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Volume: 121 No.50, February 2, 2024

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PRICE–$1

ANTI-VIOLENCE PLAN STILL NOT LAUNCHED JURY FINDS ROLLE GUILTY IN MURDER OF KESSINGER

Consultant confirms scheme to interrupt crime yet to take effect

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net ALTHOUGH the Davis administration hired Rodney Moncur and Carlos Reid as violence interrupters in 2022, calling the initiative key to fighting crime, the programme has not started.

Mr Reid, a Ministry of National Security

consultant, told The Tribune yesterday that the violence interrupter initiative had yet to be rolled out.

Mr Moncur declined to comment.

“I submitted the proposal,” Mr Reid said. “It’s not being rolled out as yet.

What we have been doing, just some work from my standpoint, meeting with

THE Bahamas Funeral Directors Association president Kirsch Ferguson said the country’s soaring murder rate is straining personnel and equipment of funeral homes, calling it a “doubling up effect”.

Twenty people have been

A JURY found Rodrigo Rolle guilty of murdering an elderly American woman during a 2017 home invasion in Cat Island yesterday.

Rolle, 33, killed Janice Kessinger, 74, during a home invasion in Orange Creek, Cat Island, on September 29, 2017. Kessinger had been living on the island for 17 years. Rolle allegedly stole a 2006 Ford

SEE PAGE THREE

Murders having ‘doubling-up effect’ on funeral hoMes

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

murdered this year.

“It is indeed a strain on personnel and equipment to facilitate assisting the government with having these bodies removed from the scenes of crimes,” Mr Ferguson said yesterday.

“Obviously, we have to be mindful of the fact that we are a 24-hour business and SEE PAGE FIVE

Year of the dragon

SEE PAGE THREE

MARGARITAVILLE: TICKETS STOPPED DUE TO ICE LAWS AND REGULATIONS

A MAN in a traditional Chinese dragon costume dances during a ceremony welcoming in the Chinese New Year, the year of the dragon. See PAGE 11 for more.

Photo: Moise Amisial

NETFLIX CREW TO FILM AT WORLD RELAYS IN MAY

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net A NETFLIX documentary series about the world’s fastest humans will stop in The Bahamas when it hosts the 2024 World Athletics relay on May 4-5.

Bahamas Association of Athletics Associations President

STREAMING SERVICE NETFLIX

it “an opportunity to talk about The Bahamas in a much broader sense.”

“So we are pumped about it. We can’t wait,” he said.

Netflix said the documentary series will track top sprinters from the United States, Jamaica, the United Kingdom, Ivory Coast, Kenya and

Drumeco Archer called

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE TWO

By FAY SIMMONS AND NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Reporters A CRUISE line popular with Bahamians yesterday disclosed that US “laws and regulations” have forced it to stop selling one-way tickets for voyages out of Freeport to West Palm Beach.

A Margaritaville at Sea spokesman confirmed that the intervention of US Customs and Immigration (ICE) had resulted in it halting one-way travel from Grand Bahama to Florida and vice versa- - a move it admitted “may have unintended consequences for Bahamian citizens”.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

PAGE 2, Friday, February 2, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Netflix crew to film at World Relays in May

DEVYNNE Charlton at the World Athletics Championships. from page one Italy.

The series description read: “Following athletes from all over the world, this series delves deep into

the psyches of those elite competitors who train to be the fastest person on the planet.”

“We take an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the high stakes, and

Photos: AP mental toughness of the sprinters who devote their entire lives to crossing the finish line in record time, where their professional futures are decided in just fractions of a second.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 2, 2024, PAGE 3

Anti-violence plan still not launched “We have said that violence interrupters were a key component in solving the issue. We are using community leaders in our approach.”

from page one persons in the community.

“I’m hoping that in the very, very near future, that the prime minister will roll that programme out because I believe that it could go a long way in helping us influence the persons in these particular areas that need to be influenced and interrupt some of these situations before they can happen.”

Twenty people were murdered last month (January), one of the deadliest opening months in the country’s history. Mr Reid said he was not only contracted to run the violence interrupter programme, but is paid to engage with other initiatives, including Shock Treatment and “weekly community meetings”. It is unclear what all Mr Moncur was paid to do, but Mr Reid said he is not being paid as part of the violence interrupter programme.

“The programme itself is supposed to be where we have more than just Carlos Reid, where we have a number of different persons that have

influence in these communities,” he said, “and interrupt situations before they become full-blown like what we’ve seen in our streets now.”

In April 2022, Officer of the Prime Minister Communications Director Latrae Rahming said Mr Moncur’s appointment as a violence interrupter brought value because he understands the dynamics of communities and was trusted by people in the inner city.

“We have said before that crime is a multifaceted problem that must be tackled from a community level and a policing level,” he said.

“We have said that violence interrupters were a key component in solving the issue. We are using community leaders in our approach.”

He did not reveal how much Mr Moncur was being paid.

Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis raised questions about the issue in the House of Assembly.

“What is his expertise? How much is he being paid, and is he receiving other benefits?” Dr Minnis asked.

CARLOS Reid speaking to students at a summer camp at Fort Charlotte in 2022.

JURY FINDS ROLLE GUILTY IN MURDER OF AMERICAN JANICE KESSINGER

AMERICAN MAN ACCUSED OF STABBING DEATH OF HIS FATHER CLAIMED IT WAS IN SELF-DEFENCE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net THE lawyer of a 26-year-old American man accused of fatally stabbing his father on New Year’s Day claimed his client acted in selfdefence during a bail hearing yesterday.

Mario Cash Jr appeared virtually from prison before Justice Gregory Hilton to discuss bail.

The defendant appeared tired, with an overgrown beard, as he stood before the camera.

Cash Jr allegedly stabbed his father, Mario Cash Sr, at his residence

in western New Providence on New Year’s Day. Ian Cargill, the defendant’s attorney, said he first filed his client’s bail application in the Supreme Court on January 9.

Mr Cargill told the judge his client’s father initiated the fight that led to his death. The attorney claimed that Cash Sr was standing over his son, choking him as the young man cried for help.

The prosecution called the incident “unfortunate” but called Cash Jr, an American citizen, a flight risk as they objected to him getting bail.

The prosecutor also called the defendant a risk

to the public, claiming that when Cash Jr gets angry, he “blacks out” and can’t remember his actions.

Mr Cargill countered that his client did not pose a flight risk because his family is from The Bahamas. He also said his client had issues receiving medication for his sickle cell anaemia while in prison.

Earlier in January, the defendant claimed he suffered a sickle cell crisis the weekend before he appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley.

Justice Hilton will rule on Cash Jr’s bail application on February 8.

RODRIGO Rolle was found guilty of murdering 74-year-old American woman, Janice Kessinger. from page one Explorer and a $500 safe containing a $5,000 Rolex belonging to Frank and Gabbi Wolf.

Rolle reportedly entered the deceased’s residence through a sliding door.

Once inside, he attacked the woman and strangled her to death with a chord.

He then wrapped the body in a red blanket and buried her body in a shallow grave at a beach in Port Royal.

Police later found the dead woman’s body with the same white chord still around her neck.

Marcelo “Scar” Hepburn

testified that after the murder, Rolle asked for his help breaking into a safe stolen from the deceased’s residence. Rolle told Mr Hepburn that he needed the money inside the safe to run away because the island was “hot” with police.

Mr Hepburn said he later regretted helping Rolle break into the safe.

Rolle burnt the safe and its contents after finding only documents and a luxury watch inside.

Police also found the jeep stolen from the residence burnt.

During his initial arrest, Rolle attempted to escape police and cut his foot

running away from them barefoot in his grandmother’s yard.

Throughout his trial, Rolle maintained his innocence. He also claimed he was the victim of police brutality while in custody.

After reviewing the evidence against him, a jury of nine persons found Rolle unanimously guilty of murder.

Rolle will return before Justice Gregory Hilton for a sentencing hearing on February 28.

Geoffrey Farquharson represented the defendant.

Eucal Bonamy and Janet Munnings served as prosecutors.

PAGE 4, Friday, February 2, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

WSC manager claims she was asked, ‘What ways can we find to increase costing?’

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net A SENIOR manager at the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) claimed in court yesterday that Adrian Gibson asked her how the corporation could increase the cost of maintenance contracts awarded to companies he allegedly ordered to be contracted.

Mynez Cargill-Sherman’s evidence came during her last day of testimony in the bribery and fraud trial of Mr Gibson and five others.

She had previously testified that she was instructed to triple the first payment of each contract to vendors.

When asked under reexamination yesterday about when the money was tripled, the witness couldn’t definitely say but explained it could’ve been in September 2018 or October 2018.

She said the requests to increase the payments were coming in “so rapidly.”

Acting Director of Public Prosecutions and lead prosecutor Cordell Frazier asked her if the scope of work had changed.

Mrs Cargill-Sherman said it had not.

Ms Frazier asked her if the frequency of work changed.

In response, the witness claimed Mr Gibson told her in a meeting: “What ways can we find to increase costing?”

She said they then came up with a frequency.

Ian Cargill, who represents Elwood Donaldson, Jr, WSC’s former general manager, suggested the payments increased because of the extent of work required.

“Were you not told that the reason the tripling of the first payment was because it was no maintenance done for months almost to a year because of COVID?” he asked.

The witness said she was never told that but assumed the areas had not been cleaned for a long period because of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Damian Gomez, KC, Mr Gibson’s attorney, suggested that Mrs Cargill-Sherman never met with his client regarding maintenance contracts.

However, she disagreed, saying the two met twice.

Mr Gibson is charged with Mr Donaldson, Jr, Ms Peaches Farquharson, Rashae Gibson, Joan Knowles and Jerome Missick.

Together, the group face 98 charges, including bribery, fraud, receiving and money laundering.

They have denied all of the allegations.

Mr Gomez, KC, Murrio Ducille, KC, Bryan Bastian, Ryan Eve, Raphael Moxey, Christina Galanos, Mr Cargill and Donald Saunders represent the defendants.

Meanwhile, the Crown’s prosecutors are Ms Frazier, Cashena Thompson, Karine MacVean and Rashied Edgecombe.

ADRIAN Gibson greets attorneys Damian Gomez KC and Donald Saunders as he enters the Supreme Court olast week.

Photo:Dante Carrer

BAHAMAS LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION WINS TWO-YEAR COURT CONTEST

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net AFTER a two-year court battle, the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association was awarded a victory against plaintiffs Bjorn Ferguson and Kenwood Kerr and can now conduct business as usual.

A ruling was handed down on Tuesday in the Supreme Court by Justice Denise Lewis-Johnson.

While Ramona Farquharson-Seymour represented the BLTA, Ferguson and Kerr were represented by Khalil Parker KC. In the ruling of the case, which started in January 2022, just after Perry Newton and his executive team were elected to office, the court ruled both Ferguson and Kerr were not members of the BLTA, and their case was dismissed.

“It feels good. You never want to go to court.

Court is never a fun place, but to get it over with and to come out victorious is a good feeling,” Mr Newton said. “The only thing I can say is that God is good.”

Looking at the length of time for the decision to be made, Mr Newton said he didn’t anticipate the time frame to reach a resolution, but he’s glad that it’s finally over and done with.

“You just don’t know what the process is, so us as lay persons, that’s a long time,” Mr Newton admitted. “Things of this nature I guess take time.”

Despite the injunction taken out by Mr Ferguson and Mr Kerr, who opposed Mr Newton during the elections, the BLTA continued to function as usual over the past two years.

But Mr Newton admitted it was not an easy road.

“The hardest thing was for the people who were looking to retire in 2022 and they stuck it out,” Mr Newton said. “So I want to say to them for their dedication, and for all of the persons who continued to support the BLTA, the sponsors and players, thank you. It was a tedious time, but we never stopped working. So I have to say kudos to the

board because we never stopped working, despite the pressure that was on us.”

As they move forward, Mr Newton said the BLTA is preparing to send several teams off to compete in various international competitions this month.

They include the Junior Billie Jean and Jr Davis Cup teams that will travel to the Dominican Republic from February 26 to March 9 and the World Junior Under-14 girls and boys teams that travel to El Salvador the week after.

The next big step for the BLTA, according to Mr Newton, is to stage an annual general meeting, which they were not able to do in a while because of the court dispute.

“We are just excited to have that part concluded,” said Mr Newton of the court case. “It’s a good joyous feeling to have it concluded.”

Neither Mr Kerr, who opposed Mr Newton during the elections, nor Mr Ferguson were available for comments. In the interim, while they

PERRY NEWTON - BLTA PRESIDENT

waited for the decision of the court, they were hosting a number of local

tournaments to keep some of the more seasoned players active away from the

National Tennis Centre.

It is not known what their next step will be.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 2, 2024, PAGE 5

Rastafarians with small quantities of marijuana see decline in arrests

“

All you could do is continue knocking on their doors asking them when it will take place and ask them to respect our rights and protect our rights as a Rastafarian community.

“

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net RASTAFARIAN Priest Rithmond McKinney said arrests of Rastafarians with small quantities of marijuana has declined.

“The minister of national security did assure us that he was going to speak to

the commissioner of police concerning that matter,” he told reporters yesterday.

“So as of late, we see a slow down on our members being arrested, but it’s still happening.”

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe confirmed discussing the matter with Mr McKinney yesterday.

Attorney General Ryan Pinder said last year that he hoped legislation to

decriminalise cannabis would be tabled in the House of Assembly last month, but that did not happen.

Mr McKinney said his community hopes there will be no more delays.

He said more delays will make Rastafarians feel like they still must agitate and lobby while their rights are infringed.

He added: “All you could do is continue knocking on their doors asking

them when it will take place and ask them to respect our rights and protect our rights as a Rastafarian community.”

“Of course, you know, we had consultation with the AG‘s office and also the minister of health, but we didn’t have a chance to see exactly what is in the bill yet. But, of course, we’ll give them our concerns and what we would love to see take place within the bill.”

Murders having ‘doubling-up effect’ on funeral homes from page one death happens around us all the time, so the increase with homicide is an added burden to an extent, but we have to respond accordingly while we service what we normally would do in any incident.”

Mr Ferguson said dealing with homicide bodies requires more drastic than usual measures to preserve bodies.

“With respect to personnel again facilitating ongoing services, we are

on funeral services, and we are getting calls for response to homicides,” he said.

“Now, while the coroner’s office has instituted removal companies to assist in that endeavour, these removal companies also service the funeral market as well. So, we are relying on these same persons to collect bodies on our behalf, as well as the government is to collect bodies on the coroner’s behalf.”

“In terms of having

adequate supplies on hand to service these bodies, that must be put in place.”

“Then also, having equipment available to service calls of the homicide nature and regular calls, it’s almost like doubling up on staff and equipment and also supplies.”

With a lot of murders in recent times as a result of gang retaliation, Mr Ferguson expressed concern for the safety of staff during funeral services. He said uniformed and ununiformed police officers

attend funeral services to ensure the safety of all.

He reiterated the need to properly regulate the funeral industry to ensure proper structure.

“Well, as has been our plea since a year ago, and even more so now, is the need for regulation to be enforced ASAP,” he said. “We are mindful and very grateful of the government making the announcement that in this legalisation year, regulation will be brought before Parliament.”

UB AND DISNEY CRUISE LINE PARTNER TO LAUNCH NEW HOSPITALITY AND JOB READINESS TRAINING INITIATIVE THE University of The Bahamas and Disney Cruise Line announced an exciting new hospitality and job readiness training initiative, the Leading Light Programme, bringing college-level training to local residents for the first time. This programme will increase the pipeline of trained tourism professionals in Eleuthera who are able to deliver the stellar service and professionalism that visitors to The Bahamas have come to know and love.

Delivered through UB’s Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning (CELEARN), in partnership with the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce, this free programme will provide Eleutherans with hospitality soft skills, leadership training and job readiness coaching to support their career goals and the thriving hospitality and tourism industry of Eleuthera.

“As we prepare to open Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, we are proud to partner with UB to support this important training for Eleutherans,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager of DCL. “This collaboration is a part of our continued commitment to supporting accessible, highquality education that helps Bahamians pursue their career aspirations. We hope this programme will inspire participants to strengthen their skills and contribute to the thriving tourism industry.”

The LLP will launch initially as a pilot programme with three cohorts and three parallel tracks for

MEMBERS of the Leading Light Group. entry-level and leadership positions. The courses — Hospitality Skills, Hospitality Leadership and Employment Communications — will be held during the day, after work hours and on weekends to offer flexibility and accommodate a diverse group of participants.

“Professional development in tourism and hospitality is integral because the tourism industry contributes over 50 per cent of our country’s GDP. Therefore, persons working in the tourism space should be up skilled continually for this fast, growing field. The LLP programme offered

by UB in partnership with DCL is unique because it offers targeted workforce skills in this dynamic industry,” noted Tammy Archer, the director of Personal and Professional Development, CELEARN.

Participants in the LLP will receive a grant to help with personal expenses during their enrollment, as well as a uniform to support their success. Training will be delivered during Spring, Summer and Fall 2024. As a commitment to the sustainability of the programme, UB will also stay connected with each graduate for up to one year after completion to monitor and report on their progress.

For entry-level training, participants will learn how to serve guests, promote goodwill and manage the daily challenges of working in a demanding hospitality sector through strong communication, and time and crisis management skills.

For those on the leadership track, the training will centre on overseeing daily operations, analysis, delegation, leadership,

problem-solving, team skills, and training, using proven research techniques and targeted scenarios.

Courses will be held at the Eleuthera Business Hub, which is largely funded by DCL. In 2021, DCL committed more than $1 million to fund the construction and operation of the Eleuthera Business Hub and introduce Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre programming to the island.

The Ministry of Tourism and Aviation recently revealed that total visitor arrivals to The Bahamas in the first three months of 2023 equalled the total number of visitor arrivals in 2019 and that the country was on course to welcome more than 8 million visitors last year. Air arrivals to Eleuthera were reported to have increased by 44 per cent in the same period.

BAHAMAS Funeral Directors Association president Kirsch Ferguson

PAGE 6, Friday, February 2, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

The Tribune Limited

PICTURE OF THE DAY

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972-

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Is anit-crime plan just a glossy brochure?

WHEN the current administration launched its anti-crime plan in response to the wave of killings that marked the start of this year, FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands described it as a “glossy brochure”.

He talked of it being filled with vague details and recycled information. Dr Sands said: “While a slick and glossy product with beautiful graphics, it was short on granular details. In all, given the severity of the problem being faced in the country, a glossy brochure as the basis of the way forward confirms that this is more about PR than governance.”

That’s an interesting phrase – more about PR than governance. In fact, it’s a thought that occurred in more than one conversation with The Tribune after the plan was launched. One veteran political expert said sometimes it is about being seen to do something, not necessarily actually doing something.

Which brings us to our story in today’s Tribune about the violence interrupter scheme.

Cast your mind back to 2022, and in April of that year, it was confirmed that talk show host Rodney Moncur had been hired as a consultant in the Ministry of National Security.

Communications director Latrae Rahming said Mr Moncur had been hired as a “violence interrupter” and insisted that his appointment brought value.

He said: “We believe that in order to solve community crimes you have to use people from the community who understand the dynamics of the community, who understand the gangs in the community and I can certainly say that Mr Moncur has been a proponent and advocate for quite a few years, particularly a proponent of the death penalty.”

At the time, it caused a stir – not least because of Mr Moncur’s colourful opinions. He has called birth control pills “evil” and “cancerous” and called the gender equality referendum in 2016 “witchcraft”.

It was not revealed how much Mr Moncur was being paid for his role. Also appointed at the time was Carlos Reid, who yesterday revealed that, despite the length of time that has passed since the announcement, the violence interrupter scheme has not yet been implemented.

Mr Reid said he has been doing work in the community himself, but that the scheme has not yet kicked in, though he hopes that will be done in the “very, very near future”. He said “it could go a long

way in helping us influence the persons in these particular areas that need to be influenced and interrupt some of these situations before they can happen”.

When Dr Sands claims that the anticrime plan is a glossy brochure, it implies that little will actually be done – so seeing that a much-vaunted scheme, that comes at presumably some measure of public expense to engage these community experts, has not yet been launched as we approach two years later, one wonders how seriously the situation is being taken after all.

In this column, after the anti-crime plan was unveiled, we did raise certain questions – such as how much funding was being allocated to the measures listed.

Saturation patrols tend to rack up overtime bills for police officers, for example, while other new measures would have a cost value attached. These items would not originally have been in the budget if indeed they were new strategies being launched by the government – so what was being spent? How would that affect our budget?

Or … is the opposing view, that this is about PR, what is really going on?

When senior figures in the administration come out to say that the violence interrupter scheme is important … and then it doesn’t happen, that makes one wonder how seriously it was considered in the first place.

Which of these other measures will we be looking at two years from now and finding they have not taken place?

And how much money will we have spent on consultants without using the expertise we are paying for?

One statistic will continue to tell its own story of how effective these schemes are, and that is sadly the murder count.

Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander described March 2022 as the “bloodiest month in our history” with 22 murders. That was the highest number of homicides ever recorded for a single month in the history of The Bahamas.

They are not our words, they are his.

Last month, 20 murders were recorded, two short of that tally.

The anti-crime plan will be judged on its results. That is when it will prove whether it is a glossy brochure or a meaningful intervention. But why wait any longer on schemes that were hailed as crucial, such as the violence interrupter scheme? Get it going, or stop wasting time and money.

Time to shift foreign policy EDITOR, The Tribune.

OUT of the 140 nations that have condemned Russia for the invasion of Ukraine, India was one of the few countries that have refrained from taking part in the vote against the war and is seeking both sides to end hostilities.

You want to know why?

They see no benefits to siding with either the West or Russia. The RussoUkrainian War is going to be a money sink for developing nations like the Bahamas, which will waste more money into supporting Ukraine and the EU. In reality, we’ve received nothing from the US and EU for the past few years prior to the Russian invasion, save for cheap

donations and the occasional disaster relief efforts when the Bahamas is struck by major hurricanes. Supporting one side will bring us closer to economic ruin and social upheaval.

When countries like China do come around and commits to aiding local investments, then the US complains when Capitol Hill doesn’t ever bother to invest money in order to compete with China in the Caribbean. They’ll just react to the deal and go back into doing almost nothing to help their nearby allies.

Britain and the United States have been calling for the Bahamas to support Ukraine, but what rewards do they offer for this

country outside chicken change donations? That’s why India took the initiative and refused to take sides, because they knew nothing good will come out of supporting the Russians and the West.

India, Japan and the rest of Asia should be the Bahamas’ top priority in the wake of the Russo-Ukrainian War and the gross lack of serious economic investments from our closest ally.

For too long, the Bahamas has gotten empty promises from those who vowed to help us as allies and friends.

Nowadays, it’s time for a shift in foreign policy and diplomatic affairs.

AMMAKA RUSSELL Nassau, March 14, 2022.

A GIRL touches a bear taxidermy mount hunting trophy at the hunting fair in Dortmund, Germany, yesterday.

Photo: Martin Meissner/AP

Crime has damaged reputation EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE high crime rate, robberies, murders and rapes has ruined the international image and reputation of the Bahamas as a safe place for American, Canadian and European tourists to travel, because, in my opinion, of the failure of Prime Minister Philip Davis and Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe to reduce crimes, robberies, murders and rapes in The Bahamas. My warnings, prophecy and predictions have now come true - on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, the US State Department issued a warning to its American citizens about the Bahamas’ high crime rate, robberies, murders and rapes.

I had offered help and assistance to the Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, Minister of Tourism, and Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe, expressing deep concerned with the high crime rate, which could soon start to target tourists travelling to The Bahamas - but continued to be ignored. As I warned sooner or later the US State Department was going to issue a Travel Advisory. It has now happened.

It was published in the USA Today and the statements made by the US State Department issuing its warning to American citizens - tourists - considering to travel to The Bahamas is bad, terrible and terrifying, saying travellers should practice increased vigilance over the hill, Shirley Street where gang violence has resulted in high homicides. Violent crimes, such as burglaries, armed robberies and sexual assaults,

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net happened in both tourist and non-tourist areas, also warnings against commercial recreational watercraft, jet skis and, including water tours, these activities are not consistently regulated, maybe poorly maintained and may not have safety certification. If true this is horrible and horrendous bad news about The Bahamas and tourism.

In The Tribune newspaper, hotels owners are now wondering is The Bahamas safe for tourists to travel with the high crime rate, murders, robberies and rapes? In The Nassau Guardian article two American female tourists were raped on Paradise Island.

My next prediction and prophecy, foreign investor owners of hotels will soon begin to sell their hotels and laying off thousands of Bahamian workers, because of the high crime rate, murders, robberies and rapes in The Bahamas. In my opinion, Prime Minister Philip Davis has failed the Bahamian people and foreign investor hotel owners on reducing crimes that will have a severe impact on tourism that is responsible for 85% of the Bahamas’ revenue.

In the 1980s, Miami, Florida’s high crime rate, murders, robberies and rapes severely damaged Florida’s eight billion dollar tourism industry when criminals and gangs started robbing tourists.

In the 1980s, Jamaica had a high crime rate, murders, robberies and rapes.

The US State Department

issuing a warning to American citizens that Jamaica had a high crime rate that resulted in destroying the Jamaican tourism industry and causing the Jamaican dollar devaluation. This is what also can now happen in The Bahamas. This country’s financial image and reputation has also been damaged by the FTX crypto company Sam Bankman Fried’s 11 billion dollar bankruptcy and now again being damaged as a safe place for American, Canadian and European tourists to travel because of the high crime rate, murders, robberies and rapes.

I have a comprehensive crime reduction and prevention plan to protect tourists, and Bahamians’ lives and properties. I am now asking for church leaders, business owners and the Bahamian people to join Pedro Smith and BFP Party to become the next Prime Minister of The Bahamas and government. I highly recommend and advise the Bahamian people who have lost confidence and hope in the current Prime Minister and the PLP government to demand early elections to vote for a new Prime Minister and government.

I am ready and prepared to lead The Bahamas and the Bahamian people to a greater and better Bahamas. Pedro Smith as the next Prime Minister of The Bahamas and government.

Help is on the way soon.

One Nation, One people, One Bahamas and One God onward forward and upward to a better future for the Bahamian people, children and grandchildren.

PEDRO SMITH Nassau, January 31, 2024.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 2, 2024, PAGE 7

CIBC FirstCaribbean makes donation to support Bahamas Feeding Network

CIBC FirstCaribbean assisted the Bahamas Feeding Network in providing over 6,000 meals last month.

Photo: The Bahamas Feeding Network

STANDING from left to right at CIBC FirstCaribbean’s managing director, Jacqui Bend; Bahamas Feeding Network’s chairman, Felix Stubbs and executive director, Nicolette Fountain Archer.

THE Bahamas Feeding Network (BFN) has remained at the forefront of the hunger fight while also battling a dramatic decrease in donations. Last month alone, BFN provided over 6,000 meals to families across the country.

The not-for-profit food and resource collection and distribution hub focuses on maximizing the effectiveness of feeding programs, minimizing service duplication, and improving collaboration among feeding centres and programs across New Providence and

need.

Bahamas Feeding Network’s Executive Director, Nicolette Fountain Archer said that during a period where donations have decreased and distribution frequency and quantity had to be cut back, CIBC FirstCaribbean’s donation was a beacon of hope. The donation ensured that hundreds of families did not face food scarcity in December, a time when BFN had to reduce grocery amounts in parcels from 14 to 8 meals.

Ms. Fountain Archer said ‘thank you’ hardly seems

the Family Islands.

CIBC FirstCaribbean assisted BFN in its efforts with a financial donation prior to the holiday season. The bank’s Managing Director, Jacqui Bend, underscored that CIBC FirstCaribbean remains committed to supporting initiatives that make a tangible difference in the countries it serves.

“As part of CIBC FirstCaribbean’s ongoing commitment to community, we are immensely proud to support the Bahamas Feeding Network. Our

donation represents not just a financial contribution, but a heartfelt commitment to physical wellbeing.

The work of the Bahamas Feeding Network is both inspiring and essential, and we at CIBC FirstCaribbean are honoured to be a part of this noble cause devoted to wiping out hunger.”

BFN is dedicated to raising approximately $25,000 each month to purchase groceries for its partner ministries. These ministries, in turn, either cook food for distribution or provide parcels directly to those in

GB students participate in summit to prepare them for the real world

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Staff Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net ABOUT 80 high school students participated in ‘The Platform’, a summit for young professionals in Grand Bahama that prepares seniors for the real world.

Founder Felix Bowe Jr said several panel speakers guided the students for the workforce and higher education.

Various professionals, including those in the medical, banking, finance,

construction, agriculture, telecommunications, and real estate industries, were invited to speak with students at the Bahamas National Trust Rand Nature Centre.

Representatives from various local tertiary institutions were also there, including the University of the Bahamas North, West Atlantic University School of Medicine, Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute, and the Bahamas Business Institute.

“I thought it was most important to bring young

professionals together and to give young people the opportunity to see what is available out there regarding their future,” Mr Bowe said.

Participating schools this year were Tabernacle Baptist Academy, Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Academy, St George’s High, Sir Jack Hayward, and Eight Mile Rock High School.

“We often hear that kids are not prepared or ready for the workforce, and through this summit, we are giving them a view of what they need to do,” he said.

MAN GETS 18 MONTHS JAIL AFTER ADMITTING TO BREACHING HIS BAIL

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A 61-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to 18 months in prison yesterday after admitting to breaching his bail on a pending armed robbery conspiracy charge.

Magistrate Samuel McKinney charged Brian Goodridge with fifteen counts of violating bail conditions.

Goodridge was on bail for charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, abetment to armed robbery, and abetment to attempted murder.

This is in connection with an alleged heist at LPIA in 2021, where $2,654 in a safe deposit bag was stolen from Bahamasair.

Two officers providing security detail were allegedly shot at during this incident.

Goodridge allegedly

planned the heist with others.

The defendant reportedly breached his court-ordered nightly residential curfew and failed to sign in to his local police station on fifteen separate occasions between November 21, 2023, and January 22.

After pleading guilty to the charges, Goodridge was sentenced to 18 months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

YOUNG MAN GETS TWO YEARS AFTER GUILTY PLEA ON POSSESSION OF A LOADED FIREARM

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A 22-YEAR-OLD male was sentenced to two years in prison after admitting to having a loaded gun on Robinson Road last month.

Magistrate Lennox

Coleby charged Alexander Dorsett with possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition yesterday.

Dorsett was arrested near a business on East Street and Robinson Road after police found him with a black Sig Suer P365 pistol

with six rounds of 9mm ammunition on January 25.

After pleading guilty to the charge, Dorsett was sentenced to 24 months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

He was informed of his right to appeal sentencing in seven days.

enough to express the depth of gratitude felt by the BFN team and those they serve.

She noted the donation from CIBC FirstCaribbean is more than just a contribution, it is a lifeline that brings joy and sustenance to families in need.

“When businesses and individuals like CIBC FirstCaribbean donate, we are able to answer the call for parcels of food needed by numerous families. It is the difference between a full tummy for a family, most often with children, and going to bed hungry.”

Bahamas Feeding Network highlighted that Quality Care Pharmacy is hosting a Fun Run and Walk this Saturday, February 3, 2024, with BFN as the chosen beneficiary.

For more information, to make a donation, or to participate, individuals are encouraged to contact the Bahamas Feeding Network.

Ms. Fountain-Archer added, “Our tagline says, ‘Hunger hurts, but together we can wipe it out’. We thank CIBC FirstCaribbean for joining us in this fight.”

PAGE 8, Friday, February 2, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Feeding tomorrow A look at the modern food system and its impact on the environment and human health WE are well into the new year, and undoubtedly, for many people, well into attacking resolutions of eating better or exercising more. According to the Forbes Health/One Poll survey of one thousand adults in the US, improved fitness and diet are two of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. The same survey found that, on average, resolutions last just 3.74 months. Not bad, but this does not bode well if you are hoping to don a six-pack by swimsuit season.

Would we adhere longer to our resolution to eat better if we realised that the positive outcomes could extend well beyond our personal benefit? Would our resolution become a permanent behavioural change if we realized that just by making more conscious choices about what we eat, we can play a role in mitigating a looming existential crisis?

This is precisely one of the main themes of the documentary Feeding Tomorrow. Directed by brothers Oliver and Simon English, Feeding Tomorrow is a poignant look at the modern food system and its impact on the environment and human health. The documentary was seven years in the making, with the first footage filmed in my very own dining room at Field to Fork Farm – the farm my husband Tim and I established in 2012 in western New Providence. I am so humbled that a visit to our small farm was the inspiration for Oliver and Simon in creating this documentary.

With parents who met in culinary school and operated several restaurants together, Oliver and Simon grew up in the restaurant industry. Oliver is a chef himself and has opened several restaurants around the world. We first met in Nassau during his search for local farms to source better quality produce for the restaurant Olives in Atlantis. After touring the farm and engaging in

By Dr Salima

Hauber

of One Eleuthera Foundation

DR Selima Hauber and the film’s producers, brothers Simon and Oliver English at the 2023 Woodstock Film Festival, where “Feeding Tomorrow” was shown.

SEVEN years before the film’s release the Oliver brothers, shown here with the Hauber family, visited to capture the Hauber’s passionate farm-to-table story and journey. a long conversation with a former colleague, Sekani Nash, he urged his brother Simon, who had just graduated from film school in New York, to fly down with equipment to interview us. It was a fun two days of sharing our passion for sustainable growing, cooking and eating a farm-fresh plant-based meal, and sharing our philosophy around food. The last day of filming was at our Farmers Market at The Island House, where they experienced our customers’ enthusiasm for our fresh, locally grown products.

I first saw the documentary at the Bahamas International Film Festival last year. I was blown away by the insightful portrayal of how the global food industry has resulted in environmental destruction, contributing to climate change. It has since been shown at additional film festivals, including the world-renowned Woodstock Film Festival. The film follows a regenerative farmer, a nutritionist,

and an educator. It reveals the work they are doing to mitigate the damage our current food system has on the environment and human health. In addition to these three main cast members, numerous scientists, entrepreneurs and farmers are featured, including yours truly.

Unlike many films in this genre, Feeding Tomorrow gives hope by empowering the viewer with practical diet adjustments and behavioural changes that can contribute to positive impacts on the environment and health. Some helpful takeaways include the following.

EAT MORE PLANTS By increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in our diet, we ensure the sustainability of the food production system that, by its very nature, pulls carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and locks it away in plant tissues and the soil. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is rich in

health-promoting and disease-fighting nutrients and promotes longevity.

REDUCE RED MEAT Commercial livestock rearing for meat contributes to climate change in a few ways. Globally, livestock production is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions. The increasing global demand for meat has resulted in the destruction of forests worldwide to provide pastureland for grazing. Not only are forests the source of the oxygen we breathe, but they also store tons of carbon in the soil— their destruction results in the release of stored carbon into the atmosphere.

Deforestation for livestock pastures also destroys wildlife habitats and ultimately impacts biodiversity.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, we have lost more than two-thirds of our wildlife in the last fifty years due to habitat destruction. Production of meat in Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs, contributes to climate change as they emit large quantities of methane, which is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat. Regarding

our physical health, meat’s inflammatory nature and content of saturated fats contribute significantly to chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The less meat we consume, the healthier we all are.

GROW FOOD By growing some of the food you consume, you are mitigating the effects of climate change by sequestering carbon and reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases associated with transporting food across long distances. You are also more likely to eat more health-promoting fruits and vegetables. As the Farm Crop Production Manager at the Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI), which is powered by the One Eleuthera Foundation, growing food is one way that my work continues to advance the mission of providing greater community access to nutritious, affordable food.

To learn more about how you can play a role in being a global hero, be sure to watch the documentary Feeding Tomorrow.

It is currently available on AppleTV, Google Play and

Amazon Prime. To learn more about the Farm at CTI, and our strides in local food security, visit: www. oneelethera.org. We all eat for a living. It behooves us to eat in a way that ensures that we, and planet Earth, can live and thrive longer.

UÊ ÀÊ-i >Ê >ÕLiÀ]Ê PhD, is the agricultural education and outreach officer at OEF and CTI. Established in 2012, the One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) is a non-profit organisation located in Rock Sound, Eleuthera.

For more information, visit www.oneeleuthera.org or email info@oneeleuthera. org. The Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) is the first and only postsecondary, non-profit education and training institution and social enterprise on Eleuthera. CTI operates a student training campus in Rock Sound, Eleuthera, with a 16-room training hotel, restaurant and farm. For more information about CTI’s programmes, email: info@ oneeleuthera.org.

SIMON ENGLISH, Film Director; Lisa McDowell, Cinematographer; Dr. Selima Hauber, Cast Member; Oliver English, Film Director

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THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 2, 2024, PAGE 9

Does the anti-crime movement lie in the people movement?

For each a parcel of land, for the nation a new way forward

By Diane Phillips THE headlines screamed across front pages, disrupted business and split an already fractured nation into silos.

Crime and fear of crime placed The Bahamas on dreaded travel advisories from the US Embassy and Canada. The once peaceful paradise was suddenly the piranha of the travel trade. Impact was immediate.

One tourism-dependent business said he suffered more than a 30% decline in a single day after the warnings. Even visitors to islands far from the capital cancelled, not realizing, as one Family Islander said, “it’s like cancelling a trip to Ft. Lauderdale because there’s crime in New York.”

Patience will be a partial fix. Headlines fade, yesterday’s crisis is replaced by today’s, but the reality is that the basis of those salvos will not vanish as fast as the ink that delivered them. Crime and the fear of crime will continue to haunt us as Bahamians whether the headlines remind us of our failings or not.

This Is forcing us to face the truth.

For too long, we have lived in overcrowded, dense, often dirty, unregulated, unplanned, soul-starved urban environments. We’ve looked the other way as too many among us have been surrounded not by strong family ties but by lack of identity. We knew it was a perfect recipe for the gang movement to move in and take charge. We ignored the warnings.

Young men aching to feel like somebody were willing to lower their pants and raise their self-esteem. They flocked to gangs where they felt a sense of belonging. Nothing was too great to ask if belonging was the reward. Rape an 80-year-old woman. No problem. Shoot at a passing vehicle. Rob in broad daylight. Arrest, jail, bail, gunfire. Survive, start it all over again. The vicious cycle and recidivism continued to fester underground and out of sight until suddenly it was in our face, and we could no longer pretend it was somebody else’s problem, it was ours, all of ours.

It wasn’t a neighbourhood issue, it was a national crisis. What affects one eventually affects all.

We can bemoan the state of affairs or take bold action.

I wish I could say that what I am about to suggest was original, but it is not. It has been tried in other places and the beauty of its lack of originality is that we have proof that it works.

It’s the great land giveaway. The anticrime movement may just lie in the people movement. Entice residents of New Providence to pick up stakes, move with the farther the location, the greater the incentive, spread the population to centres that need it, build and boost those waiting economies and reduce the pressure on overcrowded areas.

More jurisdictions around the globe are joining the relocation movement to help solve varied problems – environmental,

infrastructural, economic and social.

In the past few years, relocation incentives have led to a wave of new growth in Italy, Canada. Scotland, even in a state in the US where the population was declining until political leaders realized the benefits of paying people to move there outweighed the cost.

The jury may still be out on some but others call the results nothing short of amazing. One city just outside Rome was burdened with ancient homes built long ago, abandoned and in danger of demolition by neglect until it agreed to sell the properties to anyone who would repair, renovate and occupy the buildings for the payment of $1. Because of its proximity to Rome, dollar bills were flashing like lightning bugs in summer and the town was being restored in record time.

In the rural US, the Ascend West Virginia program is offering $20,000 in three tranches to new residents who move to the Mountain State. The first $10,000 is a cash payment, no strings attached, simply an incentive. After year one, the household receives another $2,000 plus $8,000 in outdoor activity experiences and gear, white water rafting, sports gear and equipment. The result – an active, younger population of people moving into a state that was not long before suffering a serious population decline.

In Pipestone, Manitoba, Canada, the government is offering plots of land for $10.

The example that most closely resembles The Bahamas is Scotland. With 1,000 islands, many with decreasing populations, in 2019 the government tackled the problem with a massive National Islands Plan that includes a variety of incentives, including a qualification process for 100 households to be awarded up to $65,000 to relocate.

What all these plans have in common is the willingness to pay a small price upfront for what has the potential to become a game-changing, long-term reward at the back end.

They are based on the simple premise that nothing promotes pride more than the ability to point and say “See that land, that’s mine.” How do we instill that pride of ownership in those who appear to lack a moral compass? We give them a new compass by which to steer their way straight to a better life. We pay them to do it. We give them what they cannot possibly get without a gift to begin with. We give them what we have plenty of, a piece of land to call their own, and they give us what we need, a redistribution of the population that breaks up gangs, relieves pressure on overcrowded, unsafe neighbourhoods and restores faith in the future

How do we instill tHat pride of ownersHip in tHose wHo appear to lack a moral compass? we give tHem a new compass by wHicH to steer tHeir way straigHt to a better life.

of Family Island development.

The government has set aside 36,148 acres of Crown Land in Andros, Abaco and Grand Bahama for agricultural purposes. And that is only what was set aside for agriculture. There’s much, much more Crown Land, oversight of which resides in the Office of the Prime Minister and that land runs the length and breadth of the archipelago. Imagine young people starting small farms and businesses in Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked and Acklins Islands, Long Cay and elsewhere. Imagine the boost to the Berry Islands. Where people move, businesses grow up to satisfy their daily needs. Small markets, paint stores, a

lumber yard, fuel stations, a new church is built, the school expands, there are more after-school activities. Communities start small and grow with spirit and soul and friendship.

By taking the very bold and courageous step of providing incentives to move young men and women out of Nassau to less populated family islands by providing land and start-up cash to build a dwelling or start a farm, we recognize the magnetic connection between land and the human spirit.

Ownership is the most powerful weapon in the arsenal against violence.

Never has there been a more important time to use the best we have.

PAGE 10 Friday, February 2, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

BAHAMAS SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT On Thursday, January 25, the Bahamas Society for Human Resource Management (BSHRM) installed its new executive team at Goldwynn Resort and Residences.

The local association is affiliated with Society for Human Resource Management, the largest body of Human Resource (HR) professionals in the world. BSHRM provides a forum for HR and business professionals to discuss current HRrelated and business issues, enhance their knowledge and skills and provide technical support to its members.

Keynote Speaker Pia Glover-Rolle, introduced the new Director of Labour, Howard Thompson, highlighted the progress made thus far in the Labour Department and spoke about the new and exciting projects to come. Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle charged the new executive to take the association national with its partnerships and

FROM left, at the Bahamas Society for Human Resource Management installation of its executive team are Carla Hamilton - Secretary, Nadia Bain – VP of Public Relations, Howard Thompson – Director of Labour, Lashanta Smith – President, Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle – Minister of Labour and The Public Service, Denise Knowles – President-elect, Tonya Bethel – VP of Programs and Melissa Deveaux - VP of Membership, Justina Dames – Workforce Advocate (not pictured). programmes.

Minister Glover-Rolle noted that “because people spend most of their time at work, Human Resource

management remains the driving force to shaping the culture of our organisations”. The Minister encouraged HR

professionals to ensure that the impact they leave in the workplace is a positive one.

Incoming President, Lashanta Smith reiterated the association’s vision to be the national voice for all things related to the work environment and highlighted that the new board represents a wide cross-section of industries including telecommunications, banking, hospitality, and insurance. President Smith also noted “the 2024 theme: “Reset and Lean In” presents an opportunity to collaborate with strategic partners and speak on the matters of human resources.” She encouraged all HR and business professionals to join in on the mandate.

2024 Executive Board: President – Lashanta Smith, President-elect – Denise Knowles, Vice President of Membership – Melissa Deveaux, Vice President of Programmes – Tonya Bethel, Vice President of Public Relations – Nadia Bain and Workforce Advocate – Justina Dames

RCN PE Wayne Miller with Kiwanians DA D’Andrea & DS Trayetta.

ABOVE and below, the Kiwanis Club of Over-The-Hill during its Cat Island trip.

JOIN THE CLUB

ROTARY CLUB OF NASSAU AM

OUR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers.

To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line.

For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 826-2242.

On Saturday, January 20, the Kiwanis Club of Nassau AM (KCNAM) was delighted to be joined by the Rotary Club of Nassau (RCN) to assist the Freedom Farm Baseball Association during the official opening of their administrative year.

The clubs made a significant donation of bottled water to hydrate the eager young athletes as they participated in a march from Holy Cross Anglican Church to the Freedom Farm Baseball Park. The power of sports has the ability to bring communities together, teach values, and inspire hope and pride. So, it was vitally important that these two premier service organisations actively support this event, which will help to build a better Bahamas.

The Kiwanis Club of Nassau AM is grateful to the Rotary Club of Nassau for their assistance with this important venture that will undoubtedly help the young athletes. Both organisations undoubtedly knocked the ball out of the park with this amazing heartfelt project, as their members’ hearts were filled with joy and happiness as they provided altruistic service to the little darlings.

Additionally, we thank Freedom Farm for allowing us to assist with the much needed donation, which enables us to live up to our motto; Kiwanis: Serving the Children of the World & Rotary: Service Above Self.

KIWANIS CLUB OF OVER-THE-HILL On Friday, January 19, a group of ten members from the Kiwanis Club of Over-The-Hill led by our President Dominique Gaitor, travel to at Cat Island to charter our second Key Club at the Arthur’s Town Comprehensive School. The first being the Old Bight High School in 1997.

We met an excited group of young children, eager to receive their Key Club pins, certificates, gavel and other club parappernalia.

In total the club was chartered with 25 members, with 24 boys. We wish to thank Mrs Ethel Turner, Principal and Ms Maria Curtis Key Club advisor for all the work that was done to launch the newest Key Club in Cat Island.

The Kiwanis Club of Over-The-Hill was organised on September 24th, 1975, and remains the only all men’s Kiwanis club in Sunshine Division 22, Bahamas, under the Eastern Cananda & Caribbean District of Kiwanis International.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 2, 2024, PAGE 11

Chinese Lunar New Year’s Celebration

A DANCE of dragons marking the Chinese New Year.

Photos: Moise Amisial

THE Chinese Embassy to the The Bahamas hosted a Chinese Lunar New Year’s Celebration yesterday at the newly renovated British Colonial Hotel. The event, which showcased Chinese cuisine, cultural programs, and dances, was to mark the beginning of the “year of the dragon”.

Governor General

Cynthia “Mother” Pratt,” Opposition Leader Michael Pintard, Pia Glover-Rolle and other government officials were present for the festivities.

Chinese Ambassador Dai Qingli hailed the engagement between the two nations, while reaffirming the nations commitment to working together in future

endeavours.

February 10 marks the beginning of the spring festival, through which various festivities will be held in its honour. Performances by The Bahamas National Children’s Choir and San Pedro School were apart of yesterday’s event, which ended with a lively Junkanoo Rush.

PAGE 12, Friday, February 2, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Israel and Lebanon prepping for a war neither wants, but many fear it is becoming inevitable AN ISRAELI mobile howitzer gets into position near the border with Lebanon in northern Israel, Thursday, January 11, 2024.

Photo: Leo Correa/AP

BEIRUT Associated Press THE prospect of a fullscale war between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia terrifies people on both sides of the border, but some see it as an inevitable fallout from Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza.

Such a war could be the most destructive either side has ever experienced.

Israel and Hezbollah each have lessons from their last war, in 2006, a monthlong conflict that ended in a draw. They’ve also had four months to prepare for another war, even as the United States tries to prevent a widening of the conflict.

Here’s a look at each side’s preparedness, how war might unfold and what’s being done to prevent it.

The 2006 war, six years after Israeli forces withdrew from south Lebanon, erupted after Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers and killed several others in a cross-border raid.

Israel launched a fullscale air and ground offensive and imposed a blockade that aimed to free the hostages and destroy Hezbollah’s military capabilities — a mission that ultimately failed.

Israeli bombing levelled large swaths of south Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs. Hezbollah fired thousands of unguided rockets into northern Israel communities.

The conflict killed some 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.

A United Nations resolution ending the war called for withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon and a demilitarized zone on Lebanon’s side of the border.

Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers, Hezbollah continues to operate in the border area, while Lebanon says Israel regularly violates its airspace and continues to occupy pockets of Lebanese land.

An Israel-Hezbollah war “would be a total disaster,” UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres warned last month, amid a flurry of shuttle diplomacy by the US and Europe.

Iran-backed Hezbollah seemed caught off-guard

by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, a regional ally.

Since then, Hezbollah and Israel have exchanged daily cross-border strikes,

escalating gradually.

Israel also carried out targeted killings of Hezbollah and Hamas figures in Lebanon.

More than 200 people, mostly Hezbollah fighters but also more than 20 civilians, have been killed on Lebanon’s side, and 18 on Israel’s.

Tens of thousands have been displaced on both sides. There are no immediate prospects for their return.

Israeli political and military leaders have warned Hezbollah that war is increasingly probable unless the militants withdraw from the border.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah hasn’t threatened to initiate war but warned of a fight “without limits” if Israel does. Hezbollah says it won’t agree to a ceasefire on the Israel-Lebanon border before there’s one in Gaza and has rebuffed a US proposal to move its forces several kilometres (miles) back from the border, according to Lebanese officials.

Despite the rhetoric, neither side appears to want war, said Andrea Tenenti, spokesperson for the UN peacekeeping mission in south Lebanon. However, “a miscalculation could potentially trigger a wider conflict that would be very difficult to control,” he said.

Both Hezbollah and the Israeli military have expanded capabilities since 2006 — yet both countries also are more fragile.

In Lebanon, four years of economic crisis have crippled public institutions, including its army and electrical grid, and eroded its health system.

The country hosts more than 1 million Syrian refugees.

Lebanon adopted an emergency plan for a war scenario in late October.

It projected the forcible displacement of 1 million Lebanese for 45 days.

About 87,000 Lebanese are displaced from the border area. While the government is relying on international organizations to fund the response, many groups working in Lebanon can’t maintain existing programs.

The UN refugee agency has provided supplies to collective shelters and given emergency cash to some 400 families in south Lebanon, spokesperson Lisa Abou Khaled said.

The agency doesn’t have funds to support large

ABOVE: Spanish UN peacekeepers prepare for patrol in Abbassiyeh, a Lebanese border village with Israel, on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 Photo: Hussein Malla/AP LEFT: Medical personnel work in a department transferred to underground parking at Rambam Hospital in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, Thursday, January 11, 2024.

Photo: Leo Correa/AP

numbers of displaced in the event of war, she said.

Aid group Doctors Without Borders said it has stockpiled some 10 tons of medical supplies and backup fuel for hospital generators in areas most likely to be affected by a widening conflict, in anticipation of a blockade.

Israel is feeling economic and social strain from the war in Gaza, which is expected to cost over $50 billion, or about 10 percent of national economic activity through the end of 2024, according to the Bank of Israel.

Costs would rise sharply if there’s war with Lebanon.

“No one wants this war, or wishes it on anyone,” said Tal Beeri of the Alma Research and Education Centre, a think tank focusing on northern Israel security. But he said he believes an armed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is inevitable, arguing that diplomatic solutions appear unlikely and would only allow Hezbollah’s strategic threats to increase.

Israel has evacuated

60,000 residents from towns nearest the border, where there’s no warning time for rocket launches because of the proximity of Hezbollah squads.

In a war, there would be no point in additional evacuations since the militia’s rockets and missiles can reach all of Israel.

After the Oct. 7 attack, the war in Gaza had broad domestic support, even if there’s now a growing debate over its direction.

Around half of Israelis would support war with Hezbollah as a last resort for restoring border security, according to recent polling by the think tank Israel Democracy Institute.

In Lebanon, some have criticized Hezbollah for exposing the country to another potentially devastating war. Others support the group’s limited entry into the conflict and believe Hezbollah’s arsenal will deter Israel from

escalating.

A full-scale war would likely spread to multiple fronts, escalating the involvement of Iranian proxies in Syria, Iraq and Yemen — and perhaps even draw in Iran itself.

It could also drag the US, Israel’s closest ally, deeper into the conflict. The US already has dispatched additional warships to the region.

Hezbollah has 150,000 to 200,000 rockets and missiles of various ranges, said Orna Mizrahi of the Israeli think tank Institute for National Security Studies. This arsenal is at least five times larger than that of Hamas and far more accurate, she said.

The militia’s guided projectiles could reach water, electricity or communications facilities, and densely populated residential areas.

In Lebanon, airstrikes would likely wreak havoc on infrastructure and potentially kill thousands.

Netanyahu has threatened to “turn Beirut into Gaza,” where Israel’s air and ground incursion

has caused widespread destruction and killed more than 26,000 people, according to Hamascontrolled Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Israel is far more protected, with several air defence systems, including the Iron Dome, which intercepts rockets with a roughly 90% success rate. But it can get overwhelmed if a mass barrage of rockets is fired.

Some 40% of Israel’s population live in newer homes with private safe rooms fortified with blast protection to withstand rocket attacks. Israel also has a network of bomb shelters, but a 2020 government report says about one-third of Israelis lack easy access to them.

Lebanon has no such network, and shelters would be of little use against massive “bunker buster” bombs Israel has dropped in Gaza.

Hezbollah has limited air defences, while those of the Lebanese army are outdated and insufficient because of budget shortfalls, said Dina Arakji, with the UK-based risk consultancy firm Control Risks.

The Lebanese army has remained on the sidelines over the past four months.

In 2006, it entered fighting in a limited capacity, but it’s unclear how it would react in the event of a new Israel-Hezbollah war.

SPORTS PAGE 13

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2024

Archer: It is my wish that this event does happen

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

T

he cancellation of the 2024 Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) track and field meet has sparked outrage from members of the public the past three days.

In the midst of the latest debacle, Drumeco Archer, president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations, (BAAA) has reached out to the BAISS Conference of Principals to find a sound resolution that does not involve the cancellation of the highly anticipated meet.

He told reporters the high school level, yesterday at a press on the competition calbriefing held at the endar and we are doing Office of the Prime all that we can to see Minister that the how we can problem BAAAs is doing all solve and find the best that they can to ensure solutions to ensure that the show goes on.

BAISS 2024 does take “The BAAAs is place,” Archer said. responsible for facilitatTribune Sports had ing track and field and, first reported that the in any way we can help, meet could be delayed we will always be at the or postponed and was front line. The reality DRUMECO ARCHER reportedly recomis the BAISS confermended to be cancelled ence is a private entity and so they due to dates that conflicted have unfettered powers to do as with the Government Secondthey wish. “However, we take the ary Schools Sports Association view that it is perhaps the most (GSSSA) track and field meet set important track and field meet, at for February 28 to March 1.

According to Archer, the dates for the calendar were discussed from September 4 between stakeholders to ensure that everyone was on the same page. However, the BAAA president said the scheduling issues may have been the cause of the controversy.

“There are two primary conferences - the GSSSA which is the public school conference and BAISS which is the private school conference - and on a rotational basis, each conference has the first right to choose its dates. This year it was the GSSSA and they exercised the choice of choosing a date of February 28 to March 1.

I think that is where the controversy began because those were

the same dates that were desired

by BAISS and they could not have those dates because GSSSA had the first right to choose,” the BAAA president said.

The three-day inter-school meet was initially slated for February 15-17 but, according to reports, a change was requested in midJanuary after the date of the CARIFTA Trials were switched from March 6-8 to March 15-17.

The BAISS contingent then opted to secure the March 6-8 date but, due to the closeness of the new date to the CARIFTA Trials, some schools were not on board with those plans. These

SEE PAGE 14

Tick-Tock: Countdown to the World Relays

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net WITH the countdown for the World Athletics Relays under 100 days, preparations have kicked into high gear to ensure a seamless fourth hosting of the event in May. Earlier this week, officials of World Athletics, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and athletics officials had a preparation meeting to discuss the operations and new initiatives to be carried out ahead of May 4-5.

The World Athletics contingent conducted a customary site visit as well at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium to determine its progress.

Fan Engagement Drumeco Archer, CEO of the World Relays, gave insight on the planning process and mounting excitement surrounding the star-studded event.

“This week is a very important week for us. It is a week where not only some of our best technocrats on the local front are here but we are meeting very aggressively from morning to night with our counterparts from World Athletics. “It is a very exciting meeting because

ORGANISERS IN SEARCH OF 1,500 VOLUNTEERS

TOURING THE STADIUMS: Members of World Athletics tour the Thomas A Robinson national stadiums during their visit to determine its readiness ahead of the World Athletics Relays in May. Photo: LOC-World Relays 2024 I think it brings to bare world an opportunity to it is an event that will really students in their planning. our talent base because I see a cultural expression look at fan engagement Netflix is currently working think that in many of these that I think most countries quite differently,” Archer on a sports documentary sessions, we are actually have never really properly said. called Chasing The Speed: leading the charge, defin- achieved.

In terms of innova- World Sprinters and their ing and innovating.

“We are excited about it, tion, the World Relays next stop for filming will “What you should expect we are not only looking at has included some new be the “sporting paradise” is the fusion of sport and the event itself, this is not components for athletes, entertainment, it gives the just a track and field event, spectators and school SEE PAGE 16

SPORTS CALENDAR

Feb. 2024

REVEREND DR WILLIAM THOMPSON READY FOR HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net IT’S not everyday that a person reaches the age of 80 but for a man who has touched the lives of so many people in just about every sphere of life, the family and friends of the Rev. Dr William Thompson want to celebrate his milestone in a very special way.

The former baseball player’s 80th birthday celebrations will include a Sports Community Fun Day on Saturday, February 10 from 10am to 6pm at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

It will include two exhibition games between players from the Masters Softball Association, showcasing some of the players who would have played during his era.

One of his daughters Bernadette Bastian, who is spearheading the day, which will include food vendors, a farmers’ market, live music

by DJ Gary ‘Super’ Johnson, a kids’ zone, marching band performances and a junkanoo rushout, said there’s no better way to honour their father.

The sports committee has included the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture,

SEE PAGE 16

YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE HOSTS FIRST OF THREE FREE CLINICS

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

BASKETBALL BSAA ACTION THE Bahamas Scholastic Athletic Association played a series of games on Wednesday. Here’s a look at the results: Mini Division - Teleos 13, CW Sawyer 0: Evante Pierre scored a game high six points in the win.

Primary Boys - Temple 15, Hillcrest 7: Ravad Saintlus scored a game high nine points. Jacob Bodie had a pair of points in the loss.

Freedom 16, Jordan Prince William Team A 12: Christopher Strachan scored a game high nine points in the win. 9pts. Labron had six in a losing effort.

Temple 22, Jordan Prince William Team B 1: Gianno Coakley scored a game high nine points in the win.

Shameico Gibson scored the only point in the loss.

Queen’s College 32, Jordan Prince William Team B 6: Maison McKinney

scored a game high eight points in the win. Charmon Jennings had four points in the loss.

Primary Girls - Sandilands 11, Freedom 2: Wendisha Miller scored a game high 11 points in the win. Stacy Metellus had the two points in the loss..

Junior Girls - Teleos 16, Freedom 13: Kayla Bien scored seven points in the win. Yvontaegia Durverse had a game high 11 points in the loss.

Teleos 62, CI Gibson 60 2OT: Martino Butler scored 18 points in the win.

Michael Pierre had a game high 22 points in the loss.

BASEBALL 20-AND-UNDER DIVISION THE 20-and-under division baseball league between Freedom Farm and the Junior Baseball League of Nassau will continue on Saturday at the new Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium.

SEE PAGE 15

THE Bahamas Youth Flag Football League (BYFFL) opened the year with a free offensive clinic which is divided into three sessions.

The first session was hosted last week Saturday on the fields opposite the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium and up to 120 participants showed up for the learning experience.

Alexandra “Muffy” Deal-Coakley, co-founder of the BYFFL, explained the importance of the free offensive clinic to the young athletes.

“The importance of this kind of clinic is that we are trying to make sure when the kids go into the season they have a little extra work on certain positions so when they get into

BAHAMAS Youth Flag Football League continues another free clinic this Saturday on the fields opposite the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

Photo: Tenajh Sweeting/Tribune Staff the season, and we are different stations which doing drills for offence and are the quarterback stadefence, they are familiar tion, running back station, with it due to the extra receiver station and a footskills they will learn at this work station. According clinic,” Deal-Coakley said. to the BYFFL co-founder, Athletes aged six to 17 participate at four SEE PAGE 16

PAGE 14, Friday, February 2, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

BLTA wishes players success on their collegiate journey WITH the collegiate tennis season about to heat up, the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) invites you to follow the Bahamians who will represent for their respective colleges.

“We pray God grant them health, safety and many strong performances on the collegiate circuit.

The BLTA extends best wishes to the returning and new players in the collegiate tennis arena,” according to a press release.

1. Sydney Clarke University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) Blazers

SYDNEY CLARKE

SHAY’TONYA MISSICK

PEYTON ANDERSON

ELANA MACKEY

GENESIS MISSICK

KAYLEE KANUKA

2. Elana Mackey - Mars Hill Lions 3. Donte - Hampton Pirates

Armbrister University

4. Jacobi Bain - Xavier Gold Rush 5. Kofi Bowe - Johnson C Smith Golden Bulls 6. Anthony Burrows University of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL) Tritons 7. Peyton Anderson - Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) Mustangs 8. Genesis Missick - Livingstone College Blue Bears 9. Shay’Tonya Missick Johnson C Smith Golden Bulls 10. Michael Major Jr Howard University 11. Kaylee Kanuka Seton Hill University The BLTA wishes all the collegiate athletes great success on the courts and in the classrooms.

ARCHER: IT IS MY WISH THAT THIS EVENT DOES HAPPEN

DONTE ARMBRISTER

JACOBI BAIN

FROM PAGE 13 chain of events culminated with the eventual cancellation of the track and field, garnering negative attention from the public.

Archer said due to the nature of the event, a decision cannot be made without the consideration of the public.

“It is such a massive event that you just cannot make a decision without the consideration of the public.

“I think the public often drives a consensus and final results so I think that the machinery of public opinion and the strength of the supporters of BAISS are compelling people to say this can’t happen.

“It is not a force that is driven by the federation, it is the force that naturally continues to gain momentum.

“It is my wish as president of the BAAAs that this event does happen, whether it is before CARIFTA or post CARIFTA,” he said.

Parents, alumni and athletes are hoping to see a solution to this matter sooner than later.

The BAISS track and field meet was last cancelled in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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MICHAEL MAJOR JR

ANTHONY BURROWS

KOFI BOWE

EUBANKS AND KORDA GIVE THE US A 2-0 LEAD OVER UKRAINE IN DAVIS CUP VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Chris Eubanks stepped in as a late replacement for an injured Taylor Fritz and joined Sebastian Korda in earning singles victories yesterday to give the United States a 2-0 lead against Ukraine in Davis Cup qualifying.

The No. 32-ranked Eubanks, a Wimbledon quarterfinalist last year, made his Davis Cup debut and defeated No. 498 Viacheslav Bielinskyi 6-3, 6-2 with the help of a 15-6 edge in forehand winners.

That came after No. 33 Korda hit six of his 16 aces in the last two games along the way to beating No. 342 Oleksii Krutykh 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-4.

“I started off really nervous. I’ve been pretty nervous all day since I found out I was going to play,” said Eubanks, who is from Atlanta and played college tennis at Georgia Tech.

“But when I got out on court, things calmed down, and I feel like I played a really high level.”

Fritz, the highest-ranked American man at No. 9, was ruled out hours before play began because of an injured right hip.

Korda was down 2-1 in the third set before grabbing three consecutive games to move in front for good.

His father, Petr, won the 1998 Australian Open and his sisters, Nelly and Jessica, are professional golfers.

The United States can clinch a spot in the next round by winning today’s opening match. That is slated to be Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram for the U.S. against Vitaliy Sachko and Illya Beloborodko for Ukraine in doubles.

The best-of-five-match series is being held on indoor hard courts at SEB Arena in Lithuania because of the ongoing war in Ukraine, which began when Russia invaded in February 2022.

The 12 winners from this round, which concludes on Sunday, will advance to the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, along with reigning champion Italy, 2023 runner-up Australia, and wild-card entries Britain and Spain.

Other matchups this week: Slovakia at Serbia (which is without No. 1 Novak Djokovic); Georgia at Lithuania; South Korea at Canada; Belgium at Croatia; Germany at Hungary; Switzerland at Netherlands; Israel at Czech Republic; Portugal at Finland; France at Taiwan; Kazakhstan at Argentina; Brazil at Sweden; and Peru at Chile.

France downsizes Paris opening ceremony crowd to around 300,000 spectators PARIS (AP) — French Interior minister Gerald Darmanin said Wednesday that some 300,000 spectators will be able to attend the opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics, about half the size of what was originally planned.

The giant show on the River Seine on July 26 will mark the first time that an opening ceremony is held outside of a usual stadium setting. It will also involve a massive security operation, with tens of thousands of police officers and soldiers deployed.

The athletes will be paraded through the heart of the French capital on boats on the Seine along a 6-kilometre (3.7-mile) route.

THE OLYMPIC rings at Trocadero plaza that overlooks the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. (AP) Both banks of the river will be lined by spectators, behind multiple security cordons.

Speaking on French TV channel France 2,

Darmanin said current plans would allow for 100,000 paying spectators with a waterside view, and more than 220,000 people with free tickets on the

river’s upper embankments.

Organisers had originally estimated that around 600,000 spectators could watch the ceremony, but Darmanin did not give a

reason for why they have revised those figures.

Asked whether he had insomnia thinking about the ceremony, Darmanin replied that is is sleeping well. “I know that we have the best security forces in the world and we’ll be able to show that France is capable of winning medals and, above all, of hosting the world without any problems,” he said.

In December, French president Emmanuel Macron said the ceremony could be moved for security reasons if France is hit again in the run-up by extremist attacks. He cited deadly extremist attacks that hit Paris in 2015 as an example of the type of severe crisis that could force a rethink.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 2, 2024, PAGE 15

NPPPSSA Lakers overcome absence of BASKETBALL LeBron, AD in win over Celtics TOURNAMENT FOR BOYS BOSTON (AP) — Austin Reaves scored a season-high 32 points and hit a career-high seven 3-pointers to help a Los Angeles Lakers team missing LeBron James and Anthony Davis stun the Boston Celtics 114-105 last night.

James sat out because of a left ankle injury and Davis was sidelined by an Achilles tendon issue and left hip spasms.

Reaves was 7 of 10 from beyond the arc. He also was fouled on one of the

misses and made all three free throws. The Lakers hit 19 of 36 3-pointers, holding off the NBA-leading Celtics to end a two-game losing streak.

D’Angelo Russell added 16 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds for the Lakers. Jaxon Hayes had 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Jayson Tatum scored 23 points for the Celtics, who had 15 turnovers. Boston has lost three of its last five at home since starting the season 20-0 in TD Garden.

Boston never got closer

than seven points in the fourth quarter.

KNICKS 109, PACERS 105 NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 40 points and shook off an apparent eye injury to make the go-ahead basket with 1:46 remaining and New York beat Indiana Pacers for its ninth straight victory.

Hours after being voted an All-Star for the first time in his career, Brunson scored 11 in the fourth quarter to rally the Knicks in a game they trailed by

15 points. They had surged back to take the lead, then fell behind 100-99 when Brunson crashed into Andrew Nembhard in the backcourt, laying on the court and holding his face as Jalen Smith picked the loose ball for an uncontested basket.

Jalen Smith led Indiana with 20 points. Pascal Siakam had 18.

CAVALIERS 108, GRIZZLIES 101 MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Donovan Mitchell had 25 points and seven assists and

Cleveland beat Memphis for its fourth straight victory and 12th in 13 games. Caris LeVert added 16 points in a reserve role, Jarrett Allen finished with 14 points and nine rebounds, and Max Strus had 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Darius Garland scored nine points in his second game since returning from a fractured jaw that sidelined him for 19 games. He had 19 points Wednesday night in a home victory over Detroit. Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 25 points.

SHERMAN ‘the Tank’ Williams and ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd Seymour pose with some of the competitors in the amateur boxing show in Grand Bahama.

ALL-OUT BOXING HONOURS SHERMAN ‘THE TANK’ WILLIAMS AND ‘PRETTY BOY’ FLOYD SEYMOUR ALL-Out Boxing, headed by Grand Bahama Boxing Association president Jermaine Gibson, held a successful weekend of amateur boxing and gala awards presentations for Sherman ‘the Tank’ Williams and ‘Pretty Boy’

Floyd Seymour. The two nights of the Sherman Williams and Floyd Seymour National Pride Championships for the amateur boxers took place on Thursday and Friday at the Jack Hayward Auditorium and the banquet took place on

Saturday at the Church of Ascension Parish Hall.

Both Williams and Seymour expressed their gratitude to Gibson and All-Out Boxing and the Grand Bahama Boxing Association for putting on the amateur show in

their honour and for recognising them in their induction into the Grand Bahama Boxing Hall of Fame on Saturday. Also on hand to participate in the activities was Fred Sturrup, chairman of the Bahamas Boxing Commission.

ENDS TODAY

THE New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association will conclude its basketball tournament for boys today at 9 am at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

On Thursday, teams jockeyed for position to play in the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals today.

Pool B had to be decided by the point differential after there was a three-way tie for second place behind Cleveland Eneas. CW Swyer defeated Yellow Elder 10-6; Sadie Curtis def.

CW Sawyer 12-10 and Yellow Elder def. Sadie Curtis 9-3.

In the calculation of points, CW Sawyer accumulated a total of 20 points against 18 for two points. Yellow Elder had 15 points and gave up 13 for two points as well, while Sadie Curtis scored only eight points, but gave up 25 for a minus 15 points.

So while Cleveland Eneas emerged on top, CW Sawyer got second by winning also the headto-head matchup against Yellow Elder.

Sadie Curtis ended up in 4th place.

Here’s a look at the final pool standings going into today’s finale: Pool A 1. Centreville 3-0 2. Sybil Strachan 2-1 3. Garvin Tynes 1-2 4. Carlton Francis 0-3 Pool B 1. Cleveland Eneas 3-0 2. C . W. Sawyer 1-2 3. Yellow Elder 1-2 4. Sadie Curtis 1-2 Pool C 1. Palmdale 4-0 2. E. P. Roberts 3-1 3. Claridge 2-2 4. Uriah McPhee 1-3 5. Ridgeland 0-4 Pool D 1. Sandilands 3-0 2. Eva Hilton 2-1 3. Thelma Gibson 1-2 4. Albury Sayles 0-3 The top two teams in each pool will clash to determine who goes on to play in the semifinals.

The winners from the semifinals will play for the championship, while the two losers will meet for the third place consolation prize.

SPORTS CALENDAR FROM PAGE 13

BARTLETT Hill Primary boys and girls teams celebrate their basketball chmpionships. Along with the students, shown from left to right are Sergeant 269 Reserve William, ASP Lee Capron, and Denika Martin, principal of Bartlett Hill Primary School.

Bartlett Hill Primary School girls and boys win basketball titles PRINCIPAL Denika Martin, staff, coaches and students of Bartlett Hill Primary School celebrated the victories of their boys and girls teams in the recent Grand Bahama Primary Schools Sports Association’s basketball championship series.

Ramon Dames, the coach for the team, noted that they were delighted to honour the team for their accomplishments.

On Wednesday this week, he noted how proud they were of their achievements.

While the boys finished the regular season as the pennant winners, the girls ended up in third place, but they both prevailed when it counted the most in the championship.

During the special presentation of the team at their assembly, members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, including Sergeant 269 Reserve William, ASP Lee Capron and Sergeant 3498 Dean, joined in the team’s celebrations.

“We just came to celebrate with the Bartlett Hill Primary School on their

victories in the recent basketball championships,” said Capron, the officer in charge of Eight Mile Rock Police Station.

“Our commissioner has mandated that we pay attention to the youth of the country in supporting them in positive activities.

“And this is our way of saying to them that we are proud of them and we are happy that they are productive citizens in their communities and we want to encourage them to continue to do the same,” he stated.

BASEBALL 20-AND-UNDER DIVISION Here’s a look Saturday’s games: Noon - Braves vs Caribs 2:15pm - White Sox vs Arawaks 4:45pm - Rangers vs Lucayans 7pm - Blue Jays vs Tainos YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL THE Bahamas Youth Flag Football League will be hosting a free offensive camp February 3 and Feb 10 @ the multipurpose field at the Sports Center. Kids ages 6 - 17 are invited to attend and can sign up by email byffl242@gmail.com.

This is the first official event for the BYFFL this year and will be followed by the 2nd Annual High School Tournament planned for April 13.

5K RUN/WALK Bahamas Feeding Network THE Bahamas Feeding Network will hold its 5K Fun Run/Walk & Health Fair on Saturday, February 3. The registration fee is $20. Interested persons can register online at www.facebook.com/qcpharmacypi or www.bahamasfeedingnetwork.org.

For more information, persons can also contact 242-605-9559, 242-395-9559 or 242-676-2676.

Inaugural Valentine’s Doubles Tennis Classic Open Invite THIS February, during the season of love,

Insurance Management and The Gym Tennis Club of Winton invite tennis players in the country to experience the “love of the game” with their inaugural Valentine’s Doubles Classic Tennis Open Invitational.

The tournament will begin on February 10 and tennis players from all around the island will converge at the Gym Tennis Club in Winton to battle it out in a “doubles” only tournament

featuring four categories, including: Men’s, Ladies, Over 55, and the always entertaining Mixed Doubles category. Interested players should e-mail “gtctourbah@gmail.com” to get their registration forms.

Insurance Management and the Gym Tennis Club encourages fans and those who want to discover the love of tennis, to come come out, cheer, enjoy and even hit a ball or two.”

PAGE 16, Friday, February 2, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Countdown to the World Athletics Relays: Organisers in search of 1,500 volunteers FROM PAGE 13 according to the World Relays CEO. “Netflix is doing a documentary of the world’s fastest humans and the relays become a part of that story. “The final stop for that documentary series will be in The Bahamas again, an opportunity to be able to talk about The Bahamas in a much broader sense and so we are pumped about it.

We can’t wait,” he said.

At the Bahamas’ fourth hosting of the World Relays, a priority will be placed on fan engagement starting with the entertainment aspect.

Spectators will have the opportunity to watch the events to take place from the in-field for the first time.

The school students will also be included in the engagement.

“Our mandate from a fan engagement but also athletic engagement standpoint is to ensure that schools touch and feel this event, that schools are a part of the event. We are gonna be looking at an aggressive adoption programme where kids are gonna be integrally involved in the entertainment and the fun aspects of this event. There will be no school left behind,” the CEO said.

Event organisers will also personalise t-shirts for schools to purchase shirts of different colours.

DR DANIEL JOHNSON, chairman of the World Relays, holds up a World Athletics Relays Bahamas t-shirt.

Repairs Update Repairs at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium have been ongoing since November 1 of last year. In its current state, the national facility is missing the roof on the Eastern Grandstand. Following the site visit by executive members, Archer is confident that they will be ready for March 4-5.

“We will be ready beginning May 4 to unveil the curtain of this event. We are not the technocrats, we

rely upon the experts not just here in The Bahamas but throughout the world.

We are on track and we will have a brand new track that will be the prototype of the Paris Olympic Games so it will be the first opportunity for the world to touch and feel the new technology of a new surface and the stadium will be ready for the games. We will be welcoming the world and we will not be embarrassed. The Chinese construction company and People’s Republic

DRUMECO ARCHER, CEO of the World Relays, gave insight on the planning process and mounting excitement surrounding the star-studded event.

Photos: Moise Amisial of China will not be embarrassed,” he said.

Sports Tourism The World Relays will serve as a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The event will consist of five events, inclusive of the men and women’s 4x100 metres, 4x400m and mixed relays.

The 2024 edition is expected to attract spectators from all over the world and top athletes vying for a chance to make it to Paris.

Dr Daniel Johnson, chairman of the World

Relays, said this sporting event will play a major role with regards to tourism and they both mesh really well.

“The purpose of this investment for us as a country, as a big investment with big returns, is that you have to bring it home.

“We are now talking about the business of sports and in the sporting business you can see that tourism and sports go easily hand in hand.

“Actually, the largest event around the world and the largest business in

REVEREND THOMPSON FROM PAGE 13

the National Sports Authority, sponsor Caribbean Bottling Company Limited (Coca-Cola), Educulture Junkanoo Museum and the Valley Boys Junkanoo group to make this grand event a success.

“We’re calling all family members and friends of the Rev and persons from all walks of life to enjoy the celebrations,” Bastian said. “Once again, we are inviting everyone to come out and celebrate this magnificent milestone with Rev. Dr. William Thompson.”

One of his brothers, Rev. Harrison Thompson, said they are proud and excited to celebrate the 80th birthday of his older brother, who has done so much for The Bahamas.

“He has represented us internationally and nationally in so many ways,” he said. “So we want to invite everybody, all softball players, all junkanooers, all baseball players, all religious worshippers to come because he has impacted us in so many ways.”

On the heels of the sports day, Thompson revealed that Sunday, February 11 will be a Preacher-Teacher service at his church at Faith United Missionary Baptist Church where he will be recognised for his life work in religion.

A gala banquet is also scheduled for February 16 at the Atlantis ballroom where the life and legacy of Dr Thompson will be reflected from all areas of

PLANS were announced on Wednesday for the 80th birthday bash for the Rev. Dr William Thompson. Pictured, from left to right, are Peter Rahming, Brian Adderley, Oria Wood-Knowles, Harrison Thompson, Bernadette Bastian and Martin Burrows. society. Tickets are priced at $250 per person and can be purchased by emailing celebratingwilliamthompson@gmail.com or calling either 395-8548 or 424-2828.

The birthday celebrations will conclude on his actual birthday on February 18 with another church service at Faith United, followed by a reception in their auditorium.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg endorsed the event and felt as a Hall of Famer, Dr Thompson deserves all of the accolades and more.

“He was a Hall of Famer in sports, but he was a nation builder, not just spiritually, but was always involved in culture with junkanoo, so you’re talking about someone who has been all around in the development of young people in our country,” Bowleg said.

Bowleg commended the organising committee for

recognising Dr Thompson for his commitment to the nation and the best way to honour him on his birthday is by doing the things that he enjoyed the most.

Bowleg, however, had one stern warning for Dr Thompson. “Don’t go out there and try to hit any ball,” he joked. “He can probably coach from the sidelines and I will assist him with one or two things he can do, but he ain’t going out there.”

Peter Rahming, president of the Masters Softball Association, said when they were invited to participate in the event, they were excited because they know it’s not often people attain the age of 80, so it’s a reason to celebrate.

“Plus, a lot of the players playing in the Masters Softball Association were young men whom Dr. Thompson mentored, coached and raised, so it is good that we are able to

give something back to him as he celebrates 80 years on this earth,” Rahming said.

“So we are also inviting all of his past players, all of the people he impacted during the game of softball and baseball to come out and be a part of the celebrations.”

One of the matchups to watch will be the league’s defending champions the Corner Boys vs the Runners, the Boyz and the Presidential team vs the Undertakers.

“Hopefully no one gets buried, but it’s good to know that men over 50 are still able to participate at this level,” Rahming said.

“So we are inviting everyone of you to be a part of this Masters Softball Association games that will celebrate the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. William Thompson.”

Brian Adderley, chairman of the Valley Boys, said they are excited about

coordinating the grand finale for the Sports Day - a junkanoo rush out.

“Everybody knows that Rev. Dr. Thompson is an avid junkanooer and a Valley Boy, but this event will be a combined junkanoo rush out,” he said.

“Rev. Thompson has been very instrumental in bringing junkanoo groups and junkanoo leaders together and so this is an opportunity to give back to him for what he has done for junkanoo, the community, for the church, for softball and for sports.”

Adderley reflected how in 2008, Dr. Thompson was instrumental along with others in forming the “Because He Lives Easter Junkanoo Rush out,” which was intended to take junkanoo to the people.

“As you are aware, the parade starts from East Street and Wulff Road and heads west to Nassau Street, in composing a lot

the world is not tourism, it is sports and entertainment and it is recession proof.

So for us this year on May 3, 4 and 5 you will see The Bahamas welcome the world, not couple people, everybody in the world will be watching this event,” Johnson said.

As preparations continue for the next three months, event organisers are in search of 1,500 volunteers for the World Relays. The Bahamas hosted the World Relays in 2014, 2015 and 2017.

of the over-the-hill areas and to take the word to the people,” Adderley said.

“We want to encourage all junkanooers to come out and attend.”

Oria Wood-Knowles, an ordained minister at Faith United, said she couldn’t resist the opportunity to get involved in the planning of the Sports Day. “The Rev. Dr. William Thompson is a man of many seasons, many talents, many gifts and he has given so much to all of us,” she stated.

“He is a wonderful man, a kind-hearted man, a man of God who just looks to help any situation, fix situations, whatever is going on in this country that is in need of a leader, he’s there as a leader to help fix and straighten things out.

“He’s very ardent about giving young people an opportunity and providing opportunities for our young people, so I just want everyone to come out and celebrate the Rev. Dr. William Thompson because he has given so much.

“To whom much is given, much is expected and he has given all that is expected, so come out because we expect you to celebrate him.”

Martin Burrows, the facilities manager of the NSA, said it was a pleasure to host the event.

Personally, he said he got an opportunity to play under his guidance and so he’s going to make sure that the field is in tip-top shape for the event. “I want to invite all of you to come on down, this is where it’s going to be at the Balliou Hills Sporting Complex,” he said.

YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE HOSTS FIRST OF THREE FREE CLINICS FROM PAGE 13 each week the participants will have the opportunity to learn something different from the various stations.

“We are really trying to focus on getting some of the positions we have in football toned down to fine form. Each week we will have four different stations so that they are learning something different but, at the same time, it’s still going to be focused on the same three positions of quarterback, running back and receiver,” she said.

The camp is for girls and boys and, although registration wrapped up a week

ago, individuals that are interested still have the option of showing up this Saturday at noon.

Hannah Ritchie, who is 16-years old, was in attendance on day one and after working her way back from a concussion, she was happy to be back in action.

“It is pretty good. I think it’s really good to start from the basics because people start worrying more about catching the ball and pulling flags and that is how you trip over your feet. It is really good learning how to use your feet in this sport before you get into more complicated matters. I am definitely looking forward to the next session because

ALL FOR DEVELOPMENT: The Bahamas Youth Flag Football League (BYFFL) got their year started with the hosting of one of three free flag football clinics which continues this Saturday on the fields opposite the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

I was just injured a little while ago so this is my first day back into the sport and doing work like that, so I am really excited to get back into it,” Ritchie said.

Renee Johnson, who is the same age as Ritchie, found the day one experience very enlightening.

“For the first day it was a good experience. I learned a lot today and put in a lot of work. I learned how the quarterback works and about catching. It was a good experience for my second time around,” Johnson stated.

Jayden Deal-Coakley has thoroughly enjoyed the offensive camp in its early stages.

“It has been alright so far, I like it. I learned the running back drills, the route three and the cuts for when you are playing wide receiver and have to get past the defender. I joined this camp because I love football and that is what I want to do when I grow up,” he said.

Saturday’s second session will begin at noon and wrap up at 2pm. The final session is scheduled for Saturday, February 10.

The flag football clinic will be followed by the 2nd High School Tournament on April 13.

The tourney will be the first official event on the BYFFL calendar.

PAGE 18, Friday, February 2, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

What’s the big secret on NIB rate increase?

FROM PAGE A24 know why they’re making it a secret and why they’re not telling people.

“I don’t know why they wouldn’t. They have all the actuarial figures. They know what the problem is and how much they’re going to raise it. I don’t know why they’re making it a secret. That’s all I can say. I just don’t know why.

I really don’t.

“If you don’t know how much it is you can only speculate,” Mr Goudie added. “I just wish they [the Government] would tell us and get on with it so everybody knows and we can move along with our lives. You don’t know how to budget for something you don’t know. It makes it very difficult.

“I don’t think it’s going to be that huge that it’s really going to hurt everybody, but it would certainly be nice to know what it is.... You would have thought there could at least be six months’ notice. That would be nice.

And we don’t know what else is coming. We know there’s a deficit, but nobody knows what it it is. It’s all kind of scary. I just wish they would do something about it.”

Prime Minister Philip Davis KC last June confirmed that a National Insurance Board (NIB) contribution rate increase will

be implemented on July 1, 2024, provided no further details in his statement other than the date while asserting that the further year’s delay will not make the magnitude of the hike any greater.

“We hope that a full year’s advance notice will allow all impacted the time to plan to accommodate the increase,” Mr Davis said. However, the Government has yet to reveal the magnitude of the increase, and how it is to be split between employer and employee - possibly because Cabinet has yet to meet, agree on and approve it.

Mark A Turnquest, the 242 Small Business Association and Resource Centre’s (SBARC) founder, said that his members are preparing for the impending NIB rate increase but have also been awaiting confirmation on exactly how much it will be so that they can factor that into their budgets.

“They are preparing themselves because they know it is inevitable, but all they want to know is the exact rake hike. All of my clients and members are ready for it but they want to know exactly how much it will be so that they can be prepared,” he added.

“What they wanted to know from last year is to find out exactly what it was so they could put that in their planning budget for 2024.

They are aware that it’s going up

but since they don’t know exactly much they’re making estimates.”

Mr Turnquest said his members have confirmed they will not be laying off any staff members due to the NIB increase, and will be focusing their efforts on ensuring workers have adequate training and tools to be more productive.

He added: “They have indicated to me that they won’t do any layoffs so that’s not a problem, but what they will do is try to increase their employee productivity levels by ensuring that employees have the right equipment, technology, environment and will be welltrained so that they can keep their most productive workers.”

Mr Turnquest said the private sector is aware that NIB is in financial difficulties and are prepared for a minimal increase of a “dollar or two”; not an “horrendous” one.

“None of them expect to lay-off anyone. They are planning for it and they expect it, and they know it’s inevitable as NIB is running out of money,” he added.

“Everybody is prepared for a minimum increase to the contribution margin that we have to pay as small business owners, but we aren’t prepared for an horrendous increase…We haven’t planned for a huge increase but we prepared for an increase.. a dollar or two increase…”

NIB’s present reality was predicted more than two decades by its seventh actuarial review, completed in 2001, which forecast that “reserves are projected to become exhausted” by 2029 if comprehensive reforms are not implemented to address the fundamental problem of benefit payouts exceeding contribution income. The recipient of that review, which was only one year out, on September 11, 2002, was then-NIB chairman and now-Prime Minister, Philip Davis QC. Now, with just four years left to the NIB Fund’s total depletion in 2028, the magnitude of the correction threatens to be that much more severe for businesses and workers already grappling with surging inflation, COVID recovery, rising gas prices and other cost increases. Contributions are presently split 5.9 percent/3.9 percent between employer and employee, making for a combined 9.8 percent, but there has been no indication on what the actual increase will be.

NIB’s 11th actuarial report called for a two percentage point increase in contribution rates to be implemented by July 1, 2022, with subsequent further hikes enacted every two years until 2036 to secure the social security system’s long-term financial sustainability. The date given by the Prime Minister means that the Government will ultimately end up pushing this back two years.

Other NIB reform options include raising the “official” retirement age, increasing the contributions required to become eligible for benefits, and further insurable wage ceiling increases.

BOAT REGISTRATION FEE RISE ‘SQUEEZES THE SMALL MAN’ FROM PAGE A22 fees are having a negative impact on boat owners. She explained that many young persons rely on boats to travel between settlements and make a living, and called on the Government to have the fees “revisited, revamped and reduced” as the average Long Island resident cannot afford them.

She said: “The boat registration fees are really impacting our boat owners in a very negative way. You know, in New Providence, the young fellas come with a school and they buy a car.

In Long Island, the young boys coming out of school, they wish to buy a boat. But it is unaffordable for them to start with a boat.

“Having a boat on these islands and a lot of the Family Islands is like owning a car because we transit between islands, between different settlements, between different areas via boat. So that is our main mode of transportation.

“So the fees that have been implemented, we really need those fees to be revisited, revamped and reduced because the average person on Long Island cannot afford the fees.

And we say that we are Government for the people. Let us listen to the people.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 2, 2024, PAGE 19

‘US laws’ hit cruise line’s Bahamas ticketing policy FROM PAGE A24 longer offer embarkation from Grand Bahama for one-way passengers as of January 1, 2024. This was the sole basis for the decision to end one-way travel, which has curtailed a segment of our business and may have unintended consequences for Bahamian citizens.

“Margaritaville at Sea is committed to passenger safety and enjoyment, as well as legal compliance with US law and the laws of all other countries where our ships call, as well as our obligations as a cruise operator.”

The Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, in a subsequent statement, pledged that it is “actively engaged” with Margaritaville at Sea in a bid to have it reverse its ticket policy change given that it provides an essential service for Grand Bahama residents.

“We advise the public that the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation is actively engaged with Margaritaville at Sea to reverse its recent policy change that does not allow originating a trip from Freeport, Grand Bahama, to Florida,” the ministry said.

“We have emphasised to Margaritaville at Sea that this is an essential service to the way of life of the residents of Grand Bahama.

We will apprise the public of the outcome of these discussions.” Given that US laws and regulations are the driving force behind the cruise line’s changed ticket policy, it is unclear how

much pressure the Government can impose to force it alter course.

However, Tribune Business understands that the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation has provided Margaritaville at Sea that it believes would enable the cruise ship to remain compliant with US Customs and Immigration while still accommodating the needs of Bahamian passengers.

The Government is thought to be firm in its stance that Margaritaville at Sea must modify its position, and is not without leverage due to marketingrelated tax concessions and other subsidies that The Bahamas provides to it. It is understood that the Government may have warned that the cruise line will lose - or even have already cut-off - these incentive payments until Bahamian interests are addressed.

The Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation is now thought to be waiting on Margaritaville at Sea’s response. It is unclear why US “laws and regulations” have forced a change in the cruise line’s ticketing policy, but several Grand Bahama sources speaking on condition of anonymity said it relates to the fact that the vessel is licensed as a cruise ship and not a ferry operator.

“Apparently they have a cruise ship licence and not a ferry boat licence,” one contact said. “A cruise ship licence says you must drop your passengers off where you picked them up at a single port of operations. I am told they have to apply for a ferry boat licence.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that ASHLEY RUMSFIELD BENITEZ of P.O Box SP-62634 #10 Third Terrace, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 26th day of January 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that WILLY FRANCOIS of East Street, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 2nd day of February 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that JOCELIN ALCE of P.O Box SP52453 14A John Chipman Street, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 26th day of January 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that FRIDOMAN ETIENNE of Cowpen Road , Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 2nd day of February 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

“Irrespective of that, they bring an awful lot of freight on this island as baggage.

They are selling roundtrips, Bahamians go over and shop like mad. They rent a bin, a wire cage, and return with it full of baggage. It can be anything from fridges, to freezers to air conditioning units.”

The source conceded that while Margaritaville at Sea had been “operating in a very grey area” as a result, he added that all its predecessors had also been operating akin to a ferry service as opposed to a cruise line.

Another source said of the ticketing policy change: “Apparently it’s a US Customs rule. US Customs and/ or immigration told them they were not licensed as a ferry. Therefore, they can’t just be bringing Bahamians in and out. I understand US immigration put the kibosh on them and seem to have them by the balls. It’s not their fault. Their licence is not to operate as a ferry boat.

“I was told third hand that a lot of Bahamians are using the boat to go over and stay. I don’t know why that is as opposed to using airlines, but the boat is cheap and airlines over $500. I think what they used to do was somehow they would go over there with a return ticket on the boat, cancel the return leg when they reached there and just disappear.

“But it is a blow to The Bahamas because the rank and file Bahamian used to go over there and shop, and bring back cages they’d fill up with all their stuff.

Our Bahamian people are not happy. The other ferry, Balearia, you cannot load that up.”

James Carey, the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce’s president, said the move by Margaritaville at Sea had taken him by surprise and “there must be some legal reason” as to why the ticketing policy had changed.

Acknowledging that the service has been “quite a staple for the Bahamian consumer for shopping and vacation”, he said the move would negatively impact individuals, households and small businesses that have relied on the cruise lines as a relatively inexpensive means of transportation through which to bring goods back to Grand Bahama.

“There’s a sector that will say good riddance, particularly a lot of the merchants, because a lot of us choose to use it to go to Florida to do heavy shopping and bring back a lot of goods,” Mr Carey said. “It also helped the smaller merchants because some of the ‘Mom and Pops’ were using it to bring back goods for sale as well.

“There’s a cost savings to get goods yourself because ‘Mom and Pops’ stores are

not buying in bulk. It may create some additional costs, and that will certainly have an impact but I don’t think it’s particularly large. Another concern is will it impact the number of day visitors coming to the island? They’re on the ground, and do move around when they are here, not just staying in the harbour.”

Kwasi Thompson, the east Grand Bahama MP who raised the alarm over the ticketing policy change, at the time suggested the sales halt also applied to round-trip tickets out of Grand Bahama although the Margaritaville at Sea spokesman only mentioned the one-way variety as being impacted.

The MP, who is also the Opposition’s finance spokesman, said he was especially concerned by reports from travel agents that Bahamians will be “blacklisted” and unable to travel on the Margaritaville at Sea again if they buy a round-trip ticket from West Palm Beach but elect to get off in Freeport and not return to Florida.

“What we’ve been informed of from the travel agents is if persons from Grand Bahama or Bahamians do that they’ll be blacklisted and not be able to purchase another ticket.

That’s my challenge with it,” Mr Thompson told Tribune Business.

“I think this will absolutely have an impact because businesses used the Margaritaville at Sea to bring in items. A number of travellers would use the Margaritaville at Sea to travel and bring in items as they travel. You have the gentlemen who were at the port clearing bins and assisting people in clearing bins.

“You have a significant amount of travel agents selling these tickets to Bahamians, and if Bahamians can no longer purchase those tickets, it’s a significant loss for Bahamian travel agents. It is affecting Grand Bahama absolutely in a negative way. The impact is real... tour operators and those persons who regularly travel back and forth to Florida for business,” he added.

“For those people who live in Grand Bahama it’s become a regular way of travel and to disrupt that is going to create a huge challenge for us. We cannot afford to lose any more business, we cannot afford to lose any more economic activity and this has an adverse effect on Bahamians. It is an important issue for Grand Bahama, and we need it to continue.”

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NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that LEONNAH OLESCIA CLECIDOR of Maria Drive, Cowpen Road, New Providence, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 2nd day of February, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that ROSELAINE ALCE of P.O Box SP52453 14A John Chipman Street, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 26th day of January 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

PAGE 20, Friday, February 2, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Fines waiver huge relief following tax portal ‘hell’ FROM PAGE A24 Department of Inland Revenue’s website and complete the Business Licence filing process amid the constant fear of financial sanctions for missing the January 31 deadline.

“It was hell,” he said simply. “I think it’s concluded, but I know there was a lot of glitches. This is not working, that’s not working. Attempting to long-on took up a lot of time and resources. They did offer some assistance, which we appreciate, but it was poor.”

As to the Government’s confirmation that it will waive fines for those who missed the end-January deadline due to the technology woes, Mr Albury, who is also Bahamas Bus and Truck’s general manager, told Tribune Business: “It’s a huge relief. I’m sure it will be appreciated.

“I actually spoke to another business owner today, who said he was still struggling to get it accomplished. It’s through no lack of wanting to comply.

People want to do it, and do it right, but so far it’s been very cumbersome.”

Timothy Ingraham, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) president, said it “would have been very unfair” for the Government to impose fines for late Business Licence filings given that the issues that caused this were outside the private sector’s control.

“The decision of the Government to not levy fines on businesses which could not access the online tax system is a very welcome

one [for] the BCCEC. It obviously would have been very unfair to fine persons for something which was in the control of the Government,” Mr Ingraham said.

“The BCCEC urges the Government to do all it can to avoid such disruption in future, as it raises the angst of the business community and leads to a sense of confusion. We are always open to assisting in any way that we can to ensure such projects are implemented as smoothly as possible.

“Early consultation with the BCCEC and other stakeholders prior to launch could assist in a successful launch and a much more harmonious working relationship between the business community and the Government.”

However, Adrian White, the Opposition MP for St Anne’s and an attorney by profession, while welcoming the Government’s decision not to impose fines also urged that it swiftly clarify how long struggling firms have to complete their Business Licence filings before it will levy penalties for non-compliance once again.

Arguing that it was vital to private sector certainty and clarity that the Government take this next step, he suggested that the waiver last until March to allow time for the necessary technology and additional infrastructure “bandwidth” to be installed and then tested to ensure it is functioning properly.

Describing the fines waiver as “a big relief”, he told this newspaper: “While there has been a communication that there won’t be

any penalties applied, we don’t know how long that period is going to last. From the House of Assembly yesterday, the communication

by Mr [Wayde] Watson, it’s clear we’re not expecting the bandwidth to be in place for another two weeks, maybe longer.

“While we have received something from the Government, the public has been mistreated to a malfunctioning system. Outside of the vendor, there had to be some administrator in the Department of Inland Revenue on the online technology side who could have identified that the parts for this roll-out were not in place.

“It really appears to be a situation where a degree of negligence has occurred, and possibly gross negligence has occurred, and it’s been put on the backs of the Bahamian people.

We’ve been subjected to a wrong as a result of negligence by a government agency who should have been reviewing, anticipating and correcting these glitches before they were put on the backs of the Bahamian people.”

Mr Watson, the Bain and Grant’s Town MP who is spearheading the Government’s digitisation drive, sought to shift blame for the online tax portal’s woes to the former Minnis administration as he complained to the House of Assembly on Wednesday that its successor was “shackled by the hands” due to the procurement solution that was chosen.

He said: “There was an upgrade by the vendor.

The vendor proceeded to

complete the upgrade in a timely fashion. However, the resources on the network infrastructure were required.

“Those resources, again, [faced] some challenges as it relates to the procurement system that was implemented before we had an opportunity to take office, and before we were shackled by the hands to abide by this procurement solution.”

Mr Watson, also parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, said the resources needed by the vendor would take six to eight weeks to arrive on New Providence so they attempted to revert to a previous system but encountered further challenges.

Based on Mr Watson’s explanation, Mr White yesterday said it would likely take a minimum of two weeks - and possibly four - for the required technology to arrive in the country.

It then has to be installed, and the online tax portal tested, to ensure it is working properly so, based on these requirements, the St Anne’s MP said the Government should be “aiming for March” before reintroducing fines for non-compliance.

“What next needs to happen, and I expect the Government will not be in a position to do this until they install the technology and test it, but we can’t continue to have members of society continue to log-in every day,” he added.

“There should be relief now that the fines have been waived for a certain period, but we need to

know what that period is because that’s when people have to make renewed efforts to have the information filed and provided.

“I don’t think that’s going to be within two weeks. It should be a month or two months from today’s date because yesterday [Wednesday], Mr Watson confirmed that it’s anywhere from two weeks yet till we have the technology in the country, and possibly four weeks,” Mr White continued.

“They also have to reallocate resources so the application being used can have the proper power it needs to process all these applications.

What we now need to hear is that they’re aiming for March, so persons should not be concerned to have their application in, but between March 1 and March 31.

“This will give the Government added time to install the technology and run the tests so everyone can say the ease of business is here again with respect to the Business Licence renewal process and VAT filings.”

One business owner, speaking on condition of anonymity, yesterday said of the Department of Inland Revenue’s online tax portal: “In three attempts I have not been able to get password resets - once through the portal, twice in person - first when I had e-mails sent to three addresses and never received the e-mails, and the last time on the 30th when the system was down and I completed a paper form with information for the addresses.”

Peter Maury, the former Association of Bahamas

Marinas (ABM) president, said he was barely able to complete Business Licence filings for two holding companies he oversees in time to meet the deadline.

“I finally finished at about 9pm last [Wednesday] night, back and forth,” he told Tribune Business.

“Today the site was still on my screen and I clicked on it, and it still didn’t come up right away. It took for ever and ever. I was at lunch today with some people. I didn’t say a word, and they were talking about how they were sat in their office all day [on Wednesday] trying to get it done.”

Pretino P. Albury, the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) president, said the mood in the private sector after the Government confirmed it will waive the late return fines was “it’s a little late but we’ll accept it”. He added that “it’s a little more relaxed, less tense and there’s not so much frustration” around efforts to use the online tax portal.

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NOTICE

NOTICE

COCO CABANA LTD.

PURSUANT TO SECTION 222(2) OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 1992 SUNNY TOURS LIMITED (the “Company”) (IN VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION)

(Voluntary Liquidation)

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000, the above-named Company is in dissolution, which commenced on the 31st day of January, A.D., 2024. The Liquidator is Galnom Ltd., CUB Financial Center, Western Road, Nassau, Bahamas.

GALNOM LTD. Liquidator

TO: All Shareholders and Contributories of the Company NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company will take place on 26 February 2024 at Equity Trust House, Caves Village, West Bay Street, P.O. Box N-10697, Nassau, Bahamas at 9:30 am to review the report and account of the voluntary liquidator of the Company respecting the voluntary liquidation of the Company.

Dated: February 1, 2024 Signed: Kim D. Thompson

NOTICE

Star Wish Investment Limited In Voluntary Liquidation

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, Star Wish Investment Limited is in dissolution as of January 24, 2024 LI XIAOJUAN with address at Unit D, 12/F, Tower 2, 8 Deep Water Bay Drive, Deep Water Bay, Hong Kong is the Liquidator.

NOTICE Amber PTC Ltd. (Voluntary Liquidation)

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000, the above-named Company is in dissolution, which commenced on the 31st day of January, A.D., 2024. The Liquidator is Galnom Ltd., CUB Financial Center, Western Road, Nassau, Bahamas.

GALNOM LTD. Liquidator

LI Q U I DAT O R ______________________

FELIX FUND LTD. SAC Reg. No. 177123 B

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given, in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act of 2000, that the above-named Company commenced dissolution procedures on the 25th day of January 2024 and that Sterling (Bahamas) Limited of Suite 205A, Saffrey Square, Bank Lane & Bay Street, P.O. Box N-9934, Nassau, Bahamas has been appointed voluntary Liquidator of the Company.

Notice is also hereby given that any person having a claim against the Company is required, within 14 days of the date of this Notice, to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to Sterling (Bahamas) Limited, the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts or claims are proved.

Dated this 1st day of February 2024 Sterling (Bahamas) Limited Liquidator

AGUILA CONSULTANCY LTD.

TRAVERTINE FUND LIMITED

TRAVERTINE FINANCE LTD.

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION

Notice is hereby given, in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act of 2000, that the above-named Company commenced dissolution procedures on the 24th day of January 2024 and that Sterling (Bahamas) Limited of Suite 205A, Saffrey Square, Bank Lane & Bay Street, P.O. Box N-9934, Nassau, Bahamas has been appointed voluntary Liquidator of the Company.

Notice is hereby given, in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act of 2000, that the above-named Company commenced dissolution procedures on the 24th day of January 2024 and that Sterling (Bahamas) Limited of Suite 205A, Saffrey Square, Bank Lane & Bay Street, P.O. Box N-9934, Nassau, Bahamas has been appointed voluntary Liquidator of the Company.

Notice is hereby given, in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act of 2000, that the above-named Company commenced dissolution procedures on the 24th day of January 2024 and that Sterling (Bahamas) Limited of Suite 205A, Saffrey Square, Bank Lane & Bay Street, P.O. Box N-9934, Nassau, Bahamas has been appointed voluntary Liquidator of the Company.

Notice is also hereby given that any person having a claim against the Company is required, within 14 days of the date of this Notice, to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to Sterling (Bahamas) Limited, the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts or claims are proved.

Notice is also hereby given that any person having a claim against the Company is required, within 14 days of the date of this Notice, to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to Sterling (Bahamas) Limited, the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts or claims are proved.

Notice is also hereby given that any person having a claim against the Company is required, within 14 days of the date of this Notice, to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to Sterling (Bahamas) Limited, the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts or claims are proved.

Dated this 1st day of February 2024

Dated this 1st day of February 2024

Dated this 1st day of February 2024

Sterling (Bahamas) Limited Liquidator

Sterling (Bahamas) Limited Liquidator

Sterling (Bahamas) Limited Liquidator

Reg. No. 176813 B

Reg. No. 167389 B

Reg. No. 205489 B

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 2, 2024, PAGE 21

Ministers refute concerns on PharmaChem chemicals FROM PAGE A24 closing that Friday, there’ll be a skeleton crew on the site because there was some hazardous materials on property that needed to be managed, that need to be secured and disposed in a professional manner. The chemicals were to remain at certain degrees to prevent them from becoming volatile and causing major issues.

“Finding out that PharmaChem is closed down.

The site is closed down, the power is off, there’s no one on property save for security at the gate. There are piles of hazardous materials on the property, there is no air conditioning on the property and we were advised that this matter needs to be looked into as soon as possible,” Mr Lewis added.

“The materials, I am advised, are carcinogens.

They are cancer-causing agents. So, colleagues, we need to look into this matter expeditiously.” Mrs Moxey said the plant is guarded round-the-clock by two security guards that patrol the premises regularly, and is periodically checked by two former senior employees.

She added that chemicals on-site are secured from leaking into ground water and that the plant was shut down using hurricane protocols.

Mrs Moxey said: “To the point raised by Central Grand Bahama on PharmaChem, the site is staffed 24/7 by two security guards per shift who patrol on the hour. All chemicals are secured in tanks, road tankers and aqueous waste basins. All chemical storage is bonded to contain any spills from going into the groundwater

“Two former senior personnel make periodic checks of the site. The site was shut down using their usual hurricane shutdown protocol and is secured.”

Mrs Moxey said a liquidator has been appointed to handle the PharmaChem winding-up, and its sole major customer, Gilead, will hire 20 former employees to dispose of any waste over a six to eight-week period.

She added: “The liquidator was appointed this week and will begin discussions with Gilead to rehire under contract about 20 employees to complete the disposal of hazardous waste and chemicals.

“The site is secured. It is hoped that by the end of next week, the staff will be on-site to manage removal of waste and other chemicals. This will take approximately six to eight weeks and they, of course,

are in contact with the Ministry of Environment and also the environmental department of the Grand Bahama Port Authority.”

Vaughn Miller, minister for the environment and natural resources, said the chemicals will be a part of the liquidation process and, while the description given

by Mr Lewis was “not the case”, investigations will be undertaken to ensure the chemicals are contained.

He said: “The Department of Environmental Planning and Protection are aware of it. We are in communication with them.

We are aware the chemicals are on the property and the chemicals are to be liquidated. That’s in the process, but we will certainly follow up to make certain that everything is on schedule and going as planned to make certain that what happened or what used to happen… in Grand Bahama in terms

HOTEL DISPUTE PARTIES ‘STAND DOWN’ FOR TALKS FROM PAGE A24 hours today. We made some progress, not much, but some.

“Both sides have agreed to meet tomorrow [today] at 5pm. The parties have agreed to stand down until 5pm tomorrow. I am hopeful though.” That provides a tight 24-window where no industrial action will take place after the hotel union earlier this week said its estimated 5,000 members were going on a ‘work to rule’ in response to the failure to conclude an industrial agreement with the Association.

“A lot more will be disclosed,” Mr Thompson said of today’s 5pm meeting.

“Hopefully, when certain things are disclosed at tomorrow’s meeting that should help us to narrow it down to a conclusion and an agreement. I am hopeful.

Coming out of that meeting, I’ll be prepared to say who was unreasonable and who was not unreasonable.

“We did bring Father Palacious into proceedings to assist with the negotiations. We are acting by faith. He was part of my team that I brought in.”

The labour director said he was unable to reveal what is likely to be disclosed at today’s meeting, but said he might do so once it was concluded. “I don’t want to fumble the ball,” Mr Thompson said.

Meanwhile, Darrin Woods, the hotel union’s president, told Tribune Business that both sides have been gagged from speak publicly or to the media about the negotiations. “We have to go back tomorrow,” he said of

today’s 5pm meeting. “They say we mustn’t talk to anybody in the press, me and [Russell] Miller. That’s all I can say. Nothing, nothing. We have to go back tomorrow.”

This would be the worst possible time for hotel industry to be hit by industrial action given that The Bahamas is already grappling with the fall-out from frenzied US and international media coverage of this nation’s crime woes - a development that could potentially deter some tourists from visiting.

The Department of Labour’s involvement, with a series of meetings held within the space of just a few days to try and bring the two sides to an agreement, signals the Government’s desire to head-off any industrial action that might disrupt The Bahamas’ largest industry at this time.

Mr Woods previously disclosed to this newspaper that he has already been contacted by Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments and aviation, over the state of hotel industry industrial relations and the potential for further disruptive action.

However, the union president accused hotel employers of “playing games” over talks aimed at securing the industry’s first industrial agreement for over a decade, and added: “We have to get their attention.” He also warned that he can “guarantee” escalating forms of industrial action “unless something changes” and the two

sides’ reach an acceptable solution.

Work-to-rule would mean that the union’s members will stick rigidly to the confines of their job descriptions, refusing to perform extra duties and functions, with the four properties impacted being Atlantis, the Ocean Club, Lyford Cay Club and Town Hotel.

Speaking after the two sides’ Tuesday meeting at the Department of Labour, Mr Woods said the Association stuck to its previously stated position, which is that tipped workers and other minimum wage staff will not necessarily receive the 8 percent “across-theboard” salary increase the BHCAWU wants for all members.

Its stance is that such workers, who mainly gain the bulk of their income from guest tips, should receive “whichever is greater” - last year’s minimum wage increase or an 8 percent pay rise, but not both - when it comes to their base salary.

This would mean that if a hotel worker’s base pay increased by more than 8 percent due to the

Government raising the minimum wage last year, they would not be entitled to a further rise under the new industrial agreement.

“The 8 percent increase is less than the minimum wage,” Mr Woods said.

“They’re saying the tipped category, they’re not going to give them greater than last year.” And he alleged that the Association had also revised its position such that its members want to deduct the 3 percent pay increase they gave voluntarily to non-tipped staff last year from that 8 percent, thus cutting their pay rise to 5 percent.

“That’s what they gave, and they’ve now said they want to take it from 8 percent and give them 5 percent. We said ‘no, no, we didn’t agree to that’. We got 8 percent across-theboard for everyone, and we said we negotiated for all; we didn’t negotiate for some. To say they will come and take monies back from another group of people, we can’t do it. We’re going to see where it goes.”

Mr Miller, in a statement last week, said the Association was “surprised and disappointed” by the

of chemicals being out of control and may be cancer causing, that that is certainly not the case.

“But as far as we are aware, we are fully aware of what is happening and the description that you gave that is not the case. But we will certainly investigate it to make certain that everything is contained and is in control.”

PharmaChem Technologies was shut down after it encountered “technical and operational issues” with its $400m plant expansion, which one contact labelled as “a very ambitious project”.

The expansion, designed to expand the range of drugs supplied to Gilead, was said to have gone significantly over-budget due to cost overruns. And both Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the construction

completion and production of test batches.

“In the chemical world, they have to do test batches, and each batch has to meet specific criteria before they can do a production run,” one contact, speaking on condition of anonymity, said. It is understood there were quality issues with these test batches, while some PharmaChem staff were said to be reluctant to work the 24-hour production shift system that was required to meet Gilead’s orders.

Ultimately, with the Grand Bahama-based manufacturer unable to meet Gilead’s desired production timelines and volumes, the latter pulled its financial support from PharmaChem, resulting in its closure announcement and the termination of some 120 staff.

union’s stance given that both sides had “agreed to all financial and nonfinancial terms” for a first industrial agreement in more than a decade.

“Given that we were in the final stages of completing these negotiations with the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU), we are surprised and disappointed by the statements made

by BHCAWU’s president, Darrin Woods,” Mr Miller said.

“Both sides had already agreed to all financial and non-financial terms and conditions in the new agreement, and we were in the process of vetting and binding documents for signature. This unexpected,

11th-hour impasse is incredibly unfair to our bargaining unit team members who have worked without an agreement since 2013 due to the union’s failure to put a new contract forward.

“We have continued to honour and operate under the terms of the expired agreement without fail.

We will not allow today to derail our commitment to finalising a new agreement as soon as possible.” The reference to the “union’s failure” refers to the fact it did not submit an offer for a new industrial deal 90 days or more before the last agreement’s expiry in 2013 as the contract mandated it must do.

In the Estate of

MARTIN SHORE MCSKIMMING late of the City of Toronto, Canada and the Island of Eleuthera

NOTICE is hereby given that all persons having any claims or demands against the above-named Estate are requested to send the same duly certified to the undersigned on or before the 26th day of February A.D. 2024.

NOTICE is hereby also given that at the expiration of the time above mentioned the assets of the deceased will be distributed among the persons entitled thereto having regard only to the claims of which the Executor shall then have had notice.

HOLOWESKO PYFROM FLETCHER Attorneys for the Executor Chambers Templeton Building, Lyford Cay Nassau, Bahamas

PAGE 22, Friday, February 2, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

ARAWAK CAY UPGRADE TO BATTLE WASTE OIL ‘CLOGGING’

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net The expansion of Arawak Cay’s sewerage system will involve installing an Industrial Bulk Container and wider pipes to enable it to cope with the volume of waste cooking oil generated by food vendors. sewer expansion will have “more than sufficient capacity,” to manage the amount of vendors using the Fish-Fry with the installation of an Industrial Bulk Container (IBC) for excess oil storage.

Leyvon Miller, Arawak Cay’s facilities manager, told Tribune Business the current eight-inch sewer pipes will be replaced by the larger 10-inch variety

to combat the “clogging” caused by the amount of oil and grease waste from the vendors. He pledged that the $130,000 sewerage infrastructure upgrade will have “more than sufficient capacity” to handle the Fish Fry’s needs.

Mr Miller said: “The issue in the sewer system is that, over the years, vendors have been pouring oil into the line. That has massively reduced the capacity of the system. The IBC installation will give the vendor somewhere to properly discard their oil. And, when they do, that should increase the longevity of the actual sewer system.”

Besides the installation of ten-inch pipes, the IBC container will act as a receptacle for vendors to pour their excess oil into.

Mr Miller added that the

relationship between the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources and the vendors is “sound”, and he has been in constant contact with Rodney Russell, the Arawak Cay Vendors Association’s president, on every detail.

He said: “The president knows all of this. I have sat with the president time and time again, and I have told him that we would do the work in the day time. I told him that we are only intending to do it when the businesses are closed. I also told him that there may be some dust in the area as a result, but that is all of the inconvenience I intend to cause them.”

Mr Russell previously told this newspaper he was never consulted on the specifics of the proposed new sewer system for Arawak

Cay. Nor was he invited to Wednesday’s announcement of the upgrades, adding that the ministry does not have a monopoly on the best solution for the Fish Fry. Mr Miller, though, said he speaks with Mr Russell once a month on initiatives that the ministry is undertaking at Arawak Cay. He added that the Association president has been invited on “several occasions” to go on walkabouts with ministry and Water and Sewerage Corporation officials to survey the area ahead of the new system’s implementation.

Asserting that Mr Russell has participated in all these events except for one, which was held recently prior to Monday’s sewerage system announcement, Mr Miller said: “The

president thinks that everybody should be on their own personal sewer system and how would I know that if I had not spoken to the president?

“That’s not what’s going to happen, and the Government could never allow people to govern themselves. We are the Government. What is going to happen is we’re going to expand the capacity of the sewer line. So, there’s an eight-inch pipe in the ground presently.

“Water & Sewerage Corporation technicians have advised that the eight-inch pipe has lasted about a decade. We’re going to up that to a ten-inch pipe and some people are even calling it overkill. But the goal here is longevity, and in the instances where we’re unable to alter the culture

or the practices of all the vendors, we want to ensure that we have more than sufficient capacity,” Mr Miller added.

“So we’re going to put the IBC in place to store oil above ground where it will be pumped, washed regularly and carted away.

And the understanding is that the company that will be contracted to do that can do marvellous things like create biodiesel and all of that environmentallyfriendly stuff.

“But what will happen, ultimately, is the sewer line should be void of any oil or we should reduce the oil in the system to an irreducible minimum. Doing that will guarantee that this system lasts 30, 40 or maybe 50 years. That is the goal. I have advised the president on that.”

Boat registration fee rise ‘squeezes the small man’

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net LONG Island fishermen and tour operators are accusing the Government of seeking “to squeeze the small man out” over fourdigit boating fee increases that have been suspended - at least for private vessels.

In a video widely circulated on social media, the group gathered at Salt Pond Dock to air their concerns about how the fees are affecting their businesses. Rodger Cartwright, owner of Long Island Boat Rental and Tours, said his

company employs ten persons and operates 15 boats, on which the annual registration renewal fees have increased ten-fold - from $800 to $8,000.

“I want to know how is it that I went from 15 boats being registered at $800 a year to 15 boats at $8,000 a year? The Government said they are behind small businesses. But how does this make sense? That’s cutting into my bottom line by cutting my profit,” he said.

“They say they want to encourage small operating companies in The Bahamas but they’re not trying to help us. How does my bottom line go from $800

to $8,000 just in boat registration, plus insurances and everything else…”

Mr Cartwright then questioned how the fees were passed into law and regulations in the 2023-2024 Budget debate without first consulting Family Island industry partners. “We have to do something. How did they just impose these things?” he asked “Why didn’t they have a meeting with all the fishermen and go around The Bahamas? How did they just put this in Parliament and expect us to pay, and they say they are for the small man? It sounds like they want to squeeze the

small man out and just let the foreign or the rich people come in and take it”.

Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments and aviation, said the Government has suspended the increased boat registration fees to allow for a review and industry consultation with adjustments likely to be made in the mid-year Budget to be unveiled before month’s end.

However, Mr Cartwright added that due to the increased fees he may have to close his business next year, resulting in a loss of income for ten families. He said: “If I’m employing ten people and I have to shut down my business, that’s ten people without jobs.

That’s ten young people without jobs “I might not be in business next year. So that’s ten people out of employment.

That’s ten families that are not going to get fed or they have to go find employment somewhere else.”

Marvin Cartwright, a fisherman who also owns a small tour business, said that the fee for his 20-foot boat increased from $20 to $750. He added that the “outrageous fees” will have an impact on young persons entering the industry and questioned where the Government’s “head was” when it made the decision to implement such large increases.

“We want to discuss the outrageous fees as put on the Bahamian people with the boat registration. I just want to ask the Government where their head was when they thought about the young people,” Mr Marvin Cartwright added.

“How could you put all these fees on some young people just come out of

school and want to start a business, and first registration for a 20-foot boat is I think $2,700 or somewhere.

Last year, I paid $20. This year, coming up, I have to pay $750 for a 20-foot boat.”

Emile Knowles, a commercial fishermen, said his boat fees increased from $200 to $3,000 and questioned how young persons on islands where the economy largely depends on the farming and fishing industries will be able to pay.

He said: “The registration was $200 for this boat; now you’re looking at $3,000? How do you get from $200 to $3,000? You could see a 25 to 30 percent increase but not a $3,000 or 3,000 percent increase.”

Ms Butler, a local government official on Long Island, said the increased

SEE PAGE A18

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 2, 2024, PAGE 23

Digital payments double to $4.5m for November

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

LAZAR DELORENZO CHARLTON, Linnea Chisholm and Geré Stubbs.

Real estate companies honour top producers TWO affiliated Bahamian real estate firms have honoured their top producers for 2023.

Condo Vikings and Jolie Luxury Homes, in a statement, named Lazar Delorenzo Charlton, as the top performing sales agent in overall sales volume across both brands.

He said: “As robust as the real estate market is currently, I’m incredibly grateful to have a very supportive broker and team to encourage and empower me to be successful in a very competitive industry. I’m looking forward to continuing to grow as a real estate advisor in all facets of the market and provide excellent service to our clients.”

Other honorees included Linnea Chisholm, recognised for her commitment and = service to clients, and Geré Stubbs, rookie of the

year, who was recognised for his outstanding and performance as a newcomer in the industry.

Gustaf Hernqvist, the brands’ president and broker, said: “I’m immensely proud of every single member of my team. The hard work, solidarity and trailblazing that Lazar, Linnea and Geré have shown last year is an indicator of how well they all work not only as individual agents but as a team to ensure the continued growth of our company and the real estate industry at large.

“Every member of our team is dedicated to providing knowledgeable and elite service, and I have no doubt that this year will be another record breaking one for both brands.”

BAHAMIAN digital payments transactions doubled in value to $4.5m for November 2023, the Central Bank disclosed yesterday, with mobile wallet holders increasing by 20 percent over the year’s first 11 months.

The regulator, giving its latest update on the growth in electronic or mobile payments, added that the value of Sand Dollars - the digital Bahamian dollar - in circulation had increased by almost 61 percent during 2023’s first 11 months to hit $1.7m. The Central Bankbacked digital currency was also said to have accounted for the bulk of digital payments transactions processed in November 2023.

“In November, the combined value of person-to-business and business-to-business transactions totalled $4.5m, with the bulk processed in Sand Dollars,” the Central Bank said of digital payments activity for the month.

“This was twice the level of November 2022, when usage had moderated after the October 2022 festival period. As at December 2023, personal wallets in use stood at 118,955, an expansion of 20 percent for the year-to-date. Moreover, Sand Dollars in circulation rose by 60.8 percent to $1.7m.”

The Central Bank said November 2023 had been up against tough prior year comparatives as the Government had then been using more electronic transfers to make benefit and other payments amid the waning COVID-19 pandemic.

“The latest data, as at November 2023, indicates modest seasonal growth in digital payments activities,

inclusive of Sand Dollar, compared to the same period of 2022,” the Central Bank said. “Even though the year-to-date trends were still dampened by reduced government transfer payments, usage continued to benefit from various cultural events and the Central Bank’s promotional activities.”

John Rolle, the Central Bank’s governor, admitted earlier this week that the Sand Dollar’s roll-out was “slightly off schedule” as he unveiled plans to “deepen the interaction” with the commercial banking industry to accelerate the digital currency’s usage.

“In terms of how we look at the Sand Dollar for 2024, this is now the period when we begin to deepen the interaction with commercial banks because, as we look to improve the general state of inclusion and access to payment services in this year, we are also beginning to set targets to improve the overall experience in terms of the speed and timeliness of domestic retail payments,” Mr Rolle said.

“The commercial banks now become very pivotal in terms of how we extend the reach of the Sand Dollar, particularly for businesses and, in that respect, we’re slightly off our schedule but we do anticipate in the first quarter that we will complete the upgrade to the application to allow

individuals to more directly onboard from mobile wallet accounts because we realise that’s critical in pushing greater uptake.

“The other point is that we have already seen some progress in terms of the integration of the Sand Dollar with the Automated Clearing House (ACH) in the banking system for transfers in and out of mobile wallets,” the Governor added.

“There are some residual steps still remaining around payment providers to get their platform fully up to the mark in terms of allowing the two-way flow. That’s also a very important point for us in the very near term which we think will promote uptake.”

The Central Bank, in yesterday’s update, said: “Continued development and associated beta testing remain underway for the Central Bank’s original Sand Dollar mobile wallet.

The enhancements will incorporate new features to improve user experience.

“Wallet holders will benefit from several self-service tools to assist with onboarding and wallet recovery.

The adjusted timeline for the release of the new wallet is the first quarter of 2024.” The Central Bank disbursed some $160,000 worth of Sand Dollars during the 2023 full year via incentives and promotions, including charitable events and festivals plus grocery top-ups and rebates.

business@tribunemedia.net

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2024

$5.30

$5.31

$5.37

Fines waiver huge relief following tax portal ‘hell’ t 1. T TQPLFTNBO TBZT AOP POF QFOBMJTFE GPS MBUFOFTT t 0QQPTJUJPO .1 TFFLT DMBSJUZ BAHAMIAN businesses yesterday branded the GovPO IPX MPOH XBJWFS MBTUT ernment’s pledge to waive fines for late payments and t $IBNCFS VSHFT ANPSF filings due to its tax portal’s IBSNPOJPVT XPSLJOH woes as “a huge relief” after suffering “hell” trying to SFMBUJPOTIJQ briefing, Ms Adderley admitted that the tax authorities have encountered “some difficulties” with the upgraded portal’s roll-out but said the “kinks” are being worked out with the process due to be completed in the coming days.

“The Department of Inland Revenue, as you may know, has been having some difficulties with the processing of Business [Licence] applications. And, of course, that has implications for business

persons who want to get themselves in order within the specified time,” she conceded.

“I’m advised that because they are changing over the system, trying to introduce a new system, which is intended to be a much smoother, more user-friendly system, that persons who are trying to access it and process their applications may be having a little difficulty.

“However, I’m advised that those kinks are being sorted out and, in the days ahead, it

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

BEN ALBURY should be smooth sailing. Certainly, persons involved are working on it to ensure that that happens. In the interim, the assurance is being given that no one will be penalised because of any lateness as that is being rectified.”

Ben Albury, the Bahamas Motor Dealers Association’s (BMDA) president, told this newspaper it had been “hell” trying to log-on to the

SEE PAGE A20

‘US laws’ hit cruise line’s Bahamas ticketing policy

By FAY SIMMONS AND NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Reporters A CRUISE line popular with Bahamians yesterday disclosed that US “laws and regulations” have forced it to stop selling one-way tickets for voyages out of Freeport to West Palm Beach.

A Margaritaville at Sea spokesman confirmed to Tribune Business that the

intervention of US Customs and Immigration (ICE) had resulted in it halting one-way travel from Grand Bahama to Florida and vice versa - a move it admitted “may have unintended consequences for Bahamian citizens” as well as its own business model and revenue streams.

Speaking to Tribune Business, the representative acknowledged that the cruise line has offered one-way

travel from Grand Bahama to the US since its inception. They affirmed that the sole reason for discontinuing one-way tickets was due to US Customs and Immigration laws and regulations, although the precise reason for the change was not detailed.

“Margaritaville at Sea has been proudly serving Bahamian cruise travellers for one-way cruise travel since

its inception. We currently offer two and three-day cruise excursions, carrying passengers from the Port of Palm Beach, Florida, to and from The Bahamas”, the Margaritaville at Sea representative said.

“Regretfully, due to US Customs and immigration laws and regulations, Margaritaville at Sea may no

SEE PAGE A19

What’s the big secret on NIB rate increase?

By FAY SIMMONS AND NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Reporters BAHAMIAN businesses are urging the Government to reveal the magnitude of July’s impending National Insurance Board (NIB) rate increase, with one asking: “What’s the big secret?”

Peter Goudie, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employer’s Confederation’s (BCCEC) labour division head, told Tribune Business that the July 1 contribution rate rise is now less than six months away and much closer than what he believes should be reasonable notice to allow companies to budget and plan properly.

PETER GOUDIE “They should be giving notice at a minimum of six months,” he argued.

“People have got to plan on this stuff. How can you budget? That’s a very difficult situation. They need to tell people. I don’t know what the secret is. I don’t

SEE PAGE A18

Ministers refute concerns on PharmaChem chemicals

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net CABINET ministers have refuted an Opposition MP’s concerns over the storage of hazardous chemicals and materials at the PharmaChem plant following its mid-January closure.

Ginger Moxey, minister for Grand Bahama, told the House of Assembly that site is secure and 20 former PharmaChem employees will be hired to complete the disposal of any hazardous materials.

She was responding to concerns raised by Iram Lewis, MP for Central

Grand Bahama, who said he was informed by nowformer PharmaChem engineer that a skeleton crew would remain on-site to ensure that chemicals are dealt with accordingly.

However, he added that he understood only security guards were on the premises and that possible cancer-causing carcinogens were left unattended. Mr Lewis said: “When I got the call that PharmaChem is closing down, I made a phone call to one of the engineers, being a friend of mine, to offer support.

“I was advised that even though the doors will be

SEE PAGE A21

Hotel dispute parties ‘stand down’ for talks

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By NEIL HARTNELL and FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporters nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

comply.

Companies, accountants and service providers told Tribune Business it “was the least” the Davis administration can do after Keishla Adderley, the Prime Minister’s spokesman, confirmed the private sector will not be penalised for missing Wednesday’s Business Licence filing deadline due to persistent challenges in accessing the Department of Inland Revenue’s portal and completing the process.

Speaking at the Prime Minister’s Office’s weekly media

$5.28

THE two sides in the hotel sector’s industrial dispute yesterday “agreed to stand down” from taking any disruptive action before further talks set for 5pm today.

Howard Thompson, the Government’s DARRIN WOODS director of labour, told Tribune Business he was “hopeful” that today’s meeting between the hotel employers and Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) will enable both sides to “narrow it down” to an agreement and conclude long-running negotiations on a new industrial deal.

Speaking after the union and Bahamas Hotel and Restaurant Employers Association met for three hours yesterday under the Department of Labour’s supervision, he disclosed that they “made some progress, not much” in resolving the 11th hour impasse that erupted between the two sides over salary increases for tipped employees.

Mr Thompson said conciliators were “acting by faith”, with Father Palacious brought on to the Department of Labour’s team to help bring the two sides to an amicable resolution. And he revealed that, following today’s meeting, he will be “prepared to say who was unreasonable and who was not” depending on the outcome of negotiations.

Asked by this newspaper whether any progress was made at yesterday’s meeting, Mr Thompson replied: “I can say it this way. It was a difficult three hours. It was about three

SEE PAGE A21