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Pray for their souls FROM left, a young girl thought to be on the plane and her mother, Nique, Maggie Adderley and Tino Russell. Also on board were pilot Darren Clarke and local store owner Carter Campbell.

• SIX FEARED DEAD AS PLANE PLUNGES INTO SEA • RESCUERS FIND TWO BODIES IN DEBRIS FIELD • ANDROS MP: WHOLE ISLAND IS GRIEVING

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net TWO bodies were recovered yesterday and four others are feared dead after a plane travelling from Andros to New Providence crashed in waters just off the coast of Mastic Point.

There were three men, two women and a teenage girl on board.

After hours of unsubstantiated claims and social media rumours, yesterday afternoon Department of Civil Aviation officials confirmed the crash of a small twinengine Piper Aztec. It is believed that all on board died.

The Tribune has identified four of the six peope on board as Darren Clarke, believed

to be the pilot; Carter Campbell, a local store owner; Maggie Adderley and Tino Russell.

The remaining two victims are believed to be a mother, identified only as Nique, travelling with her daughter.

Authorities up to press time confirmed two bodies were seen in rough seas just east of Mastic Point.

The bodies were discovered in the vicinity of debris, but officials were unable to determine if the plane did go down at that point.

According to reports, the aircraft disappeared while travelling to New Providence.

It is suspected the plane encountered bad weather shortly after its 8am take-off and attempted to return to Andros.

In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Delvin Major, chief investigator at the Air Accident Investigation Department of the Department of Civil Aviation, said his office was notified at 11am that a plane en route to New Providence could not be located.

SEE PAGE THREE

A PIPER Aztec plane similar to the one that crashed.

MARITAL RAPE AND IMMIGRATION OVERHAUL

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

10PC NUGGETS

BIG FISH

ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel yesterday committed the country to major legislative benchmarks on the issue of marital rape and migrant rights as he defended the country’s performance on human rights obligations before the United Nations.

Mr Bethel revealed marital rape will be criminalised as “aggravated spousal

sexual abuse,” ernment’s new and regulapolicy targettions have also ing persons been drafted who harbour for the welfare or employ of detainees at undocumented the Carmichael workers, revealRoad Detention ing that changes Centre (CRDC), will limit detenduring his tion times for national report persons pendin Geneva, ATTORNEY General Carl ing deportation Switzerland. and station a Bethel.

He also forecourtroom at shadowed amendments to the CRDC. the Immigration Act, which SEE PAGE SIX appear to legislate the gov-

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SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Thursday, January 18, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Kelly and Ryan to go live from Atlantis THIS week, “Live with Kelly and Ryan” hosts Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest announced the show will be leaving behind the winter chill of the Northeast US and is heading to The Bahamas for four shows from the newly updated Atlantis, Paradise Island, airing February 5–8.

With the Atlantis resort as the backdrop, the “Live” broadcasts will showcase the stunning, natural beauty, unique experiences and rich culture that the chain of Bahamian islands has to offer.

“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to bring ‘Live’ back to The Bahamas,” said Michael Gelman, executive producer of “Live with Kelly and Ryan”.

“Atlantis has proved to be an ideal setting for the show. The broadcasts are going to look terrific, and it’ll be fun to give our viewers a taste of the tropics when it’s the dead of winter throughout most of the country.” “‘Live’ has always had a home at Atlantis and our

7,500 Bahamian associates are excited to welcome Kelly and Ryan to Paradise Island to share our #BahamasatHeart spirit with their audience and our guests.

This will be an exciting week for all – the turquoise waters, the Bahamian sounds and flavours, all our new experiences and the great chemistry of the hosts – it’s the ultimate warmth in the middle of winter,” said Audrey Oswell, president and managing director of Atlantis.

“With some of the clearest water on earth, the Bahamas is the number one destination in the world for #nofilter posts and we can’t wait to have Kelly and Ryan showcase our natural beauty and authentic culture with their viewers,” said Joy Jibrilu, director general at the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation.

Viewers who already will be in The Bahamas during the “Live” broadcasts can log onto the show’s website, KellyandRyan.com, to request tickets.

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THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 18, 2018, PAGE 3

Pray for their souls

ONE of the suspected victims of the crash.

Location of plane crash

Aircraft located in waters off Mastic Point.

from page one Mr Major said the aircraft, which was only identified by its make and model at the time, had not arrived in Nassau or reported back in Andros.

He said it was at this time that authorities in Nassau organised resources to find the plane.

Shortly after 2pm, North Andros and Berry Islands MP Carlton Bowleg said the aircraft was located in waters off Mastic Point and all on board were believed to be dead.

He told The Tribune: “This is truly yet another sad day in what seems to be a run of chaos and tragedy in my community.”

Mr Bowleg, elected for the first time in the May 2017 general election, said

he was notified by members of his community that a small plane, piloted by his childhood friend and classmate, Darren Clarke, had crashed on the way to New Providence.

Overwhelmed with grief he added: “Just that first part was hard to understand, but it went on.”

“I knew every soul that perished on that plane in one form or another,” he said, after a pause. “Carter (Campbell) is my son’s uncle; Ms (Maggie) Adderley is the wife of one of our community leaders in Mastic Point; Tino (Russell) is form Low Sound, I know him well; then there is Nique and one of her two young daughters.”

Mr Bowleg added: “On all sides this is a sad ordeal.

North Andros, rather all of Andros, is still grappling

with the outcome of those recent hurricanes and now this.

“I mean, after all that has happened, for this to have happened and the way it apparently did, it’s a tragedy on all fronts.

“The people of Andros have developed a true fear of the weather. We see clouds pile up and we get worried. Add this to the mix, it’s truly too much to put into words. My heart aches today.”

Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguillar also confirmed the crash, indicating the US Coast

Guard, along with Bahamas Air Sea and Rescue (BASRA) officials, had discovered two of the six bodies in rough seas and were attempting to identify and secure an official crash site.

In statements last evening, several prominent politicians, including Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis and (PLP) Chairman Fred Mitchell, extended their condolences to the families of the deceased.

Aviation officials plan to travel to Andros today to continue search and recovery efforts.

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PAGE 4, Thursday, January 18, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

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Democrats dig in on immigration NEW YORK (AP) — Congressional Democrats on Wednesday dug in on their threats to reject any government funding bill that isn’t paired with protection for thousands of young immigrants — a hard-line stance celebrated by liberal groups who have shrugged off risks of a government shutdown.

Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said there’s “very, very strong” sentiment among his party’s lawmakers to oppose GOP-drafted legislation that would only keep the government’s doors open for four weeks past a looming Friday deadline. Schumer did not say his caucus was entirely unified, but the rhetoric signaled growing chances that a stop-gap measure could come up short of votes in the Senate and federal agencies could begin closing their doors Friday at midnight.

“The overwhelming number in our caucus have said they don’t like this deal and they believe if we kick the can down the road this time we’ll be back where we started from next time,” Schumer told reporters. “So there’s very, very strong support not to go along with their deal.”

The hardening stance reflects the influence of an emboldened Democratic base clamoring for a showdown with a president many on the left view as racist and untrustworthy. The fight over the fate of the “dreamers” — some 700,000 people who were brought to the US as children and are now here illegally — is increasingly becoming a test of Democrats’ progressive mettle, surpassing health care or taxes as the top year-two priority for the liberal base.

“It needs to be very clear for vulnerable Republicans as well as for Democrats who do not act this week that there will be political consequences,” said Cristina Jimenez of the immigrant activist group United We Dream. “The progressive movement who are going to be the boots on the ground for the Democrats to regain power” in November’s midterm elections, she added, “are going to hold them accountable if they don’t come through.”

On Capitol Hill, Democrats are being urged to let federal funding expire unless Republicans and President Donald Trump agree to extend the expiring Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Protesters have rallied at offices of Senate Democrats, threatened primary foes for those who don’t push hard enough for an immigration deal and promised to brand those deemed to have fallen short “the deportation caucus”.

That approach undoubtedly comes with risks for the moderates in the party — senators from states won by Trump such as West Virginia, Montana and Indiana. While the tough talk carries weight in some Democratic circles, it’s far from clear other voters will look kindly on using federal agencies as leverage in the fight over immigration.

Trump has telegraphed how the GOP would attack Democrats should there be a shutdown this weekend.

“The Democrats want to shut down the government over amnesty for all and border security,” Trump tweeted Tuesday. “The biggest loser will be our rapidly rebuilding Military, at a time we need it more than ever.”

On Wednesday, ongoing talks over a deal showed no signs of progress.

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly met with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and expressed vague optimism about prospects — but attendees said Kelly would not commit to supporting one bipartisan proposal, introduced Tuesday by Rep Will

Hurd, R-Texas, and Rep Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., which would provide protection for immigrants brought into the US as young people and add resources for border security.

Immigration activists have been gearing up for this fight for months.

Clashes over health care and taxes dominated Trump’s initial year in office, even as his administration cracked down on illegal immigration. The administration has given agents leeway to detain and try to deport a wide range of people in the country illegally, from criminals to otherwise law-abiding residents with jobs and US-citizen children.

Those actions did not require congressional approval, and there was limited pressure activists could bring compared to the battle that helped stall repeal of President Barack Obama’s health care law.

That changed in September when Trump announced he’d end, effective March 5, Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which let hundreds of thousands avoid deportation and legally work. Trump tossed the issue to Congress to act before March. That also turned the spotlight on those who have benefited from DACA, men and women who were raised in the United States and are the most sympathetic face of the immigrant rights movement.

The Trump administration was “out in front, advancing their agenda and they were basically getting away with it,” said Frank Sharry of America’s Voice, an immigrant rights group. “Then they picked a fight with well-organised, American kids. They picked the wrong fight and it’s brought attention to all their immigration agenda.”

It was during Oval Office negotiations over a potential DACA replacement last week that, in the course of dismissing one deal negotiated by Senate Democrats and Republicans, Trump used a vulgar word to describe African countries and wondered why the US doesn’t get more immigrants from places like Norway. That stiffened the resolve of liberal groups to push for a DACA deal this week, at the moment they feel Democrats have maximum leverage.

“Everything we’ve seen from this administration has been this effort to remove people of color and streamline the process for white people,” said Angel Padilla of the anti-Trump group Indivisible. “This week is an opportunity for Congress to reject that racism.”

Corey Stewart, a pro-Trump Republican Senate candidate in Virginia, said Trump is picking the right battle.

“It’s a smart fight,” Stewart said. “His biggest promise of the campaign trail was to crack down on illegal immigration and build a border wall. He cannot back down on this.”

Still, Republicans fear they may lose their majority in the House of Representatives, where several of their vulnerable members represent diverse districts and support a DACA deal.

Immigration advocates are confident popular opinion is on their side -- people from heads of companies like Amazon, Apple and Starbucks to TV personality Kim Kardashian have urged a deal.

Todd Schulte of FWD.US, which supports increased immigration, also noted that people previously safe under DACA already are losing protections every day.

While the program technically doesn’t expire until March 5, roughly 100 immigrants a day who didn’t renew their enrollment in time are losing permission to work and protection from being deported. That number will rise to 1,200 a day after March 5.

By Steve Peoples and Nicholas Riccardi, Associated Press

Baha Mar service EDITOR, The Tribune.

ON Saturday evening, January 6, 2018, all eight people in our party were turned away from Baha Mar as we were told the valet parking lot was full. We were astounded.

The attendant at the parking desk told us we would have to park in the convention centre parking lot,

which we know to be a 15 minute walk from the main entrance. We asked that an attendant take our car there, as we were paying for the valet service. We were told very rudely that we had to park it ourselves. Well, muddo!

We got into our two cars, drove down the street to Social House, enjoyed a delicious meal and spent

Weinstein and a new moral age EDITOR, The Tribune.

DID Mr Weinstein set off a potentially global morality revolution –- it seems so after watching The Golden Globes Awards this weekend and subsequent comments on the networks.

From where anything sexually went to now ....

Chastity belts are going to be in vogue in Hollywood!

So these actresses seem to be saying the old practice to ensure you get a part is now history.

Imagine the inventor of the iPad yesterday commented that everyone seems to be now addicted to texting and looking into a small screen and this is having enormous social repercussions.

Any sane thinking person knew that.

Go anywhere today you rarely hear conversation... it is all heads down and fingers running.

I am coming to believe history will tell that the development of cellular communication was the greatest disrupter of social inter-reaction ever invented and certain very high officials want to be their spokesperson?

Evaluate ourselves - since BTC introduced cellphones has doing business

BECKY BALL Nassau, January 9, 2018.

letters@tribunemedia.net actually improved? Try sending an email to a Minister - Permanent Secretary anytime on any subject - lost in cyber-space this instrument is a wonderful provider to the Public Official - you can always delete!

Look in your homes are you speaking to your children? Do your grown children still come and visit or do they rely exclusively on What’sApp to communicate with their mother-granny or.....?

It is heads down and fingers texting but to where?

Will the cellular Companies take the responsibility for all of this? Will they take responsibility of the inevitable negative impact on grades in school which are already at a catastrophic level?

Parents guardians do not give your young ones cellular telephones too early monitor what they are linking to many describe the cellphone as an instrument of the devil incarnate.

There is no doubt our society has not improved since the introduction has efficiency improved?

ABRAHAM MOSS Nassau, January 12, 2018.

PMH nurses EDITOR, The Tribune.

$800.00! Which we would have spent at Baha Mar, had they found a place for our cars.

Note: The parking lot at Social House was packed.

Did they turn us away? No, the attendant took our keys and parked the cars. Boom!

LETTERS

Cellular phones put the Police at an enormous disadvantage as the criminal can use it to their advantage but look see who praises a certain cell-Company?

Why should we be receiving child pornography and all kinds of very ‘distasteful messaging and videos surely URCA needs to look into that a filter be added to all services. A Licence does not give you the right to do anything for the almighty dollar!

Oh, yes, it seems the cellular Companies have inexhaustible funds and sponsor everything but are they willing to take the responsibility of the damage to a fragmented society we have?

You know – No! Don’t get me wrong a cell-phone is useful if used productively but we all know it is not - far from it in fact.

How many children go to bed hungry because Mama must be on What’sApp or similar social services? Now that will be interesting to know.

Texting and driving is against the Law ... drivers please stop doing it.

SCARCITY of lCU Nurses at PMH ...... this did not happen overnight so it shows bad management for a number of years and no recognition of the current health management since May 10th, 2017· There is no excuse this is a total failure of the management of the Hospital Authority – Management of PMH and the Ministry of Health.

Editor - on any given night there can be threefour serious gun shot injuries with two-ICU beds down, not available how on earth can Health provide the basics of emergency services?

Our qualified nurses have been leaving The Bahamas for years. This, Minister, is not something that just popped up. Imagine this going on and we have a Prime Minister and a Minister of Health who

have collectively got years of first-hand experience at PMH and this happens?

Come off it Elizabeth you failed on this one - failing badly as this endangers life.

Now I can understand why all the PR fuss with the PM’s cataract surgery and all the praises ..... sugaring up before the real news!

W THOMPSON Nassau, January 10, 2018.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 18, 2018, PAGE 5

COB worker’s deposits ‘rose by $10,000’

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net THE amount of extra money former College of The Bahamas employee Chimeka Gibbs received in payroll deposits from the college since 2010 increased by approximately $10,000 within a two-year window, Supreme Court jurors heard yesterday, totaling more than $100,000.

Indira Rolle, Scotiabank’s senior manager for service and support, taking the witness stand before Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson, said after receiving some $36,547.50 in COB payroll deposits to one of her Scotiabank savings accounts in 2010, Gibbs received $37,103.25 in 2011, which then increased to $48,000 in 2012.

Based on those figures,

Gibbs received a total of $121,650.75 extra in COB payroll deposits within a three-year span. She had an annual salary of $32,310 as a human resources assistant at COB, which was confirmed by a job letter from COB dated May 24, 2011.

The $48,000 figure was the result of Gibbs receiving $4,000 extra in monthly COB payroll deposits for all of 2012, while the former figure of $37,103.25 was reflective of varied payroll deposits in 2011 for example, the deposits fluctuated from $4,000 in May to $246.06 in November before soaring back up to $4,000 in December of that year.

Gibbs is on trial accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars between March 2008 and October 2015 while serving as an employee at COB.

She is facing eight counts of stealing by reason of employment and 16 counts of falsification of accounts.

It is alleged that Gibbs stole over $500,000 from COB by reason of her employment at the institution. It is also alleged she falsified numerous COB direct deposit files, the result of which purported to show she was entitled to over $200,000 in salary payments.

According to court documents, Gibbs served as both a senior clerk and a human resources assistant at the college. She was arraigned in June 2016. COB transitioned into a university later that year.

Roger Gomez represents Gibbs while Al-Leecia Delancey and Antania Rolle-Taylor represent the Crown.

The trial continues.

CHIMEKA Gibbs at a previous court appearance.

TRIO’S FALSE DECLARATION CONVICTIONS QUASHED

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE Court of Appeal has quashed the sentences of a local sand miner and his two employees previously convicted and fined in connection with a $28,000 false declaration case.

Appellate Justices Jon Isaacs, Stella Crane-Scott and Milton Evans set aside the sentences of James Curling, of Tycoon Management, along with his two employees Patrick Pinder and Dion Feaste.

Additionally, the money previously confiscated from the three men, totaling some $28,401 was ordered to be returned.

Justice Isaacs said the appellate judges will provide their reasons for quashing the sentences at a later date.

Mr Curling was previously charged with one count each of failing to declare to a pre-clearance officer and making a false declaration, while Messrs Pinder and Feaste were previously charged with abetment to failing to declare.

It was alleged that Mr Curling gave $9,075 to his employee Mr Pinder and $10,000 to Mr Feaste, another employee, while he

travelled with $9,326.

According to the prosecution’s case, on August 14, 2015, Mr Pinder presented himself at the Lynden Pindling International Airport for pre-clearance into the United States along with his US Customs declaration form.

Subsequent to an inquiry

by US Customs and Border Control Officer Edward Levi concerning the nature of the trip and the amount of funds in his possession, Mr Pinder, who intended to travel to Fort Lauderdale, said he was travelling alone and had $9,000 for purchasing auto parts. According to court documents seen by The Tribune, Mr Pinder was found to be carrying more than he declared, having in his possession a total of $9,075.

Mr Pinder also said the money was from his personal savings.

During further questioning, Mr Pinder said he was a heavyduty operator and had saved the funds. He also said he had friends who worked in various establishments and would exchange the money for him from Bahamian to US currency.

He also said no one gave him money to take to the US for them.

Mr Feaste had also intended to travel to Fort

Lauderdale, according to the prosecution’s case.

Officer Levi testified that Mr Feaste said he was taking $9,000 into the US subsequent to presenting himself for pre-clearance.

However, Mr Feaste was found to have $10,000 in his possession — $9,000 US and $1,000 Bahamian.

Mr Feaste also said he was a heavy equipment operator, but that he was going to purchase school supplies. When asked by Officer Levi if anyone had given him any money to take to the US for them, his response was no.

Officer Levi then made additional inquiries of Messrs Pinder and Feaste, who both informed him that Mr Curling, their boss, purchased their round-trip tickets to the US. It was discovered that their tickets were cash purchases made on August 14, 2015, the same day of their travel.

They were also booked on the same roundtrip Bahamasair flights to the US, according to court documents.

At some point, Officer Levi contacted Mr Curling after his number was given to him by either Mr Feaste or Mr Pinder.

Officer Levi spoke to Mr Curling who told him he was in the departure

lounge upstairs. Mr Curling said Messrs Pinder and Feaste were his employees and that he had given them $9,000 each to carry to the US on his behalf.

Due to Mr Curling’s response, he was asked to return to another area of the airport, where the other men were being questioned.

Once there, and after he identified himself to the officers, Mr Curling was found to be in possession of $9,326. All three men were subsequently handed over to Bahamian officials for further investigations.

According to the Crown’s case, all three men declared they were not carrying currency or any monetary instruments over $10,000 US or foreign equivalent on their customs declarations forms.

A total of $28,401 was found to be in their collective possession.

Last July, Magistrate Samuel McKinney fined Mr Curling $1,000 after convicting him on each of the counts he was charged with.

He paid the fine to avoid nine months imprisonment.

Mr Pinder and Mr Feaste

were each fined $500 after being convicted of abetment to failing to declare.

They also paid their respective fines to avoid three months incarceration at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

However, the three men filed a notice of intention to appeal on July 29, 2016 against their convictions on the grounds that Magistrate McKinney erred in law and fact upon convicting them and that he erred in law and fact upon convicting on inadmissible evidence that was wrongly admitted.

PAGE 6, Thursday, January 18, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Marital rape and immigration overhaul from page one Both matters are hotbutton issues locally, with debate over marital rape reignited following the condemnation of UN special rapporteur on violence against women, Dubravka Šimonović, and scores of detainees petitioning the courts over the lawfulness of their detention at the CRDC in recent months.

Mr Bethel told the international caucus the drafted amendment to the Sexual Offences Act for the new offence of spousal sexual abuse had already been circulated to religious leaders and civil society, and up to late Tuesday responses had been supportive.

It will stipulate that complaints must be made within one year following the cause of the complaint, he said, adding that such a complaint cannot be prosecuted without consent of the attorney general.

Mr Bethel said: “It should be noted that although the proposed offence is not labeled as ‘marital rape’ it still has all of the elements of the offence of rape. The draft bill follows the tenor of the pre-existing law which treats instances of marital

rape where there are ongoing divorce proceedings, or a decree of judicial separation, or a separation agreement, as being offences of ‘spousal sexual abuse.’

He continued: “Marital rape in the context of a subsisting marriage will now be criminalised as aggravated spousal sexual abuse.”

As for the Carmichael Road Detention Centre, Mr Bethel acknowledged that conditions at the facility, while improving, were still not up to standard. He referred to the construction of additional buildings, and ongoing efforts to establish a full-time medical facility.

“The Bahamas is pleased to announce that the Immigration (Detention Centre) Regulations, 2018 has been drafted and human rights issues are enshrined in these regulations. The regulations clearly identify the welfare, privileges and duties of detainees, including, but not limited to, clothing, food, education and religion. The regulations also provide for the right of the detainees to outside communication which includes access to legal representation.

“Once the regulations are approved they will be tabled in Parliament and thereby enacted into law.

FROM left, DeAndra Cartwright, foreign service officer within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Frank Davis, minister counsellor/deputy permanent representative & charge d’affaires; Bernadette Butler, minister counsellor; Senator Carl Bethel, attorney general; Jewel Major, chief counsel within the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Legal Affairs; and Alicia Gibson, assistant counsel in the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs.

“Amendments to the clear legal remedies to the constitutional entitlement The Bahamas was one Immigration Act are being undocumented migrant, by the matter must be referred of 14 countries reviewed finalised,” Mr Bethel con- limiting the timeframes in forthwith to a magistrate during UNHRC’s Unitinued, “which will on which they may be admin- (planned to be stationed in versal Periodic Review the one hand increase istratively detained by an a courtroom in the Deten- (UPR) Working Group penalties for persons immigration officer pend- tion Centre) who shall, if it session yesterday. who harbour or employ ing deportation, requiring is shown that there is a case This will mark the third undocumented workers, judicial oversight there- which could be made, refer time in ten years the counbut which, on the other after, and mandating that the matter to a Supreme try will be examined by this hand, will also provide - upon any claim to some Court judge.” organisation.

BETHEL INSISTS DEATH PENALTY TO STAY DESPITE UN CALLS

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel yesterday informed the United Nations that The Bahamas has no immediate intention of abolishing the death penalty despite calls from scores of member states to formally end the practice.

Mr Bethel addressed the international recommendations that the country has not accepted during his national report to the United Nations Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) Universal Periodic

Review (UPR) Working Group session in Geneva, Switzerland.

“It is one of the popular mind,” Mr Bethel told the international body during a response period, “there is no appetite on the streets if you will in The Bahamas for any ability for compromise on that issue (capital punishment). It is an emotive matter and so what we try and do is to show through raising our conviction rates, through our prosecutors, to give a sense of comfort to the populace that there is a remedy, there is a punishment that fits the crime.”

While there is no formal

moratorium, Mr Bethel noted there has not been a mandated execution in 17 years.

“The Bahamas maintains its position on the retention of the death penalty.

In fact, one of the recommendations submitted by the Constitutional Commission, after consultation, was the retention of the death penalty. The Bahamas continues to recognise the lawfulness of the death penalty as a punishment for the crimes of murder and treason, on a discretionary basis and subject to the conditions laid down in the case law.

“That said,” he continued, “The Bahamas is not considering any immediate action to establish a formal moratorium on the death penalty. The last mandated execution took place 17 years ago, even in the absence of a formal moratorium.”

He also reflected on calls for the removal of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, referencing the country as a Christian nation as described in the preamble to the Constitution.

Mr Bethel revealed that persons who are in the process of gender reassignment are currently provided with psychological assistance from the Ministry of Health with other forms of assistance being possibly considered.

“Consideration might be given to other forms of assistance,” Mr Bethel said, “however, as this issue remains highly controversial in popular discourse, a cautious and modulated approach has been adopted.

“Persons who are in same sex relationships are able to avail themselves of the regular protection and

remedies available under the law in respect of violence or assault or property rights. And, it should be noted that consensual relations in private between adults of the same sex has been lawful in The Bahamas since 1991.”

On the matter of discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, Mr Bethel acknowledged these elements have not been identified as prohibited grounds of discrimination in the Constitution or legislation.

However, he maintained the government’s position that there has been no instances recorded of any legal discrimination of this nature, nor any formal reports made to law enforcement or government agencies.

Mr Bethel stressed that the country, as a “Christian nation”, believed that the family is the foundation of a strong nation and marriage by law defined as the union of a man and a woman.

He also said that the local LGBTQI community had access to local and international platforms with representation on a number

of national and regional organisations, and noted a 2016 press conference held by the transgender community to address concerns on the equality referendum that was conducted without interference.

In response to recommendations from member states during yesterday’s session, Mr Bethel underscored the importance of partnering with civil and religious leaders to “advance the cause of a more moderate public approach to issues.”

“We live in a constitutional democracy,” he said, “we have had uninterrupted democracy, we have (had) two (constitutional) referenda. There has always been the political woe of the political class to advance all of the issues in controversy, except for the one of capital punishment, but the issue of gender equality, identity, transitioning, the difficulty in a democracy is that it is a question of developing a social consensus. And this is why we have adopted a modulated approach, cautiously, seeking to advance rights in areas that are very strongly held negative points of view in the populous.”

AGE LIMIT MAY BE RAISED FOR BELONGER’S PERMITS

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE government is considering extending the age limit to apply for a Belonger’s permit in a bid to reduce the risk of statelessness for persons born in The Bahamas to migrant parents, Attorney General Carl Bethel revealed yesterday.

Mr Bethel flagged the move as a major initiative as he foreshadowed the impact of the proposed amendment to the Bahamas Nationality Act, in his national report to the UNHRC’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group session in Geneva, Switzerland.

“On the issue of statelessness,” Mr Bethel said, “the Migration Working Group is presently reviewing the two UN Conventions that speak to the status and the reduction of statelessness and is also engaging in the conversation on the extent of the issue of statelessness within The Bahamas.

“In November 2014, the government implemented a policy providing for all children up to 18 years of age to obtain a Belonger’s permit. However, there was much debate surrounding the use of the Belonger’s permit and its possible implications.

“It should be highlighted that the intent of

the Belonger’s permit was to give some form of status/ documentation to children who were born in The Bahamas to immigrant parents, thus reducing the number of persons rendered stateless.

The government is giving consideration to extending the age limit to apply for a Belonger’s permit. The plan is to extend the time so that the permit will subsist pending the outcome of an application for citizenship pursuant to the Constitution, even if the process extends beyond several years.”

Mr Bethel also reiterated the Minnis administration’s commitment to introduce an independent committee to review all pending applications for citizenship, and provided figures demonstrating the government’s efforts to prosecute human traffickers and protect victims.

In 2017, Mr Bethel states, the government began 11 new labour and sex trafficking investigations, screened 37 potential trafficking victims, identified five victims, and initiated one new prosecution, which ended in a conviction in December 2017.

He said the government also increased funding for victim assistance and expanded procedures to include identification and interviewing guidelines to cover labour trafficking victims. For the 2016-2017

budget cycle, the government spent $59,450 on the care of trafficking victims.

“The government also provided subsidies of $180,000 Bahamian dollars to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that provide services to trafficking victims, among other vulnerable groups. The government granted one foreign victim relief from deportation,” he said.

“Authorities assist trafficking victims in prosecutions by providing lodging, food, stipend, clothing and other basic necessities, medical assistance and psychological counseling, immigration relief, legal assistance, support during court proceedings, and witness protection, which may include police protection, as needed.

“Bahamian law permits victim testimony via live television links and for the reading of written statements into evidence.

“The government increased prevention efforts, taking steps to inform the public and potential victims about trafficking. The government’s inter-ministerial committee to coordinate anti-trafficking policy meets regularly, as does the government’s 67 anti-trafficking taskforce, which is charged with ensuring operational co-ordination on trafficking cases.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 18, 2018, PAGE 7

Christian Council chief: Time for politics is over

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

we reflect on all the things that went wrong but as long as we continue to dwell on the few things that divide THE time for politics is us, we won’t see the things over, Bahamas Christian that unite us as long as we Council President Bishop continue to move forward Delton Fernander said and then pull ourselves yesterday, as he urged par- backward we will never liamentarians to “put their move to where the Lord differences aside” and work has called this great nation together for the betterment to be. We can do more than of The Bahamas. where we are at. God has At the annual parlia- anointed you for the job, mentary church service you are up for the task. God at Church of is calling us to a God Cathedral, place where the ‘The time Bishop Ferfocus must be nander said that for politics is on The Bahamas neither the Free over now, it and BahamiNational Moveans from Grand ment (FNM) nor is the time to Bahama to the Progressive come together Inagua,” Bishop Liberal Party and govern Fernander said.

(PLP) “has a “We must realmonopoly on a nation and ise we must have good ideas” and move these a positive impact implored both people forward and when it is all parties to “put said and done, the past in the no matter what will be your which party past”. legacy?

That “The time for you belong you argued all politics is over year, that we got now, it is the time to, no matter on each other’s to come together what colour nerves? We have and govern a you wear and to make sure nation and move people look back no matter these people forand say these are ward no matter what church the best sons and which party you go to.’ daughters for the you belong to, job. The future no matter what of this country is colour you wear and no in your hands,” Bishop Fermatter what church you go nander added. to,” he said.

Anglican Archdeacon “We must remember James Palacious used the that we are all Bahamians opportunity to offer the and we must remember services of the clergy to that we must all bleed the the government in the fight colours of our flag and at against crime. the end of the day we have “As church leaders we to leave The Bahamas can do more,” he said. better than we met it. No “Tell us how we can partparty has a monopoly on ner with you. Tell us how good ideas, neither does we can work together. It any one personal group, is our country. Tell us how whether the church or any we can work together in civic organisation, no one the detection, prosecuhas a monopoly on all the tion and the preventative answers for our nation. measures of crime. We can “We are stronger work feverishly together. If together. As we move for- we work together we can ward in our nation we need make a tremendous differto leave the past in the past. ence. We have a Bahamas So many times, we tend to to build and we can do it dwell on the negative and together.”

RED Cross Bahamas board member Cindy Williams-Rahming, left, receives sponsorship from Aliv events, sponsorship and community manager Bianca Bethel Sawyer.

ALIV PARTNERS WITH RED CROSS SOCIETY COMMUNICATIONS company Aliv will be for the first time partnering with The Bahamas Red Cross Society for its upcoming 46th annual Red Cross Ball, the organisation’s largest benefit event.

Chief Aliv officer Damian Blackburn says the company continues to work closely with and give back to the community through various avenues and the Red Cross Society is one of those organisations whose principles and goals align with those of the brand.

He said: “Aliv takes great pride in being at the forefront of all things service oriented. When approached to come on board with this initiative, there was no doubt in my mind that Aliv as a corporate citizen would get involved.

“Even though this is our first year, we’ve seen the work the organisation has done over the years and we are more than confident that its great work will continue, and we look forward to being part of it.”

Aliv events and sponsorship co-ordinator Jayme Pinder says the partnership

is yet another avenue in which the company continues to stand by its commitment to aid those in need.

“We could not be more excited about this new and blossoming partnership.

As we continue to stress, at the very core of who we are and what we do, you will see that there is a desire to create meaningful experiences as well as create long lasting relationships and partnerships with those in the community including the corporate world and philanthropic organisations.

“This ball is the organisation’s largest annual benefit and raises so many funds to assist with helping thousands in our communities and by extension, across the globe.

“We are ever grateful for the opportunity to partner with The Bahamas Red Cross and look forward to working with the organisation in the future.”

Under the patronage of Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling, the ball will be held on Saturday, January 27, at 7pm at the Baha Mar Convention Centre, Cable Beach.

BAHAMAS Christian Council president Delton Fernander.

PAGE 8, Thursday, January 18, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Rainy days and rainy nights, what’s a poor soul to do?

By Diane Phillips

F

UNNY the things “What happened?” I that cause you to asked. think differently “It rained,” they said. about a subject Click, light bulb on. that was staring you right “It rained?” I pursued. in the face all along. It hap“Every day,” they pened to me recently. Late responded. You can tell this last Wednesday, I was head- was not a very deep convering to Florida. There was sation but what it revealed a long line in Immigration was worth every syllable it at LPIA and since you are contained. not permitted to use a cell Turns out they had come phone in Customs or Immi- here for the big poker tourgration, I did the next best nament at Atlantis. They thing and struck up a con- stayed at one of the highest versation with the two men end resorts on the property. behind me.

Entry fee was They were ‘The Bahamas $10,000. One clearly visiof the men tors, casually is not a vacation lasted 45 minwell-dressed, paradise when utes and the probably in in place of sunny tournament their mid-30s, was over for almost defi- days and balmy him. And so nitely athletes evenings, you get they had a and so healthy week of rain, rainy days and and fit that if I they said, in knew how to rainy nights.

The Bahamas, play numbers We could fix that.’ again repeatI would have ing that it was, bet California. in their minds, (Can you do that?) the worst vacation ever.

Anyhow, it turned out Never at a loss for words, they actually were from I suddenly was. I couldn’t California though one had think of a thing to say that played for the Boston Celt- would not sound superficial ics and now worked for the or uncaring or thoughtteam in a different capac- less or stupid. And then I ity. I only take this time realised the reason I could to describe them in such not think of an answer is detail because, if you could because there was none. design desirable tourists They were absolutely right. who might even consider The Bahamas is not a vacabuying a home or bringing tion paradise when in place their families to The Baha- of sunny days and balmy mas year after year, the evenings, you get rainy days designer visitor would look and rainy nights. like these two men.

We could fix that. If sun, “How was your trip?” I sand, sea and all other outventured to ask. door, fair-weather sport is “Horrible,” said one. Plan A, hotels, cruise ships, “The worst ever,” said the marinas, Airbnb and other next. short-term rentals could put

A YOUNGSTER taking shelter under an umbrella in the recent rain. together Plan B. What does Plan B look like? It looks something like this.

For rainy days in Nassau (and you can substitute Grand Bahama, Abaco,

Exuma…), try racing a car – it’s called race simulation – or flying a jet – also simulated.

Take a tour and encounter pirates and historic figures in period costume brandishing swords and harbouring

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff evil thoughts. Find haunted houses and gardens, coves and beaches that once were part of a famous movie scene. See where James Bond wined, dined and escaped death in the nick of time to win the affections of a hot and sexy blonde.

Or where Daniel Craig followed in his footsteps or emerged from the sea in a highly memorable Speedo or where Johnny Depp fought the Pirates of the Caribbean before buying an island himself.

See centuries-old churches with histories on their walls that tell a tale of sailors’ daring and life at sea long before Pan Am flew its first plane to the shores of The Bahamas. Shop at a high-end jewelry store with rounded brick ceiling, once the munitions storehouse.

The forts of The Bahamas, and particularly Fort Charlotte in Nassau, are begging to be the staging ground for tales of piracy. Fort Charlotte is host to sporadic brief performances and those could and should be expanded and marketed. Period dress should be standard at all forts and staffers trained in the fascinating history of The Bahamas.

As for other rainy day activities, one of the most exciting is simulation. The new jet simulator is open near the Hilton and two motor sports simulators have just arrived in Nassau.

A “driver” who pays about $1 a minute or a bit more can get behind the wheel of a fast car and virtually race against any driver on any pre-programmed course.

So that gentleman who felt there was nothing to do in the rain could have been sitting in Nassau virtually racing someone in Tokyo on a Le Mans track and if he didn’t win, he could try and try again until he came first. Apparently, these adrenaline-percolating simulators are great fun and highly addictive.

We could build an indoor karting track with electric go-karts, a sport that is growing in popularity.

Tracks could be constructed in New Providence and Grand Bahama giving local kids, families and visitors a mutual playground experience. The smart operator will include a café, t-shirts and other retail and an entertainment centre plus a road safety component for

educational purposes like the edu-karting program that currently takes place in some government schools.

Nassau cries out, too, for a proper race circuit. A 160acre site was selected off Gladstone Road. I am not sure where that stands but imagine corporate packages and visitors from Baha Mar, Atlantis, the cruise ships and elsewhere being able to come to The Bahamas and get behind the wheel of a red Ferrari, a selfie opportunity if ever there was one.

Okay, so part of Plan B is still a work in progress but there is no reason to believe that every bit of it and more cannot be achieved. We are kidding ourselves if we think that we are a winning tourist destination and we make no provision for when the sun doesn’t shine.

According to quickly available data, April through August are the wettest months, though January of 2018 could give the traditional summer rains a run for their money this year.

That same data tells us The Bahamas enjoys an average of 53.5 inches of rainfall a year. Grand Bahama gets more, 60 inches, and Nassau less, some 47 inches a year though there are days when it feels like the year’s rainfall fell that day.

The driest spot is Matthew Town, Great Inagua, where on just about any day you could hang out with the flamingoes without running for foul weather gear.

Hotels could offer dancing lessons when it rains, or healthy cooking or antique shopping tips. They could show old movies.

With the way global warming is turning the world’s weather on its head we really should start thinking about “what if?”

Remember, those two Californian visitors returned home to tell their friends what a dreadful time they’d had. This is precisely the sort of marketing we can do without.

Given that there is some rain, even if just a shower, 130 days a year in The Bahamas and given that tourism is the engine that drives the economy and puts food on our table, don’t you think a Plan B is in order? Personally, it could give The Bahamas a distinctive edge and just think of the marketing possibilities.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 18, 2018, PAGE 9

OFFICIALS from the Office of the Prime Minister, the Department of Environmental Health and the Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority yesterday announce the Over-the-Hill Clean-Up Initiative and Bulk Waste Removal Campaign. From left, SallyAnn Chisolm, chief health inspector, Department of Environmental Health Services; Sean Adderley, director, Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority; Jack Thompson, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister; Dr Nicola Virgill-Rolle, PhD, director, Economic Development and Planning Unit, Office of the Prime Minister, and Kemie Jones, project manager, Economic Development and Planning Unit, Office of the Prime Minister.

Photo: Peter Ramsay/BIS

Clean-up campaign to target Over-The-Hill areas

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE government will launch a clean-up campaign this weekend in Over-theHill communities as part of its effort to rejuvenate those areas, officials announced at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday.

The first phase of the project will impact the

specified, proposed economic zone which is expected to benefit from various tax incentives in the next fiscal year.

The area includes Nassau Street to Poinciana Drive, Wulff Road, “then upwards everything west of Collins Avenue,” according to Dr Nicola Virgill-Rolle, head of the Economic Planning and Development Unit.

The rejuvenation work will involve “improving the physical surroundings, the important issue of solid waste management for the area with specific targeted investments,” Dr VirgillRolle said.

The Economic Planning and Development Unit is expected to release a comprehensive white paper on the Over-the-Hill programme ahead of the next

budget cycle.

Dr Virgill-Rolle said: “Between the 19th and 21st of January we will begin with phase one of this work which includes the areas in our target zone above Meadow Street, Ross and Gibbs Corners. Then the following weekend we have areas south of Meadow Street, Ross and Gibbs Corners.”

Chief Health Inspector

at the Department of Environmental Health Sallyann Chisholm said the clean-up effort will include “removal of appliances and bulk waste that you may have, but also include vector control aspects.”

She said the department has already contracted 50 people, all from Over-theHill communities, to help with the initiative. Sean Adderley, director of the

Bahamas Public Parks and Beaches Authority, said his organisation will engage about 100 people over the two weekends to assist in the effort. People involved will participate in workshops and undergo training, Dr Virgill-Rolle said. She previously revealed that at least $5m will be budgeted in the next fiscal year for the Over-the-Hill rejuvenation programme.

PAGE 12, Thursday, January 18, 2018

‘ONE STEP BACK’ FOR BAHAMIAN OWNERSHIP IN GRAND BAHAMA

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Coalition of Concerned Citizens is accusing the Bahamian government of taking Bahamian ownership in Grand Bahama backward with its approval of a Canadian foreign company to own 100 per cent interest in a vital utility company on the island.

Pastor Eddie Victor, the leader of the CCC, expressed strong disappointment over government’s decision agreeing to Emera’s $35

million buy-out of the Grand Bahama Power Company’s (GBPC) Bahamian minority shareholders.

He stressed that Bahamian ownership in the company has been “stripped away,” allowing Emera to become the sole 100 per cent owner of the GBPC. “We are very disappointed and saddened by the decision of the government,” Pastor Victor told The Tribune on Wednesday. “Any utility company, any infrastructure should have Bahamian ownership

THE TRIBUNE

COALITION of Concerned Citizens convener Pastor Eddie Victor (left) and CCC member Rudy Stubbs yesterday said Bahamian ownership in Grand Bahama has been taken backwards with government’s approval of Emera’s $35m buy-out of the Grand Bahama Power Company’s Bahamian minority shares.

Photo: Denise Maycock/Tribune Staff Limited (BCSD) would The civic leader is also in it, and should never be foreign company.

“There should have been complete the payment of calling on the government 100 per cent owned by a an expansion of Bahamian electronic transfers of the not to renew the East End ownership in GB Power, cash consideration. Cheque and West End agreements but this decision eliminates payments were made avail- that exist between the Bahamian ownership. able to all shareholders on power company and the “They have taken Baha- Wednesday. government, and which mian ownership backward Pastor Victor has are expected to expire this in Grand Bahama. You vowed that the CCC will year. would think that all intensify its position in “We think this would be a that has been said and opposition to the power crucial opportunity to get a heralded by our lead- company and drive down new power company on the ers in our country, that the cost of electricity on island which would create Bahamian ownership is the island. competition and more a priority and more ecoHe claims that Grand efficiency with electricity nomic opportunities for Bahamians pay the highest service as there is going to Bahamians, and now what base rate for electricity in be a lot of things happenwe see is the wholesale The Bahamas. ing in the West and East,” approval for Bahamian Pastor Victor also pointed Pastor Victor said. ownership to go back- out that Grand Bahama has The Tribune contacted a ward, and so we are very the highest unemployment GBPC representative who saddened by it.” in the country. declined to respond to comEarly this week, Emera He said that the cost ments made by the CCC issued a statement of electricity is one of the leader. announcing it would be determining factors that In the meantime, Pastor closing the transaction to affect the cost of living here Victor stressed that the acquire all remaining out- on the island.

CCC is moving to intenstanding common shares “We must put an end to sify its efforts to put an of ICD Utilities Limited the economic injustices in end to high electricity rates and that the Bahamas Cen- Grand Bahama, especially by aggressively opposing tral Securities Depository from high electricity rates,” all rate applications from he said.

GBPC, one of which is According to Pastor scheduled for 2018.

Victor, in May 2017, the He believes that the CCC wrote to Prime Min- cost of electricity can be ister Dr Hubert Minnis decreased by 35 per cent to calling on the government 40 per cent. to intervene and address The CCC will also hold the concerns in the energy a series of town meetings sector. on Grand Bahama, the first Pastor Victor believes of which will take place that the present regula- in West End on Monday, tory committee under January 22, at St Mary the Grand Bahama Port Magdalene Auditorium at Authority (GBPA) is not 7pm. protecting the customPastor Victor is inviters, and thinks that there ing all residents and Sterling Global Development Limited seeks to hire experienced should be an independ- business owners in West professionals for the following positions: ent regulatory committee End to attend the meetunder the oversight of the ing in an effort “to bring Development Manager Utilities Regulation and down the cost of energy and The successful candidate will: Competition Authority transform the economy of • Be responsible for one or several vertical and horizontal real (URCA).

Grand Bahama”.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

• • • •

estate development projects.

Manage all consultants from concept plan through construction drawings and work with the Construction Manager through to completion of each project.

Coordinate closely with the Sales & Marketing team throughout all phases of the project to ensure sales success.

Coordinate closely with the Accounting team and will be responsible for the bottom-line performance of his/her projects overall.

Report directly to the President of Sterling Global Development Limited.

Qualifications should include: • Undergraduate and/or graduate degree(s) in engineering, architecture or business • Significant experience in running all aspects of a real estate project • A strong understanding of design, construction and pro formas • An instinct for marketing and sales • Proven management ability to lead a team of consultants and work within a development team The successful candidate must be based in Nassau, Bahamas.

Occasional travel will be required.

Development Analyst The successful candidate will: • Be responsible for preparing, monitoring and updating financial models for projects under development and for prospective acquisitions. As the Analyst increases in skill level, he/she will be involved in strategic reviews of potential acquisitions and their capital structure.

• Have two two/three years’ experience related to financial analysis and will already have a high skill level related to spreadsheet preparation and analysis.

• Have significant growth potential. The Analyst position can lead to a career path for more senior roles in general real estate development and operations, or in finance and M&A. • Report directly to the President of Sterling Global Development Limited.

Salary and incentive compensation will be commensurate with experience and a proven record of performance.

Qualified individuals should submit complete applications to: bahamascareers@gmail.com.

Only those shortlisted will be contacted.

Please no phone calls.

THE TRIBUNE

Mitchell says fall in crime is thanks to PLP

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Chairman Fred Mitchell yesterday criticised the media, the Free National Movement, and Minister of National Security Marvin Dames for what Mr Mitchell perceives to be an inaccurate narrative surrounding who is responsible for the reported decrease in crime in the country.

Mr Mitchell is adamant that “the PLP put in place the programmes that the country is now benefiting from in seeking to lessen violence in the society”. He also accused the media of “adoring” the Free National Movement in view of recent police statistics revealing that overall crime declined by 14 per cent in 2017, though there was a 10 per cent increase in murders.

In his statement, Mr Mitchell said: “There is an old saying that there are lies, damn lies and statistics.

So we don’t want the adoring media doing any false crowing about how crime is down because of the efforts of the FNM. “The previous Minister of National Security Bernard Nottage under the PLP said crime was trending downwards, even though homicides were up. The Minister of National Security Marvin Dames today is saying the same thing. The release of the current statistics for 2017 show exactly the same thing as under Dr Nottage. Crime is trending down in some categories, but homicides are up.”

On Monday, Official Opposition Leader Philip “Brave” Davis questioned

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if there was a correlation between the FNM’s decision to disband the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the “uptick in the pace of murders”. Police have said there was a slow down in murders in the last quarter of 2017.

Mr Dames admonished Mr Davis for these comments, accusing Mr Davis of attempting to politicise crime by intentionally overlooking data that shows downward trends in crime.

Mr Dames said: “We started this year off – and again when you look at the numbers, while we are not happy and pleased that we had three homicides on the island of Grand Bahama – but if the former deputy prime minister wants to play politics, we had 33 homicides for the first two months of 2017.

But we don’t intend to play politics.”

In his statement, Mr Mitchell continued: “The minister made light of the comments of the leader of the opposition when he indicated that the FNM was failing in crime, but it is now clear that the minister did not have a handle on his own ministry and the stats with regard to homicides or deliberately sought to mislead the public on them.

“The FNM and their adoring media made fun of it and said it wasn’t so.

Now the adoring media in the same circumstances and their FNM friends want to cry foul at the PLP so they can be free to boast that crime is down. No such luck.

“Compare the first week of the year in Grand Bahama last year and the first year this year. Three

murders this year. None last year. So tell the families in Grand Bahama this year that crime is down. It is all childish in a way if it were not so serious.

“Our point is that the PLP put in place the programmes that the country is now benefiting from in seeking to lessen violence in the society. No one party can therefore lay claim to any success singularly.”

Mr Mitchell also castigated Mr Dames, saying: “We are also concerned that Marvin Dames seems to want to be both minister and commissioner of police.

It is for the commissioner to reveal his plans for the year, not Marvin Dames in the House. That is what the legislation intends and that is what should ensue. We have raised this issue before about his interference in the force. We raise it again.”

Democratic National Alliance interim leader Christopher Mortimer also released a statement regarding the current reduction in crime. He said the DNA is “cautiously optimistic that this downward trend will continue.”

“While the reduction in overall crime is cause for celebration, now is not the time to become complacent,” Mr Mortimer said.

“We have always said, if politicians get out of the way of the RBPF, and provide the necessary resources to aid in the crime fight, that we can effectively address the scourge of crime in our community. In that regard we support the work being done by the commissioner, his executive team and every officer. Crime should not and must not become a political football.”

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Thursday, January 18, 2018, PAGE 13

PLP CHAIRMAN FRED MITCHELL

PAGE 14, Thursday, January 18, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

SOME of the damage in Ragged Island following Hurricane Irma - where a reverse osmosis plant to provide running water is planned.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

Reverse osmosis plant for Ragged Island welcomed RESIDENTS of Ragged Island welcomed the government’s plans to construct a reverse osmosis desalination plant on the far-flung southern island.

“This is great news for Ragged Island,” said Basil Francis of the government’s plans.

Mr Francis, a descendant of the serene island, said it’s been really rough surviving without a constant flow of running water for nearly three months.

“We say the water is ‘on’ when it rains. People think this means the water man is coming, but it means to catch some rainwater while

it’s raining. Thank God it’s been raining a lot lately,” he said.

Ragged Island was totally devastated in September 2017 following the passage of Hurricane Irma, a category five storm.

The island’s water plant and housing were also damaged resulting in a temporary supply of water.

An emergency reverse osmosis unit, which provides water for critical needs, is presently in operation. The temporary plant provides a limited water supply of 700 gallons per day to the population, which has dropped to

approximately 30 residents since Hurricane Irma. The previous supply was 5,000 gallons per day.

In its effort to provide a long-term solution, Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) Assistant General Manager Cyprian Gibson chaired a pre-tenders site visit and consultation meeting with a team of stakeholders, including representatives of WSC, Bahamas Power and Light, and local and international contractors on the grounds of the All-Age School in Duncan Town, January 16.

Family Island Administrator Oscar Munroe was

also present. A native of Ragged Island, Administrator Munroe said Ragged Islanders are anxious to return the island that is rich in history, back to its glory days. He said the exercise was an important step in restoration of the island, and he looked forward to partnering with the other stakeholders.

In a recent statement, WSC Chairman Adrian Gibson said as part of the corporation’s coordinated efforts with central government, the private sector, and other stakeholders, an invitation was recently extended for public tenders to construct a reverse

osmosis plant on that island.

Mr Gibson said the scope of work includes the provision of all designs, expertise, labour, material, equipment and other necessary services required to design, build, own and operate a 5,000-imperialgallon-per day reverse osmosis desalination plant and distribution pumps in accordance with the corporation’s technical and operational requirements.

Moreover, the chairman advised that “all” options are being explored, especially the possibility for the incorporation of green technologies.

The meeting also

included an overview of the tenders document, the process, technical specifications and drawings and a question and answer period.

Eight companies that had submitted payment for tender documents, attended the pre-tenders meeting.

The team visited the existing site of the plant and another possible site in Duncan Town.

Charles Curling, another resident, said having little water makes life difficult for most people, especially those who do not have anywhere to store it.

“A new plant would be good. We need running water,” he said.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 18, 2018, PAGE 15

ARAWAK Cay on West Bay Street and, right, Opposition leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis.

Davis urges Bahamians to visit ‘safe’ Fish Fry

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis and PLP supporters visited the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay yesterday with a clear message to emphasise: the area is safe and Bahamians should come down to support local businesses.

Mr Davis and PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell tried to reassure Bahamians in the area that the PLP takes their concerns seriously.

One restaurant owner, Goldie Evans, said the recent US State Department warning advising Americans not to visit the area at night had a palpable effect on his business.

“We had some tourists here and the news was on,” he said. “(They heard the report of the advisory) and they cancelled everything and left.”

Last week, the US State Department prompted debate and concern after it warned US citizens not to visit the cultural site at night.

Mr Evans, a restaurant owner for three decades, said business is not as bustling as it was when he first came to the area, and the lighting at night remains a significant problem.

Mr Davis used the tour to emphasise that The Bahamas should spend more time developing attractions that cater to Bahamians first, realising that tourists want authentic cultural experiences.

“I think successive governments have been missing the mark on what it means to develop the tourism product,” he said.

“To me developing the tourism product requires us to develop things Bahamian. If we create events for Bahamians, tourists

will come for that. Tourists come to The Bahamas for Bahamian attractions and Bahamian experiences.

Arawak Cay is a Bahamian

experience and so we are here to demonstrate that we who are Bahamians have this as one of our experiences.”

PAGE 16, Thursday, January 18, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

54 deaths in car crashes in 2017

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net A TOTAL of 54 people died as a result of traffic accidents in 2017, according to Royal Bahamas Police Force crime statistics.

There were 118 traffic incidents with serious injuries and 2,207 accidents with minor injuries in the same period.

The 54 traffic related deaths that occurred in 2017 represent an increase when compared to the 2016 total.

2016 recorded 44 traffic related deaths. In 2015, there were 55 traffic related deaths— the most in a year since 2009, when 56 people were killed.

In 2017, 54 people were killed in 49 separate accidents. The majority of these occurred on New Providence, where there were 33 fatal accidents. Five fatal accidents occurred in Grand Bahama, four in Abaco, three in Andros and one each in Exuma, Bimini, Long Island, and Eleuthera.

New Providence also recorded three double traffic fatalities, Grand Bahama recorded two, and Abaco recorded one.

Males accounted for the majority of traffic related deaths, as 43 (80 per cent) of the victims were men and 11 (20 per cent) were women.

According to the statistics, 16 of the deceased were pedestrians, 15 were drivers, 14 were passengers,

seven were motorcycle riders, there was one pillion (motorcycle passenger) and one was a bicyclist.

Bahamians accounted for 78 per cent of traffic related deaths, a decrease from 2016 when Bahamians represented over 90 per cent of traffic fatality victims. Other nationalities included Haitian (15 per cent), Cuban (two per cent) and Italian (five per cent).

The majority of the victims were between the ages of 26 and 35 (28 per cent).

Ten of the victims (18 per

cent) were between the ages of 18 and 25.

Most of the deaths took place in December, when eight people died. October, September, July, and January each recorded five deaths. There were four deaths in April 2017.

Most of the fatalities occurred on a Monday, with 11 deaths. There were 10 deaths on a Sunday and Saturday, and six on a Wednesday.

Additionally, most traffic fatalities occurred between 4pm and midnight, or 53

per cent. The data shows 27 per cent of the deaths occurred between 8am and 4pm while 20 per cent occurred between midnight and 8 am.

In terms of traffic incidents demographics, in 2017 there was a major increase in traffic accidents with serious injuries. There were 118 such accidents in 2017, compared to 91 in 2016 and 92 in 2015.

There were 2,207 traffic incidents with minor injuries, which is also an increase from 2,166 such

incidents in 2016 and 2,049 such incidents in 2015.

There were also 8,084 “damage only” traffic accidents in 2017, up from 7,684 in 2016.

There were 1,204 “hit and run” traffic accidents in 2017, up from 1,188 in 2016.

Last year there was also 1,368 reported traffic offences, down from 1,593 offences in 2016.

There were also 11,930 fixed penalty notices issued in New Providence in 2017, and 19,829 issued throughout the country.

Traffic fatalities and serious injuries Location

Fatal crashes

New Providence Andros Abaco Exuma Long Island Bimini Eleuthera Grand Bahama Total

33 3 4 1 1 1 1 5 49 fatal crashes

% 67 6 8 2 2 2 2 10

New Providence recorded three double fatalities Grand Bahama recorded two double fatalities Abaco recorded one double fatality Total fatalities 54 Previous years 2015 55 fatalities 2016 44 fatalities Time

Fatal crashes

%

8am-4pm 4pm-midnight midnight-8am

13 26 10

27 53 20

Serious injuries

Minor injuries

Hit and run

New Prov All Bahamas 2015 21 92 2016 16 91 2017 18 118

New Prov All Bahamas 2015 1628 2049 2016 1725 2166 2017 1760 2207

New Prov All Bahamas 2015 806 1030 2016 933 1188 2017 888 1204

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THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 18, 2018, PAGE 17

TURKEY TO EXTEND STATE OF EMERGENCY

A POLICE officer walks from the scene of an overturned Jeep after an accident on a snow-covered road in Richmond, Virginia, yesterday.

Photo: Steve Helber/AP

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey is set to extend a state of emergency for the sixth time since the failed 2016 coup attempt, worrying government opponents and allies who fear the special powers are driving Turkey in an increasingly authoritarian direction.

The state of emergency, declared five days after the July 15, 2016, coup attempt, has allowed a massive government crackdown aimed at suspected supporters of US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkey says was behind the coup attempt. Gulen denies any involvement.

Under the state of emergency, Turkey has arrested around 50,000 people.

KOREAS At least ten dead in cold sweep RIVAL UNITE FOR ATLANTA Associated Press

SNOW, ice and a recordbreaking blast of cold closed runways, highways, schools and government offices across the South and sent cars sliding off roads Wednesday in a corner of the country ill-equipped to deal with wintry weather.

At least ten people died, including a baby in a car that plunged off a slippery overpass into a Louisiana canal.

Icicles hung from a statue of jazz musicians

in normally balmy New Orleans, and drivers unaccustomed to ice spun their wheels across Atlanta, which was brought to a near-standstill by little more than an inch (2.5 centimeters) of snow. The beach in Biloxi, Mississippi, got a light coating. And the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill canceled classes as the storm unloaded at least 8 inches (20 centimeters) of snow in Durham and Greensboro.

Even the best drivers had trouble: Retired NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt

Jr. tweeted that he had just used his winch to help pull a car out of a ditch when he drove off the road and into a tree in North Carolina.

“NC stay off the roads today/tonight. 5 minutes after helping these folks I center punched a pine tree,” he reported. A spokesman said Earnhardt was not hurt and his pickup had only minor damage.

Though skies were sunny and bright in many places, temperatures remained below freezing throughout the day in much of the South.

Thousands of schoolchildren and teachers got the day off. Many cities canceled meetings and court proceedings, and some businesses closed.

Slippery runways and the need to de-ice planes forced cancellations and delays in New Orleans; Memphis, Tennessee; and RaleighDurham, North Carolina.

Electricity usage surged as people struggled to keep warm.

In Alabama, where some places got at least 3 inches (7 centimeters) of snow, dairy farmer Will Gilmer

bundled up for the drive to his milking barn before daybreak in rural Lamar County, the thermometer reading 7 degrees (minus 14 Celsius).

“I probably had four layers on and then insulated coveralls and a heavy coat on over that. I made it OK except for my toes,” he said.

The mercury dropped to record lows overnight in several places in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. It was 21 degrees (minus 6 Celsius) before dawn in New Orleans.

POPE CALLS FOR UNITY, END TO VIOLENCE IN CHILE SERMON TEMUCO, CHILE Associated Press

POPE Francis took the Chilean state and the country’s largest indigenous group to task on Wednesday over their failure to forge a truly unified nation, saying the government must do more than just negotiate “elegant” agreements and radical Mapuche factions must stop violence.

Francis’ pointed homily

in the heart of Chile’s restive Araucania region came hours after two more churches and three helicopters were torched — attacks blamed on Mapuche radical groups demanding the return of ancestral lands and the release of Mapuche prisoners.

No arrests have been made.

The outdoor Mass at the Maquehue Air Base was steeped in symbolism because of its own history: The land was taken

from the Mapuche in the early 20th century and the location was also used as a detention and torture facility in the early years of Gen Augusto Pinochet’s military dictatorship.

Leading some 150,000 people in a moment of silent prayer, Francis said the fertile green fields and snow-capped mountains of the Mapuche heartland in Chile’s southern Araucania region were both blessed

by God and cursed by man, the site of “grave human rights violations” during the 1973-1990 dictatorship.

“We offer this Mass for all those who suffered and died, and for those who daily bear the burden of those many injustices,” he said.

Francis also referred to the recent violence that has flared in Araucania, Chile’s poorest region, and beyond.

No one has claimed responsibility for the 11 firebombs

that have damaged, or in some cases, burned churches to the ground in several parts of Chile in recent days. Investigators have found pamphlets promoting the Mapuche cause at some of the torched churches and by the helicopters set ablaze overnight.

The Argentine Jesuit pope took radical factions to task, saying violence wasn’t the answer to their grievances.

OLYMPIC TEAM SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The rival Koreas agreed Wednesday to form their first unified Olympic team and have their athletes parade together for the first time in 11 years during the opening ceremony of next month’s Winter Olympics in South Korea, officials said.

The agreements still require approval from the International Olympic Committee. But they are the most prominent steps toward rapprochement achieved by the Koreas since they recently began exploring cooperation during the Olympics following a year of heightened tension over the North’s nuclear weapons program.

During their third day of talks at the border in about a week, senior officials reached a package of agreements, including fielding a joint women’s ice hockey team and marching together under a blue and white “unification flag” depicting their peninsula in the opening ceremony, Seoul’s Unification Ministry said.

PAGE 18, Thursday, January 18, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

FORMER Minister of State for Immigration Branville McCartney.

McCartney: Immigration held back by inefficiency

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net FORMER Minister of State for Immigration Branville McCartney said yesterday inefficiencies at the Department of Immigration will play a significant role in the efficacy and humanity of the government’s increased enforcement measures.

Mr McCartney, who served as junior minister in the last Ingraham administration, said he believed the

current administration has well-meaning intentions in the area but underscored execution would remain severely hampered by the present backlog.

He was responding to comments made by Immigration Minister Brent Symonette, who told The Tribune efficiency at the department did not bear an impact on increased enforcement strategies.

At the time, Mr Symonette suggested any applicants for legal status apprehended by officials

would be able to produce evidence they started the regularisation process, so they should not be subject to detention.

Mr McCartney said: “Before the policy was enunciated, I think the government must clean up shop within the department itself. The operation of the department is still very slow, there are many persons who made applications pursuant to the Constitution, they were born here, made the necessary applications and

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are waiting.

“I understand if you can show that your documents are in and all that,” he continued.

“The practical problem is persons don’t walk around with their applications and I have seen repeatedly where persons with their applications - they’ve been picked up detained and inconvenienced.

“I understand the government’s position in terms of policy and trying to get those here illegally out of the country - that is what a responsible government ought to do - but at the same time you want to ensure the department is operating and functioning in a way to deal with that type of policy so it’s not to the disadvantage to those who have a right or have applied for certain status.”

Earlier this month, Mr Symonette said modernisation efforts underway at the Department of Immigration were

progressing, but did not give a timeline on when a new computerised system will be fully rolled out. The high volume of permit applications was described as the greatest challenge faced by officials.

Mr Symonette, at the time, stressed there could be no excuse for the fate of unregularised migrants apprehended by increased enforcement measures, which he stated were already underway.

In August last year, Mr Symonette explained the inundated system is further exacerbated by outdated manual processing and limited physical capacity at the aging, rented complex on Hawkins Hill.

Mr McCartney said: “Even as simple as those persons applying for renewals, you have to wait months and months and months for a determination and I’ve had it happen where there have been persons working for me, waiting for their renewal.

They have receipts yet still picked up and detained, resulting in loss of money.

So the department has to get its act together.”

“There’s a lot of fraud (by applicants),” he said, “but there is still a lot of disadvantage to those persons who have a right to apply and their lives have been placed on hold, and they can’t get a job, they can’t travel, can’t open a bank account or sometimes further their education.

“I do hope they get it together. I think the government’s well-intentioned for the country, from an immigration standpoint, but like anything else it’s getting it done and getting it done in a fair and humane manner.”

Last year, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis gave undocumented migrants a December 31, 2017 deadline to get regularised or leave the country. He warned aggressive apprehension measures would ensue.

READERS GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON ISSUES IN THE NEWS ONLINE readers have been giving their views on the stories making the news this week.

After Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said emergency services throughout the country will undergo “major changes very soon”, Joeblow said: “Sands was hired to fix the mess, but nothing he proposes thus far is necessary! There are too many unmotivated persons providing healthcare services. There is too much waste and inefficiency in the system. His tenure as Minister of Health has been a abysmal failure thus far!

This is incompetence with purpose!”

Ohdrap4 had this to say: “Let me guess: A new tax? Try it. The people just unseated a sitting prime minister. A first. Maybe there will be more history in the making.”

Tribune Business reported that Fred Albury, the Bahamas Motor Dealers Association’s president, said he will “definitely” ensure his used vehicles undergo pre-import inspections and that this will “take a lot of fear out of consumers”.

ThisIsOurs responded with this: “I’ve never encountered anyone who bought a car from Japan who was afraid of what they would get. They’re usually very happy that they found a car for a price they could afford. Having the president of the new

car dealers on this trip was a very bad move. Conflict of interest is glaring. And conflict of interest does not mean you did or will do something untoward, it simply means that you have two masters with conflicting interests, you can’t do justice to both, one will ultimately become secondary to the other.”

Proudloudandfnm said: “The issue of lesser quality used car imports sits entirely with American used cars. This whole thing is just too damned obvious. Japanese imports are such high quality at incredibly reasonable prices they are cutting into the sales of new car dealers. Simple as that. Japanese imports are incredibly good there is no real reason to hit us with an inspection fee. This had better not be made law.

Give us the ability to deny the inspections. I definitely would not pay it if I didn’t have to. Every single Japanese import I owned was far superior to anything offered out of the US, in every aspect.”

Minister of Tourism and Aviation Dionisio D’Aguilar said the Government is “aggressively” moving to establish

Bahamian airspace via a Flight Information Region, prompting this response from Birdiestrachan: “No one expects D’Aguilar to give the PLP credit for anything. They did start the process while the FNM government did nothing about the airspace all of their years in power. We shall see what motormouth will do.

Time is passing quickly.”

Milesair was supportive of the move: “It’s about time that the Bahamas controlled its own airspace.

This could provide revenue to the Bahamian government that the US ATC system has been collecting for years. There is a lot of foreign air traffic that passes through Bahamian airspace on its way to the Caribbean, Europe and South America especially from Florida and other cities in the US. This is revenue that the Bahamas is rightfully entitled to. Make it happen soon!’

And SP said: “Great news Mr. D’Aguilar. This situation has gone on far too long and the country has needlessly lost untold millions. The PLP ‘landmark’ airspace deal was wondrous to them because it was one of the very few things they achieved in five years of dancing and prancing about the place like mindless idiots!”

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