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VOLUME:118 No.37, JANUARY 18, 2021

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INSIGHT: SYSTEM DOESN’T WORK AND NEEDS TORN UP PAGES

BORROWERS FACE CREDIT RATE BLOW

New agency will have serious impact on 30% of consumers with loans

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net UP TO 30 percent of Bahamian borrowers will struggle to obtain loans due to the imminent arrival of the nation’s first-ever credit bureau, a top banker is warning.

Kenrick Brathwaite, the Clearing Banks Association’s chairman, told Tribune Business that close to one-third could find their ability to access new credit is curtailed because past failures to disclose existing debts will come back to haunt them.

For the credit bureau, which Central Bank governor John Rolle said will begin to issue its first

reports by the start of 2021’s second quarter, will be able to provide all commercial banks and other lenders with a complete picture of a potential borrower’s history - including whether they already have too much debt, and if they have defaulted on previous loans.

Alerting Bahamians that they will no longer be able to bounce from one bank to the next, hiding histories of missed payments as they go, Mr Brathwaite said the credit bureau would enable the industry to escape “operating in dangerous waters” where it does not possess a complete picture of a loan applicant’s

‘WHY SILENCE ON DAMAGE TO SEABEDS?’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

MONTHS after officials confirmed there was damage to the seabed near Berry Islands allegedly caused by cruise ships sheltering in Bahamian waters, an activist has expressed “frustration” that the government has seemingly gone silent over the matter.

In early September, a joint statement from Minister of Agriculture Michael Pintard and Minister of the Environment Romauld Ferreira, said an initial dive, while limited in scope, showed “significant damage” to the marine environment caused by ships’ anchors.

SEE PAGE FIVE

WOMAN DIES IN ABACO ROAD SMASH

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

A THREE-CAR collision on the island of Abaco left one woman dead while three others were airlifted to New Providence for treatment.

The accident has prompted Island Administrator Terece Bootle-Laing to urge residents to use the “abundance of caution and slow down”.

The accident took place on Friday at S C Bootle Highway.

SEE PAGE TWO

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

SYSTEM IN PLACE TO COPE WITH NEW US TEST POLICY

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

TOURISM Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar yesterday expressed confidence that The Bahamas has a sound regime in place to satisfy an impending policy change requiring all air passengers entering the United States to have a negative COVID-19 test.

In the meantime, Bahamian officials continue to

HO&USE

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

await word on whether the US will introduce exemptions for this country from the new COVID-19 testing policy, which will come into force on January 26.

However, if the United States’ response is unfavourable, Mr D’Aguilar said there are 80 COVID19 testing sites across the country to ensure people returning to America can receive results in a timely manner.

SEE PAGE FOUR

OPERATION ROLLOUT THE OFFICE of the Prime Minister reports that the National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee is working to finalise a plan to distribute vaccines.

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

ANYONE who receives a COVID-19 vaccine once they become available in the country will receive a certificate that “may be associated with travel in the future,” which is a “potential requirement being discussed internationally,” the Office of the Prime Minister said last night.

In a press release, OPM

also said the National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee is currently working to finalise an operational plan to distribute coronavirus vaccines to eligible residents in the shortest possible time across the country.

Vaccinators are currently being recruited, who will be among the first to receive the jab once the drugs are available in the country.

As the government prepares for the arrival of World Health Organisation

approved vaccines, baseline surveys have already been carried out among healthcare workers and the general public, OPM added.

“The results are helping to inform the phased distribution of COVID-19 vaccines,” OPM said.

“Information on vaccine safety and the national plan will be shared with the public in regular communications across multiple platforms.

SEE PAGE FOUR

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

‘GOVT CUTS TO STRANGLE THE ECONOMY’

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Deputy Leader Chester Cooper criticised government’s decision to reduce spending on capital works projects on several Family Islands, saying the move will “strangle” the economy as the country tries to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a press conference at the PLP’s headquarters Friday, Mr Cooper expressed disappointment with the Minnis administration’s response to the crisis, accusing officials of having no clear plan or strategy on the way forward.

The Exuma and Ragged Island MP was responding SEE PAGE THREE

PAGE 2, Monday, January 18, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Woman dies in Abaco road smash from page one

Officers were called to the scene after 9pm. According to reports, a Honda Fit and a Honda Accord were involved in a head-on crash which resulted in a collision with a third vehicle – a second Honda Accord.

A woman who was a passenger in the Honda Fit is believed to have died at the scene – she was later pronounced dead by a doctor at the Marsh Harbour Clinic. The man who was

driving that vehicle sustained serious injuries and was also taken to the clinic and later airlifted to New Providence.

The two people in the first Honda Accord also suffered serious injuries.

They were airlifted to New Providence for further medical attention.

In the second Honda Accord, the front seat passenger received nonlife-threatening injuries and was taken to the Marsh Harbour Clinic. The driver remained on the scene and

is assisting police.

The deceased victim’s identity was not released up to press time.

Ms Bootle-Laing said: “In a normal circumstance Abaco usually has traffic fatalities because it’s a long road and persons have to commute from distant settlements into Marsh Harbour, but the frequency of these accidents is reason for concern and we are asking motorists to please be careful.

“We know that lighting on the street is limited following Hurricane Dorian,

not to mention the road itself is not the best quality because of the damage caused by Hurricane Dorian. And, so you have to exercise an abundance of caution and slow down while commuting on the streets of Abaco because of all the issues mentioned.”

The island administrator also said motorists have been speeding in order to get home before the nightly curfew of 10pm.

“We are seeing that persons are even trying to beat the curfew time and rushing

against the clock. So, we are asking them to slow down, their lives are more important. We can resolve road issues and we can have better lighting on the streets eventually, because the poles are going up, but we can’t replace their lives.”

Officers from Grand Bahama’s Traffic Division are en route to Abaco to assist in the investigation of this accident.

In December, a man died after a car accident in the area of the SC Bootle Highway just east of the little

Abaco Bridge.

The accident involved a 2000 T-Rex Queen Truck driven by a male driver.

“The driver apparently lost control of the vehicle that overturned and was ejected from the vehicle,” police reported at the time.

“He was later pronounced dead by doctors at the Marsh Harbour Clinic.”

Earlier this month, Grand Bahama police launched a traffic initiative on that island as well as Abaco and Bimini to hopefully reduce accidents and road deaths.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 18, 2021, PAGE 3

‘GOVT CUTS TO STRANGLE THE ECONOMY’ from page one

due to COVID’s impact.

“This came also as a surprise given that the prime minister had touted these projects as a part of his economic recovery plan to get the economy going again. This has happened over a period of weeks and months and most recently in Exuma three weeks ago when we opened another infrastructure project,” he told reporters Friday.

“I should point out that the funding for this project had been arranged in January 2017 under the Christie administration. This is why this was most concerning given that we anticipated that groundbreaking would be happening rather than an announcement of delay.

It (also) speaks to a lack of plan by the Minnis administration and we’ve spoken often about the ad hoc seatof-the-pants type of style of this prime minister, now minister of finance.”

The MP said while the PLP understands that tough times sometimes calls for tough measures, the government must still ensure

that its decisions are well thought out and strategic, especially in this current COVID climate.

In islands like Exuma and North Eleuthera where there is much tourism activity happening, the deputy leader added that the government should’ve used the opportunity to directly invest in those islands instead of seeking to do the actual opposite.

“Cuts in capital expenditure only serve to strangle the economy, especially when it comes to critical infrastructure like the airport at Exuma and North Eleuthera in particular,” he said. “…You would be well aware that Exuma and North Eleuthera are significant hubs and a significant part of the tourism product. You would also be aware that over the holiday season, these airports were buzzing with private jets in particular, high end tourists and they are really the spark that can drive tourism and the economy.”

“So, a wise and strategic

plan would spend in areas that can generate revenue and inspire economic growth for the economy and not cut as this would be the case in both Exuma and North Eleuthera.”

Mr Cooper said part of the reason why the country faces so many economic woes today is due to bad decision making by the government, pointing to the government’s recent purchase of the Grand Lucayan resort as an example.

“The reality today is that we’re spending additional funds on the hotel in Grand Bahama without any meaningful structure plan to restore tourism on the island,” he said “So, we spend some 150 million dollars on the Grand Lucayan resort against better advice from professionals in the opposition and then we cut spending that’s already been funded, plans already put in place, we cut those spending in places like Exuma and North Eleuthera, places that have the potential of really helping to drive the

economy and drive the recovery.”

He continued: “So, we are alarmed, we are concerned, the people of Exuma in particular are very disappointed given that these plans have been in place for four years, the funding has been provided by the Christie administration four years ago arranged with the IDB and it’s only left for the ground breaking to happen.”

“The prime minister said himself that the bids had gone to the IDB only a few weeks ago and only required approval. So, the prime minister, the minister of finance must be truthful in his utterances. This will help to inspire confidences and trust in the economy and help to speed up the economic recovery.”

Mr Cooper was also critical of Dr Minnis’ announcement of his government’s intention to implement a Sovereign Wealth Fund, saying the move shows the government is looking for political “campaign points”.

The fund, according to

A LONG road of recovery and rebuilding is ahead for communities in Abaco and Grand Bahama, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said at the handover ceremony of ‘Bahama House’ to Blackwood resident Esther Ann Cornish Laing.

Mrs Laing lost her home in September 2019 during the Category 5 Hurricane Dorian.

The home was donated by the Beck Foundation, the charitable arm of the Beck Group Ltd, which is led by Bahamian CEO Fred Perpall.

At the event in Abaco, Dr Minnis said $11m has been spent and hundreds of homeowners assisted so far under the Disaster Reconstruction Authority’s (DRA) Small Home Repairs Programme for Grand Bahama and Abaco residents impacted by Hurricane Dorian.

Dr Minnis said the government is grateful for the generous assistance of the

private sector and nonprofits as the two islands continue to rebuild.

“Such generosity is a part of a much broader and larger home rebuilding and housing programme funded and led by the government of The Bahamas,” said Dr Minnis.

Working with various partners, the DRA has provided 150 temporary housing domes on Abaco and the Cays, and 20 homes for families at Sweeting’s Cay and East Grand Bahama, noted the Prime Minister.

Two 60-acre sites in Spring City and Wilson City, Abaco have been identified for permanent housing, and through a public-private partnership with the Discovery Land Company, 46 homes are being developed and will be gifted to 46 families, he added.

The government is also committed to repairing and providing logistical support to 250 homes in Cooper’s Town,

Blackwood and Fire Road, Abaco, he said.

“We still have a long road ahead. But along this road of rebuilding and recovery will be newly restored and new homes for Bahamians,” said Dr Minnis.

The Beck Foundation has been involved in restoration efforts in Abaco for some time, beginning just days after Hurricane Dorian. To date, the foundation has donated food, clothing, 40 generators, portable water supplies and other perishable goods.

The home turned over to Mrs Laing is a custom design specifically for The Bahamas and frequent hurricanes, said the Prime Minister. It is also designed to reflect the best elements of Bahamian architecture.

“This home was built for resilience as we continue to rebuild Abaco and parts of Grand Bahama in the midst of the great challenge of climate change,” said Dr Minnis.

The 1,250 sq ft home has been wind tested to withstand a Category 5 hurricane. It was built by the Beck Group in Dallas, Texas at Factory Blue and then transported from the US to Marsh Harbour.

The house was installed in Blackwood by SAGOMA Construction.

The total value of the house, including furnishing, fixtures and equipment is approximately $180,000.

“Bahama House represents the quality and kinds of corporate and non-profit partnerships which are helping to redevelop and to revitalise Abaco after the worst natural disaster in Bahamian history,” said Dr Minnis.

“As I noted in the immediate aftermath of Dorian, the unprecedented nature and magnitude of the Hurricane required public/ private collaboration and partnerships between The Bahamas and other governments and international agencies.”

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis with Esther Laing, who lost her home in Hurricane Dorian.

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

for instance if BPC were to find commercial quantities of oil from its exploratory well ‘Perseverance 1’ and thereafter bring that oil into production, would provide exactly the kind of excess cash the Prime Minister envisages to be paid into a Sovereign Wealth Fund.”

BPC said establishing such a fund would bring The Bahamas in line with similar funds maintained by other countries to enable accumulation of wealth for the national benefit from natural resources.

Mr Potter said: “Once established, such a wealth fund would allow the government a much greater degree of choice than currently exists to promote and safeguard the wellbeing of all Bahamians.

Choices, for example, to pay down the national debt, or to invest in infrastructure and services that better the lives of its citizens; the possibilities are many.”

The company’s statement said that its management and professional teams have worked in countries or states that have benefited significantly from the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund such as Norway, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Alaska and East Timor.

BPC says these countries have successfully maintained Sovereign Wealth Funds created from the surplus income generated from oil and gas wealth and derived along-side buoyant and lucrative tourism income.

Mr Potter said: “Set aside in this manner as a form of ‘national savings,’ future income from a Sovereign Wealth Fund can directly benefit not only this generation but future generations through, as in other nations, an annual dividend payment to all citizens, infrastructure development,

educational and vocational subsidies and the like. One of the world’s most wellknown Sovereign Wealth Funds is that of Norway, which has seen tremendous wealth accumulated for the benefit of all Norwegians, as that country’s oil and gas resources have been successfully and safely developed over the past five decades.”

Despite fierce opposition from local and international activists, last month BPC began drilling an

exploratory oil well in Bahamian waters.

In a letter to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and Environment Minister Romauld Ferreira, 17 members of the United States Congress asked that the government prevent the company from carrying out the oil exploration.

Dr Minnis has said the government cannot back out of the deal first agreed to by the Christie administration, suggesting it is iron clad, even though he does

to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ announcement of his administrations intentions to reduce expenditure on several key projects throughout the Family Islands.

These projects include site works at the Exuma International Airport; the Long Island International Airport at Deadman’s Cay; the North Eleuthera International Airport and upgrades to the Leonard Thompson International Airport at Marsh Harbour.

In a bid to finance repairs to the critical infrastructural projects, the prime minister said officials will be looking at different creative alternatives such as publicprivate partnership (PPP) programmes.

Responding, Mr Cooper called the decision “concerning” and “surprising” considering the fact that Dr Minnis had recently noted the works as part of his administration’s plans to help boost the economy

MINNIS: A LONG ROAD AHEAD

Dr Minnis, will enshrine an accountable and transparent means for Bahamians to ensure that national assets are deployed and developed for the benefit of the entire country.

“The Prime Minister is looking for likes on social media,” he replied when asked about his thoughts on the matter. “This has been a plan that has been laid in the works for quite some time. There is a piece of legislation for sovereign wealth fund, passed by the Christie administration and there has to be some review.’

“We recommended in April that this be expedited and now leading into an election, the prime minister is looking for campaign points and this is one of them. We support a sovereign wealth fund.

We believe that it has significant importance and development of our country in the management of our natural resources to allow this fund to not just collect royalties, but also to aggregate the national resources of our country.”

OIL DRILLING COMPANY APPLAUDS SOVEREIGN FUND PLAN BAHAMAS Petroleum Company has endorsed Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ recent statements about implementing a Sovereign Wealth Fund, saying such a fund can assist with paying off the national debt or better the lives of Bahamians.

BPC’s CEO Simon Potter said if the company finds commercial quantities of oil, royalties from its production would “provide exactly the kind of excess cash” the nation’s leader anticipates for a Sovereign Wealth Fund.

Dr Minnis, the keynote speaker of 2021 Business Outlook, said his administration will develop a Sovereign Wealth Fund which, among other things, will enshrine an accountable and transparent means for Bahamians to ensure national assets are deployed and developed for the benefit of the entire country.

In response, Mr Potter said a Sovereign Wealth Fund has the capacity to make money for the government and diversify the economy.

He said: “Four years ago, The Bahamas passed legislation to establish the framework for a Bahamian Sovereign Wealth Fund, an initiative which BPC actively supported. The many natural resources in The Bahamas, including its potential oil resource, have the capacity to add an entirely new income stream to the government of The Bahamas, thereby diversifying the economy and significantly broadening the government’s revenue base.

“We are thus delighted with Prime Minister Minnis’ statements today indicating how the Sovereign Wealth Fund will be brought to life. Royalty payments to the government,

not support oil drilling.

A judicial review launched by activists in the

Supreme Court is underway, however the oil drilling has not been halted.

PAGE 4, Monday, January 18, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

SYSTEM IN PLACE TO COPE WITH NEW US TEST POLICY

from page one

Local officials are also exploring options to encourage visitors to adhere to the government’s antigen test requirement for those who have travelled here and are staying more than five days.

Earlier this month, Ministry of Health Senior House Officer Dr Cherita Moxey announced that 46 percent of travellers required to take the rapid antigen test five days after arriving in The Bahamas had not complied with the requirement.

The figure represents 21,000 people.

“In the event that no waiver is forthcoming, The Bahamas feels it is in a relatively good position

to fulfil this requirement because in developing our entry protocols one of the requirements was you get a five-day rapid antigen test,” the minister told The Tribune.

“As a result, I think we’ve got about 80 testing sites all over the country that were implemented in order to fulfil this requirement. So, that could conversely be used in order to fulfil the requirement to return to the United States.

“We’re looking at our visa website to see how we can get people to pre-pay for that, for them to purchase the antigen test when they are coming to The Bahamas.

“So, they buy the visa and their test for the fifth day if they are going to be here

TOTAL CASES

for five days then they can go ahead and purchase the rapid antigen test so they know that they can have that requirement fulfilled using the normal channels in place to do the five-day antigen test.”

Mr D’Aguilar conceded the new US test requirement is another impediment to travel further affecting markets around the world.

He said people needed to look no further than our own country and the RIU resort which yesterday temporarily furloughed 85 percent of its workers.

He described the situation as “damned if you do, damned if you don’t,” “In order to maintain our numbers, we have what some people may consider onerous entry

TOTAL DEATHS

8,057 175 NEWLY CONFIRMED CASES SATURDAY 18 CASES NEW PROVIDENCE 12 GRAND BAHAMA 3 ABACO 1 ELEUTHERA 1 SAN SALVADOR 1

FRIDAY

7 CASES

NEW PROVIDENCE 6 ABACO 1

THURSDAY

11 CASES

NEW PROVIDENCE 7 GRAND BAHAMA 2 ABACO 1 SAN SALVADOR 1

TOTAL TESTS

56,722

HOSPITALISED

9

CASES IN ICU

0

RECOVERED

6,680

25 NEW COVID CASES RECORDED IN LATEST OFFICIAL FIGURES TWENTY-FIVE cases of COVID-19 were recorded between Friday and Saturday bringing the nation’s total to 8,057, according to data from the Ministry of Health.

Seven of those cases were confirmed on Friday while eighteen were recorded the following day.

Eleven cases were recorded last Thursday.

As of Saturday, nine cases were in hospital, however, none of them were in the intensive care unit.

Of the more than 8,000 cases recorded, only 1,150 are listed as active according to the latest report.

There have been 175 COVID-19 deaths, with 15 currently under investigation.

Last week, a local infectious disease expert said it appears the recent holiday celebrations did not lead to an uptick of cases as officials initially expected due to the consistent low numbers of cases being reported recently.

“The numbers have been pretty consistently manageable in the high single digits or low double digits and that’s very promising and so it could be that we have followed the public guidelines very well and I

think that’s a reflection on how well persons would’ve followed the public health guidelines.

“And COVID-19 is going to be here for a while so it’s very important that we learn to consistently do those guidelines so we can live with it and keep these cases low and to a management level essentially and so that could be a sign of that and what is happened and that’s very good because the human behaviour is a very important part of what spreads COVID-19,” Dr Nikkiah Forbes said last week.

requirements. You have to get a visa, a COVID-19 test and there are other destinations out there which are easier to go to, like Mexico and Dominican Republic, which people see as easier places to visit so they are doing very robustly right now.

“I don’t think the Bahamian people are prepared to throw caution to the wind and try to compete with those countries by removing the entry requirements and face a possible spike.

“We are where we are because that is where we want to be.

“The demand given the fact that we just opened it will take a while for that to get out there given the fact that some travellers

perceive our entry requirements in comparison to other more open countries to be onerous and now you are going to throw another layer on top of that ... All of that is going to dampen demand even more.

“Even if you’re in the US and taking an international trip you now have to – even if you didn’t get a PCR test go to that country – you now have to contemplate getting a rapid antigen test to come back. Even while it is relatively easy to get that I am sure a lot of countries will swoop into action to first of all build out that infrastructure because it is not only giving the test you have to give a print out of the results.

“It is going to dampen international demand out

of the US, I feel, at the outset at least somewhat.

“So, it’s the long way of saying it will take a while for us to build back up the demand and I guess all of the hotels coming on stream at the same time – Atlantis on the 10th (of December 2020) and Baha Mar on the 17th, the Ocean Club, the Hilton, you’ve got the RIU and all of the hotels and all of these available rooms coming on stream. It’s probably created an oversupply based on the level of demand, so a lot of hotels are saying, if not shutter the hotel let’s shutter a wing or tower until it gets out there that The Bahamas is a safe place.

“We have a relatively low level of COVID-19 but we’ll always be navigating, so you are damned if

Operation Rollout from page one “Recruitment of teams of vaccinators has already started. Training will begin shortly. Vaccinators will be among the first to receive vaccines once they are available in The Bahamas.”

OPM reiterated that vaccination will be voluntary and at no cost to the public.

“The policy of the government of The Bahamas is that the decision on taking a COVID-19 vaccine will be entirely voluntary. Vaccines will be free of charge.

Vaccines will be given to adults.

“At this time, the twodose regimen, which has not been approved for people under the age of 18, has met the required standards for distribution in The Bahamas.

“It is anticipated that anyone receiving a vaccine will receive a COVID-19 vaccination certificate. The presentation of the certificate may be associated with travel in the future, a potential requirement being discussed internationally,” OPM said.

On Friday, USA Today reported that the European Union is considering “a common vaccine certificate” to help travellers get to their destinations and prevent tourism from suffering another bad year due

to the pandemic.

According to EuroNews, however, the WHO said on Friday it was opposed “for the time being” to the introduction of certificates of COVID-19 vaccination — also called “vaccine passports” — as a condition for allowing international travellers entry into other countries.

Meanwhile, the OPM has also revealed the full list of members on the National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee.

The members are Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis, committee chair; Bishop Delton Fernander, president of the Bahamas Christian Council; Dr Marcella Elliott-Ferguson, vice president of administrative services, University of The Bahamas; Stephaine Dean, public health nurse; Dr Danny Davis, consultant, Ministry of Health; Ed Fields, managing director, Nassau Downtown Redevelopment Partnership; Archdeacon Keith Cartwright, rector of St Agnes Parish; Viana Gardiner, Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit, Office of the Prime Minister; and Erica Wells Cox, director of communications, Office of the Prime Minister.

Specific sub-committees made up of additional members of the public and private sectors will also be

formed to provide for wider consultation and support where needed.

Last week, Minister of Health Renward Wells said the government had not yet decided what vaccine it was going to purchase and that it would work with the WHO and directly with pharmaceutical manufacturers to obtain the vaccines.

The government, he said, was considering the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johson vaccines.

Other island nations like the Cayman Islands and neighbouring Turks and Caicos Islands have already started vaccination campaigns starting with their healthcare professionals.

OPM’s statement said vaccines are being made available through WHO’s COVID-19 Global Access Facility (COVAX Facility).

The Bahamas has already made a down payment to secure enough doses to vaccinate 20 percent of the population through the COVAX Facility, once available.

Direct contact has already been made with vaccine providers in an effort to secure additional doses.

It is anticipated that vaccines will become available in The Bahamas by the end of the first quarter of 2021.

PLP: WE NEED TESTING PLAN

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Progressive Liberal Party’s COVID-19 task force urged government to release a structured plan that allows for more virus testing throughout the country.

The move, the task force insisted, could accommodate a new US travel policy meant to combat further COVID spread which is set to go into effect later this month.

Task force co-chair Senator Dr Michael Darville issued the call while speaking to reporters outside the PLP’s headquarters Friday as he criticised the Minnis administration for being unprepared and not having a clear plan on the way forward.

This comes after the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Tuesday that all air passengers entering the US will be required to produce a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days prior to arrival.

On Wednesday, Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar told Tribune business officials were moving to make a case to US authorities for the Bahamas “to be at the front of the queue” should the US introduce exemptions from its testing policy.

However, on Friday, Dr Darville said the government’s response to the move is a clear indication that officials were caught off guard and not prepared despite obvious signals – a situation he claimed could’ve been avoided.

“If we had a plan in place already, we would not find ourselves in the position we’re in today,” he told reporters Friday. “It’s quite

obvious that there were going to be stricter measures put in place by the United States with international travel and I felt that we should’ve had a plan in place and not scrambling to put one in place now.”

The senator also pointed to what he termed inadequacies of government’s testing regime, insisting officials needed to take responsibility for their actions and address the issues ahead of the new US policy.

“We already know that there are deficiencies for testing in the family islands.

We’ve been calling from day one for more testing to decentralise the labs and to ensure that smaller labs have the capability, particularly in our family islands, to do testing and so now you see there has been an issue in Abaco with the nurses on the sick out”.

“A lot of family islands are in a similar position with the smaller clinics. They do not have the capacity, to my understanding at this particular time, and that’s clear because many tourists who were in those islands tried to get the necessary testing and weren’t able to do so.”

He added: “It’s not that they didn’t make an attempt to do the testing on day five.

The infrastructure was not in place to do so and so yes, we hope and pray that the minister finds a way through debate or through negotiations to get a waiver but what we believe we need to do is put the infrastructure and the testing protocols on the ground now and the ministry must begin to modify its travel passport to accommodate the new CDC guidelines.”

During a press conference last Friday, health officials revealed that 46 percent of travellers

to The Bahamas did not comply with the fifth day COVID-19 antigen testing requirement.

To this, Dr Darville stressed: “You could imagine if we had a massive surge of tourists in the country during the Christmas holidays, were we prepared to do the fiveday testing and the answer to that is no and so there’s no need to beef about (it).

Admit that you’re wrong, fix it and ensure that if the government is unable to do it, get the private sector involved so that it could be done.”

Meanwhile, as it relates to the government’s COVID-19 vaccine national plans, Dr Darville said the PLP’s position on the matter has not changed and again stressed that there needed to be more transparency from the government on when a vaccine will be made available in the country.

He continued: “The prime minister in his address clearly indicated that a committee has been established. Dr (Merceline) Dahl- Regis will be heading that committee and in short order, the government will bring forth a plan on what they intend to do.”

“Our position is still the same. We’re saying to the government it’s time to be proactive. We need to move swiftly and we need to know exactly what is happening and what the government intends to do.

“We must realise that we also have a private medical community who rely heavily on what the Ministry of Health will be telling us what to do and its imperative that we know so that we can move swiftly and we can prepare ourselves for the potential roll-out.”

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 18, 2021, PAGE 5

MAN ACCUSED OF DOUBLE MURDER IN LONG ISLAND

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

THE man accused of killing two Long Island women whose bodies were discovered in shallow graves on the island last year was arraigned in the Supreme Court on Friday.

Nathan Harding appeared before Justice Bernard Turner charged with the murders of Jane Harding and Melissa Hui. During the virtual arraignment, Harding was also charged with two counts of rape and kidnapping.

The prosecution alleged Harding, who is also a Long

Island native and said to be related to both victims, intentionally caused the death of the women by unlawful means of harm between February 25 and 28, 2020.

The prosecution also said that the accused kidnapped and raped the mother and daughter sometime within

that same timeframe.

Two days after they were reported missing last February, the bodies of Hui and Harding were found in the quiet settlement of Salt Pond.

At the time, police said they discovered the bodies of the women within hours apart.

During the hearing on Friday, Harding pleaded not

guilty to all of the charges.

He will return to court on February 3 when a trial date for his case will be fixed.

Harding, who is represented by attorney Bjorn Ferguson, will remain in custody until that time.

He was first arraigned in Magistrates Court last March on the charges, but

was not required to enter a plea at the time.

During that initial court appearance, Harding’s attorney told the judge he planned to make an application for the accused to be admitted to the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre since his client had previously attempted to hurt himself.

‘Why silence on damage to seabeds?’ from page one The statement said a team was urgently putting together a comprehensive assessment to determine the extent of and quantify the value of the damage and the potential remediation costs. Steps were also being taken, the ministers said at the time, to determine gaps that existed in standard operating procedures, policies or legislation that allowed this situation to occur and engage those responsible so that they take corrective actions.

However, since the government’s initial statement, there has been little said about the matter.

The Tribune was told by a source yesterday that the Department of Environmental Planning Protection is leading a cruise ship task force looking into the matter.

Yesterday, Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) executive director, said the situation is concerning.

“I am very concerned about the continued impacts to the seafloor resulting from dozens of massive cruise ship anchors and chains on the seafloor,” Mrs McKinney-Lambert said.

“Despite numerous concerns being raised by fishermen of damage to the marine habitat that they depend on, as far as we know detailed assessments have yet to be completed.

“Hard and soft-bottom seabeds have value as habitat for marine life and massive anchors and chains dragging across the seafloor can have long term implications and cause long-term damage.”

She continued: “We are

extremely concerned. It’s not clear if there are designated anchorage areas that are properly monitored for damage but there should be oversight.

“These vessels are floating cities that currently receive little oversight when in Bahamian waters.”

Local fishermen describe the damage as equivalent to a “bulldozer” driving across the ocean floor.

Last year environmentalist Sam Duncombe said Eric Carey, executive director of the Bahamas National Trust, had received a voice note from fishermen in the Berry Islands reporting their concerns.

At the time, the fishermen said that two miles west of Little Stirrup — renamed Coco Cay, a private cruise port — there were 15-18 cruise ships anchored spaced two to three miles apart. It was

A PHOTOGRAPH of an anchor on the seabed taken by the Bahamas National Trust. also claimed the anchors were dragging along the seafloor and the ships had to be repositioned.

“The anchors are totally destroying the fishing grounds, and dragging through the coral. The chains are dragging coral and mountains of sand, ripping up the shoals and bars, totally devastating the fishing area... It looks like someone was driving a bulldozer across the seafloor,” activists alleged last year.

Later in September, major cruise line Carnival said it was unaware of any issues with its ships related to allegations of seabed and marine life damage.

In a statement to The Tribune at the time, Roger Frizzell, Carnival’s senior vice president and chief

communications officer, said while the corporation was not aware of issues in this regard, the cruise line is committed to the protection of ecological habitats.

“We are not aware of any such issue with our ships.

We file daily ship plans with The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) and closely follow our stated plans,” Mr Frizzell said.

“We do not use restricted areas.

“Our top priorities are compliance, environmental protection and the health, safety and welfare of our guests and crew members, along with the destinations we visit. We are committed to working with Bahamian officials to further the protection of ecological habitats and will continue

to cooperate fully in this effort.”

At the time, Carnival said it had10 ships in the area, but none of its vessels was in the Berry Islands’ waters.

The government has not named any cruise line as responsible for the seabed damage. Last September, a marine vessel tracking website, marinetraffic.com showed several vessels anchored near Great Harbour Cay. Several Celebrity ships were also positioned nearest to that cay, while several other Carnival ships were nearby, according to that website.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, parent company of Celebrity Cruises, also insisted its ships were in compliance.

TRIBUTES PAID TO VETERAN EDUCATOR ZELMA DEAN

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

VETERAN educator and former director of education, Zelma Dean, died on Friday morning after battling an illness for a long time. She was 84 years old.

As tributes poured in following her death, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, remembered Mrs Dean as an enthusiastic educator with an unmatched passion for improving literacy among Bahamians.

Mrs Dean served as Director of Education under a previous Ingraham administration.

Remembering her, Mr Ingraham said: “I was saddened to learn of the passing of veteran educator, Zelma Dean earlier today (Friday). I knew her by reputation even before I came

to meet her. Stern, dependable, reliable, honest and forthright are but a few of the adjectives that aptly describe this consummate servant of the Bahamas public service.

“Among my early acts on becoming prime minister in 1992 was to cause Zelma Dean to be plucked from the government-operated school system where she was serving as principal at the Government High School and to have her appointed as Director of Education.”

Mrs Dean, a career educator, hailed from the island of Rum Cay. She was known for her no-nonsense take on educating the children of The Bahamas and was dedicated to ensuring that all citizens of this country were able to read.

Mr Ingraham continued: “Mrs Dean, a wife and mother with roots in Rum

Cay, was not intimidated by the size of the undertaking nor of her unexpected promotion from high school administrator to education policy maven.

“A mathematician, she applied the exacting and measured training of that field to all her endeavours.

She was an enthusiastic educator with, I believe, an unmatched passion for improving literacy among Bahamians. It is no surprise then that the “‘Let’s Read Bahamas’ was one of her brainchildren.”

Mr Ingraham said no one was more disappointed than Mrs Dean that, notwithstanding years of dedicated service by countless committed educators, too many of the products of the government-operated school system were far below the standards of what was expected and required in a small, developing country.

TORNADO HITS JUBILEE GARDENS A TORNADO reportedly touched down in the Jubilee Gardens area, scaring some residents and leaving behind minor damage.

Residents reported that heavy winds shook homes and ripped shingles off roofs on Friday afternoon.

There were no injuries.

On Friday, weather officials said there was a quasi-stationary front across the northwest part of the country that was expected to produce some rain ahead of a cold front.

Tall Pines MP Don Saunders, who represents the area, said he and a team did a walkabout to assess the damage and assure residents they would be assisted where needed.

“We wanted to make sure (to) touch bases with them to see how we could assist them in any way,” Mr Saunders said yesterday. “We visited several homes that were damaged. We were happy to find out (there was) only minor damage — one home had minor damage to its roof and one had some damage to its fencing... and another, outside patio furniture was ripped up and torn apart.”

He said no one was physically hurt and residents

were cleaning up debris.

He said: “A lot of children were psychologically affected... but the experience for the most part reminded them of some of the tragedies they’ve had in the past with the landfill and I assured them that

just as we were successful in addressing their concerns with the landfill... that we are still going to be there for them during this period.”

He said his team will be back in the community this week to assist with minor repairs.

He also said: “She firmly believed that change was required to address the many shortcomings in education. And, she was committed to introducing change unintimidated by the fear of failure.

“Her influence was, if only tangentially, associated with many of the plans and programmes set in motion throughout the 1990s to improve academic achievement.

“Among such initiatives were those creating an education programme for single student mothers and another for troubled male students. She was instrumental to programmes to increase the number of teachers in the system, to improve and increase tuition materials available to students and to the continuous reform of the school curriculum, including

technical education to better prepare students for productive lives.”

Still, he said, others involved increasing the number of classrooms and expanding the footprint of the education system so as to reduce class sizes through an energetic school construction programme in New Providence and around the Family Islands. Mrs Dean’s ideas, he said, also shaped the plan for the amalgamation of schools in New Providence and in Family Islands where small student bodies meant that specialist teachers were seldom available.

Mrs Dean also recommended the expansion of pre-schools in the government-school system.

Mr Ingraham said several of these would occupy structures left vacant as a result of the amalgamation

programme.

Continuing Mr Ingraham said: “Mrs Dean taught in and led a number of schools before taking up her assignment at the Ministry of Education. She has left a sterling record in education where she was widely appreciated. She commanded the respect of colleagues and students alike.

“Among their warm memories of their wife, mother, aunt and friend, her survivors can be justifiably proud of that legacy and of the knowledge that she will long be remembered by her many students, colleagues and Bahamians of all walks of life.”

Mrs Dean is survived by her husband, Audley; children Bahamas Ambassador to Cuba, Brent Dean; Bianca Dean-Willie, Bridgette Dean and numerous grandchildren.

PAGE 6, Monday, January 18, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

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The start of a new era for borrowers THE arrival of the nation’s first credit bureau is going to be good news for some – but bad news for many borrowers.

It is estimated that just under a third of Bahamian borrowers will struggle to obtain loans because of past failures to disclose existing debts.

The chair of the Clearing Banks Association, Kenrick Brathwaite, warned that people who do not provide full information to the bank will be the ones at risk, adding: “We’ve never had the ability to verify whether you pay your rent, your utility bills on time. Whether you are telling the truth with regard to what you already owe.”

That might sound good in principle for lenders – but our payment systems are imperfect things. There have been numerous occasions when, for example, websites to make payments for utilities have not been working properly. The playing field is not entirely level.

Meanwhile, different lenders have also had different processes – if someone has answered all the questions asked of them, they should not be penalised for questions they were not asked.

This is not to excuse those who haven’t paid as they should – rather to say that the credit bureau should only be one part of the jigsaw. It is only as good as the information it receives. Everywhere else has to raise their game to ensure the information they provide is thorough and not marred by inaccuracies or missing information.

We would also hope that credit decisions are applied evenly. There have been many stories of family, friends and lovers being allowed to run up huge bills without paying – will the politically connected who have avoided such payments be turned away, or will they continue to benefit from the strings they can pull?

And what of those who cannot get loans – which can already be hard enough? Will there be tighter laws to prevent them from falling into the hands of loan sharks?

There are all manner of questions – such as the ability to challenge inaccurate records. It is, however, a step towards the kind of financial systems seen elsewhere in the world.

As the country starts to emerge from the pandemic, the availability of money to kickstart the economy is going to be crucial.

We hope the credit bureau can be a step towards helping financial institutions offer more loans, knowing the level of risk they face, rather than serving as another reason to say no.

Crucially, this will hopefully bring to an end the situation where those who can pay won’t pay. We’ve already seen the problems, for example, surrounding the student loans that have gone unpaid.

That harms the lender, that also harms the next generation of students who are left with no money to be able to borrow.

People not paying their bills at BPL or at the Water and Sewerage Corporation make everything more expensive for everyone else.

This credit bureau brings in a level of accountability, and makes sure people live up to their promises – or face the risk of not being able to borrow more in the future. Why, after all, should a bank throw good money after bad?

The more money flowing around our economy the better for getting back to normal – and that is important for our individual and collective futures.

Learn from others

Anyone following the progress of vaccinations overseas will note that most nations are seeing a sharp increase in the number of jabs being given out, albeit from a slow start.

As we prepare for our own programme, we would do well to learn how those nations have managed to increase the uptake of such vaccinations.

For example, one of the things to learn is that we should make the most of offers to help. In other countries, vaccinations have been offered by workers beyond the regular hospital staff. Can dentists offer jabs, for example? Some businesses whose doors have remained shut have offered to open them to serve as clinic spaces for vaccines to be given, including the use of refrigeration spaces where suitable for the vaccine on offer.

Across the archipelago, we need to work out the best way for vaccines to reach the various islands – so we’ll need hands for transportation in the right conditions, whether by plane or by boat.

If we receive 40,000 doses of the vaccine, that covers 20,000 people, each of whom receives an initial shot then a booster two weeks later. Can we set up 50 sites across The Bahamas to give out 400 shots in a single day each? Can we ensure by the time the vaccine is received, the 20,000 recipients are identified, confirmed and ready with their sleeves rolled up on day one?

We’re behind other parts of the world in getting the vaccine – let’s be ahead of them on being ready to go from the very start.

Health visas are stopping travellers EDITOR, The Tribune.

I OPERATE a travel agency in Columbus, Ohio, and have sent clients on a regular basis to Nassau for many years both to hotels and on cruises. The Bahamas was always a popular destination. Regularly I read your newspaper online to keep up to date on travel news.

Since you introduced some of the harshest entry requirements in the whole world our business to you has collapsed. We cannot understand why your Tourism Ministry could have designed rules which are so cumbersome and expensive and then still expected visitors would want to come.

When we have to explain all the rules and the short five-day entry rule from test date they automatically reject booking to Nassau.

They do not have the time nor want to put funds down because of all the uncertainty.

Your article about the port restructuring for cruise ships sounds positive. However those undertaking these renovations do not seem to realise that tourists must be willing to book cruises to make it a success. I cannot imagine for a moment that cruise passengers would ever agree to fulfilling all the entry requirements plus more tests and daily online questions any more than hotel visitors. It is ridiculous to expect such short term cruise visitors would be at all interested.

There are far too many other destinations these days for both hotel and cruise holidays.

I just cannot believe that your hotel owners, port authorities and local business people have not joined together and expressed a justifiable alarm that your whole economy is in serious jeopardy if these onerous rules are not changed.

We are sending our

clients to other areas who formerly loved Bahamas holidays.

These destinations like Mexico want tourists and are taking all and more precautions at the resorts.

There are no difficult Health Visas and so far everyone has come back with glowing reports.

Such an unnecessary loss of vital business for The Bahamas.

As I have come regularly to Nassau I feel very badly about the current situation for which your authorities have been responsible.

What is the problem with a traveller bringing a COVID-19 test with them like other destinations?

Our clients are well as are most people in this area and like to travel. How unfortunate it is not to the beautiful Bahamas.

HOWARD J THORPE Columbus, Ohio, USA January 16, 2021.

Domes, doom and the FOI EDITOR, The Tribune.

I CAN’T believe I am at the computer again shaking my head at more mind ‘bogglement’ taking place!

Yesterday, there was a spirited Whatsapp video flying around the country concerning the many sitting trailers of exposed wood going to rot, along with mattresses and sheet rock lying open to the elements in Abaco.

Whether true or false, whether in response to or in preparation for damage control I cannot say, but reading yesterday’s newspaper story about the Abaco dome situation, I can but sigh – deeply and yet again!

Where in the world is that elusive appointee to the OPM announced several years ago who was supposed to be tracking projects to make sure they were moving according to schedule and being completed on time – anyone else remember that press conference?

I asked the questions last year on Facebook as to what was the situation with the progress (or lack thereof) of the Abaco domes, and the total costs incurred, seeing as it had been a year since the usual big fanfare publicity parade accompanied by flowery speeches and clicking cameras had taken place!

It is depressing to see that the project has been at a standstill for a while,

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net with materials - whether donated or paid for with our hard earned treasury funds – sitting idle and deteriorating.

There is no excuse for this abuse of treasury funds, blatant dereliction of duty, and stark disregard for the Abaco citizen’s welfare!

According to figures quoted in the newspaper, there were 200 domes ordered, but only 100 are erected and occupied, each costing about $10,000 to erect – that’s $1m dollars spent so far with another $1m needed to complete the other 100 domes, and the domes themselves costing “about $6.4m”.

Inquiring minds would like to know, so answer us, da people dem, this: Are the construction costs a separate charge in addition to the $6.4m figure?

Were the domes donated or not? What company did they come from? Were local contractors used to construct the domes? Do the present occupants have to pay ‘rent’ for the domes? Did the domes come with bathrooms and kitchens installed (as shown during the flowery press conference) or did occupants have to finance that cost themselves and buy additional furniture?

How were the occupants

determined and the domes allocated? Why are “40 domes sitting in Grand Bahama”?

Why are the domes not completed and occupied?

According to the Disaster Reconstruction Authority: “What I want you to understand is we are in a different point in our process at the moment… the domes were not erected in a timely manner as we would’ve anticipated.”

Reality check – it is now well over a year later and five months out from the start of yet another hurricane season!

Meanwhile, and I will say it again - $20m allocated for building sidewalks in Nassau!

Go figure those figures, and let me know how they compute to your way of thinking because I just cannot make sense, nor fathom the logic of the convoluted thinking that takes place in the ‘gubment’ hallowed halls!

We must, as citizen of this land we love, insist, agitate, and demand that the Freedom of Information Act be enacted asap so that the powers that be are held to account and are constantly forced to be clearly conscious of their obligation to do so with transparency and efficiency in tow so that we can shine some bright lights in these convoluted halls of doom!

PAM BURNSIDE Nassau, January 15, 2021

Where will tourists come from?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

WHERE will the tourists come from should be the urgent problem which your Minister of Tourism and staff should tackle if The Bahamas is to ever recover from the current economic meltdown.

Your entry policies have been so difficult and harsh that even families like ourselves who have been regular winter residents cannot comply with them.

I fail to understand how the officials thought these measures would attract visitors. People want hassle free travel and certainties in booking. Our local travel agency is steering clients away from The Bahamas because of the unrealistic five-day rule for entry and

all the complications of getting and scanning tests and filling forms out.

This new requirement for Bahamas Health Insurance has really turned the travel agents off as well.

How could Tourism staff realistically have thought prospective visitors would be bothered to complete these costly and time consuming measures especially as most other warm southern destinations are far easier to enter? Our state health facilities are overworked now and the only way to get your required COVID-19 PCR test is to go to expensive private clinics where a two-day wait for results is uncertain. Some clinics take three to four days for results. So few people will

book tickets and lodgings and also, in some cases, arrange for time off work when there is no certainty of travel.

Your economy desperately needs tourists to survive. Bold statements that tourism will pick up by spring are unrealistic.

Most people are well here and many are willing to travel but it has to be made much easier if there is to be any rebound in tourism. If not where is the future for The Bahamas if tourism collapses? A frightening prospect which will become a reality if things do not change quickly.

MARK V JOHNSTONE Bedford Massachusetts, USA. December 29, 2020.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 18, 2021, PAGE 7

MANAGER OF STORE FACES FRAUD CASE

CONTRACTOR BAILED IN $40K THEFT TRIAL

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A STORE manager accused of defrauding her employer of more than $1,000 was granted bail on Friday before her trial.

Esther Joseph, 35, appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes charged with two counts each of falsification of accounts and stealing by reason of employment.

The prosecution alleged that Ms Joseph, who was a front-end manager at Solomon’s Fresh Market in Old Fort Bay, failed to make a full entry on the store’s end of shift balance sheet to make it appear that no cash was received on March 15 and 17 of last year. They further alleged that the accused stole $1,331.35 from the store between that two-day period.

During the hearing, Ms Joseph denied the allegations and her case was adjourned to June 16 for trial.

In the meantime, she was ESTHER JOSEPH, left, and Kevin Frazier, who both faced court on Friday accused in separate cases of financial crimes.

Photos: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff granted $2,000 bail.

A CONTRACTOR who denied stealing more than $40,000 from one of his clients was on Friday granted bail before his trial.

Kevin Frazier, 51, was arrested after he was accused of stealing $34,000 from Gracie Knowles on July 23, 2020. The prosecution alleged he also stole another $10,000 from the woman last October.

Frazier was said to have been given the money to purchase building supplies needed to complete the complainant’s apartment.

However, it is alleged that the accused failed to purchase the supplies or begin work on the building after he was paid.

He denied both charges during a hearing before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt on Friday.

As a result, two not guilty pleas were entered, and the case was adjourned to May 4 for a status hearing.

Frazier was granted $10,000 bail in the interim.

Suspect is accused of attempted murder

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 24-YEAR-OLD man was charged with attempted murder in the Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

Police said Ruis Knowles attempted to kill Antone Burrows on January 9. They also argued he used a handgun to endanger the lives of another

man and woman on the same day.

Due to the nature of the charges, Knowles was not required to enter a plea and the case was adjourned to February 19 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

He was denied bail and remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until that time.

MAN 0N PROBATION OVER DRUGS GUILT

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A 25-YEAR-OLD man who was found with over two ounces of marijuana was on Friday placed on probation for two years.

Police arrested Rashad Knowles after they found several mini ziploc baggies filled with Indian Hemp in his residence on January 13.

The court was told that that morning, officers, acting on information, went to Knowles’ Pinewood residence armed with a warrant. Upon their arrival, they informed the home’s occupants of their search and began their investigation. The prosecution said officers then deployed a K-9 dog who made indications to a closet in one of the resident’s bedrooms.

When officers searched there, they discovered 27 mini baggies with suspected

marijuana lying in a bag on the floor. The dog then indicated towards a bathroom, where two more ziploc baggies filled with loose marijuana were lying in plain view. Knowles was subsequently arrested and taken to the Drug Enforcement Unit. When questioned there, he told police he had received the drugs from a friend.

During his arraignment before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes, Knowles pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous drug possession with intent to supply. He was subsequently put on 24 months probation and ordered to complete 50 hours of community service.

Magistrate Forbes warned Knowles that if he failed to comply with the conditions of his release, he would be sentenced to six months in prison.

$4,000 MARIJUANA FOUND

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama police discovered a quantity of suspected marijuana with an estimated street value of $4,000 at a residence in the Freeport area on Thursday.

Supt Terecita Pinder

reported that shortly after 9pm officers of the Drug Enforcement Unit went to Bass Lane, where they searched an abandoned building and found suspected marijuana, and 52 lives rounds of ammunition.

There was no arrest and investigations are continuing into the matter.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2021

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

So Minister, the PM doesn’t want drilling - what’s your personal view?

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net DESPITE cries from environmentalists Bahamas Petroleum Company has pressed ahead with its oil excavation in Bahamian waters, confident its operations are covered by an iron-clad agreement which now leaves the Government and people of The Bahamas with no say.

Details of the BPC deal, which was signed off under the last Progressive Liberal Party government headed by Perry Christie, are sketchy. The deal seems virtually irreversible with Cabinet Minister responsible for investments, Elsworth Johnson, saying he “did every contortion” to try to legally get out of the agreement to no avail.

In a letter dated December 17, 2020, addressed to Prime Minister, Dr Hubert Minnis and Minister of the Environment and House, Romauld Ferreira, some 17 United States Congressmen and Congresswomen urged The Bahamas government to reconsider its agreement with BPC and also questioned the company’s and the government’s capacity to mitigate a serious disaster.

Since that letter was written, Prime Minister Minnis has said it is not his dream to drill for oil in Bahamian waters and he insisted he remains “totally against” it.

However, once again, the “iron-clad nature” of this deal came up and environmentalists and Bahamians alike, have been expressing their displeasure.

Not quite sure what enticed the former administration to sign off on such an “irreversible” deal

that risks pristine Bahamian waters to spillage, The Tribune spoke to several Cabinet Ministers to seek their views on the excavation and if the matter should have gone to a referendum before the signing. Were they opposed to drilling like the Prime Minister?

Minister of Health Renward Wells said flat out the FNM does not support oil drilling in Bahamian waters, but is legally bound by the deal the PLP signed.

Minister Wells said: “A Cabinet Minister’s position is the position of the Cabinet of The Bahamas, which is the FNM does not support oil drilling.

“We are allowing the drilling to take place because of the agreement that is in place.

My position is if there is an agreement for not just drilling and exploratory wells, but also for extraction of that material – that is the material of the Bahamian people and the country is going to bear the lion’s share of the potential risk of any adverse event that might take place in regards to oil spillage.

“We have a very pristine environment to protect and if we are going to be the ones that could be potentially adversely affected then we ought to be the ones to enjoy the lion’s share of any particular resource. In regards to taking it to referendum, as a Cabinet Minister I cannot

THE STENA IceMAX drillship and, left, Environment Minister Romauld Ferreira.

speak that issue right now. Collectively the Cabinet would make such a decision.”

More cautious, Minister of Environment and Housing, Romauld Ferreira, declined to comment on the situation at hand, but instead said he would rather have a conversation about legislation to prevent such situations as this one.

Minister of Works, Desmond Bannister also declined to state a personal view on drilling: “Cabinet to

Ministers do not express opinions with respect to matters that Cabinet has taken a position on. The PM has gone on record with respect to the Government’s position on this matter,” said Mr Bannister.

Social Services Minister Frankie Campbell said he would welcome a referendum on the issue.

“I share the collective view of the Cabinet on oil drilling. That said, I won’t oppose a referendum. I believe it’s the people’s things and I won’t oppose the people having a say,” he said Michael Pintard, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, said although there is modern technology that is supposed to prevent spillage in excavations, there is still a risk.

He said: “I am on the with the Cabinet’s posirecord of saying where I sit tion. Cabinet has already at the moment, having car- made a statement on its riage of marine resources, I position on oil drilling. I believe that that particular am a part of the Cabinet sector holds huge potential and a part of the decisionfor economic development making process. I don’t for The Bahamas as well as know how something goes wealth creation. We have an to referendum when a conenvironment that requires tract is already signed. The a strategic plan for the legal binding position was development of the Blue taken when the government Economy. It is a shared signed the contract,” said environment that straddles Mr Rolle. multiple ministries and we Minister of National ought to be engaging in a Security Marvin Dames broad discussion. was asked the same ques“The potential of oil tions through one of his existing is but one compo- Ministry’s Public Relations nent of that overall study. Officers, sent several quesSome previous administra- tions back through the same tion unfortunately sent us, officer for The Tribune. He to some extent, into this, eventually did not answer. but it does not change my The Tribune made many view that there are some attempts to contact the other steps that we ought remaining Cabinet Minto be taking as a country to isters for their views, ensure sustainability of our however, they were environment. I do not see inaccessible. oil as being one of those priSeveral environmental orities. Obviously it would groups have claimed BPC be good to does not have know that we ‘I think we stand the funding have that as an to carry out asset. It’s quite to lose too much its excavation possible that if something goes in The Bahasome agree- awry – our marine mas, but the ment has been company’s signed that environment, our non-executive goes beyond touristic economy. deputy chairjust the discov- There is too man, James ery and that Smith, has persons may much at stake.’ categorically have addiMinister of denied the tional rights.”

Foreign Affairs claim.

Minister Mr Smith Darren Henfield is the only of Foreign Affairs Darren Bahamian on Henfield is not in agree- BPC’s board of directors,. ment with oil drilling in He is a former Governor Bahamian waters. of the Central Bank and He said: “The Baha- also Minister of State for mas is a country of laws. Finance in the Christie It seems like this deal with administration, 2002-2007.

The Bahamas government, He serves as non-execbe it PLP or whomever, is utive deputy chairman. iron clad. The constitution Other members of the speaks very clearly of what board are, Bill Scharder, requires a referendum or non-executive chairnot. I am on the record as man; Simon Potter, chief saying I do not agree with executive officer; Adrian drilling in The Bahamas, as Collins, non-executive I think it is too dangerous director; Ross McDonald, for our environment. non-executive director and “I think we stand to lose Leo Koot, non-executive too much if something director. goes awry – our marine Two Bahamians are a environment, our touris- part of senior managetic economy. There is too ment at BPC, Senator much at stake. The Baha- Jobeth Coleby-Davis, who mas, I believe, serves as the serves as the company’s maritime breadbasket for legal counsel, and Roberta this region. Our creeks and Quant is an environmental mangroves are priceless. I scientist. don’t agree with it.”

BPC, which is listed Minister of Education on the London Stock Jeffrey Lloyd had little to Exchange and trades as part say on the matter. of a Mutual Fund listed on He said: “My position is The Bahamas International whatever the position the Stock Exchange, said in a Cabinet has. I don’t have company statement its cura personal position on rent focus is its five licences whether it should have gone for hydrocarbon explorato referendum, but I think tion covering approximately the government would 16,000 km2 (4 million acres) make that decision and not in the territorial waters of any individual minister.

The Bahamas. The ComThe last Cabinet Minister pany has four exploration to comment on the matter licences in the southern was Minister of Public Ser- territorial waters of The vice and National Insurance Bahamas, referred to as Brensil Rolle.

Bain, Cooper, Donaldson “My position is consistent and Eneas.

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2021 PAGE 9

The numbers don’t lie - the system doesn’t work and needs torn up

By MALCOLM STRACHAN WITH the publication of the national exam results at the beginning of the year, one thing is apparent.

The performance of Bahamian children in these examinations continues to trend in the wrong direction. Of the 6,073 students who sat the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) exams, only 365 – an incredibly low six percent – received at least a grade C in five subjects.

Minister of Education Jeff Lloyd, nonetheless, along with other education officials, touted this year’s round of exams a success.

Certainly, the ministry being able to pull it off in a year that sidelined normal life was a notable feat. But the conversation we’re having isn’t about our ability to host an event, even if something was to be gained from doing so in such challenging times.

No, my friends. We’re talking about building the next generation. Such a goal requires us to set a different standard and, perhaps consider a different system by which to achieve that standard.

Long before Lloyd became the Education Minister, our system was riddled with shortcomings – something he was very aware of prior to being elected to Parliament and selected as a member of the Prime Minister’s Cabinet.

And while things look a lot different outside of government than they do once you’re a part of the exclusive club, credibility is everything.

For the minister, one of the

BUT PRESIDENT BELINDA WILSON more respected candidates during the Free National Movement’s 2017 election run for his work in the media - and more importantly in community development the “cup half-full” point of view was not appreciated by many Bahamians.

One such Bahamian was unsurprisingly Lloyd’s arch-nemesis since becoming the minister, Bahamas Teachers’ Union president Belinda Wilson.

Labelling the exam results “nothing short of a disgrace”, Wilson did not mince words expressing her disapproval as she referenced the challenges of offering consultation in the area of education reform.

“They ignore when they are given good advice and their whole attitude is contemptuous toward new ideas and initiatives,” Wilson stated. “So, as long as the Ministry of Education and the Department of Education continue their modus

operandi, they will continue to be on the defence. The sad part about it is that our children, at the end of the day, are the ones who are being negatively impacted.”

She is certainly correct about our children being the ones who will suffer from our inability to shift the paradigm. And for Lloyd’s part, government’s penchant to manage their image rather than address the heart of the issues make them an easy target – something we’ve come to accept as the nature of our politics.

The numbers don’t lie.

Between 2015 to 2020, students passing with Cs in at least five subjects totalled 961, 903, 880, 806, 760 and 365, respectively. While the large decline in metrics of what may mark decent success can be attributed to an incredibly stressful year, our national exams results portend one of two things.

Either our children are just not intelligent enough

or the system is broken, to which I would like to believe it is the latter.

Two researchers from Newcastle University, England, would agree. Their work in 2015 led them to examine a report from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) which determined that even with increased use of technology in the classroom, without revamping the system, educational outcomes would likely not improve.

Our attachment to our colonial past continues to be an impediment to our progress to the extent we are watching thousands of kids move through the system largely failing national exams. Matriculating through an educational system that rewards memorisation over problem solving and critical thinking does not prepare our future generations for life. At the end of the day, despite education officials trying to make the best of a bad situation, we cannot discredit what that says to a young person - simply put, you are not good enough.

Without anyone being able to give one good reason as to why we are disinclined to reform our education system.

An excerpt from Minister of Education Jeffrey Lloyd’s statement outlining the Free National Movement’s “aggressive education

reforms” – something we our existing industries, thought he would champion diversify the economy and and still believe he is very create new jobs for Bahacapable of spearheading. mians. The people deserve He said: “The FNM a government that realbelieves educational ises the significance of improvements improving our must rise to ‘Between 2015 educational the top of system with the govern- to 2020, students the will to ment’s list of passing with Cs pursue and priorities, for in at least five enact longreasons that overdue are two-fold subjects totalled reforms.” though inter- 961, 903, 880, It is neartwined. Most 806, 760 and ing four years importantly we since the FNM know a qual- 365, respectively. has been the ity education While the large government leads to future decline in metrics and by all indiopportunities cations, even and growth, of what may mark if there was giving our decent success not a COVIDchildren the can be attributed 19 pandemic, keys to unlock there is not their unlimited to an incredibly much belief potential. We stressful year, our that we would also need to not have seen national exams position oura decline in the selves for the results portend exam results. increasingly one of two things.’ Ironically, competitive this instructive global marmoment should kets, which require a serve as an inflection point. workforce-ready nation.”

As a man who many Notwithstanding his push believe means well and to increase the use of tech- whose heart is in the right nology in schools, as noted place when it comes to our from the OECD study men- nation’s youth, the chaltioned above, without taking lenge is clear. Do what you a closer look at our pedago- said you would do – reform gies, the effect of technology our education system and will hardly be felt. ensure our youth are preIn that same statement, pared to compete at a he went on to say, “Sat- high level in the global isfying this requisite will marketplace. lead to new investments Anything less and we will in our country, strengthen truly be discussing failure.

Funeral Service for CARLYLE EDMAR JOHNSON, 20 of Marathon Estates, Nassau, The Bahamas, who died on Tuesday, 5th January, 2021, will be held at Zion Yamacraw Baptist Church, Yamacraw Hill Road, Nassau, on Wednesday, 20th January, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

Reverend Dr. Glendon E. Rolle, Ph.D., Esq. and other Ministers Of The Gospel will officiate. Interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens and Mausoleums, Gladstone Road and John F. Kennedy Drive, Nassau.

He is survived by: his Mother, Donna Miller; Father: Edmar Johnson; Sisters: Carlyia Miller and Sabra Knowles; Grandmother: Wendie Orlander; Grandfathers: Livingston Prince Miller and Solomon Johnson; Girlfriend: Dana Kemp; Uncles: Nikio Orlander, Prince Miller, Franklyn Johnson, Philip Johnson, Stephen Johnson, Raymond Johnson, Derek Johnson and Samuel Smith; Aunts: Stephanie Miller, Angela Johnson and Coralee Smith; Godmother: Princess Boston; Godfather: Raleigh Seymour and a host of other relatives.

Relatives and friends may pay their respects at Grace Funeral Home, 36 Rosetta Street, on Tuesday, 19th January, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

PM DESERVES CREDIT FOR HIS STEWARDSHIP DURING SUCH EXTRAORDINARY TIMES!

PAGE 4 , XXXDAY, XX, 2015 MONDAY JANUARYXXXMONTH 18th, 2021

THE TRIBUNE THE TRIBUNE

MONDAY JANUARY 18th, 2021

Isn’t it about time the Ministry of Health & Minister of Tourism get aboard OxFord University’s RT-LAMP Technology & CommonPass eApp Being Rolled Out by Prenetics to Global Airlines & Airports Worldwide Five additional global airlines and the Airport Council International (ACI) World have announced they will join the ‘Common Trust’ Network to create “Safe & Clean” travel bubbles on flights in and out of New York, Boston, London and Hong Kong as of December 2020. By joining the network, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Swiss International Airlines, United Airlines, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic join Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines

Hong Kong, NYC, Singapore & Toronto Airports, BA, Cathay Pacific, United, JetBlue, Disney & perhaps Carnival Cruise Line

Commons Project Foundation CEO Paul Meyer said: “The members of the Common Trust Network are coming together to implement an inclusive global network designed to empower individuals with digital access to their health information so they can protect and improve their health, and demonstrate their health

“ Bahamas offered Free Trial of Oxford University RT-LAMP technology connected to World Economic Forum’s CommonPass, but Minister of Tourism has yet to respond...................” who have already selected the World Economic Forum’s Common Pass -ePassport App powered

by Oxford University RTLamp technology which is being used by Prenetics at Heathrow, Manchester,

status to safely return to travel, work, school, and life while protecting their data privacy.” The pass was officially trialled in October on Cathay Pacific Airways and United AirPrivate and Confidential lines flights between Hong

United regulatory and policy vice-president Steve Morrissey said: “We were proud to be the first US carrier to trial CommonPass on 21 October from London Heathrow to Newark. “Testing is a key component of our multilayered approach to safely reopening travel and ensuring our customers’ wellbeing, and we look forward to using technology platforms like CommonPass to provide travellers and governments confidence in verified test results. ******

Validated Clinical Performance Oxford, OSCAR, Shenzhen Hospital (16 Samples) Peer-Reviewed Data1 – Extracted RNA

Oxford, OSCAR, Oxford NHS Trust, Nuffield Dept of Medicine (69 Samples) Manuscript Data Submitted – Direct Swab

Prenetics Laboratory (527 samples) Paper in Progress – Extracted RNA

Negative Percentage Agreement (NPA): 100% (8/8)

Negative Percentage Agreement (NPA): 100% (39/39)

Negative Percentage Agreement (NPA): 100% (444/444)

Positive Percentage Agreement (PPA): 100%

Positive Percentage Agreement (PPA): 92% for CT < 31

Positive Percentage Agreement (PPA): 100% for CT <32 96% for CT <38

Overall Percentage Agreement (OPA): 88%

Overall Percentage Agreement (OPA): 99.4%

Zero False Positives

Zero False Positives

Zero False Positives

Private and Confidential

Kong, Singapore, London, and New York. It enables passengers to demonstrate their Covid-19 status while protecting their data privacy.

Notwithstanding the surge in mutant strain of COVID-19 in UK, why don’t we also ask Dionisio if he’d like to share the reason behind British Airways delayed the relaunch of its LHR-NAS segment; opting instead, to fly directly to Caymans and Turks & Caicos .......

1. Data from: RT-LAMP for rapid diagnosis of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2: Zhanfeng Cui, Wei E. Huang, et al. (14 April 2020) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7264870/

Oxford RT-LAMP Near-Term Roadmap • Develop of RT-LAMP array using same sample to detect COVID-19, Influenza, (Critical for Winter Season and for Fast Diagnosis in Hospitals and Clinics)

FDA: Antigen Tests fail to Detect Up to 70% of COVID-19 Asymptomatic Cases

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said last Wednesday that antigen tests are still not as reliable in detecting COVID-19, adding that the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test remains to be the gold standard. In a virtual media briefing, FDA Director General Eric Domingo said that like RT-PCR tests, an antigen test also uses swabs to collect a sample of mucus from a patient’s nose or throat. It is also similar to rapid antibody tests in yielding faster results, as it has a turnaround time of only about 15 minutes, he said. “It takes about 15 minutes, but it’s not as accurate as PCR),” The FDA chief cited a study by the World Health Organization which found that the accuracy of antigen tests varies from 34% to 80%.

He says Antigen test haave an accuracy of about 30% for those who have no symptoms.

Although the FDA alert did nt specify a test provider, they did seem to make recommendations about the cardtype kits sold by Abbott as well as the instrument-based assays from BD and Quidel.

The instructions for all of the tests reinforce that if the provider does not follow the timings appropriately, they can cause false results. They also noted problems linked with processing multiple specimens in “batch mode” They also pointed out that

any kit that has less than 100% specificity, which is almost all of them, will have large numbers of false positives when screening populations where a pathogen has a low prevalence. The FDA pointed out that with 98% specificity, ranges can go from 20% in a population with 10% prevalence to 96% in a population with 0.1% prevalence. In the U.S., according to the CDC, 7.1% of tested samples were positive. “People who receive

falsely tell you that there is virus when there isn’t.”

The rapid antigen tests are everywhere. The government sent millions of test kits to schools and nursing homes.

“The FDA only approved the antigen tests in use for people who are symptomatic, that have symptoms.

Let’s just be clear. It is only cleared for use and approved for use among people who are sick.” Dr. Chang says.

“When we use these tests outside of those parameters and test people who are not sick.

This is where we run into problems.”

It’s difficult to extrapolate the results to larger populations, since the people on board the ship were living in close quarters while entirely isolated from outside life for about a month. Even still, the results are a stark reminder of how likely COVID-19 is to spread within communities, and how difficult it can be to tell when it does.

That’s a particularly important lesson to consider as states reopen and nice weather eats away at many people’s resolve to stay home.

The virus can and does spread undetected—and an asymptomatic case can still cause serious illness if it spreads to someone else. Until a vaccine is available, the safest way to keep coronavirus from spreading is to keep your distance from others, whether you’re sick or not.

“ The World Health Organization found the accuracy of Antigen tests varies from 34% to 80% decreasing to 30% for those who are astymptomatic.........”

10

• RT-LAMP Instrumentation as Point of Care Device and as Handheld Reader (se prototype on right)

positive results on an antibody test but don’t have symptoms of COVID-19 and have not been around someone who may have COVID-19 are not likely to have a current infection” and should “continue with normal activities,” they said.

“However, the antigen test is like a smoke detector. The smoke detector doesn’t look at the fire itself. It just looks at the smoke that comes off of the fire,” says Dr. Joseph Chang, chief medical officer at Parkland Hospital System.

“The rapid antigen test, looks for bits and pieces of the virus- not the genetic material of the virus,” he says “It can be fooled in either direction. It cannot detect virus that’s there. But it can also

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PAGE 12 MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2021

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

Will shifting dynamics result in a changing of the guard?

By GREGORY ROLLE

AS the political temperature heats up with just a year until the next general election, the Bahamian electorate will have many questions to ask. After Hurricane Dorian and the economic wrecking ball of COVID-19, any political party would face a struggle to stay in favour with fickle voters.

After 25 years of the Pindling-led PLP which supplanted the UBP, Ingraham and the FNM claimed victory in the 1992 general election – and that was the last administration to hold office for multiple terms.

Since 2002, the Bahamian people have swung back and forth between the Progressive Liberal Party and the Free National Movement, cementing our reputation of being a twoparty country.

When Branville McCartney, a former Cabinet member in the Ingraham administration, became frustrated with his party and was eventually fired, it led to the formation of the Democratic National Alliance ahead of the 2012 election, it was the first time a third party seemed as though they would be a threat. While not being able to build enough momentum to win the election, the DNA certainly ensured that McCartney’s former colleagues lost it.

Wrestling the grip on power in politics from the establishment was what the ideals of the modern Bahamas were built on – tenets which many Bahamians felt were strayed away from over the last five decades.

This much became evident ahead of the 2017 election when social activism

FROM left, FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis, PLP leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis and DNA leader Arinthia Komolafe - but who will be at the helm of the next government of The Bahamas? by the Prime Minister soon became the catalyst to what its image? Has the FNM an easy job.

Continuing to ponder after the election essenmany citizens had hoped done enough to convince would be a revolution in the Bahamian people that where each scenario leaves tially pulled the plug on the shape of the We March they’re worthy of a second us, if we take into account the revolution and killed term? the realities of Baha- his credibility with most movement.

Even though DNA mian politics, there are Bahamians.

This signalled changNevertheless, what it has ing dynamics in the leader Arinthia Komolafe not enough independent political environment – receives tremendous adu- candidates who the Baha- also done was lay a bluewhere a unifying message lation, she competes with mian people take seriously print for what may not be a may have been the first primitive perspectives over enough to move the needle. revolution, but perhaps an But what must be con- evolution. blow weakening the current a woman’s ability to lead Activist Lincoln Bain is establishment before some- a country. For PLP leader sidered is the energy that thing new could be built. As Philip Brave Davis’ part, he surrounded the We March no stranger to politics but has gained more notoriety younger Bahamians have competes with his party’s movement in 2017.

Marches that brought of late for taking a page had the opportunity to be image and his proximity to more engaged in the politi- its failures during his tenure out thousands of Bahami- out of Henfield’s book – cal process over the past in the last PLP administra- ans from every corner of amplifying a message that two decades and find many tion, as he was the former society, adorned in black can unify Bahamians in tee shirts with pumped pain in the form of a Bahahard to tell the difference Deputy Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Dr fists symbolizing together- mas Evolution – a push between the two major parties, it becomes even more Hubert Minnis, while in ness in a revolution. Such for Bahamians to receive of a possibility for us to wit- some quarters receiving a spirit flowing through their piece of the economic sympathy for the challenges Bahamian people left many pie through the sovereign ness history. administration has pegging the former leader wealth fund.

Heading into its third his The past four years under election, has the DNA faced, still has questions of this movement, Ranard motivated Bahamians over his ability to lead Henfield, as someone we the Minnis administration enough to become the next effectively. After all, true could have envisioned as a have been anything but the government? Has the PLP leaders recognise ahead of future leader. However, his people’s time. After being done enough to revamp time that governance is not appointment as a senator hyper-critical of the former

government’s decision to implement value added tax, the trust between the government and the Bahamian people was severed when VAT was increased from 7.5 percent to 12 percent. Then after Hurricane Dorian and the COVID19 pandemic, along with government policies which effectively shut down the economy, only die-hard FNM supporters and vehement PLP opposers still consider giving the government a second term.

Even individuals from those two groups struggle with the idea of handing Minnis the keys for a second term.

But who is the alternative? Is it Komolafe? Is it Davis? Is it Bain? Will Minnis remain the leader of the FNM as prospects of losing the election become more apparent?

Answers to these questions will naturally come to the fore as political strategists in each party factor in what matters.

Assuming that what guaranteed victories 20 – or even ten years ago - will do the same today will be a costly mistake. As younger voters have had enough time to see what’s in the marketplace and tough times have taken over as a normal way of life, promises of transforming the economic futures of every Bahamian seem to become a very reasonable place to begin a conversation.

The Bahamian people are tired of the same old script, different cast brand of political leadership.

Whether it results in a win or loss for any of the parties vying for leadership of the country will be one of the most interesting storylines as we move through election season.

TRUMP-POMPEO PARTING SHOTS HURT THE CARIBBEAN AS they are preparing to exit the White House and the State Department on January 20, the outgoing Donald Trump administration has planted some explosives for the foreign policy of the government of Joseph Biden, Jr. A grenade has already been thrown into policies that Antony Blinken, Biden’s nominated Secretary of State, might pursue in relation to Cuba and, consequently, the Caribbean region.

In the dying days of his tenure as Secretary of State and only 9 days before

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

Blinken takes over the reins of US foreign policy, Mike Pompeo placed Cuba on a List of State Sponsors of Terrorism that the US draws up unilaterally.

As the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) stated on January 13, the

listing of Cuba as a sponsor of state terrorism is “baseless”.

Caribbean Community (CARIOM) Heads of Government on the same day were unequivocal in their view that “Cuba’s international conduct does not

in any way warrant that designation”.

In pursuing this pugnacious policy against Cuba, including unravelling the painstakingly weaved policy of the previous Obama administration to try to normalise relations between Cuba and the US, Trump’s government is seeking to maintain the support of Cuban-Americans in Florida both for raising money for his political activity in the coming years and to be able to deliver the state for a Presidential candidate he favours – maybe even for himself in 2024. As Juan Gonzalez, the incoming Senior Director for Western Hemisphere in the Biden National Security Council, has pointed out, securing Florida for the 2020 Presidential election was the principal motivation of Trump’s Cuba policy throughout his term in office.

Little publicised is a corollary of the TrumpPompeo Cuba policy for the countries of CARICOM. Less than a month ago, the US government sent a questionnaire to Caribbean countries.

The answers will be used to compile its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report that is submitted to the US Congress. The December questionnaire included a new and sinister section related specifically to workers from China and Cuba.

In relation to Cuba – from which every Caribbean country has sought and received – vital help through the provision of medical personnel, the US asks questions which are entirely the business of a sovereign State, or the business of sovereign States which have entered contracts. The questions intrude glaringly on State rights. Were the same questions put to the Government of the US, it would quite rightly firmly reject the very audacity of asking them.

Trafficking in persons is a very troubling activity. It is one that every country

should combat vigorously.

In this regard, it is true to say that Caribbean countries have worked diligently with the US to try to stamp out the activity, related to what amounts to modern day slavery in its worse form, and at its best to the criminal exploitation of vulnerable persons, particularly women and girls.

However, this attempt by the outgoing Trump administration to include Cuban medical workers and professionals, serving Caribbean governments, is an attempt to politicise an otherwise noble cause.

The objective appears to be the classification of Cuban medical personnel as ‘trafficked persons’, thereby implicating both Cuba and Caribbean governments in criminal activity. The latter would be the weaponising of a policy against countries that discards cooperation against crime and replaces it with coercion.

The implications of this are quite serious and will be a priority of the work of Caribbean countries with the Biden administration and the US Congress because of the dangers posed to them.

Under the US TIP Act, the non-trade related, and non-humanitarian assistance can be withdrawn from any country considered not to be in compliance “with minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking” and “is not making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with such standards”. Of course, the determination of what is “minimum standards” and “significant efforts” is made entirely by officials of the US government.

Every year, the TIP report classifies countries from Tier 1 (the most acceptable) to Tier 3 (the least acceptable). Of the 14 independent CARICOM countries, two of them – the Bahamas and Guyana – were listed in 2020 at Tier 1. Seven countries were in Tier 2. These were: Antigua and Barbuda, Haiti, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines,

Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. On the Tier 2 Watch List were Barbados and Belize. For unclear reasons, Dominica, Grenada, and St Kitts-Nevis appear in none of the Tiers. In the event, no Caribbean country is at the worst level – Tier 3.

However, if the presence of Cuban personnel in CARICOM countries becomes a criterion for the US to unilaterally declare a human trafficking offence, this will injure US relations with CARICOM countries for no good reason, since US security and US values are not threatened in any way.

The addition to the US TIP questionnaire of a section on Cuban and Chinese workers fitted well with the anti-China, antiCuba stance of the Trump administration to serve its domestic political agenda.

How much of this booby trap left for the Biden administration is known to its incoming State Department and National Security teams is not clear, but the Caribbean must regard advising them as a priority.

The next US TIP report will be published and sent to the US Congress in June.

The US publication, Foreign Policy, recently quoted a US official as saying that Pompeo’s team is engaged in “parting shots deliberately aimed at hampering the incoming administration’s foreign policy”. Where the Caribbean’s interests are affected by those “parting shots”, the region must act in unity to safeguard them.

• Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com

The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own)

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 18, 2021, PAGE 13

UK aims to give first COVID shot to all adults by September LONDON Associated Press THE UK government plans to offer a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to every adult by September as the nation’s health care system battles the worst crisis in its 72-year history.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said yesterday that the government will soon begin a trial of round the clock injections at some locations as it continues to add more vaccination sites to increase the pace of delivery. The National Health Service opened a mass vaccination centre on Saturday at the historic Salisbury Cathedral, where injections were accompanied by organ music.

“Our target is by September to have offered all the adult population a first dose,’’ he told Sky News.

“If we can do it faster than that, great, but that’s the road map.”

Britain has more than 51 million adults in its population of 67.5 million people.

The ambitious vaccination programme comes amid crushing pressures on the National Health Service. Already beleaguered hospitals are admitting another COVID-19 patient every 30 seconds, putting the service in its most precarious situation ever, said

Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England.

“The facts are very clear and I’m not going to sugarcoat them, hospitals are under extreme pressure and staff are under extreme pressure,’’ he told the BBC. “Since Christmas Day we’ve seen another 15,000 increase in the in-patients in hospitals across England. That’s the equivalent of filling 30 hospitals full of coronavirus patients.”

Britain’s health care system is staggering as doctors and nurses battle a more contagious variant of the coronavirus coupled with cold, wet winter weather that drives people inside, where infections spread more easily.

The surge in infections has pushed the number of people hospitalised with COVID-19 to a record 37,475, more than 73 percent higher than during the first peak of the pandemic in April. Britain has reported 88,747 coronavirus-related deaths, more than any other country in Europe and the fifth-highest number worldwide.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on January 2 ordered England into its third national lockdown in an effort to slow the spread of the virus and protect the NHS, which Stevens said now has some 50,000

MUSIC PRODUCER TURNED MURDERER PHIL SPECTOR DIES LOS ANGELES Associated Press

PHIL Spector, the music producer who transformed rock music with his “Wall of Sound” method and who later was convicted of murder, has died. He was 81.

California state prison officials said he died on Saturday of natural causes at a hospital.

Spector was convicted of murdering actress Lana Clarkson in 2003 at his castle-like mansion on the edge of Los Angeles. After a trial in 2009, he was sentenced to 19 years to life.

While most sources give Spector’s birth date as 1940, it was listed as 1939 in court documents following his arrest. His lawyer subsequently confirmed that date to The Associated Press.

Clarkson, star of “Barbarian Queen” and other B-movies, was found shot to death in the foyer of Spector’s mansion in the hills overlooking Alhambra, a modest suburban town on the edge of Los Angeles.

Until the actress’ death, which Spector maintained was an “accidental suicide”, few residents even knew the mansion belonged to the reclusive producer, who spent his remaining years in a prison hospital east of Stockton.

Decades before, Spector had been hailed as a visionary for channeling Wagnerian ambition into the three-minute song, creating the “Wall of Sound” that merged spirited vocal harmonies with lavish orchestral arrangements to produce such pop monuments as “Da Doo Ron Ron”, “Be My Baby” and “He’s a Rebel”.

He was the rare

self-conscious artist in rock’s early years and cultivated an image of mystery and power with his dark shades and impassive expression.

Tom Wolfe declared him the “first tycoon of teen”.

Bruce Springsteen and Brian Wilson openly replicated his grandiose recording techniques and wide-eyed romanticism, and John Lennon called him “the greatest record producer ever”.

The secret to his sound: an overdubbed onslaught of instruments, vocals and sound effects that changed the way pop records were recorded. He called the result, “Little symphonies for the kids”.

By his mid-20s his “little symphonies” had resulted in nearly two dozen hit singles and made him a millionaire.

“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” the operatic Righteous Brothers ballad which topped the charts in 1965, has been tabulated as the song most played on radio and television — counting the many cover versions — in the 20th century.

But thanks in part to the arrival of the Beatles, his chart success would soon fade. When “River Deep-Mountain High,” an aptly-named 1966 release that featured Tina Turner, failed to catch on, Spector shut down his record label and withdrew from the business for three years. He would go on to produce the Beatles and Lennon among others.

In 1969, Spector was called in to salvage the Beatles’ “Let It Be” album.

Although Lennon praised Spector’s work, bandmate Paul McCartney was enraged, especially when Spector added strings and a choir to McCartney’s “The Long and Winding Road”.

employees off work due to COVID-19 infections and exposure quarantines.

The government says it won’t review the lockdown measures until mid-February, by which time it plans to offer at least one dose of vaccine to everyone over 70, as well as to frontline health care workers and others who are especially vulnerable to COVID-19.

Once that goal has been reached, the UK will offer the vaccine to everyone over 50 before finally moving on to everyone over 18.

Unlike other nations, Britain has chosen to stretch out the time between vaccine doses from 21 days to up to 12 weeks — a decision that means more people will get at least one dose more quickly.

Britain has approved three vaccines — ones by Pfizer-BioNTech, OxfordAstraZeneca and Moderna.

The first two are already being used, while the Moderna doses are not expected until spring.

Meanwhile, vaccination centres are being opened in England at some of the country’s great cathedrals.

Salisbury Cathedral, which also houses a copy of the Magna Carta, opened its great nave to the public.

Others will follow as the rollout continues.

A SIGN pointing towards the COVID-19 testing centre at Heathrow Airport in London, yesterday. The UK will close all travel corridors from this morning to protect against the coronavirus with travellers entering the country from overseas are required to have proof of a negative COVID test.

Photo: Frank Augstein/AP

KREMLIN CRITIC NAVALNY DETAINED AFTER LANDING IN MOSCOW MOSCOW Associated Press RUSSIAN opposition leader Alexei Navalny was arrested Sunday at a Moscow airport as he tried to enter the country from Germany, where he had spent five months recovering from nerve agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin.

Navalny’s detention at passport control in Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport was widely expected because Russia’s prisons service said he had violated parole terms from a suspended sentence on a 2014 embezzlement conviction.

The prisons service said he would be held in custody until a court rules on his case. No date for a court appearance was immediately announced. The service earlier said that it would seek to have Navalny serve his 31/2-year sentence behind bars.

Navalny, 44, who is President Vladimir Putin’s most prominent and determined foe, brushed off concerns about arrest as he boarded the plane in Berlin.

“It’s impossible. I’m an innocent man,” he said.

The arrest raises tensions in Russia as it approaches national parliament elections this year, in which Navalny’s organisation is expected to be active.