US Embassy’s Consular Section at 242-322-1181.
General information on consular services, including procedures for obtaining or renewing a passport or visa, is available on the US embassy’s website at https:// bs.usembassy.gov.
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff He also dismissed cultural superstitions that surround seasonal flu vaccinations, calling these beliefs “nonsense”. Dr Sands warned anyone abstaining from vaccines in this instance, were unnecessarily “rolling the dice” with their overall health. According to CNN, medical experts in the United States are worried that this year’s flu season could be a nasty one that may be lethal. That’s because this year’s
main flu strain, the influenza A virus, known as H3N2 or the Aussie flu, is worse than the swine flu in 2009. This year’s H3N2 has affected over 215,000 worldwide. Symptoms of the Australian or Aussie flu are identical to symptoms of less severe strains of the flu virus, but are more severe and longer-lasting. According to Australian health officials, the H3N2 strain mainly affects older people, those with
long-term health conditions, pregnant women and children. The strain was recently blamed for more than 300 deaths in Australia, with nearly 170,000 cases recorded. According to the UK Telegraph, more than 20 people in the UK have died as a result of the strain. Additionally, the number of those being treated for flu-like symptoms increased by 2,370 people in one week.
PAGE 10, Monday, January 15, 2018
Get the right plates or get a ticket By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net VEHICLES without the proper tags will be targeted and ticketed, this after Transport and Local Government Minister Frankie Campbell on Friday denied claims the Road Traffic Department had run out of new
licence plates. Mr Campbell, responding to questions from reporters at the Office of the Prime Minister, said he had recently instructed officials to identify and issue citations to any driver operating a vehicle without the proper licencing. Mr Campbell said there was no truth to the claim the Road Traffic
THE TRIBUNE
TRANSPORT and Local Government Minister Frankie Campbell. Department was unable to meet its demand for new plates, insisting the mass production of plates at the Department of Correctional Services ensured an adequate supply. “…They have all right to give citation to persons who either don’t have plates or are using old plates because for quite sometime now, plates have been
available,” Mr Campbell told reporters. He added: “Plates are being produced locally by the Department of Correctional (Services). There is no shortage of plates. So any vehicle found out there with an outdated old plate or found without a plate, they can go ahead and book them, and let them prove otherwise.”
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff Last March, Mr Campbell’s predecessor, former Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna Martin, announced a joint venture between the Ministry of National Security, the Road Traffic Department and the Ministry of Finance, which would see the manufacturing of plates at the Fox Hill prison. At the time, she said several inamtes at the Fox Hill Road facility had already been identified as suitable candidates to take part and be paid for participating in the programme, with 15 to 20 inmates expected to take part in the operation in its initial stages. The 20 inmates involved were projected to receive $6,240 each annually. Mrs Hanna Martin did also acknowledge that some delays could arise, as the Fox Hill Road compound did not yet have all the necessary equipment to start the manufacturing process. As a result, she said US company John R Wald Inc, which has 92 years experience in the business, was to continue producing plates on a temporary basis until such time as the Department of Correctional
Services could manage full production. That move did lead to a shortage in the early phases of the programme, however, Mr Campbell on Friday said those problems were long gone and production schedules were being met. With respect to Family Island supplies, Mr Campbell also denied claims of a shortage. He stated: “There is no shortage of the licence plates in the Family Islands, the difficulty has been getting connectivity through BTC to have the automated system working in those Family Islands.” He continued: “We don’t want to issue the new plates because they are part and parcel to the new automated system, and so those areas where we are still handwriting, they are being allowed to utilise the old plates. But there is no question of availability of plates because as I would have indicated earlier, plates are being produced locally. They are available.” The government spent an estimated $750,000 to start the plate system, with an additional $75,000 expected to be allocated annually to maintain it.
THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS
Who’s afraid of ‘Big Bad Mary Jane’? By MALCOLM STRACHAN
I
T is “high” time the conversation of marijuana decriminalisation or legalisation be approached intellectually. This has been a subject of recent debate, particularly gaining momentum at the beginning of the year. CARICOM’s regional assessments led to a town meeting over a week ago, where despite a lack representation from the people that oppose marijuana decriminalisation or legalisation, there was still a good turnout as citizens came to voice their opinions on the issue. Even though those who are not in support of marijuana reform chose to remain critical from their insulated silow, CARICOM representatives were still able to gauge the temperature of people’s thoughts on the subject. Truthfully, it was good to see people come forth and relay – though some more articulate than others – their concerns and highlight the plight our current marijuana laws place on society. One gentleman’s passionate plea to the moderator was said to be “moving”, as he, in riveting detail, served as a spokesman for the young men whose records become tainted for as little as a joint – effectively leading them on paths to becoming menaces to a society that long turned its back on them. He beckoned to our religious leaders – chief among them former Bahamas Christian Council President Bishop Simeon Hall - to stand in the gap against the injustices. How ironic is it that a God-created herb with such a storied application to the medical world and its manipulated prohibition is so terribly stigmatised in today’s world – in particular in The Bahamas. We, as a people, are so hell-bent on forming groupthink, whether for better or worse, rather than making ourselves knowledgeable on a subject. It is to our detriment, as we only repress ourselves in an evolving world. It begs the question: Who’s afraid of “Big Bad Mary Jane”? Will its legalisation or decriminalisation mean doom and gloom for our nation? And if that is the case, how are we currently managing to survive in its illegality? The Bahamian ultraconservative sect is terrified of what could be transformational and would throw everything short of the kitchen sink at this issue. We’ve heard everything from it going against our status as a “Christian nation”, to suggestions
that we would be living in a 700-island and cay zombie-land with already slow moving civil servants moving at even slower pace. Since the meeting, there has even been a polarising temperament coming out of the cabinet on the issue. Perhaps, the most surprising is the disinterest of Dr Duane Sands, pictured right, who has been more reticent on the subject than some would have expected, to say the least. As a medical professional, he should be fully aware of the benefits that medicinal marijuana has had in his field since its rebirth in the 90s, as well as it historically being renowned as a treatment for conditions such as asthma all the way to more terminal illnesses like cancer. The stigma associated with smoking marijuana - that many people have been brainwashed and still believe to this day – originated with an influx of Mexicans migrating to the United States who used the herb for recreational uses. Thus, caused the act to be looked down upon by the masses. However, this, as we can see in the modern United States, may be much more of a racial issue than anything else. Lo and behold, an immigration issue turned into a war on drugs and marijuana being classified as a dangerous drug. Additionally, with big pharmaceuticals seeing the threat of a natural remedy to many of the illnesses a plethora of resources would have been pumped into, something would have to be done so as to not preclude the private interests of a few ambitious men. It has been a long battle – with media tycoon and owner of a number of newspapers and magazines, William Randolph Hearst, setting off on a crusade against marijuana in the 1930s by manufacturing and sensationalising uncorroborated stories to sway public opinion. Among the fallacies he published, he suggested that marijuana sent people on a druginduced craze where they murdered people. This is perhaps one of the greatest mistruths associated with marijuana, as there has been no palpable evidence to validate a homicide asso-
ciated with the herb. Still, we live in a society where it as seen as the big bad wolf and getting high will send you on a similar drug-induced, murderous crusade. It is laughable that we have such staunch believers in this tale that they would probably reject any research that disproves this notion before turning their belief system on its head. Yet, some Christians smoke cigarettes and partake in alcohol. And those that don’t aren’t running through the streets dousing their fellow man with holy water and reciting scriptures. However, when it comes to marijuana, it is the spawn of Satan, himself! We can simply look at the numbers: In 2011, there were 2.5 million alcohol related deaths. By the following year, this tragic statistic was trumped up to 3.3 million net deaths or 5.9 percent of all global deaths. Further, in 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) published that alcohol contributed to more than 200 diseases and injury-related health issues. Despite these harsh realities, alcohol consumption is certainly legal and practically a cultural norm in Bahamian society. Tobacco statistics are even more alarming: America’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that more than 16 million Americans are living with a disease caused by smoking. Moreover, six million Americans die annually, and this number is projected to increase to eight million by 2030. However, tobacco, like alcohol, is a socially accepted vice. According to The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime 2017 World Drug Report, the aforementioned numbers on alcohol and tobacco dramatically dwarf drugrelated deaths, which are estimated to be around 190,000 and in most cases, can be attributed to opioid usage. The CDC also released that 46 people
died every day in 2016 biases removed, we would from prescription opioid see clear benefits that ought overdoses. to be considered. Yet, here we are, shaking As crime has been a in our boots at the big, bad Goliath of sorts, any law marijuana plant. enforcement official would One would be hard- tell you that the majority of pressed to find similar the killings taking place are statistics on marijuana. In a result of the gang wars fact, the majority of the on our streets. While not research that exists point having been scientifically to an impossibility of there proven, jurisdictions that being an overdose caused have legalised or decrimiby cannabis. nalised marijuana have Even when we look at seen considerable decreases a pain reliever of a “lesser in their crime statistics. For effect”, when someone has example, in 2013, Washa headache or any kind of ington State recorded a pain, in search of relief they 13 percent reduction in may take an aspirin. Why murders and 10 percent in not? This is widely accepted overall crime. and not frowned upon, in This is certainly somethat it does not have the thing to take note of. same addictive properties Legalisation of marijuana as stronger pain relievers. has taken major steps in However, its undermining side effects We live in a society the Mexican can consist of drug cartels where marijuana as black/bloody by biting seen as the big bad faeces, off a large coughing up wolf and getting chunk of its or vomiting profits. Over high will send blood, severe time, we nausea, you on a similar may be able fever, swell- drug-induced, to see a true ing, upset correlation murderous crusade. stomach, if this trend heartburn, It is laughable continues. drowsiness that we have such Similarly, - and you as local staunch believers in would not gangs fight believe – this tale that they over turf and pain or a would probably its resources headache – come largely reject any research the reason from the one sought that disproves illegal disout relief to tribution of begin with. this notion before marijuana, Now, isn’t turning their belief the policy that ironic! system on its head. makers Moreover, would an Oxford University study revealed potentially be dealing a that daily aspirin usage lethal blow to their operaresulted in 3,000 deaths tions as well. Even if we were to only in the United Kingdom – another jurisdiction that look at decriminalisation has been on the conserva- as an initial phase - intertive end of the marijuana nationally, it has also been debate. However, as the seen that criminalising world’s outlook on the plant young people by stainand its pros potentially far ing their records at such outweighing its cons we a young age only serves shouldn’t be surprised to to cripple them in society. see a change in the UK in Often, the lack of options that result from being the near future. Generally speaking, convicted of marijuana posthe outdated views by session – even when it is a some – particularly in The single joint – end up creatBahamas who still refuse ing the criminals that we to remove the plank from fear today. Shall we continue to their eyes so they can clearly see that when regu- let our sometimes, stinarrowmindedness lated, marijuana has myriad fling benefits, socially, medically and immovable belief in a and economically - are ter- debunked stigma continue to guide our perceptions ribly stifling. If we were to engage in and perpetuate a vicious constructive dialogue, with cycle?
Think of the medical feats that can be achieved for our suffering brothers and sisters. According to the US Census Bureau, as of 2016, there were approximately 2.6 million medical marijuana users. Among them, about 92 percent stated that the treatment was helpful. However, this is not an argument to suggest we should throw the baby out with the bathwater. Rather, both modern medicine and medical marijuana can be used to treat the ailing and sick interchangeably, where recommended by a medical professional. While we look at some of our progressive neighbours, the economic benefits are indubitably an indicator that the profit potential is worth analysing for the Bahamian government. For a country that hinges its unemployment prospects to a volatile tourism industry, we ought to seriously consider the fact that in the United States alone, the marijuana industry is slated to account for more jobs than the manufacturing industry by 2020. By looking at a small sample size to create a snapshot of the employment opportunities, 57,500 jobs have been created between Colorado, Washington and Oregon. Also, those states racked up $175M, $241M and $55M, respectively, in tax revenue. Surely, this would have to be applied to the Bahamian context, but the numbers don’t lie. This industry, if regulated correctly, has myriad benefits. But first, before we can move forward, we must ask ourselves: “Who’s afraid of the ‘Big Bad Mary Jane’?” And secondly, “Why?” - when its illegality obviously does not prevent its consumption? Will legalising or decriminalising marijuana be the end-all, be-all to our nation’s laundry list of problems? Of course not. However, for a “people’s government” to ignore what seems to be the will of the people - especially when there is a plethora of other examples accessible for them to study – it would certainly be a less than progressive move for a prime minister who has committed himself to leading the country in the 21st century. As the Cabinet prepares to take a day to discuss this latest topic of debate, we are eager to see what they come up with. Hopefully, it is consistent with their mantra of it being “the people’s time”.
PAGE 12 MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 2018
INSIGHT
THE CARMICHAEL Road Detention Centre.
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
We treat murderers and rapists better than we treat people suspected of having ‘Haitian blood’ By FREDERICK SMITH, QC
W
HEN people hear the term “ethnic cleansing” they tend to think of notorious historical genocides – mass exterminations of people under the most graphic and shocking of circumstances. References to “concentration camps” usually evoke images like the unspeakable horrors of Auschwitz, the huge death toll of the Soviet Gulags, mass graves in the former Yugoslavia. Most Bahamians would dismiss the idea their own society could be in any way connected with these terrible nightmares of the past. However uncomfortable it may be to admit, the truth is at the beginning of 2018, the impulses and motivations that give rise to and condone ethnic cleansing are very much alive and well in The Bahamas. The term “ethnic cleansing,” according to the United Nations, refers to any systematic forced removal of individuals from a society or territory, based on their ethnic or religious identity. Although violence and murder are tools that can be used to achieve this, “forced migration” is actually a much more common weapon against those considered a threat because they are perceived as different. Likewise, a concentration camp is any guarded compound for the detention or imprisonment of aliens, members of ethnic minorities, political opponents, etc, especially those being held for extended periods without being charged with any crime. According to these objective standards, there can be no doubt The Bahamas has for decades been committed to a systematic programme of ethnic cleansing against people of Haitian descent and currently uses at least one concentration camp to achieve this aim. This has nothing to do with enforcing the Immigration Act or defending our borders. This is about successive FNM and PLP governments undertaking an organised campaign of widespread, institutionalised and violent efforts to remove individuals of Haitian descent who have a right to be here under the constitution. This is about a clandestine strategy to achieve forced migration. I speak particularly of individuals born here to Haitian parents who are entitled to be registered as
citizens upon application after their 18th birthday. Tens of thousands have done so in accordance with the law. Many have also done so after their 19th birthday; whilst many SWINGS behind the fence at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre. have not applied at all given the Government does not no legal process that would and visible end of a very nevertheless kidnapped and educate nor promote the allow for their detention or long spear, the shaft being held for ransom – cash in composed of intentional return for liberty. Of late, Constitutional entitlement unconstitutional expulsion. Yet these individuals inaction on the part of the detained people born in in Creole or at all. Thousands who have applied are routinely randomly, Attorney General’s office, The Bahamas, such as Jean have heard nothing back assaulted, battered and the Department of Public Rony Jean Charles, have One may Prosecutions and the Royal actually been disappearing. from Immigration officials kidnapped. Detainees – including a for years, sometimes dec- instinctively recoil from Bahamas Police Force. the use of the word “kidAnd the hands that wield pregnant woman – have ades. In the meantime, they are terrorised by the Big napped”. This would be this weapon of national gone on hunger strikes, Yellow Bus, hunted down, warranted if there was any injustice are those of the others have stitched or padintention on the part of political leadership itself. locked their lips together in detained and expelled. Immigration to charge them The facts allow for no a futile attempt to convince Anyone who thinks this is not intentional on the part with an offence. However, other conclusion: The Baha- Bahamians of the level of the authorities is fooling they cannot be charged, mas is engaging in ethnic of suffering that people themselves. Any doubts I and not one has ever been cleansing on a national undergo at that terrifying may have had were dis- charged in a court of law for level at the behest of our concentration camp. Sadly, an offence political class, both PLP no one is interested in pelled over the and FNM. How else can listening. the past ‘Thousands who have under Immigration one define a society where When the authorifew years applied have heard Act because people can be kidnapped ties bulldoze whole (ie since they have from their homes, grabbed neighbourhoods, people Fred Mitch- nothing back from com- on the side of the street lose everything they ever ell’s 2014 Immigration officials not mitted any or at their workplaces and owned, regardless of pogrom) in for years, sometimes offence. deprived of their liberty just whether they are born here conversaThey are because of how they look or and are Citizens in Waittions with decades. In the held against sound? Where people can ing, Haitians, Bahamians, senior PLP meantime, they are their will have their homes broken legal or illegal – no one and FNM terrorised by the Big in the most into without a warrant, bothers to check beforepoliticians, unsanitary, have their property stolen hand. Nor does this come several of Yellow Bus, hunted degrading, with impunity, can be sepa- about through a successful whom told down, detained demeanrated from their families application by the landme that ing and and held indefinitely with- owner to the Supreme and expelled.’ they simply unhealthy out charge, without the Court as it should. Such couldn’t circumopportunity to apply for actions are totally arbitrary grant status to all those who legally qualify, as The stances. They are often bail, without access to a and the result of nothing Bahamas would be “over- beaten, abused and in many lawyer? What do we say of more than the fact the vicrun by Haitians” who will cases sexually assaulted – all a society where, based on tims are a congregation without ever being charged their ethnicity, people can of poor people who are “take over our country”. One could not ask for a with a crime, ever having have their homes and bull- assumed to be mostly of more blatant admission of their day in court, without dozed and demolished, can Haitian descent. All of this despite the fact racism, discrimination and access to a lawyer, without be beaten, sexually abused, a chance to apply for bail, shot and even killed withthe fact the Supreme Court a mentality supportive of has repeatedly declared the ethnic cleansing. They actu- without any protection out consequence? There can be no ques- enforcement methods of ally admit to breaking the from arbitrary detention for tion the Carmichael Road the Immigration Departlaw and denying people extended periods of time. The Constitution of The Detention Centre meets ment illegal. Spitting in constitutional rights so as to Bahamas says that each international definitions the face of the judiciary, as defend “ethnic purity”. and every single “person” of a concentration camp. the head of Immigration The victims of this campaign are, legally speaking, in this country is entitled It exists nowhere in Baha- Enforcement Mr Neilly did Bahamian Citizens In Wait- to the Fundamental Rights mian law, meaning every last week recently, authoriing, but apparently because and Freedoms in Chapter single detention is illegal. ties continue to commit of their “blood” or “DNA”, III of the Constitution. Yet People are held in inhuman gross violations of people’s even after securing citizen- they are denied to only and degrading conditions fundamental human rights. ship they would somehow one group of people based and without access to a tel- This could not occur unless remain aliens and invad- on their ethnicity – people ephone or any contact with there was a vast conspirers. As if any of the people who, to the extent that they the outside world but for a acy to violate the law and who currently call them- were born here, are totally few minutes once or twice a contravene the decisions selves Bahamian are native innocent of any crime. We week – in contravention of of the court that went all to this place. As if there is treat murderers and rapists all international standards. the way up to the Office any great genetic difference better than we treat people They are held in tighter of the Prime Minister and between Haitian people suspected of having “Hai- security and worse condi- included the Minister of tian blood”. tions than the convicted Immigration, the Director and “true Bahamians”. I used to think the criminals in Maximum of Immigration, the ComI also speak of individuDepart- Security at Fox Hill Prison, modore of the Defence als who were born here Immigration but declined to apply for ment was a rogue branch and for extended periods Force, senior officers in all citizenship for whatever of government, operat- of time in violation of the of these departments, as Constitution. well as the officers on the reason. There is no require- ing without oversight and Bahamas as if it was above the law. And, most importantly, they ground and those stationed ment for them to apply and no lawful justification Developments since Fred are not held there with ref- at the Detention Centre. The authorities make for the authorities bother- Mitchell’s 2014 Edicts and erence to any specific crime; ing with them if they fail that of Minnis in 2017 thus, they are detained on no attempt to comply with the Immigration Act, the to do so. These individuals suggest a much more fright- the basis of their ethnicity. Information has recently Criminal Procedure Code, have committed no crime. ening reality. Immigration They have not violated the is not a renegade entity surfaced suggesting the the Police Act or the ConImmigration Act by enter- operating against the tide Detention Centre is also stitution. They never seek ing illegally or overstaying of the government’s normal used to hold individuals to justify their actions by their allotted time – they day-to-day respect for the who Immigration officers reference to any law passed were born here and there is rule of law; it is the sharp know have status, but have by Parliament; they rely
only on confused and often contradictory off-the-cuff policy expressions which pander to the xenophobic electorate. They ignore the courts and continue to do all they can to inflict maximum fear and terror on their targets, all in the name of “cleansing” The Bahamas of those of Haitian descent. Once again, the majority of their victims are not illegal immigrants; they are individuals born in The Bahamas who have committed no crime. Then, there is the Prime Minister’s December 31 deadline, which only heightened the atmosphere of xenophobic fervour, justified casual discrimination and gave oxygen to hugely influential radio hosts who continue to egg Bahamians on to commit further acts of intimidation and harassment, until a lynch mob mentality takes hold. Hence the constant barrage of comments on social media which clearly reflect a violent, hateful, antagonistic, racist, discriminatory and criminal mentality. Both the FNM and PLP political class have bought into this. Hence the bipartisan 2015 amendment to the Immigration Act, which allowed the authorities to simply give people of Haitian descent born in The Bahamas a “Belonger’s Permit“ and keep them in a state suspended citizenship limbo. The same goes for the requirement to obtain a Haitian passport, even though they are born in The Bahamas. This was a deliberate policy promoted by Fred Mitchell to keep people of Haitian descent separately classified and dealt with outside the law. None of this is about enforcing the laws of The Bahamas; it is about creating an atmosphere in which politicians can get away with breaking them. We need to stop fooling ourselves. What is going on is nothing less than unadulterated, violent, unapologetic ethnic cleansing, pure and simple. There is no other name for it. The fact that we are not yet killing people openly is probably only a question of time and the arrival of the right circumstances as has been occurring in the Dominican Republic to people of Haitian descent.
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INSIGHT
PRESIDENT Donald Trump gestures as he boards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, on Friday.
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 2018 PAGE 13
Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP
If Haiti’s a ‘shithole’ those who made it so should admit their role World View
By SIR RONALD SANDERS
T
HE effect of was the first free nation of the inappropri- free black people to rise in ate depiction of a world of Empires of WestHaiti, El Salva- ern European nations. And, Haiti paid a very dor and all African nations as “shit hole” countries is high price for its assertion a matter the people of the that black people were born United States of America free, entitled to freedom and their government and and the right to fight for it. In a real sense, from the Congress should contemmoment of that assertion plate seriously. The responses have been of freedom, Haiti was earswift, showing a mixture of marked for the “shithole” outrage and shock. At the status now applied to it. time of writing this com- It was punished by every mentary there has been no European nation, particuexpression of regret about larly France, and successive the comment which has governments of the United done nothing but injure States aided and abetted in the relations between the the process. France demanded huge United States and many countries. Hopefully, rep- reparations for the slaves resentatives of the US in and plantations it lost at other countries will dis- the revolt of Toussaint tance themselves from it L’Ouverture. In 1825, Haiand apologise as discreetly ti’s leaders were forced to agree to pay France the as they can. I am here concerned par- harsh levy of 90 million ticularly with the remarks gold francs, which the counabout Haiti, a member try did not finish repaying state of the Caribbean until 1947. For almost Community a hundred (CARICOM) years, Haiti was and the current ‘You cannot pushed into Chair of the dismiss entire poverty by the group’s Heads countries and French demand, of Governupheld by Westment caucus. continents ern European My colleague, as ‘shitholes,’ nations and the the Ambas- whose entire US. Indeed, sador of Haiti the US, which to the United populations, continued to States, Paul who are not be a slaveAltidor, rightly white, are owing nation said: “We feel in after European the statements, therefore not nations outif they were welcome.’ lawed it, did not made, the presi- Paul Colville recognise Haiti dent was either as a free nation misinformed or miseducated about until 1862 – the last major Haiti and its people.” The power at the time to do so. But even that recognition United Nations spokesman Rupert Colville, described was meaningless. Taking the remarks as “racist”, advantage of Haiti’s lack adding: “You cannot dis- of capacity to defend itself miss entire countries and from external intervention, continents as ‘shitholes,’ US naval ships entered whose entire populations, Haitian waters no less than who are not white, are 24 times between 1849 and 1913, ostensibly “to protect therefore not welcome.” Haiti, for us in the Car- American lives and propibbean is more than just erty”. Finally, in 1915, the a member of our commu- US invaded Haiti and ruled nity, it is the first nation to the country as an occupying rise up against slavery and force for 20 years. During that period, Haiti oppression in our region. Importantly when the and the Haitian people, impoverished, Republic of Haiti was estab- already and isolated lished on January 1, 1804, it exploited
HAITI’s President Jovenel Moise attends a ceremony in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Friday. Haitians reacted with outrage to reports that President Donald Trump questioned why the U.S. would accept more immigrants from Haiti and “shithole countries” in Africa at an Oval Office meeting held on the eve of the anniversary of the 2010 earthquake. Moise’s government issued a strongly worded statement denouncing what it called a “racist” view of Haitian immigrants and people from African countries. Photo: Dieu Nalio Chery/AP by what was then ‘the by US companies were For the 11 months, ending pledge to do better. international community’ – justified by the language November 30, 2017, the Every Caribbean person, Western European nations of racial superiority. Hai- surplus in favour of the US at all levels, should make and the US – were fur- tians were described as was already $385m. So, for it abundantly and crys“mongrels”, a “shithole” country it has tal clear we resent this ther disadvantaged. Their “coons”, constitution was rewritten “unwholesome”, “a horde provided annual revenues depiction of Haiti; we call against their will, something of naked niggers”. The and employment to the US for acknowledgement by the US State Department New York Times reported of some magnitude. all who have exploited Sadly, from this entire it and kept it in poverty; admitted in 1927. Under US representatives as that Constitution, laws pre- saying that Haiti needed experience, Haiti is the and we urge that, instead venting foreigners from “energetic Anglo-Saxon poorest country in all the of dismissing it in unforAmericas. But it is far from tunate owning land were scrapped, influence”. language, they The Haitians have also a “shithole”, possessing as implement programmes to allowing US companies to suffered from governments it does some of the most atone for their part in its take what they wanted. In 1926, a New York busi- that suited foreign powers beautiful landscapes and pauperisation. ness publication described being put into office, only to seascapes in the Caribbean; For our part, the CarHaiti as “a marvellous be removed if their policies a remarkably talented and ibbean should stand-up opportunity” for US invest- ceased to serve the inter- creative people – Haitian for Haiti with pride and ment, stating that “the run est of those foreign powers. art and craft is natural, gratitude. of the mill Haitian is handy, Therefore, democracy in untrained aptitude; and • Responses and previous easily directed and gives Haiti was emasculated hard workers. commentaries: www.sirOf Haiti’s population ronaldsanders.com a hard day’s labour for 20 not by the Haitian people, cents, while in Panama the but by external forces and of 10.4 million people, same day’s work cost $3”. Haitian elites that they only 500,000 have permaThe writer is Antigua and nent employment. Yet, the Barbuda’s Ambassador to US corporations grew from suborned. Incidentally, the US has Haitian people maintain the United States and the 13 in 1966 to 154 in 1981, enriching themselves, pau- had balance of trade sur- stability in a continuing OAS. He is also a Senior perising the Haitian people pluses with Haiti for many struggle. Fellow at the Institute of If Haiti is a “shithole”, Commonwealth Studies at even more and doing decades. For instance, in little to add wealth to the 2014, the US trade surplus those who made it so, the University of London with Haiti was $356.4m; in should acknowledge their and Massey College in the economy. And, as with slavery, the 2015 and 2016 respectively devastating role, and in University of Toronto. The excesses of US occupation it was $190.5m and $191.9m. their shame, they should views expressed are his own.
INSIGHT
PAGE 14 MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 2018
Simple steps for staying safe Police advice
By SERGEANT NATHALIE RANGER
ACCIDENTS can be prevented by keeping workplace safety tips in mind on the job. No matter what industry you work in, applying safety tips can prevent accidents. Tips for Avoiding Slips and Falls Falls are the leading cause of injury in the workplace. Keep these tips in mind to avoid an injury: 1. As you walk, keep an eye on the floor in front of you for spills. 2. If you see a spill, never just walk by it. Always clean it up or call someone to clean it up. 3. Wear non-skid shoes when you work in kitchens, outdoors, or any other place where you will commonly be walking on slippery surfaces. 4. Never climb on shelving units or storage units to get things. Use only approved ladders. 5. Never lean on railings, even if they look solid. They could be improperly secured and you could fall. 6. Always use safety harnesses when working at heights. Tips for Lifting Properly You may work with patients who need help getting around or at a
DNA blasts P to meet CLIC
By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net DNA Leader Branville McCartney yesterday slammed the Christie administration for failing to honour its December 31, 2015 deadline to provide a resolution for the thousands of CLICO (Bahamas) policyholders who lost millions of dollars when the company collapsed. Mr McCartney, in a statement, said the government’s inaction to date in delivering on its word has now caused “thousands of hardworking Bahamians” to potentially lose “millions of dollars in policy payments” made to the company since its collapse. He further blasted the
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
government for squandering the opportunity to prove that it is “capable of acting to protect its citizenry”. In November, CLICO (Bahamas) liquidator Craig Gomez, in his latest report to the Supreme Court, said he had no choice but to cancel all health insurance policies unless the government delivered on its $30m guarantee and related resolution promises by New Year’s Eve. Mr Gomez said it was simply unsustainable to maintain CLICO (Bahamas) health policies because payouts exceeded annual premium income. This, Mr Gomez explained, was steadily eroding the $11.607m CLICO (Bahamas) held in its bank accounts at year-end 2014,
thereby undermining his court-ordered mandate to preserve the insurer’s assets for the benefits of creditors. Over a month later, a government official told a meeting of CLICO (Bahamas) creditors that the Christie administration planned to make an announcement on its proposed resolution by year-end. However, the official said no payments would be immediately forthcoming to the CLICO (Bahamas) annuity holders and creditors – only the promise that the government will finally do something about the matter, which ultimately did not happen, according to earlier reports. “…We are now days into the New Year and days past the December 31 deadline
5,000 ILLEGAL MIGRANTS REPATRIATED IN 2015, SAYS MINISTER OF IMMIGRATION
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
factory where you’re lifting boxes on a continual basis. No matter who or what you may be lifting, there are some key points to consider: 1. If you are approaching a box and don’t know what’s in it, try moving it a little with your foot first to see how easily it moves. This will help you gauge how heavy the box is. 2. Always wear non-skid shoes when you are lifting potentially heavy objects. 3. Never bend at the waist and lift the box up with your back. Keep your upper body
straight and parallel with your lower legs. Grab the item and push up with your legs, not with your back. 4. Never jerk your body around when lifting. You may feel fine after doing this once, but repeated occurrences can easily lead to injury in even the healthiest workers. Fire Safety Tips Some jobs carry an increased risk of fire, but understanding fire safety is important for any occupation. Keep these tips in mind:
MORE than 5,000 illegal immigrants wereinrepatriHave a fire plan place ated to their for your worksitehomeland and makein 2015, Minister of Foreign sure employees understand it Affairs and Immigration fully. Having a fire drill every Fred Mitchell said Thursnow and again is a good day, adding that the Deway for employees to keepis partment of Immigration escape routes, meeting spots bracing for an even tougher and procedures in mind. year in 2016. 1. He Avoid of soalso the saiduse efforts are called “power strips” underway to have the 70 whenever possible. at They Cuban detainees the areCarmichael often prone to DetenoverRoad usetion and can start a fire Centre expelled dueifto toosecurity many issues. appliances He saidare poplugged intocalled them. lice were to the hold2. chemiingKeep facilitycleaning last week due to cals and other work an “incident” with the Cuchemicals in a well-ventiban detainees. Mitchell reported that latedMr room. Many chemicals to date some 5,398highly immiemit vapour that is grants were repatriated and flammable and which can 237 detainees remain at be ignited withstill something Detention Centre. as the small as a spark from a Hewire. also raised concerns faulty 3. Know where all the fire extinguishers are throughout your workplace and know how to use them. 4. Remember that grease fires cannot be fought by dousing them with water. Oil is hydrophobic and also MAYCOCK is By the DENISE fuel source in grease Tribune Freeport fires. Water will Reporter simply dmaycock@tribunemedia.net splash the oil around and spread the fire even further. Grand Ba5. CENTRAL Smoke alarms: a neceshama MP Neko Grant sity, not an option claimed the detecgovern6. Invest that in smoke ment was aware since last tors for every room or June of the alleged unacoffice. ceptable behaviour of the 7. Test your smoke general manager at detecMemotors (and sprinkling system) ries Resort, but had done once a month. nothing about it. 8. He Replace thethe batteries said that governat ment’s least once a year recent response to 9. disable a smoke theNever actions of a hotel offialarm. cial toward the Grand BaConsider alarms hama Youthsmoke Choir and alleforgations the disabled. of staff abuse at the Audible alarms hotel has come too(pauses late. between the asiren wailof Mr Grant, member allow for auditory the Free National comMovemunication) arebrought available ment, initially contheimpaired; Memories forcerns the about visually Resortalarms to the nation’s visual (withattena tion during flashing lighthis orcontribution vibrating in the of Assembly pad) are House available for the in June. “I find the government’s response to the recent actions of the general man-
about the increased landings of Cuban nationals on Cay Sal and other small islands near Cuba’s coast. “We have too many in the Detention Centre and hearing impaired. it is posing a security issue for us,” Mr Mitchell Planning for a Safesaid. “Yesterday (Wednesday), Workplace there were several incidents Falls, lifting injuries, which led to the police beand fires atare dangerous ing called the centre. and“We common in thetoworkare seeking have place, that’s just the these but people expelled imbeginning. arecountry many mediately There from the possible safety issues that as quickly as possible. We can or areoccur tryingattoyour workoffice with the factory. best Cuban Sometimes governmentthe because workplace the longer safety peoplearises stay it out beofcomes simple good and planning a problem, there and thinking. is asmart problem between HaiEvery should tians andworkplace Cuban detainees have safety committee whichawas the source of the and safetyyesterday,” plan in place. If problem he explained. you don’t have safety comMr Mitchell mittees at your commended workplace, officers and staff at the Dethen propose one. If you partment of Immigration work at home, you are the for protecting theWorking nation’s safety committee. theirsmall limatborders, home ordespite for a very business is not a reason to get out of safety planning. If you don’t have a safety plan in place yet, follow these steps when you recognise a workplace safety issue: 1. Make sure everyone agerinofyour Memories Resort else workplace is most ofinteresting ... but aware the problem. very late. your I await the end 2. Notify supervisor. results of their investiga3. File any reports or doction,” Mr Grant said in a uments about the problem. statement. 4. Follow up. Telling Immigration Minister someone there’s a problem Fred Mitchell and Minister is not a guarantee that the for Grand Bahama Dr Miproblem will be resolved chael Darville are reviewsatisfactorily. it and ing a report Report concerning an later followatupthe to make sure incident Memories the problem addressed. Resort on was Christmas Eve when the general manager Crime Prevention reportedly told the during Grand Business Bahama YouthHours Choir and 1. Dial 911 Kevin immediately if its director Tomlinyou sonnotice to thesuspicious leave the stranresort gers loitering in or near before completing their your place of business. Take performance. particular noticeMinister of people Last week, of who loiterShane during the openLabour Gibson told ing and closing of reporters that thetimes Departmentbusiness. of Labour was investiyour gating allegationsin of alleged 2. Employees charge abuse atbank the Memories ofstaff making deposits Resort.always be alert for should In his contribution in June, Mr Grant spoke of frequent reports of unfair working conditions and
ited resources. Several top ranking officials, including Immigration Director William Pratt, Assistant Director Hubert Ferguson andatKirk strangers lingering the Neilly, Ifofficer in charge bank. in doubt, do not of the the Enforcement Unit,a make deposit while were also singled out suspicious person is in for the their work. area. “I want them to know that Never block the view the3. government is proud of into store filling their your efforts,” Mr by Mitchell windows multiple dissaid whilewith in Grand Bahaplays. ma lastRobbers week. do not want to “This be seen, they are less is aand force of around likely to attack 300 people and your theirbusireness if a passer-by can the see sponsibility is to guard what is going inside. and borders of the on Bahamas 4. aMinimise the job, amount it is very difficult and of youresourced keep on and the it iscash under premises. people don’t appreciate the 5. Make frequent pickextent to which work has to ups money from registers doneofby the department. “This has regular been a chaland make bank lenging and difficult year deposits. and I donot nottothink it 6. Try workthat alone. is going tohave get anyindicated easier. I Studies thinkthe thatpresence 2016 will of be more even that tougher.” employees may reduce the incidence of an armed robbery. 7. Install quality locks on doors and windows. Also invest in a monitored alarm system. Alarms are the best defence against property crime and knowing poorhave treatment of could employyou a system be ees, andtoin particular, feenough deter criminals. male 8. employees. Always use interior Atexterior that time, he Lightsaid: and lighting. “They reported that a ing mayhave prevent an intruder senior concealing executive hashisno illerefrom spect activities. for them asInstalling women. gal Members of this governand using motion sensor ment are aware of the aclighting is an inexpensive tivities at this resort and way to deter crimeabout at your have done nothing it. business. Where is the ‘gender equality’ being promoted by the In opposite?” the end, workplace side safety is the responsibility “What is so egregious, of your Mr everyone Speaker, isatthat I’m job. adEveryone a part to play vised thathas the individual in keeping was therun workplace concerned, off this safe and free from island before, fromunnecesanother sary risks. By resortdangers for hisand ‘unacceptakeeping these in mind ble’ attitude andtips behaviour. and sharing is, them The question how didwith he others, will country?” be doing get backyou into this While Grand Bahama your partinin keeping injuon New Year’sdeaths Eve, and Mr ries, possibly Mitchell from said happening the governrobbery on ment takes such allegations the job. seriously and will meet with corporate executives at the resort about the matter before a decision is taken.
GOVT ‘KNEW OF MEMORIES RESORT MANAGER’S BEHAVIOUR FOR MONTHS’
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NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS New Year resolutions I IT THOUGHT wouldto is human itnature behope useful propose a list thattothe new year will better thanthat the may old year. of be resolutions be However, order to have beneficial forinThe Bahamas better to aadopt forchance 2018. of this beingBreak so, it ground is alwaysonuseful 1. the not just to hopeofbutdownto take redevelopment those actions which would town Nassau. make it morevigorously likely to hap2. Continue to pen. exchange controls. remove With this in mind, this column will be presumptious and suggest some new year resolutions which The Bahamas could adopt in order to MAKE IT BETTER IN THE BAHAMAS. 1. Invest more in the development and schooling of our youth. 2. Speedly introduce an access to information act in order to bring full transpar-
View from afar
By JOHN ISSA
ancy to public the affairs. 3. Reduce cost of 3. Make all Bahamians electricity. equal the law. study 4. Dounder an in-depth 4. Urgently exof the benefitschange of the the cruise change control rules so that industry and adjust the the hundredstoofmaximise millions arrangements of foreign assets hidden by the benefit to the economy Bahamians oveseas will be and Bahamian people. able to be legally invested 5. Change the busiat home for the benefit of ness license and rulesthe socountry that it themselves encourages new Bahamian as a whole. entrepreneurs and not deter them, as it presently does. 6. Give all Bahamians equal rights under the constitution. 7. Improve corporate governance at
5. Removein all discretioncompanies which the ary considerations in the isGovernment holds shares suing of outright. business liscences or owns to 8.Bahamians. Evaluate the pros and 6. Pass legislation to encons of The Government courage public competition to owning utilities and bring down the cost of living. divest any ownership that is could go to onthe and on, notI of benefit people however, i think the six resof The Bahamas. olutions will keepmore us pretty 9. Encourage combusy. to list on the stock panies A happy new year to all. exchange. 10. Be kind to one another. I know this is not a complete list and that i may be being presumptuous, so please forgive me.