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VOLUME:115 No.44, JANUARY 25TH, 2018

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‘Adapt as banks shut their doors’

L SOUR CE

BPL ON TARGET ‘FOR BEST SUMMER YET’

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister yesterday suggested Bahamas Power and Light was on pace to deliver to consumers its best summer on record.

Mr Bannister made the claims during his response to concerns raised by Official Opposition Leader SEE PAGE SIX

Deputy PM says electronic banking to blame for closures

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net WHILE the government is “concerned” by the latest consolidation announcement from the Royal Bank of Canada, Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest suggested these situations are inevitable with the constant evolution of technology, which requires less “brick and mortar locations and bodies”.

Mr Turnquest suggested the country has been hit hard by bank closures because Bahamians were not prepared to take advantage of or adapt to new technology.

However, RBC’s announcement has pained those in Long Island, with area MP Adrian Gibson telling The Tribune pensioners and business people

on the island are most concerned as the bank is the only fully functioning one in the constituency.

He made a plea for Bahamian-owned banks to consider opening operations in Long Island.

It was reported that effective March 16, RBC’s Robinson Road branch will be consolidated with its Carmichael Road branch and its John F Kennedy Drive location with its Carmichael Road branch, effective March 23.

Additionally, its location in Andros Town will be consolidated with RBC’s main Bay Street branch – effective March 30 – and its Grey’s location on Long Island with RBC’s main Bay Street branch in Nassau – effective April 13.

SEE PAGE THREE

MINNIS TO RELEASE REPORT ON TRAVEL AFTER TEXAS TRIP

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

AFTER his return to the country following a trip to Texas this week, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said the government has “no problem” releasing a report to the public on the travels of his Cabinet.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest later told The Tribune that once all

10PC NUGGETS

such information has been compiled, he is “sure” a report will be released.

The Minnis administration promised to be transparent about the travel activities of government officials.

However, while information of Dr Minnis’ travels outside the country is usually disclosed to the public beforehand, the same cannot be said for all Cabinet ministers.

SEE PAGE FIVE

BIG FISH

A BODY is taken away from the scene last night after a man was shot dead outside his home. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

MAN SHOT DEAD ON HIS DOORSTEP A MAN was shot dead last night as he sat outside his own home.

According to police, the victim was sitting in the doorway of his home in the Irish Spring Court and Plantol Street area shortly after 10pm.

Superintendent Shanta Knowles said: “A vehicle came through the corner. Two men came from the vehicle, one was armed with a firearm.

They approached the man and shot

him before getting into their vehicle and speeding off.”

She added: “We are appealing to members of the public, especially those of this community in Plantol Street and John Chipman Street, for any information they may have in solving this incident.”

The victim appeared to be about 35 years old, she said.

This murder comes after three

killings at the weekend and takes the total number of homicides for the year to eight, according to The Tribune’s records.

Investigations into all of these matters are continuing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or the Crime Stoppers hotline anonymously at 328-TIPS.

EX-MINISTER WARNS NOT TO INFLUENCE CRASH PROBE

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

TOURISM and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar’s remarks regarding the recent Andros plane crash drew rebuke from Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin, who suggested yesterday

that the comments ahead of a completed air accident report could “muddy the water” as officials continue investigations.

Mrs Hanna Martin, former transport and aviation minister, told parliamentarians a mature approach must be taken to avoid speaking on the issues in a way that does not cause

for higher understanding among Bahamians.

While Education Minister Jeff Lloyd has also delivered scathing comments regarding the crash, Mrs Hanna Martin singled out Mr D’Aguilar when she referred to the matter in the House of Assembly.

SEE PAGE SIX

WOMAN JAILED FOR SMUGGLING DRUGS IN A CONDOM

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A 38-YEAR-OLD Bahamian woman was sentenced to a year and a half in prison yesterday for attempting to smuggle almost ten ounces of cocaine into the United States earlier this week by concealing the drugs in a condom inserted in her vagina.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

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PAGE 2, Thursday, January 25, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

COUNTING DOWN TO CARIFTA GAMES

OLYMPIC medalist and Carifta representative Pauline Davis and Carifta mascot Iggy visited students at Yellow Elder Primary School yesterday as part of the countdown to the 2018 games, to be held in The Bahamas from March 30 to April 2.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 25, 2018, PAGE 3

‘Adapt as banks shut their doors’ from page one

The issue was raised during debate on the Travelling Currency Declaration Bill 2018. The bill calls for declarations of precious stones, precious metals in the form of coins, ingots and bars or money over $10,000 to be declared to Bahamas customs during travel outside of the country.

“Unfortunately, it is in fact a global trend as more and more banks because of the availability of technology are taking advantage of that technology to reduce their cost,” Mr Turnquest said in the House of Assembly yesterday. “Reducing their costs unfortunately means that some of them are moving to an electronic banking platform requiring less brick and mortar locations and as a result, less bodies. It is the curse of this generation as technology drives efficiency and the lesson for us is we are behind the eight ball in this.

“We have not prepared our people to take advantage or to adapt to this new technology and this new reality and that’s what this government has been trying to do by the way with respect with trying to drive this whole idea of the Commercial Enterprises Bill undertaking in Grand Bahama and trying to create a tech hub, the promotion tour that the prime minister is on in Austin, Texas, at the moment trying to make The Bahamas a tech hub, trying to take advantage, although we are late and trying to help our people adapt to this new reality.”

He continued: “Technology, it ain’t going backwards. You can’t put it in your pocket and hope for the old days because it’s global and because it’s free.

It moves without borders so there is no way you can stop it.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

“And so, when the member (PLP Leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis) speaks about he wants to know what it is that we are doing as a result of Royal Bank, in this particular instance talking about closing four more branches and consolidating two, which undeniably will likely result in joblessness.

But I remind the member that he was in office when Royal Bank gave notice.”

Mr Turnquest was responding to questions levelled by Mr Davis who suggested the private sector was following the lead of the government by laying off staff. The Minnis administration has opted not to renew contracts of many workers who were hired before the 2017 general election. In other instances, the government has said people with contracts valued at $100,000 or more will not be rehired.

Mr Davis said: “This morning you wake up to the news for example the Royal Bank of Canada is consolidating banks and moving some of its operations to another jurisdiction. That has to cause some concern and I have to ask the government, what have you been doing to address these situations?

“Now we understand that those are private banks, but government has the responsibility to ensure that whatever either industry does, it is not done in a way that causes the kind of pain that I expect to be coming by what was done with the

DEPUTY PM Peter Turnquest.

Royal Bank of Canada.

“Is the private sector following the lead of the government?” Mr Davis also asked.

“Is the private sector following the government and if it was the government’s hope for the private sector to take up the slack to the impact of the (job) statistics, the question is what then has the government done over the last several months or what do they plan to do to spur the opportunities in the private sector?

“So I just wondered whether the government made an alternative suggestion to minimise the impact of the loss of jobs or minimise the pain these persons will feel.”

For his part, Mr Gibson further urged the government to regulate the proliferation of web shops in Long Island, adding that he believed the use of these businesses to carry out certain banking type procedures contributed to legitimate banks leaving Long Island.

PAGE 4, Thursday, January 25, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

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In Davos, European leaders try to counterbalance Trump DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — European leaders came to the defense of free trade and global cooperation on Wednesday, laying out a vision to counterbalance what many perceive as a rise in the more brash, nationalistic policies of US President Donald Trump.

Trump’s expected arrival to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday overshadowed the event and many government leaders rushed to stand in contrast with Trump’s policies, particularly his move to revise free trade deals and drop out of a climate change pact.

“We believe that isolationism won’t take us forward,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel told the elite gathered in the snowy Alpine town. “We believe that we must cooperate, that protectionism is not the correct answer.”

Merkel stressed there is too much “national egoism” at the moment and that the World Economic Forum’s motto of “creating a shared future in a fractured world” was “exactly right” for 2018.

Concerns that the US is turning its back on the globalisation — which many credit with increasing wealth but also creating inequality — were accentuated this week, when Trump backed new tariffs on imported solar-energy components and large washing machines. His combative commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross, conceded Wednesday that China could respond by imposing its own tariffs on US products.

“There’s always potential for retribution or retaliation and that’s up to the Chinese to decide,” Ross told journalists as part of the largest-ever US delegation to Davos. He warned that the US itself could respond to any retaliation from Beijing.

The chorus of criticism of Trump’s commercial policies is unlikely to sway Trump, especially when recited by governments that often maintain more trade barriers than the United States.

Experts note that countries like China have higher barriers to trade than the US. Even the European Union has been accused of pursuing protectionist trade policies to defend its own interests, particularly in agriculture and in industry.

“Trade wars are fought every single day,” Ross added. “Unfortunately, every single day there are various parties trying to violate the rules, and trying to take unfair advantage of things ... the difference is that US troops are now coming to the ramparts.”

The “America First” view that underpins the Trump economic program has already seen the US withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal with 11 countries, and seek a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico.

Trump has also pulled the United States out of the Paris agreement on climate change, a move that reinforced fears that “America First” means the US turns inward and opts for a more isolationist approach.

Before departing Washington, Trump said he was going to the forum to say

how great the US was. “Our economy is now booming and with all I am doing, will only get better...Our country is finally WINNING again!” the president tweeted.

French President Emmanuel Macron ironised on Trump’s upcoming arrival.

Referring to the huge amount of snow that has struck Davos over the past few days, Macron said it “could be hard to believe in global warming ... Fortunately you didn’t invite somebody skeptical with global warming this year!”

While acknowledging that it is legitimate for each leader to say “My country first,” Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said trade was the means toward economic growth — and that protectionism runs counter to that.

Trump is due to address the Davos elites Friday and there’s been concern among some participants about what his economic and trade policies could do to the global economy, which is growing at its strongest rate in years.

Trump’s visit has sparked scattered, small protests in Switzerland and some participants among the 3,000 on hand say he’s not welcome because of his controversial tweets, nationalistic tack, and trade policies.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin brushed off concerns about a possibly tough reception, saying: “Our objective is to be here to interact with important counterparts.”

He insisted that the Trump administration believes in “free and fair trade” and was just making sure that “US opportunities are equal to other people’s opportunities in the US.” Mnuchin said Trump’s over-riding priority is to boost US growth, and that “economic growth in the US is obviously good for the rest of the world,” he said. “We are open for business.”

Trump is due to hold meetings with political leaders, including British Prime Minister Theresa May and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, as well as with business leaders, notably from some big European corporations. He is expected to trumpet his recent tax reform package, which saw corporate tax rates slashed in the US, to attract business into the US. Those tax reforms, Mnuchin said, have already reaped big dividends, with many US businesses, including Apple, saying they will repatriate money back into the US, pay more taxes and hand out bonuses to staff.

“The response from US business has been even better than we expected,” he said.

Mnuchin also caused jitters in financial markets by saying he that “a weaker dollar is good for us is good as it relates to trade and opportunities”.

The comment breaks with two decades in which Treasury chiefs regularly backed a strong dollar. The US currency fell sharply, hitting a three-year low against the euro.

By Jamey Keaten and Pan Pylas, Associated Press

Foulkes’ Newspeak EDITOR, The Tribune.

IN his bid to mislead and manipulate the public/ taxpayer Mr Foulkes, Minister of Labour says “The government plans to introduce a mechanism that ensures consumers in The Bahamas benefit from duty reductions on certain goods,…”

This “mechanism” can only be price controls and they have a morbid history around the world and the fact that they have been abandoned as public policy should be a hint for policy makers here at home.

Most reasonable people

understand that business has to operate at a profit in order to survive and in our high cost, high tax country that’s a difficult task that is exacerbated with the new Business License Tax structure.

With less duty being charged, margins will fall so businesses might need to increase mark ups if sales do not increase enough to compensate.

The Minister of Labour should have a better grasp of these issues if he hopes for businesses to succeed and the economy grow so people stay employed and government protects its revenue streams.

A look around the world where rhetoric like this is perpetuated by government you will note those countries are not ones The Bahamas should attempt to emulate.

Newspeak from the political class is destructive and should have no place in The Bahamas.

And to think the “stakeholders” (The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce I presume) could agree to this is astounding.

Yours in Liberty, RICK LOWE www.weblogbahamas.com Nassau, January 12, 2018.

Minnis and his unwise comments EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Prime Minister, God bless his soul, is not a lawyer so he may not have fully appreciated his public assurance to the so-called Cabbage Beach Protesters last year when they were arrested and charged for assorted alleged criminal offences.

While I am able to “understand” his sentiments about expunging any criminal convictions, he sent a very dangerous message to the nation at large and the judiciary in particular.

The criminal matters against those protesters are still working

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net their way through the system and it is traditionally not appropriate to publicly comment on matters which might be sub judice or under judicial consideration.

The legal advisors to the then leader of the Opposition did not serve him or the FNM well. My gratuitous advise to Dr Minnis would be to simply remain quiet on this matter until after all judicial proceedings would have been completed. No more.....no less.

There are several “hot button” issues which will have to be dealt with in 2018 and the PM would do well to focus his attention on these and leave pending judicial matters alone.

Assorted ministers in the FNM administration also need to get their collective scripts together and not be seen to be publicly issuing what appear to be conflicting positions on matters of public policy initiatives.

To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H. BODIE, JR. Nassau, January 13, 2018.

Tourist tax EDITOR, The Tribune.

DISASTER fund’s $60m levy: ‘You can’t afford to gamble’ ..... this refers to a proposal by a Canadian to create a sinking fund for any future catastrophic hurricane.

Sorry, Mr Don Maga, you clearly have not done too much research... today the stay-over visitor through the hospitality sector funds to the tune of $250.00 per person per visit to off set the large amounts of US taxes,

Pre-clearance - Airport Taxes, PSC etc… there are Hotel Taxes to cover that.

So Mr Maga intends making The Bahamas uncompetitive - thanks, sir, but no thanks.

Principle is possibly correct, but where he wants to apply is totally wrong.

The legalised Numbers sector is clearing gross over $200m - the licencees are paying 13%, $22m 2% lower than the Law prior to legalising them so increase that tax to 16% plus and

this is essential the player who wins over say $50.00 will also pay six-eight percent winners levy.

Are we maximising the potential revenue from casinos? We need advice and lets find out what similar destinations are charging ... stay competitive but max revenue. If a Bahamian wins in Florida he loses 30%!

completed as the hurricane left a lot of damage to the roof and subsequently with leaks to floors below.

Let’s not get too enthused – yes we are pleased that we hope the sale will go through and in as short a time frame as feasible refurbishment – repair re-equipping will happen all of which will cause spending and work prior to opening which even the most

conservative suggests it will be in 12 months. The Freeport people need the truth .... Vain unsubstantiated promises are useless in fact they hurt as there is serious suffering in Grand Bahama.

Let’s hope...Freeport needs a break it has been a long long time coming.

W THOMPSON Nassau, January 12, 2018.

Our Lucaya EDITOR, The Tribune.

I AM concerned, listening to yesterday’s statement from the Deputy Prime Minister on Our Lucaya as no doubt he implied that Our Lucaya will open soon as soon as the exchange of contracts is completed.

It is well known that the newer of the properties The Our Lucaya has quite a lot of remedial work to be

M RUSSELL Nassau, January 23, 2018.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 25, 2018, PAGE 5

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and his delegation in front of a Dell logo during their visit to Texas.

Photos: Yontalay Bowe/OPM Media Services

Minnis to release report on travel after Texas trip from page one In addition, the government has yet to give details of the travel expenses of any trip since the Free National Movement (FNM) was elected to govern.

In opposition, the party frequently criticised the Progressive Liberal Party’s travels as a symbol of waste.

Dr Minnis’ statements yesterday came after he touted his Texas trip as a success. However, the only commitment that appeared to be secured is that of some business people pledging to visit Grand Bahama, based on Dr Minnis‘ remarks.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott invited Dr Minnis to his state in December and the pair met this week to discuss business and education opportunities that could benefit the two parties, Dr Minnis said. Dr Minnis said he also met with senior executives of

Google, Silicon Laboratories, and Dell. He also met with as many as 300 Bahamian students, he said, as well as mega-church pastor Joel Osteen.

Asked about the transparency of his travel activities and expenses, Dr Minnis said: “We are very transparent. You were able to see me leave the plane by what’s happening (with streaming devices), you were able to see me go into those meetings, you knew exactly what was discussed, you knew when I went to Governor Abbot; the only part you maybe did not probably know of is the visit to the port. I did not visit their port, Minister (of State for Grand Bahama Kwasi) Thompson led that delegation visiting the port there and they built a very great relationship. So we have been very transparent. The world is watching me now. So we don’t hide anything. I don’t know how

more transparent you can be. We are being streamed.”

He was referring to live steams of his whereabouts and activities on Facebook.

Asked about the expenses of his trips, he said: “There is a difference between spending and no results, and spending and results – which would you prefer? Every penny we spend we will account. I have a minister of finance who don’t allow us to spend a penny unless (it) produces results.”

Asked about transparency of his Cabinet overall when it comes to travels, he said: “If you want the Cabinet to report on the ministers’ travel that’s not a problem, but what I can say is all of their travels are within budget.”

Asked if he is confident his trip to Texas will spur business opportunities in the country, he said he is only concerned about thinking positively.

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING MEASURES TO TACKLE GAMING INDUSTRY WEAKNESSES

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE Gaming Board yesterday announced plans for a compliance monitoring system equipped with an anti-money laundering framework, as part of its efforts to safeguard the integrity of the gaming industry.

In a statement yesterday, Gaming Board chairman Kenyatta Gibson advised that the agency had identified several “inherent vulnerabilities” which needed to be addressed if the industry were to remain in compliance with all international standards and best practices.

Mr Gibson’s statement noted the Gaming Board is charged with safeguarding the integrity of the industry against all risks identified through or highlighted by the country’s Money Laundering/Terrorist Financing National Risk Assessment and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) Mutual Evaluation Report, respectively.

To that end, the statement indicated the

Gaming Board was embarking on a process to establish countermeasures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing threats through the implementation of the new compliance monitoring system.

“In light of the above, and as a corollary to its regulatory mandate, the Gaming Board is charged with safeguarding the integrity of the gaming industry against the aforementioned risks, including inherent vulnerabilities, and is fully committed to upholding all international standards and best practices which underpin the same,” Mr Gibson noted.

“To this end, protection of the gaming industry in the Bahamas from the threats of money laundering and terrorist financing remains the Gaming Board’s primary concern and indeed must be considered a national priority, particularly among all of the Gaming Board’s licensees.

“To date, the Gaming Board has already installed an anti-money laundering software solution which has been tested and certified by relevant gaming technology experts.

“Further, training in the operation and use of the anti-money laundering software solution has been completed and the Gaming Board is presently testing the anti-money laundering software solution environment with its licensees, namely casinos and gaming house operators.

“Additionally, within the next 30 days, the Gaming Board will issue a request for proposal to solicit bids for the installation and implementation of a central monitoring system which will provide realtime monitoring and surveillance of the operations of all licenced casinos and gaming houses. This system will ensure that The Bahamas is and remains compliant with international regulatory requirements and best practices.”

Mr Gibson also said the Gaming Board will issue a request for proposals within the next 30 days for an independent audit of its accounts.

“This measure is in keeping with the Gaming Board’s focus and emphasis on the accountable and transparent regulation of the gaming industry in The Bahamas,” he said.

“As a doctor I’m very results oriented,” he said.

“We deliver. As for how confident am I, I met with Joel Osteen and while I watch him every Sunday

sitting in my living room because he’s so motivational, he’s inspiring, he’s so positive, he (teaches) you to think positively, not negatively. I think like that so,

yes, I am positive. I don’t allow the negative factors to interfere, you must remain focus; and if you remain focused and think positive, and yes you can do it.”

PAGE 6, Thursday, January 25, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

BPL on target ‘for best summer yet’ from page one request as a swipe at recently appointed CEO Whitney Heastie and COO Christina Alston, and moved to defend the efforts and expertise of both appointments.

“Mr Speaker, the plan of the government is to run (the utility provider) with Bahamian expertise and it is going to be safer, more reliable and more

environmentally friendly than it has been in the past,” Mr Bannister asserted. “Let me tell you, Mr Speaker, earlier (Mr Davis) asked for some plans, I am going to tell you some things.”

Mr Bannister proceeded to note several dilemmas BPL’s new management team have inherited upon appointment, issues he laid directly at the feet of the former Christie administration and Mr Davis, former minister of works.

Chief among the issues he presented were organisational problems that fostered a culture of confusion throughout BPL and environmental grievances Mr Bannister claimed the Christie administration allowed the utility company to sidestep.

Mr Bannister said the management team led by Mr Heastie and Mrs Alston has created an environmental services position tasked with mitigating BPL’s environmental impact.

Additionally, according to Mr Bannister, BPL has also created positions for community liaisons to track power outages and response times.

Moreover, the works minister highlighted the establishment of a bill by text campaign to facilitate the ease of receiving bills; additional avenues for bill payment through third party outlets and the establishment of a tender process, which

he claimed had already saved BPL roughly $10m.

Mr Bannister also said BPL has revamped its vendor qualification process to ensure that all vendors in its purchasing and payment database are legitimate.

This issue was at the base of a 2016 fraud scheme which cost BPL roughly $2m.

With respect to its summer power generation woes, Mr Bannister said the new management team has already implemented a

“summer readiness plan” for New Providence, Exuma, Abaco and Bimini.

However, he did not provide any details of the plan, its cost or its scope.

Mr Bannister added: “Mr Speaker, I am only touching on some of the things that they have done. This Bahamian guy, Whitney Heastie, and this Bahamian woman, Christina Alston, have led a team that is enthusiastic about making a difference for Bahamians.”

EX-MINISTER WARNS NOT TO INFLUENCE CRASH PROBE from page one

WRECKAGE from the crash in Andros.

The crash killed six people, including pilot Darren Clarke, 45.

In the wake of the devastating incident, many described Clarke as a “hacker.” The term is used when referring to a person providing transportation services at a reduced price without having the necessary licence to operate in the industry. Clarke was not

licensed to run commercial flights, nor operate multiengine planes.

“I also want to take this time to send condolences to the families of the people of North Andros who lost loved ones in the most recent aviation incident,” Mrs Hanna Martin said yesterday.

“Speaking of unlawful activity and the issue of illegal charters, I’ve listened and I have not commented because I have always been of the view that whenever there are investigations going on you do not comment especially if you are the minister because we run a risk of prejudicing the investigation. It’s best to allow your agency to conduct the investigation so that it ascertains the facts.

“I heard the minister speak about political will and I see a subtle effort to deflect from his responsibility as minister. The issue is very plainly that the only political will that is relevant right now is your political will.”

She also said: “But you must take responsibility and you must attack it in a way that you are able to get in front of the issue.

“The issue of illegal charters is one that if you just do a mere research, that the (US) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is challenged with in the United States. It’s a complicated issue. It’s difficult.

When I served as minister, the decals were introduced to allow passengers of the public to know this is a licensed commercial charter, etc. The law changed in 2015 but it has proven difficult from the enforcement point of view and so you have to look at that and so the FAA has been continually challenged.

“We must be very careful how we comment on these things in a way that does not cause for a higher understanding of the population.

We want the investigation to take place. We want to ensure that something of this nature never happens again because the price is very high in this instance.

“But I think we have to be mature in how we approach it in a way that does not sort of muddy the water and allow an investigation to take place. Let the report come and out of that the minister will know what we must do next.”

On Tuesday, Mr D’Aguilar said he was shocked by what has been uncovered in recent days as it relates to procedures and policies that allow for pilots, such as Clarke, to work as “hackers.”

The Free Town MP said he has instructed Civil Aviation Authority Director General Charles Beneby to draft a policy document on how to best address the dilemma.

Mr D’Aguilar said the reality that the word “hacker” is so often used in the country’s aviation sector illustrates how serious the state of the country is in.

Meanwhile, reflecting on last week’s tragedy, Mr Lloyd said he does not care whose toes are mashed or egos assaulted – the situation mandates the government take a look at “the rogue circumstances” that exist in the sector.

Several parliamentarians offered their condolences to the victims and their families in the House of Assembly yesterday. A memorial service is planned for the victims on Friday at 10am in North Andros.

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THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 25, 2018, PAGE 7

COB worker ‘refused to answer’

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net FORMER College of The Bahamas employee Chimeka Gibbs refused to answer certain questions relating to the heart of allegations she stole over $500,000 from the college over seven years during her initial interviews with police in November of 2015, Supreme Court jurors heard.

Police Sergeant Donald Rolle, attached to the Business Crime Section of the Central Detective Unit (CDU), said while Gibbs acknowledged her employment at COB, her responsibilities at the college and even her monthly pay, she declined to comment when he questioned her about her numerous bank accounts or her allegedly altering the COB payroll to inflate her salary since 2011.

According to Sgt Rolle, Gibbs was interviewed at CDU on two separate occasions, once on November 12, 2015 in the presence of her then-attorney Terrell Butler after being arrested by himself and another officer at COB, and again on May 27, 2016 as a result of him further investigating the matter.

Sgt Rolle’s testimony was that on November 12, 2015, after arriving to work sometime after 9am, he received a complaint from COB. As a result, he with Sgt Dwayne Delancey, went to

CHIMEKA Gibbs at a previous court appearance.

COB, where they met and spoke with the institution’s head of security and former assistant commissioner of police, Glenn Miller.

Mr Miller gave them certain information and directed them to an office where they met Marlo Murphy-Braynen, COB’s vice-president of finance.

They also met with Renee Mayers, COB’s associate vice-president of human resources, subsequent to which they received certain information.

Sgt Rolle said they also got certain documents from Ms Braynen in the form of emails and other COB

documents. He said they also recorded a statement from her.

Later that day, around 1pm, he and Sgt Delancy were escorted back to Mr Miller’s office, where they again spoke with him in Ms Mayer’s presence. At that time, a woman was pointed out to him, who they consequently approached. That woman identified herself as Chimeka Gibbs and said she worked at the college.

Sgt Rolle said based on the information he had at the time, he cautioned and arrested Gibbs in relation to stealing by reason of her employment. Sgt Rolle said during that time, Sgt Delancey asked Gibbs if she understood what was happening, to which she replied “yes”. Sgt Rolle also said Gibbs said she already told COB officials she had taken funds for the months of September and October of that year, and that she also offered COB to repay those funds.

Nonetheless, he said Gibbs was arrested and officially booked in at the Grove Police Station before being taken to CDU. Sometime around 4.52pm that same day, Sgt Rolle said he, woman reserve Corporal 918 Adderley and Gibbs went to the interview suite at CDU, where he conducted an interview of Gibbs in the presence of Ms Butler, her lawyer. Sgt Rolle said during the interview, Gibbs acknowledged that she had been attached to the human resources

section at COB for some 14 years, and that her position at the time of the interview was human resources assistant I. Sgt Rolle said she also acknowledged that her responsibilities were to process COB’s payroll.

According to Sgt Rolle, Gibbs said she maintained the payroll file, and would email those files to persons in COB’s finance department for approval.

Once approval was given, her responsibility was to email payroll files to officials from the Bank of The Bahamas (BOB) who would further process them.

According to Sgt Rolle, Gibbs said the email she used was chimeka.gibbs@ cob.edu.bs. He said she also acknowledged in most instances the emails would be sent to Asteen Clarke from BOB. During the interview, Sgt Rolle said he also questioned Gibbs about her salary at the time, which she acknowledged was $2,394 a month. However, when he asked her if she had accounts at Scotiabank, First Caribbean, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and Commonwealth Bank, she declined to answer.

Sgt Rolle said Gibbs also declined to comment when he suggested that she would alter the COB payroll file in order to inflate her salary, and that she had been practising that behaviour of increasing her salary since 2011.

Sgt Rolle said Gibbs also

declined to read over and sign the record of interview.

However, he said he signed the record of interview along with Cpl Adderley.

On November 14, 2015, Sgt Rolle said acting on instructions, he released Gibbs from custody pending further investigations.

Subsequent to her release, Sgt Rolle said he conducted further investigations into the matter, subsequently speaking to COB officials and with Ms Mayers, whom he said gave him 90 plus copies of Gibbs’ monthly salary information concerning the period 2008 to 2015.

Sgt Rolle said he also visited Scotiabank, FCIB, RBC and Commonwealth Bank where he received copies of the account information and statements.

Among those documents were copies of identification consistent with Gibbs, he said.

As a result of further investigations, on May 27, 2016, while at CDU, he rearrested Gibbs in relation to stealing by reason of employment.

Shortly after 1pm on that date, Sgt Rolle said he went to the interview suite with woman Police Sergeant Gibson and Gibbs, where he conducted another interview in connection with the matter.

Sgt Rolle said during that interview, he also showed Gibbs copies of the monthly salary documents covering 2008-2015 that were provided to him.

Sgt Rolle said when shown the documents, Gibbs acknowledged the amounts were reflective of her true salary for the periods given.

However, Sgt Rolle said Gibbs declined to answer when it was suggested that she would alter the payroll file for each month, rename the file and use a number two behind it. He said she also declined to comment when it was suggested she would send one of the deposit payroll files to COB’s finance department for approval and send another file to BOB via email for processing.

Sgt Rolle said she also declined to answer when it was suggested to her that as a result of her actions, and falsifying COB’s records, she stole an excess of some $640,000 from COB. Nonetheless, as a result of that second interview, Sgt Rolle said he charged Gibbs with the offences currently before the court.

Gibbs is on trial before Justice Cheryl GrantThompson charged with stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars between March 2008 and October 2015 while employed at COB. She is facing eight counts of stealing by reason of employment and 16 counts of falsification of accounts.

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

The trial continues.

WOMAN JAILED FOR SMUGGLING DRUGS IN A CONDOM from page one

Camille Laytora Mackey, of Nassau Village, was sentenced to one year and six months

by Magistrate Derence Rolle Davis after pleading guilty to two drug-related

charges stemming from her attempt at smuggling 9.5 ounces of cocaine into the US on Monday.

She faced one count each of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply and taking preparatory steps to export dangerous drugs.

According to initial reports, on the day in question, Mackey presented herself to the pre-clearance section at the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) with a police record, passport and a boarding pass for a Bahamasair flight to Fort

Lauderdale.

She would have been subjected to a secondary search while at the airport, during which she was questioned about her luggage.

She was also inspected and screened by an x-ray machine and patted down, after which customs and

border patrol officials discovered an insertion in her vagina.

In the presence of various officials, Mackey removed the insertion, which turned out to be a plastic wrap encased in a condom. The substance inside the plastic wrap,

the prosecution said, contained the characteristics of cocaine.

The substance was subsequently tested. Mackey was taken into custody by Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) officers for further investigation in connection with the incident.

PAGE 8, Thursday, January 25, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Henfield vision of council to tackle immigration

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE failure of successive governments to train civilian leaders for the effective management of military forces has resulted in a lack of strategic vision, and contributed to the thriving nature of illegal immigration and other maritime law-breaking, according to a 2016 dissertation by Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield.

In it, Mr Henfield states the country has left strategic development to chance, periodically throwing manpower and scare resources at problems in hopes of a miraculous outcome — all while domestic and transnational crime threaten and jeopardise its tourismdriven economy.

He called for policymakers to operationalise its National Security Council (NSC) through improved civil-military relations to create a holistic strategy that encompasses the entire national security complex.

“Bahamian officials must prepare their NSC to manage the affairs of national defence, foreign relations, intelligence, and law enforcement in order for it to positively effect change of the status quo,” he said.

“To achieve this outcome, the NSC must be enabled to create strategy, coordinate policy, and inform strategic operations aimed at safeguarding the country’s borders and economic future.

“All aspects of national security and defence must be incorporated into a single administrable whole, including the RBDF, Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), immigration

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Mr Henfield’s thesis, “Making the National Security Council ‘Better in The Bahamas’ To Resolve Illegal Immigration,” was first published in 2015 and reissued in 2016 with some corrections, and was submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for his Masters in Security Studies at Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

This was before he was elected to office in May 2017.

Mr Henfield submits a dozen recommendations for the consideration of Bahamian policy makers and national security strategists, intended to address the major challenges associate with the “Haitian problem”.

Some of his suggestions mirror recent steps taken by the Minnis administration concerning immigration enforcement, inclusive of a crackdown on persons who illegally hire migrants.

“After 43 years of independence,” the dissertation read, “successive Bahamian governments have failed to evolve beyond the colonial model of knee-jerk reactions to security challenges.

Instead of creating a comprehensive national security strategy, the country has left its strategic development to chance”.

“As a result, responses to challenges overall have been reactionary and not anticipatory. Even existing challenges, such as the Haitian problem, remain without a broad, well thought-out response, beyond apprehension, detention, and forced repatriation. Because Haitian

MEMEBER of Parliament for North Abaco Darren Henfield. immigration and other localised issues do not directly impact the United States as does the drug trade, Bahamians will have to determine solutions on their own. Perhaps an involved National Security Council (NSC) explicitly geared toward advising the prime minister can inspire traction beyond the present posture.”

Recommendations include: operationalise the NSC; enforce existing laws; target the gainful employment of illegal immigrants; restrict immigration vessels; enforce the SOLAS convention; building Haitian partnership to mitigate illegal immigration from Haiti; develop a comprehensive maritime agreement with Haiti;

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establish labour exchange in Haiti; decentralise RBDF and immigration operations; develop a forward operational RBDF base at Inagua; construct immigrant detention facilities at Mathew Town, Inagua; and develop a strategic communications campaign in Haiti warning of the potential perils of the voyage from Haiti to The Bahamas.

In the SOLAS convention, states are obligated “to establish uniform principles and rules geared toward promoting the safety of life at sea”.

Mr Henfield theorised the determent of unsafe and overcrowded Haitian sloops from leaving Haiti is the responsibility of Haitian authorities. However, he suggests The Bahamas

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff step in to render assistance given “the current enforcement and bureaucratic deficiencies in Haiti,” and offer Bahamian resources and personnel to assist with the development of Haitian maritime law enforcement personnel and maritime platforms.

“Simply accepting the status quo relative to unabated Haitian immigration to The Bahamas has long been intolerable,” he concluded.

“The recommendations made in this thesis— which are by no means exhaustive of potential initiatives and actions that might be taken to mitigate the problem— are provided consideration and with a view of changing the status quo.

“In the present condition,

The Bahamas will continue fighting the still unresolved and growing Haitian problem in the same manner as has been practiced for the past 50 years, and will likely reap the same circular results. Should the recommendations offered be accepted, focus will come to the problem and long-term solutions are likely to be formed, implemented, and realised.

“Moreover,” he added, “Bahamians might begin to directly shape their strategic outcomes rather than waiting for uncontrollable events and others to do it for them. In any event, repeating the last half century relative to the Haitian problem in The Bahamas would be nothing short of absurd.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 25, 2018, PAGE 9

My little dog has it so good when so many have it so bad

By Diane Phillips

W

E have a for jobs at Larry’s business small dog. which is light manufacturWouldn’t ing and where our daughter have been works as the company my choice, but our daugh- manager. There aren’t any ter who was in college at openings now (unless you the time got lonely one day know of a good industrial after dropping off her big sewing machine operator dog to us on her previous and if you do, please call trip home because the big him), but other than that dog was too confined in her there aren’t any openings. apartment so she went out So Larry hired him. For the and got herself this little day. dog which she named Loki.

Our daughter, the same We still have Loki. More one who delivered first one than ten years later. I would dog, then another into our never have thought it pos- lives, and is also a pushover sible. But even though a for anyone in need called small dog that jumps onto her dad who had gone out my lap and tries to lick to grab a quick lunch and me on the face but mostly asked him to bring back slobbers and barks inces- some food for Tom. She santly to make itself feel big thought he looked hungry whenever anyone comes though he never said a to the door would not word about it and worked be my choice or even an constantly. Larry showed acquired taste in pets, over back up carrying a large, the years Loki has become juicy burger and a soda. a firmly entrenched part of He saw the wide-eyed look the family. And something on Tom’s face and he could happened the other day to almost smell the hunger. make me see her in a whole And then Tom did somenew light. thing extraordinary. He It was a gray, chilly day cut the burger in half and for The Bahamas. We sat wrapped one half ever so outside on our deck under carefully. He saved half of the awning, protected from his soda. He was providing drizzling rain. My husband, for his younger brother.

Larry, who is a man’s man We’ve learned a little bit in every way more about except for a Tom and his How many more brother since. marshmallow heart, looked Toms are out They sleep in over at Loki there? Young a car. Once who was curled in a while up in her soft, males who when they fuzzy, fleece- crossed a line at have enough like little bed one time but who money, they with its proget a motel tective rolled straightened up room on St fleece sides. and may have a Alban’s Drive, She had on her same lot to offer? Young the Velcro-clasped street where fleece jacket men who pay too Ronnie Butler and there was great a price for lived in the a soft toy next latter years of to her. Her too little offence. his life, a place water and her where transibowl of food were nearby. ence feels permanent and it And Larry said, “Do you is only because of the kindrealise Loki has it better ness of at least one landlord than much of the popula- that the frequently hometion of The Bahamas? She less sometimes have a roof has a roof over her head over their head. Perfection that does not leak (we just of the roof is not so relevant replaced ours last year, so to them. A roof is powerful non-leaking roofs are a big enough to make the person thing in our lives). She has occupying the space for the food and water and love. night thank God for blessThat little dog has it so ing him so. good, she has it better than Tom used to smoke weed.

Tom does.”

He doesn’t anymore, realTom is not his real name. ised it was interfering with But the story is real. The his ability to hold a job. man we will call Tom His mother, who lives in showed up at Larry’s door Nassau, doesn’t seem to the other day and asked for want to bother with him or a job. He was timid, polite, the brother he looks after. and there was something She seems okay with the touching about him. He fact that her sons spend was prepared with a police most nights in a car or that certificate and clean bill of they don’t own a phone health. Lots of people apply between them and when

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A HELPER at the Bahamas Feeding Network playing a part in reaching out to those in need - but what are the rest of us doing? they get a meal, they share it.

How many more Toms are out there? Young males who crossed a line at one time but who straightened up and may have a lot to offer? Young men who pay too great a price for too little offence. What young male in The Bahamas has never smoked weed nor regretted his behaviour during a short period of his life? How long do we keep wasting strained police resources on possession of marijuana for personal consumption? This is not a pro-marijuana narrative, though I strongly believe in decriminalisation making a violation comparable to a traffic offence. Excessive use has its own punishment.

Let’s remember that

one of our leading scholars at the University of The Bahamas has stated publicly that he spent his youth as a pothead. That was before he went on to get a solid education, live abroad, make something special of his life, come back home and contribute to society. We celebrate his recovery while Tom, who is poorer and smoked for far shorter a period of time, lives in a car.

Recovery is a two-person process, one being the recovering individual, the second being the person looking at that individual.

We can overcome what we did wrong and eventually forgive ourselves for what we might consider momentary or temporary foolishness but what if

others do not forgive?

The story of Tom and the burger he shared with his brother despite his own hunger is a reminder that within each of us there is an untapped resolve. We can make a difference in our own lives and in the life of another. It need not take much, sharing a meal, recognising a need, seeing a hurt even if the person hurting tries to disguise it.

All we have to do is look around and see, like my husband did, that one little dog has it so good while so many have it so bad, and address the disparity. So maybe the little lap dog that I never would have chosen as the pet d’jour does serve a purpose after all, disturbing apathy about the living conditions of others.

Government’s own statistics tell us that nearly one in every seven persons in The Bahamas lives at or below the poverty level, pegged at $11.64 a day.

Churches, soup kitchens, food recapturing programmes like Hands for Hunger and feeding programmes like the Bahamas Feeding Network deserve so much credit. But what about every one of us? Can we not make a difference in a single life? Where is our moral compass, what drives us to pass right by members of Ambassador Chorale and not donate to their tin church boxes when they care for the homeless and hungry every day? Where are we when Tom, who shares what little he has, needs us?

PAGE 10, Thursday, January 25, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Officer denies lawyer’s claim of shoddy police work in murder case

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A LEAD police investigator denied in court yesterday that the investigation into the brutal murders of a Deadman’s Reef couple was shoddy police work.

Det 772 Lorenzo Johnson’s handling of the investigation was brought into question by Geoffrey Farquharson, a lawyer for one of the accused, during cross-examination on Wednesday in the Supreme Court.

At times, there were disparaging exchanges between the attorney and the officer, who were advised by the judge of their improper conduct in court.

Mr Farquharson directed Det Johnson to various photographs that were taken by police inside the residence of Barry and Sheena Johnson following their deaths on September 12, 2015.

The couple had been shot and robbed of their truck and a set of keys. Mr Johnson was discovered on the ground outside the front of the residence with a wound to the head, and Mrs Johnson was in the living room, with an injury to her right wrist and head.

Five men were initially charged with the murders and armed robbery of the Johnsons. Paul Belizaire, Devaughn Hall, and Kevin Dames are on trial, while two of the men, Allan Alcime and Virgil Hall, were convicted only of the

armed robbery after accepting plea deals and testifying as witnesses for the Crown.

During cross-examination, Mr Farquharson asked Det Johnson about the two cellular phones found at the residence.

According to the detective, the cellular phone found on the floor in the couple’s bedroom was damaged and belonged to Mrs Johnson.

When he asked how he knew it was her phone, the detective said one of the accused men said he had knocked it from her hand after confronting her in the master bedroom.

Det Johnson said that he and his team attempted to turn on the phone, but it was damaged.

“Would you say that the cell phone contained

important information?” asked Mr Farquharson.

“Possibly,” replied Det Johnson.

The lawyer then accused the detective of being negligent in his duty by not having the phone repaired and examined, and by failing to obtain a log of the calls and messages from the telephone company.

Det Johnson said he had officers in the police force’s IT section check into repairing the phone, and that a request was also made to the phone company for the cell phone records.

When asked whether he had received a written report from the IT section on its findings, Det Johnson said he did not.

When asked about the phone records, Det Johnson said that he did not

receive any phone records from the phone company.

“I put it to you that you could have gotten a subpoena for those records; that phone could have been a key to this case,” suggested Mr Farquharson, who said Mrs Johnson had made three calls to her husband the night of the murders.

Det Johnson explained that the request was made to his superior Supt Lloyd, the officer in charge of CDU, who would then make a request to the commissioner of police.

Mr Farquharson asked if he knew whether the commissioner of police had requested the cellular phone records. The witness said that he did not know whether the commissioner had talked to the phone company.

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Det Johnson said that Mr Johnson’s Samsung phone was also turned over to the IT section, where an Inspector Grant and his team checked and examined it.

Mr Farquharson asked the detective if he had received a report from the IT section concerning Mr Johnson’s cellular phone.

“No, sir,” he replied.

Mr Farquharson then suggested that potentially vital information was lost, and had indicated that the absence of phone records amounts to “slack” police investigation.

“You never tried to see who called him in the hour before he died?” Mr Farquharson asked, who indicated that there was evidence given in court that Mr Johnson was at Bruno Parker’s house when his wife called him.

The lawyer stressed that Mr Parker was the last person to see Mr Johnson alive before he went home.

Det Johnson said that on searching Mr Johnson’s phone they were able to confirm that Mrs Johnson had called her husband.

Mr Farquharson then questioned whether Det Johnson had made inquiries into Mr Johnson’s finances at the bank.

Det Johnson stated they did not have any information that Mr Johnson did anything illegal.

The trial resumes today.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 25, 2018, PAGE 11

Loophole fears over grouper season

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

CONCERNS have been raised that permits allowing the Nassau grouper to be sold year-round create a loophole that potentially allows the endangered fish to be exploited during the closed season.

The closed season for the Nassau grouper is December 1 - February 28. During this period, “no person shall take, land, process, sell, or offer for sale any fish commonly known as ‘the Nassau grouper’…except where such taking or landing is carried out, with the written approval of the director of fisheries for scientific research purposes,” the law states.

Fishermen are also sometimes given permits to sell frozen grouper caught and inspected before the closed season.

However, on Friday when The Tribune visited Montagu fish ramp with Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, executive director of Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF), the first thing fishermen touted was “freshly frozen” Nassau grouper.

According to BREEF’s website, identifiable features of the Nassau grouper include “dark saddle shaped marking on the base of the tail” and “five olive brown vertical markings (bars) on a light body”.

When pressed for information about when their fish was caught, the fishermen gave conflicting information. At first, they claimed that their Nassau grouper was caught three days before. Later, they said these claims were false.

A fisherman who identified himself as Dwight Davis, 25, said: “Everyone who sells grouper out here has a licence to sell it after the season is closed. (The government) actually gives them a permit — you can catch (Nassau grouper) before the season is closed and put them in the freezer.

So when the season is closed, you have grouper.”

Another fisherman said: “If a fisherman wants to make a sale, the fish is

already frozen. So some people will be like, ‘oh, I want a fresh fish, I don’t want no frozen fish.’ So it’s a scam to tell them the fish is fresh in order to get a sale.”

Another man, 59, who referred to himself as a “jack of all trades”, said that some fishermen indeed sell freshly frozen Nassau grouper, because the closed season only applied to Nassau, not “on the other Bahamian islands”.

Edison Deleveaux, acting director for the Department of Fisheries, disputed these erroneous claims. He told The Tribune: “The law is evenly applied throughout the country.”

Mr Deleveaux continued: “No one is supposed to be selling fresh Nassau grouper right now. As a matter of fact, Nassau grouper that is being sold, (is) grouper that would have been inspected, grouper that would have been caught prior to the closure and would have been inspected by fisheries inspectors.

“The permits you see are the permits that would have been granted after their catches or what they had on hand have been inspected and verified.”

The Tribune obtained a copy of a permit, which is stamped and issued by the Department of Marine Resources. It reads in part: “Please be advised the you have been authorised to continue to possess the stated quantity of Nassau grouper, 800 lbs of the species with the aim of selling the resource during the closed season. It is, however, requested that you keep us informed with regard to your sales of the species during the closure.”

Mrs McKinney-Lambert expressed concern that these permits create a “loophole” or a slippery slope that can result in the endangered fish being caught by unscrupulous fishermen even during the closed season.

She said: “It’s such a tough thing because I love fishing myself, and I just want to make sure that my kids and everybody else’s kids are able to continue to fish for this species and others for generations to come. So the closed season

BAIN REJECTS RECUSAL BID IN NYGARD CASES

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

SUPREME Court Justice Rhonda Bain has rejected Keod Smith’s application to recuse herself from hearing Peter Nygard cases.

It is not the first time she has made such a ruling.

Late last year she ruled that Mr Nygard gave “no cogent reasons” for his claims of bias and said there is consequently “no basis” for the recusal as he asserted.

She added that a “fairminded and informed observer” considering all circumstances would not conclude the court is biased against him.

Justice Bain further noted in her ruling the substantive matter has been delayed by the “numerous” interlocutory applications and applications for her recusal, adding this most recent ruling is the 26th to date, and that there are still approximately 20 outstanding applications in the matter.

The latest ruling against Mr Nygard means the

court could move on with its outstanding interlocutory applications and the hearing of the substantive application for judicial review.

The judge said: “The court is not minded to adjourn this matter causing any further delay. As indicated earlier in ruling 26, there were 20 outstanding preliminary applications at that time – some of those are applications by the sixth respondent. However the court is unable to hear any preliminary application while the recusal applications are outstanding. As the recusal applications challenged the jurisdiction of the court, the court is mandated to deal with the the recusal applications before hearing the other outstanding applications.

In order to proceed with all the outstanding applications the court shall set a directions hearing to make directions with respect to the hearing of the preliminary applications. The court sets Monday, February 4, 2018, 10.30am for a directions hearing.”

COLD FRONT FOR WEEKEND

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net TWO more cold fronts are expected to hit the country starting today, according to Basil Dean, chief meteorologist at the Department of Meteorology.

Although the cool start to the New Year has given way to warmer weather recently, temperatures are expected to drop over the next few days.

Mr Dean, a veteran meteorologist, told The Tribune:

“Beginning (today), winds will pick up significantly, and those windy conditions will continue through the weekend.

“Temperatures will also drop a few degrees as of Thursday. Days will be cooler and milder. Boats and other small craft are also advised to exercise extreme caution.

“Another cold front will come in on Monday. Strong wind conditions will also follow into the middle of next week. There will be windy and cool conditions.”

MONTAGU where Morgan Adderley and Casuarina McKinney-Lambert spoke to fishermen about grouper sales. Photo: Donavan McIntosh gives the Nassau grouper due to overfishing, Mrs many other countries in our the ability to enforce this a chance to reproduce and McKinney-Lambert said: region. So it’s something important law. make the next generation “We don’t have an exact that we want to be proac“Another important of fish. timeline but there are sev- tive in The Bahamas, and component is our network “But having loopholes eral other countries in our take measures to ensure of marine protected areas, where you’re able to sell it region that have completely that we have this fish for that are areas that are given during the closed season lost the Nassau grouper. generations to come. special protection and makes it very difficult to In Florida, it’s gone. In “The closed season is a contribute to our fishery enforce the closed season.”

Jamaica, the last time they tool to achieve that goal. by enabling fish to reproWhen asked about the saw spawning aggregation But right now the loophole duce and then repopulate timeline of the Nassau was in the 1970s. that is letting people sell areas outside the marine grouper possibly going “And populations have Nassau grouper during the protected areas where fishextinct in Bahamian waters declined dramatically in closed season undermines ermen can fish.”

Store Consolidations RBC Royal Bank wishes to announce that as part of its efforts to evolve and innovate our clients’ experience, the following changes will be made to its store network in The Bahamas: Store Andros: RBC Andros store will be consolidated with RBC Main store, Bay Street, Nassau New Providence: - RBC Robinson Road store will be consolidated with RBC Carmichael Road store - RBC John F. Kennedy Drive store will be consolidated with RBC Carmichael Road store Long Island: RBC Long Island, Gray’s store will be consolidated with RBC Main store, Bay Street, Nassau

Effective Date March 30, 2018

March 16, 2018 March 23, 2018

April 13, 2018

We encourage you to take full advantage of our multi-channel options for your banking needs including RBC Mobile App, Digital Banking, ATMs and our Advice Centre.

While our branch network is evolving, we pledge our unwavering commitment to helping you attain your financial goals. If you have any questions regarding these changes kindly contact your store manager.

We sincerely thank you for your business and continued support and look forward to serving you.

www.rbcroyalbank.com/caribbean ® / ™ Trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence.

PAGE 12, Thursday, January 25, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

THE INAUGURAL flight from Houston to Grand Bahama from Sunwing in 2016. The operator will bring its Vacation Express service back to Grand Bahama by May.

Express success for Grand Bahama

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE return of a major US tour operator to Grand Bahama will provide muchneeded airlift to the island

by May of this year.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Tourism this week, Vacation Express, based in Atlanta, has indicated it will

be returning to Freeport with additional flights.

The announcement comes at a time when many persons have inquired about the status of airlift on Grand Bahama Island, a tourism spokesman said.

The company is known for its exclusive, non-stop flights, and affordable all-inclusive vacation packages, and has announced that some eight non-stop

flights will depart various US cities, including Detroit, Chicago, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Newark, Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Dallas.

Flights will be operated

by Swift Air LLC, using a Boeing 737-300 aircraft.

Each trip will run on a fournight rotation, departing various days of the week with early departures and late returns for an optimal

vacation experience.

Kevin Hernandez, vicepresident for marketing and sales at Vacation Express USA, is excited about their return to Grand Bahama.

“We have had requests from many passengers and travel agents who are generally looking for a great deal on a shorter getaway. From luxury hotels to budget-friendly getaways, Grand Bahama island

offers everyone a piece of Caribbean paradise close to home at an affordable price,” he said.

With the return of Vacation Express to Grand Bahama, tourism officials expect that local businesses can look forward to a significant increase in stopover visitors this year.

Betty Bethel-Moss, Ministry of Tourism director in Grand Bahama, said:

“The Ministry of Tourism is excited about the return of our summer Vacation Express programme from eight gateways in the United States. Since Grand Bahama is no stranger to many of these gateways like Nashville, Newark and Cincinnati, we anticipate good traction from these markets.”

Vacation Express service is operated by Sunwing.

LYFORD CAY FOUNDATIONS NAME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EMPOWERING future Bahamian leaders while providing innovative solutions through access to education has been a hallmark of the Lyford Cay Foundations. Now, for the first time in its nearly 50-year history, the foundations are proud to announce that an alumna from its scholarships programme will lead the organisation.

Felicity Humblestone, a Canadian Lyford Cay scholar, has been named executive director of Lyford Cay Foundation and is focused on upholding the foundations’ legacy of impact in education in The Bahamas.

“It’s a privilege to lead this organisation with its longstanding history of enriching the lives of Bahamians. Because of the foundations, thousands of students, some of whom never dreamed of college, have now seen that dream come true; still others are already vibrant contributors to Bahamian society,” reflected Ms Humblestone.

“However, there is still so much work to be done. The foundations’ guiding vision is that all Bahamians who aspire to create a better life and a better country have access to opportunities to do so,” she continued. “The support of the foundations made attaining a university degree possible for me; I am deeply honoured to work towards the goal so that others have that same opportunity.”

The impact of the foundations has been vast. To date, more than $50 million has been invested in Bahamians by Lyford Cay Foundations’ generous donors. Some 1,450 scholars have pursued higher education outside the Bahamas; more than 1,350 students have pursued their degrees at University of the Bahamas; 240 Bahamian non-profits are doing good work across the archipelago; 226 FOCUS students are actively on the path to college; and six Cutillas Scholars have started their post-secondary education.

Ms Humblestone believes that the foundations can make an even greater

FELICITY HUMBLESTONE difference in the future by harnessing the strength of its scholars.

“Lyford Cay Foundation scholars are making notable contributions in every sector of society from government leadership to technology to business and every field in between. They are using the education that they have received with the help of the Foundations to create innovative solutions that will ultimately transform our country,” she said.

“We look forward to deepening our connections with our scholars, learning more about their journeys to success, and harnessing their collective power to enrich the Foundations’ programmes.

With the combined influence of our donors and scholars, we will be closer to our vision of making sure that every Bahamian is empowered to reach his or her full potential.”

Ms Humblestone is deeply committed to the Bahamas and has made philanthropy her life’s work.

Before taking on a new role as executive director, she served for seven years at the foundations as the programme director of FOCUS, an out-of-school time enrichment programme that she was hired to launch and develop. Prior to joining the foundations team, Ms Humblestone led the Alumni Relations and Development Department at The College of The Bahamas.

“It is gratifying to see the impact the Foundations have been able to make as the largest private contributor to educational opportunities in the country,” said Lyford Cay Foundation Chairman Basil P Goulandris.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 25, 2018, PAGE 13

THE NEW executive management team of the Ministry of Education. Pictured in the front row; from left are: Sharon Poitier, Marcellus Taylor, Minister of Education Jeff Lloyd, Donovan Turnquest and Serethea Clarke. (Back row, from left) Julian Anderson, Eulease Beneby, Isla Deane and Reginald Saunders.

EDUCATION TEAM IS UNVEILED MINISTER of Education Jeffrey Lloyd on Friday announced the appointment of, and introduced to the Ministry of Education’s staff, a new executive team at the Ministry and Department of Education.

The department is now led by Marcellus Taylor, acting director.

His new team comprises: Eulease Beneby, acting deputy director, school management and registration; Sharon Poitier, acting deputy director, curriculum; and Julian Anderson, acting deputy director, technology and innovation.

The ministry’s new team remains headed

by Permanent Secretary Donnella Bodie, who is now joined by: Reginald Saunders, under secretary, general administration and the scholarship and educational loan division; Serethea Clarke, acting under secretary, human resources and

examination & assessment; Isla Deane, deputy permanent secretary, general administration; Donovan Turnquest, acting deputy permanent secretary, general administration and

understudy for the physical plant division; and Joan Darling, financial controller.

Education reform is high on the list of priorities enunciated by Prime Minister Hubert Minnis.

NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS The Board of Directors of Finance Corporation of Bahamas Limited hereby notifies its Shareholders that a dividend payment of five cents (5 cents) per Ordinary share in respect of Q4 2017 results and a special dividend payment of ten cents (10 cents) per Ordinary Share will be paid on 29th January 2018 to all Shareholders of record as at 22nd January 2018.

CORPORATE SECRETARY

PAGE 14, Thursday, January 25, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

A birthday gift for the first children of the year from Doctor’s Hospital DOCTORS Hospital could think of no better way to begin the new year than welcoming two new babies into the world. Through its partnership with Lowe’s Wholesale Drug Agencies Ltd and Johnson and Johnson, Doctors Hospital recently presented the first born baby boy and girl of 2018 with a special gift basket.

On January 2, She’mon and Eugene Williamson welcomed their first child, Aria Neveah Williamson, who was also the first baby girl born in the hospital this year. During their recent visit to the hospital, the couple, who are still adjusting to the sleepless nights, shared: “This basket is a wonderful surprise, after having such a great experience at Doctors Hospital.”

Just two days after Aria’s birth, LaShawn and Damian Bethel welcomed the first baby boy of the

year born at Doctors Hospital, Damian Leroy Bethel Jr. While not Mrs Bethel’s first delivery, this was her first experience at Doctors Hospital.

“The service was excellent. (My husband) Damian was even jealous when he saw just how good I was being treated and how the nurses went out of their way to give me everything I asked for,” she said.

The gift baskets, overflowing with baby essentials, were presented by Krista Nairn, marketing manager at Lowe’s Wholesale and Nestaéa Sealy, brand manager for Johnson and Johnson.

“We just wanted to congratulate the parents on behalf of Johnson and Johnson and we’re happy to present the kids with this token, which I’m sure will come in handy over the first few PICTURED from left: Nestaéa Sealy, Johnson and Johnson brand manager; Eugene Williamson; She’mon Williamson, holding baby Aria; months of their lives,” LaShawn Rolle-Bethel, holding baby Damian Jr; Damian Bethel, Krista Nairn, Lowe’s marketing manager; and Patricia Brown, Doctors Hossaid Ms Sealy. pital Maternity Department co-ordinator.

READERS RESPOND TO BANK PULLOUT FROM ISLANDS THE Royal Bank of Canada’s announcement that it would close four branches – including a pull-out from Andros and Long Island – prompted a lively reaction from readers on tribune242. com Sheeprunner12 asked: “What will happen to the millions of dollars that Long Islanders have deposited and transacted in Royal Bank? How will these businessmen and private citizens access their business accounts? How will the islanders pay their bills and their loans? How will NIB pensioners access their funds? No ATM . . . No cashiers . . . just RBCOnline . . . and NO REMORSE from Beneby and his RBC

cohorts. We suppose the DPM and the Minnis government will wring their hands and say this is how the private sector adjusts to competitive market forces (aka webshops).”

Pileit said: “Just came from RBC making a deposit. Teller tells me there will be a $2.97 charge for depositing using a teller, since the ATM is free. Of course ATM deposits of any significant sum have a 2-day hold . . . yep, that

sounds fair. This is a fee for me putting CASH into their hands.”

SP had this to say: “Only a full-blown jackass would consider branch closures and fewer services as ‘progress’. This whole announcement by Beneby is a massive insult to our intelligence.

The fact is, the extraordinarily high number of expat blue collar work permit holders who repatriate income to home countries have seriously eroded commercial banks’ local Bahamian customer base, resulting in lower bank business volumes!

“Until the government stops this stupidity of displacing the Bahamian

workforce with blue-collar work permit holders who repatriate majority of their income to home countries, the economy will unquestionably continue on this downward spiral and contraction.”

After Bahamas-born Jean Rony Jean-Charles said he was given the equivalent of $4.69 to start a new life in Haiti, ThisIsOurs responded with: “Hope he gets home. People ask the question: who is a Bahamian or what makes you Bahamian? ‘Bahamian’ is a mindset. I think. There are some people who want papers so they can live here and work but they identify with Haiti or Jamaica or wherever their native

land is. They’re just here because it’s convenient.

This man IS ‘Bahamian’, he doesn’t identify with any other country, he’s wondering why ‘his’ people forsook him. Once that’s done don’t let another child go through this.”

My2centz said: “The solution is simple: amend the constitution to grant birthright citizenship or don’t . . . just be clear. This so-called entitlement and window of application has created a mess. It’s even messier when the minister himself states these persons should not be deported, but takes no action to clarify the chaos or state what the process is for them to be legalised.”

And there was this from Sickened: “It certainly is a sad case and I truly feel for the man BUT people have to learn to help themselves.

People need to put in the effort to have a good life.

Very few of us do what we do because we love it, we do it because we see it as the best way forward. This man had every opportunity to get his papers in (maybe he did) and get straight.

He can’t blame anyone but himself! You are home now, Jean Rony Jean-Charles.

It may suck but you gotta make the most of it and do what you can to make your home better.”

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

Fri Jan 26th - Sat Feb 3rd, 2018

% off

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*except on NET items

% 75off Mall at Marathon Monday-Friday 7:00am-8:00pm Saturday 7:00am-9:00pm Sunday closed www.kellysbahamas.com

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 25, 2018, PAGE 15