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Volume:116 No.17, JANUARY 18TH, 2019 Friday, January 18, 2019

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A SOLO ADVENTURE Pages 14 & 15

Fight to be free

Weekend

INSIDE YOUR WEEKEND MAGAZINE

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

Jamaal unveils fresh venture

OVERBOARD Artist seeks to shake off past page 7

Drunk passenger survives 100ft leap from cruise liner

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

A ROYAL Caribbean passenger has been banned from the cruise line for life after jumping off the 11th floor of a Symphony of the Seas ship that was docked in Nassau.

Friends of Nick Naydev, of Vancouver, Washington, filmed the 27-year-old jumping off a balcony and into an estimated 100-feet of water.

Mr Naydev later posted the video to his social media account.

The jumper was not allowed back aboard the ship and local police were called. However, officers reportedly found the situation “amusing” and did not

file any legal action, according to Mr Naydev.

Royal Caribbean has since rebuked the move as “stupid and reckless behaviour” in a statement to People. The magazine also reported the cruise will be “exploring legal action” against Mr Naydev and his friends.

The video was posted seven days ago on Mr Naydev’s Instagram profile.

In the clip, he can be seen climbing onto the railing and leaping into the ocean.

Two other people are in the background and one person can be heard laughing hysterically.

The video has been viewed over 100,000 times up to press time.

AS A local promotion company ramps up advertisements for a Buju Banton concert, one prominent lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activist says as long as the Jamaican reggae star ignores his most controversial song, Boom Bye Bye, his performance should not be opposed.

The LGBT community has historically been among Mr Banton’s fiercest critics.

A promotion company,

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal of a former police officer convicted of manslaughter in 2017 after killing a man while on duty.

Aubrey Carlston Darling was sentenced to ten years imprisonment for killing Aschol Deno Rolle in Bimini on December 22, 2007.

Rolle was said to be inebriated and shouted expletives when he pulled out a pocket knife. A struggle followed between him, Darling and then Police Constable Desmond Turner. At some point Darling pulled out his firearm and shot Rolle in the head.

‘BAD BACK’ NYGARD MISSES DAY IN THE DOCK

SEE PAGE TWO

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

SUPREME Court Justice Indra Charles yesterday recused herself from Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard’s contempt of court sentencing.

Justice Charles stressed her decision was an independent action, and not linked to Mr Nygard’s recusal application that was scheduled to be heard yesterday.

Mr Nygard was not present at court and his lawyer Rouschard Martin told the court his client was suffering from a spinal problem. Mr Martin produced a letter from an American doctor.

Paradise Production Inc, is advertising a March 30 concert for the artist at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium. A representative of the company said yesterday a contract has already been signed involving the national stadium and the artist. He said a work permit was approved on December 19, 2018. However, government officials could not confirm this week if Mr Banton has received a work permit for the event.

Immigration Minister Brent Symonette said Mr SEE PAGE THREE

PC LOSES APPEAL ON FATAL SHOOTING

SEE PAGE SEVEN

BUJU WELCOME BUT SONG’S ‘BYE BYE’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

Artist scripts new skills

PASSENGER Nick Naydev prepares to leap from the 11th floor of a cruise ship docked in Nassau.

SEE PAGE THREE

HANNA ‘FRUSTRATED’ BUT NOT LYING

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

ONE day after admitting star witness Barbara Hanna made mistakes in her testimony, prosecutors in the Frank Smith bribery and extortion trial yesterday sought to repair her credibility, while also highlighting case elements they say prove the accused solicited payments for influencing Hanna’s receipt of a $500,000 contract.

WITNESS: Barbara Hanna Chief among the submissions given by lead Crown attorney Edward Jenkins,

QC, was the defence of Mrs Hanna’s many outbursts during the trial to date, occurrences he dismissed as the responses of a woman “easily frustrated”.

Secondary to that, was the suggestion that there was nothing “sinister” in Mrs Hanna’s contact with two current Cabinet ministers in the lead up to Smith’s arrest and questioning.

Mr Jenkins was countering key points in the SEE PAGE FIVE

A COMIC’S VIEW DOES FRANKIE KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON ?

SEE PAGE EIGHT

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Passenger survives leap from cruise ship in The Bahamas

from page one “This was stupid and reckless behaviour and he and his companions have been banned from ever sailing with us again,” the manager of Royal Caribbean’s corporate communications told People magazine in a statement.

Mr Naydev has since addressed the matter in a statement to KOIN 6 News, saying he hopes no one else is “inspired” to recreate his actions. “I am truly astonished at how this video has spread throughout the internet. I did not think this through before I jumped. My idea was this would be a good laugh for my friends and I would just swim back to shore and continue my vacation and never thought this would be this serious.

“When the security caught up with me they told me and my friends that we needed to pack our bags and leave the ship immediately and were not welcome on any

of their cruise ships again. Local police in Nassau, Bahamas were called in to pick us up from the ship, but fortunately the police thought the whole situation was amusing and did not proceed to file any legal actions.

“I was still drunk from the previous night. When I woke up, I just decided to jump. I jumped from the 11th floor and the height must have been well over 100ft. I just hope I don’t inspire anyone to try this, because I don’t want to feel responsible for any injuries.”

According to Yahoo Lifestyle, Mr Naydev described his own injuries in the comment section of the video. “My feet were actually fine. It was my neck and tailbone that hurt,” he wrote. “Could barely walk for three days and could barely sleep from the pain. I’m good now.”

• Watch the video now at Tribune242.com

GOING, going, gone ... Passanger Nick Naydev leaps from the 11th floor balcony for a prank. “I was still drunk from the previous night. When I woke up, I just decided to jump,” he said.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 18, 2019, PAGE 3

WE ARE ALL WITHIN TRAVEL BUDGET, PROMISES MINNIS

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday could not specify when his administration will release a report detailing officials’ travel expenditure, but vowed all ministers have stayed within their allotted travel budget.

Dr Minnis made these comments after delivering the keynote address at the 2019 Bahamas Business Outlook forum.

When asked by reporters when the public could expect this long-promised report, Dr Minnis evaded the question but maintained his government’s commitment to transparency.

“I couldn’t answer that right now,” the prime minister said.

“But we are very transparent. When I travel, you all know exactly who accompany me, so you basically know the cost, and the ministers likewise. What I can say is that travel is a budgeted item and every minister has stayed within the budgeted item.

“So if you review the budget, you would know how much has been allotted for travel and therefore you can automatically conclude that we have spent less than what is there. So you got your answer.”

When asked if it is therefore unclear when the report will be made available, Dr Minnis said again referenced the budget.

“We can give more, but if you look at the monies allotted for travel, you automatically know what the government is spending.

It’s there, in black and white.”

Last May, Press Secretary Anthony Newbold said the Minnis administration’s promised ‘travel spreadsheets’ would not be released before the end of 2018.

Mr Newbold said the spreadsheets - expected to lay out travel dates, locations, delegation size, expenses and purpose of trip - could not be compiled and disseminated in 2018 due to the extensive nature of the proposed documents.

Despite the lengthy delay in releasing the information, Mr Newbold has said the government remains in line with its travel policy for officials, insisting that anyone travelling on government business must still file a report.

When asked directly why the reports would take such a long time, he added: “You are talking about travel for all the ministers and you want explanations. You don’t want to just know he went to Washington DC, this is why he went to Washington DC, these are the people he took with him, this was the objective and this is what the Bahamian people will come to expect.

“All of that needs to be, and he has promised that for all the ministers,” he added.

While in opposition, the Minnis-led Free National Movement criticised the Christie

DR Hubert Minnis yesterday.

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

administration for what it termed, “wasteful expenditure” for travel allocations.

Throughout that term, the FNM slammed the Christie administration for both the frequency of trips and the size of the delegations. When elected in 2017, the Minnis administration promised to curtail government spending on travel and give the public a full accounting of every trip executed.

In September 2018, Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine criticised his own party for the trips made by officials.

Shortly after, in October, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Renward Wells defended this travel, saying sometimes conducting the nation’s business requires going to other countries.

Mr Wells added what differentiates this administration’s travel from the Christie administration’s travel is purpose and transparency.

In early 2018, Dr Minnis tabled a document in Parliament which showed his prior trip to Texas to drum up investment and promote the country overseas cost taxpayers nearly $40,000.

The document was tabled after he promised to be transparent about the costs associated with high-level government travel.

According to the document, the four-day trip in January 2018 for Dr Minnis and his delegation cost $37,181.76.

Say goodbye to Boom Bye Bye Reggae star Buju welcome but don’t perform that offensive song, says activist from page one Banton’s work visa has not yet come across his desk for approval. Attorney General Carl Bethel said if there is a “lawful basis for some objection” to Mr Banton’s appearance, the matter would likely be dealt with by Cabinet.

Immigration Director Clarence Russell became belligerent when asked about the matter yesterday.

He claimed responding to the question would violate the Official Secrets Act. Pressed on the matter, he abruptly hung up the phone.

Mr Banton was released from McRae Correctional Centre in Georgia on December 8, 2018 after seven years in prison for possessing and distributing cocaine.

He subsequently announced a “Long Walk To Freedom Tour”, beginning on March 16 in Jamaica. He reportedly has other events planned for Trinidad and Antigua.

In 2009, concert promoters LiveNation and AEG Live cancelled his concerts because of homophobic lyrics in his songs, particularly his 1992 hit which called for murdering homosexuals.

But Erin Greene, local LGBT activist, pictured above, said as offensive as “Boom Bye Bye” continues to be, Mr Banton should not be defined by that song.

“The song ‘Boom Bye Bye’ is just one element of his portfolio and his

life and he should not be defined by that one moment in the same way that advocates in the LGBT community asks that we not define somebody by their sexuality or one moment of their life,” she said. “I think Buju is such an important Afrodiasporic and Caribbean cultural figure, we should not dismiss his work because of this one song.”

Reggae and dancehall music have never shied away from homophobic lyrics, but Ms Greene said no song embodied homophobia more than Mr Banton’s 1992 song.

“I can never forget the song, it’s lyrics and the impact of its lyrics on the lives of thousands and thousands if not millions of queer Caribbean people,” she said. “We can’t forget it and we can’t dismiss it.

It was a song written by a 15-year-old boy in the wake of an attack against a small child by a man who was presumed to be homosexual even though he committed a paedophilic act.

“The song itself was adopted as an anthem for anti-gay rights advocates and for people who oppose homosexuality for whatever reason. It was used as a tool to strike fear and threaten gay people and we can never dismiss that. Buju has addressed the matter a couple of times publicly although not to the satisfaction of many members of the LGBT community.

“My feeling about is this,

REGGAE icon Buju Banton is due to perform in The Bahamas soon Buju should be allowed to perform on conditions, the first being that they do not play the song. Don’t let him sing it, don’t let the audience sing it, don’t reference it, keep it out of the portfolio.

“Acknowledging that for many LGBT people in the community, Buju also represents a figure of liberation against colonial and imperialist structures, all of us, gay and straight, have to reconcile with the

‘BAD BACK’ NYGARD MISSES DAY IN THE DOCK from page one

The sentencing matter will now be transferred to Justice Cheryl GrantThompson and resumes on Monday.

The charges stem from a breach of retired Justice Rhonda Bain’s July 13, 2013 injunction prohibiting him from engaging in dredging activities at his

Simms Point/Nygard Cay property.

Justice Rhonda Bain, in a written ruling last July, convicted Nygard for engaging in dredging activities on the sea bed near Nygard Cay between March and April 2015, and again in October of 2016, despite her June 2013 injunction prohibiting him from doing so.

Justice Bain thus said Nygard’s

actions warranted him paying costs on a “full indemnity basis,” and further ordered Nygard to pay costs to include the costs of the mitigation hearing to the applicant in the matter, Save The Bays (STB), on a “solicitor and own client basis”.

Justice Charles inherited execution of the sentencing for the case after Justice Bain retired.

complexities of human their struggle through a life and interactions as world that’s obviously not communities.” designed for them. Buju She added: “Buju Banton Banton is an icon separate is an icon. He is a repre- from the song ‘Boom Bye sentation of the struggle Bye.’ We need to be able of poor Caribbean people, to see Buju as a complex particularly Africans and January figure.”

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It may be time to tell the blacklisters - enough is enough THE sudden announcement of the visit to Europe this week of a delegation led by the Prime Minister has prompted much comment and speculation.

Reportedly, its purpose was to explain to officials of the European Union and the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development the recent initiatives taken by the FNM government in the financial services sector in relation to our country’s compliance with international regulations and standards and with global measures to combat financial crime.

Dr Minnis’ presence was presumably designed to show those concerned in Brussels and Paris the strength of The Bahamas’ commitment to these measures. We hope this mission has been successful, but it has called into question whether the head of government of a sovereign state should be entering into direct dialogue with EU and OECD bureaucrats, however senior.

If, as the Deputy Prime Minister now claims, this was more of a diplomatic mission, it would have been right for the Prime Minister to have met people at an appropriate political level.

Since the OECD started applying serious pressure on our country in 2000 in an attempt to limit the operations of offshore financial centres, successive governments have complied with standards which gradually became more demanding. Thus, as soon as we took action, the goalposts were moved and new requests were made by the Parisbased Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which sets the global standards for combating money laundering and terrorism funding.

In reaction to continuing pressure to pass suitable legislation, The Bahamas has sought to satisfy these standards so that by the end of last year the Attorney General reported FATF’s affiliate in the Caribbean had judged the nation was complying with almost one third of global anti-money laundering and counter terror financing standards and accordingly had been upgraded as being ‘partially compliant’, putting us on a level with the USA. But further action is being demanded – for example, in relation to International Business Companies and stopping the practice of ring-fencing in favour of overseas investors that makes our country an attractive offshore place for their assets.

Our overall objective as a nation must be to minimise the threat of being cut off from international investment and banking. So we consider the FNM government’s strategy to modernise, deregulate and diversify the economy is sound, as is its policy to take measures to avoid vulnerability to money

laundering, corruption, tax evasion, the financing of terrorism and cybercrime through its collection of financial services bills designed to comply with international standards. These also enhance our ability to retain correspondent banking ties, which are vital to our standing as an international business centre, and the loss of which would be one of the consequences of being blacklisted for non-compliance.

Against this background, however, policy-makers should always be aware a balance has to be struck between meeting international standards and protecting the needs of our civil society and our position as a competitive financial centre. The Non-Profit Organisations Bill, which has now been deferred for further public consultation, may be seen as a case in point.

While co-operation in the fight against financial crime, including the need to prevent funding of terrorism, is important, it is also reasonable for European countries to protect their tax regimes.

But it is equally important this should not be at the expense of small Caribbean countries which lack an industrial and manufacturing base and rely for their prosperity on tourism and the provision of financial services as a vital sector of their economy. As sovereign countries, therefore, they need to consider at what stage, if any, they should dig their heels in against international organisations seeking to dictate the terms of their domestic legislation.

This has come to the fore recently following inclusion of The Bahamas on a Dutch ‘blacklist’. If a single European country can now act alone in making more extreme demands than the EU and OECD - and others follow suit - this calls into question the future of our cooperation with these organisations.

We believe the new threat of ‘national blacklists’ should persuade the government to reassess its whole approach to this issue. But we also hope it will acknowledge our own weakness as an individual country in dealing with the uncompromising EU and OECD bureaucracies, so that in order to secure meaningful change small Caribbean countries should come together under the umbrella of CARICOM to strengthen their negotiating hand through regional solidarity.

It might also be necessary to elevate the whole issue to a political level.

This would require strong and imaginative leadership. But it might help to bring about change because it is not in the broader interests of the larger and richer countries of the West to impoverish Caribbean countries by completely destroying their financial centres.

Don’t underestimate those US presidents EDITOR, The Tribune RICHARD Coulson in his Business Bites opinion piece, while delving into the personal life of President Donald Trump, said that only three US presidents were chronic womanisers: Bill Clinton, John F Kennedy and Donald Trump.

To Coulson, Trump’s affairs are far more egregious because he is blatant, unlike Messrs Clinton and Kennedy.

Mr Coulson is an intelligent columnist who writes well for The Tribune. But I believe he is being way too gracious in positing the viewpoint that of the 45 men to occupy the Oval Office over the past 243 years,

only three were ferocious philanderers.

For his information, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James Garfield, Grover Cleveland, Warren Harding, Franklin D Roosevelt, Dwight E Eisenhower, Lyndon B Johnson, George H W Bush and George W Bush were said to be womanisers.

All of the foregoing chief executive officers were morally flawed, just like the rest of us. No need to condemn Trump. Rather than berating the man, Coulson should instead pray for the leader of the Free World.

The Scriptures commands us to pray for our leaders. And as for the claim

about Trump being blatant about his affairs, he is not unique by any stretch of the imagination.

For instance, LBJ bragged to one of his biographers that he had more women by accident than Kennedy ever had on purpose. That is the epitome of being blatant. I don’t like discussing the private lives of public figures in a public setting.

But since Coulson disseminated inaccurate information on the subject to his readership, I decided to chime in with the view of correcting him.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama.

January 16, 2019

We must keep our flexibility EDITOR, The Tribune I HAVE long argued that those advocating fixed election dates and term limits on the office of Prime Minister really do not have a clue of the very basics of what Westminster democracy is and how it operates. Rather, they are simply taking cues from superficially corresponding elements of a fundamentally very different US system.

This is evident firstly because the supposed dangers that both these “solutions” are designed to address do not actually exist and, secondly, because the measures themselves will in many ways have the reverse effect, if their intention is to promote a more naturally flowing and accountable democracy.

It is also evident in their apparent failure to understand is that, constitutionally and practically, the closest corresponding role to a Prime Minister in the US system (which seems to transfix them) is not the President, but the speaker of the House of Representatives. He or she is not a directly elected official, but simply the person who leads the biggest lobby in the legislative arm of government, from which all executive power flows. So how can it make sense to subject him or her to term limits?

All that these restrictions would do is to reduce the flexibility of the Westminster system, which is precisely what makes it work so much better than the US system and obviates the needs for as many checks and balances.

Unlike in the US, the executive arm of our government could fall or change composition at any moment, reflecting events in the country. Rather than supporting such sharp accountability, a constitutionally fixed election date would actually cement a Bahamian Prime Minister into a guaranteed tenure that he does not at present enjoy.

Should, for instance, the present leadership of the FNM commit acts in office that sufficiently alienate the

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Bahamian public, a backbench revolt could lead to the replacement of the current Prime Minister. This is exactly what transpired two years ago when Dr. Minnis was removed by his colleagues as leader of the opposition. In the event of it happening when his party is in government, the result would be the fall of his administration.

In such an event, the next move would be a general election, in order to permit the new political dispensation to seek a democratic mandate. How would that work with a fixed election date? Would the electorate and parliament simply be told that they have no choice but to await the expiry of the term of a lame duck executive?

Likewise, would Bahamian democracy be served by the constitution telling a party that, because it won more than two consecutive elections, it must choose a new leader? What if that is not what the electorate wants?

Rather than fixing anything, these measures would have the effect of reducing democracy and lessening the general flexibility of our governing structures in the face of unknown eventualities. And it is in this flexibility that the Westminster system has shown itself so much better than all its rivals.

Indeed, allowing for cultural and historical differences, any comparison between the Westminster system and its US counterpart confirms the superiority of the former in terms of democratic responsiveness, eliminating demagoguery and reducing stalemate (look at what is happening now in the US, for heaven’s sake!)

Latin America vs the Anglophone Caribbean speaks for itself. But comparing the histories of Britain and the US (two culturally similar societies that industrialized at around the same time) the comparison becomes even starker.

The big questions facing 19th Century Britain (the country’s most transformative century until maybe this one) were (ostensibly) the repeal of the ‘Corn Laws’ and (more fundamentally) industrialisation. These questions tore the Tory Party apart (as Brexit seems to be doing today) but were ultimately resolved by a Westminster system that was able to absorb the shifting political tectonics without damaging the country. The result was the formation of a new coalition (Gladstone’s Liberal Party), which dominated Britain for the remainder of the century.

By comparison, the big question facing the US in the 19th century (also its most transformative, until maybe this one) was the clash between North and South over (ostensibly) slavery and (more fundamentally) industrialization. A half century of efforts, culminating in the Missouri Compromise of 1850, failed to resolve the political crisis. The famous ‘checks and balances’ led only to stalemate and standoff. In the end, lacking the flexibility of Westminster, the country split into two and fought a civil war that killed more Americans than all the country’s subsequent international wars combined.

Whatever strengths the US undoubtedly has as a society, its political system is not among them.

Across Latin America are examples of countries that followed the American model, perhaps in the wrongheaded expectation that it would help them to emulate some of their northern neighbour’s more unqualified successes in other fields.

By contrast, we are lucky indeed to have inherited the Westminster system.

But by limiting its flexibility and adding artificial constitutional constraints, we will be damaging it beyond recognition and limiting its ingenious and long-evolving effectiveness.

ANDREW ALLEN Nassau January 17, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 18, 2019, PAGE 5

from page one

Key witness was frustrated but not lying - prosecution

defence’s “no case” submission.

A position he yesterday argued held no ground, given Mrs Hanna’s consistent claim that she was approached by Smith for thousands of dollars as a kickback for her Magic Touch cleaning company being awarded a $500,000 annual contract from the Public Hospitals Authority.

According to Mr Jenkins, when placed into context, much of Mrs Hanna’s dismissive responses given to questions related to her husband, Edgar David Hanna, and two sons, should be viewed as nothing more than a woman openly frustrated and annoyed by questions she viewed as an “intrusion” of her privacy.

Keith Knight, QC, Smith’s lead attorney, had at one point in crossexamination put to Hanna, “Do you know Edgar David Hanna?” which yielded the response: “I don’t recall.”

Mr Knight, who at the time noted that Hanna seemed frustrated, further questioned how was it she could not recall the name of her spouse of 20 years.

Mr Jenkins said occurrences such as these, and her inability to identify the signature of one of her sons, someone she supported in getting a loan from Smith, all needed to be placed in the context of Mrs Hanna being a distraught witness being pressed by the defence.

In an observation of the submission however, Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt pointed out that if she was to accept that position, she would also have to accept that the witness had also had several “eureka” moments during testimony - pointing out that Mrs Hanna would say one thing, and then returned moments later to change her answers.

Chief Magistrate FergusonPratt asked Mr Jenkins if he and his team stood secure in the fact that the position meant Mrs Hanna could be viewed as unreliable in areas critical to the case.

In response, Mr Jenkins said that persons looking in on the case would have to appreciate what Mrs Hanna had said, and not necessarily how it was said.

In a subsequent question, Chief Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt asked if it was the prosecution’s view that Mrs Hanna’s behaviour should be excused, to which Jenkins asserted: “No.” He later expressed that while she shouldn’t be excused, she

LEAD Crown attorney Edward Jenkins, QC, left, and, above, key witness Barbara Hanna.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

should also not be viewed as “lying.”

On the second point attacked by prosecutors yesterday, Mr Jenkins suggested the defence’s argument that Mrs Hanna, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands and National Security Minister Marvin Dames all colluded to build a case against Smith, could not stand if tested.

Mr Jenkins told the court Mr Dames met with Hanna openly in public, a factor he argued showed that he had no motive to collude.

He said once Mr Dames met with Mrs Hanna, he referred her to Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle, the officer-incharge of the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Anti-Corruption

NPO DRAFT BILL NOT SET IN STONE, SAYS AG BETHEL

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE LATEST iteration of the stalled Non-Profit Organisations Bill features a simplified registration form and allows for umbrella organisations and federations to register on behalf of affiliates.

Attorney General Carl Bethel yesterday stressed the draft bill was not set in stone and still needed more work before it was released for consultation.

This would mean that entities like the Christian Council will be tasked with certifying the compliance of smaller churches in keeping financial records and producing annual statements.

“We’re looking at light touch regulations with a very much simplified registration form,” he said, “and we are looking at the possibility of exploring, we’re working on something to the effect that national or regional or district conventions or federations etc, can register on behalf of their constituent entities, clubs, sporting associations - that their actual organising bodies can basically enter and register on their behalf.”

Mr Bethel continued: “This is not set in stone; the draft is being worked on. The idea would be that responsible national organisations provide that degree of certification, and only then if some issue should arise, something comes on the radar, some suspicious transaction report comes forward, or query from abroad, would we have to have some inquiry with individual organisations registered in this way.”

He spoke to The Tribune after giving the Senate an update on the delayed bill.

Last month, Mr Bethel told Tribune Business that the Christian Council and Bahamian churches were seeking “a complete

ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel. exemption” from the NonProfit Organisations Bill and its provisions despite his agreement to make the legislation less onerous and “more user friendly”.

Civil Society Bahamas, a group of 300 non-profit and civil society groups, also put forward arguments last month highlighting numerous sections in the bill that raised significant concerns for the “future health of the civil society sector”.

The consortium group warned many organisations will be unable to meet “the strict registration, accounting and record keeping demands” set out in the bill given that 40 percent of the industry is thought to operate on an annual budget of $25,000 or less.

The group also questioned whether the registrar of non-profit organisations had the capacity to be converted from an information gatherer to a regulator, expressing fears that the legislation will exacerbate the current two-year wait for non-profit registration

into “a significant backlog.”

“If we are able to achieve that (draft bill),” Mr Bethel continued yesterday, “coupled with the cap or the threshold of having to get in more than $75k income a year, that will capture most if not all of the smaller churches who in some cases it won’t apply to.

“They will still have to register but if Christian Council certifies they are keeping financial records and adds them to their list, all they have to do is show their bank the Christian Council has them listed.

“This is not cut in stone, this is a draft we are working on which we think will provide light touch regulations. At the end of the day the law will mandate that every non-profit will keep financial records. It still has to be worked on and agreed.”

Last December, opposition to the bill led Mr Bethel to postpone debate in the Senate. It has already been passed in the House of Assembly.

Unit, who subsequently turned her over to another officer, who furthered the investigation of Smith.

Mr Jenkins then submitted that the only argument that could be made, would be that of Dr Sands approving a second PHA contract for Mrs Hanna in the amount of $1.9m without board approval.

Addressing this specifically, Mr Jenkins yesterday submitted that if the argument is made, one would have to also accept Dr Sands’ testimony that he only moved to approve the contract for Magic Touch without the board’s blessing because of a “crisis” at the Princess Margaret Hospital where the contractor at the time was underperforming.

It is alleged Smith, former PHA chairman, between April 2016 and April 2017, demanded and obtained $5,000 per month from Mrs Hanna, knowing he was not lawfully authorised to do so.

He is also alleged to have attempted to extort another $5,000 from Mrs Hanna. And concerning the bribery charge, it is alleged that he solicited $5,000 a month from Mrs Hanna for helping her to get a PHA contract.

The case resumes today and the judge is expected to deliver a written ruling on the matter on February 1.

PAGE 6, Friday, January 18, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

ROBERT TURNQUEST, chairman for the Over-the-Hill Community Development Foundation along with Rob Johnston of the Royal Bank of Canada.

By RIEL MAJOR PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis accepted a donation of $10,000 yesterday from Royal Bank of Canada on behalf of the Over-the-Hill Community Development Foundation.

At a press conference at the Hilton, Dr Minnis highlighted the importance of the Over-the-Hill community and thanked RBC for the “special” donation.

Dr Minnis said: “Over-the-Hill is historically and culturally a part of the heart of New Providence. I wish to thank the Royal Bank of Canada for this special donation of $10,000 for the Over-the-Hill Community Development Foundation. The donation is the forerunner to a larger donation that will be made over the course of approximately the next six months.

“The initial $10,000 came from a collection taken from RBC employees who wanted to contribute to a local outreach programme. The donation will be earmarked for the green technology components for the Over-the-Hill revitalisation programme. I also thank Nathaniel Beneby, RBC’s managing director for The Bahamas, for the leadership of the bank’s corporate citizenship initiative.”

Robert Turnquest, chairman of

Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

Bank donates $10,000 to Over-the-Hill projects

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and Rob Johnston

the foundation, said the organisation aims to bring a lasting and tangible impact to the historic community and its people.

Mr Turnquest said: “The foundation is a newly established nonprofit organisation committed to the social and economic development of the inner-city area known as Over-the-Hill. Countless Bahamian families who contributed to our country’s national development proudly hailed from the Over-the-Hill area and today we inspire to foster an environment in which many more can live and work safely, happily, and prosperously.

“The foundation structure is an important component of bringing forward this vision. It affords us the ability to make the enhancement of the Over-the-Hill community a participatory and collaborative venture. We hope that individuals, companies and

organisations domestically and internationally will be inspired to contribute to the revitalisation of the area and experience a sense of fulfillment and seeing their contributions put to good use.”

LaSonya Missick, area vicepresident of retail banking at RBC, spoke on behalf of the bank. “Through this initiative, government and private sectors have partnered to come together to help one of the most disadvantaged communities in The Bahamas,” she said.

“We are focused on helping them thrive and succeed and provide benefits to the residents now and in the future. With the focus on improving infrastructure, reducing crime and building new technologies, this initiative will help create a brighter future for thousands of Bahamians who call the over the hill community home.”

RENEW CEO TELLS COURT HE WAS NOT WORKING IN SCRAPYARD

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

RENEW Bahamas CEO Michael Cox denied he was sitting on heavy equipment or that he was working at a

local scrapyard when immigration officials arrested him last year. His uncle, Maurice Cox, also denied being employed the day he was taken into custody.

It is alleged that on October 5, 2018, the two

Newcastle, United Kingdom natives were caught working illegally.

The trial continued yesterday before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans.

Upon questioning by his attorney Wayne Munroe, Michael Cox testified that on the day in question he was at the site visiting Ronald Miller, whom he described as a long-time family friend. Mr Miller, the accused said, was the owner of the yard.

Mr Munroe also asked if he was paid by Mr Miller that day to do work at his premises. To this Michael Cox responded: “No”.

On cross examination by immigration prosecutor Avia Beckford, Michael Cox told the court that when officials descended on the scrap yard he was standing about 10ft away from heavy equipment talking on his cellular phone to someone in the UK about his company.

Upon further questioning, Michael Cox said he had gone there that day to pick up his uncle and admitted that while there he and Mr Miller discussed a wide range of topics including events in the Bahamas and those that pertained to Renew Bahamas.

He also admitted that Mr Miller was one of Renew’s creditors.

Ms Beckford further asked Michael Cox about his entrance into the country through the Lynden Pindling International Airport. He said he couldn’t recall whether he told immigration at the time that he was CEO of Renew but said he believed he had been given permission to stay in the country for 30 days.

She then asked: “When was the last time you held a valid work permit?”

“I believe it was 2017,” he responded.

“Are you aware that upon your entrance you

were given visitor status?” the immigration prosecutor asked. Michael Cox responded that he was aware.

Focusing on the events of the day of arrest, Ms Beckford asked him what he had told immigration officials.

“I said I came to collect my uncle,” he said.

She continued: “Was there a tractor present?

Were you sitting on any heavy equipment?”

He again denied this, adding there was no tractor at the site.

Asked about the status of a work permit now, Michael Cox said he believed an application was put in, which was being handled by law firm Lenox Paton.

The Renew CEO said he last heard from the Department of Immigration in December 2018 when he was asked for a letter of good standing.

The immigration prosecutor again asked about Michael Cox’s and Mr Miller’s relationship.

It was then that he admitted Mr Miller at one point was subcontracted by Renew, however when the company was no longer operational, the two remained friends.

Ms Beckford pointed out that earlier, the accused said Mr Miller was not an employee but then he later stated the man had been subcontracted.

When he questioned Michael Cox, Mr Munroe asked his client to elaborate on ongoing matters involving Renew Bahamas. He said these involved arbitration over alleged breaches in contract with claims his company did not do everything outlined in a contract with the Ministry of Environment. The Office of the Attorney General is also involved.

Mr Munroe inquired about who Michael Cox was to live with when he entered the Bahamas.

He said he was to live

WAYNE MUNROE QC with his wife who is a professor at the University of The Bahamas.

When he took the stand, Maurice Cox recalled that he was at the scrap yard on October 5, 2018 to “help” Mr Miller and pointed to his experience with scrap metal and loading cargo containers.

He said Mr Miller had asked him to train a few employees based on his experience.

“Were you paid?” Mr Munroe asked. “No,” Maurice Cox responded.

He said he knew Mr Miller for years through his nephew Michael.

When she cross-examined the accused, Ms Beckford inquired as to how long he was given to stay in the Bahamas.

He said he was given 90 days and told immigration at LPIA he was visiting family and friends.

Ms Beckford then asked Maurice Cox if he obtained a work permit to train people.

“No,” he responded.

“Are you aware that you would have needed a work permit to conduct training?” she asked in a follow-up question However, before Maurice Cox could fully respond, Mr Munroe interjected that this was a question of law, one which his client was not equipped to answer.

He said Senior Magistrate

Vogt-Evans was the only person who could definitively answer.

“Our case is that you don’t need a work permit to do gratuitous work,” Mr Munroe said. “The prosecution clearly does think so.”

The senior magistrate then asked the prosecutor to rephrase the question.

She then asked Maurice Cox whether he had gotten a work permit for training from immigration.

He said no.

Following questions pertaining to his living accommodations during the time of his arrest, Ms Beckford asked Maurice Cox if he had been working that day.

He said: “Not working. I was helping.”

She then asked if he physically touched things that day. Maurice said he did.

“Did you move things from point A to point B?” Maurice said he did in “some of the instances,” but added that Mr Miller’s workers were doing the work for the most part.

He also said he did not apply for a work permit at any time during his stay in the country.

It was also noted that on that day Maurice Cox was wearing trousers, a blue t-shirt and a high visibility vest.

She then asked whether it was normal in his line of work to be paid to train people.

He said there were some instances where this was done.

Following a meeting in the senior magistrate’s chambers with the prosecution along with Mr Munroe and Mr Laroda, the matter was adjourned to February 28, when the senior magistrate is expected to make a ruling based on a written submission from Mr Munroe and a response from the Department of Immigration.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 18, 2019, PAGE 7

WELLINGTON Adderley and Lofton Rigby outside court and, below, some of the items they pleaded guilty to stealing.

Photos: Vandyke Hepburn

PAIR ADMIT GUILT IN SERIES OF THEFT OFFENCES

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

TWO men were sentenced to ten years in prison after pleading guilty to a number of serious offences in the Eight Mile Rock Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Wellington Adderley, 28, and Lofton Rigby, 36, both of West End, appeared before

PC loses appeal on fatal shooting from page one

Testimony varied about what happened when Rolle was killed. One person, Percy Duncombe, testified that he saw Darling and Mr Turner “scuffling inside the bar and fell to the floor in the corner of the bar.” He said he got involved in the scuffle by holding Rolle down and trying to calm him. He said he saw Rolle with a closed pocket knife, which he took from him.

Mr Duncombe said he was in the process of getting up from Rolle, who had stopped struggling, when he heard a shot.

“On hearing the shot, he looked around and saw the appellant with a gun in his hand,” the appellant judges wrote. “Duncombe’s evidence was that he told the appellant, ‘Man why you do that? You didn’t have to do that.’”

Another witness, Romeris Stuart, said after the shooting he heard Darling say three times, “Lord what I do?”

In his appeal, Darling claimed the trial judge failed to compel the appearance and testimony

of Mr Turner. The Court of Appeal rejected this complaint, saying Darling had a “chance to call the witness and evidence indicates the court provided assistance by way of subpoena and was prepared to permit evidence by video link.

There is indication that the authorities were not as helpful in serving the subpoena as they could have been. However, rather than seek further assistance from the court in this regard the appellant’s counsel elected to close his case without pursuing the matter further.”

The appellate court also said: “…Even more importantly having read the evidence of P/C Turner, it is difficult to see how it would have assisted the appellant as his evidence conflicted with the appellant on the crucial circumstances of the shooting. Simply put, his evidence did not support the appellant’s defence of self-defence and would have, in our view, assisted the Crown more than the appellant.”

Rolle also claimed the trial judge failed to properly direct the jury on the issue of self defence. To this

the appellate court judges wrote: “We have reviewed the direction of the learned judge as contained in the transcripts at pages 370 to 372 and can find no fault with the same. She clearly directed the jury that they must consider whether the appellant held an honest belief that his actions were necessary. Further, she directed that if they were satisfied that he held such honest beliefs, then taking the circumstances as he honestly believed them to be, was his response reasonable? This is consistent with the law and is in no way can it be considered a misdirection.”

Darling also appealed on the ground that the trial judge failed to give him adequate time and facility to present his case and neglected evidence of his good character. In response, the court said: “In the present case there was in our view cogent evidence which the jury had and we are satisfied that a good character direction would have been of little utility to the appellant. We find that this ground has no merit and is dismissed.”

Magistrate Gwen Claude on eight counts of stealing, three counts of housebreaking, six counts of shopbreaking and one count of causing damage.

The matters were reported to police between October 2018 through January 2019 in the West End district.

The accused men pleaded guilty to all the charges and were each sentenced to ten years in prison.

PAGE 8, Friday, January 18, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Hey Frankie, you know what your department does, right?

WHERE do I start this week? It’s been a veritable smorgasbord of material, courtesy of the present administration.

TOO MUCH MIX UP, IN THE DIG UP! When will we finally get road works, right in this country?

It’s 2019, and it’s painfully obvious, we are dysfunctional as a nation, in regards to roadworks, and their maintenance.

A perfect example, is the roadwork fiasco, that continues to worsen on Meeting Street.

It’s beyond me how this project, has dragged on since before the Christmas.

Initially I thought it was some “holiday overtime” to reward certain employees at MOW. But here we are two weeks into the new year, and the roads still have issues. Meeting Street in particular, looking like the surfaces of the moon. ‘Loon craters,‘ as my West Street friends say.

To compound the situation, there is no concise plan for completion of the

project. To add to the headache, BPL and the Water and Sewerage Corporation have commenced further digging on Meeting Street – a trench as a matter of fact – right down the middle no less, in order to complete their jobs in relation to the project.

As of today, the trench was being tarred, however the huge sink holes remain, on either side of the road in perfect symmetry.

The only positive I can extract from this debacle, is to hope that one of the many mini mobiles, you know, the ‘Cubes’, ‘Marches’, ‘Minis’ and ‘Swifts’ of the 242. that fly around the streets of Nassau, with reckless abandon as if they were racing in the ’Conch 500, (to everyone’s annoyance) would actually fall in one of those sink holes on either side and disappear to a far, far off magical racetrack forever.

I suggest Minister of Works and Carmichael MP Desmond Bannister, find a viable solution to the Meeting Street situation quickly.

As a matter of fact,

please do so with the same speed the government used to close Munnings Road.

And please ensure your work men do their jobs properly and efficiently, so there is not a repeat of the shoddy workmanship displayed in the Munnings Road closure.

Why was Munnings Road closed again?

Until such time, my fellow motorist please avoid Meeting Street like the plague. You hit one of those immense “road cavities” at the right angle, all your pistons and gear box could end up in the road.

ANTI-SOCIAL SERVICE If it wasn’t bad enough, when in her capacity as Minister of Social Services, Seabreeze MP and current Minister of Youth Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle, offered up this nugget to the Nassau Guardian, in

regards to marital rape.

“In relation to marital rape, I’ve always said it is an issue that is private.”

Not to be outdone, current Minister of Social Services, and Southern Shores MP, Frankie Campbell was also in rare form this past week regarding the subject of rape.

Outside of the Churchill Building, Campbell shook his head and pushed the microphones and other recording devices of reporters away with both hands.

“Someone told me earlier this year [that] there are 12 months in the year,” said the minister, who continued to push away reporters’ recording devices even as he spoke.

“Spend the first six months by minding your own business; the next six months staying out of other people’s business and you should be fine.”

MINISTER of Social Services Frankie Campbell, who got in a tangle this week over his ministry’s responsibilities.

“Don’t ask me about rapes. Try to keep me out of other people’s lanes.”

“I like to talk about my stuff; don’t ask me…”

Campbell, as Minister of Social Services, oversees a ministry that is responsible for leading the state effort to help the most vulnerable in society and setting the policy, agenda for issues such as the advancement of persons with disabilities, gender equality and family affairs, poverty alleviation, as well as social safety net and assistance programmes.

Look like it’s your stuff to me, Frankie!

Thus the apology a day later by Campbell: “I apologise for what seemed to be insensitive as I responded to media personnel. I was merely trying to avoid what appeared to be encroaching

on another minister’s portfolio.

“I am fully aware of the duties and core functions of the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development which includes, but is not limited to, food assistance, shelter for all victims, including rape victims and victims of trafficking in persons, school and uniform assistance, the elderly, child protection, rehabilitation and persons with disabilities.”

Despite the apology, the wrong message has been sent by the Minister of Social Services once again, and sadly it might be too late for the ministry to salvage any sort of credibility with the voting populace.

I have only two words for the current (and also the former) Minister of Social Services – do better.

A MAN PAID TO BE HONEST NOW THERE’S A NOVEL IDEA

Funeral Service For Cinderella “Cindy” Kelly, 77 of Pinewood Gardens will be held at Hillview Seventh-Day Adventist Church Tonique Williams-Darling Highway Nassau, The Bahamas on Sunday, January 20, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating Pastor Paul A. Scavella Pastor Sydney Dorsett Pastor Kenny Deveaux Pastor Leonardo Rahming Pastor T. Basil Sturrup Pastor Hugh A. Roach other Ministers of Religion. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Gardens Cemetery, Soldier Road.

She leaves to rejoice in her fruitful life and will lovingly be remembered by her Husband: Thomas Eugene Kelly; Children: Emily Watkins, Kay Trott, Gregory & Eugene Pete Kelly & Algernon Jones; Sons-in-Law: Philip Watkins Jr. & Gladwyn (Tony) Trott; Daughters-in-Law: Cherie & Katherine Kelly; Sisters: Laura Forbes, Genetta Ferguson, Esther Rahming and Brenda Rolle; Brothers: Norris & Lennis Rahming; Brothers- in-Law: Ross Forbes, Perry Ferguson, Albert Rolle & Harry Kelly; Sisters-inLaw: Helen, Emerald, Curline, & Mary Rahming, Sylvia Charlton, Eulie & Sharon Kelly; Grandchildren: Rinaldo St. Cyr Jr, Phileah Watkins, Nikki Wilson, Tiffany Kelly-Walker, Ashley, Destiny, Devaughn, Chevonne & Alexys Kelly, Kalaina and Kellie Trott, Khalia & Algeron Jones; Great Grandchildren: Anthony Kelly, Milan Barclay, & Skylah Trott-Amos; Great-Great Grandchild: Jackson Kelly; Nieces & Nephews and Spouses: Cynthia Rolle, Peter & Angela Rolle, Ralph & Dorette Rolle, Richard & Orlette Rolle, Norman & Koran Rolle, Lemuel & Heather Rolle, Stephanie & Anthony Bodie, Hazely & Wellington Blatch, Valerie & Anthony Poitier, Jaqueline & Nero Russell, Terry & Khaleelah Rolle, Terecita Jules and Gardell & Sharon Rolle, Josette Forbes, Jennifer & Earl Roberts, Deborah Robinson and Trevor Forbes, Michelle & Keith Stubbs, Anton Rahming, Ansel & Vernessa Rahming, Alcott & Sonia Rahming, Randolph & Zeranique Rahming, Keith & Cindy Turnquest, Kevin & Edith Turnquest, Donald Brennen and Donnalee Bethell, Kelphine, Jason, Andre, Ricky, Quintin & Tamika Rahming, Karen, Christine, Dwayne Rahming, O’Neil and Val Rahming, Melissa, Brian & Okell Rahming and Da’Shae Rolle, Edith Young, Cheryl Darceuil, Sterling Thompson, Eula Hamilton, Sandra Price, Anthony Price, David Bullard, Vern, Shelly & Michael Kelly, Colburn, Kimberly, Lynn, Arnold Jr. and Wendell Kelly, Lydia Goynes, Shaunda & Gabriel Pringle and Cherita & Karlen Symmonett; Best Friend/Adopted Sister: Ivy Humes; Godchildren: Lillian Lloyd, Lennia Taylor & Katie & Kaithlyn Blatch; Cousins: Catherine Roker & Family, The Families of Isadora & Livingstone Penn, Henry Bullard & Family, James & Robert Bullard & their Families, Wilfred Taylor & Family, Olgarene Clarke & Family, Coralyn, Corrine & Eugene Taylor & their Families, Edward and Caroline McKenzie & Family, Christine, Philip, & Nathaniel Adams, Dorothy Brisco & Bertram Sands, Barbara McCartney & Family, Derrington Rahming & Family, Olive Rahming-Burrell & Family, Andrew & Maureen Gilbert & Family, Caroline & Terry Milton, Catherine Johnson, Loretta Williams, Vera Farrington, Annie Curtis, Mozena Sands, Runez Major, Mebra Evans, Melba Gibson, Jason & Eldridge Edgecombe and their Families, Ettamae McKenzie & Family and Christopher Pennerman & Family; Other relatives & friends too numerous to mention.

Relatives and friends may pay their last respect at Evergreen Mortuary, Collins Avenue & 5th Terrace, Centreville on Friday from 10:00a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and again at the church on Sunday from 10:00a.m. until service time.

AFTER former Royal Bahamas Police Force Assistant Commissioner Paul Thompson recommended “honest officers” be paid bonuses for turning down bribes, readers gave their reactions on tribune242.com.

CatIslandBoy had this to say: “I’m certain that Mr

Thompson is sincere in his suggestion to help root out corruption, but don’t we already offer the officers a

TEMPLE CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

ENTRANCE EXAMINATION 2019-2020 Temple Christian High School will hold its Entrance Examination on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at the school on Shirley Street from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon for students wishing to enter grades 7, 8, 9 and 10.

Application forms are available at the High School Office. The application fee is twentyfive dollars ($25.00). Application forms should be completed and returned to the school by Friday, January 18, 2019.

For further information, please call telephone number: 394-4481/394-4484.

reward for their integrity?

It is called a salary.”

Watcher asked: “But surely the dishonest officers would (being dishonest) claim that they are honest?”

TigerB posted this comment: “I disagree with him . . . the watchword for police officers is Courage, Integrity and Loyalty, that is the code they should live by – when they do it is to be accepted as the norm for a police officer.”

Gotoutintime said: “A novel idea – A man paid to be honest – Man, times have changed!”

Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest said that while there may be “some initial contraction” as the Bahamian financial services sector adjusts to its new regulatory regime, it will ultimately “come back stronger”.

That prompted this response from ThisIsOurs: “We started bleeding accounts in the offshore industry after the 2008 financial crash and it’s never stopped, why he believes we’re going to ‘rebound’ quickly from another nail in the coffin, only God one knows.”

There was this comment from BahamaPundit: “The key is sovereignty. The Bahamas has completely lost its sovereignty with financial services. Unless and until it can regain its sovereignty, its brand is dirt in the international market.

Financial services look for either small regimes with strong sovereignty or colonies attached to powerful countries, such as Cayman.

The Bahamas is now piggy in the middle, and ‘lukewarm’ is never a strong selling point.”

And after an anonymous international donor gave more than $168,000 to five Bahamian charities, DDK said: “An uplifting report. I believe the donor chose her charities well.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 18, 2019, PAGE 9

Grand Lucayan workers will get what they deserve - PM

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday addressed the Grand Lucayan severance pay dispute, saying his administration is “law-abiding” and will ensure those employees who are eligible will receive what they are entitled to.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 2019 Bahamas Business Outlook forum, Dr Minnis also admitted he has not been directly involved in the matter.

When asked about a possible meeting with Trade Union Congress President Obie Ferguson regarding the payout for Grand Lucayan managers, Dr Minnis replied: “With respect to (the) Our Lucaya (as the hotel was formerly known) payout, the laws are there. We will follow the laws.

What individuals are entitled to, we will ensure that they receive their entitlements. We are a lawabiding government.”

When pressed on whether he will meet with Mr Ferguson regarding the matter, the prime minister told the press his representatives know their responsibilities.

“I have not been dealing with that matter personally. But those who represent me know that they’re supposed to follow the laws.”

The Grand Lucayan resort and its management union have an ongoing dispute over the value of voluntary separation packages.

Two hundred and twentyseven workers — 90 mangers and 137 line staff— have applied for voluntary separation packages (VSEPs).

Last month Mr Ferguson, who is acting for the Bahamas Hotel Managerial Association (BHMA) in its negotiations with the hotel’s government-appointed board, said different legal interpretations may have contributed to the divide between the two sides over

THE GRAND Lucayan resort. how much is due to middle management staff wishing to exit.

He also said the Grand Lucayan is “hell bent” on using the wrong formula to calculate staff operation packages for middle managers.

Warning that the union will not compromise on this issue, the

TUC president said it had nevertheless made concessions in other areas that had slashed the value of its compensation demands by more than $1m.

Mr Ferguson said this had cut the total value of the BHMA’s desired package from an initial $5.4m to “roughly about $4m”,

with the association also willing to work out a deal for essential workers who wanted to leave to stay on temporarily so that the Grand Lucayan was “not left high and dry” on guest service.

However, Michael Scott has argued that the BHMA was feigning reasonableness” by suggesting

it had reduced its VSEP payout demands by $1m when its opening $5.4m offer was “absurd from inception”.

Mr Scott is chairman of Lucayan Renewal Holdings, the government-owned special purpose vehicle (SPV) that controls the resort until a buyer is found.

PAGE 10, Friday, January 18, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Why slavery in America is back in the headlines

By Daina Ramey Berry, University of Texas at Austin

hoaxes and poor scholarship I caution my students against.

PEOPLE think they know everything about slavery in the United States, but they don’t. They think the majority of African slaves came to the American colonies, but they didn’t. They talk about 400 years of slavery, but it wasn’t. They claim all Southerners owned slaves, but they didn’t. Some argue it was a long time ago, but it wasn’t.

Slavery has been in the news a lot lately. Perhaps it’s because of the increase in human trafficking on American soil or the headlines about income inequality, the mass incarceration of African Americans or discussions about reparations to the descendants of slaves. Several publications have fuelled these conversations and, as a scholar of slavery at the University of Texas at Austin, I welcome the public debates and connections the American people are making with history. However, there are still many misconceptions about slavery.

I’ve spent my career dispelling myths about “the peculiar institution.” The goal in my courses is not to victimise one group and celebrate another. Instead, we trace the history of slavery in all its forms to make sense of the origins of wealth inequality and the roots of discrimination today. The history of slavery provides deep context to contemporary conversations and counters the distorted facts, internet

Four slavery

myths

about

Myth One: The majority of African captives came to what became the United States.

Truth: Only 380,000 or 4-6% came to the United States. The majority of enslaved Africans went to Brazil, followed by the Caribbean. A significant number of enslaved Africans arrived in the American colonies by way of the Caribbean where they were “seasoned” and mentored into slave life. They spent months or years recovering from the harsh realities of the Middle Passage. Once they were forcibly accustomed to slave labour, many were then brought to plantations on American soil.

Myth Two: Slavery lasted for 400 years.

Popular culture is rich with references to 400 years of oppression. There seems to be confusion between the Transatlantic Slave Trade (1440-1888) and the institution of slavery, confusion only reinforced by the Bible, Genesis 15:13: “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there.’

“Listen to Lupe Fiasco just one Hip Hop artist to refer to the 400 years - in his 2011 imagining of America

without slavery, “All Black Everything”: “You would never know If you could ever be If you never try You would never see Stayed in Africa We ain’t never leave So there were no slaves in our history Were no slave ships, were no misery, call me crazy, or isn’t he See I fell asleep and I had a dream, it was all black everything [Verse 1] Uh, and we ain’t get exploited White man ain’t feared so he did not destroy it

We ain’t work for free, see they had to employ it Built it up together so we equally appointed First 400 years, see we actually enjoyed it” Truth: Slavery was not unique to the United States; it is a part of almost every nation’s history from Greek and Roman civilizations to contemporary forms of human trafficking. The American part of the story lasted fewer than 400 years.

How do we calculate it?

Most historians use 1619 as a starting point: 20 Africans referred to as “servants” arrived in Jamestown, VA on a Dutch ship. It’s

GN 2166

important to note, however, that they were not the first Africans on American soil. Africans first arrived in America in the late 16th century not as slaves but as explorers together with Spanish and Portuguese explorers. One of the best known of these African “conquistadors” was Estevancio who traveled throughout the southeast from present day Florida to Texas. As far as the institution of chattel slavery - the treatment of slaves as property - in the United States, if we use 1619 as the beginning and the 1865 Thirteenth Amendment as its end then it lasted 246 years, not 400.

Myth Three: All Southerners owned slaves.

Truth: Roughly 25% of all southerners owned slaves. The fact that one quarter of the Southern population were slaveholders is still shocking to many.

This truth brings historical insight to modern conversations about the Occupy Movement, its challenge to the inequality gap and its slogan “we are the 99%.”

Take the case of Texas.

When it established statehood, the Lone Star State had a shorter period of Anglo-American chattel slavery than other Southern states – only 1845 to 1865 – because Spain and Mexico had occupied the region for almost one half of the 19th century with policies that either abolished or limited slavery. Still, the number of people impacted by wealth and income inequality is staggering. By 1860, the Texas enslaved population was 182,566, but slaveholders represented 27% of the population, controlled 68% of the government positions and 73% of the wealth.

Shocking figures but today’s income gap in Texas is arguably more stark with 10% of tax filers taking home 50% of the income.

Myth Four: Slavery was a long time ago.

Truth: African-Americans have been free in this country for less time than they were enslaved. Do the math: Blacks have been free for 149 years which means that most Americans are two to three generations removed from slavery.

However, former slaveholding families have built their legacies on the institution and generated wealth that African-Americans have not been privy to because enslaved labor was forced; segregation maintained wealth disparities; and overt and covert discrimination limited African-American recovery efforts.

The value of slaves Economists and historians have examined detailed aspects of the enslaved experience for as long as slavery existed. Recent publications related to slavery and capitalism explore economic aspects of cotton production and offer commentary on the amount

of wealth generated from enslaved labor.

My own work enters this conversation looking at the value of individual slaves and the ways enslaved people responded to being treated as a commodity. They were bought and sold just like we sell cars and cattle today.

They were gifted, deeded and mortgaged the same way we sell houses today.

They were itemized and insured the same way we manage our assets and protect our valuables.

Enslaved people were valued at every stage of their lives, from before birth until after death. Slaveholders examined women for their fertility and projected the value of their “future increase.” As they grew up, enslavers assessed their value through a rating system that quantified their work. An “A1 Prime hand” represented one term used for a “first rate” slave who could do the most work in a given day. Their values decreased on a quarter scale from three-fourths hands to one-fourth hands, to a rate of zero, which was typically reserved for elderly or differently abled bondpeople (another term for slaves.)

Guy and Andrew, two prime males sold at the largest auction in US History in 1859, commanded different prices. Although similar in “all marketable points in size, age, and skill,” Guy commanded $1280 while Andrew sold for $1040 because “he had lost his right eye.” A reporter from the New York Tribune noted “that the market value of the right eye in the Southern country is $240.”

Enslaved bodies were reduced to monetary values assessed from year to year and sometimes from month to month for their entire lifespan and beyond. By today’s standards, Andrew and Guy would be worth about $33,000-$40,000.

Slavery was an extremely diverse economic institution; one that extrapolated unpaid labor out of people in a variety of settings from small single crop farms and plantations to urban universities. This diversity is also reflected in their prices.

Enslaved people understood they were treated as commodities.

“I was sold away from mammy at three years old,” recalled Harriett Hill of Georgia. “I remembers it!

It lack selling a calf from the cow,” she shared in a 1930s interview with the Works Progress Administration. “We are human beings” she told her interviewer. Those in bondage understood their status.

Even though Harriet Hill “was too little to remember her price when she was three, she recalled being sold for $1400 at age 9 or 10, “I never could forget it.”

Slavery is part and parcel of American popular culture but for more than 30 years the television mini-series Roots was the primary visual representation of the institution except for a handful of independent (and not widely known) films such as Haile Gerima’s Sankofa or the Brazilian Quilombo.

Today Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave is a box office success, actress Azia Mira Dungey has a popular web series called Ask a Slave, and in Cash Crop sculptor Stephen Hayes compares the slave ships of the 18th century with third world sweatshops.

From the serious - PBS’s award-winning Many Rivers to Cross - and the interactive Slave Dwelling Project- whereby school aged children spend the night in slave cabins - to the comic at Saturday Night Live, slavery is today front and centre.

The elephant that sits at the center of our history is coming into focus. American slavery happened — we are still living with its consequences. theconversation.com

THE TRIBUNE

A WARM WELCOME FOR AN UNEXPECTED GUEST

Friday, January 18, 2019, PAGE 11

THE MS Oriana at sea.

THE MS Oriana made an unscheduled visit to Freeport with over 1,700 passengers yesterday as part of a 35-night Caribbean and Central American cruise.

A welcome reception and plaque exchange was held on board the ship at Freeport Harbour, with officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Freeport Harbour, Departments of Customs and Immigration and Freeport Ship Services.

Captain Alan Hawkins said that 1,750 passengers and a crew of 750 are on board on the ship, which departed from its first stop in Bermuda.

He said they are pleased to be in Freeport enjoying the good weather.

“The weather is fantastic and the winds are light which is good,” he said.

“We are on a 35-night Caribbean and Central American cruise and we come across the UK and stopped in Hamilton, Bermuda, which was our first stop and the second stop is Freeport. So this is the start of our Caribbean adventure,” Capt Hawkins said.

The ship will visit 12 ports before returning to Hamilton. After leaving Freeport, it will sail to Cozumel, Puerto Limon, Roatan, the Panama Canal, Curacao, Grenada, Barbados, Antigua, St Marteen and back across to South Hamilton.

Capt Hawkins said the ship will return to Freeport in March.

Charles Rolle, operations manager at Freeport Harbour, said representatives from the group are delighted to have additional cruise calls at the harbour.

“It augurs well not just for Grand

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Bahama, but the vendors, tenants, and all the merchants and wider community benefit. We are always welcoming and we remain open to these unscheduled calls,” he said.

Mr Rolle expects Freeport Harbour to be busy for the first few months of the year.

“Cruise arrivals at the port for the first few months are going to be robust and positive and we expect to have some increase, and we hope they pan out,” he said.

Nuvolari Chotoosingh, manager of niche markets and maritime at the Ministry of Tourism, said that unscheduled visits mean additional business for the island.

“Anytime we get an unscheduled call it is great for us – it’s extra business for the island. All the stores, bars, restaurants have an opportunity to make funds they would not have made. So we thank Freeport Harbour for accommodating the Oriana,” he said.

When asked about current tourism numbers for Grand Bahama, Mr Chotoosingh said that it was too early as figures would be available at the end of the month.

“It is very early in the year so we do not have quite a handle on those as yet.

But as you can see we have not only government representatives here such as (representatives from Departments of) Customs, Immigration, Ministry of Tourism, but also private sector partners such as Freeport Ship Services, and Freeport Harbour, and we are pulling together to make this a wonderful experience for the Oriana,” he said.

REPRESENTATIVES from Freeport Ship Services presenting a plaque to captain at a welcome reception on board the ship.

CHARLES Rolle of Freeport Harbour presents Capt Alan Hawkins of MS Oriana with a welcome plaque during the ship’s visit to Freeport on Thursday.

PAGE 12, Friday, January 18, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Trump cancels Pelosi trip over shutdown WASHINGTON Associated Press THE shutdown battle between President Donald Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is playing out as a surreal game of constitutional brinkmanship, with both flexing their political powers from opposite ends of Pennsylvania Avenue as the negotiations to end the monthlong partial government shutdown remain stalled.

In dramatic fashion, Trump issued a letter to Pelosi yesterday, just before she and other lawmakers were set to depart on the previously undisclosed trip to Afghanistan and Brussels. Trump belittled the trip as a “public relations event” — even though he had just made a similar warzone stop — and said it would be best if Pelosi remained in Washington to negotiate to reopen the government.

“Obviously, if you would like to make your journey by flying commercial, that would certainly be your prerogative,” wrote Trump, who had been smarting since Pelosi, the day before, called on him to postpone his Jan. 29 State of the Union address due to the shutdown.

Denying military aircraft to a

PRESIDENT TRUMP senior lawmaker — let alone the speaker, who is second in line to the White House, traveling to a combat region — is very rare. Lawmakers were caught off guard. A bus to ferry the legislators to their departure idled outside the Capitol on Thursday afternoon.

The political tit-for-tat between Trump and Pelosi laid bare how the government-wide crisis has devolved into an intensely pointed clash between two leaders both determined to prevail. It took place as hundreds of thousands of federal workers go without pay and Washington’s routine protocols — a president’s speech to Congress, a

lawmaker’s official trip — became collateral damage.

Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said the speaker planned to travel to Afghanistan and Brussels to thank service members and obtain briefings on national security and intelligence “from those on the front lines.” He noted Trump had traveled to Iraq during the shutdown and said a Republican-led congressional trip also had taken place.

Trump’s move was the latest example of his extraordinary willingness to tether U.S. government resources to his political needs.

He has publicly urged the Justice Department to investigate political opponents and threatened to cut disaster aid to Puerto Rico amid a spat with the island territory’s leaders.

Some Republicans expressed frustration.

Sen. Lindsey Graham tweeted, “One sophomoric response does not deserve another.” He called Pelosi’s State of the Union move “very irresponsible and blatantly political” but said Trump’s reaction was “also inappropriate.”

While there were few signs of progress Thursday, Vice President Mike Pence and senior adviser

Jared Kushner dashed to the Capitol late in the day for a meeting with Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. And the State Department instructed all U.S. diplomats in Washington and elsewhere to return to work next week with pay, saying it had found money for their salaries at least temporarily.

For security reasons, Pelosi would normally make such a trip on a military aircraft supplied by the Pentagon. According to a defense official, Pelosi did request Defense Department support for overseas travel and it was initially approved. The official wasn’t authorized to speak by name about the matter, so spoke on condition of anonymity.

The official said the president does have the authority to cancel the use of military aircraft.

Rep. Adam Schiff of California slammed Trump for revealing the closely held travel plans. “I think the president’s decision to disclose a trip the speaker’s making to a war zone was completely and utterly irresponsible in every way,” Schiff said.

Trump’s trip to Iraq after Christmas was not disclosed in advance for security reasons.

FEDERAL WORKERS CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT Associated Press THOUSANDS of federal employees and their families are applying for unemployment and food stamps to get by as the longest government shutdown in U.S. history drags on with no end in sight. But for some of them, it has been an exercise in confusion and frustration.

Others, meanwhile, are hesitant to apply, knowing they will have to pay back the unemployment benefits when they finally return to work.

The U.S. Labor Department on Thursday reported that the number of furloughed federal employees seeking unemployment benefits has jumped, from fewer than a thousand per week before the shutdown to more than 10,000 during the week that ended Jan. 5.

The nearly 4-week-old stalemate over President Donald Trump’s demand for funding for a border wall affects about 800,000 employees. When it started, roughly 420,000 were told to work without being paid, and 380,000 others were sent home with no pay.

Prince Philip, 97, ‘conscious but very shocked and shaken’ after car crash LONDON Associated Press BRITAIN’S Prince Philip is ‘conscious but very shocked and shaken’ after a car crash near his Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Buckingham Palace said the 97-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth has been in a two-car accident yesterday afternoon but wasn’t injured.

The Duke of Edinburgh was driving one of the cars and had a passenger. The accident happened as the prince drove a Land Rover out of a driveway onto the A149 shortly before 3pm.

The other car involved was a Kia. Two women in it needed hospital treatment - they have since been discharged.

Eyewitnesses said the duke’s Land Rover overturned during the collision. They said they helped the duke out of the vehicle. He was conscious but very, very shocked and shaken, they added.

A woman who drove past the crash scene said she saw an ambulance and a heavy police presence. “I was just going down the A149 … and saw a lot of blue flashing lights ahead,” she said. “I saw a black, 4x4 type car on its side and me and my son were like ‘oh my word, that doesn’t look good’.

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10 DEAD IN CAR BOMBING AT POLICE ACADEMY IN COLOMBIAN CAPITAL

BOGOTA Associated Press

A CAR bomb exploded at a heavily guarded police academy in Colombia’s capital yesterday, killing 10 people and injuring dozens in an attack that recalled the bloodiest chapters of the country’s drug-fueled guerrilla conflict.

The scene outside the General Santander police academy in southern Bogota was chaotic in the aftermath of the midmorning attack, the biggest against a police or military facility in Bogota in years.

Videos circulating on social media show panicked officers hauling injured colleagues on stretchers with debris and body parts strewn in front of red tile-roofed cadet barracks. In the distance, the skeletal steel remains of the truck used in the attack can be seen still burning while approaching ambulances blare.

President Ivan Duque rushed back to the capital with his top military advisers from a visit to a western state to oversee the police investigation, which points to a possible suicide bombing - something unprecedented in decades of political violence in the Andean nation.

EMERGENCY personnel respond to the scene of a deadly car bombing at a police academy in Bogota Chief Prosecutor Nestor Martinez said a 56-yearold man named Jose Aldemar Rojas, driving a 1993 Nissan pick-up loaded with 80 kilograms (175 pounds) of pentolite, carried out the attack. He said the car had its last official mechanical revision some six months ago in the eastern state of Arauca, along the border with Venezuela.

“This is an attack not only against the young, the security forces or the police.

It’s an attack against society,” Duque said in a brief statement after surveying the blast scene. “This demented terrorist act will not go unpunished.”

The defence ministry said

10 people were killed and another 66 injured. Among the dead were a Panamanian and an Ecuadorian national.

Rafael Trujillo said he was delivering a care package to his son Gerson, who entered the school just two days ago, when he was stopped in his tracks by the blast that destroyed windows in apartment buildings as far as four blocks away.

“I’m sad and very worried because I don’t have any information about my son,” said Trujillo, standing outside the facility, where police officers had set up a taped perimeter as forensic specialists surveyed the blast site.