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The Tribune

Volume: 118 No.46, FEBRUARY 8, 2021

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DUMPED Turnquest dropped from election list and others will follow

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net PETER Turnquest, the deputy leader of the Free National Movement and former Deputy Prime Minister will not receive his party’s nomination for the next general election.

The East Grand Bahama MP revealed this in a note over the weekend to constituents. It said: “By now you would have no doubt heard the report that I have been advised by the party leader that I will not receive the nomination for East Grand Bahama.”

SEE PAGE THREE

MOULTRIE: NOW THEY WILL WANT MCCARTNEY WON’T BE RUNNING BANNISTER PROMISES ACTION IN ELECTION: I’M OUT OF POLITICS ON NEW ABACO SHANTY TOWN ME GONE AS HOUSE SPEAKER

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT and RASHAD ROLLE

A DAY after he quit the Free National Movement, House Speaker Halson Moultrie said he has no intention of resigning from his Parliament post but suspects the governing party

will try to prorogue Parliament to remove him.

However, Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells, the leader of government business in the House of Assembly, suggested yesterday Mr Moultrie will remain Speaker.

FULL STORY - SEE INSIGHT

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

BRANVILLE McCartney, the former head of the Democratic National Alliance, said yesterday he is “sitting out” the next general election, putting to bed rumours he’ll join the

Free National Movement’s ticket.

“I’m sitting out this election, I’m just gonna watch the players play,” he told The Tribune.

Mr McCartney resigned as leader of the DNA after the 2017 general election.

SEE PAGE THREE

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE rapid construction of unregulated structures and the lay out of these homes in a new Abaco shanty town shows “there is tremendous collusion in the community by influential

persons,” Works Minister Desmond Bannister said.

Noting the situation will not be an “overnight fix”, Mr Bannister pledged to Abaconians that the government will take the necessary action to deal with unregulated developments on the island.

SEE PAGE TWO

NYGARD’S BAHAMAS COURT ACTIONS COST HIM DEAR Insight PETER Nygard’s conwith stringent restrictions tempt for The Bahamas’ on his movements – there THE DYNAMICS legal system was a key was a risk he would try to reason a Canadian judge leave the country. refused to release the CanaJudge Greenberg wrote: OF SUICIDE dian businessman from “Mr Nygard’s failure to detention pending possible appear in court in The AND HOW IT extradition to the US. Bahamas for contempt Nygard faces nine counts proceedings also raises AFFECTS THE of sex trafficking and rackconcerns about whether eteering in the US and has he will appear in court for been in custody in Canada the extradition hearing.

BAHAMAS since December and over Two warrants for his arrest recent weeks has been fighting to be released on bail.

In a ruling issued on Friday Judge Shawn

PETER NYGARD Greenberg said Nygard must stay behind bars as to release him – even

have been issued by the Bahamian court. The contempt proceedings relate SEE PAGE SEVEN

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Monday, February 8, 2021

BANNISTER PROMISES ACTION ON NEW ABACO SHANTY TOWN from page one

AN AERIAL view of some of the new construction in Abaco.

Photo: Stephanie Hield

Despite a government ban on the construction of any new buildings in the four major shanty towns on Abaco in 2019, unregulated homes continue to spring up on the island where officials estimate more than 1,000 illegal structures have been built in one particular shanty town – The Farm – since Hurricane Dorian hit.

Aerial surveillance, released by residents earlier this month, showed new construction taking place, with buildings being built more strategically and sturdier than what was seen in the irregular communities pre-Dorian.

Government officials, including Mr Bannister and North Abaco MP Darren Henfield, conducted a walkabout in some parts of the Farm Road community over the weekend.

Some officials were visibly shocked during their trek through the area after seeing a number of newly constructed and welldesigned homes.

The Tribune saw several homes with rooftop solar panels while others had makeshift power generating systems scattered across the communities. One official told The Tribune the areas the group toured was only “the tip of the iceberg”.

Asked where people may have obtained the materials to build the illegal homes, officials said they believed shanty town dwellers received building supplies from different NGOs and second homeowners on the island.

Others collected debris from storm ravaged homes.

The deputy prime minister expressed concern with the lay-out of the new shanty town, saying it shows “there is tremendous collusion in the community by influential persons”.

He said: “You can see secondly that these houses are laid out in a very professional manner. They’re not close together like they were in the Mud so there’s obviously professional assistance. You can see the small houses that NGOs provided, you’ve seen them at a number of locations.

“So those are buildings that’s being abused. You saw the power lines and you saw water lines. There are many challenges that have been created in this community…

You look at some of the buildings, you see the sophistication of the buildings that’s going on. It’s highly sophisticated on the buildings, you have solar panels on the roof.

“This is not going to be an overnight fix but this is the kind of challenge that the government has to take on immediately and so I will be making a report to Cabinet on Tuesday (on) what I’ve seen and obviously, this will require a multidisciplinary and multi-agency action to get right to the bottom of what is happening.”

Asked how the breach of the order was allowed to happen right under the government’s nose, Mr Bannister replied that the blame cannot solely fall on one entity, but noted that all agencies will have to be held accountable.

He said: “Well, we have to hold every government agency accountable so immigration is going to have to respond, customs is going to have to respond because we’re going to know how these equipment would’ve gotten into the country and the police are going to be called in to do what they’re supposed to do and what they do so well and so professionally.

“We’re going to ensure that we respond to the challenges and that we deal with the problems... Those who are illegal, I am advised that boats can come in right at the back of where we are so this community can continue to expand and we have to deal with that. Secondly, for those who are here legally in the country, persons who hold their work permits have to be held accountable. There has to be prompt and swift action by the government.”

He also said: “What I’m seeing here shows that

THE TRIBUNE

there is tremendous collusion in the community by influential persons. I’m not overlooking that either, so persons who are responsible for this are going to have to be held to account.

This is money. Y’all saw that huge generator over on the other side and that’s only two of many. There’s probably hundreds of generations in this community.”

At one point during Saturday’s walkabout, the body of a dead man was discovered lying next to a generator. Police later said this was being investigated as a sudden death and that foul play was not suspected.

Referring to the matter, Mr Bannister told reporters that the incident reflects the sort of challenges that shanty town communities can face with unregulated power.

“This morning we did not let the media come to one of the places we went because there was a generator there where somebody had been sleeping close to it and that person was deceased,” Mr Bannister said on Saturday.

“That’s why we stopped you at a certain place where we came because we wanted to have some dignity to that body so the kinds of accidents that you could have here and the kinds of challenges you can have here with unregulated power is one of the challenges.”

Although it is not clear how many residents are currently living in the Farm Road, Chairman of Treasure Cay local government Stephanie Hield estimates that between 1,000 to 2,000 illegal structures have been constructed there since Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

“When I had a drone put in here three months after the hurricane, it was like about 300 and something homes and then we had it drone again about six to eight months later, it was 800 and something homes,” she said.

“I had (another drone) I should say about probably a month ago and it was probably 1,000 homes so I don’t know it’s probably close to 2,000 homes now.”

She said the situation is particularly concerning for residents there who fear that the nearby unregulated communities could cause contamination of the area’s water table among other things.

Meanwhile Mr Henfield said the government would have to be both humane and lawful in its handling of the irregular communities.

“We’re going to take advice from lawyers to see how we move forward but in the first instance our thought is that those structures that are not being occupied, those should be removed in the first phase,” the North Abaco MP said.

“This Farm area is a huge area where we have a water table. We’re concerned about that. We’re concerned about what goes on in irregular communities that is untoward as it relates to law and order in The Bahamas.”

Gerald François, a resident living in the area prior to Dorian, told reporters the government is to blame for dragging its feet.

“The government should’ve acted sooner before all these houses got here,” he said. “About sixteen houses was in the back here before Dorian.

It wasn’t all of this… I can’t count (how many homes) are now in the back. A lot of them are here (illegally) but most of them are not.”

Mr François said if the government was to break down the newly erected structures and evict shanty town dwellers, the move would not come without residents putting up a fight.

“I’m not stopping the government from collecting illegal (migrants) but if you try break a home in the back here, it’s going to be a problem because a lot of them people is Haitian Bahamians and Bahamians. I talking raw pure Bahamians,” he said.

“The illegals ain’t gone have nothing to say but people like me who have passport and a lot of people who got passport who voted for Minnis, yeah it gone be a problem because we voted for you.”

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, February 8, 2021, PAGE 3

Peter Turnquest dropped from election list and others will follow from page one

“I assume that council will give final confirmation or otherwise on that decision at its next sitting.”

The revelation comes a little over two months since Mr Turnquest resigned as deputy prime minister and minister of finance after he was named in a Supreme Court lawsuit relating to an alleged $27m fraud. He is not listed as a defendant in the matter, however, and has maintained his innocence.

Mr Turnquest declined to comment on the nomination issue yesterday, saying he will make a statement after “final decisions have been made”.

FNM chairman Carl Culmer also declined to comment, saying the matter has not yet come before the party’s executive council.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis initially said he does not discuss the party’s business.

However, last night he issued a statement saying the party will have a mix of new entrants and incumbents in the next election.

“Some people who ran in 2017 will not run in the next

PETER TURNQUEST MP general election,” he said.

“There will be much “The party is grateful for public speculation as decithe service of all incumbents sions are made as to who who are moving on. They will and who will not run. have been instrumental in Out of respect and courtesy, helping our administration our party will first privately advance policies to empower inform those incumbents Bahamians. who will not be nominated

again before we make public announcements.

“The FNM is a big-tent party. There are many pathways to service beyond frontline candidacy. It is our intention to draw on the expertise of some of our former candidates in various ways in the future should the people again give us their confidence as their government.”

Dr Minnis’ statement came as sources have told The Tribune that at least three other incumbent FNM MPs who want to run again are seen as vulnerable enough to be denied a nomination.

This does not include Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine, who is widely expected to be denied a nomination after castigating his party for much of the past several years, nor does it include Elizabeth MP Dr Duane Sands, whose future with the party is unclear.

News that Mr Turnquest will not receive a nomination prompted mixed reactions from FNM supporters.

Some defended the move, insisting Mr Turnquest’s legal issues would be baggage on the party as it

tries to pin corruption narratives on the Progressive Liberal Party.

Others, however, complained that Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis simply moved to oust a potential rival with whom he did not enjoy a close relationship.

Elected deputy leader of the Free National Movement in 2014 during the party’s tumultuous time in opposition, Mr Turnquest stood by Dr Minnis’ side when Loretta Butler-Turner led a revolt against the Killarney MP in 2016. Despite this, Mr Turnquest was not in the prime minister’s circle of most trusted colleagues.

Members of the FNM’s East Grand Bahama Constituency Association appeared to be caught off guard by the news over the weekend.

One executive said he needed to get more information and to “understand the whole thing,” adding that it “all happened so fast”.

Derick King, the chairman of that constituency branch, declined to comment, saying: “It’s a fluid situation, I have no comment at this time.”

After news about Mr

Turnquest broke, observers quickly speculated about the future of the former health minister.

Dr Sands, who resigned as minister last May, has been critical of the Minnis administration.

Dressed in FNM paraphernalia, he walked around the Elizabeth constituency with a group of nearly 15 people on Saturday.

A note that was circulated alongside photos of the walkabout said: “Dr Duane Sands, MP, on the ground in Elizabeth today speaking with constituents.

Residents expressed their support for the member of Parliament as he updated constituents on ongoing initiatives and plans in the community.”

Dr Sands declined to comment yesterday.

Meanwhile, the FNM party could ratify more candidates this week, The Tribune understands, having confirmed 17 candidates last week.

Among the frontrunners for a nomination is Nicole Martin, the former head of the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union, in Nassau Village.

to allow other persons to build on what we had built and bring new ideas and to push the party forward and my intention at that time was to do whatever I could do from a different standpoint. I see the suffering of the Bahamian people every day, people struggling to put food on their table, pay their rent, keep their children in school and it saddens me that we are in this position. It’s not a position that you could blame on any government or entity. It’s the hand that we have been dealt with.

“It’s very difficult,” he

added. “I would really like to see our country move forward. There are a number of setbacks and concerns and consequently the Bahamian people are suffering to no end. That being said, we in this country need a play to move forward, build new industries and equip our people so we are able to face the hope of tomorrow.

“Unfortunately, that seems not in the minds of our leaders and if it is it has not been spoken. That makes you want to do what you can to help and to try and do things to see our

country move forward. We are at a standstill and it’s almost a wait and see game in terms of business and the economy and moving forward and that’s not a comforting feeling from a businessman’s standpoint and as a professional who has an interest in seeing improvement.

Sitting on the sidelines is really disheartening.”

Mr McCartney represented Bamboo Town from 2007 to 2012. He was elected on the FNM’s ticket but quit the party in 2011 and later formed the DNA.

MCCARTNEY WON’T BE RUNNING IN ELECTION: I’M OUT OF POLITICS from page one

Despite shunning the spotlight in recent years, his stature in the Bahamian political landscape has prompted observers to speculate about his return to frontline politics.

He revealed last year that he had been approached by officials in both the FNM and the Progressive Liberal Party.

When asked if he favours either of the two major political parties in the next election, he offered none of the scathing criticism

that characterised his days as DNA leader––simply suggesting instead that the FNM and the PLP lack fresh ideas.

“It would seem that we are in the same position we’ve been in in the last 25 years,” he said. “We seem to keep going around and around in circles. (Which party) is making the most sense? They’re all speaking as if it’s still 25 years earlier. Nothing seems to be moving forward.”

Asked when he decided not to re-enter the fray, he said: “The point is I’m out of politics and there wasn’t

a mind to be made up. Of course, you speak with people, persons in the political arena, persons in the different parties whether you see them out socially or otherwise and it wasn’t a need for my mind to be made up.

“Whatever I can do to assist the country I am there but in light of the political landscape, what’s going on, where we are as a country, I don’t think I want to put my hat in the ring so to speak at this stage.

I stepped down as leader of the DNA back in 2017 after the defeat and also

MOULTRIE RESIGNATION ‘NO SURPRISE’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

DAVID Thompson, national vice chairman and chairman of the GB FNM Council, said the resignation of House Speaker Halston Moultrie from the Free National Movement came as no surprise to the party due to his recent “provocative behaviour.”

“The resignation of Halston Moultrie from the FNM party is not surprising considering his provocative behaviour recently, and his one-man crusade alleging the lack of independence of the legislature in the government of the Bahamas,” Mr Thompson said at the FNM’s Grand Bahama headquarters on Friday, “As we in The Bahamas are waging a war against the worldwide COVID pandemic… and continue to battle the effects of national disasters, including the killer storm Dorian, it is difficult to appreciate the action of Mr Moultrie in raising what is at best a distraction to the work of the FNM party, and the Minnis Administration, in the governing of our nation in the benefit of all Bahamians in these critical times.”

Mr Thompson said the FNM party and the Minnis Administration continue to remain focused on national priorities to alleviate hardship.

He said amidst recovery from hurricanes and COVID-19, the FNM government is working to mitigate the damage to the economy and the healthcare system.

Mr Moultrie, MP for Nassau Village, tendered his resignation from the party with immediate effect on February 4, saying his personal convictions collided with continued affiliation with the organisation. He has been at odds with his party amid complaints over the state of his office and calls for Parliament to be autonomous.

The national vice chairman does not think Moultrie’s resignation will hurt the party. “The FNM is resilient; the FNM came

to Parliament with a 35 to four majority. And right now, the FNM has 32 MPs in parliament. The opposition continues to have five and independent at two.

The FNM is strong. Having five PLPs or two independents as opposed to 32 FNM MPs shows us that we must continue to steer the course, and deliver health and relief for all people as we pass through this valley,” he said.

He added: “We as a government and party do comprehend the magnitude of what every government faces, however, the FNM remains strong. The 32 FNM members comprehend the magnitude of continuing the tremendous transformation and work to bring relief and provide help to those hurting…and in need of food, shelter, and health care in this

COVID pandemic crisis.”

In Grand Bahama, Mr Thompson said the party supports the Minnis Administration. “We will not let the resignation be a distraction from the positive work on the island. The FNM has delivered badly needed relief and improved the daily life and betterment of people.”

Mr Thompson indicated that the assistance provided by the FNM in the crisis is the best it could do.

“But, it is not enough to meet the need until we can restore the economy and provide employment and to lift us out of what is a most devastating economic situation that faces the world and impacts on us in the Bahamas where 70 percent of our revenue is derived from tourism,” he said.

PAGE 4, Monday, February 8, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Harbour Island murder ‘may be drug-related’

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net A MAN was shot dead in Harbour Island Friday night in an area that local MP Rickey Mackey said might be a drug-related incident.

Mr Mackey, who represents North Eleuthera, said he is hopeful the murder can be solved quickly and be “put behind us” for the good of the recovering island.

Police said shortly after 10pm they were told about a shooting that had occurred on Barrett Street. When they arrived on the scene, officers said they found a man lying on the ground outside a home. The man, suffering from what appeared to be

gunshot wounds, was examined and later pronounced dead by a local doctor. It is the 13th homicide this year, according to this newspaper’s records. So far, no arrests have been made.

When contacted yesterday, Mr Mackey said, “It is believed to be drug-related.

That’s basically all I can and would say at this time. Well, like any other well developed area in The Bahamas, drugs (are) an issue. I wouldn’t venture to say that the island is drug infested, but it has its issues.

“Unfortunately, unlike the traditional businesses where we can provide competition for each other, it appears that in this particular field that sometimes rather than reason, these different individuals or factions have a tendency to be a bit violent.”

TOTAL CASES

The Tribune contacted Harbour Island police for more details, but was told the officer in charge was the only one who could speak about the incident. Officers said he was “not in at the moment”. No call was returned.

Mr Mackey does not think the incident represents a drug turf war and said it does not come at a good time when the island is hoping to attract tourists in its recovery from the economic effects of COVID. “That is not to say that we have a turf war going on,” he continued. “I don’t believe that to be the case.

However, more and more some of the Family Islands are faced with these situations. One of the things they (drug dealers) like to talk about is respect and turf and those sorts of

TOTAL DEATHS

8,287 176 NEWLY CONFIRMED CASES SATURDAY 17 CASES NEW PROVIDENCE 11 GRAND BAHAMA 3 ABACO 3

FRIDAY

14 CASES

NEW PROVIDENCE 11 ELEUTHERA 2 ANDROS 1

TOTAL TESTS

62,614

HOSPITALISED

14

CASES IN ICU

0

RECOVERED

6,837

17 NEW CASES CONFIRMED ON SATURDAY THE Ministry of Health confirmed 17 COVID-19 cases on Saturday.

Eleven of those cases are from New Providence while there are three each from Grand Bahama and Abaco. The cases pushed

the country’s COVID-19 toll to 8,287.

Officials said two New Providence cases have a history of travel within the last 14 days.

Fourteen COVID cases are currently in hospital.

Meanwhile, 14 new cases were recorded on Friday.

One hundred and seventy-six people have died in The Bahamas from the disease while 15 deaths are currently under investigation.

things, but I hope that we could come to grips with this situation and definitely put it behind us.

“Every business venture now in this country has been reeling from the effects of COVID-19 and we don’t need anything that will prohibit the speedy recovery of those different businesses or communities. I really don’t think it’s an uprising problem on the island. I think it is irregular.

Obviously what we have experienced is what has been happening in Nassau.

So you may start to have a spill over into the Family Islands.”

The North Eleuthera MP is calling on residents of Harbour Island who might know what happened to contact local police and give them information to assist with their ongoing

investigation.

“I am not of the view that this is going to be the new norm for Harbour Island. It is an unfortunate situation and the police are investigating,” Mr Mackey said.

“When last I was advised they said they had some suspicions on who may be involved. They will continue their investigation and ensure that the perpetrator or perpetrators will be caught.

“My concern, going forward, is that those who may be aware of the incident may come forward and provide the necessary information to the police so that we can put this behind us. We are just now moving in the direction where our numbers are increasing in terms of the tourist product here on Harbour Island. This is certainly not

something that we would want to be associated with our island.”

He thinks, for the most part, that crime is not a major issue for the North Eleuthera constituency. He said there are occasional incidents of residents fighting and a home invasion here and there, but crime is not widespread.

The Tribune also asked Mr Mackey if he was seeking to be re-elected to represent North Eleuthera.

Yes, he said, as he still has work to complete.

“Most certainly, I have every intention to run again,” he said. “There are quite a bit of things that we have been able to accomplish, but there is still an incomplete list to which I hope to be able to do that would better my community.”

MUNROE: WAIT AND SEE FOR OFFICERS AFTER ASSIGNMENTS EXPIRED

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net WAYNE Munroe, QC, says it is now a “wait and see” situation for three senior Royal Bahamas Police Force officers whose special assignments have now expired.

The senior officers were sent to various government ministries a year ago.

After letters with instructions were sent to them, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ken Strachan was transferred to the Ministry of Social Services.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander was sent to the Ministry of Health and Assistant Commissioner of Police Leamond Deleveaux had to report to the Ministry of Education.

It was never specified why these men, who had played intricate roles in fighting crime during a period when crime figures had declined, were removed from their duties and sent on “special assignment” at these ministries.

Mr Munroe told The Tribune on Friday that his clients are being under-utilised.

“They are not getting optimal use of talented senior officers,” the attorney said.

“All of them were a part of the senior management team when we supposedly made inroads in crime reduction. They are far from retirement age.”

ACP Ken Strachan is fighting his matter through the courts while the other officers are waiting to learn their fate now that their one year transfers have practically come to term.

ACP Strachan, according to court documents was to report to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Social Services. Alleging that the then-Commissioner of Police abused his power

ATTORNEY WAYNE MUNROE, QC. in the transfer, ACP Strachan through the courts is seeking damages, exemplary damages and cost, as well as other relief.

Mr Munroe explained: “The matter with ACP Ken Strachan was transferred to Justice Lauren Kline and he gave further case management directions for the respondent to file additional evidence. I also think he gave directions for trial.

I’m not quite sure what date that is.

“ACP Fernander, the one year period that they talked about him being on special duty with the Ministry

of Health has come to an end. He reported back to Police Headquarters and he was told to await further instructions.

“The time for ACP Leamond Deleveaux will be up sometime soon and he intends to do the same thing. It’s now a matter of waiting and seeing what they are told and then determine for Fernander and Deleveaux whether they should take action as well.”

The officers have maintained their ranks throughout what they regard as an ordeal.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, February 8, 2021, PAGE 5

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, centre, at the commissioning ceremony of the Hope Town Shoreline Stabilisation Project on Friday.

Photo: Yontalay Bowe/BIS

Government moving to legalise medical marijana

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced on Friday that government is currently completing legislation to legalise medicinal marijuana, bringing the country another step closer to marijuana reform.

“The government is in the process of now completing legislation to bring to Parliament to legalise medicinal marijuana so that medical marijuana could be grown by Bahamians here

–- utilised and exported – medicinal marijuana,” Dr Minnis said at an event at Abaco on Friday.

This comes after Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana co-chair Quinn McCartney told The Tribune last week that the body hoped to submit its final report surrounding the use of marijuana to the government in the first quarter of this year.

In 2018, the commission was mandated by Cabinet to comprehensively examine issues surrounding the use of marijuana to chart

the way forward on the substance.

After several extensions, the commission presented its preliminary marijuana report to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis early last year, making recommendations for the legalisation of medicinal marijuana and the decriminalisation for possession of up to one ounce of the drug among other things.

However, Dr Minnis has previously said he supports decriminalising possession of small amounts of marijuana and making

the substance legal for medicinal and/or scientific purposes, becoming the first sitting prime minister to publicly support some form of marijuana decriminalisation.

The Prime Minister also said he wanted to inform young Bahamians that the government was working “aggressively” to have their records expunged for those found with small amounts of marijuana.

Those convicted of the offense can apply to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Committee, headed by

former Police Commissioner Paul Farquharson.

“I also want, especially the young people, to hear that we are aggressively moving towards expunging the records of young people and many have been done already because too many of our young people have been arrested for minor offenses, including minimal use of marijuana, and their life can be totally destroyed in that they cannot obtain proper jobs and visit the United States and their future is destroyed.”

“I invite all who would’ve

been charged with such minor offenses to apply, apply so that your records can be expunged, and your life can continue. The government will continue to expunge to protect our young people and protect our future.”

National Security Minister Marvin Dames told reporters in December that the body continues to see increased requests for record expungement, but noted that officials want more ex-convict to apply because “everyone deserves a second chance”.

SEARCH GOES ON FOR THREE MISSING AT SEA SINCE JANUARY THE Royal Bahamas Defence Force has not given up hope in finding three people who went missing at sea after leaving for a fishing trip last month.

In a statement released on Saturday, RBDF officials said they are still actively continuing to search for the overdue craft that was reported missing at the end of January.

Three people were reported to have left for a fishing trip onboard a 12ft skiff on Sunday, January 31.

They were last seen in the area of Potter’s Cay dock and have not been seen or heard from since, although they were expected to return on the same day.

“After some five days of canvassing an expansive area of waters around the northern island of New Providence and surrounding cays and inlets along with an extensive search of the eastern and western shorelines of Eleuthera by members of the RBDF and BASRA, we have not located the vessel or its occupants as yet,” said Commander William Sturrup, the RBDF’s search and rescue coordinator.

“A United States Coast Guard air asset has also joined in the search efforts which extended as far as Chub Cay, Ship Channel and Highbourne Cays. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force is grateful to interagency partners for their support in this activity and remains poised to keeping Bahamian waters safe.”

In early January, it was reported that the US Coast Guard had suspended its search for a boat that left The Bahamas a week earlier with 20 people on board, but failed to arrive at its planned destination

in South Florida a day later.

In a statement released on January 1, the American officials said they called off the search after rescue teams had covered

17,000 square miles over the course of 84 hours in search of the blue and white 29-foot Mako Cuddy Cabin vessel that may have been trying to smuggle people into the US.

TEMPLE CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

ENTRANCE EXAMINATION 2021-2022 Temple Christian High School will hold its Entrance Examination on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at the school on Shirley Street from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon for students wishing to enter grades 7, 8, 9 and 10.

Application forms are available at the High School Office. The application fee is twentyfive dollars ($25). Application forms should be completed and returned to the school by Friday, February 12, 2021.

For further information, please call telephone number: 394-4481/394-4484.

The boat set off from Bimini in late December, but the Coast Guard District Seven Watchstanders received a report a day later informing them the vessel did not arrive in Florida as

expected.

That search was a joint effort between the US Coast Guard air and sea crews, the Patrick Air Force Base in Brevard County, the Royal Bahamas Defence

Force and the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association.

Although officials have not identified any of the passengers, some 20 people were believed to be on board the boat.

PAGE 6, Monday, February 8, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914 Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

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EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

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If elections are a game of chess, then pieces are being put in place WE are well and truly gearing up for election season now – with every day seemingly bringing another piece being moved around the electoral chess board.

Halson Moultrie set the ball rolling on Thursday with his resignation from the FNM, and now we hear that Peter Turnquest has gone from Deputy Prime Minister to not having a nomination at all for the next election. That’s quite a reversal of fortune for his political career.

Three more incumbent FNM MPs are also reported to be likely to be denied a nomination – and on top of that two other names are up in the air. One of those is Frederick McAlpine, and that is no surprise after his frequent battles with his own party. The other is Dr Duane Sands, another who has seen a swift change since being Minister of Health. He has been critical too of the administration, though it was notable that he was out and about in FNM colours in his constituency at the weekend.

Meanwhile, Branville McCartney, who said he has been courted by both parties as a candidate, says he’ll be sitting this election out. The former DNA leader isn’t as outspoken these days as he was in a green shirt. What that means for his political future is very much up in the air.

From here on, you can expect the political atmosphere to keep heating up. Candidates will no doubt be getting their deliveries of red, yellow or green shirts, and hitting the streets in constituencies as much as COVID-19 restrictions allow.

It will likely be a very different election season – with the traditional rallies very much in doubt given the pandemic.

It will also very likely have the state of the economy at its heart. Whichever party wins is going to have to rebuild an economy already hard hit by Hurricane Dorian even before the pandemic wiped out tourism. FNM or PLP, either government would have had their plans thrown into disarray by those two hammer blows – and many will vote based on the

lack of money in their pocket. The question must be, though, which government will be best equipped to deal with the next hammer blow.

Hurricanes remain a constant threat, and this pandemic is far from over yet.

Who will be the steadiest hand for the future, and who will be the candidates in each constituency best equipped to help get us to that future? For many constituencies, we still must wait and see – but not for long.

The game’s afoot.

Nygard behind bars

Peter Nygard’s legal strategy in The Bahamas has caught up with him – but in Canada.

Denying Mr Nygard bail over the nine counts of sex trafficking and racketeering that he faces, Judge Shawn Greenberg pointed out Nygard’s failure to appear in court in The Bahamas for contempt proceedings.

He said: “Two warrants for his arrest have been issued by the Bahamian court… According to the recently released decision of the Court of Appeal for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Mr Nygard breached orders to attend court on five occasions.”

He also showed up Mr Nygard’s excuse for not showing up to a Bahamian court, pointing out that the “health issues” cited by Mr Nygard didn’t stop him from travelling by air to Los Angeles in the winter of 2020 and therefore “it is difficult to accept it as an excuse for not travelling to The Bahamas”.

Well done, Judge Greenberg. Sometimes, court processes and decisions can be baffling – but this is as plain and straightforward as they come. Mr Nygard showed no respect for the court in The Bahamas, so he can’t expect any leeway from a court elsewhere.

Bring on the court case so Mr Nygard’s case can be heard in full – but in the meantime, there can be no surprise that he has to sit behind bars until that day comes.

Vaccines for over-70s EDITOR, The Tribune.

DEAR Dr Dahl Regis, Thank you for the Press Conference last evening from the Vaccine Consultative Committee. We have all been watching and waiting for news on the COVID Vaccine programme you are organising.

I am a 77-year-old Permanent Resident and was very disappointed to hear right at the end of the conference that you would only be giving the vaccine to the 18-65 age group, after the front-line workers.

To be honest, my friends and I were shocked to hear this news, we believe our elderly need to be vaccinated. We should be the first eligible group for distribution of the vaccine after health care workers, following the first world nations who have done the same.

I understand you have probably listened to the report out of France where President Macron said that the Astra Zeneca Vaccine

jamaaltheartist@gmail.com

was not effective in the over 65 age group. In my view, it was President Macron’s sour grapes when Astra Zeneca said they might not be able to deliver all the full amount of the Vaccine for a while.

Europe did not order enough vaccines ahead and they are all quarreling about it and blaming each other. Post-Brexit nastiness, EU is giving Britain a very hard time.

In total, the UK has ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford-Astra Zeneca vaccine and already vaccinated the Frontline workers and the over 75-year-old age group.

Why would they do this if the vaccine was not effective in the over 65s? The first vaccine covers the patient up to 76 percent for 21 days from having the injection and then more protection after the second injection.

The countries responsible for the clinical trials mandated that the elderly be vaccinated immediately after first responders.

The elderly is crucial to the Bahamian society and are many of the matriarchs that hold our families together.

They have also been the most obedient in the lockdowns and now you want to punish us by saying, we are content to stay inside.

No, we look after our grandkids, we volunteer for non-profits, we support business and restaurants – just because we are old does not mean we don’t deserve vaccinations. My friends and I, all over 70, ask that you rethink this idea, and protect our 66-plus-yearold’s and include them in the roll-out of the COVID vaccine programme.

If you agree with me, I encourage you to sign the petition started by a friend’s daughter, on change.org (link attached). So why not The Bahamas?

Wake up the Bahamas and let us demand that we take care of our senior citizens.

PRISCILLA AYLEN Freeport, Grand Bahama February 7, 2021.

Jamaal Rolle is on holiday

Speaker wants his cake EDITOR, The Tribune.

A SHOTGUN political marriage of convenience has now ended in a very messy public divorce of necessity.

Inagua native Dewitt Halson Moultrie took a very circuitous route to the Speaker’s chair. Upon donning the Speaker’s robes, he immediately and repeatedly proved that a leopard cannot change its spots.

Ever since 1729 when John Colebrooke became the first Speaker of our Parliament, successive Speakers have tried to delicately thread the needle of impartiality while being careful not to openly waltz with the political party that nominated them for the job.

Not so the 54th Speaker.

Moultrie proved from jump street that he was an equal opportunity offender, lobbing grenades from the Speaker’s chair at both the government and the opposition.

And therein lies the man behind the Speaker’s mask.

Moultrie is neither fish nor fowl, FNM nor PLP. In his mind, perhaps, he was never just a backbencher elevated to the Speakership. He was a member of an exclusive club open only to the leaders of political parties.

He may have symbolically joined the FNM and rode that ticket to Parliament, but he was first and foremost the leader of the Bahamas Freedom Alliance (BFA), an obscure political party on the fringe of the arena.

So, deference was always going to be due to him not because of the power of the Mace, but more importantly because he was a

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net party boss.

He is not alone in having been, at one time, a member of the PLP and of the FNM. He appears to treat political parties like socks, changing them when it suits him.

When he ran for office in the past as a PLP it was the FNM that brought suit claiming he was ineligible to run because of a residency technicality. Interestingly, it was the leader of the PLP, Brave Davis who represented him in that action.

Somehow and for some reason he soon kicked the PLP to the curb and used the guise of the BFA to stay in the arena and lob shots at both FNM and PLP. Then in September 2015, a stealth courtship with Hubert Minnis, then in opposition, led to Moultrie formally joining the FNM. Then Prime Minister Perry Christie and his deputy Brave Davis must have cracked open the Dom Perignon champagne that night, so relieved were they to be rid of him.

Moultrie became Minnis’ problem and whether by design or happenstance, the now PM came to rue the day he made him head of one chamber of the legislative branch of government.

Like a sniper, the Speaker laid in wait before unleashing parliamentary fury on the PLP. When he saw that Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin was made of lignum vitae and was never one to back down, Moultrie suspended his fire.

By then the FNM became the new target. Moultrie saw the executive as

impinging on the authority of the House of Assembly.

He was especially mad that he had to go, cap in hand, to the Minister of Finance, a mere front bencher who he looked down on from his Speaker’s perch, if he wanted money to purchase so much as a single toothpick (his words).

This Speaker was out of order many times and it is only because of a quirk of the Constitution that he gets to stay in the position though now as an independent member of the House.

What seems to have gotten up his nose was an ill-kept secret that the FNM nominating committee tasked with preparing candidates for the next election had quickly crossed off his name last summer.

For seven months (coincidence?) the Speaker says he was ruminating on whether to tough it out with his now despised FNM until the next election.

With the veneer of partisanship now removed, it remains to be seen how he will preside over the chamber. He may be content to let the FNM Rottweilers clash with the PLP Pit Bulls as he did in a recent sitting of the House.

On the streets of Nassau Pit Bulls look menacing and they don’t back down from a fight. But the Rottweiler is agile and once they bite, they don’t let go.

Very few of these dog breeds are found on Inagua, home to the stubborn donkey. And you never know what a cornered donkey is going to do next.

THE GRADUATE Nassau, February 7, 2021

Moultrie quit pre-emptively EDITOR, The Tribune.

HALSON Moultrie’s resignation from the Free National Movement (FNM) should’ve come as no surprise to Bahamians who have been keeping abreast of his every move as House Speaker and Nassau Village MP. Moultrie had become increasingly critical of the FNM for the seemingly asymmetrical power vested in the Cabinet or executive branch of the Minnis administration as opposed to the legislative branch of FNM backbenchers – a situation that has existed in the House of Assembly for centuries, dating back to 1729 – 292 years ago.

Moultrie drew no sympathy from many Bahamians struggling with mortgage and rent payments over his incessant complaints about the shoddy state of his Parliamentary office. While Moultrie griped about the embarrassing condition of his office, Bahamians watched in horror the NB12 News story of a 30-year-old single mother of three kids talk about her harrowing ordeal of being homeless in dangerous Nassau, after losing her job due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The NB12 story should’ve been a telltale sign to the disgruntled House Speaker that the nation has far more pressing issues to address. I

have been following Bahamian politics since 1987.

During that 34 year span, the House of Assembly has had eight House Speakers, inclusive of Moultrie.

I cannot recall Dr Kendal Major (PLP), Alvin Smith (FNM), Oswald Ingraham (PLP), Italia Johnson (FNM), Vernon Symonette (FNM), Milo Butler, Jr (PLP) or Sir Clifford Darling (PLP) ever being a thorn in the side of their respective governments like Moultrie has been to the Minnis administration.

Moultrie seems to be on a quest to transform a Parliamentary system in five years that has been in existence for nearly 300 years.

But I think there’s more than meets the eye to this story.

Both the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the FNM have announced their first set of candidates for the 2022 general election, 17 for the FNM and 18 for the PLP. Conspicuously absent from the FNM’s list is Moultrie. In late October, Moultrie told a newspaper that the FNM won’t win Nassau Village without him as the candidate for that constituency.

Moultrie’s claim came a few days after an online political site stated that the FNM hierarchy was dropping the outspoken Nassau Village MP as its

standard bearer – information Moultrie obviously was privy to.

By resigning before the FNM made public its alleged official decision regarding his fate, Moultrie shrewdly preempted the governing party by resigning. In doing so, Moultrie, I believe, wants the Bahamian people to view his situation as him dumping the FNM and not vice versa. In closing, I will add that Moultrie’s claim about the FNM not being able to win Nassau Village in 2022 is a moot point. His 2017 victory in Nassau Village had more to do with the FNM’s unprecedented propaganda machinery on Facebook than with him as an individual candidate.

Even had Moultrie received the nomination, I don’t foresee a win for the FNM in that constituency no matter who the FNM candidate is. With the PLP not wanting anything to do with him, and the FNM apparently washing its hands of him, the best case scenario for Moultrie is to simply retire from frontline politics, rather than going through the embarrassing ordeal of being soundly defeated as an independent candidate.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama, February 6, 2021.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, February 8, 2021, PAGE 7

FINED FOR ILLEGAL ENTRY

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A HAITIAN woman who admitted travelling to the Bahamas on a wooden sloop was fined $300 on Friday.

Radca Auguste, 25, was arrested on February 2 when she could not show officers in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, any legal documents to prove her status in the country, The prosecution said immigration officers proceeded to the Lynden Pindling International Airport to collect Auguste who had been arrested by police in Abaco. At the time, the accused did not have any identification to verify her nationality or status.

When questioned, she told officers she had travelled to the country on a Haitian sloop in 2017. The court was told checks of the Immigration Department’s system did not reveal any records indicating legal entry, or applications showing that Auguste had made an effort to regularise her status.

After Auguste pleaded guilty to one count of illegal landing, Magistrate Samuel McKinney fined her $300 or one month at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Meanwhile, on Friday, a Jamaican woman who was also found residing in Abaco beyond the time granted to her by an immigration officer was fined $1,500.

Tasheba Barrett, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of overstaying, after she was found in Marsh Harbour with expired legal documents on February 2.

The court was told that after officers in Abaco had arrested Barrett, they handed her over to immigration officials on the island. When the officers made inquiries, they learned that Barrett had legally entered the country in February 2020 and was given permission to stay for one week. The prosecution said Barrett resided in the country for an additional 10 months and 27 days without making another application to extend her stay.

During the hearing, Barret told the magistrate she was sorry for overstaying her welcome. She was subsequently fined $1,500 or three months on remand.

Magistrate McKinney said once the fines for both women were paid they would be handed over to the director of immigration for deportation.

MAN GUILTY OF THREATS

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A MAN who threatened to kill his cousin during a verbal argument late last month was bound over to keep the peace for six months.

Police arrested Kenneth Ingraham after he issued death threats to an older family member on January 23.

He owned up to the offence when he appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney on Friday.

During the arraignment, Ingraham told the magistrate that he was not in his right mind when he threatened to kill his cousin because he was intoxicated with liquor.

He also said he only said the words in the heat of the

moment because he and the complainant had got into a fight and the man had hit him on his head with a baseball bat.

Ingraham said after the altercation, he “walked down the road to get two cigarettes and cool off”, but when he returned, he was approached by officers who detained and arrested him.

“I was dead drunk, I’m not going to lie,” he told the magistrate. “I don’t want to waste your time”.

As a result, Magistrate McKinney accepted the accused’s guilty plea and ordered him to be of good behaviour for six months.

He told Ingraham that if he were convicted of any offence within that time, he would be fined $500 or sentenced to a month behind bars.

TEEN ACCUSED OF COP ATTACK

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A TEENAGER who denied assaulting a police officer with an unlicensed firearm was on Friday granted bail before his trial.

The prosecution said the 17-year-old was found with a Black Springfield .45 pistol and seven rounds of unfired ammunition on February 3. They further alleged the youngster used the illegal weapon to assault a police corporal that same day.

During his hearing before Magistrate Samuel

McKinney, the teenager denied the allegations and his case was adjourned to April 6 for trial. In the meantime, the accused was granted $6,000 bail.

On Friday, another man also appeared before Senior Magistrate Derence RolleDavis for similar offences.

Police arrested Denzil Sears after he was accused of being in possession of a .45 pistol with nine live rounds of ammunition.

He denied the charges and his case was adjourned to May 3 for trial.

Sears was also released on $6,000 bail until that time.

FOUR MIGRANTS DETAINED

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net FOUR illegal migrants were discovered at an apartment complex in Freeport this week.

Superintendent of Police Terecita Pinder reported that shortly after 2pm officers of the Flying Squad,

acting on information, executed a search warrant at an apartment complex on Charles Chillingworth Court, where they found two women and two men suspected of being illegal migrants.

They were arrested and handed over to the Immigration Authorities.

Investigations are continuing.

Nygard’s Bahamas court actions cost him dear from page one to his failure to comply with an injunction prohibiting him from dredging on his property and his failure to comply with an injunction prohibiting him from using privileged documents which had been improperly obtained by him.

“According to the recently released decision of the Court of Appeal for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Mr Nygard breached orders to attend court on five occasions.”

Judge Greenberg also questioned whether Nygard’s claims that he was unable to travel before his arrest due to ill health were not borne out by his actions.

“Mr Nygard says he was unable to attend the contempt proceedings in The Bahamas because of health issues,” wrote Judge Greenberg.

“He relies on an affidavit presented in the Bahamian proceedings sometime after his last non-attendance, in which his Los Angeles physician states that he advised Mr Nygard to avoid travelling by air. Mr Nygard’s Winnipeg physician, Dr Harvey Lee, also told him to avoid air travel. As this advice did not dissuade him

PETER Nygard outside court in The Bahamas previously. from travelling by air to Los Angeles in the winter of 2020, it is difficult to accept it as an excuse for not travelling to The Bahamas.

“Moreover, according to Dr Lee’s affidavit, this advice was first given to Mr Nygard in January 2019. So it does not explain why he did not attend court in The Bahamas in October 2017 and September 2018.

“Defence counsel argued that Mr Nygard’s actions since returning to live in Canada are not the actions of someone intending to

flee. They say that he made no attempt to flee in spite of the fact that he was aware of the US investigation and potential to be charged.

“While these factors may temper his actions, I am satisfied that Mr Nygard is a flight risk.”

Judge Greenberg also expressed his concern that if he were to free Nygard on bail there was a possibility he could try to interfere with witnesses involved in the case against him.

“I say that for two

reasons,” wrote Judge Greenberg. “First, it is alleged, he has done so in the past. Second, I do not believe he will comply with an order that he not contact victims or witnesses either directly or through others.

“He has failed to comply with multiple court orders in the past.

“In the end the issue is whether... it is necessary to continue to detain Mr Nygard to maintain confidence in the administration of justice. In my view it is.”

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2021

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

The dynamics of suicide

By DAVID F. ALLEN and KEVA BETHELL DURING the past few months, The Bahamas has had an increase in suicides and suicidal attempts.

According to Commissioner Paul Rolle, there were 11 suicides reported in 2020, a slight increase from the eight reported in 2019.

In 2020, ten of the victims were male and one was female. In 2019, five victims were male and three were female. On the contrary, more females attempted suicide than males. Males tend to be more successful at suicide attempts because they use more lethal methods. It is hard to pinpoint the causation of this phenomenon but we have to admit there may be some association with the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying restrictions.

An article published in The New York Times states that by December, 18 students in Nevada had committed suicide. One student left a note saying he had nothing to look forward to. As a result, the district has resolved to bring students back to school as quickly as possible.

A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed adolescent mental health issues had risen during the pandemic. Under normal circumstances, suicides are unpredictable and impulsive. We have to be careful of the epidemiological fallacy of equating causation with association.

The fact is many of us have lost relatives, jobs, businesses and have felt the life-limiting aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Added to this is that many relatives have not been able to attend the funerals of loved ones and weddings have had to be curtailed.

There has also been an increase in the incidence of domestic violence.

In spite of the spates of violent crime and homicides, our numbers are the lowest they have been for the past few years. But the reality is there is a powerful connection between homicide and suicide.

When homicides decrease, suicides increase, unless preventative measures are taken.

We are challenged by the number of suicidal ideations (thoughts) and attempts of young people.

This may come as a surprise to many people, but in our study on suicide, a survey was issued to Bahamians on all islands. Results indicated that one third (28 percent) of respondents admitted that they had thought of suicide at some point in their lives. At the time, this was surprising to us, but the recent events during the pandemic have validated this reality. Data for this study was compiled from the Situation Room at the Central Detective Unit, headed by then Superintendent Paul Rolle who is now the Commissioner of Police.

SELF HATRED AIMED AT ME At birth, we all have three major instinctual needs: safety, love and empowerment. Because life is wounded, the existence of pandemics or other destructive factors in the society, lead to a depreciation of these instinctual needs.

Thus, when we do not feel safe, we are open to experience abandonment, making us feel inadequate or not enough. When we experience rejection in love, we have feelings of being unlovable. When we are

hopeless and having lost the will to live, decided to end her life by jumping off a bridge. As she was about to commit the act, she had an insight that this was just not the right thing to do. She does not know where the insight came from. She contacted friends and in turn, continues work in therapy.

4. There seems to be an association with certain adolescent games (such as Fortnite) and different types of asphyxiation.

5. We have found that some of the persons who survived suicide attempts had been in automobile accidents. They shared that their hope was that they would be killed.

We don’t understand these psycho-spiritual connections in the lives of Bahamians seeking to end their lives, but they are very real and need further studies to be understood. It must be stressed that some of these persons who survived were very strong men and women, with a good sense of self. Although suicide does occur in persons with severe psychiatric illness (psychosis, depression, personality disorders), persons in our program with suicidal attempts did not have a definitive psychiatric diagnosis like psychosis or severe depression. But they did have an intense desire that they could no longer face life. Upon further analysis, you would find there has been some powerful loss, sometimes a business, job, child, significant other or other relative.

POLICE Commissioner Paul Rolle at the press conference at which the suicide figures for 2020 were announced.

CONCLUSION

deprived of empowerment, we experience a sense of failure.

When these factors come together, they create a powerful, painful, inner feeling of shame (Self Hatred Aimed at ME). On our streets, the young people call this being dissed. When people who are shamed are further hurt, they experience murderous rage.

This rage can be acted out against self, that is suicide (masochistic) or others, that is, homicide (sadistic).

Thus, when stress occurs in the family or society, people consciously and unconsciously, experience deep frustration, anger, anxiety (panic) and a sense of hopelessness.

The sad thing is when hopelessness occurs in an individual and society, our children internalize it and often act it out. When the society is under pressure, like it is now, the inner frustrations and hopelessness are acted out in self-destructive ways. It is particularly important to note that when children feel hopelessness, they tend to introject the feeling and blame themselves, instead of other persons or the situation. They develop the erroneous belief that ‘if I’m out of the way, my family would be relieved and manage better without me’, because they see themselves as a burden.

This phenomenon has been further understood by the Adverse Childhood Experiences studies, which indicates that if a person experiences four or more incidences of abuse or trauma before the age of 18 years, it opens them to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, suicide (the will to live), violence, substance abuse and the inability to cope. The individual with these adverse childhood experiences is also more prone to physiological illness such as high blood

pressure, heart disease and diabetes.

A trauma study carried out on The Family Participants showed that 44 percent of the participants had significant adverse childhood experiences. With this in mind, our children exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic are traumatized, which will result in post-traumatic experiences such as selfinjury, suicide (loss of the will to live), depression, hopelessness, fear of the future and lack of coping.

THE EVIL VIOLENCE TUNNEL From our research we have explored the dynamics of a number of survivors of severe suicidal attempts.

What was evident was that most of them had high incidences of some type of child relational trauma which eventually led them to feeling dissed or shame.

The most common types of trauma experienced were child physical abuse (44 percent), sexual abuse (23 percent) and social deprivation. Once the person is shamed and they continue to be hurt or wounded, this triggers the development of self-destructiveness and murderous rage (Figure 1).

Examples of these triggers included: the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions, economic failure (joblessness), failed relationships as well as grief and loss.

Our paper published in the Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, pinpointed six stages that lead to suicide and homicide.

I. Cognitive / Emotional Constriction – the person focuses on the hurt or trauma they received and is unable to move away from it. This narrowing of the life perspective destroys the will and the hope to live.

II. Physiological Arousal – blood pressure increases, pulse increases, the person

is flooded with anxiety and depression, with a severe sense of hopelessness, loss of purpose and often panic.

The IQ is lowered.

III. Psychological Numbing – the brain operates through the development of thoughts, which give rise to feelings which then give rise to behaviours. In this numbing down process, the person has the thought of the hurt or trauma, but their feelings are repressed and they can’t express them.

This is called alexithymia (a – without, lex – words, thymia – hot feelings). As a result, they cannot say ‘I am deeply hurt’, ‘I am angry’, ‘I feel hopeless’, ‘I am going to kill myself’. This is often enhanced by alcohol and substance abuse.

IV. Negative Energy – the person can see no good or hope and interprets everything as negative or hopeless. The scripture hints at this when it says “do not let the sun set on your anger, in order not to give the evil one a foothold” (Ephesians 4:26-27).

At this point, the person is bent on destruction at all costs. Persons at this stage who survived said that it was inconceivable that anyone could stop them in their self-destructiveness at this stage.

V. Value Fragmentation – this negative implosion destroys value and character formation so that the person loses all sense of the values that have been ingrained in them and influenced their life.

This explains how some suicide victims are highly religious, practising Christians or have an evolved sense of spiritual well-being (ie through yoga, meditation and mindfulness). As this character fragmentation occurs, the person is on a hopeless, destructive course.

VI. Destructive Act – people who tend to be introverted, narcissistic or masochistic tend to be more prone to self-injury or

suicide. On the other hand, people who are more extroverted or outgoing tend to project the hurt out and be more prone to hurting others or commit homicide (sadistic). Notice again the connection between suicide and homicides.

There are some special features of those who have survived serious suicidal attempts which we want to pinpoint: 1. A large percentage of our suicidal survivors claimed they heard a voice telling them not to do it.

For example, a lady racing her car over a pier heard her nine month old baby shout ‘mummy, don’t do it’. An elderly lady in her eighties claimed she was so depressed and hopeless she went to intentionally run her car into a truck. As she went to do so, she heard a voice telling her ‘don’t do it’. Pulling to the side of the road, she called Dr Allen and was directed to a support group. We don’t know why some people hear a voice and others do not.

2. A number of people who were in the process of killing themselves had an internal transference toward the leader of their Family Support Group, Dr Allen. For example, a young lady was about to drown herself and thought of Dr Allen. She found his home and sought refuge.

A gentleman went to drive himself and his three children over a pier. As he was about to do so, he had a strong feeling that he should not go through with it. Instead, that night, he parked his vehicle in front of Dr Allen’s home. The following day, Dr Allen saw him showing the home to his children. He then explained how the night before, his wife left him.

He decided to commit suicide with his three children.

Instead, they spent the night in the median in front of Dr Allen’s home. They continue to progress today.

3. A young lady, feeling

We are shocked by the level of self-destructiveness through suicide, addiction and anger in our present society. A number of persons from our Family program, which ministered to 300 people a week, including those in prison and other marginalized areas, claimed they could not cope without meeting in the support groups and as a result, they have felt a deeper sense of hopelessness, despair and loss of the desire to live.

We are particularly concerned about the discontinuation of our Court-Ordered Adolescent Programme. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the participants in this programme have been killed and others have attempted suicide. Again, we want to stress that in gangs, adolescents take risks in which they hope they will be killed. In other words, there is an aspect of gang involvement that is suicidal. However, this needs to be further studied because our outreach workers have warned that gang recruitment has increased by 1/3 since the COVID-19 pandemic.

In closing, we want to stress that The Bahamas, and the world at large, is facing a challenging time regarding mental health issues. At the heart of this is not personal inadequacy but the continuing epidemic of early childhood relational trauma (physical and sexual abuse) and the deep pain connected to it.

Coupled with this is absent parenthood and children being allowed to drift and be involved in destructive influences. For example, we have had a number of cases of adolescent incest (sister & brother, cousins). We must remember that a hurt child is a dangerous adult, both to themselves as well as the society.

* David F. Allen M.D., M.P.H., O.D Chairman, Advisory Council on Crime, Ministry of National Security Keva Bethell, M.P.H Researcher, Advisory Council on Crime, Ministry of National Security

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2021 PAGE 9

‘I can’t make any apologies for the way God created me and who I am’

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT and RASHAD ROLLE

A DAY after he quit the Free National Movement, House Speaker Halson Moultrie said he has no intention of resigning from his Parliament post but suspects the governing party will try to prorogue Parliament to remove him.

However, Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells, the leader of government business in the House of Assembly, suggested yesterday Mr Moultrie will remain Speaker despite resigning from the FNM last week.

“I’m not aware of any plans (to remove him),” Mr Wells said when contacted on Sunday. “I believe that the Prime Minister is of like mind to me in this regard.

The Prime Minister has always been of the mindset that the government is not afraid of being open, transparent and really impartial in the way we seek to address issues with the Bahamian people. That has been the hallmark of the administration.”

Mr Moultrie resigned on Thursday afternoon, saying the move came because his convictions collided with continued affiliation with the FNM. Speaking to The Tribune on Friday, Mr Moultrie said he has no intention of resigning as Speaker of the House and will only do so based on how the government deals with the matter.

“I have resigned as a member of the Free SPEAKER of the House Halson Moultrie.

National Movement to how the government moves a Speaker is elected, he become an Independent forward its agenda. Wher- should resign from the Speaker. I will continue ever there are obstacles, we party that he was affiliated to be Speaker. I will not will remove them. with prior to becoming the resign, however, that will “The way I see it is the Speaker. Now I can see be determined by how soon government’s agenda will people having an issue that the House is dissolved. I move forward. We are not it took me four years to do expect some initiative by going to allow anything it. But, I can’t see anyone the governing side to try to hinder our work for the having an issue that it was to prorogue the Parlia- Bahamian people.” actually done.” ment to have the Speaker Asked what drove him There is also speculation removed. That to resign, Mr that there is “bad blood” might be a ‘Whenever a Moultrie said between Prime Minister consideration.” on Friday there Dr Hubert Minnis and Mr Speaker is elected, He were a number Moultrie. Asked about it, Mr explained that he should resign of issues that Moultrie hesitated before the House can from the party led him to his saying, “I wouldn’t say there be prorogued decision. was bad blood. There might that he was with a vote “Part of it have been some issues with affiliated with of no confiwas basically respect to the way things dence, which prior to becoming the reluctance are done. There might have is a censure on to give to Par- been issues with the way I the Speaker. If the Speaker. Now liament its do things. I can’t make any I can see people that is successautonomy and apologies for the way God ful, he said, having an issue independence. created me and who I am. the Speaker Not willing Anybody in The Bahamas that it took me is not obliged to bring the who is around politics long to resign, but four years to do Parliament enough knows exactly how usually would it. But, I can’t see Services Bill. and who I am.” comply with Not willing He added that while some the wishes of anyone having an to bring the see his resignation as sudden, Parliament issue that it was resolution that he had been advocating for except in actually done.’ was recom- this “change” for years. extraordinary mended by the circumstances Speaker with respect to the when the Speaker might restructuring of the sitting feel that it is a spiteful intervention and then he can of Parliament to accommomake a determination on date the virtual sitting so whether or not he will resist that members can participate without being present by not resigning.

“If the Speaker refuses to in chambers.

“The refusal to accept resign there is nothing that the offer by Baha Mar to can be done,” Mr Moultrie said. “It depends on how give us a complete facility the matter is dealt with. If with nine feet physical disthe matter is dealt with in tancing at no cost at all to an honourable, respectful the tax paying Bahamian way, then the Speaker will people. The refusal to the be inclined to abide by the proper renovation to the wishes of Parliament. But Speaker’s office. It was a if it is done in an adver- cumulative effect.”

Mr Moultrie also denied sarial, disrespectful manner then I will be obliged not to the reports that he resigned because my whole initiative because he would not is for the independence of receive a nomination to run again in Nassau Village. the Parliament.”

“First of all, the party Yesterday Mr Wells suggested proroguing Par- had never indicated that liament to remove Mr there was someone slated to replace me in the Nassau Moultrie will not happen.

“We have a situation,” Village constituency,” he Mr Wells said, “and I don’t said. “And, even up to this believe the governing side date and time now, no one is going to move in a direc- has suggested that the party tion of seeking a vote of no had identified someone confidence or proroguing to. That is just a spin that the House because I believe has been put on it. As a legally the only way we can matter of fact only 17 canremove a speaker in the didates were published and current system is to actually many incumbents were not included.” go to a general election.”

He said in his experience, Asked if he believes the governing party can work being ratified also does not with Speaker Moultrie, Mr automatically mean a nomiWells said: “I believe the nation in any regard.

“So that was not an issue operations of the House of Assembly will determine to me,” he said. “Whenever

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

PAGE 8 MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

Let the games begin

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

THE silly season might be stranger than usual because of COVID-19 restrictions – but things are starting to move on the political front. With his resignation last week from the Free National Movement, House Speaker Halson Moultrie may have catapulted himself into the political wilderness. He has seemingly committed himself to his convictions – even though the Bahamian people may not always be clear on what they are.

Others who have taken the same path have gone for independent candidacy for the time being – except for Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller. But as we have seen from many that have come and gone through Parliament, when it suits their interests, pieces move all over the political chessboard.

However, the ratification of the 35 members of the FNM (18) and the PLP (17) shows both sides are readying their weapons for an intense battle to govern the country next. And with things characteristically quiet with the DNA, most believe the next election will be as it has historically been, another clash between the two oldest and largest political parties.

In an election season that looks a lot different than in previous years, due to the pandemic, the PLP has been hamstrung by the restrictions under the emergency powers. Unable to move about the country to galvanize its base and spread its campaign message, the PLP are running from the back of the race. Moreover, the Prime

Minister still being able to travel through the Family Islands has had the benefit of strategically announcing major campaign initiatives such as plans to introduce a bill to legalise medical marijuana.

And for a party that has garnered the vitriol of a whopping majority of the Bahamian people in 2017, the PLP can’t afford not to use any weapon in its arsenal.

They have, however, at least got people fairly intrigued by naming their new slate of candidates – many of them political unknowns, in keeping with party leader Philip Davis’ promise for it to be a new PLP – Davis’ PLP. But would this novelty be enough for the Bahamian people to entertain Davis’ efforts? This makes it quite interesting to make projections as we close in on the next election. While it helps to support the notion the PLP may be trying its best to rebrand and distance itself from the former administration, many Bahamians are unwilling to buy that decisions at the executive level will be more inclusive than before.

Who wins the election may boil down to damage control and which party we believe is most capable of the task ahead. What Davis has going for him is that while he was Deputy Prime Minister in one of the most mistrusted administrations we’ve had in recent history, he wasn’t the Prime Minister. And in leadership, the person in the number one position bears the responsibility at the end of the day.

And unfortunately for the Prime Minister, while circumstances have made his job incredibly difficult, all

fingers point to him when it boils down to it.

Alas, here’s the conundrum. Life has been tough for Bahamians. It has been downright depressing.

Loss of income, social liberty and what was considered to be normal life have all played a significant role in the way many Bahamians view the government and by extension, the FNM. These times and this government are associated with hardship – times the Bahamian people desperately want to distance themselves from. With the prospect of no rallies to allow both parties to present their platforms to the Bahamian people, what we have to go on is the feelings in the atmosphere.

Bahamians have a decision to make. Rather than choosing who we feel will be best for the country, we will again be examining who might be worse for the country. And when it comes to this criterion, both parties feel confident they have enough material to make a strong case against the other.

In 2017, there was a feeling of certainty that permeated the country on May 10. But with extremely trying times for the past year, and even longer for those affected by Hurricane Dorian, the FNM faces a tall order.

When a vote becomes a matter of vengeance, government’s come crashing down. Davis and company are quite familiar. So, too, were past administrations.

As long as the Bahamian people continue to vote based on how well we feel we’ve been treated, the FNM need to carefully navigate the treacherous terrain of campaign season.

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis during a Christmas Day visit to Inagua.

Photo: Yontalay Bowe/BIS

MILLIONS LEFT BEHIND AS RICH NATIONS GRAB COVID VACCINES DEVELOPING countries, including the member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), are being left behind in the rollout of vaccinations against COVID-19 now underway in rich countries.

The most recent information from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is that 36 countries in the Americas, including the 14 independent CARICOM States, have been notified that, between the end of February and August 2021, they will be receiving only a small percentage of AstraZeneca vaccines they ordered and for which, in some cases, they have already paid under a World Health Organization (WHO) arrangement called COVAX. According to a COVAX statement, it is estimated that around 35.3 million doses will be arriving in the Americas in this first stage – a drop in the bucket or just five percent of the 630 million people of the area from Mexico to Argentina, including the Caribbean.

There is also no indication of what happens after August, but what is clear is these countries will not get enough vaccines to inoculate their populations in 2021.

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

For developing countries taken collectively, the situation is even more dire.

Reports indicate that 90 percent of people in developing countries will not have access to any COVID vaccine in 2021, and that rich nations, representing less than 15 percent of the world’s population, have already purchased more than 50 percent of the most promising vaccines.

PAHO Director, Carissa Etienne, has made it clear that “with more than 45 million confirmed cases and more than one million deaths, countries and territories throughout the Americas, particularly the poorest among them, are experiencing an unprecedented health, economic and social crisis.”

This is a matter that demands an urgent response from all developed countries acting in concert.

There has been no such collective response to date, and no obvious machinery for doing so. The

Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which once spoke effectively for developing states, is now a shadow of the powerful body it was at its formation under the leadership of India, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia and Yugoslavia.

The global south is voiceless as the COVID19 pandemic continues to infect and kill millions of people and decimate economies and livelihoods.

There is also no unified response from the 36 countries of the Americas, including CARICOM, although they collectively need to immunise approximately 500 million people to control the pandemic – and they need to do so fast.

A research study, sponsored by the US National Bureau of Economic Research in Massachusetts, states that: “In monopolising the supply of vaccines against COVID-19, wealthy nations are threatening more than a humanitarian catastrophe: The resulting economic devastation

will hit affluent countries nearly as hard as those in the developing world”.

The study, entitled “The Economic Case for Global Vaccinations: An Epidemiological Model with International Production Networks”, also points out that even if wealthy countries are fully vaccinated by the middle of this year, and poor countries remain largely shut out, “the global economy would suffer losses exceeding $9 trillion, a sum greater than the annual output of Japan and Germany combined”.

Developed countries are, therefore, not immune from the consequences of failing to help inoculate developing countries. This is now the world’s problem, and the world should be tackling it. However, that is not happening. Instead, we have seen a rush to “COVID nationalism”, with the richest and most powerful nations focusing only on themselves. If this continues, there will be a terrible price to pay.

At a meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) on January 27, after a presentation by PAHO officials on the effects of the COVID19 pandemic, which I described as ‘chilling”, I called for action in all

international fora, including the OAS, to tackle the problem of neglected countries urgently.

Encouraged by CARICOM Ambassadorial colleagues in Washington, Antigua and Barbuda’s delegation to the OAS drafted a Resolution on the urgency of delivering vaccines to the 36 developing countries in the Americas, including CARICOM states.

That draft resolution, once agreed by CARICOM countries, will be put to the OAS for adoption.

The resolution will, among other things, request those member states with the capacity to do so, to take actions to facilitate equitable distribution of vaccines globally and in the Hemisphere. It will also encourage the International Financial Institutions to provide low-cost funding to all developing countries, particularly small states, to help address the subjugation of the coronavirus and the rebuilding of economies.

This is not a matter for the OAS only. CARICOM states, in their own interests, should be raising their voices everywhere, including at the Summit of the Americas, scheduled for this year with the participation of the US President and the

Prime Minister of Canada.

No meeting of the leaders of the Americas, convened in this epoch of the COVID-19 pandemic with all the evidence of the millions of lives it has taken, and the decimation of economies and the livelihoods of people, can responsibly ignore its farreaching consequences.

Leaders of the Americas have to give their peoples concrete plans to contain the virus and to restore vibrant economies. They have to give their nations good reasons for optimism and confidence that their lives can be made better.

To do so, they must also commit to helping their neighbours. For no one is safe until all are safe.

CARICOM countries must also act collectively to argue for their joint survival.

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

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

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, February 8, 2021, PAGE 11

PANDEMIC CHANGES UP SUPER BOWL SHOW AS THE WEEKND TAKES CENTRE STAGE

MASKED dancers are a sign of the times as The Weeknd performs during the half-time show of the NFL Super Bowl 55 game in Tampa, Florida, yesterday. Earlier, Jazmine Sullivan sang the national anthem alongside Eric Church, while H.E.R. performed America The Beautiful. As for the game, Tampa Bay ran out easy winners. See Sports section for more.

Photo: Ashley Landis/AP

Protests swell in Myanmar following military coup YANGON, Myanmar Associated Press A PROTEST against Myanmar’s one-weekold military government swelled rapidly as opposition to the coup grew increasingly bold.

The protesters at a major downtown Yangon intersection chanted slogans, raised a three-finger salute and carried placards saying “Reject the military coup” and “Justice for Myanmar”.

Starting with a few hundred people, the crowd exceeded a thousand by midmorning and cars passing by honked their horns in solidarity.

Some smaller groups broke off from the main protest and headed to the Sule Pagoda, a past rallying point for major protests against previous ruling juntas. Monday’s action followed a protest Sunday involving tens of thousands of people demonstrating to demand the release of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other top figures from her National League for Democracy party.

The growing protests are a sharp reminder of the

long and bloody struggle for democracy in a country that the military ruled directly for more than five decades before loosening its grip in 2012. Suu Kyi’s government, which won a landslide election in 2015, was the first led by civilians in decades, though its power was limited by a military-drafted constitution.

During Myanmar’s years of isolation under military rule, the golden-domed Sule Pagoda served as a rallying point for political protests calling for democracy, most notably in during a massive 1988 uprising and again during a 2007 revolt led by Buddhist monks.

The military used deadly force to end both of those uprisings, with estimates of hundreds if not thousands killed in 1988. While riot police have watched the protests this past week, soldiers have been absent and there have been no reports of clashes.

Several videos posted online yesterday that were said to be from the town of Myawaddy, on Myanmar’s eastern border with Thailand, showed police shooting into the air in an

evident effort to disperse a crowd. There were no signs of panic and no reports of injuries.

Showing little fear, protest crowds have grown bigger and bolder in recent days, while remaining nonviolent in support of a call

by Suu Kyi’s party and its allies for civil disobedience.

An intermittent communication blockade in recent days was a stark reminder of the progress Myanmar is in danger of losing. During Myanmar’s decades of military rule, the country was internationally isolated and communication with the outside world strictly controlled.

The elected lawmakers of Suu Kyi’s party met in an online meeting Friday to declare themselves as the sole legitimate representatives of the people and asked for international recognition as the country’s government. The military has accused Suu Kyi’s government of failing to act on its complaints that last November’s election was marred by fraud, though the election commission said it had found no evidence to support the claims.

S AFRICA SUSPENDS OXFORD-ASTRAZENECA VACCINE JOHANNESBURG Associated Press SOUTH Africa has suspended plans to inoculate its front-line health care workers with the OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine after a small clinical trial suggested that it isn’t effective in preventing mild to moderate illness from the variant dominant in the country.

South Africa received its first one million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine last week and was expected to begin giving jabs to health care workers in mid-February. The disappointing early results indicate that an inoculation drive using the AstraZeneca vaccine may not be useful.

Preliminary data from a small study suggested that the AstraZeneca vaccine offers only “minimal protection against mildmoderate disease” caused by the variant in South Africa. The variant appears more infectious and is driving a deadly resurgence of the disease in the country, currently accounting for more than 90% of the COVID-19 cases, health minister Zweli Mkhize said

last night.

“The AstraZeneca vaccine appeared effective against the original strain, but not against the variant,” Mkhize said. “We have decided to put a temporary hold on the rollout of the vaccine ... more work needs to be done.”

The study, which hasn’t yet been peer-reviewed, involved 2,000 people, most of whom were young and healthy. The volunteers’ average age was 31.

“Protection against moderate-severe disease, hospitalisation or death could not be assessed in this study as the target population were at such low risk,” said a statement issued by Oxford University and the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

Scientists will be studying whether or not the AstraZeneca vaccine is effective in preventing severe disease and death against the variant, Mkhize said.

Other vaccines have shown reduced efficacy against the variant, but have provided good protection from serious disease and death.

Public health officials are concerned about the South

Africa variant because it contains a mutation of the virus’ characteristic spike protein, which is targeted by existing vaccines. South African officials say the variant is more contagious and evidence is emerging that it may be more virulent.

South Africa will urgently roll out other vaccines to inoculate as many as possible in the coming months, Mkhize said. Other South African scientists on Sunday said the clinical trials for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine show good results against the variant.

The early results for the AstraZeneca vaccine against the variant could have far-reaching implications as many other countries in Africa and beyond have been planning to use the AstraZeneca shot. The international COVAX initiative has bought the AstraZeneca vaccine in bulk from the Serum Institute of India.

Developers of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine expect to have a modified jab to cope with the South Africa coronavirus variant by autumn, the vaccine’s lead researcher said yesterday.

A BUDDHIST nun flashes the three-fingered salute as protesters gather outside the Hledan Center in Yangon, Myanmar.

Private Funeral Service For Mrs Vernice Una Johnson, 84

of Cedar Way, Golden Gates II, and formerly of Hunters, Grand Bahama will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 10th, 2021 at Woodlawn Gardens, Woodlawn Way off Soldier Road. Officiating will be Archbishop Ross Davis assisted by Apostle Ed Watson and other Ministers of the Clergy.

Left to cherish her memories are her daughters: Joycelyn Butler (Wilfred), Lynda Smith (Randy), Verneitta Russell (Colon); sons: Bradley Johnson Sr. (Stephanie), Anthony Johnson (Sharon), Marv Johnson (Juanita), Dereck Johnson (Debbie), and Jason Johnson (Equiana); grandchildren: Wilfred Butler (Tocarra), Jenna Butler (Dave), Shaquille Butler, Randy Sebastian Smith, Shanay Russell, Shaema Delva (Reyernaldo), Reko Russell (Guileine), Anitra Pinder (Dencil), Alexis (Chet), Bradley and Brittnee Johnson, Derrick Rolle, Tiffany Miller, Anthony Johnson (Alexis), Alonzo Johnson (Domonique), Terrell Major (Alana), Dwayne Johnson (Krystal) Tina Bain (Michael), Marcia Johnson, Lauren Jagdeo (Duran), Draven Johnson, Dranae Johnson, Annastacia Johnson, Jaelen Johnson, and Javon Johnson; greatgrandchildren: Royce and Zuri Butler, Lael Sands, Siana & A’Dia-Vinet Sands, Briseis Delva, Alayna and Amir Russell, Dylan and Aniya Pinder, Chet Hanna Jr., Harmony Lockhart, Miajah and Titan Johnson, Arion and Armani Johnson, Sharon, Daejah, Makaila, Dwayne Jr., Aamya, Khristal, Isryl, and Dakota Johnson, Davonte (Jade) and Michael Jr. Bain, Laila Jagdeo; sisters: Rosena Johnson, Vienna Nesbitt, Beryl Stuart, Patricia Smith, and Marcia Smith; sisters-in-law: Evelyn Archer, and Iris Smith; numerous relatives and friends: Daswell Bevans and Family, Family of the late Inez Russell, Kevin and Stephanie Bethel, Kim and Gina, Rufus Jr., Sharon, Patrice, Marva and Stacy, Karen, Renee, Laurie, Michael, Winton, Rudolph Jr., Lisa, Francina Bodie, Audrey, Inez Forbes, Joann Gibson, Jacqueline Foster, Cara Smith Naomi Dean and Family, Creswell Archer and Family, Ivan, Kamala, Marina Dean and Family, Hazel Bethel and Family, Glendira Laing, Jenny Smith, Michelle Brennan; Church Family: Archbishop Ros Davis and Minister Althea Davis, Pastor Trent Davis, Minister Allan and Ginger Strachan, Pastor Fernander, Pastor Inez Pinder, Pastor Alma Young, Elder Verdell Pinder, Brother Greg Major, Sister Helen Mortimer, Sister Wright and Family, Eulie Storr and Family, Debbie Brown and members of the Golden Gates World Outreach Ministries, Neighbours of Cedar Way: The Strachan Family, The Taylor Family, Bridgette Curtis and Family, Lynn Riley and Family, The Stubbs Family, The Demeritte Family and Raymond, Cindy and Family, and many more too numerous to mention.

Relatives and friends may pay their respects at Cedar Crest Funeral Home and Crematorium Ltd, Robinson and Baillou Hill Roads on Tuesday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.