02152022 BUSINESS

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2022

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Freeport marina deal’s plans for 200-unit hotel • Port Lucaya Marina ‘under contract’ • US buyer ‘a serious, serious player’ • City poised ‘to return to life in 2022’

Architects: What about our role in Dorian rebuild?

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A WELL-KNOWN Freeport marina is “under contract” to be sold as part of a deal involving construction of a new 200-unit condo hotel, Tribune Business confirmed yesterday.

James Sarles, principal of James Sarles Realty, said the Port Lucaya Marina’s pending acquisition by a Florida-based investor was one of several investments that could “return Freeport to life in 2022”.

He told this newspaper that the marina deal, together with projects such as Doctors Hospital’s planned Grand Bahama expansion, the Western Atlantic University Medical School and the O2 Resort development (see other article on Page 1B), had left Freeport “at the precipice for the first time” when it came to significant economic growth.

With this activity somewhat contradicting recent comments by the Prime Minister suggesting that investor interest in Grand Bahama was “waning”, Mr Sarles suggested Philip Davis QC may

have been seeking to “light a fire to get everything moving”.

The realtor, who represented Port Lucaya Marina’s purchaser in the deal, said: “Officially, it’s under contract. There’s still some work to be done, and things to do with the Port Authority, but it’s a great opportunity for Grand Bahama because it’s someone in the marine business and will transform the whole Port Lucaya area.

“It’s going to have yachts, and it’s going to bring jobs and activity here. It’s a serious, serious player. It’s real. It’s very exciting.

I can confirm it’s under contract,

SEE PAGE FOUR

SEE PAGE THREE

BTC to be ‘attacker’ in market share fight • Aims to complete fibre roll-out by end-2023 • ‘Tremendous pressure’ to find key skillsets • Eyeing 5G network trials working with Gov’t

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Government was yesterday urged to engage qualified architects and urban planners from the private sector to improve the resilience and pace of post-Dorian reconstruction.

Gustavus Ferguson, the Institute of Bahamian Architects (IBA) president, told Tribune Business that the profession’s skills appeared to have been virtually ignored in the rebuilding effort as he was unaware of any urban planners or architects being involved with the Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA).

This was despite 25 IBA members possessing international certifications relating to post-disaster assessment, recovery and related procedures, and he lamented their lack of involvement as “a missed opportunity” for The Bahamas to build Abaco and Grand Bahama back better following the Category Five storm’s September 2019 devastation.

Asserting that neither he nor the Institute wished to be “caught up in the political fray” currently ensnaring the DRA, Mr Ferguson said: “From inception we were asking that urban planners and architects should be involved in that Authority.

“I’m not aware of any actively working on it.

From our standpoint, for that Authority to be effective and to the advantage of the country, definitely urban planners and architects should be involved.

They are in the midst of trying to repair and rebuild the built environment, and that’s where our expertise comes in.....

“There’s a lot of migration that happens after these disasters and if, as a country, we’d like those persons to return to the island of their birth and or place they’ve called home for many years, there has

but I cannot release the name. It’s someone who has the funds and the vision to truly transform the Port Lucaya Marina and adjacent properties.

“I’m here looking at the Port Lucaya Marina now. It’s sad, it’s empty. We need the hotel (Grand Lucayan), marina and Marketplace working together.

I think this is a start; a catalyst of good things to come. I know they’re [the buyer] very strong in the yacht business. That’s what’s exciting. It’s someone who brings

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

O2 RESORT & MARINA SITE PLANS

$20m project aims to ‘bring life back’ to GB

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A $20m resort community is aiming “to bring life back” to Grand Bahama following the devastation inflicted by Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 as it prepares to break ground this week.

Doug Galorneau, project manager for the O2 Resort & Marina, yesterday told Tribune Business the development will play its part in reviving Freeport and the wider island following the reversals of the past two-and-half years by attracting wealthy investors who will spend their money in the local community.

The 25-lot project, situated in the Bell Channel area overlooking Port Lucaya and its marketplace, has already sold two sites according to the project’s

website, and Mr Galorneau confirmed that another “couple of deals are in the works currently as we speak”.

“We have all the approvals, and we’re getting the first permit to start moving the dirt this week,” he told this newspaper. “We’re definitely excited to break ground this week and get this project moving. We will get everything cleared, and start with the infrastructure, putting in the roads and utilities. It’s been in the works for probably about 14 months.

“What we’re doing is that we’re building a vacation resort. The lots will be purchased by someone who will build on them, and then rent the properties back out. It’s right on the water in Port Lucaya. We overlook the inlet there and the main marketplace. You couldn’t ask

SEE PAGE FOUR

BTC: No contract worker termination over COVID policy

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) chief executive has denied that any contract workers have been terminated with “over 90 percent” complying with its COVID policies.

Andre Foster told Tribune Business that “there’s a lot of misinformation” surrounding BTC’s COVID-19 vaccination stance amid allegations that third-party vendors and contract workers are being terminated if they refuse to become fully inoculated.

Pointing out that BTC’s unionised workforce, at both management and

line staff levels, is unaffected by the controversy, he explained that contract workers and third-party vendors are not being terminated from their assignments if they are unvaccinated.

However, once their contracts are completed, they will not be hired for new tasks if they are non-compliant with BTC’s requirements. Mr Foster said the carrier, which is 49 percent owned by the Government, has also given contract workers two exemptions from the vaccination requirement - religious and medical grounds.

“It’s very important for us that we give confidence in the community that

SEE PAGE FIVE

THE Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) top executive says it plans “to become a real attacker” in the battle for market share with ambitions to build-out its new network by end-2023.

Andre Foster, the carrier’s chief executive, told Tribune Business in a recent interview that all subscribers across The Bahamas will enjoy faster, better quality broadband Internet and TV services when it completes the transition from its legacy copper infrastructure to fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) within the next 23 months.

“It’s progressing well,” he said of the switch. “I wish I could say I was exactly where I want to be, meaning we have 100 percent of

ANDRE FOSTER our network converted to fibre-to-the-home. We’ve made a commitment to have fibre-to-the-home available throughout the archipelago by 2023.”

While conceding that more remote locations in the Family Islands will likely be serviced by wireless, as opposed to fibre,

SEE PAGE FOUR

PAGE 2, Tuesday, February 15, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

IN the group, pictured from left: Senator Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs; Saja Abdullah Alhoshan, chief of staff; Faisal Mohammed Alkahtani, Saudi Development Fund; Ahmad Agil AlKhateeb, minister of tourism, Saudi Arabia; Philip Davis, prime minister and minster of finance; Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments and aviation; Glenys HannaMartin, minister of education and technical and vocational training; and Senator Ryan Pinder, attorney general and minister of legal affairs.

PM AND MINISTERS HOST SAUDI GROUP THE Bahamas yesterday hosted a high-level Saudi Arabian delegation headed

by Ahmad Agil Al-Khateeb, the country’s minister of tourism, and chairman of the Saudi Development Fund.

The Saudis were met upon their arrival at Odyssey Aviation by Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments and aviation, and other officials.

They then met with Prime Minister Philip Davis QC, other Cabinet ministers, at the Office of the Prime Minister on West Bay Street.

Present at the meeting were Senator Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs; Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments and aviation; Glenys Hanna-Martin, minister of education and technical and vocational training; Senator Ryan Pinder, attorney general and minister of legal affairs.

The Saudi tourism minister was accompanied by Saja Abdullah Alhoshan, chief of staff, and Faisal Mohammed Alkahtani, Saudi Development Fund.

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PHILIP DAVIS, prime minister, chaired the meeting between the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Talks were held with Ahmad Agil Al-Khateeb, minister of tourism and chairman of the Saudi Development Fund, and his delegation.

CHESTER COOPER, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments and aviation; Ahmad Agil AlKhateeb, minister of tourism and chairman of the Saudi Development Fund; and Philip Davis, Prime Minister and minster of finance, at the Office of the Prime Minister.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 15, 2022, PAGE 3

PHARMACIST WARNS ON DRUG PRICES INFLATION

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

PHARMACEUTICAL drug prices may go up by 4 percent this summer due to a combination of increased global demand and rising supply chain costs, it was revealed yesterday.

Shantia McBride, the Bahamas Pharmaceutical Association’s (BPA) president, told Tribune Business that consumers needed to brace for increases in prescription medication costs although the extent of any increase remains uncertain.

January’s reimposition of 10 percent VAT is another factor that will impact pricing.

Explaining that supply chain backlogs have impacted how much pharmaceutical producers can distribute, she said: “There has been a lull in terms of how many items distributors could ship at a time.

“Freight costs increased.

The raw materials to now make these products have increased.

Manufacturers’ production costs and freight, all those costs have increased. So now to get it to The Bahamas, the cost might not have reached pharmacies as yet based

on their ordering patterns with wholesalers, but we feel eventually it may reach us to a point where, with the increase of VAT on medication to 10 percent, it would be an increase to some medications.”

Ms McBride said she did not want to be held to predictions of a 4 percent increase in the price of prescription medications by this summer. “I may not predict more than a 3 percent to 4 percent increase,” she added.

“I don’t want to stick by a number, but any increase right now economically is going to be felt by our patients, and by

the Bahamian economy, because adding 3 percent and then 10 percent with VAT, that is an increase.

VAT just increased on January 1, so we’re only a month into that.

“So, any extra increase pharmaceutically within pharmacy, we will definitely advise our patients to maintain their medication, and how to go about finding ways to afford their medication.”

Ms McBride said overthe-counter medication prices had stabilised after seeing an initial increase when manufacturers failed to ensure output kept pace with demand. “Within the

pharmaceutical market, what I can say that has been noted initially is increasing prices for over-the-counter drugs. That was based on supply and demand due to COVID-19,” she added.

“So we know COVID-19 increased the need for cold, flu and fever medications.

All of the over-the-counter items you would need for COVID-19 related ailments, those items initially went up” until supply caught up with demand.

Despite the inflationary headwinds, Ms McBride said she does not advocate for consumers to buy generic medications. She said: “I would not push

for generic drugs. I would speak to the patient and speak to the physician, and see if generic medication may be another option for the patient.

“There are some timeframes when the brand medication is necessary, and the brand is what is needed, and there are some times when there is no generic available. So there’s not always a time where you just swap for generic, and this still has to be done through consultation between patient and physician.”

Disaster chair: No one ‘deliberately negligent’

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net THE Disaster Reconstruction Authority’s (DRA) ex-chairman yesterday said he does not believe any of its staff were “deliberately negligent” as allegations continue to swirl around its performance.

John Michael Clarke told Tribune Business he had “confidence” in the persons working under him to properly administer Dorian rebuilding contracts and perform professionally in helping Abaco and Grand Bahama recover from the Category Five storm’s devastation.

Responding to assertions that the DRA has incurred almost $1m in storage fees with Tropical Shipping for not removing dome homes from its shipping containers, he replied: “From a

Board perspective, we put a lot of faith and confidence in the persons that were taking care of the day-today operations of the DRA. “I would say time and time again, I don’t believe that anybody in government, and anybody that works disasters and has to do it every day, is deliberately negligent. The need of the hurricane was so great, and there were so many issues. So people aren’t deliberately negligent. That doesn’t happen.

“You may disagree with how something is executed and the timing, but I always say to get the facts, do the research, and you would find there are any number of factors that could have impacted why certain things didn’t happen in a certain way.”

The previous Minnis administration purchased the dome homes after Dorian wiped out much

of Abaco’s housing stock, viewing them as a temporary solution that would give displaced persons a home. It bought nearly 200 domes for almost $6m, but while some were erected others have not been used at all.

Mr Clarke added: “Nobody is deliberately negligent, and that’s not only for Hurricane Dorian.

That’s for every hurricane, because as Bahamians we respond to need and we don’t want to see our brothers hurting. Nobody’s deliberately negligent. No disaster manager in this country is deliberately negligent.”

His comments came amid the ongoing controversy over the DRA’s performance that was sparked by revelations concerning the contract received by its previous managing director, Katherine Forbes-Smith.

FREEPORT MARINA DEAL’S PLANS FOR 200-UNIT HOTEL FROM PAGE ONE

something to the table in terms of future business.”

While Mr Sarles did not divulge the purchaser’s identity, this newspaper understands its principal is a US, Florida-based investor with a strong background in the real estate and resort industries, and whose family has strong connections with The Bahamas and Caribbean. He is said to have been involved with billions of dollars worth of real estate sales and resortrelated condo projects.

Preben Olsen, the Scandinavian investor who owns the Port Lucaya Marina via his New Hope Holdings entity, did not return Tribune Business calls or messages seeking comment on the sale before press time last night.

However, sources familiar with the transaction, and speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the sales agreement had been signed and that both parties were now working towards completing the necessary due diligence and legal documents so it can close.

No details on the purchase price were provided.

Besides reviving the marina, which was closed after boating/yachting traffic dried up due to COVID-related restrictions and border closures, this newspaper understands that the purchaser’s plans also call for the development of a new 200-unit condo hotel on the Port Lucaya Hotel site.

These details were divulged in a note issued by the Dupuch & Turnquest law firm to its investor clients and other parties, which has been obtained by Tribune Business.

Titled First time in 17 years, the note says: “I wanted to advise you that Freeport has good news on the tourism development front.”

It lists six active investment projects and deals, one of which is the Port Lucaya Marina transaction. The note said: “Major investors to buy Port Lucaya Marina to develop

over 200-unit condo/hotel as a part of new marina project featuring mega yachts.”

This newspaper understands that there was also separate investor interest in acquiring Mr Olsen’s other asset, the Grand Bahama Yacht Club. Wellplaced sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that S Kent Rockwell, one of the three philanthropists who helped to finance the First Commercial Centre’s purchase for Doctors Hospital, had inquired on the Yacht Club.

However, it is understood that negotiations on a potential deal between himself and Mr Olsen are not presently moving forward and appear to have stalled.

Besides Doctors Hospital’s new facility in Freeport’s First Commercial Centre and the Western Atlantic medical school, the Dupuch & Turnquest note also pointed the progress being made on Carnival’s cruise port as well as Weller Development’s acquisition of the former Marriott property at Barbary Beach for its own hotel project, as signs of a potential Freeport rebound.

This was echoed by Mr Sarles, who said that taken together - they could provide a “springboard” for renewed investor confidence and economic optimism in Freeport after the city has spent almost two decades in the doldrums following the 2004 hurricanes and Royal Oasis closure.

“I’ve always said we’ve been the bridesmaid and never the bride,” he told Tribune Business. “Now we have Doctors Hospital coming to Grand Bahama with a first-class, first world hospital and trauma centre.

We have Western Atlantic University Medical School.

There have got their first class here. There’s doctors

here, there’s professors here, there’s students’ parents.”

With the school’s 40-acre campus already “coming out of the ground”, Mr Sarles said it could attract hundreds of persons to live, work and study in Freeport.

“There’s a project called the O2 Resort. It is highend luxury homes as you enter the Bell Channel,” he added. “There’s Weller Development which bought the Marriott land.

“You put all these things together at the same time.... these are real projects that will bring endless jobs to the city and tourists coming in. We’re on our way. We’ve got to clean up the derelict buildings, we need a publicprivate partnership (PPP) for the airport and we need a buyer for the hotel.”

With the Grand Lucayan sales process now underway, and already receiving what the Government has described as “serious inquiries”, Mr Sarles said that success “could be the springboard for many things to happen”.

“I really, truly believe that we’re at the precipice for the first time,” he added. “There’s multiple projects happening simultaneously, and if we capitalise on those there’s real opportunity here. All these things I am talking about are not 100 percent complete. It’s a process, but I think 2022 will be the year Freeport comes back alive.”

Explaining that he felt someone had to give an account of the positive developments taking place, Mr Sarles added: “I feel somebody has got to be the bearer of good news. It’s too quiet. There’s no marketing, there’s no pizzazz. I figure from my perspective, and that of my business, I’ve got to start blowing the horn for what is going on here.

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DAMAGE DONE BY HURRICANE DORIAN. Besides her $110,000 annual salary, she was also being paid an annual housing allowance of $30,000, duty allowance of $15,000 and even a gratuity at the end of the contract of 15 percent of the total sum

received. Many observers viewed this as excessive when set against what the DRA has accomplished to-date.

A former DRA Board member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said

Mrs Forbes-Smith’s contract was never negotiated by, or came before the Board for its approval, and was instead handed to them as a mandate by the Government.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, February 15, 2022

BTC TO BE ‘ATTACKER’ IN MARKET SHARE FIGHT FROM PAGE ONE

technology, Mr Foster said The Bahamas would be “fully FTTH in the main islands” by year-end next year as BTC and its parent entities continue to invest millions of dollars in the network’s transformation.

“Our goal is to be off the copper network by 2023.

That’s a big focus for us, and why we’re building it as quickly as we can,” he told this newspaper. The BTC chief said this ambitious target, coupled with the extent of the work involved, had forced it to recruit expatriate expertise to supplement the skilled Bahamian workforce already engaged on this task.

And Mr Foster said competition for scarce technology-related skillsets is only set to intensify after its BISX-listed rival, Cable Bahamas, unveiled plans to deploy its own fibre-to-thehome network across New Providence via an $80m investment.

“That’s why you’ve seen the murmurs in the market about bringing in support from outside The Bahamas to complement the workers in The Bahamas,” he added. “What we’re seeing is that there’s not enough manpower, and now there is a competitor that has woken up to say ‘we can’t let BTC get too far ahead

BTC BAHAMAS HEADQUARTERS of us in building fibre-to-the home’.

“That puts tremendous pressure on the workers and available skill sets in the market. We’ve got every firm able to support the build-out of fibre-tothe-home in The Bahamas working for us, and are supplementing it with outside expertise. We are really pleased with the build-out and the footprint there.

“I wish it could be faster.

Our commitment is to build fibre-to-the-home through 2022 and 2023, and we have got to decommission the copper in that same timeframe.” The result, Mr Foster said, would be to improve BTC’s value

proposition to Bahamians through the availability of 600 megabits of broadband Internet speed an an “alldigital” IPTV line-up.

He revealed that BTC also plans to take the offensive in the battle for market share with Cable Bahamas and Aliv, asserting that 2021 had seen it build a platform to make gains in this area during the current calendar year.

“We are very focused on growing our fixed footprint, and we did a fairly good job in achieving some objectives around that in 2021, so we feel very confident that we are rolling back to BTC a strong base of fixed

customers,” Mr Foster told Tribune Business.

“We feel post-paid mobile, we have done very well with that. On the prepaid side I would say we are feeling good about our future there. We do have some great things coming up that will really bring back some subscribers in that area. We feel good about where we ended 2021. We feel there’s an opportunity to become a real attacker, retain our customer base, and we’ll see more of that happen for us in the future.”

Mr Foster declined to provide details or figures ahead of the 2021 fourth quarter and full-year

financial results announcement from its ultimate parent, Liberty Latin America (LiLAC). The latter’s 2021 third quarter results showed BTC added 2,900 fixed-line subscribers, broken down into 2,100 broadband Internet additions and 800 new TV customers, during that period.

However, it continues to experience attrition in its mobile customer base due to fierce competition with Aliv, with subscribers in this area falling by 2,600 during the period. BTC lost 200 post-paid customers, and another 2,400 pre-paid mobile subscribers, during the quarter.

This left it with 175,100 total mobile subscribers at end-September 2021, broken down into 32,900 post-paid clients and 142,200 who are pre-paid.

On the fixed-line side, BTC has some 75,300 subscribers divided into 34,600 telephone customers; 31,200 Internet clients; and 9,500 TV takers. The total number of homes passed

by BTC’s fibre-to-the-home network now stands at 120,900.

Elsewhere, Mr Foster said BTC had engaged in “very productive discussions” recently with both the Government and sector regulator, the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA), on the deployment of 5G (fifth

ARCHITECTS: WHAT ABOUT OUR ROLE IN DORIAN REBUILD? FROM PAGE ONE to be a conscious effort to ensure the environment in which they live is not only rebuilt but able to survive a disaster of that magnitude rebuilding it to withstand a disaster of that magnitude.

That’s something we can assist with.”

The IBA chief said their involvement had briefly extended to accompanying

Iram Lewis, the then-minister responsible for disaster preparedness and recovery, on a trip to Abaco and Grand Bahama to assess Dorian-related damage.

However, the Institute had heard nothing further, and now plans to communicate formally with the Davis administration to make its concerns known.

“Our jobs is to help develop our economy, and

everybody benefits from it. Getting people back to normalcy from disasters is extremely important,” Mr Ferguson added. “There are missed opportunities when experts are not involved in these areas.

From a country standpoint it’s a missed opportunity.

“It’s suffered because you’re asking to rebuild the built environment and none of the stakeholders

responsible in this jurisdiction are participating.

That’s the major concern we have. As stakeholders in this country we have expertise in this area, given our history of natural disasters.

“This is an opportunity for the Government to engage some experts to assist disaster recovery, and we are certainly in a position to assist our country in that effort.”

The IBA, in a statement, added: “Too often, authority underestimates the importance of urban planners and architects’ contributions in the planning process. IBA professionals were trained to identify community needs and develop plans to create, grow and revitalise the area, overseeing all aspects of planning: infrastructure,

$20M PROJECT AIMS TO ‘BRING LIFE BACK’ TO GB FROM PAGE ONE for a better spot. It’s going to be geared towards a fishing resort.”

Some 12 of the 25 lots will be located on the waterfront, providing dock and boat access. Mr Galorneau

said the 13 interior sites will be priced at around $400,000-$450,000, with those on the waterfront ranging from $800,000 to $2.5m. He added that the developer will likely construct 50 percent of the homes, with the remainder

to be built by lot purchasers themselves.

Estimating that it will take between two and two-and-a-half years to complete the O2 Resort & Marina’s build-out, Mr Galorneau added that the construction phase would likely create some 24-36 jobs that will all go to Bahamians.

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“Everything will be sourced locally.

There won’t be any outside jobs coming in. Everything will be done locally,” he told Tribune Business, estimating that the project will require a total investment of “somewhere in the neighbourhood of the $20m mark between the homes and everything being built”.

Asked about the vision behind the O2 Resort & Marina, Mr Galorneau replied: “It’s just creating more wealth for the island, bringing the community together and just looking to bring life back to the island is the main goal....

“Bringing in wealthy people to spend their money over the island, and bringing life back. It’s not there as much as it used to be, so we want to revive that and bring that back.

There’s a lot of potential in the island, and we want to bring that back. There are so many properties not being used and sitting derelict. We’d love to see them come back to life.”

He indicated that further projects, similar in scope and nature to the O2

Resort & Marina, could be initiated once it was near to completion. “Once this is done, and close to completion, we will look for somewhere else and do similar if we can find the right spot. We want to do little bits, not big overwhelming projects that flood the island. We want to do it right.: Mr Galorneau said the strategy of niche, boutiquetype projects that are more manageable and digestible for Grand Bahama’s economy, was in keeping with the strong links that the O2 Resort & Marina’s main investor already has with the island.

Declining to reveal his identity, the project manager said the developer already owns vacation properties on Grand Bahama “and is very big in the community”. He added: “In Dorian, he organised 62 relief flights, loaded up his own truck and delivered needed supplies to the locals.

“He’s got a big heart for the island itself, and that has rubbed off on everybody involved in this

THE TRIBUNE

generation) mobile technology in The Bahamas.

“We know this is a high priority for the Government, and they see 5G as something that will help to bring not just investment from outside the country because of fast, reliable telecommunications services but also for us to bring people across the digital divide and into information technology,” the BTC chief said.

“There’s some work URCA has to do with spectrum licensing and availability across the archipelago. But we and our network are ready to expand for 5G. We’ve made some inferences that we can do some small trials with government in areas that make sense, such as Nassau harbour, because of the density of people.”

Mr Foster said the existing 4G LTE (Long-Term Evolution) mobile network still had significant unused capacity to meet market demand, and added that the fibre-to-the-home roll-out will provide the “foundation” and backbone to support an eventual 5G roll-out.

Given the tower and population density required to support 5G, he added that global experience had shown it may not be suitable for use in more sparsely populated rural areas. economic and environmental impacts.

“The responsibility of producing a beautiful, harmonious indoor and outdoor living space is serious and significant.

However, if leadership neglects to include these available Bahamian experts on such committees, it risks repeating the past environmental failures that are prevalent in communities across the nation.” project Stateside including myself. He himself went over there after Dorian several times throughout the process, loaded up his own truck and drove around the island, especially the eastern side, where not a lot of stuff was getting through, so he went out there himself and delivered it.”

The O2 Resort & Marina’s website, in describing the project, says: “Its concept reflects that of the original creation of Freeport, in which previously unused land has been claimed to create something of beauty and pleasure. The desire of the developers is to build quality homes to attract new investment and new people to this wonderful island.

“This exciting project will consist of the construction of a group of high-spec properties; exclusive custom-built homes all with the option of canal frontage and boat dockage. The location is highly attractive being private and secure, yet close to the Port Lucaya Market Place with its restaurants and bars.”

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

BERGAMOT HOLDINGS LIMITED

DAINTREE TRADING LIMITED

(a) BERGAMOT HOLDINGS LIMITED in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(a) DAINTREE TRADING LIMITED in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 14th February, 2022 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 14th February, 2022 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c) The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

(c) The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

Dated this 15th day of February, A. D. 2022

Dated this 15th day of February, A. D. 2022

_________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

_________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 15, 2022, PAGE 5

FED OFFICIALS AGREE ON A MARCH RATE HIKE BUT LITTLE ELSE

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — A worsening inflation picture has touched off a range of opinions from the Federal Reserve's policymakers about just how fast they should raise interest rates beginning at their next meeting in March.

James Bullard, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, on Monday reiterated his call for the Fed to take the aggressive step of raising its benchmark short-term rate by a full percentage point

by July 1. Esther George, president of the Kansas City Fed, expressed support for a more "gradual" approach. And Mary Daly of the San Francisco Fed declined to commit herself to more than a modest rate hike next month.

Their comments follow last week's report that inflation jumped 7.5% in January from a year ago, the fastest increase in four decades. Prices also rose 0.6% from December to January, the same as the previous month, suggesting that price gains still aren't slowing, as many economists and Fed officials have hoped.

The Fed typically responds to high inflation by making borrowing more expensive, which slows spending and the pace of price increases.

Last week's report on consumer inflation

prompted a sharp increase in expectations for rate increases by the Fed this year. Some economists now forecast as many as six or seven quarter-point hikes.

That's much higher than the Fed's projections in December of just three rate increases for 2022.

In their remarks, Bullard and another policymaker, Thomas Barkin, head of the Richmond Fed, noted how the acceleration of prices has broadened beyond autos and other pandemicaffected industries. Even inflation measures that exclude such categories have shown sharp price rises.

Still, the two officials expressed differing views of how the Fed should respond.

"Inflation is very high," Barkin said in an interview on SiriusXM. "And the more recent readings suggest it's broader and more persistent. I think it's timely to get started and steadily move back toward pre-pandemic levels."

Barkin's use of the term "steadily" suggested that he favors moving at a more measured pace than Bullard, who said last week that the Fed might even decide to raise rates before its next regularly scheduled meeting in mid-March.

In an interview Monday on CNBC, Bullard did not repeat that suggestion. But he said "inflation is broadening and possibly accelerating." And he stood by his call for a full

percentage point increase in the Fed's key rate by July 1. An increase that large would mean rate hikes at the Fed's March, May, and June meetings, with one of those hikes amounting to a half-point.

"We need to front-load more" of the rate increases, Bullard said. "We've been surprised to the upside on inflation. ... Our credibility is on the line here."

No other Fed officials have publicly endorsed a half-point rate hike at an upcoming meeting, though on Monday investors were pricing in a 60% likelihood of such a step in March.

On Sunday, Daly said on CBS' "Face the Nation" that an increase that large could hurt the economy by potentially slowing spending too quickly.

"History tells us Fed policy that abrupt and aggressive ... can actually have a destabilizing effect on the very growth and price stability we're trying to achieve," Daly said.

Daly expressed support for a rate hike in March but stopped short of backing Barkin's call for ongoing increases.

"I see March as an appropriate time to raise the interest rate, and then we have to take in all of the information ... and make the right decision at the right time for the economy," she said.

On Friday, George weighed in on another option under consideration

by Fed policy makers. She

BTC: NO CONTRACT WORKER TERMINATION OVER COVID POLICY FROM PAGE ONE employees are not putting customers at risk of COVID spread,” he told this newspaper. “We gave each contract workers a choice of what is suitable for them. We didn’t terminate them.

“We have offered and extended to contract workers two exemptions; religious and medical. Over 90 percent of contractors have brought back into the company with no issue whatsoever in complying with the policy or taking advantage of these exemptions. We’re not alone in that regard. Many other companies have taken a similar stance.”

Mr Foster said BTC had spoken to the Department of Labour to ensure its contract worker policy did not breach Bahamian law or regulations, and reiterated: “If you’re on an existing contract and joined the company in November, and

are on a six-month term, we would not approach a person on contract and terminate.

“There’ll be no termination from the perspective of removing that contract.

It’s at that point of renewal that you must comply or request or submit for an exemption.” Mr Foster said BTC and its parent companies had not terminated any employee during the pandemic, but added: “It’s about keeping staff members and customers safe.

“The pandemic taught us a lot, and the health of customers and employees is paramount for business survival.” Sherry Benjamin, the Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union’s (BCPOU) president, told Tribune Business she understood more than 15 contract workers had lost their positions due to the company’s COVID vaccination policy.

The union represents BTC’s full-time line staff

and, even though its industrial agreement does not cover contract workers, Ms Benjamin said she raised the matter with the Prime Minister when she met with him the week before last.

“I was asking the Prime Minister to use the Government’s influence to get them to allow contract workers not vaccinated to bring in a weekly test instead of terminating them because they are not vaccinated,” she said. “He asked me to ask them to get vaccinated.”

Ms Benjamin said the Government, as 49 percent shareholder in BTC, was effectively being “complicit in discrimination” against BTC’s unvaccinated contract workers. “I expressed to the Prime Minister that we should be more concerned whether or not these persons are carrying COVID-19 as opposed to being vaccinated,” she added. “Whether you are vaccinated or not you can still carry it or spread it.”

NOTICE

The Quieting Petition of John Williams 2019/CLE/qui/01268 The Petition of John Williams in respect of ALL THAT piece of land being 0.65 of an acre situate immediately southeast of Cox Way in the Western District of New Providence which piece of land has 32,528.4 sq. ft. and is bounded Northeast jointly by land the property of Isaac Watkins and land of the Petitioner running thereon 813 Southeast by land believe to be owned by the estate of Stanley Bethel, Sr. running thereon 40 ft. on the Southwest by land of the Petitioner and running 813 ft. on the Northwest by Cox Way and running 40 ft. which piece of land is described on the amended plan to be filed in this action and is thereon coloured Pink.

The Petitioner, John Williams, claims to the legal and beneficial owner in fee simple in possession of ALL THAT piece of land hereinbefore described and the Petitioner has made application to the Supreme Court of The Bahamas under Section 3 of the Quieting Titles Act, 1959, to have his title to the said land investigated.

Copies of the filed plan may be inspected during normal working hours at:a) The Registry of the Supreme Court, British American Building, Marlborough and George Streets, Nassau, N. P., Bahamas; or b) The Chambers of Martin, Martin and Co, Vet CF Place 8th. East, Nassau, N. P. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that any person having dower or right to dower or any adverse claim or claim not recognised in the Petition shall on or before the 20th. day of March, 2022, file in the Registry of the Supreme Court and serve on the Petitioner or the undersigned a statement of such claim in the prescribed form and verified by an affidavit to be filed therewith. Failure of any such person to file and serve a statement of such claim on or before the 20th. day of March, A. D. 2022, will operate as a bar to such claim.

Dated the 22nd day of March, A. D. 2021 Martin Martin and Co. Attorneys for the Petitioners

IN this photo provided by the New York Stock Exchange, traders work on the floor, Thursday, Feb 10, 2022. With inflation going only higher, stocks edged lower on Wall Street Thursday as expectations build that the Federal Reserve will have to get more aggressive about removing the tremendous support it's given the economy.

Photo:David L. Nemec/AP said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal that the Fed should consider selling some of the Treasurys and mortgage-backed securities that make up its nearly $9 trillion balance sheet.

The Fed said after its most recent policy meeting last month that it would reduce the size of its balance sheet by letting its investments mature and not reinvesting the proceeds.

Going further and actually selling some of those bonds would accelerate the process of reducing the Fed's holdings and would likely send longer-term rates higher.

PUBLIC HOSPITALS AUTHORITY ADVERTISEMENT VACANCY DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR SERVICE DELIVERY, POLICY, PLANNING AND EDUCATION CORPORATE OFFICE The Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) invites applications from suitably qualified persons for the post of Deputy Managing Director, Corporate Office with responsibility for Service Delivery, Policy, Planning and Education. The PHA comprises of three public hospitals of The Bahamas (Princess Margaret Hospital, Grand Bahama Health Services and Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre) Ten community clinics in Grand Bahama, National Emergency Medical Services and Supplies Management Agency.

Job Summary The Deputy Managing Director will work directly with the Managing Director at the corporate level to achieve the overall mandate of the Public Hospitals Authority.

The Deputy Managing Director will provide direct support to the Managing Director in the management of healthcare service delivery, strategic planning, policy formulation, health education, continuing education and other areas of responsibility as identified by the Managing Director.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES FOR THIS ROLE INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: • Assisting in the management of PHA objectives, at corporate and institutional levels; • Assisting with the acquisition and maintenance of physical, financial and human capital for service diversity, improvement, expansion and sustainability in meeting growing healthcare demands, subject to Government-approved annual budgets; • Providing managerial oversight for the resolution of critical business issues including quality and safety concerns; • Facilitating continuous improvement in innovation, flexibility, service diversity, expansion and sustainability; • Encouraging a proactive, innovative public relations programme to anticipate health service needs, and foster optimum customer relations and satisfaction; • Managing work towards public sector health-services-system targets; • Providing managerial oversight for the formulation of policies directing and regulating PHA’s healthcare operations; • Providing managerial oversight for policy development and strategic planning to achieve Board policies and directives and PHA’s vision and mission; • Supporting the management at PHA’s institutions in the development and implementation of efficient and effective systems for delivery of comprehensive preventive, curative, rehabilitative, emergency and allied health care services; • Oversight for the monitoring and evaluation of PHA’s operational systems and healthcare outcomes; • Providing oversight for the development and implementation of health education programs and initiatives.

Education/ Experience: • Master’s Degree in Health Services Management or equivalent; PhD is a plus.

• A minimum of Ten (10) years’ management experience at a senior level.

Competency Requirements: • Excellent Leadership skills; • Excellent Communication (oral and written), and interpersonal skills; • Strong management, organizational and analytical skills; • Knowledge of regulatory requirements and compliance standards.

The Deputy Managing Director will report to the Managing Director.

Letter of application and Curriculum Vitae should be submitted to The Director of Human Resources, Public Hospitals Authority, 3rd Terrace West, or jobs@phabahamas.org, no later than 23rd February, 2022.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, February 15, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

ASIAN SHARES MOSTLY LOWER AS MARKETS WATCH UKRAINE TENSIONS

By YURI KAGEYAMA AP Business Writer TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were mostly lower Tuesday, echoing a decline on Wall Street, amid concerns about rising tensions in Ukraine over the thousands of Russian troops that have been amassing on their border.

Japanese shares started with a boost from bargainhunting after recent losses, but the buying quickly ran out of steam. Data released

Tuesday showed the economy grew at an annual rate of 5.4% in OctoberDecember, when pandemic restrictions were relaxed for a time after infections fell sharply before rebounding with omicron outbreaks.

“While Japan’s outlook is challenged by virus resurgences and supply chain disruptions, the Q4 data highlighted the potential for pent-up consumer demand once virus risks eventually abate,” said Yeap Jun

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that MICHELANGE EXGENOR of Bowe Avenue, Montell Heights, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 15th day of February, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

Rong, market strategist at IG in Singapore.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 shed 0.2% in morning trading to 27,024.54. Australia’s S&P/ ASX 200 sank 0.5% to 7,209.10. South Korea’s Kospi lost 0.3% to 2,695.88.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 0.5% to 24,433.63, while the Shanghai Composite rose 0.3% to 3,439.84.

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 fell 0.4% to 4,401.67 after falling as much as 1.2% shortly after the U.S. said it was closing its embassy in Ukraine and moving all remaining staffers there to a city near the Polish border. The move comes as diplomatic efforts continued Monday in a bid to head off what U.S. officials have warned could be an imminent Russian attack on Ukraine.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.5% to 34,566.17 and the Nasdaq composite ended essentially flat, at 13,790.92, after having been up 1% in the early going.

Smaller company stocks, which had been on pace for

gains, also fell. The Russell 2000 slid 0.5%, to 2,020.79.

On Friday, the White House told Americans to leave Ukraine within 48 hours over concerns that Russia could invade that country soon. Other governments including Russia pulled diplomats and their citizens out of the country.

Wall Street is also trying to gauge how stocks and the broader economy will be affected from another source of uncertainty: How far and how quickly the Federal Reserve will move to raise interest rates to quash surging inflation.

The central bank is expected to start raising its

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that DEVON ANDERSON of P. O. Box N-1935, Joe Farrington Road, New Providence, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 15th February, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

A MAN walks past a bank’s electronic board showing the Hong Kong share index in Hong Kong Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022. Asian shares were mostly lower Tuesday, echoing a decline on Wall Street, amid concerns about rising tensions in Ukraine over the thousands of Russian troops that have been amassing on the border.

Photo:Vincent Yu/AP

NOTICE is hereby given that NATALIE MOREAU of Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 8st day of February, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

MARKET REPORT www.bisxbahamas.com

MONDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 2022

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX: BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 6.70 40.05 2.05 2.90 2.60 6.05 10.05 3.60 9.02 3.10 7.01 13.00 2.71 10.10 11.06 10.75 15.00 4.00 9.91 16.50

52WK LOW 4.50 32.12 1.46 2.20 1.30 5.50 6.00 2.82 4.25 2.27 5.00 9.75 1.99 6.50 9.50 8.40 13.10 3.42 8.00 15.50

SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Benchmark Bahamas First Holdings Limited Bank of Bahamas Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Cable Bahamas Commonwealth Brewery Commonwealth Bank Colina Holdings CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Emera Incorporated Famguard Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Limited Focol Finco J. S. Johnson

PREFERENCE SHARES 1.00

1.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1.00 10.00 1.00

1.00 10.00 1.00

Bahamas First Holdings Preference Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A Fidelity Bank Bahamas Class A Focol Class B

CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00

52WK LOW 100.00 100.00

SECURITY Fidelity Bank (Note 22 Series B+) Bahamas First Holdings Limited

CLOSE

CHANGE

%CHANGE

YTD

YTD%

2229.05

11.77

0.53

0.81

0.04

SYMBOL AML APD BBL BFH BOB BPF BWL CAB CBB CBL CHL CIB CWCB DHS EMAB FAM FBB FCL FIN JSJ BFHP CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA FBBA FCLB SYMBOL FBB22 BFHB

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing) 115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 102.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 90.73 96.72 95.40 95.40 98.65 100.71

104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 91.69 91.00 89.00 90.76 90.73 96.10 95.40 95.40 98.65 100.44

MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 2.48 4.59 2.19 207.86 207.68 1.72 1.82 1.80 1.05 8.92 10.81 7.44 16.64 12.76 10.57 10.00 10.43 14.89

52WK LOW 2.11 3.30 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.68 1.73 1.75 1.03 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20

Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y BGRS FX BGR124238 BGRS FX BGR125238 BGRS FX BGR131249 BGRS FX BGR134150 BGRS FX BGR136150 BGRS FX BGR138240 BGRS FX BGR138250 BGRS FX BGR139150 BGRS FX BGR141350 BGRS FL BGRS77026

BAH29 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0307 BG0330 BG0407 BSBGR1242381 BSBGR1252380 BSBGR1312499 BSBGR1341506 BSBGR1361504 BSBGR1380405 BSBGR1381502 BSBGR1391501 BSBGR1412505 BSBGRS770264

LAST CLOSE 5.30 39.95 2.04 2.39 2.49 6.05 9.50 3.15 7.99 2.73 7.00 13.00 1.96 10.06 11.29 10.75 15.00 3.61 9.85 15.51 1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00 LAST SALE 100.00 100.00 107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 91.05 100.00 100.00 90.73 96.10 95.40 95.40 98.65 100.71

CLOSE 5.30 39.95 2.04 2.39 2.49 6.05 9.50 3.15 7.99 2.82 7.00 13.00 1.95 10.06 11.29 10.75 15.00 3.61 9.85 15.51 1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00 52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks 52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume Change - Change in closing price from day to day Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings

VOLUME 100

5,500

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CLOSE 100.00 100.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 91.81 91.10 100.00 100.00 90.73 96.10 95.40 95.40 98.65 100.71

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 (8.19) 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund Leno Financial Conservative Fund Leno Financial Aggressive Fund Leno Financial Balanced Fund Leno Financial Global Bond Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - Equities Sub Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - High Yield Income Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - Alternative Strategies Fund Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F

MARKET TERMS

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.09 0.00 0.00 (0.01) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

(242) 323‐2330 (242) 323‐2320 EPS$ 0.239 0.932 0.000 0.070 0.070 1.760 0.369 -0.438 0.140 0.184 0.449 0.722 0.102 0.467 0.646 0.728 0.816 0.203 0.939 0.631 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

VOLUME

10,014 4,000 13 11 7 63 5 140 65 301 NAV 2.48 4.59 2.19 204.67 199.97 1.72 1.82 1.80 1.02 8.92 10.81 7.44 16.64 12.73 10.57 N/A 10.43 14.89

DIV$ 0.170 1.260 0.020 0.110 0.000 0.000 0.260 0.000 0.000 0.120 0.220 0.720 0.434 0.060 0.328 0.240 0.540 0.120 0.200 0.610 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

INTEREST Prime + 1.75% 6.25% 6.95% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.50% 6.25% 4.25% 5.06% 5.00% 5.60% 5.69% 5.69% 5.60% 6.05% 6.10% 6.35% 4.56% YTD% 12 MTH% 3.60% 4.38% 3.43% 3.47% 2.22% 2.69% 1.37% 3.18% 8.18% 14.94% 2.70% 2.70% 1.63% 1.63% 2.39% 2.39% -2.79% -2.79% 5.11% 6.98% 7.77% 9.88% 2.28% 3.71% 19.64% 29.95% -0.81% -0.62% 5.19% 2.28% N/A N/A 3.00% 25.60% 7.90% 48.70%

P/E 22.2 42.9 N/M 34.1 N/M N/M 25.7 -7.2 57.1 15.3 15.6 18.0 19.1 21.5 17.5 14.8 18.4 17.8 10.5 24.6 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

YIELD 3.21% 3.15% 0.98% 4.60% 0.00% 0.00% 2.74% 0.00% 0.00% 4.26% 3.14% 5.54% 22.26% 0.60% 2.91% 2.23% 3.60% 3.32% 2.03% 3.93% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

MATURITY 19-Oct-2022 30-Sep-2025 20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2022 13-Jul-2038 15-Oct-2038 15-Jul-2049 17-Jan-1950 21-Apr-2050 15-Jun-2040 15-Jun-1950 15-Sep-2050 17-Nov-2050 4-May-2026

NAV Date 31-Oct-2021 31-Oct-2021 29-Oct-2021 30-Sep-2021 30-Sep-2021 31-Dec-2021 31-Dec-2021 31-Dec-2021 31-Dec-2021 31-Aug-2021 31-Aug-2021 31-Aug-2021 31-Aug-2021 31-Aug-2021 31-Aug-2021 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021

YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths NAV - Net Asset Value N/M - Not Meaningful

TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | CORALISLE 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225 | BENCHMARK 242-326-7333

benchmark interest rate in March and Wall Street expects as many as seven rate hikes this year after last week’s report that inflation jumped 7.5% in January from a year ago, the fastest increase in four decades. Prices also rose 0.6% from December to January, the same as the previous month, suggesting that price gains still aren’t slowing, as many economists and Fed officials have hoped.

The Fed typically responds to high inflation by making borrowing more expensive, which slows spending and the pace of price increases.

“The market is really paying attention to geopolitical stuff right now, whether it’s stuff out of Ukraine or in D.C. with respect to what the Fed is going to do,” said Willie Delwiche, investment strategist at All Star Charts.

“The bigger story is inflation and rates. The Fed is catching up to inflation, the bond market is now

taking the Fed seriously and the question is ‘what do U.S. stocks do in that environment?”

Nations are still searching for a diplomatic solution to the situation and Russia’s top diplomat advised Russian President Vladimir Putin to continue a dialogue with the U.S. and its allies.

Investors also have their eye on the latest round of corporate earnings, in part to get a better understanding of how companies are dealing with high inflation.

Some of the more notable companies reporting earnings this week include Airbnb on Tuesday, DoorDash on Wednesday and Walmart on Thursday.

Investors will also get more updates on inflation and how that might be impacting spending. The Labor Department will release its January report for prices at the wholesale level on Tuesday and the Commerce Department will release its January retail sales report on Wednesday.

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, MARRISSA CHRISTOPHIA DELANCY of P. O. Box N-10830, Green Castle, Eleuthera, Bahamas, mother and legal guardian intend to change my daugher’s name from JIMMEKA JULISSA LINDERA DELANCY to JIMMEKA JULISSA LINDERA OLIBRICE. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Deputy Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that DEMRIE DARYL CHARLTON of #4 Spoonbicc Loop, Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 15th day of February, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that CHRISTIANA PIERRE of Prince Charles Drive, New Providence, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 8th February, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that KETLY LOUIS JEAN of Pinewood Drive, New Providence, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 15th February, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, February 15, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

BODY AND MIND

A fundraiser for little Harmoney Toddler living with a rare defect needs two surgeries

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

For 19-year-old mother Courtney Farrington, a supportive family is essential in helping her stay strong to give her baby daughter, who was born with the rare birth defect, the best care possible.

Harmoney Clara-Nicole Woodside, who is now one year and nine months old, has arthrogryposis. For the first three months of her life, she was kept in the NICU, until they could no longer help her.

Arthrogryposis involves a variety of non-progressive conditions that are characterised by multiple joint contractures (stiffness) and involves muscle weakness found throughout the body at birth.

In the case of little Harmoney, she’s affected in the hands, wrists, knees, elbows and feet.

“This causes joints to be in a fixed condition. When babies are born with this condition they usually receive early intervention at about three months, but she was unable to receive the proper care until about six months due to there being no specialists in the Bahamas, which forced us to receive care overseas,” said Courtney.

“Having arthrogryposis affects her in many ways because she’s unable to do things for herself that a normal toddler would do.

To help her learn new things, she goes to therapy every month for three weeks straight. She has come so far in her arthrogryposis journey. I look back every day

COURTNEY Farrington is doing her utmost to ensure her daughter Harmoney gets the care she needs for her rare condition. and become stunned at all the progress. Arthrogryposis has no known cause and can happen to anyone.”

The young mother, who is majoring in Culinary Arts at the University of the Bahamas, said she incredibly grateful for the therapists who have helped them since Harmoney was six months old.

The next steps on their journey are two surgeries to help improve the condition of Harmoney’s knees.

“The mom is currently looking forward to hosting a fundraising initiative for baby Harmoney in aid of her orthopedic surgeries. On Saturday, February 26, the event will offer baked goods, soups and souse options like pig feet, chicken and turkey. The

fundraiser was put in place to help us reach our goal for Harmoney’s knee surgeries. Harmoney is having two surgeries in July 2022 and both are $90,000 each. So far, the feedback has been overwhelmingly supportive. More people than I imagined are actually taking the initiative to help as much as they can. I’m most looking forward to finally

hitting our goal to go through with these surgeries,” said Courtney.

For all those interested, directions for the location of the upcoming event are: At the intersection of Carmichael Road and Faith Avenue, head south on Faith Avenue until arriving at the Yellow Plaza opposite St Vincent Road. Contact 455-6020 or 8166861 for more information.

100 socks for cold feet

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

STUDENTS of the Key Club of Queen’s College and the Kiwanis Kids of E P Roberts Primary School have donated more than 100 socks to the children’s ward at the Princess Margaret Hospital to ensure their feet are kept warm while they are recovering.

The donation came after both clubs decided to band together for a community initiative that offers a kind deed by kids for other kids.

However, according to Linda Pascal, a teacher and member of the Kiwanis Club of Fort Montagu, the driving force behind the initiative was faculty advisor at EP Roberts who visited a family member at the ward and observed some of the young patients with bare feet.

“She observed how cold it was and realised the great

LINDA and three students make presentation of 100 socks at PMH need for socks. Some of the children were in their bare feet since their parents/ guardians had not arrived with clean socks yet. As a result, during a discussion of what K-Kids could do as a club project, it came up that if the ward had socks

for ‘just in case moments’ until socks were brought in for the children, then they would not have to worry about cold feet,” said Ms Pascal.

“That is when the students donated 100 pairs of socks of varying sizes,

from infant to adult sizes.

This donation will help keep the little feet of these children warm in that cold (environment).”

The presentation of the donated socks took place last week when Ms Pascal and three students met the public relations team in the waiting area of the Legacy Entrance at PMH. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the children were not allowed to go any further than that area.

“One of the objects of K-Kids is to provide opportunities for working together in service to school and community. As a result, we partnered with the Key Club of Queen’s College

(which is another junior branch of the Kiwanis organisation whose aim is to serve the childen of the world) to carry out this initiative of bringing comfort with socks to the children at the PMH,” said Ms Pascal.

“Community outreach is necessary during this time because we know that many families have not fully recovered from the effects of COVID-19 with persons losing their jobs or pay being decreased. We have to be our brother’s keeper and provide assistance when and where we can.”

Ms Pascal believes it’s important to provide opportunities for children

to work together in service to school and community as it helps develop leadership potential and “fosters the development of strong moral character and encourages loyalty to school, community and nation.”

The project’s leaders responsible for this initiative were Tonya Storr-Belle (past president of KCFM and sixth grade teacher, K-Kids advisor); Thea Storr (third grade teacher, K-Kids advisor), and Ravia Sappleton (Queen’s College teacher and Key Club advisor).

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 15, 2022, PAGE 9

Ten painful reasons men might be afraid to be intimate For men, painful sexual intercourse or pain after sex can have them reluctant or even terrified to be intimate. There are several treatable conditions that can possibly lead to even severe pain during and after sex. In certain circumstances, the pain can be so debilitating that men may fear sexual contact.

1

. Prostatitis

The prostate gland is a walnut-sized organ in men located under the bladder. The prostate produces secretions that contribute to the ejaculate fluid that is released at the time of orgasm.

Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate gland that can be experienced by men of all ages.

Prostatitis can cause painful penetration and delayed ejaculation.

Prostatitis may be acute, chronic or recurrent with often pain in the penis, lower back, lower abdomen, perineum or anywhere in the pelvis after ejaculation. This pain may last minutes to hours after ejaculation and can be so severe that affected men may tremble at the thought of ejaculating.

2

. A curve in the bedroom

An abnormal curvature of the erect penis can develop secondary to prior even minor trauma that can lead to scar tissue formation in the shaft of the penis; a condition called Peyronies’s disease.

Additionally, some men are born with a congenital curvature of the penis called chordee that is often associated with the congenital condition hypospadias, where the urethral opening is located below the normal position.

Curvature of the erect penis does not always cause pain for the male but it can make penetration difficult and cause pain for the female during penetration.

3

. Foreskin issues

A tight foreskin that cannot be fully retracted, phimosis can lead to painful erections and make penetration exceedingly difficult. The sexual act can cause micro tears in the penile foreskin, bleeding, inflammation or infection of the foreskin and make future erections even more painful.

4

. Balanitis

THE UROLOGY DOCTOR IS IN...

Inflammation, infection or non-allergic skin conditions of the head of the penis or glans penis can make sexual intimacy very uncomfortable for afflicted men. Conditions such as Zoon’s balanitis, lichen sclerosis, erosive lichen planus, fungal infections of the glans penis can be painful and distressful.

5

. Allergic reactions

Men can experience allergic reactions to lubricants, latex condoms, or even have adverse reactions to vaginal fluids.

Dr Greggory Pinto

6

. Infections

Some sexually transmitted infections such as trichomoniasis, chylamydia and genital herpes can lead to painful intercourse.

would like. Far too many men suffer needlessly with premature ejaculation with associated great psychological pain and anguish for afflicted men.

7

. Incomplete bladder emptying

A full or partially full bladder even after attempting to void urine, can make sex very uncomfortable and even embarrassing with sometimes the overflow of urine during intimacy.

Incomplete bladder emptying may have obstructive or non-obstructive causes. Common causes for obstructive incomplete bladder emptying include an enlarged prostate and a urethral stricture, scar tissue within the urine tube. Non-obstructive causes for men include diabetic cystopathy, a neurogenic bladder and certain medications.

8

. Groin hernias

A defect in the muscle wall in either or both sides of the groin can cause a hernia, with a protrusion of abdominal contents into the groin and sometimes the scrotum. Groin hernias can lead to pain and are usually more pronounced during exertion such as during sex.

9

. Radiculopathic pain

A lower back nerve impingement can result in radiculopathic pain to the region of the body supplied by the compressed nerve.

Pain or numbness in the penis

or within the pelvis or difficulty achieving an erection can make sexual intimacy difficult

10

. Painful fear of failure

Every man will have at least one episode of erectile dysfunction in their lifetime for various physiological reasons or psychological stress and anxiety. Subsequent

sexual encounters often have men placing great pressure on themselves to perform without incident and this self directed stress can lead to erectile issues.

Premature ejaculation is the most common form of erectile dysfunction, affecting as many as one in three men. Premature ejaculation is defined as a man ejaculating sooner during sex than either he or his partner

Other painful conditions that can lead to painful sex include post orgasmic illness syndrome whereby men can feel unwell after ejaculation, with possible fatigue or flu-like symptoms. Headaches after sex are termed coital headaches or orgasmic migraine. Pain usually occurs above the neck at the base of the skull after orgasm.

A lack of lubrication during sex might lead to painful intercourse for men and women. Priapism is an erection lasting longer than four hours that can be painful and potentially cause irreversible damage to the penis if not promptly treated.

Pain during or after sex can lead to anxiety, disappointment and great distress. Such pain should never be ignored as your body is telling you that something is not right.

Identification of the exact cause and mechanism of painful sex for men, followed by the treatment of the cause can put an end to the great tragedy of painful intimacy.

• Dr Greggory Pinto is a board certified Bahamian urologist and laparoscopic surgeon. He can be contacted at OakTree Medical Center #2 Fifth Terrace & Mount Royal Avenue, Nassau, Bahamas; Telephone – (242) 322-1145 (6) (7); email: welcome@urologycarebahamas.com or visit the website:www.urologycarebahamas.com

Bahamian on the front line in climate change fight

By FELICITY DARVILLE “It’s not our fault, but it is our fight,” says Brittney Jones about climate change and its impact on health in the Bahamas.

“Countries like ourselves are on the frontline of the impact of climate change due to extreme weather events, flooding, temperature changes, and precipitation.”

According to the WHO/UNFCCC’s Health and Climate Change Country Profile 2021, “under a high (global) emissions scenario, the mean annual temperature is projected to rise by about 3°C on average by the end of the century. If emissions decrease rapidly, the temperature rise is limited to about 0.9°C”.

Brittney is the Climate Change and Health Focal point person for PAHO/WHO Bahamas, Turks & Caicos Islands Country Office.

PAHO is working with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection to implement a project: “Strengthening Climate Resilient Health Systems in the Bahamas”. The expected product is the completion of the health chapter of the National Adaptation Plan (HNAP). It is part of a larger regional project - EU/ CARIFORUM Climate Change and Health Project, of which the country is a beneficiary.

Resilience to and preparation for the impact of climate change is critical for The Bahamas, which is placed amongst the top ten most vulnerable island states in the world. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like the Bahamas see rising temperatures from global emissions as a major threat to their health and way of life.

Globally, there is projected to be an additional 250,000 deaths due to climate change every year, Brittney said.

BRITTNEY JONES, Climate Change and Health Focal point person for PAHO/ WHO Bahamas, Turks & Caicos Islands Country Office “This public health issue is also one that should be viewed through ethical lens. From this perspective, it is important to recognize how vulnerable populations like children, outdoor workers, the elderly, and persons with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by climate change.”

“From a human rights perspective, all people have the right to their culture and preservation of food, water, health, and housing - all directly impacted by climate change. From a political perspective, governments around the globe including The Bahamas have recognised its pivotal role in the preservation of human life.”

PAHO is the implementing agency of the EU/ CARIFORUM Climate Change and Health Project. Regional health systems and populations remain highly vulnerable to impacts from climate change causing: extreme weather; negative effects on food and water security; impacts to health and wellbeing; lost/reduced work capacity; economic impacts; and challenges to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Climate change affects everyone, everywhere, Jones pointed out.

Human practices such as burning fossil fuels for power generation and destroying trees,

contribute to the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide trap the heat of the sun in the earth’s atmosphere, causing an overall warming effect.

This causes a number of environmental changes that have implications for human health: Air pollution – which causes respiratory challenges such as asthma, allergies, and cardiovascular conditions.

Drought – which can result in not having enough water for sanitation and hygiene purposes, leading to spread of disease, and can also impact food production needed for adequate nutrition.

Sea level rising – which leads to flooding, which can contaminate drinking or fresh water sources, leading to water borne diseases like cholera.

Changes in rainfall, heat, and humidity – which can impact the life cycle of vectors, leading to diseases like dengue fever and malaria.

Intense storms such as hurricanes – which can cause injury, death, displacement, and mental health challenges related to stress.

Extreme temperature – which can lead to heat stroke or exhaustion, as well as cardiovascular issues.

The EU/CARIFORUM project will help to improve the capacity of Caribbean countries to reduce the negative impacts of climate change on health. The plan is to use a One Health approach within the Caribbean Cooperation in Health Phase IV (CCH IV) Framework. This project will contribute to the reduction in mortality and morbidity from expected health consequences of climate change in Caribbean countries.

One Health takes an interdisciplinary/intersectoral approach, bringing together a cadre of

climate change and health leaders from the Caribbean. PAHO lists many benefits including: increasing the region’s capacity to measure the health co-benefits of climate mitigation; the establishment of the HNAPs for countries involved; strengthening water, sanitation and food safety systems to be more resilient to climate change; having national climateinformed disease surveillance and modelling systems; and raising awareness in order to take action at the local, national and subregional levels.

Sixteen member states of CARIFORUM and Cuba will benefit.

Caribbean Forum of ACP States (CARIFORUM): Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The project will be implemented over a period of 60 months to the tune of 7 million Euros. Countries in the region will touch five Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They are: 3 - good health and well-being; 6 - clean water and sanitation; 11 - sustainable cities and communities; 13 - climate action; and 17 - partnerships for the SDGs. The implementation team includes: PAHO/WHO, Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC); Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH); Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA); University of Western Caribbean (UWI) and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).

Additional partners are UNEP, FAO, UNCC and PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centres.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, February 15, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Latoya is unafraid to stand on her own

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

AS a serial entrepreneur, Latoya Hanna Moxey firmly believes in the importance of multiple streams of income.

Accordingly, she has invested her time and resources in establishing an online women’s clothing boutique and is looking forward to taping and airing the fourth season of her talk show, “A Seat at the Table” this April.

Her newest venture is called The Hannaway Group, also known as THG Marketing – a full-service boutique marketing firm that focuses on increasing visibility of its clients.

Latoya said the group’s approach is simple yet effective.

“I have been a marketer for almost 20 years, mainly in hospitality marketing, and I pivoted into healthcare marketing. In early 2021, you could say, the time had come for me to put everything I had learned and applied over the years to the test and I transitioned into my own brand and business.

It was a bit frightening to venture into this territory, mainly because I had always been a hybrid, working in corporate Bahamas while maintaining another stream of income,” she said.

“I always knew I had what it took to stand on my own in this industry, but the pandemic and other imposed societal woes didn’t make it very easy for many small businesses.

Latoya is enjoying her newfound freedom.

“One of the greatest feelings I have as an entrepreneur is that I have full autonomy of my creativity. I have a very colourful and animated mind, and I enjoy using

it as a strength in this field and it has (benefitted) me when working with clients who are open to unique ideas that capture the attention of their intended audience. In this industry it is so important to be able to express your creativity freely, I believe you get the best result when that happens. It’s what sets me a part from others I believe, the freedom

to create and translate what the client envisions,” she said.

Based in Nassau, The Hannaway Group, she said, has built an intimate cohort of independent creative professionals from different areas to collaborate on project-based work.

“I enjoy the opportunity I get to build solid relationships and create the ‘wow” experiences for each person and business I work it. I love that this field is so broad and is ever-changing, and if you’re really passionate about it, you usually keep up with what’s

now, trendy and hip and set a new benchmark each time…and so I enjoy learning the new and innovative ways to be more effective in this field through various mediums,” she said.

The rebranding for the Hannaway Group is still in progress.

It has included expanding the team of freelancers and resident creatives on the team, a website overhaul, social media revitalisation, new content creation strategies and a new focus on the brand identity, she said.

Latoya describes herself as a “domestic tourist”, someone who loves exploring the islands of the Bahamas. She is proud to say that she has visited almost all of them.

“I love to travel, I have a passion for fashion, and I enjoy spending time with my loved ones. My desire to be better and do better than the day before is one of the biggest sources of selfmotivation for me. I believe we are all a work in progress, so to be able to build a mindset that allows me to think and believe that there are no limits to achieving what I desire keeps me going and I enjoy the end result most times. Outside of that, I would say my family is a huge source of motivation, especially my children,” she said.

As the year continues, Latoya is hoping that companies will look at giving small businesses like THG Marketing the opportunity to prove how great they are.

LATOYA Hanna Moxey

(Photo/Mary Long/Shutterstock)

Confidence culture tells women to be more selfassured – but ignores the real problems

By ROSALIND GILL Professor of Social and Cultural Analysis, City, University of London and Shani Orgad Professor of Media and Communications, London School of Economics and Political Science (THE CONVERSATION) – With Valentine’s Day just behind us, advice about confidence is proliferating. British Vogue enjoins women to boost their sexual confidence with slogans like “feel good in your body” and say goodbye to negative talk. Meanwhile Selfridges promises shoppers a sex and relationship “MOT”, in which “confidence coaching” for women comes as part of the package.

But (like dogs and Christmas), confidence is not just for Valentine’s Day. It is now a 24/7 obligation for women.

Inequality in the workplace?

Women need to lean in and become more confident. Eating disorders and poor body image?

Programmes promoting girls’ confidence and body positivity are the solution. Parenting problems? Let’s help make mums feel more confident so they can raise

confident kids. Post-pandemic relationship sours? Well, confidence is, after all, “the new sexy”.

Even the British Army now targets potential female recruits with the promise that joining the military will give young women confidence that “lasts a lifetime”.

The need for self-confidence has become so much a part of our common sense that it is presented as beyond debate. Cast as a feminist intervention, and aimed at the obvious good of empowering women, who could possibly be against it?

But, as we argue in our new book, the problem with these imperatives, programmes and interventions – what we call Confidence Culture – is that they encourage us to undertake extensive work on the self and direct us away from calling out structural inequalities that are the real source of the problems women face.

A personal deficit?

Self-confidence is presented as the solution to a wide range of issues across many spheres of life: from the welfare system to consumer culture, body image, the

workplace, parenting, education and sex and relationship advice.

Rather than identifying the root causes of structural inequality, confidence culture reframes social injustices in terms of internal obstacles and personal deficits through, for example, familiar phrases such as “Your lack of confidence is holding you back,” or “We do this to ourselves.”

The toxic idea that if women were more confident they could be more successful is pervasive.

Take the pandemic’s devastating and disproportionate economic impact on women —including increased unemployment, the scaling back of paid work, and the widening gender pay gap.

In response, workplace schemes have offered “confidence training” courses and advice for women, while organisations, life coaches and lifestyle media implore women to believe in themselves, “fill your own cup first” and “remember that confidence is a work in progress”.

Thus, instead of holding government, workplaces, corporations and the education system to account, confidence culture — even if well-meaning — calls on women to work on themselves in order to tackle their impostor

syndrome, change the way they think, feel, communicate, hold their bodies and occupy space.

Changing the world, not the woman Confidence culture directs us ever more inward, shifting the responsibility and the blame for social ills onto the shoulders of individual women.

Moreover, with the exponential rise in stress and mental health issues — all profoundly exacerbated by years of austerity and now the pandemic — confidence and self-care apps, targeting women, have boomed. Several reports identified the growth of self-care apps as one of the biggest health and consumer trends of the pandemic, driven largely by women and millennials.

Confidence culture tells women that they could love themselves more or be more successful if only they change themselves.

In the area of body image, most experts agree that pressures on women are intensifying. Yet rather than critically addressing these punitive and unrealistic ideals, beauty brands are hiring “confidence ambassadors” and female celebrities are advocating

body positivity and self-love.

From “woke advertising” to hashtags across social media and more, inspirational mantras and positive affirmations addressing girls and women relentlessly promote self-belief and positivity.

We urgently need to shift this emphasis and tackle the structural inequalities that the pandemic has so clearly spotlighted and that the cost-of-living crisis is now highlighting so brutally. We need to challenge the endless encouragement of women and girls to work on and care for themselves (because no one else will). Rather than an individualised and psychologised confidence culture, we need to invest in building and sustaining social structures and policies that support, ensure and reinforce women’s safety, wellbeing and power.

We don’t need more emphasis on blaming and changing women, we need to change the world.

• This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 15, 2022, PAGE 11

Review: Unique narrator propels ‘What the Fireflies Knew’

By ROB MERRILL ASSOCIATED PRESS “What the Fireflies Knew” by Kai Harris (Tiny Reparations Books) One of the joys of reviewing books is reading things you otherwise never would.

So let me disclose up front that I chose this book because the title sounded cool. I didn’t know what it was about, didn’t know it was a debut novel from a creative writing professor, and certainly didn’t know it was a poignant story told in the voice of a pre-teen Black girl from Detroit.

Kenyatta Bernice, KB for short, is the unique narrator, and for readers like me (full disclosure, again: I’m a 50-year-old white male) her voice takes a little getting used to. “I was s’posed to be sleep, but I couldn’t sleep, so I crept down the creaky stairs looking for Daddy...

I ain’t scream at first, when I found him there, cold,” begins the story in January 1995. Fast forward five months and KB and her sister, Nia, are relocating to Lansing, Michigan, to live with their grandfather for the summer. They don’t know why their grieving “Momma” can’t take care of them anymore and the

rest of the novel is basically KB piecing together what happened and then trying to piece her family back together after she learns their flaws and secrets.

“This book was born from a desire to show Black girlhood at it best, at its worst, at its most dull and most exciting,” writes Harris in the acknowledgements, which I think may provide readers some valuable context if read first rather than at the end.

There’s no need to sketch the plot any further, just to say that Harris has indeed captured what I think is a believable adolescent girl’s voice. Here is KB watching

her “Granddaddy” after Bible study with a friend: “I

AUTHOR Kai Harris

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 72° F/22° C Low: 59° F/15° C

TAMPA

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Strong winds gradually subsiding

Rain and drizzle in the evening

Strong winds gradually subsiding

Sunshine with winds subsiding

Sunny and nice

Beautiful with plenty of sunshine

High: 76°

Low: 68°

High: 80° Low: 71°

High: 81° Low: 70°

High: 82° Low: 69°

High: 81° Low: 68°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

74° F

62° F

80°-71° F

85°-73° F

89°-74° F

90°-68° F

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

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High: 71° F/22° C Low: 68° F/20° C

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High: 74° F/23° C Low: 68° F/20° C

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FREEPORT

High: 74° F/23° C Low: 69° F/21° C

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| Go to AccuWeather.com

TONIGHT

High: 75° F/24° C Low: 60° F/16° C

High: 72° F/22° C Low: 65° F/18° C

MIAMI

High: 74° F/23° C Low: 69° F/21° C

8-16 knots

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 75° F/24° C Low .................................................... 72° F/22° C Normal high ....................................... 77° F/25° C Normal low ........................................ 64° F/18° C Last year’s high ................................. 86° F/30° C Last year’s low ................................... 75° F/24° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ................................................. 4.29” Normal year to date ..................................... 2.10”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 68° F/20° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2022

High: 75° F/24° C Low: 71° F/22° C

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High: 75° F/24° C Low: 68° F/20° C

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

tiDes For nassau High Today

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Low

Ht.(ft.)

2.8 2.2

12:33 a.m. -0.1 1:23 p.m. 0.0

Wednesday 7:34 a.m.

7:51 p.m.

2.9 2.4

1:15 a.m. -0.2 1:59 p.m. -0.1

Thursday

8:11 a.m.

8:30 p.m.

2.9 2.5

1:56 a.m. -0.2 2:34 p.m. -0.2

Friday

8:48 a.m.

9:10 p.m.

2.9 2.6

2:37 a.m. -0.2 3:09 p.m. -0.3

Saturday

9:26 a.m.

9:51 p.m.

2.8 2.7

3:19 a.m. -0.2 3:46 p.m. -0.3

Sunday

10:07 a.m.

10:36 p.m.

2.7 2.7

4:04 a.m. -0.2 4:24 p.m. -0.3

Monday

10:50 a.m.

11:26 p.m.

2.5 2.8

4:53 a.m. -0.1 5:07 p.m. -0.3

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:44 a.m.

6:04 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

5:17 p.m.

6:16 a.m.

Full

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Feb. 16

Feb. 23

Mar. 2

Mar. 10

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 72° F/22° C

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 74° F/23° C

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tracking map

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 74° F/23° C

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uV inDex toDay

CAT ISLAND

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watch Granddaddy’s face, his hands, his feet. I watch the way he smooths the small pillow on the wicker chair where Charlie sat...

When I watch people, I’m looking at more than what they do. I look at how they do it, then try to figure out why.”

It’s all that figuring that makes the book worth reading. It’s not an easy read, by any means — there’s racism, sexual assault, drug use — but it feels authentic, and does what good fiction does: take readers on a journey they otherwise wouldn’t travel.

15-25 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 80° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 79° F/26° C Low: 75° F/24° C

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 74° F/23° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 83° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C

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marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday:

WINDS NE at 12-25 Knots ENE at 12-25 Knots NE at 12-25 Knots E at 10-20 Knots NE at 15-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 12-25 Knots NE at 12-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots ENE at 12-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots NE at 15-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots E at 12-25 Knots ENE at 12-25 Knots ENE at 12-25 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 12-25 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots NE at 12-25 Knots ENE at 12-25 Knots NE at 15-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots

WAVES 5-9 Feet 8-12 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 8-12 Feet 8-12 Feet 4-7 Feet 5-9 Feet 6-10 Feet 8-12 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 3-5 Feet 4-8 Feet 5-9 Feet 4-8 Feet 5-9 Feet 8-12 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 4-7 Feet 4-7 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 75° F 75° F 77° F 74° F 77° F 76° F 80° F 79° F 77° F 77° F 76° F 74° F 77° F 75° F 80° F 80° F 79° F 79° F 78° F 77° F 75° F 75° F 79° F 79° F 77° F 76° F

SECTION B

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2022

Miss Bahamas Universe ‘slays’ the runway at New York Fashion Week

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

MISS Universe Bahamas Chantel O’Brian walked the runway during New York Fashion Week after being invited as a special guest.

The Bahamian beauty queen, who is fresh off her historic performance at the 2021 Miss Universe competition, embraced the chance to make an appearance at the world-famous fashion showcase.

Chantel was asked by the international media company VIP Pageantry to make an appearance as a special guest model during its New York Fashion Week show.

VIP Pagentry is a global multimedia television network with a special focus on promoting pageantry.

The team was delighted to have the Bahamian beauty queen grace the stage for her first ever appearance at New York Fashion Week.

Chantel said she welcomed the opportunity with open arms.

“My very first New York Fashion Week and grateful doesn’t suffice. I met some amazing people, including some I’ve followed for some time. Thank you VIP Pageantry for the opportunity and the greatest experience,” she said.

During the event, Chantel got to model some of the most exquisite gowns. “(The experience) was incredible. There were a variety of designers, models from different places, all there for a common goal: to slay,” she told Tribune Woman.

This is just one of the ventures Chantel has been putting her energy into since her performance during Miss Universe in Israel.

Chantel made history by reaching the top ten in the international pageant.

She was the first Bahamian to achieve this since the Bahamas acquired the Miss Universe licence in 1958.

She also snagged the Carnival Spirit Award.

“I’ve just been going day by day. We’ll see what else the year has in store. Aside from that, I

was named ImpactWayv’s newest influencer. ImpactWayv is a digital platform who partnered with Miss Universe in the 2021 edition to promote our individual causes.

Since then, they’ve been following my work and have now pledged to supporting my future advocacies,” she said.

Chantel describes herself as a first-generation college graduate, motivational speaker, marketer, model, entrepreneur, and a Christian.

She considers charity and mentorship to be at the core of her identity, coming from humble beginnings in Nassau’s innercity community of Englerston.

Chantel obtained a Bachelor of Administration in Business Enterprise from the Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland. While obtaining her bachelor’s degree, Chantel founded PS O’Brian Consulting - a pageant, etiquette, runway coaching and consultation agency. She also offers services in marketing and branding.

“I’ve already got back to coaching. I recently celebrated four years in coaching and held a complimentary walk and

CHANTEL O'Brian in New York (Photos/kingaaronphotography and tiarasandcrownsinc) confidence-building session. I’m hosting classes every Friday at 6pm and will be taking students for etiquette classes as well,” she said.

As the former Miss World Bahamas 2015, Chantel has contributed to the success of other contestants in pageants like Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Earth Bahamas, NAM, IJM, Miss Black International Ambassador, and other institutions.

Chantel has continued actively building her personal brand in the Bahamas as a spokesperson, ambassador and print ad model for local companies.

She is also the co-founder of The Leading Ladies Project and the creator of “The Final Crown”, a faith-based pageantry vlog developed from her mantra “Perfection is a Myth”. Through her

various platforms, Chantel advocates for underprivileged youth by promoting the confidence and the self-worth needed to both realise and achieve dreams.

No stranger to youth work, Chantel was nominated for a Bahamian Icon Award in 2016.

Her work has also resulted in her being recognised by the Royal Commonwealth Society as a Fellow Associate. As a member of the Majority Minority Development Association and a certified youth leader with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Bahamas, Chantel seeks to help minorities with their educational pursuits. She has grown a passion for sustainability and climate change and has partnered with organisations such as Coral Vita to further promote climate justice in the Bahamas.”

Liturgical dance pioneer receives international honour

By CARA HUNT Tribune Features Writer cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

Dr Anne Higgins has been named the first Black Influential Woman of the Caribbean by the Dance Ministry magazine.

The US based-magazine selected the Bahamian as one of five dance leaders throughout the US and the Caribbean region to be recognised in honour of Black History Month In fact, Dr Higgins is the only one of the five women who is not from the United States. The other four honorees are Constance McIntyre, Aprille Christian, Apostle Elizabeth Hairston and Sherr Traylor.

President of Dance Ministry Lavivian Renee explained that they chose to recognise Dr Higgins because she is a true pioneer in liturgical dance.

“In our search we found this woman to be the most influential person in the dance throughout the Caribbean and the world when it comes to spirituality and dance,” she said.

“The first to pioneer liturgical dance in her country, the first to establish spirituality and dance in Europe through the CIDUNESCO World Dance Council programme number fifteen. She has established liturgical dance in over 200 countries in the world through her presidency of CIDUNESCO Nassau Section.”

Dance Ministry magazine was launched in 1999 with the overall mission to support and provide

DR Ann Higgins exposure for gospel dancers, mimes, theatre majors, acrobats and “art-trepreneurs” at all levels.

Dr Higgins said she has had a true spiritual awakening and journey when it comes to her dance.

She is co-pastor of Creative Christian Arts Ministries International and president of the World Dance Council UNESCO-Nassau Bahamas Section.

Her dance career which spans over 50 years began when she was a topless dancer in Grand Bahama at the El Casino Kasbah.

DR Ann Higgins with Ann Marie Davis, wife of the prime minister However, when she gave her life to the Lord in 1985, she left secular dancing behind, never to look back. She then embarked on a new career as a fitness instructor and became very popular through her TV programme “Exercising

By Faith”.

Dr Higgins also started the first Christian dance school in 1987 and to this day over 2,000 dance leaders have graduated from her school.

She and her husband have also started several community centres, mentorship programmes,

dance companies, cultural institutes and networks, as well as creative arts programmes for the children.

Dr Higgins said that she is grateful and honoured to have been selected by Dance Ministry magazine.

“Thirty-six years ago ( February 10, 1985), I turned my talents, gifts and abilities over to God. I went from a topless lead dancer to a top-class ambassador for Christ.

I thank God for grace and favour.

He kept me. He is always opening doors for me,” she said.

Dr Higgins is the project manager for the Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister, and Ann Marie Davis offered her congratulations, as did her husband, Prime Minister Philip Davis.

“Congratulations to my project manager, Dr Ann Higgins, on being named as the first Bahamian to receive an international honour for being the first Black most influential person in the Bahamas and Caribbean to pioneer liturgical dance in over 200 countries. Well done,” said Mrs Davis.