02032023 NEWS, SPORT AND BUSINESS

$64K NIB SALARY AS MUCH AS AUDITOR’S

IDB says ‘bloated’ cost structure highlighted by workers’ income

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Insurance Board (NIB) employees enjoy an average $64,000 income that nearly matches the earnings of the government’s top financial watchdog due to a bloated cost structure, a study has revealed.

An Inter-American Development Bank analysis of government spending noted that NIB’s compensation structure “appears high” given that the average

annual pay and benefits package taken home by staff was just $1,000 less than the Auditor General’s salary. And their income is some $10,000 higher than that of a leading secondary school headteacher.

The report, which has been reviewed by Tribune Business, suggests that previous “generous” industrial agreements have been a key factor in inflating both NIB’s wage structure and, in turn, its administrative costs.

SELECT COMMITTEE CALL ON IMMIGRATION AND FTX

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard has called for the establishment of select committees in Parliament on matters relating to the country’s immigration crisis and the collapse of FTX.

In a press release, Mr Pintard called for the establishment of both select committees to investigate

and consider all matters in relation to each.

The opposition leader suggested five terms in reference to the select committee for the immigration crisis: border security by air and sea; Bahamian citizenship, inclusive of addressing issues such as naturalisation for those that have long been waiting, conducting an audit of the granting of permanent residence and

MARIJUANA LAWS NEARLY COMPLETE - BUT NO DATE FOR PARLIAMENT YET

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

ATTORNEY General

Ryan Pinder said legislation for marijuana legalisation is nearly completed however, he was unable to provide a timeline as to when it will be presented to Parliament.

After assuming office, the Davis administration

COMPANY RESPONSIBLE FOR EXUMA SPILL ‘WILL FACE PENALTIES’ SAYS AG

promised to present the marijuana legalisation to Parliament before the end of 2022, but that deadline was ultimately missed. When asked for an update yesterday, Mr Pinder told reporters that draft laws to decriminalise marijuana were just about complete.

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

ATTORNEY General

Ryan Pinder said yesterday the company responsible for last summer’s Exuma oil spill will face penalties. Mr Pinder made these comments when asked about the diesel spill that occurred in Exuma last July. The

SIGNING ALLOWS $150M BRILAND EXPANSION

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Davis administration signed an amended Heads of Agreement yesterday with developers behind the Briland Club Residences & Marina development that will allow for the expansion of the Harbour Island-based project, set to cost some $150m.

Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis said he was delighted by the stronger

investor confidence the development represents and was looking forward

to the economic benefits it would bring to the island.

He also thanked 4M Harbour Island Ltd for their “bold and ambitious” investment in The Bahamas.

“What began as a boutique resort and marina has evolved to encompass an impressive retail component comprising 93 estate homes, cottages and villas, building on $112m already invested into the commercial ecosystem of Harbour

incident resulted in 35,000 gallons of diesel being spilled into waters off an Exuma bay as a vessel contracted by Sun Oil was offloading fuel to Bahamas Power and Light at George Town. He said: “They will absolutely see penalties. We prepared our litigation materials, we’ve conducted

ONE ELEUTHERA: WHEN GOOD FOOD CAN BE MEDICINE - SEE PAGE EIGHT

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

LEROY MAJOR, MP for Southern Shores, and Lakeshia Anderson-Rolle, executive director of BNT, planting a tree at Bonefish Pond National Park yesterday for World Wetlands Day. See PAGE FIVE for the full story.

Photo: Austin Fernander

FTX may only owe government real property tax, says AG

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

AFTER multiple government agencies were listed as FTX creditors, Attorney General Ryan Pinder said the only thing he’s aware of that could be owed to the government by the collapsed crypto currency exchange is real property tax.

Mr Pinder spoke after a “verified creditor matrix”, that was filed in the Delaware Bankruptcy Court last month, suggested that FTX was indebted to companies across the Bahamian economic spectrum as well as the government.

Potential creditors ranged from small and micro businesses, such as plant shops, design studios and security firms, to BISXlisted companies, such as Bahamas Waste.

A number of government ministries, including the Ministry of Works and Utilities, the Prime Minister’s Office and local government were also included in the creditor matrix.

Asked about the matter yesterday, Mr Pinder said: “We didn’t make any filings on behalf of the Attorney General’s Office in the matter as creditors. I would presume that those creditors were listed voluntarily by FTX themselves.

“The only indebtedness that I am aware of to the government with respect to the FTX matter is just some real property tax that may be owed on the properties which we certainly will be compensated at the appropriate time with that.”

Last week, Tribune Business reached out to multiple

Bahamian companies identified as FTX creditors who asserted that the purported sums owed them were minimal to non-existent. No sums were posted as to what was owed to the Bahamian, or any, creditors with some local firms questioning the list’s accuracy and asserting that they never performed any work for FTX.

FTX, which is headquartered in The Bahamas, along with its affiliates filed for bankruptcy in the US in November after facing a liquidity crisis and coming under scrutiny following reports that it mismanaged customer assets.

Investigations into the firm’s failure led to the arrest of FTX former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried a

SELECT COMMITTEE CALL ON IMMIGRATION AND FTX

month later.

The former billionaire, who is on a $250m bond in the United States, is accused of several fraud charges in the US, including wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy to commit fraud and violating campaign finance laws.

However, he has since denied committing the offences.

MARIJUANA LAWS NEARLY COMPLETE - BUT NO DATE FOR PARLIAMENT YET

from page one

He said there were several matters with the proposed legislation that the government was addressing based on recommendations it received from health officials and other stakeholders.

“Well, the suite of legislation has been prepared. It’s been finalised,” Mr Pinder told reporters outside the Office of the Prime Minister. “It has been handed over to the Ministry of Health as the operative ministry since it is a medical cannabis regime. They have done their review of the legislation (and) come back with some technical questions which we are addressing.

“We have also had our

external consultants review the full suite of legislation. They have likewise come back with some input and some questions and some recommendations that we are incorporating in the suite. So, we’re near complete.”

In June, Mr Pinder said that the government intended to advance comprehensive legislation to regulate a medical cannabis industry and a separate framework for industrial hemp.

Asked when the bill is expected to be presented in Parliament, Mr Pinder could not say.

“That is part of the Cabinet agenda and the Cabinet will decide that,” he replied when asked about the matter.

“I am only one of 22.”

With respect to the country’s citizenship laws, Mr Pinder said the government is awaiting the Privy Council’s decision concerning a landmark Supreme Court ruling on the issue.

In 2021, the Court of Appeal affirmed a Supreme Court decision that Bahamian men can automatically pass citizenship to their children regardless of whether their child is born out of wedlock to nonBahamian mothers.

The government later appealed the court’s decision to the Privy Council and the matter is still pending.

“As you know, there’s a Privy Council matter that was recently argued on this matter and it’s only appropriate that we allow

the high court of the land to have their review as something as important to the national interest of citizenship before the government is in a position to advance the legislative regime,” the senator said.

“We thought that was the appropriate thing to do and so, we await the court decision,” he added.

Currently, children born outside of the country to a married Bahamian woman and a foreign man are not automatically granted Bahamian citizenship and thus must apply to receive it.

Bahamian men who have children with foreign women out of wedlock also cannot automatically pass on citizenship to their children.

COMPANY RESPONSIBLE FOR EXUMA SPILL ‘WILL FACE PENALTIES’, SAYS ATTORNEY GENERAL

from page one

all of the interviews, and received all of the reports.

We are prepared to file a civil action.”

The owners of the vessel have recently reached out to the government regarding the upcoming fines, Mr Pinder told reporters.

“The owners of the vessel have approached the government recently and started engaging in negotiations regarding the appropriate fines. We have a fine analysis that we would have done. A lot of the fines under our environmental laws are dependent on the environmental damage that was done,” the senator added.

Following the incident, multiple Cabinet ministers and government officials raced to Exuma to assess the site of the oil spill and its impact.

In a statement, Sun Oil confirmed that the vessel MT Arabian, owned by D&T Shipping, discovered a leak during the discharging process and activated its crisis management protocol shortly afterwards.

Despite concerns by

local environmentalists on the long term effects the spill could possibly cause, Mr Pinder said “minimal” environmental damage was reported by the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection along with the Department of Environmental Health Services as a result of cleanup efforts at the site.

He continued: “So you have to take that into context, when you look at the fines that we have to levy under the legislation. But needless to say, whether it be through litigation or whether it be through negotiation, fines will be paid to the government of The Bahamas for spilling oil in Exuma.”

In terms of penalties for the Onego Traveller ship that sank with heavy fuel on board off Abaco in December, Mr Pinder said officials are still awaiting final reports. “We’re still awaiting final reports from the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection and the Department of Environmental Health Services. That ship is still there, and we have issued an

order for it to be removed from The Bahamas.”

He said the government gave the ship’s owner 45 days to remove it from Abaco waters.

Mr Pinder added: “They are undertaking the efforts, the salvage company to remove it from The Bahamas. Once the ship is removed, then we get a full environmental report and assessment to assess the damage that may have been done from an environmental point of view. And at that time, is when we pursue action to enforce our rights against fines with respect to the Abaco oil spill.”

from page one

citizenship, modification of the nationality act, etc; prevention and reversal of illegal unregulated developments, including shanty towns; a national audit of labour force and a review of people, infrastructure and ecosystems involved in the prevention, enforcement, interdiction, and prosecution of matters relative to immigration and migration.

Additionally, Mr Pintard noted that with the establishment of the select committee on matters relating to the failed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, there should be an inquiry to look at the country’s legislation, policies, interaction with the company, government officials’ interactions with the company and its officials in an official or unofficial capacity.

“We do not expect to cut across the judicial insolvency related to investigations ongoing in which the joint provisional liquidators who are court appointed will report to the court. We support this process taking its course,” he said.

Mr Pintard listed 11 terms with regard to what this particular committee should consist of, noting that the call for the establishment of the select committee on FTX is to ensure transparency due public oversight in this matter, which is one of international concern.

“The terms of reference of the select committee will consist of the following: to what extent if any has the government invested any Bahamian resources into FTX at any level in any jurisdiction,”

Mr Pintard said.

“The nature and extent of the government’s due diligence. The findings of the due diligence. The impact of the collapse in our jurisdiction in general, on the employees of FTX, service providers and local business partners, in particular. What is the nature of the relationships between all PEPs (politically exposed persons) relative to FTX and its officials? Did PEPs receive loans from FTX on any of its subsidiaries? Did any PEP receive payments or donations from FTX or any of its subsidiaries?

“The financial exposure to the government if any, and any implications for the national budget. Impact on the reputation of our jurisdiction and ongoing investment in our financial services sector, including the digital assets space? The inquiry should review the legislative DARE Act, the due diligence requirements, and the monitoring of companies registered under the DARE Act.”

He said the committee would also review the ability and resources of the Security Commission to see if they are adequate to monitor crypto companies and exchanges.

“Without a proper inquiry, the country will be left to endure a credibility problem and may be cast in a light of not sufficiently mature to be regarded by the international financial community as a responsible jurisdiction for this kind of economic activity, “ Mr Pintard said.

On January 11, the Transport and Housing Ministry said remediation efforts of the sunken Onego Traveller ship off Abaco were continuing, adding 3,119 tons of steel coils and 4,505 tons of Ferix in bulk remained submerged.

The ministry said that steps to address the sunken cargo ship were still active.

On December 29, 2022, Onego Traveller sank with heavy fuel onboard.

The general cargo ship registered in Antigua and Barbuda, built in 2002, reportedly began taking on water in the ballast water tank area near Hole in the Wall, off South Abaco.

ATTORNEY General Ryan inder yesterday, during the signing of the MOU for 4M Harbour Island Ltd, said that the only indebtedness to The Bahamas government he is aware of may be only some real property taxes owed on their properties. He said they would be seeking compensation for those taxes.

LEADER of the Free National Movement, Michael Pintard yesterday called for a select committee to be established to inquire on matters relting to FTX and immigration.

ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder yesterday said that the owners of the vessel that spilled 35,000 gallons of diesel at Exuma last July will face penalties.

Anger over new business licence requirements for renewals

By LETRE SWEETING lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

SOME small business owners expressed frustration over the new requirements affecting business licence renewals, describing them as “short notice”, “offensive”, “insensitive” and “cruel”.

Last month, the Davis administration made policy changes mandating that all businesses provide the real property tax assessment number for the building from which the business operates, even if they are renting the space.

The Davis administration at the same time warned that failure to accurately report the newly required information could result in delays in the processing of business licence renewal submissions, which are due within 27 days from the end of January.

Speaking to The Tribune this week, Renee Miller, the owner of several local businesses including an Airbnb and a car rental operation, told The Tribune that she is fed up.

“As for this renewal information, I find it offensive. I find it insensitive. And I find it to be very, very cruel. I think what’s happening is everybody has been shoved in one basket

- there’s no lenience,” Mrs Miller said.

“What I find is most of the people who are working with government normally have never, ever had a business. So they work based on what they believe a business can do. The expectation level should always be high for any business person,” she said.

Mrs Miller described her personal experience with trying to renew a business licence recently.

“The application says, ‘in order to finalise your application please provide us with your income statement financials for the year 2022.’

So you’re telling me now I need to sit down or find somebody to do an income statement. That’s money, “ Mrs Miller said.

“Then, I get a tax paper saying that the home that I live in and now I’m owing them a certain amount of money, because it shows that I own two properties. And when I checked, I asked the lady which two properties are these?

“One is my name with an ‘s’ and the other is my name with an ‘m’. The one with an ‘s’, I have no clue who that is. So now, they’re making mistakes. They’re not even checking data, they’re just trying to collect revenue,” Mrs Miller said.

Mrs Miller said the policy

changes came with no forewarning for small business owners.

“There was no preparation. They didn’t give you any warning, no prewarning. You sent the executioner to just execute whatever needs to be executed, the hell with people who just are trying to help other people,” she said.

“They throw you down in the cesspit and when you come out of the cesspit you stink and they want to give you two sheets of toilet paper, and say ‘here’. That’s what this is,” she said.

Officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Inland Revenue reported that the new requirements will boost business licence and real property tax revenue as well as better detect those businesses that are tax dodging and being untruthful about their annual revenue.

However, Tessa Lightbourne, owner and head chef at artisan cake boutique Bourne Sweet, said that in addition to financial challenges like inflation, the fluctuation in fuel costs, and the rise the Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) electricity charges, these new policies make it even harder for genuine small business owners to conduct business in the country.

“It’s inconvenient for

small businesses, especially when you have no storefront and you don’t have that point-of-sale system, where you press a button, and everything is there,” Ms Lightbourne said.

“I guess, in a way it’s inconvenient because a lot of companies don’t have it so it’s gonna be a lot of work for them to get their business licences for this year, especially if they’re doing any government work because you know, you need all those things to be up to date to get these contracts with the government or do any kind of supplement vendor or anything like that,” Ms Lightbourne said.

“But then also the positive in it is, it is going to force small businesses to look at their finances more heavily,” she said.

“It is what it is, you can’t do anything about it. They’re going to do what they want to do. Even with all of these negative parts about it, it’s gonna have to get done if you want the business licence,” Ms Lightbourne said.

Khrystle RutherfordFerguson, chairperson at the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC), suggested that policymakers be more conscious of the country’s current economic

SIGNING ALLOWS $150M BRILAND EXPANSION

Island,” he said at the Office of the Prime Minister.

“This residential development represents a further capital investment of $150m for North Eleuthera. Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted by the strong investor confidence this expansion represents and I look forward to the benefits it will bring to that island.

“As the footprint of this project expands, so will the result in benefits for the residents of Harbour Island and North Eleuthera.”

He also spoke about some of the development’s features, which include a resort village and retail shops. He added: “A resort village with retail shops means novel opportunities for Bahamian entrepreneurs to take a stake in one of the most vigorous markets in the country.

“New culinary destinations mean greater employment prospects for professionals in the

food and beverage industry, while a more diverse housing market promises to upset the trend toward depopulation that is so prevalent across our family of islands.

“I’m sure that the attorney general and the minister of family island affairs will agree with me when I say that this investment is just one of the many exciting developments slated for our Family Islands.”

According to developer Michael Wiener, work has already started on the project and is expected to be completed over a five-year period.

The contractors engaged for the project are all Bahamian, he added.

“We’ve completed the marina and we’ve started construction on eight residential units, four of which are completed and four of which will be completed hopefully in the next 30 to 45 days. “We’ve completed installation of all the utilities underground,” Mr Wiener added.

Mr Wiener said he and his family appreciated the government’s support as

they continue to invest resources into the country.

“I have said this to every Bahamian I have spoken to. I love your country. My family loves your country,” he said.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to do business in The Bahamas. We feel privileged to have received your confidence.”

climate by making policies that are business friendly.

“As a country, we should encourage the ease of doing business. And the easier it is to do business in the country, the more our economy will flourish, the better it is for our communities, and the better it is for job creation,” Mrs RutherfordFerguson said.

“Now, we’ve already seen where there are some external pressures with regard to inflation that have an impact on the business community. There are other costs and fees that have gone up locally that also impact the business community,” she said.

“So, had this been an environment where you were looking at, perhaps just one issue to contend with as a business owner, you may have been able to weather the proverbial storm, but we’re looking at our economic climate, where you have all of these external pressures added with the rising cost of doing business,” Mrs RutherfordFerguson said.

“So naturally, the business community is concerned about all of these things, and it makes sense. “Then, you have this other aspect where it is increasingly difficult to do business,” she said.

“So, from the Chamber’s

perspective, we would encourage policymakers to look at ways to support business by implementing business friendly policies; policies that can help support businesses as we weather these treacherous times,” Mrs RutherfordFerguson said.

Mrs Rutherford-Ferguson questioned whether officials are ready to efficiently deal with the business licence renewal submissions submitted under these new policies.

“There has been a sevenday period turnaround. But now, we understand that that is taking up to three to four weeks, because they’re requiring more and needing to scrutinise or review more aspects of the application process,” Mrs RutherfordFerguson said.

“The question is whether or not there’s enough support staff within the relevant department to ensure that these matters are being reviewed and processed within the expected timeframe,” she said.

“I would think that making sure that the person is well resourced would be a factor as well, but definitely reviewing more documentation requires more human resource officers in order to have a look and review,” she said.

Central and South Eleuthera MP Clay Sweeting said he’s already visited the project and is quite impressed by what he has seen so far.

“So, I look forward to the success of the project,” he added. “I look forward to visiting once it’s completed and I hope to see more projects like

this not just in Eleuthera but throughout the Family Islands as this government remains committed to investment and remains committed to expanding opportunities for Bahamians and remains committed to developing the tourism economy in this country.”

Briland Club is a 27-acre

waterfront development, featuring hurricane-rated floating docks, in-slip fueling, restaurants, a spa, a golf simulator and more, including high-speed internet for guests.

The club officially opened its marina in 2021 and has been doing well since then, according to Mr Weiner yesterday.

THE GOVERNMENT yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Michael Wiener (far right), of 4M Harbour Island Ltd, representing a $150M investment in Harbour island. Accompanying Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis (at the microphones) is Clay Sweeting, MP for Central and South Eleauthera (far left), Attorney general Ryan Pinder (second from right). According to the developer work has already begun on the project, a 27-acre waterfront development.

Photo: Austin Fernander

Govt and BNT plant mangroves at Bonefish Pond National Park

By LETRE SWEETING lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE government and Bahamas National Trust partnered for a tree planting ceremony at Bonefish Pond National Park in celebration of World Wetlands Day.

Environment and Natural Resources Minister Vaughn Miller and Southern Shores MP Leroy Major were present at the tree planting ceremony.

Mr Miller said the theme for this year’s World Wetlands Day, “It’s Time for Wetland Restoration”, is one his ministry and the BNT have been working on together to prioritise.

“They produce over $90m annually in revenue, they protect against storm surges during storm events and create new land spaces through their root systems, just to name a few of the important ecosystem functions that they perform,” Mr Miller said.

“In my ministry, all of the departments have some responsibility for the preservation of our wetlands. They were listed as a protected species in 2021. And since then, the ministry has had the teeth to enforce the laws concerning your protection,” he said.

“We have issued several orders to replace illegally removed mangroves and the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection and our forestry unit are constantly regulating development to ensure that where these ecosystems are impacted, they are replaced in even greater numbers,” Mr Miller said.

Lakeshia AndersonRolle, BNT executive director, stressed the importance of the restoration efforts that have been taken since 2020 as part of a

five-year project funded by the Global Environment Facility and the United Nations Environment Programme, launched under the Department of Planning and Protection.

“Bonefish Pond National Park is one of five of the national parks that is chartered under the GEF (the Global Environment Facility) 2020 project which seeks to restore the wetlands here in New Providence at Bonefish Pond, as well as Lucayan National Park on Grand Bahama

Island,” Ms AndersonRolle said.

“The restoration efforts focus on removing invasive plants and also restoring those areas by replanting native plants,” she said.

“Since this park has been protected, it has truly been a significant turnaround with our restoration efforts... we’re so happy that the Ministry of Public Works is also partnered with us to help us sustainably develop this into a true community and recreation space,” Ms Anderson-Rolle said.

TEACHING UNION CHIEF CONCERNED AT SCHOOL VIOLENCE

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson said there is an ongoing concern about school violence.

Mrs Wilson’s comments came after she was asked about a recent incident where a 15-year-old brought a high-powered rifle onto a school campus.

Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander mentioned the incident at a press conference at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre last week when he unveiled the latest crime statistics.

The police chief said the young boy had an argument with another student and left the campus, returning with the firearm.

The commissioner said thankfully, the student’s target was not there when the boy returned as there could have been a shooting on the school’s premises.

“There was an off-duty police officer who followed that individual and not being armed – what if the officer was harmed and engaged that youngster who would’ve maybe opened fire,” he said.

“There may have been a shoot-out, who knows? But the young man was charged and put before the court — a 15-year-old. I didn’t leave that just like that. I instructed the commander of CID to reach out to Social Services so that they could do an investigation at the home of this young man.”

Mrs Wilson expressed

concern over the incident, adding that she was pleased police were able to intervene before any harm was done.

“The Bahamas Union of Teachers is always concerned about safety and incidences of violence on school campuses or near to school campuses. And we are very concerned that a teenage student was able to gain access to a high-powered weapon. And so I’m pleased that the police were able to intervene, because we could have had a very serious incident and in fact a tragedy on our school campus or near our school campus,” she said.

She pointed out that the police’s presence on campus has helped to prevent the occurrence of school violence.

However, Mrs Wilson

urged parents to be vigilant over their children.

“It extends even further than the school because it leaves us to think about what is actually happening in the homes. And again, I don’t know how many times or how often and I can say to parents, please give the attention to your children, the much-needed attention

to your children.”

Mrs Wilson added:

“Make sure you know their whereabouts, their friends and their activities. And if you see that your child is in need of intervention, counselling or help, never ever be afraid to reach out to someone for assistance.

But The Bahamas Union of Teachers we are keeping

a close eye on violence and overall safety on all of the school campuses throughout The Bahamas.”

When asked what more could be done to curb violent incidents from happening, Mrs Wilson suggested disagreements among students being addressed in a timely manner.

MINISTER of Environment and Natural Resources Vaughn Miller joining the Bahamas National Trust to plant mangroves at Bonefish Pond National Park

Photos: Austin Fernander

The Tribune Limited

Has government given up on deadlines?

HERE at The Tribune, we know our fair share about deadlines. We have to meet them every day – so that you can read the newspaper in your hands.

It doesn’t seem that way so much in government.

There’s an old quote from the author Douglas Adams, who wrote the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series, about the subject. He said: “I love deadlines. I love the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.”

Over at Village Road, there have been so many deadlines missed it seems that the place must sound like Lynden Pindling International Airport with all that whooshing.

The end of January had been mentioned as the last government had seen fit to tell anyone. There has been progress – asphalt has been laid along a sizeable stretch of the road – but it is still not complete.

Then in today’s Tribune we see mention again from Attorney General Ryan Pinder of marijuana legislation.

The government promised that one would be presented to Parliament by the end of 2022, so yesterday surely Mr Pinder was excited to announce the legislation being enacted?

Alas, not so. The legislation is “nearly” completed. However, at the start of December, he said that legislation was “coming along well. Just some technical aspects we have to work through” so it appears to have taken two months to get those technical aspects resolved. Or not quite resolved, because nearly completed isn’t completed, and close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

Of course, once the legislation is done, there will likely be public comment on it – Rastafarian priest Rithmond McKinney said in December he had received no contact from the government on the issue, for example.

So what’s the new deadline? Mr Pinder cannot say. He notes it will be up to the Cabinet to decide when it will be presented to Parliament.

Mr Pinder is also dealing with the matter of the fuel spill in Exuma last July – although again, there is no word as to when that will be concluded.

He says that the company responsible for the spill will face penalties. A total of 35,000 gallons of diesel spilled on that occasion as a vessel contracted by Sun Oil was offloading fuel to BPL at George Town.

Mr Pinder said: “They will absolutely see penalties. We prepared our litigation materials, we’ve conducted all of the interviews, and received all of the reports. We are prepared to file a civil action.”

It will be interesting to note whether that “civil action” is under the Environmental Planning and Protection Act 2019 and the Ministry of Environment Act 2019, which FNM leader Michael Pintard said last month empowered fines of up to $30m to be levied for both the incident in Exuma, and the sinking of the cargo ship Onego Traveller in December. At the time, Mr Pinder warned Mr Pintard “not to make reckless forecasts”.

Whenever that matter resolves, we shall see what compensation The Bahamas receives for a spill that despoiled our waters enough for Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper to raise the matter in Parliament before leading an urgent delegation to begin the clean-up.

As for forecasts, with no word on when Village Road will be completed, no word on when marijuana legislation will be tabled, no word on when the civil action will begin, it seems as if the government has given up on deadlines entirely - whooshing sound or not.

Faded flags need replacing

EDITOR, The Tribune.

HONOURING

Our National Flag - nowhere should there be a faded or tattered flag flying - please.

The writer last week is correct - passed the Office of the Prime Minister

(OPM) last week the flag out to West Bay is faded, especially the aqua marine. We will be front stage in a few days with the opening of Heads of CARICOM - let’s hope OPM can buy a new flag so we will be

saluting the true rising sun and emblem of our flag.

Driving around Nassau you see so many faded flags - Please correct them.

JEROME SMITH

Nassau, February 1, 2023

EDITOR, The Tribune. MARIJUANA/CANNABIS policy in both Germany as in The Bahamas plans are in the works toward its legalisation. Of the 28 EU states, Malta has legalised cannabis use, but with hefty fines for smoking in the presence of children, minors and public smoking.

Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland all plan to establish State Legality Regulations. The RAND Corporation finalised an exhaustive, global, evidenced based report on all aspects of cannabis. It is extremely informative.

Uruguay first, and then Canada of the America nations have both legalised cannabis. Thailand has also legalised cannabis. Their policies and approaches reflect before and after data on youth drug use, quality control, education, research, recreational laws, medical use, taxes and black-market crime. The Bahamas, as in The EU, faces the very endemic prominent sub culture of sustained decades old cannabis popular culture.

On December 2, 2020, the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs re-classified cannabis and cannabis resin to Schedule ‘I’ to recognise its medical value away from Schedule ‘IV’. However, the UN convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988 still holds cannabis and cannabis resin within Schedule ‘IV’ which makes it illegal to cross borders. The Netherlands liberalised cannabis to allow use, but collects billions in taxes.

In the United States of America, cannabis is legal in 37 states for medicinal use, and legal

for recreational use in 21 States. Under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, the use and possession of cannabis is illegal under Federal Law which is Constitutional Primacy over individual State Laws.

According to MJBizDaily (23/6/22) 22.2 million Europeans consumed cannabis in the past year. Statista.com lists 3.43 million recreational cannabis users in USA in 2020, set to almost double by 2025. Washington Post, Economic policy April 19, 2017 lists 55 million adults. YouGovAmerica, April 7 2022 gives a realistic breakdown.

Jamaica amended its Dangerous Drugs Act in 2015 and decriminalised the possession of cannabis for personal use under two ounces or less. Public consumption is forbidden by law. Caribbean-council.org highlights Jamaica ganja Tourism as well as tax benefits to USA and EU where cannabis is legal.

Also, Terrence Nelson, a member of the USVI legislature, advocated that the region “should adopt and adapt cannabis as a Caribbean commodity” and called for the creation of a Caribbean cannabis trade organisation “to market Caribbean marijuana tourism”.

In 1988, the search within the brain for the “where” humans experience cannabis THC’s pleasure, high and relaxation lead to the discovery that we also produce similar chemicals called Endocannabinoids in that very location. Anandamide and 2AG play a role in feelings of happiness.

There is scientific and established evidence-based approach with results on the trajectory age groups and the impacts cannabis will have on mode, memory and stress levels. Without cannabis regulation the prenatal care will never be able to warn mothers who smoke. The impact of developing adolescent behaviour and education success which directly impacts literacy and adult maturity is a cause of concern. The trajectory and spectrum of effects upon different types of pains caused by cancers and injuries have all been researched as safe remedies, especially those in palliative survival only.

The University of Mississippi Research, Canadian Public Health Authority (CPHA), along with the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA)are global leaders in cannabis facts.

The PAHO after reviewing all data should also give some regional guidelines and safety advise. The safest way to treat cannabis is to not try it at all, and find peace and tranquility from God within us. We live in multi-generational homes and communities.

The Government of The Bahamas is not alone in the quest to make the best decision based on available evidence-based research data and the continued monitoring of those results in line with other responsible global stakeholders in governments and respective communities.

CARLTON L ROBINSON

Nassau, February 2, 2023

EDITOR, The Tribune.

MY HEALTH insurance group has just been advised by Doctors Hospital that they will be discontinuing the traditional “discounts” given to Health Insurers for treatment at DHS.

It was not so long ago that DHS was crowing about a fifty-million-dollar WINDFALL profit that they had made from Bahamas residents for COVID-19 related services. You have to wonder if the people making such

decisions live inside a silkworm’s cocoon with no knowledge of the outside world. Such as Florida and the many upscale hospitals there. And our little rinkydink Healthcare insurers are able to obtain for their clients what I would call obscene discounts on medical services depending on the plan’s USA Healthcare alliance.

One line item on my Explanation of Benefits last year. Provider Billed 82,598.70

Discount 69,895.65 Member

Coinsurance 335.08

Provider Paid 12,369.97.

Now I have no doubt that the USA Tax System gets involved and I am sure Aetna has it all worked out, but why would anyone with Health Insurance be hospitalized here with benefits like that and nothing even remotely comparable. And then the Government wants to slip in some VAT now too.

BDCS recruiting 100 new officers from Family Islands

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

OFFICIALS from the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services are in Grand Bahama to search for 100 new recruits.

Acting Commissioner Don Cleare and his team want to hire 70 qualified men and 30 qualified women.

Because of a lack of qualified applicants in Nassau, he said they are visiting the Family Islands to find candidates who meet the required qualifications.

A total of 50 new recruits will come from the Family Islands, with at least 20 from Grand Bahama.

Mr Cleare said the recruitment initially started December 18, but response was slow because there were other recruitment exercises during that time by the other law enforcement agencies.

He indicated that BDCS is in the process of implementing “a new correctional model and

plans to build a new prison facility.

“This (exercise) is important for us because we are now about to construct a new prison, and it is a diverse facility. So, right now, although we have been recruiting for two months, I am still 44 short in terms of persons who have met qualifications.

“So, we had to reopen the recruitment exercise again. When we close it next Wednesday, all indication is that we will meet our goal,” said the acting commissioner. Corrections Corporal Detrice McCardy, public relations director, said they have visited Eleuthera, Andros, Cat Island, Exuma, Bimini, Long Island, and conducted video conferences for the southern islands.

“This is (our) second time in Grand Bahama conducting a recruitment exercise. The first time we were unsuccessful and did not get as many applicants as we anticipated. But this time around, the dynamics

have changed, and we are expecting a good turnout.

“We want to give Grand Bahamians an opportunity for employment at BDCS,” said Ms McCardy. She noted that there are benefits, including good health insurance, satisfactory salary, training opportunities both locally and abroad, and stability.

Ms McCardy also noted that as government employees, BDCS staff can get loans from any financial institution.

The acting commissioner said training will start on March 13 in New Providence.

Accommodations will be provided for recruits at the compound for the duration of their training for some 16 weeks.

Corporal McCardy said the cut off for recruitment is February 14. She said all applicants must be Bahamians.

Interested persons 18-30 years of age must undergo drug and medical screening, security vetting and a physical fitness assessment.

72 FOREIGN NATIONALS CHARGED WITH VARIOUS IMMIGRATION VIOLATIONS

They must possess a minimum of five BJCs or equivalent, including English language.

Mr Cleare reported that they had to turn down hundreds in New Providence because they lacked the required academic qualifications.

“One thing I wish to say is that ages 13 to 15 years are so critical -I implore all students at that tender age that this is the best chance to get your BJCs and GCEs to get employment.

“It hurts my heart to turn down persons. We turned down hundreds in New Providence who were looking for jobs, but they don’t have the necessary qualifications, and it is very sad. It is no secret the Out Islands have more steadier grades than New Providence,” he said.

Mr Cleare noted that they are not only looking for correctional officers, but also electricians, nurses, carpenters, plumbers, technicians, pilots, teachers, etc.

“Anyone that has skills can apply today,” he said.

EXUMA WOMAN ORDERED TO REPAY OVER $10K CASH SHE STOLE FROM PARADISE GAMES

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A WOMAN was ordered to fully reimburse her former employer yesterday after she admitted stealing more than $10,000 in cash from Paradise Games in Exuma late last year.

Ashley Major, 30, represented by attorney Alphonso Lewis, stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt on a charge of stealing by reason of employment.

Between December 1, 2022, and January 19 it is said that Major stole $10,057 from Paradise Games Limited in Black Point, Exuma, while employed there. In court the accused pleaded guilty. Major apologised to both the court and her family for what she had done.

In view of this and in order to deter future work-based offences the chief magistrate ordered that Major fully reimburse the gaming house and further imposed a fine of

$1,500.

Major was told that she had to pay the fine and $5,000 of her debt off before her release.

She has until April 14 to pay off the balance and is expected to return to court for a report on the same day.

In a separate court hearing, a man was sentenced to two years in prison after he admitted breaking into a Bay Street shop and causing damage to the property earlier this week.

Wayne Orlando Toussaint, 54, appeared before

SEVENTY-TWO foreign nationals were charged in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday for various immigration infractions, the Department of Immigration said.

They all appeared before Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr.

Thirty-two Cubans were convicted of illegal landing. Two of them were sentenced to four months in the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services while 30 of them were conditionally discharged and released to the Department of Immigration to be deported.

Forty Haitians were convicted of illegal landing. Two received custodial sentences of three months at BDCS, and 37 were conditionally discharged and released to the department to be deported. In addition

to the charge of illegal landing, one Haitian man was also convicted of knowingly attempting to mislead an immigration officer and subsequently sentenced to six months at BDCS on each count. The sentences are to run concurrently. Three Haitians were also charged with overstaying. Two pleaded guilty and were convicted. They were fined $2,000 or, in default of payment, will serve six months at BDCS. They were conditionally discharged. One Haitian woman pleaded not guilty and the matter was adjourned to a later date. Upon payment of fines, completion of sentences, and discharge, all persons were ordered to be turned over to the Department of Immigration for deportation.

TWO MEN GRANTED BAIL ON POSSESSION OF DRUGS CHARGES

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

TWO men were granted bail in court yesterday after being accused of having illegal narcotic pills.

Marvin Clarke, 35, and Javon Ashe, 41, faced Magistrate Samuel McKinney on two counts of possession of dangerous drugs.

Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain on charges of shopbreaking and damage.

On January 29, Toussaint broke into Cash Biz, a property owned by Anthony Miaoulus. This forced entry resulted in damage to the establishment’s metal gate and wall, which was valued at $2,830.

In court the accused pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services on both charges, which are to be served concurrently.

It is alleged that on January 31 in New Providence, the two were arrested by police after they were found with 10 methamphetamine and one opioid pills. In court both accused pleaded not guilty. They were each granted $3,500 bail with one or two sureties. Their trial is set for March 2.

A good diet is the secret to good health

AN ancient Ayurvedic proverb states that “If diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. If diet is correct, medicine is of no need”.

The first time I heard this proverb I got goosebumps. During the pandemic lockdowns, I was on a journey of discovering the vast depths of clinical studies showing the seemingly miraculous ability of food to heal our bodies. At that time, I remember feeling like I had heard the “gospel of food-as-medicine”.

I was pleasantly astonished that many of the chronic, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that had become so commonplace in our society (Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and cancer) and were largely being managed and treated by the medical profession using pharmaceuticals and surgical procedures, could not only be prevented but also treated and reversed by diet and other lifestyle changes.

To impress upon you why this resonated with me so strongly, I must share a bit of my career journey.

For much of my high school years, I had aspired to be a physician. Biology and chemistry fascinated me, and I reveled in learning about how the various bodily systems functioned.

It was not until six months before high school graduation that I felt tugged in a totally opposite directionstudying agriculture to help move our country toward food security.

More than thirty years later, I am realising that my role as an organic vegetable producer is more important to our nation’s health today than I ever could have imagined when I changed career paths. Global health has seen a steady decline since the latter half of the twentieth century, being observed initially in developed countries.

An expert Joint Report published in 2003 by the WHO (World Health Organization) and the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) reported that 60 percent of global deaths were caused by NCDs. Today, the percentage of global deaths attributed to chronic NCDs is 74 percent. Even more concerning then, as it is now, is the rate at which NCDs are occurring in the developing world.

The WHO DirectorGeneral at the time suggested that the

By Dr Selima Hauber PhD

almost ninety percent of our food, with processed foods accounting for $400m of a total $1bn spent on food imports. Although awareness and concern regarding consumption of locally grown produce is increasing, the level of production is grossly insufficient to increase access to affordable, fresh foods in quantities that can positively impact national health.

terminology “diseases of affluence” is now a misnomer according to current statistics revealing that 77 percent of global deaths resulting from NCDs occur in the developing world. Our very own statistics concur as 74 percent of all deaths in The Bahamas are due to NCDs. The Bahamas leads the region in being overweight and almost half of the population is obese. One in seven Bahamians is diabetic and an alarming 47 percent of the population is hypertensive. This epidemic of NCDs comes at a significant cost to our healthcare system and threatens the future progress of our country. How did this potentially crippling epidemic come about, you might ask?

The WHO-FAO Joint Report cites significant changes in global eating patterns over the second half of the twentieth century from traditional, plant-based diets to nutrient-poor and energydense diets rich in animal products as a factor. While diet is not the sole contributor to the epidemic of NCDs, it plays a significant role.

In 2014, SPORE magazine, a publication of the Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation, addressed the rise in overweight and obesity stats in African, Caribbean and Pacific Island states, pinning the blame on the countries’ dependence on imported foods and “the lack of attention to local food production”. This is evident in The Bahamas as we currently import

Here again is where I get goosebumps. Clinical trials conducted more than 30 years ago, and countless epidemiological studies conducted since, are showing the efficacy of whole food, plant-based diets in the prevention, treatment, and reversal of chronic NCDs. In some cases, daily insulin injections are no longer needed. Risky, invasive procedures such as coronary and gastric bypass surgeries can be avoided by adopting healthier eating habits. One does not have to “live” with a chronic NCD.

Under no circumstances am I suggesting that one who needs recurrent medication or complex procedures will have an easy road back to health by simply swapping beans for beef. Additionally, it takes tremendous willpower and culinary creativity to compete against hyper-palatable junk foods and reverse decades of poor eating habits.

The great news though, is that changes in health markers can be realised in as little as four weeks and once dreaded conditions can be reversed, and better yet prevented entirely by adopting a whole-food, plant-based diet.

Self-discipline notwithstanding, one must have access to a consistent, large supply of fresh produce to successfully reverse disease. It is also not enough for produce to be physically accessible. It must also be economically accessible. This is the gap that I am excited and proud to fill as a local producer. This is the gap that is crying out for more young Bahamians to enter. The more growers we have, the greater access our

people have to health-promoting food.

As more of us return to our deep roots of subsistence food production and establish fruit and vegetable gardens that feed us NCDs will become less prevalent in our population. I envision a day when our farms become our “farmacies”.

I strive to grow and to teach others to grow, so that we can eventually pay farmers more often than we are currently paying physicians in the quest for health. Our nation is deserving of vitality and good health, and our future progress depends on it!

• Dr Selima Hauber, PhD, is the agricultural education and outreach officer at OEF and CTI. Established in 2012, the One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) is a nonprofit 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.

once dreaded conditions can be reversed, and better yet prevented entirely by adopting a whole-food, plant-based diet

of One Eleuthera Foundation

DR SELIMA HAUBER, PHD

Art bringing awareness to young lives lost on the street

VIOLENCE in society was the inspiration behind artist Dwight Ferguson’s latest installation - a public artwork in Elizabeth Estates Park, which was unveiled on Saturday.

The three-hour launch of the project was attended by members of the community from five years old to grandparents.

Inspired by his art exhibition at Doongalik Studios in 2018, Tar Pillows is a continuation of Ferguson’s Circle of Hope installation from that show - which highlighted the unfortunate demise of several young men who lost their lives on the road.

The recent increase in gun violence in the country reignited Mr Ferguson’s creativity as an artist to garner greater public awareness about social violence, specifically in the community of Elizabeth Estates where he also functions as the senior pastor at the Church of God of Prophecy.

A tangled ball of yellow hangs from the six foot tall installation which sits on the grass at the centre of a large circle comprised of pairs of shoes sitting on chunks of tar atop yellow boxes that are marked with the name of the deceased above a simple dash representing the totality of their lifespan.

This “Circle of Hope 2” recognises the lives of those 30 persons of varying ages from the Elizabeth Estates community - mostly males, along with two females95 percent of whom died on the road from gunshots. For

several of those, Mr Ferguson officiated at their funeral.

Mr Ferguson researched and struggled long and hard to understand the back stories of the victims’ lives by poring over funeral programmes and newspaper articles, and speaking with family, as well as community members in order to create and design the various pieces of the installation for the greatest impact.

As an artist, Mr Ferguson recognises his goal is to be that critical “seeing eye” to mirror society and to produce art that can awaken the emotions of the public and inspire them to think, to question, and to act. His statement that “every day, young Bahamian men lie their head down on a tar pillow, exhaling their final breath on hot tar, whilst their cold blood runs red along the street” sums up the heartache he seeks to share through his art.

He added: “Our modern social media-inundated society has glamorised violence to such an extent that we have become numb towards the actual harmful impact it has on our physical, mental, and social state, allowing its commonality, and the grief and fear it generates, to paralyse our reaction. Instead of righteous indignation, outrage, and the accompanying action to mitigate its scourge, we are accepting of its presence without question, and to our detriment. The unacceptable degree of anger in our country is like a bomb that cannot be defused. It is constantly

exploding, taking lives unceremoniously with it.

“Unfortunately our country nowadays lacks solid family values, kindness, and compassion, and as a result so many of our young and older citizens lack self-esteem and selfvalue. There is no value for life, and certainly there are not enough role models to look up to, to provide direction, and to simply care. Where is the love?

“I was extremely pleased with the community’s response to the event. It brought the community together to a place of connection where they were engaged with the art and with each other. The mood shifted from being somber and solemn - with tears even being shed openly by some - to a transitional awakening towards exhaling and healing. Various members of the community expressed their appreciation to me for placing the art installation in their midst, and for highlighting the victims. They even acknowledged their sense of community ownership of it, and pledged their commitment to work together to keep the circle of violence from expanding. These are all positive indications of the power of art to comfort and connect.” The installation is family friendly, and the artist will hold a ‘Walk & Talk’ event on Sunday, from 3-5pm.

ARTIST Dwight Ferguson (in yellow shirt above).

INSET Above: Mr Ferguson interacts with men of the community of Elizabeth Estates. INSET Middle: Community members the art exhibit.

INSET Bottom: The completed exhibit at the basketball court in Elizabeth Estates.

“Circle of Hope 2” recognises the lives of those 30 persons of varying ages from the Elizabeth Estates community - mostly males, along with two females - 95 percent of whom died on the road from gunshots.

RCCL deal is the final straw

AS IN nature, balance is the essence of order. Ecosystems that become imbalanced collapse. Environments subjected to invasive species where there is no natural predator can overwhelm indigenous species. There is a natural order to everything and if not carefully maintained can spell disaster. We fear that this may be the case with the cruise industry.

It is by all measures a dominant invader. It bears the facade of an exciting fun-filled experience, but the cruise lines are relentless in their economic appetite. We have seen an evolution over the past five or so decades, where numbers have lulled regional governments into a false sense of success, while actually resulting in a spiralling in the wrong direction.

While The Bahamas has been busy boasting of how many millions of passengers sail into Nassau Harbour,

Just Sayin’

By ALEX LIGHTBOURN

lazy tourism officials have revelled in such numbers rather than re-investing in the visitor experience. We have all seen the comments, the product sucks. The forts, which should be iconic spots, are nothing but a venue for cheap souvenirs. The once glorious Water Tower, which has a breath-taking panoramic view of New Providence Island, is probably structurally unsound. The

‘We have allowed the product to so deteriorate that we can only concede to the cruise cabal when they insist on creating their own version of The Bahamas.’

Botanical Gardens is nothing but acres of weed patches. “Junkanoo” Beach (so renamed by someone, who knows who, on a whim) is a pathetic rock pile. Bay Street, once a bustling bazaar of products from around the globe, is now a hustler’s haven. We have allowed the product to so deteriorate that we can only concede to the cruise cabal when they insist on creating their own version of The Bahamas. Some would say that we have done so similarly with the mega resorts. While it is worthy of debate, what is certain is that the direct benefits from those destinations are without question keeping our economy afloat. We know this.

Our company has been around gaming for over 30 years and pride ourselves on quality service and customer relationships. We are moving forward in the market and such are looking for qualified, dedicated, people friendly customer services representatives.

We are accepting applications to fill the following position: Assistant Island Manager (Eleuthera)

Duties include, but not limited to:

• Overseeing adherence to company policies and procedures by employees.

• Auditing cashiers work to ensure accuracy.

• Maintain a safe and secure working environment for customers and staff.

• Maintaining confidentiality of sensitive data.

• Evaluating, assessing and managing the performance of each employee.

• Ensuring that the opening and closing of shops in a timely manner.

• Ensure safe keeping of company funds.

• Overseeing the selection and recruitment of new employees.

• Perform other duties as assigned by Management.

Interested person mail their resume to P.O. Box F-40886 or email to careers@chancesgames.com

On the other hand, the cruise industry has created a beggar class, who meander amongst the masses of fattened calves disembarking from those floating behemoths, hoping for the crumbs they have left to throw to them from their own meager pockets.

It is an unhealthy dynamic and we are painted with the nasty side of the equation.

So in order to appease their customer base, the floating resorts, which no longer find our ports desirable, cajole successive governments here and throughout the region to sell off our land or allow it to be sold so that the passenger can be shielded from the ugliness. Our leadership could just as easily have mitigated these demands by enhancing the product and suppressing the hustling. The latest in these concessions is the quintessential final straw. Allowing

RCCL to create a beach experience on Paradise Island is an insult to us all. Most of all, it demonstrates our failure to support and develop local tourism enterprise. Once again, we capitulate.

If the cruise industry and the government truly saw themselves as partners, why not partner in the redevelopment of the sites alluded to earlier. They could still exact their pound of flesh from the sales and give back some of what they extract from the economy in a sustainable way. For their part, government could ensure through enforcement that the illegal and undesirable activities cease, and vendors are placed at those sites in an orderly fashion.

Instead, the government essentially is complicit in the industry’s attempt to at worst segregate, or at best to cloak rather than clean up our act. We believe full heartedly that the

precedent set by the RCCL deal is not a good one. Before we know it, Rose Island, Blue Lagoon and Athol Island will be targeted and the cruise ships will launch their own “safe” fleet of fast ferries to get their passengers to those destinations. The port of Nassau will become where they simply drop off their garbage. The scales are very close to being irreversibly tipped. Perhaps we have already passed that point. PS (Let’s not forget a Bahamian was the recipient of a sovereign irrevocable Cabinet Conclusion only for the then Minister of Tourism & Aviation to announce on TV - even though Toby had been forwarded a Crown lease from the Government of The Bahamas - that the ministry intended to award the same exact plot of land to a foreigner (RCCL); purportedly after receiving a better offer).

US to send Ukraine longer-range bombs in latest turnaround

WASHINGTON

Associated Press

AFTER months of agonising, the US has agreed to send longer-range bombs to Ukraine as it prepares to launch a spring offensive to retake territory Russia captured last year, US officials said Thursday, confirming that the new weapons will have roughly double the range of any other offensive weapon provided by America.

The US will provide ground-launched small diameter bombs as part of a $2.17 billion aid package it is expected to announce Friday, several US officials said. The package also for the first time includes equipment to connect all the different air defense systems Western allies have rushed to the battlefield and integrate them into Ukraine's own air defenses, to help it better defend against Russia's missile attacks.

For months, US officials have hesitated to send longer-range systems to Ukraine out of concern that they would be used to target inside Russia, escalating the conflict and drawing the US deeper in. The longer-range bombs are the latest advanced system, such as Abrams tanks and the Patriot missile defense system, that the US has eventually agreed to provide Ukraine after initially saying no. US officials, though, have continued to reject Ukraine's requests for fighter jets.

Ukrainian leaders have

urgently pressed for longerrange munitions, and on Thursday officials said the US will send an undisclosed number of the groundlaunched, small diameter bombs, which have a range of about 95 miles (150 kilometers). The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details of the aid package not yet made public.

To date, the longest-range missile provided by the US is about 50 miles (80 kilometers). The funding in the aid package is for longer-term purchases, so it wasn't clear Thursday how long it will take to get the bomb to the battlefield in Ukraine.

Ukraine's defence minister, Oleksii Reznikov, said Thursday the country is prepared to offer guarantees to its Western partners that their weapons won't be used to strike inside Russian territory, adding that Kyiv needs weapons with a range of up to 300 kilometers ( about 185 miles) to expel the Russian forces.

"If we could strike at a distance of up to 300 kilometers, the Russian army wouldn't be able to mount a defense and will have to withdraw," Reznikov said at a meeting with EU officials. "Ukraine is ready to provide any guarantees that your weapons will not be involved in attacks on the Russian territory. We have enough targets in the occupied areas of Ukraine, and we're prepared to coordinate on (these) targets with our partners."

The US aid package

includes $425m in ammunition and support equipment that will be pulled from existing Pentagon stockpiles and $1.75 billion in new funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is used to purchase new weapons from industry.

The assistance initiative, which will pay for the longer-range bombs and the air defense system integration, also funds two HAWK air defense systems, anti-aircraft guns and ammunition, and counterdrone systems.

Since Russia's invasion

last February, Western allies have pledged a myriad of air defense systems to Ukraine to bolster its own Soviet-made S-300 surface-to-air missile defense systems, and the latest aid package aims to provide the capability to integrate them all, which could improve Ukraine's ability to protect itself against incoming Russian attacks.

The US has pledged medium-to-long-range National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS, and truck-launched shortrange Avenger air defense

SUNAK MARKS 100 DAYS AS UK PRIME MINISTER AS PROBLEMS MOUNT

LONDON

Associated Press

UK PRIME Minister Rishi Sunak has angry unions to the left of him, anxious Conservative Party lawmakers to the right and, in the middle, millions of voters he must win over to avert electoral defeat.

It’s a daunting situation for Sunak, who on Thursday marks 100 days in office, more than twice the number of his ill-fated predecessor, Liz Truss. Installed as Conservative leader after Truss’ plan for huge tax cuts sparked panic, the 42-year-old Sunak calmed financial markets and averted economic meltdown after he assumed the post of prime minister on October 25.

Next, Britain’s youngest leader for two centuries - and its first prime minister of South Asian heritage - has promised to tame soaring inflation, get the sluggish economy growing, ease pressure on the overburdened health care system and “restore the integrity back into politics” after years of scandals under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Easier said than done.

“The things that happened before I was prime minister, I can’t do anything about,” Sunak told a group of health workers this week. “What I think you can hold me to account for is how I deal with the things that arise on my watch.”

Jill Rutter, a senior fellow at the Institute for Government think tank, said Sunak had succeeded in overcoming the impression that the UK “had a completely lunatic government.”

“You would chalk that up as the first thing that he had on his to-do list,” she said. “Otherwise, it’s slightly hard to see concrete achievements.”

Sunak is a former UK Treasury chief, and his top priority has been the country’s economic malaise. Gross domestic product remains smaller than it was before the coronavirus pandemic, and the International Monetary Fund forecast this week that the UK will be the only major

economy to contract this year, shrinking by 0.6 percent.

Sunak blames global forces - disruption from the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Critics say the elephant in the room is Brexit, which has led to a sharp reduction in trade between the UK and the European Union.

Sunak, a longtime advocate of Britain’s departure from the bloc, insisted Wednesday that the cost-of-living crisis had “nothing to do with Brexit.” Whatever the causes, Sunak has little economic room to maneuver.

Annual inflation hit a four-decade high of 11.1 percent in October and remained at a painful 10.5 percent in December. The UK is in the midst of its biggest wave of strikes in decades as nurses, paramedics, teachers, border agents and other workers seek pay increases to offset the soaring cost of living and the stresses of holding a job in an increasingly threadbare public sector.

Meanwhile, a faction inside the Conservative Party is pushing for immediate tax cuts to encourage growth, despite the damage done by “Trussonomics” just months ago.

“We need growth or our debts will get bigger,” lawmaker Iain Duncan Smith, a former

Conservative leader, said this week. “Targeted tax reductions will help achieve that.” Sunak is resisting both labor unions and taxcutting Tories. He argues that double-digit public sector pay raises would drive inflation even higher and that “the best tax cut right now is a cut in inflation.”

Economists say UK inflation will likely fall during 2023, allowing Sunak to meet one of his key pledges. Other goals are likely to be harder to achieve.

He is seeking to improve relations with the 27-member EU, and both sides have made progress toward resolving a dispute over Northern Ireland trade rules that has burdened businesses and shuttered the regional government in Belfast.

But any agreement will anger Conservative euroskeptics, who are likely to see rapprochement with Brussels as a betrayal of Brexit. A compromise also faces opposition from Northern Ireland’s British unionists, who say postBrexit customs checks undermine Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom.

Sunak also has struggled to rid the Conservative Party of its reputation for scandal and sleaze. A member of his Cabinet, Gavin

systems; the Netherlands, Germany and the US are sending Patriot missile defense systems; Germany is sending medium-range IRIS-T air defense systems; and Spain is sending Aspide anti-aircraft air defense systems.

The addition of longerrange bombs to the latest aid package was first reported by Reuters.

Ukraine is still seeking F-16 fighter jets, which US President Joe Biden has opposed sending since the beginning of the war. Asked Monday if his administration was considering

Williamson, quit in November over bullying claims. On Sunday, Sunak fired party chair Nadhim Zahawi for failing to come clean about a multimillion-dollar tax dispute. Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab is being investigated over allegations he bullied civil servants, which he denies.

The leader of the opposition Labour Party, Keir Starmer, alleged Wednesday that Sunak was “too weak” to tackle bad behavior.

UK voters haven’t yet had their say on Sunak, who was chosen as party leader by the 357 Conservative members of Parliament. The government doesn’t have to call a national election until late 2024, so Sunak may have time on his side.

Or, he may not. The Conservatives are trailing 20 or more points behind Labour in opinion polls, and poor results in May’s local elections could spur calls for another change of leader.

Some Conservatives hanker for the return of Johnson, whose final words to Parliament as prime minister — “Hasta la vista, baby” — hinted at a comeback.

Some analysts say it may be too late for any Conservative leader to avoid defeat. An Ipsos poll released this week, considered accurate to within 4 percentage points, found 66 percent of respondents wanted a change of governing party. Only 10 percent thought the Conservatives had done a good job.

Steven Fielding, emeritus professor of politics at the University of Nottingham, likened the mood to the final years of Prime Minister John Major’s government, wiped away by Tony Blair’s Labour election landslide in 1997 that ended 18 years of Conservative rule.

“People are just waiting for them to go,” Fielding said. “And the longer they are there, the more irritated (voters) are with them.”

He said Sunak “is trying his best. But people aren’t listening.”

sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Biden responded, "No”.

On Tuesday, the Ukrainian defense minister was asked if Biden's ''no" to F-16s was the final word.

"All types of help first passed through the 'no' stage," Reznikov said. "Which only means 'no' at today's given moment. The second stage is, 'Let's talk and study technical possibilities.' The third stage is, 'Let's get your personnel trained.' And the fourth stage is the transfer (of equipment).”

AUSTRALIA REMOVING BRITISH MONARCH FROM

AUSTRALIA Associated Press

AUSTRALIA is removing the British monarchy from its bank notes.

The nation’s central bank said Thursday its new $5 bill would feature an Indigenous design rather than an image of King Charles III. But the king is still expected to appear on coins that currently bear the image of the late Queen Elizabeth II. The $5 bill was Australia’s only remaining bank note to still feature an image of the monarch.

The bank said the decision followed consultation with the center-left Labor Party government, which supported the change. Opponents say the move is politically motivated.

The British monarch remains Australia’s head of state, although these days that role is largely symbolic. Like many former British colonies, Australia is debating to what extent it should retain its constitutional ties to Britain.

Australia’s Reserve Bank said the new $5 bill would feature a design to replace the portrait of the queen, who died last year. The bank said the move would honor “the culture and history of the First Australians.”

“The other side of the $5 banknote will continue to feature the Australian parliament,” the bank said in a statement.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the change was an opportunity to strike a good balance.

“The monarch will still be on the coins, but the $5 note will say more about our history and our heritage and our country, and I see that as a good thing,” he told reporters in Melbourne.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton likened the move to changing the date of the national day, Australia Day.

“I know the silent majority don’t agree with a lot of the woke nonsense that goes on but we’ve got to hear more from those people online,” he told 2GB Radio.

Dutton said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was central to the decision for the king not to appear on the note, urging him to “own up to it.”

After taking office last year, Albanese started laying the groundwork for an Australian republic by creating a new position of

CURRENCY

AUSTRALIA is removing the British monarchy from its bank notes. The nation’s central bank said yesterday. its new $5 bill would feature an Indigenous design rather than an image of King Charles III.

assistant minister for the republic, but holding a referendum to sever constitutional ties with Britain has not been a first-order priority for his government.

The bank plans to consult with Indigenous groups in designing the $5 note, a process it expects will take several years before the new note goes public.

The current $5 will be issued until the new design is introduced and will remain legal tender even after the new bill goes into circulation.

The face of King Charles III is expected to be seen on Australian coins later this year. One Australian dollar is worth about 71 cents in U.S. currency.

British currency began transitioning to the new monarch with the release of the 50 pence coin in December. It has Charles on the front of the coin while the back commemorates his mother.

This week, there were 208 million $5 notes in circulation worth AU$1.04 billion, according to the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Australia’s smallest denomination accounts for 10 percent of the more than 2 billion Australian bank notes circulating.

Albanese’s center-left Labor Party is seeking to make Australia a republic with an Australian citizen as head of state instead of the British monarch.

After Labor won elections in May last year, Albanese appointed Matt Thistlethwaite as assistant minister for the republic. Thistlethwaite said in June there would be no change in the queen’s lifetime.

IN this image provided by US Transportation Command, a stevedore sits in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle before loading it onto the ARC Wallenius Wilhemsen Jan. 25, 2023, at the Transportation Core Dock in North Charleston, South Carolina. After months of agonizing, the US has agreed to send longer-range bombs to Ukraine as it prepares to launch a spring offensive to retake territory Russia captured last year.

Photo: Oz Suguitan/AP

NEW British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak waves after arriving at Downing Street in London, Tuesday, October 25, 2022, after returning from Buckingham Palace where he was formally appointed to the post by Britain’s King Charles III.

Photo: Frank Augstein/AP

Photo: Alan Porritt/AP

SPORTS

Chisholm remembers those who helped him

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Jasrado “Jazz”

Chisholm clearly remembers the days he spent with the late Franklyn Simmons at Freedom Farm.

Simmons, the first coach to work with Chisholm, passed away on Friday, January 20. He used to teach young players the game in the Archdeacon William Thompson Softball Park at Southern Recreation Grounds.

Chisholm, home to celebrate his 25th birthday on Wednesday, said it was one of the hardest losses he experienced in his life.

“You guys know, he literally begged my grandmother (Patricia Coakley) for me to play on his team,” Chisholm recalled in an interview with the media during his birthday celebrations at Fusion Superplex.

“He begged my grandmother to come from her softball camp to come and play on his team. That was the first time I ever played at Freedom Farm. That’s who Frankie Simmons was. He picked me every Sunday, Saturday, Friday to come to practice, to games.

I didn’t miss a game at Freedom Farm because of one person.”

What’s even more interesting is that Chisholm, who is now the face of The Show video game for Major [League Baseball, said the first time he actually played the game, it was at Simmons’ house.

“That’s so crazy to me,” said Chisholm, who remembers playing the game with Simmons’ son.

I was holding back to show him I was on the cover and then I heard what happened to him. It really hurt me.”

After he was introduced to baseball at Freedom Farm by Simmons, Chisholm said he met coach Geron Sands about 6-7 years ago.

As one of the smallest players around the park, Chisholm said Sands invited him to try out a drill. “So I started doing it and it just happened more and more when I was out there hitting,” Chisholm said. “He would come over

LEBRON JAMES PULLS WITHIN 63 POINTS OF BREAKING ABDULJABBAR’S

NBA

RECORD

By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)

— LeBron James had 26 points, seven rebounds and seven assists and pulled within 63 points of becoming the NBA’s career scoring champ as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied to beat the Indiana Pacers 112-111 last night.

James gave Los Angeles its first lead on a 3-pointer with 2:35 left in the game, and Anthony Davis’ 11-footer with 35.1 seconds left was the decisive basket. Davis finished with 31 points and 14 rebounds.

Aaron Nesmith scored a careerhigh 24 points, newly minted All-Star Tyrese Haliburton added 26 points and 12 assists in his first game in three weeks and Myles Turner had 20 points and 13 rebounds after signing a two-year contract extension Monday.

But when Buddy Hield’s 17-foot jumper clanked off the rim in the closing seconds, Indiana lost its fourth in a row.

One of Indiana’s largest crowds of the season cheered James’ warmly throughout the fourth quarter, roaring loudly each time he scored as Indiana again found itself at the forefront of a league-changing pursuit.

and tell me that I’m so small, I shouldn’t be trying to hit home runs. He was small too, so I guess that was why he was telling me that.

“But from day one, I just wanted to hit home runs.

I don’t care how small I was, I wanted to hit home runs like A-Rod and (Ken) Griffey Jr. So he just kept on coming and coming at me with more and more drills. The next year, I was on his team and we just developed a father-son bond from there. Every day I was with him.”

When he left for school, Chisholm said Sands was

relentless in contacting him to find out how everything was going and whenever he returned home, he was the first person who got him on the field working out.

“These two guys right here (Geron Sands and Albert Cartwright) took me in when I was about 15-16 years old. We worked for about nine months straight, no days off. We did gym at 7, school at 8 and practice at 12:30 every day for nine months straight. Nine months later, I was with the Arizona Diamondbacks.”

Sands, who along with Albert has formed the

International Elite Baseball Academy that assists young men getting off to high school and college or into the professional ranks, said Chisholm was also the spectacular “small guy” on the field swinging the “big bat.”

“He always wanted to hit the home runs. He always thought he would win,” Sands said.

“But something that stuck with me when he talked about being the MVP. I believe him because every single thing he said he was going to do, he’s done so far in the sport of baseball. This is the only

Ghana water polo grows as sport looks for more diversity

By JAY COHEN AP Sports Writer

BACK at the very beginning, right when the idea of water polo in Ghana started swimming into reality, Prince Asante got out a couple of balls and caps in front of a handful of curious kids.

He decided to try a scrimmage, but he had no nets. So they put a soccer bench on each side of the pool.

It was “enthusiastic confusion,” he said. And the caps — which have protective cups that go over a player’s ears — well, they were particularly amusing.

“Somebody said, ‘Oh, water brassiere, thank you very much,’ a water bra,” a chuckling Asante said.

That was one of the first meetings of the Awutu Winton Water Polo Club, a

budding league in a tough part of the world for the Olympics’ oldest team sport — and a true passion project for the energetic Asante.

Growing up in Coronado, California, he was often the only Black face in the pool or his classes. He went in search of a water polo that looked more like him, and found it in the waters of his father’s homeland.

“This is like my baby, and it’s cute because, you know, it cries and it’s growing up, but it needs all of your attention, 24-7,” the 31-year-old Asante said.

“Whenever I talk about it, it’s great, because it’s something that I would have loved to see as a kid.”

In Ghana, dangerous rip tides off the country’s coast have caused countless drownings over the

years. That’s led to trepidation about deep waters in a nation where low- and middle-income families already have limited access to swimming pools.

When Asante first started swimming in African

communities, he saw looks of fear and panic on faces because “they all have stories of someone going out and not coming back,” he said.

SEE PAGE 13

thing kind of left for him to achieve at this point. He signed yes. MVP in minor league – yes. Player of the Year – yes. 30 home runs – yes. All-Star game in the big league – yes. Cover of the game – yes. There’s only two things left for him, MVP and Hall of Fame and I’m looking forward to that.”

Sands said it has been a long journey and he will continue to love and support Chisholm just as he does his own son, Storm. Chisholm, however, advised Sands that Storm

SEE PAGE 13

It was here in May 2021 that Russell Westbrook recorded his 181st career triple-double to tie Oscar Robertson’s career mark. And it was here in December 2021 that Stephen Curry made five 3-pointers to pull within one of matching Ray Allen’s career mark of 2,973.

On Thursday, James became the second player in league history to top the 38,300-point mark and left town with 38,325. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the NBA’s scoring record with 38,387 points.

For most of the night, it looked as if Indiana would pull away, thanks to its

SEE PAGE 15

IOC details Russia stance for Olympics, cites human rights

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer

GENEVA (AP) — The IOC stepped up efforts yesterday to explain its position on trying to help Russian athletes qualify for next year’s Paris Olympics amid a backlash from Ukraine and its allies. The International Olympic Committee’s move last week to map a pathway to Paris for athletes from Russia and Belarus who have not actively supported the war provoked strong objections from Ukraine, which wants to see those countries remain banned from most international sports.

Publishing a series of explanations and rebuttals to its critics yesterday, the Olympic body also responded to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s invitation for his IOC counterpart Thomas Bach to return and see the ruined city of Bakhmut.

“Currently there are no plans for another visit to Ukraine,” the IOC said, noting that Bach visited Kyiv last July and had since spoken with Zelenskyy in telephone calls. The IOC once more cited the opinion of two United Nations human rights experts who support the view that

JAMES

JASRADO “Jazz” Chisholm says the death of coach Franklyn Simmons was one of the hardest losses he experienced in his life.He clearly remembers the days he spent at Freedom Farm with the late coach.

YOUNG people play water polo at University of Ghana in Accra on January 14. Former water polo pro Asante Prince is training young players in the sport in his father’s homeland of Ghana, where swimming pools are rare and ocean seen as dangerous. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

Rotarians urged to lend support to CARIFTA

LYNDEN Maycock, chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the 50th Golden Jubilee CARIFTA Games, said they would like nothing better than members of the Rotary Club of South East Nassau to lend their support and volunteer for the region’s greatest junior track and field competition over the Easter holiday weekend.

Maycock, assisted by senior director of technology Michelangelo Cartwright, made the pitch during the Rotary meeting on Wednesday at the Nassau Yacht Club.

A number of other members of the LOC were also present, including Pauline Davis, the Dame of the Games and Fern Hanna, the senior director of marketing and partnership.

Maycock was introduced to the meeting by Dr Bridgette Rolle, a member of the Bahamas Association of Certified Officials (BACO), who at the same time received her fifth Paul Harris pin in a ceremony that was presided over by past president Calnan Weech and president Johann Bain.

The Paul Harris pin is presented to Rotarians after 10 years of service or if you do exceptional

POLO

FROM PAGE 12

The Awutu Winton club has seven teams representing three regions of Ghana.

Players range in age from 7 to 25, and the league includes a group of about 20 women. It had 85 athletes and 10 coaches when it opened its new season last month in Ghana’s capital, Accra. Asante said most of his Ghana players had some knowledge of swimming when they joined the programme, but not in deep water, where the sport is played. “Treading water and how to handle the water polo ball was very difficult when I started playing,” said Ishmael Adjei, 20. “But as time goes on, I could see I am improving personally.”

Adjei’s club is part of San Diego-based Black Star Polo, an organisation founded by Asante that also works on creating aquatic opportunities for African and African-American communities in the United States.

“When I started playing, (my family) thought it was just a waste of time,” Adjei said, “because you had to help them do the family chores and you would take a timeout to go and have training ... but as time goes on, they are getting interested.”

JAZZ

FROM PAGE 12

was his second son because he was the first. “He’s grown up to be a man now, so I’m comfortable with him doing his thing out there,” Sands said. “I’m just happy for him and his family and the support that they give him. The same guys who were with him when he was 10-11 years old are still with him today. We’re like a family, who try to stay together.”

For Cartwright, he’s tried to be the coach of reasoning.

voluntary work in the community, which depicts Rotary’s motto: “Service Above Self.” One of her pins came when she took a group of young people on a fact-finding mission trip to the United States.

Three of Rolle’s pins earned came as a result of being president of the Rotary Club of South East Nassau twice since she joined in 2014. The other came from her involvement in sports, in particular, as a member of BACO.

Any significant growth in Africa would be a welcome development for a sport that has wrestled with a lack of diversity for decades, much like aquatics in general. Even in the places where water polo is most popular — such as California, and parts of southern Europe — there are very few players of color.

Egypt and South Africa are the only African countries that have played men’s water polo at the Olympics. South Africa became the first women’s team from the continent to make it to the Games when it finished 10th in Tokyo in 2021. World Aquatics said it doesn’t have player participation figures broken down by ethnicity.

“I think it’s vital for the growth of our sport to break out of the normalcy that it’s been the last century, of traditional water polo nations,” said former U.S. player Genai Kerr, who serves on the board of the Alliance for Diversity in Water Polo. The second of three brothers, Asante got into swimming and water polo after his family became good friends with the family of five-time U.S. Olympian Jesse Smith.

Asante played college water polo at California Lutheran University and got his degree in psychology. He competed

“After Marlins game that we went to with Jazz, he said tomorrow I’m going to hit a home run or a slider. I said come on Jazz,” Sands said.

“The next game, first at bat, he hits a home run and gets a slider. He points up in the stands. So I guess I have to believe everything he says now.”

As a leading figure for the younger guys following in his footsteps, Sands said he’s confident that Chisholm will make an impact on the future of baseball in the Bahamas and hopefully he will get a

professionally in Brazil and trained in Europe.

He often felt he stood out as a Black man.

“Just being used to everybody being able to see me and standing out,” he said, “and I’m the one everybody notices first, on every class, every team.”

It was different in Ghana, the birthplace of his father, Dr. Kofi Sefa-Boakye. Asante’s mother, Elizabeth, is from Los Angeles, and she met Kofi when they were students at the University of Southern California.

Asante started going to Ghana with his father after he graduated from high school. He often brought balls and caps on trips to visit family. In 2018, he reached out to the country’s swimming federation, and it held an event at Awutu Winton Senior High School — one of the only schools in the country with a pool — where it made a donation and promoted the program.

“What he’s doing is awesome, because it’s so difficult to start something from scratch,” Smith said.

A relatively small geographic footprint can put a sport at risk of losing its place at the Olympics, according to Victoria Jackson, a sports historian and clinical assistant professor of history at Arizona State University. But, Jackson

said, decisions about what sports to include are hard to predict and reflect politics, relationships and subjectivity.

Jackson said an all-Black water polo team at the Olympics could have a profound effect on the sport.

“I mean, it’s that quote, right? ‘You can’t be what you can’t see,’” she said. “It’s immediately horizon expanding.”

That’s why Asante’s effort in Ghana has attracted attention in some prominent corners of the sport.

KAP7, a company that sells swimsuits and other water polo gear, has shipped over goals and other equipment. Kerr and five-time U.S. Olympian Tony Azevedo also have donated equipment, and former USA Water Polo high performance director John Abdou did a Zoom training session for referees. “This is something where everyone can see, hey look, this is happening,” said Wolf Wigo, a three-time U.S. Olympian, one of the co-founders of KAP7 and the men’s coach at UC Santa Barbara. “It’s not just one Black person in a pool with 12 white teammates, or two. It’s a whole pool full of all Black athletes, all playing water polo, having a great experience.”

Asante — whose full name is Prince Kofi Asante

Russians and Belarusians should not face discrimination just for the passport they hold. Instead, they could compete under a neutral flag.

That view has been challenged in recent days by two Ukrainian medallists at the Tokyo Olympics, tennis player Elina Svitolina and high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh, and by boxer Wladimir Klitschko, who took gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. They want a total ban on Russia and Belarus from Paris.

Olympic officials in Ukraine have warned they could boycott Paris and are meeting today to discuss it.

“It is extremely regretful to escalate this discussion with a threat of a boycott at this premature stage,” the IOC said yesterday.

Olympic officials in Latvia and Poland are also threatening a boycott, and those countries were joined by Estonia and Lithuania in a statement yesterday by sports ministers which suggested the sports debate was being used “as a distraction from the illegal aggression against Ukraine.”

“It is natural that there are dissenting voices coming mainly from neighbouring countries of Ukraine, given their specific situation,” said the IOC, whose Olympic Charter obliges the 206 national Olympic bodies to send a team to the Summer Games.

At the White House on yesterday, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the United States had “worked to hold Russia accountable for the brutal and barbaric war” before acknowledging the IOC’s position.

Sefa-Boakye — hustles to keep the project afloat, making the most of his connections in the sport and a GoFundMe page. But the way Asante sees it, he has already won.

He is helping promote water safety in Ghana and his native Southern California, a major issue for Black communities. He helped teach swimming lessons to children of Somali refugees at a San Diego YMCA last year.

“I just wanted to play the game,” he said, “but now, I’m realizing this is an even bigger and important mission than just before.”

He also dreams of Ghana competing at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The most plausible route would run through the Africa continental qualification tournament, but the next step is likely some of Ghana’s players joining American college programs. Asante also said he plans to field an under12 team at a water polo festival in Italy in June.

Los Angeles looks like a long shot, but Asante has a plan — and he already has traveled a long way.

“My face is in front of a portrait, so I don’t see the full picture, so I’m able to compose myself,” he said. “But that would be literally bringing my two homelands together in LA, bringing Ghana to LA.”

Bahamas Baseball Association president Sam Rodgers commended Chisholm, whom he has watched through his progress from the minor league to the major league. He said he had a chance to sit down with Chisholm and his grandmother about the future of baseball in the Bahamas.

“I told him then that I was looking for a bright future for baseball,” Rodgers said.

chance to display that pride when he teams up with them to play in the next professional baseball tournament at the new Andre Rodgers Stadium.

“I told him that I hope that him and the other young men in baseball would be a part of it. So the journey started. We have a great

“In cases where sports organisations and event organisers, such as the International Olympic Committee, choose to permit athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in sporting events, it should be absolutely clear that they are not representing the Russian or Belarusian states,” she said.

The IOC also responded to the comparison with Apartheid-era South Africa being excluded from the Olympics for more than 20 years, noting that UN sanctions were in place then and also when athletes from the former Yugoslavia competed as independent neutrals at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

“There are no UN sanctions in place against Russia and Belarus at this moment in time,” the IOC said.

Russia, as a permanent member of the U.N Security Council, can veto any of its proposed resolutions.

The IOC also pointed to having created an aid fund of $7.5 million that is helping more than 3,000 Ukrainian athletes.

“The IOC is deeply saddened to hear of the death of members of the Olympic Community in Ukraine who have lost their lives in this war,” it said.

Government pressure on athletes and sports bodies should also be resisted, the IOC said, adding its stated mission is “to unite the entire world in a peaceful competition.”

Ultimately, the governing bodies of each Olympic sport should decide the conditions for athletes to be able to compete in Paris.

relationship now. I have something in mind, but I’m not ready to announce it yet. I can tell you that the position that Jazz holds in baseball, there’s coming a day when he will be the ambassador for baseball in the Bahamas.”

BBA secretary general Teddy Sweeting said they will be right there in the Marlins’ stadium supporting Chisholm during the upcoming season.

AT the Rotary meeting, from left to right, are Nikkita Thompson of NACAC, Michaelangelo Cartwright, Rotary president Johann Bain, LOC chairman Lynden Maycock.

JAZZ Chisholm during his birthday press conference.

MICHAELANGELO Cartwright speaking to Rotary as LOC chairman Lynden Maycock looks on at left. At right is Rotary president Johann Bain.

ROTARY past president Calnan Weech and president Johann Bain puts the Paul Harris pin on Dr Bridgette Rolle.

MINISTER OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES BERTRAM MCPHEE MEMORIAL BASKETBALL TOURNEY

MINISTER of National Security Wayne Munroe congratulated the Street Legends Basketball league for their continuous dedicated work in the community at the 1st Annual Bertram McPhee Memorial Basketball tournament on Saturday, January 28.

Led by President Wilton Russell, the organisation dedicated the tournament to the late Mr McPhee, who coached the Free Town Ringers Basketball Team for over 13 years. He died on October 7, 2022.

His widow, Ms Oshana McPhee, along with family members, were in attendance. She was presented with a signed basketball from Minister Munroe and league organisers.

“This was a proud moment for me. My husband and I both worked together to positively impact the lives of young people among the various communities by giving them the chance to express their skills and talents through basketball,” said Mrs McPhee.

“He was a dedicated father who ensured the young people do positive things.”

In his remarks, Minister Munroe encouraged those in attendance to be concerned about their communities, and noted that coach McPhee loved and worked with young people. He thanked his wife and family for their contributions to society.

He also commended President Russell for the work he is currently doing with the young men, and pledged to assist in beautifying the basketball court in the community.

He also addressed the young players by highlighting individuals who have excelled by persevering.

He used the examples of Rick Fox and Chavano “Buddy” Hield, who both made it as professional players in the NBA.

According to President Russell, the organisation is committed to bridging the gap and borders between the communities through sporting events such as basketball. He sees this as an opportunity for the young men to forge meaningful relationships.

GARLAND SCORES 32 POINTS, CAVS BEAT GRIZZLIES 128-113

CLEVELAND (AP) —

Darius Garland scored 32 points shortly after being left off the All-Star team and carried Cleveland following Donovan Mitchell’s ejection, leading the Cavaliers past slumping Memphis.

Garland was one of several players having All-Star-calibre seasons not named an Eastern Conference reserve by the coaches. He added 11 assists.

Mitchell, voted an All-Star starter last week, was tossed in the third quarter for throwing the ball at Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks after the pair tangled under the basket. Brooks also was thrown out.

With the Cavs leading 81-76, Brooks missed a shot and fell in the lane. While on the floor, he flung his arm back and struck Mitchell, who was standing over him, in the groin area. Mitchell dropped in pain and retaliated by firing the ball at Brooks and then charging and shoving him along the baseline in front of the Memphis bench.

Desmond Bane scored 25 points and All-Star Ja Morant had 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Grizzlies,’

BULLS 114,

HORNETS 98 CHICAGO (AP) — Ayo

Dosunmu matched a season high with 22 points, Coby White scored 20 points and Chicago overcame shaky outings by DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine to beat Charlotte.

Dosunmu made 9 of 10 shots, and White hit three 3-pointers.

Nikola Vucevic added 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Andre Drummond had 15 points and 11 rebounds.

The Bulls used a big third quarter to turn a four-point halftime lead into an 85-70 advantage heading to the fourth.

Terry Rozier scored 23 points for Charlotte. LaMelo Ball, coming off a triple-double Tuesday night in a loss at Milwaukee, added 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists before getting ejected with 1:21 remaining.

KNICKS 106, HEAT 104 NEW YORK (AP) — RJ Barrett rebounded from a late-game benching with 30 points, Isaiah Hartenstein made big plays on both ends of the floor in the final minute and New York beat Miami. New York pulled out the victory after Erik Spoelstra correctly challenged a call that turned a Heat foul into a

LEBRON

FROM PAGE 12

speed. The Pacers led by double digits most of the first three quarters and led 98-84 early in the fourth. But the Lakers took advantage of Indiana’s late fouls and the heroics of James and Davis down the stretch to come all the way back.

TIP-INS

Lakers: James and Davis combined for 28 points in the first half, while the other seven players who saw action had 26. Los Angeles was 6 of 22 on 3s.

The Lakers have won three straight at Indiana.

Pacers: Nesmith also had a a career high five 3s. ... T.J. McConnell had 11 points off the bench.

Indiana has lost 10 of 11.

SHOOTING STAR

Knicks turnover. But Tyler Herro’s potential winning 3-point attempt bounced off the rim.

Julius Randle added 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for the Knicks.

New York pulled within a game of Miami for sixth place in the Eastern Conference, the final guaranteed playoff spot. Bam Adebayo had 32 points and nine rebounds for the Heat. Herro scored 25 points.

A few moments before the Pacers public address announcer told the crowd that Haliburton was returning to the starting lineup, Shaquille O’Neal announced Haliburton had been named a reserve on the Eastern Conference All-Star team.

The video, from TNT’s pregame coverage, was then replayed on the arena’s large video board as the crowd roared and teammates congratulated the first-time All-Star.

UP NEXT Lakers: Close out a five-game trip Saturday at New Orleans.

Pacers: Host Sacramento tonight.

PARTICIPANTS enjoy the Street Legends Basketball league’s 1st Annual Bertram McPhee Memorial Basketball tournament on Saturday, January 28.

OSHANA McPhee and players at the 1st Annual Bertram McPhee Memorial Basketball tournament.

Photos by Force Chief Petty Officer Jonathan Rolle

GRIZZLIES guard Ja Morant (12) drives against Cavaliers centre Jarrett Allen (31) during the first half yesterday in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

MINISTER of National Security Wayne Munroe presents Oshana McPhee with a signed basketball at the 1st Annual Bertram McPhee Memorial Basketball tournament on Saturday.

MINISTER of National Security Wayne Munroe brings remarks during the 1st Annual Bertram McPhee Memorial Basketball tournament. Also shown, from left to right, former MP Richard Lightbourne, Carlos Reid, consultant in the Ministry of National Security, and Eric Fox, director for Teen Challenge activist.

UNIVERSITY OF THE BAHAMAS MINGOES WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL TEAM KNOCKED OUT OF THE POSTSEASON

THE University of The Bahamas Mingoes women’s volleyball team was knocked out of the New Providence Volleyball Association postseason after dropping to the Lady Technicians in a play-in game Tuesday night at The Anatol Rodgers Gym.

The Mingoes lost in five close sets - 25-23, 22-25, 24-26, 25-22, 15-11.

Both volleyball teams had identical records in fourth place and the winner advances to the playoffs.

“We still have some growing to do,” head coach Raymond Wilson said. “Our game has grown a lot and they have gotten a lot better.

“However choices kills us but that’s what you get with a young team. We are still developing and will make a lot of mistakes.

“We really were campaigning on making it to the playoffs but that’s behind us now.

“So we’ll just go back to the drawing board and prepare for next season.”

The Lady Tech started things off strong in the first set allowing the Mingoes to stay within five points early in the set. The Lady Tech rattled off eight straight points to win the set 25-23.

The Mingoes bounced back and took the second set 25-22 off strong play in the middle to tie the match.

In the third set Mingoes looked poised to take the win as they go up 2-1 in sets with the 26-24 win.

The Lady Techs though responded, taking the fourth set 25-22 and forcing a decisive fifth set.

The Mingoes came out flat and were down 11-3 at one point. The Mingoes rattled off seven straight points to get within two at 11-10. The Lady Techs were just too much and sealed the match with the 15-11 fifth set win.

Despite the loss, the Mingoes didn’t lose any set more than four points.

“We played very hard tonight and we were able to keep it close at times,” Wilson added.

PLAY ACTION: The University of The Bahamas Mingoes women’s volleyball team in New Providence Volleyball Association postseason action against the Lady Technicians in a play-in game Tuesday night at Anatol Rodgers Gymnasium. Photos: UB Athletics

STOP ‘SQUEEZING BLOOD FROM STONE’ ON TAXATION

government services and social services is less.”

do by having a regressive tax system that focuses its attention on consumption based taxes,” Mr Bowe told this newspaper. “We are effectively trying to say: ‘Extract more from those that have less’. We really have to look at the concept of equity, and say those that have more have a duty to contribute more even if their use of

Again strongly signalling his belief that The Bahamas must explore tax reforms based on a person’s ability to pay, such as personal and corporate income taxes, the Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief asserted that such radical changes would not drive investors, commerce and high net worth individuals away.

Instead, he argued that The Bahamas’ other attributes, including its US proximity and relative economic and political stability, will ensure this nation remains attractive to both local and foreign investors.

“The environment that the Government provides, economic and political stability, enables people to make and earn higher incomes,” Mr Bowe said.

“Tell them to do the same thing in an unstable country with a high inflation environment. A small population is accumulating the wealth. We see that happening in The Bahamas with the widening gap between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’.” The consumption-driven nature of this nation’s VAT and Customs duty-reliant tax structure means those on lower incomes continue pay disproportionately more of

their income in taxes compared to their wealthier counterparts.

Most nations rely on income tax, both personal and corporate, as their government’s primary source of revenue since it is viewed as a progressive levy directly linked to ability to pay. Those earning more pay more in tax compared to those on lower incomes, thereby upholding the system’s perceived equity and fairness.

But The Bahamas, which has long cherished its tax neutral platform and the absence of any form of income tax, has bucked this world trend. While income tax was one of the alternative options to VAT, the last Christie government ultimately rejected it due to the fact it has no history here and, more importantly, the extra costs and bureaucracy involved in setting up and administering such a system.

Some cynics, though, suggested that income tax was also turned down because it would force all Bahamians to declare their annual income - thereby exposing all those seemingly living above their means. The Government’s just-released Fiscal Strategy Report 2022 acknowledged Mr Bowe’s concerns by saying the “fairness” of taxes is kept under constant review, although no specific reform measures were detailed.

Among the proposed legal and administrative work, the report said, is a “review of existing laws to determine opportunities for modernisation and simplification of tax legislation, having regard to efficiency, fairness and stability of taxes, and to achieve conformity with best practices”.

Simon Wilson, the Ministry of Finance’s financial secretary, also confirmed that the Government is hoping to release a so-called “green paper” consultation document by the 2023 first quarter’s end outlining options for addressing the global push for a minimum 15 percent corporate tax rate.

The Bahamas is among the 133 nations that have agreed to implement this, although its introduction has been pushed back by at least a year until 2024. The initiative is designed to ensure the profits and revenues generated by multinational

enterprises (MNEs) with global turnover exceeding 750m euros are taxed in the nations where they are generated, rather than being artificially shifted to low-tax countries as part of avoidance and evasion strategies.

This has potentially important implications for taxes such as the existing Business Licence fee, with the Government having hired the Deloitte & Touche accounting firm to assess the consequences. Meanwhile, Mr Bowe criticised past administrations for failing to engage the Bahamian people in a national discussion on taxation and its importance in providing essential public services.

“I don’t know why political class has a fear of speaking to the populace about the need to render unto Caesar what is due to Caesar,” he told Tribune Business. “You can only provide services as a government when you have revenues.....

“The conversation would not be pessimistic; it would be realistic, educating the population that you get what you pay for. If you have low taxes, you have minimal government services. If you want big government or extensive public services your tax rate has to be commensurate with what is being funded.”

Mr Bowe also urged the Government to stick to the fiscal targets and road map set out in its latest Fiscal Strategy Report rather than seek to constantly change them. “The point I bring in, which is critically important, is that in the Bahamian vernacular mouth can say anything or documents can say anything.

“When we look at a fiscal strategy going forward for the next five years, it should not be one that changes materially every year if the projections are realistic and based on data. To-date, we sometimes seem to put in optimistic projections where the view is that we’ll just revise them later on, push the date of reform as far out as we can, and keep the people happy by telling them what they want to hear rather than what the realities are and let them know we have a challenge where we all have to contribute to digging ourselves out of the fiscal hole we find ourselves in.”

NOTICE is hereby given that JASMIN KIMMIE MACKEY of #29 Canary Terrace, 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 3rd day of February, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that

KEITHA DENESE JERVISARMBRISTER of P.O Box AP59217-2102 Leewood East, 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 3rd day of February, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

INSURERS DISMISS VAT ACT ‘MISINTERPRETATION’

BAHAMIAN health insurers yesterday said “no one wants to pay an additional 36 percent on their medical insurance” from April 1, 2023, when consumers will have to bear the full VAT burden on claims payments.

Julian Rolle, BAF Financial’s managing director, argued that the increased financial burden this change in VAT treatment will impose on ordinary Bahamians has yet to be properly digested or understood.

Speaking at a press conference staged by the Bahamas Insurance Association, he said: “If you are hypertensive and you have $100 per month for your medication. If you have private health care now. for the most part, you’re going to pay a $20 co-pay for that.

If you pay $20 co-pay and $2 VAT (at 10 percent), that’s $22 you pay for your medication.”

However, with the VAT treatment of health insurance claims payments set to change with effect from April 1, insurers will no longer be able to recover

the 10 percent levy applied to their $80 portion in this example. As a result, the patient or end-consumer will now be responsible for paying an extra $8. This will raise their share of the payment to a total $30, representing a 36 percent increase compared to the present $22 bill.

“That number will move to $30, and while that doesn’t sound like a big number, that extra $8 a month, that’s a problem, especially if you have more than one set of medication, especially if you have more than one family member that’s paying this additional cost,” he added.

“So while we understand all of the big numbers that are being thrown about, we have a significant amount of medical claims that appeared in the country last year. The medical claims in the country would, give or take, have been $200m and that was what was paid by the insurers.

“So, yes, there’s a huge VAT number to add on to that. But just the difference on what each individual pays.... I don’t think anyone wants a 36 percent increase on anything that they buy monthly. That’s just not what they want, and that is what this change is fostering.

PM: ‘Happy medium’ was goal on health claims VAT

FROM PAGE A23

it had “received over $20m illegally” through this mechanism.

The ministry, and the Department of Inland Revenue’s, position is that VAT is payable on medical insurance claims payouts because these are being made on behalf of the end-user - the consuming patient - and thus should attract the tax. Health insurers are currently claiming this as ‘input’ VAT, offsetting it against their ‘output’ tax on premiums and effectively allowing the likes of Colina, Family Guardian and CG Atlantic to claim it back from the Government.

However, insurers arguing that the Ministry of Finance is wrong to treat the payment of clients’ medical expenses and the care received from providers as two separate services. Its case is that

since health insurance and medical services are both VAT-able, health insurance claims should continue to be tax-deductible for health underwriters, otherwise the Government would be knowingly applying two layers of VAT. One insurance source, though, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “The Department of Inland Revenue has changed its interpretation of what the law is. It hasn’t changed the law. What they’re saying is the insurance companies are not the beneficiaries of the service and, as such, the insurance companies are not to claim back the VAT related to any payout. If the insurers are not the ones receiving the service, then the one doing so has to pay the VAT.”

NOTICE

IN THE ESTATE of MURIEL LOUISE

EDWARDS late of the Western District of the Island of New Providence, one of the Islands of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, deceased.

Notice is hereby given that all persons having any claim or demands against the above named Estate are required to send their names, addresses and particulars of the same duly certified in writing to the undersigned on or before the 13th day of February A.D., 2023, and if required, prove such debts or claims, or in default be excluded from any distribution; after the above date the assets will be distributed having regard only to the proved debts or claims of which the Executor shall then have had Notice.

And Notice is hereby given that all persons indebted to the said Estate are requested to make full settlement on or before the aforementioned date.

MICHAEL A. DEAN & CO., Attorneys for the Executor Alvernia Court, 49A Dowdeswell

P.O. Box N-3114 Nassau, The Bahamas

The difference between $22 and $30 is 36 percent.”

Marcus Bosland, Colina Insurance’s resident actuary, rejected the assertion by Prime Minister Philip Davis KC that the industry has misinterpreted the VAT Act. He said: “For our part, the BIA will continue to speak clearly and directly to the public to ensure that they understand how this change in the VAT rules will affect them.

“In a statement released over the past weekend, the Ministry of Finance accused the BIA of seeking to politicise a technical issue. That framing seeks to minimise the real concerns that the insurance industry has regarding a tax increase that will harm our customers.

“The fact is that we disagree with this rule change. And, given, that it will come into effect in less than two months, it is imperative that we educate the public about the changes and let them know where responsibility for it lies. We will not be daunted by inaccurate suggestions that we are playing politics.”

The BIA at “no time” agreed to the changed VAT treatment on health insurance claims payments and has “steadfastly resisted this

rule change”. Mr Bosland added: “The Department of Inland Revenue (DIR) intends to stop insurance companies from being able to recover the VAT paid on health insurance claims. This will mean that, in addition to paying VAT on their premiums, clients will now also be responsible for all of the VAT on the underlying medical services.

“The DIR has rationalised this change by arguing that the medical service received is between the health service provider and the insured. The DIR’s new position takes no account of the fact that the purpose of health insurance is to pay insurance health expenses, and instead treats them as two independent services.

“The BIA has argued that health insurance is a means of financing healthcare, and it is unreasonable and illogical to ignore the linkage between the two. As both health insurance and health services are taxable, health insurance claims should continue to be tax deductible for health insurance. Otherwise the Government would be knowingly applying two levels of VAT on health insurance.”

The Ministry of Finance, though, says the change is

necessary because allowing insurers to reclaim VAT on claims payouts breaches the law and is depriving the Public Treasury of millions in vital revenues. It is arguing that it is “clearly against the VAT Act” for insurers to claim back the 10 percent levy on medical claims payouts, with one audit of an unnamed health insurance provider in 2021 showing it had “received over $20m illegally” through this mechanism.

The ministry, and the Department of Inland Revenue’s, position is that VAT is payable on medical insurance claims payouts because these are being made on behalf of the enduser - the consuming patient - and thus should attract the tax. Health insurers are currently claiming this as ‘input’ VAT, offsetting it against their ‘output’ tax on premiums and effectively allowing the likes of Colina, Family Guardian and CG Atlantic to claim it back from the Government.

However, insurers arguing that the Ministry of Finance is wrong to treat the payment of clients’ medical expenses and the care received from providers as two separate services. Its case is that since health

insurance and medical services are both VAT-able, health insurance claims should continue to be tax-deductible for health underwriters, otherwise the Government would be knowingly applying two layers of VAT. One insurance source, though, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “The Department of Inland Revenue has changed its interpretation of what the law is. It hasn’t changed the law. What they’re saying is the insurance companies are not the beneficiaries of the service and, as such, the insurance companies are not to claim back the VAT related to any payout. If the insurers are not the ones receiving the service, then the one doing so has to pay the VAT.”

Street

NIB staff’s $64k income equals Auditor General

with increasing digitisation,” the study continued.

“A generous 2016 pay agreement pushed 2017 total NIB administrative expenses above $80,000 per employee, which includes pay and other benefits of $64,000 average per employee ($183 per contributor and recipient when combined), outstripping central government rates for similar work.

“For reference, the Auditor General’s base pay was around $65,000 in 2016, and a secondary head teacher earned around $54,000 base pay in the top grade; even factoring in central government insurance and pension benefits at around 31 percent of base pay, NIB compensation appears high.”

However, this was not the only social services-related area identified as having high staff costs. The IDB report found that, during the 2019-2020 fiscal year that included two-and-ahalf months of COVID-19,

the combined salaries and benefits earned by civil servants employed at the Ministry of Social Services and Department of Social Services was four times’ higher than the benefits paid out to needy Bahamian recipients.

“Both NIB and central government administration costs are very high relative to government managed funds,” the study added. “Salaries and benefits for Ministry of Social Services and Department of Social Services civil servant costs totalled $19.6m in 2019-2020 compared to $1.3m of central government grants to individuals and food assistance, plus $3.5m in social grants. The central government support to individuals prior to COVID-19 had fallen from $2.8m in 2015-2016.”

The IDB report also found that there were “pervasive challenges” with efficiency and cost controls at the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA), which operates a Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) that

the Prime Minister admitted last weekend was in a “crisis” state. The stateowned authority was said to have received more than $1bn in taxpayer monies since its last set of audited financial statements was published.

“Even with recent NIB and National Health Authority expansion, current funding levels remain heavily tilted towards hospital care, where costs are poorly controlled and there is no regime in place to ensure the hospital enforces meaningful billing adherence,” the study added. “PHA wrote-off half of potential revenue due to non-payment during 20152019, and has charges for less than half of its services.

“The Government is paying for a hospital billing mechanism that isn’t being used extensively, and it is also paying those charges not collected in practice by PHA. Up to $10m of exempt payment could be claimed from the private health insurance package the Government

also subscribes to for civil servants.”

Pointing to a lack of fairness in Bahamian healthcare, the report found: “The system of exemptions and non-payment for hospital services is inequitable, with the richest fifth of the population having far higher footfall in hospitals (over 13 times higher in 2013 per person) than the poorest, and agebased exemptions exempt many who could pay.

“Inpatient unit costs were higher than in other high income countries in the region, and recent hospital expansion and pay deals are likely to have worsened this. Recent expansion, with a new Critical Care Unit, has not been accompanied by efficiency-seeking elsewhere in PHA.”

The IDB report’s author recommended that the PHA move to recover half of its uncollected fees, and also index fees to prices. with a 25 percent fee increase. It was estimated that such reforms, implemented over an 18-month period, could generate $29m in extra annual revenue for the PHA - a target that was acknowledged as “ambitious, but far less ambitious” than the recommendations from a similar study by the

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) accounting firm.

Other measures to plug the PHA’s funding gap, and reduce the burden on Bahamian taxpayers, included “sanctioning” civil servants and the PHA if the former’s insurers were not billed for the cost of treatment. This was estimated as generating another $5m-$10m in annual income, while a further $10m might be saved by slashing the PHA’s workforce by 10-15 percent so that it falls into line with both Caribbean and international norms.

“PHA often receives extra settlements relative to the draft budget. The average over-execution was 6 percent. PHA has received over $1bn since the last set of financial statements was made public,” the IDB report said. “Tertiary healthcare efficiency is questionable. The number of tertiary health staff across the two main sites, 3,986 in 2019, is almost double that of Barbados (2,100 at Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital). “Barbados has around one-third fewer people, but fewer private sector options and more distant international alternatives.

Allowances and hours

(reported in the PwC report

as of 2019) seem exceedingly generous. As with NIB, PHA employees are paid in excess of government equivalents, as both allowances and salaries have risen dramatically in recent years. The share of compensation in hospital costs is higher than in other high-income-country systems.

“PHA losses to delinquency and exemption dwarf the other two major social public corporations. However, the failure to raise PHA prices nor to price most services at all, accounts for the largest share of subsidy, $113m in 2019,” the IDB report added.

“Cost control and efficiency faces pervasive challenges at PHA. Costs, particularly staff costs, have risen sharply, even as the number of inpatient discharges relative to the population has decreased substantially since 2013. PHA staff compensation and conditions appear to be extremely generous relative to the rest of government, and have increased substantially in recent years. There are notable overlaps in health provision for some groups, particularly for civil servants.”

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• Retain and file audio and video records of gaming activities in the event that the records need to be used for investigations.

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Surveillance Officer – Your Name

$250m resort developer: We want to be with ‘best of best’

by this newspaper. Mr Hayward had previously spoken of a “new partnership already proposed to government... that can attract billions of dollars in investment, create thousands of jobs and deliver the expertise and infrastructure for The Bahamas to build a truly climate-resilient future”.

Mr Hayward’s Blue Action Lab is functioning as the local partner and adviser to both Weller and Pegasus Capital Advisors, the $10.6bn private equity group focused on investing in sustainable projects, and the only such group accredited as a fund manager by the Green Climate Fund, on the Six Senses venture.

While conceding that the resort development, to be located at the 30-acre Barbary Beach site previously owned by Marriott, cannot solve all Freeport and Grand Bahama’s woes by itself, Mr Weller nevertheless voiced optimism that it will serve as a “catalyst” to attract similar high-end investors who, together, will

transform the island for the better.

Disclosing that only environmental permits remain to be obtained, from the Department of Physical Planning (DEPP) and Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) respectively, before the project can move towards a construction start, he added that Weller was further encouraged by signs that the redevelopment and transformation of Grand Bahama International Airport into a facility able to offer the “first handshake” to visitors is moving forward.

“I think we want to make sure this project is in the conversation at the top level of resort development in the world, and certainly in the Caribbean,” Mr Weller told Tribune Business of the Six Senses project. “What we’d like it to become is the number one hotel in the world, and certainly the number one hotel in the Caribbean. We’d like Grand Bahama to host that project. Any other goal can’t be shorter than that.

“The reason we have the first Six Senses project in

Grand Bahama is because it does represent the best of the best, and we think that’s where the brand of Grand Bahama needs to track... to start with a project of this magnitude and privilege. We think starting from high and going from there will be a real plus.”

Mr Weller said he first visited Freeport and Grand Bahama in 2020, having been enticed to make the trip by Mr Hayward’s description of “how incredible the island was”. Everything he was told by Sir Jack’s grandson proved “accurate”, including Grand Bahama’s “natural beauty” and the development opportunity. And the warm reception from Grand Bahamians proved a further attraction, Mr Weller revealing he was “blown away by how optimistic they were about the future” and the possibilities afforded by the Six Senses development. “I just really immediately fell in love with the island, the people and the opportunity there,” he said, noting also Grand Bahama’s proximity to the US and high net worth markets such as West Palm Beach.

Cheque end ‘solving non-existent problem’

FROM PAGE A24

from cheques, they’re getting deeper into them. I think it’s [their elimination in The Bahamas] a bad plan. I don’t have much regard for the Central Bank anyhow. I will tell you will happen. A system will be introduced that costs a lot of money and we solve a problem that doesn’t exist.

“We need to make what we have work. This is the same Central Bank that thinks clearing a cheque in two days is a good standard. It can be done instantly. The same way you can clear a transaction using a debit card, you can do it with a cheque. Scan the cheque, send it to the bank and clear it instantly. It’s the same process as clearing a transaction with a debit card or credit card. Some process. Nothing different.”

Mr Bowe gave a harsher response to the cheque elimination plan on social media, saying: “The idea of cheque elimination is just stupid. Who comes up with these things? They can digitise cheques tomorrow and problem solved... To the customer, very little has to change. The customer becomes empowered, not controlled.

“Personally, I prefer cheques. What we do need in the financial sector is deregulation and increased competition. Government should get involved to the extent of preventing exploitation of the public and unfair competition. Currently, government agencies try to direct the operations of businesses to the extent of determining success or failure.”

Mr Bowe subsequently told Tribune Business: “The banks are harvesting money without providing a service.... I have a big problem with money changing hands and there being no commensurate service.”

John Rolle, the Central Bank’s governor, on Monday conceded that plans to eliminate the use of cheques by end-2024 are “not as simple as flipping a switch” given the resistance encountered thus far to the move.

Addressing the regulator’s 2022 full-year and fourth quarter economic briefing, he admitted that not all feedback and consultation received by the Central Bank was “receptive to change”.

Mr Rolle added that it was in talks with the Government “around how that process looks” as it continues to push for modernisation of The Bahamas’ payments system through the increased use of digital transactions.

Meanwhile, other corporate executives joined Mr Bowe in voicing concerns. Dwayne Higgs, WHIM Automotive’s general manager, told Tribune Business that instead

of setting a deadline for cheques to be eliminated by the end of 2024, the Central Bank should allow this to occur naturally over time.

He said: “I look at this like how I look at electric cars. Leave it there and give people the option. If they want to pay by cash, by cheque, by transfer or by card. I say leave it as an option, the same way if you want to buy an electric or hybrid, or a regular gasoline engine.

“But, for some reason, the powers that be want us to go totally hybrid and totally cashless and digital. I think we should just leave it as an option, because some people prefer to write a cheque for a large amount, rather than doing transfers. So that’s my feeling on the matter. It should just be an option rather than limiting everything and forcing people to only go one way.”

Mr Higgs added: “I know a lot of people that still use banker’s cheques when they go to buy a car or get a car loan. The bank will give you a cheque to take to the car dealer, so what do you do then? There are a lot of questions that need to be answered, but I don’t know what the great push is. I say give people a choice and see what they gravitate towards.”

Chico Wong, owner/ operator of Wong’s Building Supplies, said while it is “OK” to eliminate cheques and move totally digital he understands the importance of keeping all payment options. “Because you want to go digital, but at the same time there’s a lot of people who are still old school, who still like to use paper and hard copies, especially the older people over 50 and 60 years old,” he added.

While unable to provide exact figures for the number of construction and full-time posts that the Six Senses project will create, the Weller chief pledged that the employment impact would be significant, as well as the effect on Grand Bahama’s economy and the Government’s tax revenues.

“There’s a special opportunity on tap, and I’m really excited to be a part of it,” he added. “There’s an opportunity to rebrand and think about Grand Bahama as a luxury destination for hotels, hospitality and dining. You’ll start to see a luxury brand take place around the conversation for Grand Bahama, and on the island, because people from other places will start to think about Grand Bahama. It helps the brand of Grand Bahama as a place to visit from the US, Europe and Canada.”

Mr Weller said the developer partners believe they “have all the agreements [and permits] that we need right now for the Six Senses

project” apart from the environmental approvals. Suggesting that Grand Bahama has “so much upside”, he voiced optimism that the Government will find a buyer for the Grand Lucayan resort such that it is “restored and put back on line”.

Airlift, and visitor access, are vital to the success of any tourism-related development, and Mr Weller said he was confident progress is being made on resolving Grand Bahama International Airport’s fate.

Tribune Business revealed previously that an investor group featuring Bahamas Hot Mix chair, Tony Myers, and CFAL chief, Anthony Ferguson, is the likely front-runner to take on the airport’s reconstruction, financing and management.

“It appears the airport is moving ahead. There are a lot of good conversations about it. We know the Government understands and appreciates how important it is, and we’re excited to see the outcome,” Mr Weller said. “Just like

any other project or existing business on the island, a good airport is always important for the first handshake of introduction to Grand Bahama.

“I’m not going to hide my excitement about a new, modern facility. The first handshake to Grand Bahama will be this new, modern airport and that’s a really positive thing.” Weller had brought multiple people to visit Grand Bahama since becoming involved with the island, he added, “and there’s not a person who’s come from the US and Europe that’s not said this isn’t a place they’d like to invest or come back to”.

Weller Development has spearheaded the largest US urban regeneration in Baltimore via the 235acre Port Covington site, a project that is now nearing completion. Mr Weller voiced confidence in his team’s ability to handle both the Six Senses and Napa Valley projects at the same time.

“They are so used to having a printed piece of paper that they write on and feel comfortable with. Then you have to understand, in The Bahamas, cheques are not regulated. Someone can forge a cheque and sometimes you sell people a good and you get hold of a bad cheque, so in that sense cheques are bad.”

Wongs has transferred many vendors and customers to digital payments and currently does a lot of “wire transfers”, eliminating cheques to some extent.

“The good thing about wires is that if you have a person from the Family Islands and they want lumber, you can send them the wire instructions and they can send the money, and someone can come and pick up their things from us within the day,” Mr Wong said.

James Wallace, owner/ operator of Janaees Uniform Centre, said he has been transitioning away from cheques since the announcement of the Central Bank’s intention to eliminate them. “I think they’ve given reasonable notice for people to get rid of cheques. I don’t see it as an issue because most things are being done by direct deposit,” he said.

“I very rarely write cheques in my business from last year. I do direct deposit, because in December 2024 they will stop honouring cheques. I don’t see this problem. The whole world is going electronic banking, and we are just a little late. The only thing is they skipped the process of allowing you to process cheques electronically, because you could have scanned a cheque from your phone and deposit it like that.”

• Maintains accounting records by making copies; filing documents.

• Counting cash and verifying amount received with Z reports.

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• Compiling daily cash collection report.

GOODMAN’S BAY PROPERTY OPENS TO $1.5M BOOKINGS

A NEWLY-opened Goodman’s Bay resort has more than $1.5m worth of confirmed bookings during its initial months, its developer revealed yesterday.

Randy Hart, the Wynn Group’s vice-president, told Tribune Business the GoldWynn resort enjoyed a soft opening to just under a dozen guests last Wednesday but business is set to increase relatively quickly.

“Everything is on track. We’re officially open as of February 1 for the hotel components, and so we’re

now welcoming paying guests into the property as of Wednesday. So that’s a big milestone for the company, and then we’re now rolling out all of the amenities,” he said.

“We just opened up the Atria Cafe as of Wednesday, and the full service restaurant will be on stream in the next week or so. We’re just finishing our training now. We checked in about close to a dozen [guests] so far. It’s still a soft opening. Our initial bookings and reservations in the resort have now exceeded about $1.5m initial bookings.”

In a release announcing its opening, GoldWynn said it features 81 residential-style accommodations

including studios, one, two and three-bedroom suites, and three Edge suites. The three-bedroom Goldwynn Suite features1,940 square feet of interior space, three balconies and two terraces.

“At Goldwynn resort, we are dedicated to providing the best in-luxury service and an experience that mirrors a contemporary island living philosophy,” said Paul Wynn, Wynn Hospitality’s principal. “Matched with our private yet prime location, guests are encouraged to immerse themselves and appreciate the aspects of Bahamian culture from cuisine and art to nature both on-property and within the surrounding destination.”

Opposition ‘stunned’ at tripling of property tax

FROM PAGE A24

goals previously set. As an example, Mr Pintard said the 2022 Fiscal Strategy Report made no mention of slashing annual subsidies to loss-making state-owned enterprises (SOEs) by $100m - a commitment made in the same document a year earlier.

Simon Wilson, the Ministry of Finance’s financial secretary, on Wednesday reiterated the Government’s belief that “no new tax measures” will be required to grow its total annual revenues to over $4bn by the 2026-2027 fiscal year. However, Mr Pintard voiced the Opposition’s doubts that forecast economic growth alone will be sufficient to generate $1.2bn revenue growth in just four years.

Pointing to the Davis administration’s first Fiscal Strategy Report, which was also released two-and-a-half months after the legallymandated disclosure deadline, the FNM leader told this newspaper: “Given that we were emerging

from the pandemic, their revenue projections were a bit outlandish and that was confirmed by the credit rating agencies that evaluate The Bahamas.”

As for the 2022 version, Mr Pintard said: “Again, I simply do not see what the Prime Minister is seeing. The additional concern is their unwillingness to be disciplined in terms of what they do and how they execute their strategy. The earlier report, which they released in January 2022 when it should have been in November, even then they didn’t follow the plan where they would reduce subsidies to SOEs and not bloat the [public sector] workforce.

“Then there’s a whole bunch of unbudgeted expenditure that they have engaged in since then. BPL is one example; you’re talking $150m-plus.” Mr Pintard urged the Government to have “a mature conversation with the people about what we’re up against” from a fiscal perspective so that it could develop some “realistic”

revenue targets that are achievable as well as “laying out a road map and being disciplined in following that road map”.

The Opposition, in a statement, yesterday said it was “stunned” by the Government’s goal of increasing total annual revenues to more than $4bn without implementing new and/ or increased taxes. To get there, the Davis administration is forecasting that real property taxes will increase by 227 percent in four years, more than tripling from this year’s $169.4m forecast to $554.5m.

And VAT, the main revenue source, is projected to grow by some $528m in just three years as it increases from the $1.412bn forecast for this fiscal year to $1.94bn by 2025-2026. The Fiscal Strategy report than predicts, inexplicably, that VAT will decline by $179m year-over-year to $1.761bn in 2026-2027. Together, the VAT and real property spikes are to account for the bulk of the $1.2bn total revenue increase by 2026-2027.

Employment Opportunity Human Resources Coordinator

An industrial company located in Freeport, Grand Bahama is seeking to employ an experienced Human Resources Coordinator to support their Human Resources Department

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Recruits, interviews, tests, and selects candidates to fill vacant positions.

• Develops and/ or maintains descriptions for all new jobs, reviewing and update job descriptions as needed.

• Assists with new policy and procedure development and responds to inquiries regarding policies, procedures, and related programs.

• Plans and conducts new employee orientation to foster positive attitude toward company vision, mission and goals.

• Identifies legal requirements and government reporting regulations affecting human resources functions and ensures policies, procedures, and reporting are all in compliance.

• Improves manager and employee performances by identifying and clarifying problems; evaluating and implementing potential solutions; coaching and counseling managers and employees.

• Assist employees with solutions to queries regarding eligibility, salaries, benefits, and other pertinent information.

• Coordinates training for employees and contractors in regard to soft skills, technical, quality and safety topics.

• Coordinates and develops management training in regard to interviewing, leadership development and performance management.

• Maintains the confidentiality of the HR department in regard to employee disclosures and issues.

• Responsible for the administration of the Employee Wellness and Recognition programs.

• Responsible for the administration of the Compensation Program ensuring that it is internally and externally equitable through the processes of Job Evaluations and Salary Surveys, and that Company Benefits are competitive through the exercise of Benefits Surveys.

• Maintains human resources records by maintaining paper-based and electronic records.

• Assist with the preparation of the department budget.

• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks and participating in professional organizations.

• May be assigned other projects by the Human Resources Manager

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Human Resources or related field with preferred minimum three (3) HR generalist experience or equivalent work experience.

• Human Resources Certification would be a plus.

• Must be in good physical condition. SKILLS AND SPECIFICATIONS:

• Have good interpersonal skills and be able to communicate effectively to carry out broad objectives with minimum supervision.

• Knowledge of adult learning practices and techniques to include visual aids, interactive exercises/ activities and theoretical application as needed to train.

• Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups and the measurement of training effects.

• Have initiative and ability to organize and follow through.

• Knowledge of the operational characteristics, services, and activities of a comprehensive human resources program as needed to assist in setting and achieving site and departmental goals.

• Knowledge of labor law compliance issues and practices.

• Ability to establish and implement new policies and procedures.

• Have the ability to facilitate collaboration between individuals and also between the best interests of an employee and that of PharmaChem.

• Be adept at creating win-win situations.

• Be compassionate and understanding of his fellow employee.

• Strong ability to handle confidential information with discretion and maturity. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Only candidates who are legally authorized to work in the Bahamas will be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Interested candidates should submit their resumes in confidence, including name, email address and telephone contact information to:

The FNM, questioning why the Fiscal Strategy Report made no mention of the $90m user fee increase detailed last year in a government report on how its 25 percent revenue-to-GDP target will be achieved, said: “The Government clearly intends to increase taxes to meet its goals. As this is the case, the plan to achieve this should be clearly outlined in the Fiscal Strategy Report 2022 with the proper rationale and explanations.” Mr Pintard, speaking to Tribune Business, urged the Government to “explain the rationale behind its figures”. However, he quickly added: “We are not going to bet against The Bahamas. The Opposition wants the Government to financially succeed so that we are able to absorb the significant amount of unemployment that presently exists.

“We have obligations that exist nationally and internationally, and we our country to reduce the debt. We want to fashion a worldclass online government so we improve the ease of doing business and become more attractive, not just to Bahamian entrepreneurs and their quality of life, but people internationally find it easier to do business in The Bahamas....

“The scepticism we have is not hoping the Government fails with these projections. Quite frankly, we hope they succeed, but it requires them making

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substantial changes in their behaviour.” Mr Pintard argued that the Davis administration is not operating as one cohesive unit on economic policy, pointing as an example to the Prime Minister’s pledge last year that the Government had no plan to increase National Insurance Board (NIB) contribution rates in the near term.

That statement was made just one day after Myles Laroda, minister of state with responsibility for NIB, indicated such an increase was critical to prevent the social security system’s $1.5bn reserve fund from being depleted by 2028.

The Opposition’s leader also asserted that the Government has thus far failed “to eliminate a lot of the fluff” that exists in public expenditure. He questioned whether VAT’s buoyancy will continue, suggesting that the tax’s post-COVID performance had been boosted by inflation-driven price increases that have increased the Government’s per transaction take. And Mr Pintard also queried whether it was correct to “use a sledgehammer”, and employ “a bludgeoning approach”, to real property tax collections even though he agreed that all taxes due and owing must be paid.

“They are duty-bound to explain what is behind the numbers. That is part of the Government’s job,” he added. The Government

is targeting a Budget surplus of $287.3m, where its income exceeds spending, by 2024-2025. To help achieve that, it is aiming to increase revenues as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) to 25 percent, while lowering - and maintaining - its fixed-cost (recurrent) spending at 20 percent of output.

The FNM, in its statement, voiced doubts as to whether the expenditure targets will be met. “To date, this Davis administration has demonstrated that it has no political will or management skill at all to contain spending,” the party said. Instead, the Prime Minister and his colleagues have instead gone on a spending spree with lavish trips, engagement of consultants and any number of extravagant undertakings.

“They have put forward no sound strategies or targets to limit or decrease spending..... It remains critical that following the two unprecedented economic calamities of Hurricane Dorian and the global COVID-19 pandemic that this government takes seriously the requirement to put forward a sound and credible plan that moves the country back toward fiscal balance. This Fiscal Strategy Report 2022 falls far short from what is required to move the country toward this goal.”

The Tribune wants to hear from people who are making news in their neighbourhoods. Perhaps you are raising funds for a good cause, campaigning for improvements in the area or have won an award. If so, call us on 322-1986 and share your story.

GOLDWYNN RESORT

There is no doubt that attracting new customers is essential for your small business. Every business person, especially proprietors of micro, small and mediumsized businesses, are always hungry to increase market share. Turning those firsttime buyers into repeat customers, however, is arguably just as important. Loyal customers are the cornerstone of a successful business. This is as true for ‘mom and pop shops’ as it is for massive corporations. The more a customer returns to your business,

the more you can expect your ‘customer lifetime value’ to increase. Give some thought to what you do well, and what would endear a client to want to always do business with you. This week’s column focuses attention on the reasons repeat customers, and customer retention, are key to a successful business:

* It is much cheaper to keep an existing customer than to find a new one. Finding new clients can be expensive and consume valuable resources. Keeping a

customer happy, and therefore guaranteeing their future business, is much cheaper.

* Repeat customers spend more. Once a customer has bought from you and has had a good experience, a level of trust has been established. The next time a customer goes to make a purchase, they are more likely to spend their money with someone they trust rather than risk the unknown. Your loyal customers are also more likely to buy larger ticket items from you because they are

already confident about spending money with your business.

* Marketing costs are lower. It is easier to market products and promotions to existing customers. You already have their e-mail address, and they know and trust you.

* Happy customers spread the word to their friends. Word of mouth has always been one of the best methods of advertising. Happy, loyal customers are your best marketing agents. People believe their friends

when they endorse a product or service, so by keeping your customers delighted you are engaged in powerful organic marketing.

• NB: Ian R Ferguson is a talent management and organisational development consultant, having completed graduate studies with regional and international universities. He has served organsations, both locally and globally, providing relevant solutions to their business growth and development issues. He may be contacted at tcconsultants@coralwave.com.

PM: ‘Happy medium’ was goal on health claims VAT

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

THE PRIME Minister says the Government sought to achieve “a happy medium” in ensuring health insurance companies are no longer able to reclaim VAT on claims payment made on the patient’s behalf. Philip Davis KC, in a House of Assembly exchange on Wednesday with Kwasi Thompson, the Opposition’s finance spokesman, argued his administration had attempted to take the “path of least resistance” over what he argued was the industry’s “misinterpretation” of the VAT Act.

He spoke out after Mr Thompson challenged the Government’s move, arguing that the change in VAT treatment from April 1, 2023, onwards will result in consumers assuming the financial burden for paying the 10 percent levy on the insurer’s claim payout.

“The question that I’m concerned about would be this, and it is not something that we are guessing or something that just came into our head, but it’s something that came from the insurance companies,” the east Grand Bahama MP said. “Their scenario, which they put in the form of a letter, was that if you have a procedure, and that procedure cost ‘X’ amount of dollars, you will [presently] only pay for the deductible, or you will only pay VAT on the deductible.

“This is what they say, the insurance companies. Then they go back, and they’re saying that if you

have a procedure and that procedure, for example, costs $50,000, you will only pay the deductible, or you will only pay the deductible and VAT on the deductible. What they are saying is now because of this change, you will also pay in advance VAT on that entire service.

“So if that service is $50,000, you will pay the deductible and the insured person would also have to pay the 10 percent of the entire procedure, which would be - if it’s $50,000 - $5,000. That is what is concerning, because that is an expense that the consumer did not have before, and that’s the point that we are raising - that it is an expense that the consumer did not have before.”

Mr Davis responded: “First of all, the insured person is paying a premium to cover a risk. The insurance company ought to take into account, in determining what that payment should be, what the risk factors are. And so part of the costs associated with paying for medical service, the VAT Act says that you have to pay VAT.

“Now we hear the argument, because they’re now saying that that risk factor was not factored into the premium. All costs in business pass on to the consumer, and we appreciate that. So that is part of what is being taken into consideration in our discussion with insurance companies.

“It was discovered that insurers who have group insurance were not paying when doctors provided service to patients. They were not paying VAT for that service. Now, the way the

SEE PAGE A19

$5.25 $5.29 $5.46 $5.16

NIB staff’s $64k income equals Auditor General

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor

NATIONAL Insurance Board (NIB) employees enjoy an average $64,000 income that nearly matches the earnings of the Government’s top financial watchdog due to a bloated cost structure, a study has revealed.

An Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) analysis of government spending in key areas such as education, health and social security noted that NIB’s compensation structure “appears high” given that the average annual pay and benefits package taken home by staff was just $1,000 less than the Auditor General’s salary. And their income is some $10,000 higher than that of a leading secondary school head teacher.

The report, which has been reviewed by Tribune Business, suggests that previous “generous” industrial

• Scheme’s costs up to 4x above Caribbean

• Social services staff costs far above benefits

• IDB study calls for 10-15% PHA staff slash

agreements have been a key factor in inflating both NIB’s wage structure and, in turn, its administrative costs. The latter, according to the study’s author, Alasdair Fraser, are up to almost four times’ higher in percentage terms than those for other Caribbean social security systems.

NIB has been the focus of much attention in recent months after the International

Labour Organisation (ILO), in the 11th actuarial report on the scheme, called for a two percentage point increase in the current NIB contribution rate to be implemented from July last year. That was to be supplemented by a series of rolling rate increases every two years through to 2036 to help stabilise and shore up NIB and its $1.5bn reserve fund, which faces total depletion by 2028.

The IDB report, though, brings focus to oft-repeated charges over the past two decades that NIB’s administrative costs (including staff compensation) have been far too high. The multilateral lender’s study, dated February 2022 but only just disclosed, said the scheme’s administrative costs exceeded its total investment income by $4m as far back as 2016. Pegging NIB’s administrative costs at equivalent to 19 percent of annual benefits expenditure, the IDB report

$250m resort developer: We want to be with ‘best of best’

said: “As a share of contributions, the administrative share of expenditure in NIB is almost two times’ higher than for Barbados’ NIS (national insurance scheme) and four times’ higher than Trinidad and Tobago’s NIS, which is around 5 percent.

“The Bahamas’ NIB manages a relatively simple range of services and far smaller scale of spend than Barbados. Administrative costs have barely fallen as a share of contributions since 2001 despite new technology and a larger Bahamian economy, which could have reduced and diluted administrative costs.

“Administrative expenses absorbed $4m more than the entirety of investment income in 2016. There is one member of NIB staff for every 65 recipients and every 285 contributors, which is inefficient, and should be unnecessary

Stop ‘squeezing blood from stone’ on taxation

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas must reform a tax system that “squeezes blood from a stone”, a well-known banker argued yesterday, renewing his plea for greater “equity” via income-based taxation.

Gowon Bowe, Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief

executive, told Tribune Business that the country’s regressive, consumption-based tax system means that it is effectively seeking “to extract more from those who have less” as the Government bids to increase its annual revenue income by $1.2bn over the next four years.

Speaking after the justreleased 2022 Fiscal Strategy Report called for tax revenues

to grow by 43 percent to more than $4bn by 2026-2027, he said the tax system’s nature was helping to worsen “the widening gap” between high and low income earners that was already exacerbated by the fall-out from the COVID19 pandemic.

“Squeezing blood from a stone is what we’re trying to

Opposition ‘stunned’ at tripling of property tax

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Opposition yesterday said it was “stunned” by the Government’s forecast that property tax revenues will more than triple to $555m within four years, its leader saying: “I don’t see what the Prime Minister does.”

Michael Pintard, speaking after the just-released Fiscal Strategy Report also predicted that annual VAT revenues will increase by 37 percent in three years, told Tribune Business his party is “not betting against The Bahamas” or hoping that the Davis administration misses its fiscal goals.

Rather, he argued that the Free National Movement’s (FNM) “scepticism” stemmed from what he alleged is the Government’s “indiscipline” in failing to stick to fiscal plans and

SEE PAGE A22

Cheque end ‘solving non-existent problem’

By NEIL HARTNELL and YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporters

use of cheques by year-end 2024. Ethric Bowe, an engineer with multiple business interests including Advanced Technical Enterprises, an insurance agency/ brokerage and a family farm, told Tribune Business that The Bahamas should simply follow established practice in the US and

other developed countries by digitising this payment mechanism.

“If you go to America and give someone a cheque, they will sit right in front of you, take out their phone, take a photo of that cheque, e-mail it to their bank who will process that cheque and you will have a credit for that cheque instantly,” he said. “You digitise the cheque. I’ve seen people do it.”

eChecks have been a feature of the US financial system for several years, and Mr Bowe added: “Instead of moving away

• Six Senses partner aims to be in ‘top level conversation’

• Seeking to be ‘catalyst’ to revive Grand Bahama brand

• Encouraged by GB airport’s ‘first handshake’ progress

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE DEVELOPER behind Grand Bahama’s $250m Six Senses project yesterday said he wants it to be viewed “at the top level of resort development in the world” with a construction start targeted for early 2024.

Marc Weller, Weller Development’s founding partner and president, told Tribune Business the partnership behind the investment will help re-establish Grand Bahama’s brand as “the best of the best” in tandem with other investors it will help attract to the island.

Speaking after Weller unveiled its second Six Senses resort project in the western hemisphere, which will be located in California’s picturesque Napa Valley, he confirmed that the Freeport venture will serve as the “prototype” to the company’s further expansion of luxury hospitality and residences in North America.

Mr Weller, though, would neither confirm or deny that Weller’s Grand Bahama plans extend beyond the Six Senses project. Tribune Business understands from multiple sources that the company has obtained an option over 2,000 acres of prime land for further real estate development in the Barbary Beach area, which is thought to be linked to the “ambitious masterplan for change” referred to recently by Rupert Hayward, Sir Jack Hayward’s grandson.

“We are really excited about the future of the island, and are looking to continue to invest in the island in similar fashion to what we have been doing,” Mr Weller responded, when asked about the Barbary Beach option

MICHAEL PINTARD