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VOLUME:115 No.46, JANUARY 29TH, 2018

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INFERNO INSIGHT: A SOCIETY STIFLED BY SLACKNESS

150 homeless as arsonist sets The Mud ablaze

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

SCORES of homes were destroyed in the shanty town community The Mud in Abaco yesterday, displacing more than 150 people, police and government officials said.

Authorities believe the fire sprung from arson and a Bahamian man has been taken into custody, assisting police with their investigation.

Central and South Abaco MP James Albury told reporters it is estimated 55 houses were destroyed

and 170 people have been affected.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Emrick Seymour said police received reports of the fire around 6am yesterday. When they responded to the scene, they found two houses ablaze. The fire rapidly spread amid high winds, he said.

Volunteer firefighters were summoned to help extinguish the blaze, which took several hours to put out.

There were no major injuries reported from the incident.

SEE PAGE THREE

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

AS a “contained” fire continued to burn at the New Providence Landfill yesterday – sending toxic smoke and fumes into the air – residents of nearby Jubilee Gardens expressed frustration over a situation that has become all too familiar for the city dump’s neighbouring residential areas.

It was just last April when

THE DUMP on fire on Saturday.

...AS THE DUMP IGNITES - YET AGAIN a blaze took place at the landfill, coming nearly three weeks after fire services tackled a massive fire there in March, which burned for nearly a month.

SEE PAGE THREE

A HOME goes up in flames during a blaze at The Mud in Abaco as seen in this image from a video circulating on social media.

‘SAVAGES’ Girl gang kills teen mum over phone

Fri Jan 26th - Sat Feb 3rd, 2018

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THE family of a 19-yearold girl stabbed to death in the street by a gang of women last night branded her killers as “savages” who deserved to hang.

Breanna Mackey, pictured, was walking on Key West Street on Thursday evening, shortly before 6pm, when she was brutally attacked by three women who emerged from a silver coloured Honda.

According to police, Mackey was stabbed multiple times before her attackers jumped back into the car and sped off.

She was rushed to hospital, but died of her injuries.

She had just celebrated her birthday the previous day.

Last night her sister Tonia Sturrup told The Tribune the family had been left devastated by her brutal killing. Mackey’s three-year-old daughter Bre-Ne still cannot understand what has happened.

SEE PAGE FIVE

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‘BLIND’ SUSPECT SHOT BY POLICE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net A MAN who residents say was blind, was shot and killed by police Friday, prompting an angry confrontation between residents and police in the East Street area where the shooting occurred.

Police claimed the man was with someone else and as the pair fled on a motorbike, one of them aimed a firearm in the direction of officers.

However, police could not say whether the man SEE PAGE SEVEN

PAGE 2, Monday, January 29, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Bahamian born men released in court ruling

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net SUPREME Court Justice Gregory Hilton is

expected to deliver his ruling on deportee Jean Rony Jean-Charles and the fate of a pregnant wife of a Bahamian man facing deportation tomorrow.

Justice Hilton granted the unconditional release of two Bahamian-born men from the Carmichael Road

Detention Centre (CRDC) on Friday, and will deliver a written judgment on several other habeas corpus applications this week.

The released men, Emmanuel Simon, 36, and Anselet Curry, 27, were among several detainees who filed applications seeking the court to adjudicate on the legality of their detention at the CRDC in the last two months.

In court Friday, the Crown’s lawyer Kirkland Mackey said while the government was conceding to the men’s release, it maintains their arrest and subsequent detention were lawful, and their detention times were lawful and reasonable given the circumstances of the individuals.

Particularly in the matter of Mr Simon, Mr Mackey pointed out that despite having produced a birth certificate, there was no

CELEBRATIONS outside the court on Friday after the ruling of two Bahamian-born men. facial identification linking him to the document.

Attorney Fred Smith challenged this point, stating that there was no possible way to make such a link given that facial identification was not recorded on such a document.

Mr Simon and Mr Curry had been released by the courts on December 19, 2017 along with Michelot Merilien, 22, Fanel Gassant, and newly-expectant Haitian mother Mirlene Corvil, 25.

Mr Gassant has been in detention at the CRDC since November 29, 2017; however, supporting affidavits say he is married to a Bahamian woman and has an outstanding application for a spousal permit.

Mr Merilien, who was reportedly born in the Bahamas, was arrested and detained on December 7, 2017.

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According to her affidavit, Ms Corvil and her husband submitted their application for a resident spousal permit on October 13 and received an acceptance slip.

During an interview two weeks later, Ms Corvil claimed the immigration officer discontinued the interview after discovering her extension had expired and sent the couple to another floor within the building to another officer to first get a further extension.

However, she alleges the officer on the third floor confiscated her passport and told her to first purchase a return ticket to Haiti before coming back to the department.

She was arrested at two-months pregnant by immigration officers “for not having documents” on December 4, 2017.

At their release on December 19, Supreme Court Justice Gregory Hilton set bail at $1,000 and ordered them to report to the Department of Immigration once a week every Wednesday until their hearing.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 29, 2018, PAGE 3

150 homeless as arsonist sets The Mud ablaze from page one

However, shelters were opened yesterday to accommodate the many displaced people, which DCP Seymour said included “quite a number of children.”

Mr Albury told The Tribune the main shelter for displaced people last night was the Church of God. Additional shelters will likely be set up beginning today, he said.

He added that the number of displaced people is based on those who checked “in with Social Services and the command centre.”

“The Department of Social Services has been fully mobilised since the morning and throughout the evening, checking in with persons, getting information, covering details of items lost,” he said. “The Red Cross has also been

very helpful and vital, providing food, water and other basic supplies.”

Mr Albury said there is sufficient food and drinking water for the displaced people, as well as access to toilet and cleaning facilities.

Such fires are not unusual for The Mud. In 2014, a similar incident prompted a government pledge to relocate more than 150 people who were displaced after a fire.

A 23-old-man, Joel Josue, pleaded guilty at the time after he was charged with damaging and endangering property by the wilful and negligent use of fire.

Abaco is the home of the country’s biggest shanty town population. Combined, its three shanty town communities, Sand Banks, The Mud and Pigeon Peas, have as many as 1,000 homes, according to statistics.

AN AERIAL view of the fire in The Mud in this image from a video circulated on social media.

THE FIRE at the dump in Nassau on Saturday.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/ Tribune Staff

...AS THE DUMP IGNITES - YET AGAIN from page one

At one point, residents in Jubilee Gardens were forced to evacuate their homes as thick black smoke from that fire blanketed the community.

This time, according to the head of Fire Services, Chief Superintendent Walter Evans, officials were battling flames in a contained area. He said no cause has been found yet because firefighters were still working along with crews from the Department of Environmental Health and heavy machinery operators.

The blaze began sometime before 4pm on Saturday, Chief Supt Evans said.

Several hours later on Sunday, The Tribune canvassed residents in Jubilee Gardens who questioned how many more times they would be subjected to “torture” before a resolution is found.

Rena Hudson, a resident in the low-cost housing subdivision for the past ten years, said as successive governments have failed to find resolve, the time might be now for Jubilee Gardens to be condemned and its homeowners compensated and relocated.

She said it was sad that during the 2017 election campaign, there was a lot being said about the dump, but now that the political season is over, the issue has died down. Among the loudest to be heard at the time she said was Tall Pines MP Donald Saunders.

However, she said she has not seen him now that the city dump is again on fire.

“What can we say? Here we go again,” Ms Hudson said as she stood on the walkway of her home. “No results and there are no answers. During election time, you could hear everybody’s mouth now you hear nothing. People are being affected.

THE AFTERMATH of the fire at the dump site as seen yesterday. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff “We have people dying. management plan and an with the wind we could see People are being diagnosed evacuation shelter was an increase. So they need with cancer and you hear established at the Kendal to have a deeper look at nothing. No solution. This G L Isaacs Gymnasium at what’s happening there and the Queen Elizabeth Sports try to see the best way they is torture.

“Government after gov- Centre. can bring it under control Another resident, and alleviate it completely.” ernment and they know the situation, but yet you Charles Walkine quesAllianne Bellhomme, have not gotten one person, tioned the potential for another area resident, including this government, major health issues because added that for the last seven to resolve anything for the of the toxic fumes in the years living in her home, area seeping inside homes. people of Jubilee Gardens. she has constantly sought He said yesterday: “It refuge at a nearby cousin’s “I personally have not seen Don Saunders,” she could be hazardous for us house to escape the smoke, added. “I cannot say for the especially with the wind which has sent her to hospiothers if he was in the area right now. It’s because the tal several times. (but) I was home (and) I smoke is already changShe, along with another haven’t seen him pass the ing direction and it will get resident who did not want area. So I can’t say so. But into the house much easier. to be named, said resoluone thing I can say is from So it’s really not a good tion for the situation has the last smoke we had, we situation right now espe- been slow moving because were told that they were cially with people who have the people with power seem going to bring a solution. I asthma. My family mem- not to care that they conbers all have asthma, so this tinue to suffer. have yet to see it.

“We pay mortgages. We could be major.

Picewell Forbes, Progres“It’s obvious that they sive Liberal Party shadow live in these homes with our families. It is sad to know haven’t fixed this or found environment minister, in a that every day you come a resolution,” the 10-year statement yesterday used home you have to see it and Jubilee Gardens resident the situation to tell the govcontinued. “The prob- ernment “we told you so,” now smell it.

“So, what should the lem is still ongoing and adding it must put out the it hasn’t been remedied. fire and fix the city dump people of Jubilee do?”

Ms Hudson said she With time of the year and forthwith. remains hopeful the situation will not escalate to the same severity of last year’s massive fire.

Last March, several residents poured water on their roofs, as the fire moved closer to their homes.

Others were rushed to hospital complaining of respiratory complications.

The situation also led the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to activate its emergency

PAGE 4, Monday, January 29, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

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Politics put before patients’ beds at PMH PRINCESS Margaret Hospital Administrator Mary Walker, commenting on the fact that the Princess Margaret Hospital has had to turn away non-emergency cases at the hospital this weekend because of a critical bed shortage due the roof not being repaired for two years, and the shortage of nurses, says that this is the “worst” she has seen the hospital in the many years that she has been on the hospital’s staff.

We are surprised at this statement.

Surprised because in the 41 years that she has been with the institution she should have seen the continuing neglect, the political manoeuvring and the build up of what Health Minister Dr Duane Sands has called the “perfect storm” caused by years of “dumb and inappropriate decisions made by the previous government”. Maybe it would have helped if she had spoken up sooner.

It is a “storm” that Dr Sands inherited in May of last year when his government defeated the Christie government, and one that Bahamians expected him to defuse despite inheriting unpaid bills and approved contracts with no finances to undertake them. Dr Sands said he is “honestly not sure” when a solution to the “mess” will be found. Seeing the unpaid bills, the approved contracts with no start up funds, the waste, the inefficiency, the stupid spending on Family Island clinics, some of which have no staff and at least one of which is yet to open — all to win an election. Short of a miracle we see no way out of this morass of fiscal confusion.

The Tribune did its best to keep its readers informed as to what was happening at their hospital. But public reaction was one of indifference. Now they want to know what the FNM government, not yet a year in office, is going to do about it. PLP blustering and boasting was loud about all the free medical services that was to come on stream. In March, 2015, the PLP announced that it would implement the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme in January 2016. No longer would Bahamians have to have cook-outs to raise funds for needed operations.

“The cost of health care in The Bahamas is high and many can’t afford to pay for private care,” wrote a member of the PLP‘s medical team at the time.

“The political mantra is that no one can be denied care in government institutions because of an inability to pay. So people are flocking there and the hospitals are bursting at the seams. The care available is limited and the wait times are too long. Those who need care can’t get it as needed, when needed, and those who need more, can’t get more.” All that would be changed – no more wait times at clinics, all resources required would be provided” and so the promises continued. Yet, today the hospital is hard pressed to attend to emergency cases.

Money that should have contributed to providing a first class hospital for The Bahamas went to pay high consultancy fees to put together an NHI scheme.

Despite these expenses that they could not meet, PLP politicians led Bahamians to believe that they would be able to supply them with a private doctor of their choice and free medical care. When someone asked a doctor how government was going to pay for all of that, the sarcastic reply was: “That’s for you to figure out!” As far as we were concerned we had figured it out long ago. The tragedy was that the Bahamian people had not.

Eventually, a sleeping Bahamian

public must have seen through the promises. At the polls in May last year they finally gave the PLP the order of the boot. The FNM has now inherited an empty Treasury, and a once indifferent public is expecting the impossible — a miracle that is not there.

After the 2017-2018 Budget debate Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest revealed that the Christie administration had paid more than $10m in consultancy fees for NHI in the last fiscal year — money desperately needed to supply the needs of a collapsing PMH. “I would say that National Health Insurance is an example of not only fiscal ineptitude, fiscal mismanagement, but it becomes the poster child of what happened during the last administration.” A gullible Bahamian people bought into the bluster. And now they want to know when the Minnis government is going to deliver. With no finances, what can they deliver — unless, of course, Bahamians are willing to be taxed to raise the funds. Maybe such a suggestion might waken our people up to their responsibilities as citizens.

Administrator Walker complains of the critical shortage of beds at the hospital – so critical that they are now sending patients home to be attended by clinics in their districts.

However what did she expect? Does she recall that the Critical Care Unit was built to provide much needed extra beds? And does she recall that the the clinic was 96 per cent completed — expected to open in October, 2012 – only five months away? Construction was running smoothly, everything was on schedule. The May, 2012 election defeated the Ingraham government.

The Christie government took over the administration. The completion of the Critical Care Unit was left with sufficient funds to not only complete the building, but to purchase the needed equipment. All that was needed was the recruiting and training of staff.

However, under the PLP government construction was stopped so that the much needed “step down” clinic — a unit for patients’ bed – could be converted into the PMH’s administrative offices. This would not have supplied all the beds needed today, but it certainly would have made the situation less critical — these plush offices removed at least 20 recovery beds. The 52-week nurses training course, accredited by the Royal College of Nurses in the United Kingdom, for the training of patient care assistants, anaesthetic assistant and emergency medical technicians was discontinued and the Bahamian nurses, now trained, were released or terminated. Surely, PMH Administrator Mary Walker remembers this major political blunder. One doctor told The Tribune at the time that he doubted that the Critical Care Unit would open as scheduled because of the PLP’s “lack of planning, the diversion of funds to other things, procurement problems, redesign of valuable space and making changes so that their people could get financial benefits”.

To have staffing and equipment in place did not seem to be a priority.

Training of Bahamian nurses for critical care duties had stopped. The Critical Care Unit opened more than two years late, but even then it was not fully functional. The situation got progressively worse. And so here we are today with a general hospital that should be condemned. However, the new government will have to move slowly from one problem to another and with public support try to rebuild on what they have.

Use the lights we already have EDITOR, The Tribune.

LIGHTING up Fish Fry... easy, the Minister of Agriculture needs to speak to the Minister of Transport and allow agriculture to use the spanking brand new tall aluminium LED

lights, some six-eight of which were installed at the refurbished Traffic Inspection location at Ft Charlotte.

There is absolutely no need for this type of lighting there... totally overwhelming and if

installed at Fish Fry will light up the whole area like daylight.

Transport, save us money buying more lights please.

W THOMPSON Nassau, January 24, 2018

Dr Minnis’ archipelago of opportunities EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE experience that best prepared Dr Hubert Minnis for the job of Prime Minister just might be his stint as a businessman.

His medical training may have informed his compassion and empathy for others but it’s probably his time making payroll, tackling state bureaucracy and remaining competitive that is producing the impetus to transform the government.

The Prime Minister is taking on a monolith bureaucracy with a reputation for pampering its own civil servants and for coddling the mandarins who control them.

Civil servants love precedence. Most of what they do has been done before and if there is nothing in their files detailing how something was done, then a pioneering request or proposal could be ignored, denied or bludgeoned to death by endless red tape and run-around.

Minnis seems intent on turning red tape into a red carpet. He wants to use technology to make it easier, faster, cheaper and more efficient for citizens to interface with their government.

The PM must continue reinventing government.

He wants to visit Singapore to see how they run what arguably is the most efficient civil service in the Commonwealth, if not in the world.

He should take a couple of senior civil servants with him and leave them there for a year. The PM will discover that the Singapore economic miracle started when the government went outside of the civil service to recruit Permanent Secretaries and Senior Directors who led the revolution that transformed the city state.

Top level talent was recruited and paid handsomely to come into the government and make it more efficient. Then leave.

They re-directed the human talent that sat in reserve in many ministries.

“Minnis the reformer” has begun to carve away at some of the biggest governmental impediments to

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net growth in our economy.

Critically, what Minnis is doing will boost the confidence of local investors and provide the kinds of reform that international lending agencies and foreign investors have longed to see.

Realizing the economic nightmare he inherited from Perry Christie, Minnis is doing the opposite of Perryism. Instead of spending money we don’t have, he is pumping the fiscal brakes, slowing the growth in the budget deficit and pulling us back from another downgrade which would have increased our costs of borrowing, leading perhaps to penury.

Our economy is largely dependent on government spending and any sharp pulling on the reins would be disastrous. A gradual approach to reining in spending is sound policy. Now we must shift focus from consumption to investments.

Minnis has committed his government to renewable energy. If he can reduce the cost of energy then we reduce our oil import bill, reduce costs for business and homes, make Bahamas Power and Light more efficient and energy more reliable.

Just think of the millions we won’t have to spend on home and business generators.

Not to mention what this will do for the environment.

Despite the initial cost, investment in solar and wind will pay for itself.

Some of the PM’s initiatives are designed for small businesses. He removed the block on Bahamians holding foreign currency bank accounts that go all the way back to the second world war when the Bahamas was a part of the sterling bloc and Britain wanted to make sure the colonies were not swapping pounds for US dollars.

This policy lasted so long partly because the rich kept their US dollars in accounts outside the Bahamas, flaunting the regulations

but secure in the knowledge that no-one would do anything about it.

As of February, some the millions that sit in bank accounts in Florida may find their way into US dollar denominated accounts here. Beware, however, some local banks are dinosaurs from the same stone age as civil servants.

The biggest problem local businessmen have is poor access to credit. The PM will need to coax the banks to take calculated risks, careful not to turn away the next Bahamas Striping success story.

Special attention must be paid to those businesses that export, those that can help with import substitution, and those that are micro targeted at the tourism industry.

Atlantis and Baha Mar and others are active purchasers of goods and services. More of that needs to be contracted for locally instead of always resorting to buy in Miami those goods that even Miami has to import.

As the PM’s reforms bring civility to the public service he can start to cajole institutions that are sitting on pots of money to engage with the private sector.

Instead of only buying Treasury bills and government bonds, non-traditional financial institutions such as trade unions, insurance companies and even the National Insurance Fund could pool a small percentage of their resources into a venture capital fund to support new businesses.

They ought to invest for the long term, cashing out when these companies go public on our stock market or list on others.

Now that the PM has started to build his transformational bridge reshaping the country from a collection of sleepy settlements into what he brilliantly called “an archipelago of opportunities”, the private sector needs to start building its end of the bridge to meet him halfway.

THE GRADUATE Nassau, January 24, 2018.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 29, 2018, PAGE 5

Girl gang kills teen mum over phone from page one “She keeps asking, ‘When is my mummy going to get up?’” her sister said.

According to Ms Sturrup, the killing involved a row between Mackey and some girls over a broken cell phone.

“These young ladies were supposed to be her friends,” Ms Sturrup said.

“It seems one of them had handed Breanna her phone and it had slipped and the screen got broken.

The girl kept demanding Breanna buy her a new one.

“This had been going on for a few weeks, the girls kept coming ‘round threatening her, demanding a phone. We told them if they kept coming ‘round there’d be a problem for harassing her. We could see it had to be something more than a silly row over a phone.

“Breanna was outgoing, spirited, fun-loving girl. Everyone she came into contact with fell in love with her. If you asked her for anything if she had it she would give it to you.

She loved to party and lived life to the fullest.

“These girls had to be jealous.”

The family’s distress over Mackey’s murder has convinced Ms Sturrup something has to be done to try to prevent the seemingly endless killings taking place around us.

“I try not to hold animosity in my heart, but what they did to my sister was so uncalled for,” said Ms Sturrup.

“They took her away from her daughter.

“Now I just want the court system to deal with this to the utmost extent.

I believe we should start hanging. Those who commit murder should be hanged.

“We cannot feel Breanna ever again, we can never touch her, but at the end of the day the people who did this can go to jail and have their families visit them, touch them. They still have that, they still have life – for us it has been taken away.

“If you take a life, your life should be taken also.

“These people didn’t have to stab Breanna, but it’s clear their intentions

were to hurt or kill her.

“I do think they are savages: they are heartless,” Mackey’s grieving sister said.

“These murders have to stop. My sister’s life was taken senselessly.”

Mackey’s family has met their MP Glenys Hanna Martin, who offered her condolences, but has heard nothing from any other politician, FNM or PLP. Since the murder, police have taken five women and two men into custody for questioning.

Investigations are continuing.

ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel.

BETHEL TO SPEAK ON MARITAL RAPE LAWS

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel is slated to expound on the issue of marital rape at an upcoming panel hosted by the Bahamas Press Club.

Mr Bethel is expected to bring clarity to the foreshadowed amendments to the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act, and engage in public discourse on the controversial issue.

During a presentation at the United Nations earlier this month, Mr Bethel confirmed a bill had been drafted that would effectively criminalise marital rape as “aggravated spousal sexual abuse.”

His presentation drew the ire of some who felt the government’s international commitment was premature, and did not demonstrate good faith in local public consultation efforts.

Mr Bethel denied criticisms and characterised the backlash as “kneejerk commentary” to erroneous news reporting and commentary.

The event, titled “Marital Rape – Is it a Blow to Family Life?” will be the first “Speaker’s Corner” for the press club, and will be staged at JCN Studios on Tuesday, January 30 at 6.30pm.

Other panelists include: Barrington Brennen, marriage and family therapist; Donna

Nicolls, Bahamas Crisis Centre; Chauntez DilletHeastie, Organisation for Responsible Governance; M’wale Rahming, Public Domain; and Pastor Mario Moxey, Bahamas Harvest Church.

“The Bahamas Press Club sees this as an opportune time to help bring a better understanding of the impending amendments, and to encourage public discourse on such a weighty and sometimes confusing issue, if only because of semantics,” according to a BPC press statement.

“There is no doubt it is proving a controversial issue, which in some quarters is seen to strike at the very heart of family life in the country.”

BREANNA MACKEY, who was stabbed to death on Thursday evening.

PAGE 6, Monday, January 29, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

DAVIS BLASTS 2,500 JOB CUTS IN PUBLIC SECTOR AS ‘SHAMEFUL’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said he is not surprised by the latest unemployment figures, which highlights a “shameful” public sector shrinkage of more than 2,500 jobs, adding he believes the number will double once the complete picture is revealed.

On Friday, Department of Statistics officials said the country’s unemployment number slightly increased from 9.9 percent to 10.1 percent. This snapshot into the jobs situation included the government sector decreasing by 2,555 people from 40,990 to 38,435, or by some 6.3 percent.

Despite an increase in the number of employed people in the Bahamas – by some 3,575 moving the labour force from 200,155 to 203,730 – the 1.8 percent growth was not enough to significantly impact the unemployment situation as the number of high school graduates outweighed the net increase in available labour.

In a press statement yesterday, Mr Davis said if the government is not careful the country will be headed toward a downward spiral of negativity.

The Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP noted it is interesting the Minnis administration is touting and promoting private sector jobs that have been created, but these jobs were created largely by Baha Mar, a project which reached completion under the former PLP government.

The survey was conducted between October 30, 2017 and November 6, 2017. It also found the unemployment rate in New Providence was up from 10.4 percent to 10.6 percent, while in Grand Bahama it declined slightly from 12.4 percent to 12.1 percent.

Additionally, in Abaco the unemployment rate was 8.6 percent, up from 7.8 percent during the previous survey.

Mr Davis said: “It is now confirmed that the FNM’s policies for the Bahamas have been ruinous for the Bahamian people.

The Department of Statistics confirms that 2,500 people were fired as employees from the

OPPOSITION Leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis. public sector last year since the FNM came to power.

This is shameful. It has led to a decrease in consumer spending, and less tax money for the Treasury. This should not have come as a surprise to the FNM unless they as we suspect do not understand the connection in our economy between consumer spending and tax revenue.

“The figures do not tell half the story, because they cover a limited period of time. When the full story is revealed, we believe that it will be more than 2,500, but twice that number. We believe that the government has been cutting back, the private sector is following suit and if we are not careful, we are headed toward a downward spiral of negativity.”

Mr Davis said it is clear the Minnis administration does not have a plan for governance, “nor have they taken the time since in office to appreciate the foundations that were laid by us which they are reaping on a limited basis in Baha Mar, hence exacting victor’s justice by eliminating those 2,500 who they believe to be PLPs.” He added: “We say to the FNM, stop these cruel policies and reverse course forthwith.

“What is quite interesting to us is that they are touting and promoting private sector jobs that have been created.

These have been created largely by one project, Baha Mar, which was created and supported by the PLP but vilified and vigorously opposed by the FNM. “They now have no shame in embracing the project they once attacked.

But for Baha Mar, the situation would have been even worse. We sympathise with the unemployed. We are very concerned that the government has been targeting PLPs in dismissing

people from the service.

“We are concerned about the attempt by the Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest to soften the blow and fool the Bahamian public by announcing in advance the fact that unemployment would rise and then releasing the formal statement on a weekend when the FNM believed that few people would read it.

“The Bahamian people are not fooled. Unemployment is up because of the FNM coming to power.”

Mr Davis was referring to Mr Turnquest’s comments during a Chamber of Commerce luncheon for the installation of officers and directors in Freeport, Grand Bahama on Friday. He made the comments shortly after officials in Nassau released the new data.

During the event, Mr Turnquest said the added jobs to the labour force was proof the government was “turning the corner.”

“Now for the bad news.

Unfortunately, the conditions of school leavers drove up the unemployment rate by a modest .2 percent,” Mr Turnquest said during the event.

“What is particularly pleasing news,” he continued, “is despite what is said about Grand Bahama, and its unemployment rate, the unemployment rate in Grand Bahama declined slightly from 12.4 percent in May, to 12.1 percent.

“So, while it’s not big news we’re all very appreciative for all of you who would be responsible for that .3 percent decline in unemployment here in Grand Bahama, and it’s no surprise where that decline happened. It’s primarily in the transportation sector looking at the Container Port, the Harbour, Shipyard and related companies.”

Department of Statistics officials said the private sector absorbed most of the new jobs since May 2017, but employment among youth 15 to 24 continued to be considerably higher than any other age group. This increased from 20.1 percent in May to 22 percent in November.

Discouraged workers in the country also increased by 5.7 percent over the sixmonth period.

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THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 29, 2018, PAGE 7

‘Blind’ suspect shot by police from page one who was shot and killed was the one who brandished the weapon. There was no report that a weapon was recovered from the scene.

The man’s death marks the fourth time someone has been killed by police this month and the ninth time it has happened since the beginning of November 2017.

The recent incident

brings the number of outstanding cases for which a Coroner’s Court inquest must be held to at least 32.

It remains unclear, however, what efforts officials have undertaken to ensure inquests are held as the law demands.

Police said shortly before 10pm, officers responded to a report of gunshots fired in the area of Plantol Street and East Street.

“As officers approached Irish Spring Court and Plantol Street, the same

area where a homicide had taken place a few nights before, they encountered two men on a motorcycle,” police said in a press statement.

“One of the men produced a firearm,” police said.

“The officers being in fear for their lives fired at the armed man, resulting in one of the men being fatally shot. Her Majesty’s coroner will continue investigations into the matter.”

Tension reached dizzying

heights between residents and the police after the shooting. In a video that circulated on social media after the incident, one woman repeatedly yelled: “The police them just shoot a blind man.”

Another man similarly shouted “A blind man,” a sentiment expressed by many in the video.

“They wrong, they wrong, they wrong,” the woman screamed, while some cried.

“Y’all kill my nephew,

y’all gon pay for that,” one man said.

Officers struggled to maintain order and keep residents beyond the yellow tape that walled off the scene.

At one point, an officer drew his weapon in front of the crowd as he shouted for the people to move.

However, this action appeared to enrage the crowd even further. “I recording it, I recording it,” the woman shouted. “Y’all think this a game?” one

person said. “You gon’ shoot me too, hey?” added another.

Last year, Attorney General Carl Bethel said the lack of inquests into policeinvolved killings over a number of years has been “unacceptable” and that he would determine if administrative or legislative fixes are needed to address the issue.

However, he has not yet announced what steps will be taken with respect to the matter.

SEYMOUR HANDS OVER TO SUCCESSOR IN GRAND BAHAMA

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Commissioner of Police Emrick Seymour.

DEPUTY Commissioner of Police Emrick Seymour officially turned over command of the northern district to his successor, Assistant Commissioner of Police Samuel Butler on Friday during a handover ceremony at Police Headquarters in Grand Bahama.

Deputy Commissioner Seymour – who has served as police chief for Grand Bahama and the northern region for seven years – is relocating to New Providence.

“I leave Grand Bahama knowing that all is well,” he said, referring to the recent crime statistics which showed an overall decrease in crime by 26 per cent in Grand Bahama in 2017.

“I go on record by saying that crime in Grand Bahama for the last six years has decreased by some 73 per cent, and so there again you see that Grand Bahama is a safe place to live, despite the economic challenges.

“I give thanks to God for allowing me the opportunity to serve my country in this capacity; Grand Bahama is home, however, duty calls and so I have to relocate.”

He said he had enjoyed his stint as commander, and thanked members of the public and officers for their support over the years in Grand Bahama.

“I have been the commanding officer of the GB and northern Bahamas district for seven years, and so the overall experience was an enriching one,” he said, also noting his rise from a constable to deputy police commissioner.

“Grand Bahama has not been doing well economically as expected, but I want to say that crime has been manageable for us. We had serious incidents where we had murder cases that drew raised eyebrows and people questioning what was going on. Yes, we had incidents that have resulted in death, but GB is still a safe place to live, work, visit and play,” he said.

He stressed that Grand Bahama is in “capable hands” with ACP Butler at the helm.

“He is an outstanding human being and a Bahamian, a man of impeccable character who can carry GB to the next level,” he said.

He noted that ACP Butler was previously commander of the Drug Enforcement Unit in Nassau.

“I am asking the public and officers to give him the same support given to me as he leads the GB district.”

He said.

ACP Butler commended DCP Seymour and the officers for their accomplishments in Grand Bahama and looked forward to partnering with stakeholders and residents of Grand Bahama.

“I am just simply a servant of the people, and I come to serve GB with a human touch, but also with the understanding that we must execute the law,” he said.

“We cannot do it in a vacuum. When we embrace working with stakeholders and ordinary citizens, then we will achieve good results. I pledge to the wider community that we will indeed seek to do our best to keep this community safe,” ACP Butler has three decades of experience in policing.

He has met with local stakeholders who have expressed concerns about the traffic violations as it relates to vehicle licencing and licence plates, and environmental concerns.

“We will certainly go after those, and more serious crimes,” he said.

PAGE 8, Monday, January 29, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

ANDROS PAYS TRIBUTE TO VICTIMS OF PLANE CRASH

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

THE North Andros community gathered at Cathedral of Olives Baptist Church on Friday to celebrate the lives and mourn the loss of the six people who died in a tragic plane crash on January 17.

Framed portraits of Ricardo Campbell, Desiree Russell, Destinique Wilson, Darren Clarke, Margaret Adderley and Valentino Russell each adorned in flowers, were proudly placed in front of the stage.

School children, government officials, clergymen of all denominations and the North Andros Mass Choir were among those who

formed the diverse group which paid tribute to the victims and offered support to the bereaved families.

Toward the close of ceremony, one grieving family member begged Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis to help the relatives get closure by quickly facilitating DNA testing of the victims’ remains. He said the families need to give the victims a proper burial.

Bishop Philip Campbell said to the prime minister: “I wish to appeal, sir, that as the DNA work is done, that you would see to it that we could get that resolved as quickly as possible. That we can come back to the house of God and bring dignity to the passing of our loved ones.

MOURNERS at the memorial service on Friday in North Andros at the Cathderal of Olives Baptist Church, with Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, right, in attendance. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff “I’ve said to my older siblings…if only for (my niece), we need to bring my brother’s remains to this house (of God).

“That (my niece) could home to Andros and say ‘this is where my Daddy is’.

Please, sir. We appreciate your presence; we appreciate all that was done today for our family. But it would be even more appreciated, sir, if you could make that happen for us as soon as possible.”

Speaking to reporters after the service, Dr Minnis said this request is “reasonable”.

He said: “I think families want resolution, quick resolution; you know the problems with insurance, etc. And there will be especially the kids...who are certainly wondering when their parents are coming home, when their friends are coming home.

“But with resolution those questions will be answered. And, therefore, we will, as you know DNA takes some time. But we will do to ensure it is done as quickly as possible to

bring resolution to this tragedy.”

He continued: “(Cabinet) is here to show support, because this is a tragic event that happened in The Bahamas, especially among a community like Andros, a very close-knit community. And a young, young student was included in this. Her life was not even begun. But when things happen, only one man knows why, and that’s God. And we must always continue to believe and trust in God.” When asked by The Tribune if he thinks the government needs stricter aviation regulations, Dr Minnis said: “This is not the time to talk about regulations. We have a family in mourning, an investigation is going on, so let’s wait for investigations to become completed.”

In his sentiments during the memorial, North Andros and the Berry Islands MP Carlton Bowleg Jr said: “We are here to celebrate the life of some of the greatest people I ever came in contact with in North Andros.

“Even though this road may be long, and this journey may be hard, I want you, the people of North Andros, (to know) that as long as we stand together, we will get through this.

Even though the mountain may seem high to climb, every day we’re going to climb higher and higher together.”

Mr Bowleg also recounted personal encounters he had with the victims, and ended his speech with a short performance of the

song “You Raise Me Up”.

His rendition was received enthusiastically by his fellow members of Parliament and the audience.

In his tribute, Leader of the Official Opposition Philip “Brave” Davis called for stricter regulations in the aviation industry. He said: “Grief has a way of bringing people together, to love each other even more deeply. That’s saddening that it has to be grief to bring those valuable traits out of us.

“While we come together in solidarity, we must also commit —we owe it to the victims— to ensure that they have not died in vain.

Similarly, we owe it to the living to work for better regulations, more stringent enforcement of rules, and evidence that we live in a just and humane society.”

During his speech at the ceremony, Dr Minnis told those gathered that not only is Andros grieving the tragedy, but the whole country is in mourning.

“We want you, the people of North Andros, to be assured that it is not only Andros that is grieving, but the entire Bahamas is grieving,” Dr Minnis said.

“The entire country feels a

sense of sorrow and heartbreak. Please know that as a nation we are praying for you.

“In times of tragedy such as now, it is only the love and comfort of those around us, and the healing power of Almighty God that sustains us through the pain and suffering that seems almost unbearable.”

One of the soloists at the service was Edison Clarke Jr, brother of pilot Darren Clarke. In an interview with The Tribune, he said he thinks the call to facilitate DNA testing of the victims’ remains so they can be buried soon is a “good idea.”

Mr Clarke said: “It allows the family members to have closure, you know the sooner the better. But we understand that it’s a tedious process, things have to be done. I don’t think they’re equipped in The Bahamas to handle the situation, so I know most likely they have to send stuff overseas.”

“We appreciate it, the sooner the better like I said.

We’re working along with the government so that as progress is made, they’ll be able to move forward and get closure and be able to rest easy.”

MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2018

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

A society stifled by slackness

‘The deferral of blame and responsibility between [Dionisio D’Aguilar and Glenys Hanna Martin] is indicative of the broader issue.

Nobody wants blood on their hands.

None of them wants to look those families in their eyes and accept partial responsibility for not fixing the issue when they had the power.’

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

contrary.

The nation mourns for them. We “SMALL things become mourn with them.

We never want to see our big things.” It’s not intended to be cliché – as much as it dismissal of order and regumay sound like one we’ve lation result in such tragedy.

As two of the Cabinet heard a million times.

However, it is truly a life Ministers in the Minnis philosophy that I am guided administration, Jeff Lloyd by. When we look at our and Dionisio D’Aguilar, nation today, and painstak- sounded off the alarms last ingly review all of the issues week about the slack reguthat we face as a society, lation of the aviation sector, we can see that “slackness” one can only wonder, has stifled us. Fundamen- couldn’t this issue have tally, we are mired in Third been prevented?

As respected BahamiWorld issues.

A struggling economy. ans and aspiring politicians Cronyism and corruption. – which is by no means to Lack of checks and bal- suggest the onus falls solely ances. While it has never on their shoulders – we still cost us much more than must acknowledge that they record unemployment and should have ideally undera few credit downgrades, stood the issues affecting we somehow find a way to The Bahamas before enterreset our norms and adapt. ing politics. Certainly, at As a society which has the very least, as Minister grown comfortable with set- of Tourism and Aviation, tling with the scraps tossed D’Aguilar should have seen that the lack to us by of strict regour politi- ‘This is the reality ulations in cal leaders the aviation after being we have set up for serenaded ourselves – one where sector was a powder during elec- once untouchable keg set to tion season, cronies can sit on blow at any we’ve never wit- special lists and create moment.

The nessed the sieves for millions previous errors in government our “slack” of dollars to escape society the public purse, and also failed each and come back people turn a blind every one to bite us so eye to egregious of the viciously. families The trag- wrong-doings if they shattered edy that are satisfied that it by this took place tragic in Andros, does not affect them.’ event, as where six Bahamians lost their lives they would have had more in the unfortunate plane knowledge and time to fix crash, is one of those events the issues. That should not that should serve as a wake- go unnoticed.

As we should all be up call. Of course, we never want to be taught a lesson empathetic to our brothers when the losses are so pain- and sisters who are hurting ful, but often those are the right now, all of our leaders lessons we heed the fastest. who had the power to right When it hits this close to the system should be feeling home, we are shaken back some level of culpability.

However, in hopes to to reality, and everyone begins to question, “Why?”, avoid the political blame “How can this have hap- game that has already pened?”, “Where did we begun between D’Aguilar, go wrong?” All of these are and his predecessor, Glenys valid questions, but all a Hanna Martin, we should only focus on what needs reaction to a symptom.

This is by no means to be done at this present intended to diminish the time.

Still, the deferral of pain the families are feeling right now. Quite the blame and responsibility

between the two is indicative of the broader issue.

Nobody wants blood on their hands. None of them wants to look those families in their eyes and accept partial responsibility for not fixing the issue when they had the power.

With attention drawn to the aviation sector, the government has no choice but to correct the faults within the system. Many Bahamians are now afraid to travel to the family islands on planes that look as if they should be put out to pasture and with pilots whose experience passengers cannot easily verify.

The game of life has never had higher stakes.

But for many, the local aviation industry presents tremendous challenges as they have no choice but to travel to New Providence or the family islands.

Undoubtedly, the lack of airlift has largely led to the proliferation of the hacker industry.

And while everybody knows this has been the norm for years, as D’Aguilar pointed out, there was “no political will” to do anything about it.

Moreover, the will of the citizens to witness change in our country is also minimal, at best. We thrive within the same systems that perpetuate slackness.

From paying someone a little extra at government offices to expedite a service, to paying less to fly on a sketchy charter flight – even if it means it may potentially be our last. Unfortunately, this has become a cultural norm that there’s hardly a thought that goes into it outside of the convenience of flexibility and the savings of a few dollars.

Then when there is a shocking revelation, we shudder to find out about missing money in government ministries and agencies. We gasp at politicians boldly stating their case in Parliament for why they should be regarded higher than the Bahamians they swore to serve.

This is the reality we have set up for ourselves – one where once untouchable

cronies can sit on special lists and create sieves for millions of dollars to escape the public purse, and people turn a blind eye to egregious wrong-doings if they are satisfied that it does not affect them. No one should be surprised when our economies struggle. No one should be shocked when planes fall out of the sky.

We should not be stunned by scandals, nor the disenchantment of our youth.

We have fallen so far short of what the nation’s ideals used to be that it is now almost easy to question if they were real or not. While tightening up is very necessary, its practicality may only have a short lifespan if there is not an intrinsic change to how we have evolved as a collective people.

Unless we embrace the energy that connects us all together and step outside of the insulated bubble of an individual existence, it will not be sustainable.

YOUR

For a country as small as ours, we cannot afford our society to be so fractured.

A little love for our brother and sister would go a long way in our country.

Certainly, we all have our part to play, but as our politicians have stepped up to the plate and picked up the mantle of leadership, they have a great responsibility to the citizenry. Too often we have seen humble men transform into entitled shells of their former selves that it has become disheartening to envision progress.

However, as the prime minister has pledged to transform the way the country is governed, we hope to see evidence of this, and soon. An interesting study revealed that the top 10 governed countries in the world are also among the world’s happiest people. If there is validity to the correlation that the success of a government is reflected on the happiness of a people,

we have an uphill battle to climb.

While Prime Minister Minnis has given some evidence that he has no intention of condoning the nonsense tolerated by the former prime minister, he still has much to prove.

With his first official year of being prime minister underway, we would like to see a government that has full understanding of the nation’s issues making actionable steps toward real change in every aspect of Bahamian life.

Likewise, the citizenry ought to look in the mirror and in the spirit of selfreflection and see how our contribution to the world can make the country a better place.

Let us evolve from being a people that only talks about change, to one that takes action. We must do our part to fix our society.

For in doing so, we will all reap the benefits of living in a beautiful Bahama land.

CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019

PAGE 10 MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2018

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

A DEMONSTRATOR kicks a tear gas canister as riot police prevents opposition supporters from approaching the National Stadium during the swearing-in ceremony of President Juan Orlando Hernandez in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on Saturday. The opposition does not recognise Hernandez’s victory following disputed poll results, and protests took place ahead of the ceremony. Photo: Eduardo Verdugo/AP

Is the OAS putting its credibility in doubt?

N

OT for the first time, the Organization of American States (OAS) is in danger of reinforcing the widelyheld view that it ignores its own declared values and principles.

This time, the danger is posed by the way the Organization is handling developments in Honduras that threaten democracy and fly in the face of the Inter-American Democratic Charter. It was in defence of these matters that, throughout 2017, the OAS Secretary-General, Luis Almagro and several states of the Organization berated the elected government of Venezuela, leading to that country’s decision to withdraw as a member in April 2019.

As 2017 was coming to an end, Almagro appeared to demonstrate consistency in his position that he would condemn any member state that flouted the Democratic Charter as he judged it. In this case, it was the November 25 Presidential elections in Honduras. The OAS Electoral Mission, which observed the Honduras election, declared that it had “observed a low-quality election and therefore cannot assert that its doubts about it have been clarified”.

On December 17, Almagro informed the OAS member states and the public that: “The only possible way for the victor to

World View

Salvador Nasralla is Party candidate was leading reported to have received in the count. After the shut41.2 percent. down, there was a curious A mere 1.75 percent sep- surge in the average vote arated the two candidates across the country from amid a host of troubling 68 percent to 73 percent. incidents, including: Voter This surge coincided with intimidation; witnessed an increase in the average

By SIR RONALD SANDERS vote buying; ballot boxes support for Hernandez and arriving open and tally the National Party from 44 be the people of Honduras December 17. On Janu- sheets missing; 4.7 percent percent to 56 percent and a decline is a new call for general ary 22, he issued a new of the spefor Nasralla elections, within the frame- statement, announcing his cial voting and the work of the strictest respect “firm intention to work in slips being Alliance the future with the elected regarded as for the rule of law”. from 32 Despite the findings of authorities of Honduras”. valid even percent to the Electoral Commission It seems, therefore, that though 16 percent. and the Secretary-General’s Almagro has either been the voting had The Mistypical and unequivocal encouraged to reverse his stub been sion stated pronouncement, a hand- position or he has found not unequivoful of member states of new evidence that dispels removed the cally: “Such the OAS announced their the finding of the OAS mis- from a develbilateral acceptance of the sion and his own previous slips.

The OAS opment is Honduran election. Up to remarks. If it is the former, atypical and then, this did not appear to the Secretary-General has mission statistically deter Almagro. On January called his own credibility concluded: improb5, he wrote to the Perma- into question. Should it be “The that able.” nent Council of the OAS, the latter, he needs to pro- fact Three asking for a meeting at duce the new evidence of a those vote slips were other which the Mission’s report fair election. events raise It is as well to recap the counted is would be submitted for grave ques“consideration and subse- findings of the OAS Mission highly reltions about quent adoption, given the which said that the Novem- evant given the Honduber 26 elections were the narrow importance of the matter”. ran election Unlike what occurred lacking in transparency, margin of and respect with Venezuela, bigger and fraught with irregularities difference for democmore influential member and inexplicable delays by a between two racy. First, states of the Organization less than impartial Supreme the candidates.” before the seemed to want no meeting Electoral Tribunal.

Of special HONDURAN President Juan election The 32-page report of the Permanent Council Orlando Hernandez. was held, to discuss the elections in points to fraud that makes significance the EconoHonduras until after the the closeness of the elec- to the Misinstallation of Juan Orlando tion result too troubling to sion’s concerns was the mist magazine published a shut-down story in which it said that Hernandez for another accept. The ruling National unexplained candidate and of the computerised Inte- it had evidence that Herterm on January 27. So, no Party’s Electoral Vote nandez and the National incumbent President, Juan grated meeting was called.

The Secretary-General Orlando Hernandez, is said Counting and Dissemina- Party were planning to rig himself appears to have to have secured 42.95 per- tion System (SIEDE) for the election. It produced of training retracted the strong posi- cent of the vote, while the several hours. Before the recordings tion that he declared on Alliance Party’s candidate shutdown, the Alliance being given to government

employees who were manning voting tables. They were trained, among other things, to buy the scrutineering credentials of smaller political parties and “to delay the inclusion of tally sheets favouring the opposition in the preliminary vote count”. Both things eventually occurred.

Second, the OAS mission requested an independent, expert analysis of the dramatic vote swing from a five percent lead by Nasralla, reported by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal after 57 percent of the votes had been counted in the first two-thirds of the vote count, and a wondrous victory by Hernandez arising after the final third of the votes was counted.

The analysis by Dr Irfan Nooruddin, professor at Georgetown University in Washington DC, concluded without equivocation: “I would reject the proposition that the National Party won the election legitimately.”

Third, US Senator Patrick Leahy, the most senior member of the US Senate, on December 5, made a statement for the Congressional Record in which he concluded that: “It is apparent that establishing the credibility of the electoral process and the integrity of Honduras’ democracy requires either recounting the contested ballots from each of the 5,300 polling places in the presence of representatives of the political parties, representatives of civil society and international observers; or holding a new election.”

On December 19, Eliot Engel of the US House Committee on Foreign Relations also called for “a new presidential election in 2018”.

Honduras will be a cauldron of civil unrest and violence if the considerable doubt about the legitimacy of the November 26 elections is not dispelled.

Already, 22 people have been killed; and the killing of 13 of them has been attributed to the security forces of the country.

By delaying discussion of the elections that its own Mission said it could not confirm, the OAS has delayed confronting a timebomb that will undoubtedly explode in the weeks to come.

• Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com.

The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the OAS. 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 his own.

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2018 PAGE 9

SURFING SAFELY WITH YOUR CHILD ONLINE Police advice

By SERGEANT NATHALIE RANGER

SOCIAL media sites personal information is such as Facebook, twitter, vital. A simple rule for instagram, snapchat,and younger children could be whatsapp increase com- the child should not give munication, access to out name, phone number information and help in or photo without your approval. developing a sense of self.

Older children using However, the thought of what your child might come social networking sites like across online can be wor- Facebook should be selecrying. Here’s some simple tive about what personal advice to make sure going information and photos online is a positive experi- they post online. Once ence for you and your child. material is online you can 1. Discover the internet no longer control who sees it or how it is used. What together Be the one to introduce goes online stays online.

4. Talk about the risks your child to the internet.

Try to find websites that associated with meeting are exciting and fun so online “friends” in person Understand that the that together you achieve a positive attitude to inter- internet could be a positive net exploration. This could meeting place for children, make it easier to share both where they can get to know positive and negative expe- other young people and make new friends. Howriences in the future.

2. Set rules for internet ever, for safety and to avoid unpleasant experiences, it is use in your home.

Try to reach an agree- important children do not ment with your child on meet strangers they have the guidelines which apply met online without being to internet use in your accompanied by an adult, household. Here are some or others they trust. In tips: Discuss when and any case, the child should for how long it is accept- always have their parents’ able for your child to use approval first.

5. Teach your child about the internet. Agree how to treat personal information evaluating information and (name, address, telephone, being critically aware of information found online e-mail) Most children use the Discuss how to behave internet to improve and towards others when chatting, e-mailing or mes- develop knowledge in relasaging. Agree what type of tion to schoolwork and sites and activities are OK personal interests. Children should be aware that not all or not OK. 3. Encourage your child information found online to be careful when disclos- is correct, accurate or relevant. Educate children on ing personal information It is important to be how to verify information aware that many web pages they find by comparing with made for children ask them alternative sources on the for personal information same topic. Show them in order to access per- trusted sites they can use to sonalised content. Being compare information.

6. Don’t be too criticonscious of when and where it is alright to reveal cal towards your child’s

exploration of the internet Children may come across adult material by accident on the web. Also a child may intentionally search for such websites; remember it is natural for children to be curious about off-limits material.

Try to use this as an opening to discuss the content with them and perhaps make rules for this kind of activity. Be realistic in your assessment of how your child uses the internet.

7. Report online material you may consider illegal to the appropriate authorities It is vital we all take responsibility for the web and report matters which we believe could be illegal.

By doing this we can help

to prevent illegal activities online, such as child-pornography or attempts to lure children via chat, mail or messaging.

8. Encourage respect for others; stamp out cyberbullying There is an informal code of conduct for the internet.

As in everyday life, there are informal ethical rules for how to behave when relating to other people on the internet. These include being polite, using correct language and not yell at (write in capital letters) or harass others. Also, children as well as grown-ups should not read other’s e-mail or copy protected material.

9. Let your children show

you what they like to do online.

To be able to guide your child with regard to internet use, it is important to understand how children use the internet and know what they like to do online.

Let your child show you which websites they like visiting and what they do there. Acquiring technical knowledge could also make it easier to make the right decisions regarding your child’s Internet use.

10. Remember the positive aspects of the internet outweigh the negatives The internet is an excellent educational and recreational resource for children. There are age appropriate sites for

younger children. Encourage your children to use such sites and to avoid registering for sites and services with adult content and behaviours. Help your child read the terms and conditions of service for any site which they wish to join and to comply with the age restrictions of the site. Help your child apply all the privacy and security settings on the site. Encourage your child to be critically aware and explore the internet to its full potential.

Be safe, Bahamas!

For more information, contact the National Crime Prevention office on 3028430, 302-8431, 302-8154 or visit www.royalbahamaspolice.org.

PAGE 12, Monday, January 29, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

PRINCESS Margaret Hospital administrator Mary Lightbourne-Walker.

Elective surgeries suspended at PMH due to overcrowding

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net HEALTH officials have said there is an unprecedented level of overcrowding at the Princess Margaret Hospital, with the number of boarders on the rise, elective surgeries temporarily suspended on Friday, and a record 12-hour wait time in the Accident and Emergency Department.

Officials state the A&E

Department has seen an average 100 people per shift for the past two weeks, and are urging the public to consider going to community clinics for non-emergency care.

“In all of my years here, this is the worst I’ve ever seen it,” said Princess Margaret Hospital Administrator Mary Lightbourne-Walker, who noted at about midday on Friday there were about 14 persons waiting for a bed in A&E.

She also pointed to a surge in the number of patients coming to the hospital with respiratory and other related illnesses, which officials attributed to seasonal patterns.

Overcrowding has been critically compounded by shortages of beds and nurses, with staffing resources maxed out servicing virtual wards on an overtime basis.

“In order to accommodate the persons who require admission,” Ms

Lightbourne-Walker said, “we have to open what we call virtual wards which were decommissioned spaces waiting to be renovated. Every time we do that it’s done with overtime on the part of the nurses.

So we’re actually getting to the point now where the nurses are too tired to respond to that call, and in fact we’re not in a position to open another virtual ward for that same reason.

We cannot staff it.”

She continued: “Staffing adverts are out on continuous basis, I think we have employed every Bahamian nurse who wants a job, ones who have retired are back with us doing sessional shifts.”

There are 13 different nationalities currently employed by the hospital, she said, stressing the hospital needed all the human resources it could find.

Ms Lightbourne-Walker confirmed the number of boarders had nearly doubled since The Tribune exclusively revealed last September there were 28 boarders costing the public hospital more than $15,000 a day.

Health Minister Dr Duane Sands had previously told The Tribune that

the boarders problem cost the government $7m each year.

“We are now approaching 40 such persons and even in the emergency room there are five persons who fall into that category,” Ms Walker said.

“So, yes, we appeal to the public, if you know you have a relative here in the hospital who you may not have visited for a while, there are certain persons in the facility that have been discharged and you need to come and collect them. We are working in partnership with Social Services to help as best we can those persons in need of assistance with taking care of their relatives.

“It will not - to my understanding - be the policy of the government to put anyone on the street but it is a very urgent need when you’re talking about a healthcare facility that is responsible for acute care, now branching into hospice care.”

Medical Chief of Staff Dr Caroline Burnett-Garraway said elective surgeries were cancelled on Friday due to the bed shortage, with an assessment to be made yesterday whether to resume surgeries that were not

life-threatening.

“We made a decision to not do any elective surgeries (on Friday),” Dr Burnett-Garraway said.

“We don’t have it on weekends, we’re actively trying to do discharge rounds, consulting, to get patients through the hospital and discharged. So we will reassess on Sunday evening and make a decision. We continue to do patients that need surgery for cancer, renal patients, emergencies, gunshot wounds and patients with life-threatening conditions.”

When contacted on Sunday, Dr Sands said elective surgeries would likely resume today.

The public was directed to first call A&E at 3267014 if they are not sure about the emergent nature of their condition, Chief of Service at A&E Dr Crystal Wells said.

The public is advised that clinic hours at the South Beach Health Centre, the Fleming Street Clinic, and the Flamingo Gardens Clinic have been extended from 8am to 9pm Monday through Friday, and the Elizabeth Estates Clinic from 9am to 9pm Monday through Friday.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 29, 2018, PAGE 13

University responds to union warning of unrest

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net THE University of The Bahamas on Friday suggested concerns raised by the union representing faculty were linked to a break from “old patterns of behaviour” inconsistent with its transition as a tertiary institution.

Last week, the Union of Tertiary Educators of The Bahamas (UTEB) warned of major unrest at the institution due to UB’s refusal to negotiate a new industrial agreement.

In a statement on Friday, the UB noted there were “institutionalised mechanisms” for regular communication and dispute resolution.

“Monthly faculty meetings are scheduled and the office of the president has also scheduled monthly meetings with the three bargaining units at UB,” according to the UB press statement.

“University of The Bahamas will continue to discuss matters with all constituents directly and at the negotiating table, as applicable.

“Our strategic planning process, plus a growing institutional culture of

continuous improvement and operational efficiencies, are together driving our transition. From time to time, this will disrupt old patterns of behaviour that are not consistent with the requirements of being a university.”

In its statement, UTEB claimed the current administrative body at UB appeared determined to undermine not just the terms and conditions of the signed and registered industrial agreement, but also to undermine the role of faculty members, their academic freedom and their ability to partner in the institution’s development.

The union also questioned an alleged decision to limit advertisements to members with doctorate degrees; place a faculty member on paid leave without just cause; violations in faculty overload payment; allegedly illegally stopping faculty salaries; changing the academic calendar’s dereliction of fiduciary duties and the undermining of the union through victimisation, discrimination and generally anti-union activities.

On Friday, UB underscored the institution was at a crucial period in its growth and development as

a new university.

“We must prepare for the critical changes that will position us as a world-class institution of higher learning,” UB noted.

“Our constituents have a vital role to play in the achievement of our mission

as a university. In fact, the 2016 University of The Bahamas Act provides for a system of shared governance and inclusivity. As the academic authority of the institution, the Academic Senate envisioned by that act will comprise

officers elected from staff, faculty, students and administration. In the interim, a Transition Academic Senate has been in operation, addressing a range of curricular and policy matters.

“The next two years will

define the strength and sustainability of the university.

We encourage all faculty, staff, students, administrators, donors and friends to work collectively and collaboratively for the benefit of the institution and the country at large.”

PAGE 14, Monday, January 29, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Two dead after traffic accidents

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net TWO people have died after separate traffic accidents on Grand Bahama and New Providence.

According to police, shortly after 11pm Friday, a woman was walking on

Boyd Road when she was hit by a white Nissan Sentra.

The driver stopped and was enquiring about her condition when a second car came from behind, hit the woman and dragged her a short distance away.

Paramedics were called but were unable to revive the woman, who

died at the scene. The driver of the second vehicle remained at the scene and is helping police with the investigation.

However, police are appealing to the driver of the Nissan Sentra, who left the scene of the accident, to contact them as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Grand Bahama recorded its first traffic fatality for 2018 on Saturday morning when a man died of injuries sustained in a traffic accident last week.

According to police, officers were called to a scene of a traffic accident last Thursday around 8am

at the junction of Grand Bahama Highway and Coral Road, involving two vehicles.

Assistant Superintendent Terecita Pinder reported that a red 2007 Nissan Cube with three occupants and a white 2001 Honda Accord with four occupants collided and were extensively

damaged. All of the passengers were injured and taken to the Rand Memorial Hospital by paramedics.

ASP Pinder said that shortly after 8am Saturday, a male passenger in the Nissan Cube died of his injuries in hospital.

Investigations into these incidents continue.

BREITLING OPENS NEW BOUTIQUE AT BAHA MAR

STUDENT RECOVERING AFTER BEING HIT BY CAR

BREITLING, the Swiss watch manufacturer and chronograph specialist, has announced the opening of its second boutique in Nassau, at the Baha Mar Casino.

The new outlet occupies around 600 square feet on one floor, and features the full assortment of watches.

A spokesperson for Breitling said: “Designed in a modern and original style highlighting the brand’s aeronautical ties, the boutique gives visitors the opportunity to plunge directly into the Breitling universe.

It features pop art paintings and is decorated with American walnut floors and quadrillo wood panelling to ensure a warm and welcoming atmosphere.”

The store includes a VIP seating area.

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net A UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas student is in recovery after being struck by a car while crossing the street.

The student was struck by a Suzuki Swift while using the pedestrian crossing on University Drive, which leads to the Michael H Eldon Complex (MHE).

The accident took place on Wednesday at 3.15pm, according to UB, who confirmed on Friday that police are investigating.

“We wish to advise that the safety and wellbeing of UB students, faculty, staff and the public is of utmost concern,” according to a UB press statement.

“This is particularly important as they traverse the Oakes Field Campus.

“In recent months, UB has purchased and installed pedestrian crossing lights and the Ministry of Works has improved road markings leading to the MHE pedestrian crossing.

“We wish to urge drivers in the vicinity of our university campuses to please adhere to the speed limit, obey road signs and take extra precaution in pedestrian zones.

“UB remains in communication with the family of the student involved in the accident and our community is praying for her recovery.”

JOSEPH THOMPSON, manager of Breitling at Baha Mar (far left), and the Breitling Baha Mar sales team.

POLICE HUNTING FOR ARMED ROBBERS Sales/Driver Representative

POLICE in New Providence are asking the public for help in solving a string of armed robberies, two of which occurred Friday at a fast food restaurant and on a jitney.

In the first incident, shortly after 3pm Friday, a man armed with a firearm entered a fast food restaurant on Tonique Williams-Darling Highway, held the employees at bay and robbed the establishment of an undetermined amount of cash before

running into a nearby residential area.

Hours later, shortly after 10pm, two men armed with firearms held up the driver and passengers of a public service bus while in the area of Bacardi Road, and robbed them of cash and other items. The thieves fled the scene on foot.

Shortly before 9pm Saturday, a gunman entered a liquor store on Carmichael Road and held up employees, police said. He robbed the business of cash before

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running in the direction of a nearby residential area.

Meanwhile police in Abaco are searching for a man who robbed a woman of cash and personal items.

The incident occurred shortly before 11am Friday when a woman was reportedly robbed of cash and personal items by a man armed with a knife, while at a parking lot of a business on Fire Road in Abaco.

The thief then fled on foot.

In other crime news, police in New Providence arrested two men and a woman after they seized an AK-47.

Shortly before 4am Sunday, police were in the Victoria Avenue area, acting on information, when they searched a 2015 Kia Sportage. Officers found the high-powered weapon and 17 rounds of ammunition.

The three people were

then arrested and are expected to be charged in court this week.

Anyone with information on any of these incidents is asked to call police at 919, the nearest police station of the Crime Stoppers hotline at 328-TIPS. • A MAN is dead after a boating accident on Saturday, police said.

Shortly before 3pm, a man was diving at Clifton Pier in an attempt to remove a hose that was between a vessel and the dock.

According to police, due to the rough sea he was pinned between the boat and the dock. He was later pulled from the water, but with serious injuries.

Paramedics were called and tried to revive him, however, he was pronounced dead a short time later.

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THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 29, 2018, PAGE 19

HILLARY Clinton reading an excerpt from the book “Fire and Fury” during a skit at the 60th annual Grammy Awards.

HILLARY CLINTON FEATURES AS THE GRAMMYS GET POLITICAL NEW YORK Associated Press ONE-TIME Grammy winner Hillary Clinton made it back to the awards show Sunday night in a role she no doubt relished.

She was a surprise guest in a skit by host James Corden, supposedly auditioning for the spoken word recording of Michael Wolff’s best-seller on President Donald Trump’s administration, “Fire and Fury”.

She followed John Legend, Cher, Snoop Dogg, Cardi B and DJ Khaled, all of whom Corden found wanting. The final “auditioner” lowered the book from in front of her face to reveal it was Clinton.

Corden said she got the job and was a sure winner.

“You think so?” Trump’s 2016 election opponent said. “The Grammy’s in the bag?”

Clinton is already a Grammy winner from 1997, for reading her book, “It Takes a Village”.

Not everyone was a fan of the moment. United Nations Ambassador Nikki Halley tweeted that the moment ruined the Grammy-watching experience for her.

“I have always loved the Grammys but to have artists read the Fire and Fury book killed it,” she tweeted.

“Don’t ruin great music with trash. Some of us love music without the politics thrown in it.”

RUSSIAN OPPOSITION LEADER ARRESTED MOSCOW Associated Press

PROTESTERS gathered across Russia on Sunday to support opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s call to boycott the March presidential election, and Navalny himself was arrested while walking to the Moscow demonstration.

Navalny, Putin’s most prominent foe, organised the protests to urge a boycott of Russia’s March 18 presidential election, in which Putin is sure to win a fourth term. He was wrestled to the ground and forced into a police bus

as he walked toward the demonstration on Moscow’s Pushkin Square.

The anti-corruption campaigner was denied permission to be a presidential candidate because of an embezzlement conviction in a case widely seen as politically motivated.

Late Sunday night, hours after police detained him, Navalny said on Twitter that he had been released before a trial. Russian news reports cited police earlier as saying he was likely to be charged with a public-order violation for calling unauthorised demonstrations.