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Shavar’s father: ‘Police beat me’

Seized toddler’s dad accuses cops of brutal attack

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net THE mother of seized toddler Shavar Bain Jr last night accused authorities of beating her boyfriend during the time he was held by police in the hours their son was missing.

Dwaynira Thurston alleges police “tortured” and abused both her and the boy’s father, Shavar Bain Sr, ultimately accusing them of kidnapping their own child.

Ms Thurston told The

Tribune yesterday her human rights were violated when officers came to arrest her at 2am Sunday and refused to leave her bedroom to give her the privacy of getting dressed.

While this was taking place, she alleges Shavar Bain Sr had already been in police custody for several hours and was being tormented by brutal means in an attempt to coerce a confession.

Royal Bahamas Police Force Superintendent

FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham is “disappointed and distressed” at Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ lengthy delay in filling the post of Chief Justice.

“I am disappointed and distressed that the vacancy has not been filled and so should the community as it should have been filled a long time ago,” he told The Tribune yesterday.

SEE PAGE FIVE

COMMONWEALTH Brewery, responsible for the entire Kalik beer product line, yesterday said a tough economy and competitive pressures from cheaper rival beers had forced it to terminate 73 staff within its 700 Wines & Spirits retail unit.

The brewer, which is which is 25 percent owned

by Bahamian shareholders, said it had made redundant 53 positions on New Providence and 20 on Grand Bahama as it adjusts its business to prevailing market conditions that include reduced consumer spending and fierce competition from its Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Company rival.

FYRE FEST - LET’S DO IT AGAIN (REALLY?)

SEE PAGE THREE

Asked for a response, Erica Wells, communications director in the Office of the Prime Minister, said a person has been identified and agreed upon for the role. “An announcement will come shortly,” she said.

“The Acting Chief Justice Vera Watkins will continue to act until an appointment is made but we’ve had discussions with her already.”

Denise Lewis-Johnson, vice president of the Bar Association and Wayne Munroe, member of the Bar

By NATARIO MCKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

INGRAHAM CONDEMNS CHIEF JUSTICE DELAY

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

BREWERY AXES 73 JOBS IN ‘BEER WAR’

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

25 AND FACING MURDER

25-YEAR-OLD Keno McKenzie was one of four men who were in court facing murder charges yesterday. Full story - Page 2 Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

DESPITE the heavilypublicised failings of the doomed Fyre Festival, rapper Jeffrey “Ja Rule” Atkins has plans to create another music festival.

The American rapper was co-founder of the Fyre Festival of 2017, held in Exuma. Billed as a luxury musical event, the event was a certified disaster – the fallout from which garnered significant media attention and two separate documentaries released on the Netflix and Hulu streaming platforms last month.

SEE PAGE 11

WE DID TAKE SUSPECT - BUT IT’S NOT KIDNAP

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

THE Department of Immigration yesterday rejected the characterisation of its arrest of a suspected migrant as a “kidnapping” — maintaining instead that the man in question was “cautioned and arrested” by officers.

The department released a statement yesterday clarifying the matter following

A FRAME from the video. an outcry from an activist group over a viral video of the incident, which depicts

the suspected migrant being placed in the trunk of an SUV by a group of Immigration officers.

When contacted on Sunday for comment, Immigration Minister Brent Symonette told The Tribune he was awaiting a report on the authenticity of the video. Mr Symonette said once authenticity is confirmed, all warranted disciplinary action will be carried out.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE SEVEN

FACE-TO-FACE

A FAMILY BONDED IN HISTORYSEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Tuesday, February 19, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Four murder charges

RICARDO MITCHELL, 25

WALLECK MEDURERK, 33

KENO MCKENZIE, 25

MARIO BROWN, 28 Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

FOUR men between the ages of 25 and 33 are behind several of the country’s most recent murders, including that of a man who was attending a party in a Haitian village on Cowpen Road, police have alleged.

Two 25-year-olds Ricardo Mitchell and Keno McKenzie; 28-year-old Mario Brown, and 33-year-old Walleck Medurerk were each arraigned yesterday before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux over four separate murders which took place between February 9 and 10.

Medurerk, police allege, was one of the two armed men who emerged from bushes and shot and killed 54-year-old Exavier Presentus and attempted to kill Sidney St Arnold on February 9 as they mingled among a group of Haitian nationals hosting a social event at the Haitian village.

Medurerk is further alleged to have robbed St Arnold at gunpoint of a Samsung cellphone worth $220 and a brown leather wallet worth $50.

The Homestead Street native returns to court on April 12 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). He was remanded into police custody until then.

Meanwhile, Mitchell and McKenzie, of Carmichael Road and Miami Street respectively, were both charged with murdering 54-year-old Ferdinand Agenor as well as another man, Daniel Sterling, on February 10 in the Englerston area.

Sterling and Agenor were killed roughly an hour apart, and just a few streets apart.

Sterling was killed by a male armed with a firearm while sitting in front of a business establishment on Washington Street and Balfour Avenue at around 9am.

Then at 10am Agenor was shot and killed by a gunman while standing in front of a

business establishment on Robinson Road and Miami Street.

Mitchell and McKenzie were further charged with attempting to murder Anwar Smith at a bar on Miami Street on February 3.

McKenzie was further charged with causing grievous harm to Joel Bullard on October 28, while Mitchell was charged with causing grievous harm to Terrance Hutchinson on May 13, 2018.

They both plead not guilty to the grievous harm charges and will return to court on April 16 for trial.

Brown, meanwhile, was

accused of murdering Jamaal Kemp on February 10 while at the Potter’s Cay Dock.

However, Brown’s attorney Krysta Mason-Smith indicated to the court that a video exists which shows that he was not present at the location in question when Kemp was murdered, and thus asked the police investigators to look into the matter. She said if the video in fact shows that Brown was at a “completely different location”, then he shouldn’t be charged before the courts.

Brown returns to court on April 12 for service of a VBI.

THE TRIBUNE from page one Marlon Fulford confirmed yesterday the Complaints and Corruptions’ front office received a report from Mr Bain yesterday, adding police would investigate the claims he made.

Mr Shavar was watching his son and several other children outside playing as he washed a car across the street. He had taken his eyes off of the children for a brief moment to speak with his mother, also in close proximity.

This is when Shavar Jr was was taken from outside his home at South Beach Estates as he rode a bicycle shortly before 6pm Saturday. Police said a witness to the brazen kidnapping stated he saw the toddler taken off his bicycle by two women, who put him in their silver coloured car and sped away from the scene.

About 13 hours later, he was dropped off shortly after 7am Sunday right outside of Sunrise Wash house at Fox Hill and Joe Farrington Roads. As speculation remains over why he was taken, Ms Thurston ruled out the incident being connected to a domestic dispute. This detail was told to The Tribune by National Security Minister Marvin Dames as he moved on Sunday to quell concerns that kidnapping could become an issue in The Bahamas, telling this newspaper this was not a random incident.

What transpired during the time the assailants held the child was a nightmare, Ms Thurston said.

“They had him from about eight something that night (Saturday) until like about three something the next day (Sunday). After they found my son seven o’clock they still had him in custody until about three something almost four o’clock waiting on the swelling of the hand to go down, you see,” Ms Thurston said, speaking on behalf of her partner Mr Bain.

“They beat him (and) this is everything that he told me. This ain’t what someone else tell me. He said they put bag on his head and he bite through the first bag because he couldn’t breathe. They put another one over his head he say they was suffocating him, chocking him. Say one big CDU officer was sitting on his back. They had him handcuffed to the ground.

“He said he was stomping him in his chest and it started he say because the first inspector hit him in his face… burst his head off.

Then the officer said put him in the back then they started to beat him.”

According to Ms Thurston, Mr Bain believes the beating was more severe because the officer

Tuesday, February 19, 2019, PAGE 3

Shavar’s father The Tribunecops accuses HOUSE of brutal 16attack A1MAIN

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Find the women who took Shavar Toddler dumped in street 13 hours after being taken

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

A THREE-year-old boy, abducted in a “domestic dispute” over the weekend, was left frightened and alone outside a Fox Hill washhouse several hours later, sparking a manhunt for two women believed to be the assailants.

“Police will continue to look for those responsible,” Superintendent Shanta Knowles told The Tribune yesterday.

Shavar Bain Jr was taken from outside his home at

South Beach Estates as he rode a bicycle shortly before 6pm Saturday.

In response to media inquires about the missing child roughly two hours after the abduction, police informed media via What’sApp that they were investigating a report of a missing child.

They said a witness to the brazen kidnapping stated he saw the toddler shortly before 6pm on Saturday taken off his bicycle by two women, who put him in their car and sped away from the scene.

SEE PAGE THREE

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

ONGOING unrest in Haiti has prompted the closure of The Bahamas embassy in Port-au-Prince and the temporary suspension of deportations to that country, the government has announced.

In separate statements circulated over the weekend, both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the

Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) pointed to the increase in violent protests across the capital city of Port-au-Prince as a major factor in their decisions to suspend diplomatic services indefinitely.

To that end, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recalled all diplomatic personnel for consultations on the situation as it looks to determine how and when to reconvene services.

HOW The Tribune covered the story yesterday. delivering most of the blows two o’clock in the morning. to put on my clothes and they standing right here I had on a Bain shirt a short was also allegedly drinking SEE PAGE SIX SHAVAR Jr wasand taken from outside his home as he rode a bicycle on Saturday. looking in the room. They alcohol. Up to yesterday pants. not move ‘KIDNAP’ from this “I PROBE was laying down in she said he was complainLAUNCHED INTOwould IMMIGRATION ing of chest pains and other this bed and they could door.”

By RICARDO WELLS two male immigration She saidby she was then eyes hurting. I have injuries from the abuse suf- see my Tribune Staff Reporter officers, as a third opens the rwells@tribunemedia.net trunk.

The man is placed the towel over my face. taken to the police station fered while in custody. head first into the trunk another relaredBahamas where I been along withbefore Speaking about her My eyes all three officers get RIGHTS (RB) into the backseat of that yesterday condemned a tive.

Once there, she got the much.

My other experience, Ms Thurston cryingviralsovideo same vehicle. of a suspected Addressing the clip in chilling news. in the said she was not physically four children migrant being placed in thebed, I a statement yesterday, trunk of SUV by a group “I told them that theofficers bed.as harmed by police, but she layingofacross Ms St Fleur said:I“Ifhad this immigration is an accurate depiction “extremely male disturbing”. officers already given statement.

“Three felt violated and degraded of the acruel and heartless RB president Stephanie A VIDEO grab of the incident. tactics whichwe (DepartlikenedIthehave ordeal on a So they said no tomiss are here. having to dress herself in come StinFleur a kidnapping, question- place in The Bahamas. In ment of) Immigration have stooped, Rights Bahamas locking you up for abducpants andan aactshirt and the presence of three male short to ing how such was the short clip, a man is seen permitted to up have in taken beingIguidedtion to a grey ofSUV your son SEE PAGE FIVE here. officers who refused to they standing “I said listen to me y’all afford her the courtesy of was not dressed and they changing from her night- would not come out of the locking me up for abduction of my son. I was laying wear to be taken to the room.

“No woman officer was down in the bed with my South Beach Police station with them. They would not four children and y’all talkfor a second time.

“They come here after move out the room. I trying ing f***ery bout locking me

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

on that island over the weekend.

According to reports, shortly before 7pm on TWO men are in hos- Saturday police were pital following a stabbing on routine patrol in the incident at a nightclub in Porgy Bay area when they Freeport, according to observed a man acting police. ASP Terecita Pinder suspiciously and searched said police received a him. Officers discovered report of an argument at an a quantity of suspected establishment on Wimpole cocaine and marijuana on Street, involving a group of the man and in his vehicle. men, shortly after 2am on Ms Pinder said that the Sunday. male suspect was arrested She said that when the and taken into custody. patrons attempted to inter In a second incivene, they were stabbed in dent, officers acting on the body. EMS personnel information executed a were called and took the search warrant shortly three male victims to the after 8pm on Saturday at a Rand Memorial Hospital, residence in Bailey Town, where one was treated and Bimini. During a search discharged. The two other of the house, they discovmen remain in hospital in ered a quantity of suspected stable condition. cocaine and marijuana. As In other crime news, a result, a male suspect was police in Bimini made arrested and taken into Tuesday, 19th February two separate drug arrests custody.2019

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NUMBERS BOYS STAY OFFSIDE FOR BANKS

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Gaming Board’s “myth debunking” has not convinced commercial banks to accept web shop monies, Clearing Banks Association chairman Gowon Bowe has revealed.

He said that the regulator’s research, arguing that concerns over domestic gaming’s vulnerability to money laundering and other financial crimes were “unfounded”, failed to address several issues fundamental to the banks’ reluctance to accept the industry’s deposits.

Top among them was the “elevated risk” involved in dealing with the large amounts of cash generated by web shops and the extra compliance/due diligence costs that banks will incur in handling such sums.

NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames told The Tribune that this was not a random incident.

up? I said let me call my lawyer because I need to see something.

“I couldn’t talk in there.

They were taking pictures of me. I said you all taking my rights. They answered none of the questions I had about the search for my FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS son.

“I just wanted answers and saying to myself they ain’t looking for my son.”

By the time she was moved from the South

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Beach Station to CDU’s nhartnell@tribunemedia.net office on Thompson BouleTHE prime minister yesvard, Shavar Jr had already terday slammed the “flawed process” resulted in off at the beenthatdropped the European Union (EU) branding The Bahamas Sunrise Washashouse and in a “high risk” jurisdiction for police custody. financial crimes.

Dr Hubert office, “As Minnis’ I reach to CDU in a statement, argued that there “several defi- opened thewerewoman the ciencies” in the approach carby door andblocI see my son taken the 28-nation to including this nation on a out deemed the car. I autolistwalk of 23 countries to matically have major start weak- crying. I was nesses in their anti-money overwhelmed.” laundering and counter-terrorism financing defences.

She was released from In particular, it said the EU’s decisioncustody, was based but believes police on outdated and inaccurate while the case as thisinformation, was only FIVE ShavarSEEJrPAGEneeded parental supervision to be seen by the hospital.

What should have been a happy reunion was clouded by uncertainty over Shavar Sr. When he was finally released, Ms Thurston claimed no private clinic or INSIGHT even the Princess Margaret FRED SMITH: ‘A Hospital would give him WIN-WIN DEAL WE medical attention.

CAN ALL SUPPORT’ Yesterday SEE PAGE SEVENshe said they were told by police he need a special document which would have been given after filing the complaint, permitting him to receive medical care.

While little Shavar is

PM ATTACKS EU ACTION AS ‘FLAWED’

RIOTS BRING HALT TO DEPORTATIONS

TWO IN HOSPITAL AFTER GB NIGHTCLUB STABBING

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somewhat back to normal, he is still traumatised by the moment he was snatched from his bicycle.

“He was so shaken and scared he wasn’t answering CDU officers. So as I was bathing him in the tub Sunday I said, Shavar tell mommy what happened.

“He can’t really talk properly but he could talk where you could understand to hear what he saying. He said ‘mommy the lady wap (sic) me cross my foot with the slippers and tell me shut up and go sleep. The woman tell me go sleep two times’” “He said when he woke up the woman carried him to McDonald’s to get him something to eat and all.

“Who can this be?”

As for a suspect, Ms Bain said she informed police of threats of death sent to Shavar Bain Sr by a woman purporting to be a man.

However, in her opinion, police did not do due diligence to ensure this person was not responsible for the toddler’s abduction.

The family is now looking forward to moving past the incident.

Little Shavar is back to his normal self as if nothing ever happened.

While she too would like to be happy, having been reunited with her son, Ms Thurston said she fears there could be another abduction as police have still not captured the two women believed to have taken and returned her son.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, February 19, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

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

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That’s all right then. Not a kidnap. Just doing your ‘job’.

THE Immigration department must hate the sight of Fred Smith QC almost as much as they hate the prospect of doing their jobs properly. If they did the latter, they wouldn’t need to see nearly so much of the former.

This week brought the alarming sight of a man being detained by Immigration officers who bundled him into the trunk of a car.

This couldn’t possibly be a legitimate operation by trained professionals, could it? Surely appropriate methods would be used to identify a suspect and then detain him in ways that couldn’t be called cruel?

The truth is sadly disappointing. Yes, says the Immigration Department, this was an Immigration operation – with the man “cautioned and arrested after he was unable to provide the officers with identification showing his legal status in The Bahamas”.

As for bundling the man into the trunk of the car, that hardly needs this column to point out how inappropriate that is. Do Immigration officers not have the right equipment? Are they short of vehicles they can use to detain individuals in a manner that doesn’t risk a suspect’s injury or look like a method that might be used by a drugs gang?

A court challenge, we are sure, will follow soon, and Fred Smith is already up for the fight. As he says, the response from the department completely misses the point. It also raises questions about the training and internal discipline procedures in the department.

Once more, Mr Smith has pointed out the illegal nature of random searches, and the lack of an offence of not being able to provide identification. There is no requirement to carry an identification, he insists, and one cannot help but

notice that such “random” searches tend to target certain areas and sections of the community rather than others.

But let’s not just take Mr Smith’s word for it – after all, why settle there when the Attorney General himself, Carl Bethel, also spoke out against such moves.

Last year, he said the government couldn’t keep doing this, that you can’t just keep grabbing people who don’t have their papers and lock them up.

He said: “You must – just to avoid the legal problems that the government gets itself into – go through the process of properly analysing and screening and separating those who have some entitlement, those who have a work permit, from those who are plainly undocumented.”

Imagine that. The Attorney General of all people telling the Immigration Department to cut it out because all it does is end up causing problems in court – and yet the department’s officers keep doing it. More than that, the department sends out a statement, blandly saying that it was all part of an island-wide exercise. So such actions are coming from the top of the department.

When the Attorney General says you’re getting the government in trouble with the law and you keep doing the same thing, then somewhere there is a staggering absence of leadership.

Beyond that, however, beyond the question that will face the courts of whether or not the detention was appropriate, what went through the minds of the Immigration officers who thought the best way to treat a detainee was drag him off the street and to shut them inside the trunk of a car?

More than that, they must make sure they have the right sense of humanity to stop treating people this way.

I’m expecting profits at BOB READERS have been posting their reactions to the stories making the news on tribune242.com.

After minority shareholder Darron Cash said the government’s priority with Bank of The Bahamas (BOB) must be to “sell, sell, sell”, despite half-year net income increasing by 164 percent, Realitycheck242 said: “Now that BOB has transitioned to a retaillending focused business model, a turnaround in its profits should be expected. Also, Moody’s said that BOB’s seeming recovery, with the BISXlisted institution starting to turn small quarterly profits following the bad loans’ removal, could help offset any migration of Bahamas Resolve’s liabilities onto Bahamian taxpayers. This slight turnaround is the result.”

Attorney Fred Smith, QC, said Bahamian taxpayers could pay out “millions” in immigration lawsuits over the next few decades.

That prompted this from John: “Two things the government must do immediately. Seek to give immigration officers

more training to ensure that they operate within the law, especially when it comes to violating one’s human and constitutional rights. Secondly, government should move to place a cap on the amount of monetary compensation one immigrant, legal or illegal, can garnish from any immigration matter.

And as a footnote government should seek to regularise or deport any persons residing in the country without status.”

Attorney General Carl Bethel said the government has a strategy to oppose the European Union’s decision to classify the nation as a “high risk” jurisdiction for financial crime.

Concerned799 had this to say: “Since the Bahamas has accepted the apparent legitimacy of the alphabet organisations to put demands on it in the past, why should it be surprised when the EU places demands on

it and then places itself in a position to judge if the demands are met or not? Was not the original mistake to have accepted the legitimacy of external bodies – eg. the OECD/ FATF – to judge on the Bahamas and its internal affairs in the first place? If, after everything done, we are still blacklisted, then why not dial back all we have done to disadvantage financial services if it has all been for naught in any event? (and at least regain part of our financial services industry).”

And the Fusion Superplex entertainment complex has seen “tremendous foot traffic” and sold 84,000 tickets since its November soft opening.

Realitycheck242 said: “Great start. Now add a marketing plan that includes Baha Mar and Atlantis where guests can be bussed to the superplex nightly and you would be able to sustain this attendance momentum. Bahamians like new things. The question is for how long?”

Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.

Stench of corruption too strong EDITOR, The Tribune The PLP has been in panic mode ever since the beginning of investigations into alleged corrupt practices on their watch.

No matter how much they complain, the stench of corruption in their administration is as strong as the fumes from a fleet of honey wagons overflowing and filled to capacity.

The PLP are screaming and hollering about “witch hunt … slave-shaming” and other such nonsense, as if certain PLPs should be above the law and immune from our system of justice.

The desperate objective, of course, has been to pressure the relevant authorities into abandoning the investigations and any charges that may result.

They really are the party of entitlement.

Having failed so far to intimidate the authorities and to convince the public of the merit of their cause, the PLP descended into utter and shameless absurdity last week.

As Urban Renewal Deputy Director Michelle Reckley and several others were brought before the court on fraud charges, Opposition Leader Philip Brave Davis led his colleagues out of the House of Assembly.

He announced a boycott of Parliament against “the tyrannical attitudes and practices” of the Government. Really!?

This coming from the leader of the party which gave us the cult of personality under Sir Lynden Pindling, the party that viciously victimized so many Bahamians, the same party which tyrannically

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net controlled the broadcast media for a quarter century? Well mudda sic.

Mr Davis, a lackluster leader with considerable political baggage and with some colleagues breathing down his neck, has been struggling to make his presence felt in a party more used to leaders with at least a smidgen of charisma.

His communications and pronouncements continually fall flat. In announcing the boycott, his excessive language and attempt at political theatre was so flat that it was laughable.

Nobody is impressed.

With the Opposition’s team in the Senate following Mr. Davis in this folly, the country is left without a fully functioning parliamentary opposition.

That is an irresponsible thing to do. It is a clear dereliction of duty with no end game in sight.

To walk out of parliament for a sitting is one thing; even so there must be a good reason.

But to announce an openended boycott will have but one result: they will eventually have to make an embarrassing crawl back at some point with nothing having been achieved.

Because the PLP is floundering and failing badly to achieving traction they are resorting to gimmicks and stunts to boost their political stock.

They are coming across as self-pitying entitled whiners and complainers more interested in getting

back into power than offering ideas for the good of the country.

The arrest and arraignment of Ms. Reckley and others must have shaken the PLP establishment to its roots as they descended further into the theatre of political absurdity. What are they afraid of?

Former Prime Minister Perry Christie and Mrs. Christie led a cheering contingent of PLPs in an unprecedented show of support for persons being arraigned in court.

The public does not have to be told what the message is here. It is as clear as day – and quite unfortunate for the country.

The authorities responsible for the investigation of alleged offences and those entrusted with the administration of justice in these cases should not be intimidated by the antics of a failed political party.

In order for Bahamians to have confidence in their system of government, all credible allegations and suspicions of public corruption must be vigorously investigated.

Where sufficient evidence of malfeasance is found, those reasonably suspected should be prosecuted – regardless of who they are, including PLPs and their supporters.

Because the PLP has typically not played by the rules of good governance, certain members who may have run afoul of the rules will now have to heed the rule of law, of which we should all be accountable.

OBSERVER Nassau February 18, 2019

Ashamed to call myself a Bahamian EDITOR, The Tribune THE absolute horror of Mr Douglas Ngumi’s unlawful incarceration at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre sent shockwaves through me.

How can we, as citizens of The Bahamas allow successive Governments to allow detained inmates to be treated in ways no less

inhumane than inmates of Hitler’s concentration camps? Amnesty International must be called in as our Government appears to turn a blind eye to the atrocities carried out at our very own Carmichael Road Detention Centre.

HEATHER WHITE Nassau February 17, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 19, 2019, PAGE 5

Ingraham condemns delay in filling Chief Justice post from page one Council, also revealed yesterday that Dr Minnis consulted the council last month on his Chief Justice pick.

They said they are satisfied with who the prime minister has chosen. They suggested it may take awhile before the appointee officially takes office because the person will need time to wind up his/her current affairs.

Noting Bar officials were critical of the confirmation delay for former Chief Justice Stephen Isaacs, Mr Munroe said that is now history.

“The issue,” he said, “now turns to the

PM Hubert Minnis. appointment of his replacement and what we can say is this, the prime minister is not constitutionally bound to consult us but to his credit he consulted the Bar and we gave him a view on the question that was asked of us.

“I can understand why the Chief Justice taking the

chair might not take the chair this month or next month,” he added. “There are some practical issues.

If the Chief Justice comes from the judiciary, there may be issues about winding up affairs in that part of the judiciary. If the Chief Justice comes from private practice, there are issues of winding up the practice.

Based on the consultations, I understand the need for time.”

Mrs Lewis-Johnson added: “From Bar Council we understand and accept the need for delay.

We appreciate there was no legal obligation for us to be consulted and we appreciate having been consulted.”

Neither could say

HUBERT Ingraham is “disappointed and distressed” at the delay in filling the Chief Justice post. when Dr Minnis made his decision and when the countdown began for his choice to wind up his/her affairs.

The delays in filling the substantive chief justice post are without precedent in the modern era.

The gap between Sir Hartman’s departure from

office and Justice Isaacs’ promotion to the role is the largest gap of its kind in the post-independence era. The gap in having someone succeed Justice Isaacs as the substantive office holder is close to being at least the second largest of its kind in the post-independence era, though the circumstances

are unique since Justice Isaacs was the first in the modern era to die while in office.

According to Supreme Court records, it has on average taken mere days for the transition from one substantive holder of the office to another to take place.

PROSECUTOR ASSAULT TRIAL ADJOURNED DESPITE OBJECTIONS

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE trial over allegations prosecutor Joel Seymour was attacked and injured by two brothers earlier this year was adjourned by more than a month yesterday due to the unavailability of senior counsel for the Crown.

Magistrate Kara TurnquestDeveaux adjourned Daltino Thurston’s and George Rahming’s trial to April after revelations from Crown attorney Destiny

McKinney that her senior Eucal Bonaby was before Supreme Court Justice Carolita Bethel.

That information was relayed to the court around 3:30pm on Friday via a letter. Thus, Ms McKinney requested the matter be adjourned.

However, defence attorney Calvin Seymour objected to the adjournment, primarily due to the serious nature of the allegations, which he submitted leaves a stigma on his clients. Nonetheless, the magistrate adjourned the trial to April 2 and 4.

In January, both Thurston and Rahming entered not guilty pleas when charged before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux with wounding Mr Seymour.

The pair also face obstruction of justice charges, which they both deny. Rahming, 27, is accused of injuring Mr Seymour as a result of Mr Seymour being the prosecutor in a criminal matter.

Meanwhile, 30-year-old Thurston is accused of attempting to intimidate and commit violence against Mr Seymour for the same reason.

At the time however, their other attorney Ramona FarquharsonSeymour vehemently accused the Crown of conducting a “ruse” in charging her clients, and further criticised suggestions the Department of Public Prosecutions may be prosecuting the matter because it would represent a conflict of interest.

As an illustration, she noted that whenever there is a policeman involved in a shooting, none of the police prosecutors would get involved in the matter, but rather the attorneys from the

Department of Public Prosecutions would prosecute the case.

Thus, she said, the same principle should be applied in the present case; given that Mr Seymour works in the Department of Public Prosecutions, that department should yield to the Department of Police Prosecutions in prosecuting the matter.

In response to the assertion, Mr Bonaby told the court the Director of Public Prosecutions, Garvin Gaskin, would be the one to make that call.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, February 19, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Gibson fires back in his war of words with Woods

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE war of words between Water & Sewerage chairman Adrian Gibson and Bahamas Utilities services and Allied Workers Union president Dwayne Woods persisted yesterday with the Long Island MP saying the union boss gets “paid for nothing”.

Last week Mr Gibson said Mr Woods has not performed a day’s work for the corporation in years, saying he was paid about $60,000 annually while on administrative leave.

Responding over the weekend, Mr Woods said the chairman put his life in danger by revealing the terms of his employment.

Mr Gibson responded: “Mr Woods, through political patronage of the former administration, has been allowed to live a charmed life off the toil and sweat of the Bahamian people. He has accused me of ‘playing brilliant politics’ and ‘putting up smoke screens and a mirror’, but he has not—I repeat, has not—denied that he earns a princely salary for doing absolutely nothing. And, on top of the princely salary that he has earned for more than seven years, he continues to

DWAYNE WOODS accrue vacation, bonus and other benefits paid for by Bahamian taxpayers. Moreover, he has the temerity and the sense of entitlement to request yearly increments, additional benefits and upward mobility. Pray tell, for doing what?”

“Mr Woods has proudly declared that ‘I have enjoyed two terms and I’m in the middle of a third term’. That’s seven years of getting paid for nothing and he is proud of it.

“As chairman of WSC I cry shame upon Mr Woods.

Mr Woods says that the only way he would ‘give up the leave and go back to work is if a new president unseats me’. What a shame. Such commentary is unwarranted and projects a seeming belief that can only be likened to that of a feudal lord: give nothing, just take, take, take.

The granting of administrative leave is solely at the discretion of WSC. I have a fiduciary duty to the corporation and the Bahamian people.

“Observably, the board of directors has found Mr Woods’ seven years of paid leave to be unjust and unfair – our view is that to continue the same would be fiscally imprudent and morally reprehensible.

Let me also note that Mr Woods’ salary, much like all public servants, is public knowledge. The salaries/ salary scales of all WSC employees featured in the registered Industrial Agreement. The agreement is registered with the Department of Labour.

“All employees, and any other interested party, would have a copy of the same. Since my appointment as chairman, I have endeavoured to improve the culture and work ethic at WSC. Moreover, in nearly two years as executive chair, I have come to appreciate and recognise the talent and work ethic of a significant number of our employees. They are dedicated, they work, they take pride in their jobs, they earn their salaries. They work to earn their sick leave, to earn their vacation, to earn their bonuses.”

WATER & Sewerage chairman Adrian Gibson.

Mr Woods, said Mr Gibson, “has instituted proceedings in the Supreme Court to maintain his life style at the expense of the Bahamian people and as

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

the matter is sui juris I cannot and will not comment on the merits of the action. In the interim, WSC will allow the status quo to remain—unfettered and in

an effort to avoid contempt of court— until a decision is reached by the Court and/or our attorneys, upon a Court review, advise us otherwise.”

‘WE NEED TRANSPARENT, FAIR AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT’

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

ORGANISATION for Responsible Governance has renewed calls for the debate and passage of the highly anticipated Integrity Commission bill, asserting

that its passage would assist in the handling of corruption cases.

In a statement yesterday, the Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG) said the politically charged atmosphere surrounding alleged corruption cases both recently and

historically, demonstrates the need for stronger institutions and a neutral anti-corruption body such as that put forth in the bill.

The organisation’s executive director Matt Aubry in the statement urged politicians on both sides of the political divide and

the public at large to recognise the vital need for an independent Integrity Commission in ensuring that anti-corruption efforts remain above politics.

He contended that such a system, once established and operated correctly, “cannot be used for scapegoating”.

Mr Aubry said: “Regardless of what side one stands on, it is easy to see that the incidents in the past week, and indeed many of the instances of prosecution of public figures over successive administrations, demonstrate a need to create an atmosphere where not even the perception of political bias may prevail, from start to finish of this process.”

ORG stressed while it has repeatedly pressed for debate and passage of the Integrity Commission Bill and Ombudsman Bill, neither has been progressed since being tabled in 2017.

The organisation said that while both sides have endorsed the bills, there

ORG executive director Matt Aubry. continues to be little to no push to get it past the finish-line.

The group stated that recent events might be a motivating factor for those dissatisfied with the process, regardless of party affiliation.

“That the process for addressing corruption continues to be so contentious highlights the need for institutions like an Integrity Commission. ORG is focused on systemic change that applies regardless of

which party holds power,” Mr Aubry said. “We seek to create solutions that address the root of these issues and minimise the occurrence or appearance of corruption.

“The focus of good governance should be on benefiting the people and ensuring transparent, fair and accountable government. Until we pass laws and address the culture of corruption it is the citizens of The Bahamas, not political parties, that will bear the brunt of the costs of corruption.

“The Integrity Commission and Ombudsman bills were tabled in October 2017 as an answer to the Prime Ministerʼs campaign promise to focus on transparency, accountability and anti-corruption.”

Mr Aubry said: “The Ombudsman Bill will establish a body to pro-actively address misgovernment and advocate for the people in the event of government maladministration.”

“The Integrity Commission Bill will dissolve the current Public Disclosure Committee and establish a comprehensive and independent anti-corruption body to reform anti-corruption policy, investigate issues of corruption, administer public disclosure, and educate the public.”

He added: “This bill could be the first step to change a culture of corruption decades in the making.

Ultimately these bills are about power to the people, giving the Bahamian people avenues to hold those in power to account. That is heart of accountable governance.”

ORG claimed that occurrences or perception of corruption or political victimization went beyond laws and institutions and required a shift in culture and mindset from one of corruption to one of Integrity.

The group said a national public education and participation campaign would address corruption and building integrity as a nation.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 19, 2019, PAGE 7

We did take suspect - but it’s not kidnap from page one

identification showing his legal status in The Bahamas.  In an effort to secure the male in question, officers placed him in the Department’s vehicle, a Hyundai Tuscan “Hatchback� that transported him to a larger, more secured vehicle less than two minutes away from his place of arrest. “All persons (including the male in question) were transported to Governor’s Harbour Police Station for further processing.  “Therefore,� the statement read, “any assumption circulated in the media that Immigration Officers allegedly committed the criminal offence of ‘kidnapping’ is false.�

In the short clip, a man is seen being guided to a grey SUV by two male immigration officers, as a third opens the trunk. The man is placed head first into the trunk before all three officers get into the backseat of that same vehicle.

Rights Bahamas (RB) described

However, the Department of Immigration released a statement defending the actions of officers yesterday. “The Department wishes to inform the public that it is aware of a video circulating in the media of Immigration Officers on duty apprehending a male of Haitian descent in Eleuthera,� according to the Immigration department statement.  “To bring clarity to the situation, the Department further wishes to inform that on Friday, 15th February 2019, Immigration and Royal Bahamas Police Force Officers of the Eleuthera District conducted an island-wide apprehension exercise. “As a result, while in the area of Palmetto Point, Eleuthera, the male in question, was cautioned and arrested after he was unable to provide the officers with

A SHOT from the video. this occurrence, which took place in Eleuthera, as “extremely disturbing� and “(going) beyond the bounds of lawful procedure and common decency�.  RB president Stephanie St Fleur likened the ordeal to a kidnapping, questioning how such an act was permitted to have taken place in The Bahamas.

Yesterday, attorney Fred Smith said the department’s response

‘YES, WE HAVE A PLAN FOR MIGRANTS BUT I DON’T WANT TO GO PUBLIC WITH IT YET’

By RICARDO WELLSÂ Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

IMMIGRATION Minister Brent Symonette was tightlipped yesterday over plans to address the anticipated wave of illegal migrants amid Haiti’s political unrest.

Addressing concerns as to how the government intends to handle a potential increase in Haitian migrant numbers following its decision to halt deportations, Mr Symonette insisted there is a system “ready to go� if need be.

Nonetheless, he said, the details of that system could not be made public as the Department of Immigration looks to guard against potential counter efforts.

The Immigration department yesterday announced the apprehension of 21 Haitians and two Jamaicans through various operations last Friday, February 15.

They are expected to be arraigned in Magistrate’s Court this week; however, it is not clear whether Haitian migrants will be detained at the detention centre or the prison if convicted.

There are four dorms at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre with a maximum capacity of 80 persons. The Tribune

understands the number of migrants now at the facility exceeds 100 persons, however, this was not confirmed

by Mr Symonette.

Speaking to The Tribune yesterday, the St Anne’s MP said his ministry was prepared to handle all sides of the dilemma. “There is a plan,� he said. “For the sake of that plan, I don’t want to go public with it at this time, but I assure you there is a plan.�

His comments came days after both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) pointed to the increase in violent protests across Portau-Prince as the main reason for the suspension of diplomatic services there.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recalled all diplomatic personnel for consultations as it decides how and when to reconvene services.

Ethnic profiling and sweeping apprehensions were discouraged

by Attorney General Carl Bethel last year as he remarked on the government’s difficulty in defending its position in court on immigration matters.

On a talk show in January 2018, Mr Bethel suggested it was time to move away from “crackdowns� instead of a more sustainable approach.

As a guest on “Z Live� with host Zhivargo Laing, Mr Bethel said: “You can’t rake and scrape every person who sounds foreign, looks foreign, doesn’t have their papers and lock them away. You must – just to avoid the legal problems that the government gets itself into – go through the process of properly analysing and screening and separating those who have some entitlement, those who have a work permit, from those who are plainly undocumented.�

Editorial Comment - Page 4

Memorial Mass For Fr. Remy R. David Tuesday, February 19th, 2019

Freeport, Grand Bahama.

Viewing will be from 4 p.m. until service time.

Evening Prayer and Wake Service, St. Vincent de Paul, Hunters at 6:30 p.m.

In accordance with this decision, the OPM subsequently announced the temporary suspension of all deportations to Haiti.

It was also announced that the Government is preparing a temporary detention centre in Mathew Town, Inagua, which will be staffed with personnel from relevant ministries and government agencies, as a protective measure.

Last Friday, an ongoing joint operation between law enforcement agencies and the Bahamas Immigration Department arrested 11 Haitians and one Jamaican at various locations throughout New Providence.

Another Haitian man was arrested at the Lynden Pindling International Airport that same day, shortly after disembarking a Bahamasair inbound flight from Mathew Town, Inagua.

In a separate incident, a Jamaican man was also arrested at the Lynden Pindling International Airport after having been found to have overstayed his time.

Meanwhile on Eleuthera, an island-wide apprehension exercise led to the arrest of nine Haitians, who have been taken to the Carmichael Road Detention Centre.

BRENT SYMONETTE

“completely misses at the point�. “The fact is that it was inhumane and degrading to dump a suspect into the trunk of a car,� he continued. “It certainly looked like a kidnapping and bore no relation to a civilized arrest, especially if the larger immigration vehicle, as they say, was ‘less than two minutes away�. There was no excuse four kidnapping him in the trunk.�

Mr Smith underscored “island wide exercises� are unconstitutional and illegal because they are random and there is no actual cause to suspect a particular individual. He said that since 1986, the Supreme Court has ruled that random searches are illegal. “There must be reasonable cause to suspect a particular person,� Mr Smith said. “In addition, there is no offence known to the law of The Bahamas of not being able to ‘provide identification or to show legal status’.�

Wednesday, February 20th, 2019

Freeport, Grand Bahama Viewing will be from 10:a.m. until service time Memorial Mass - Mary, Star of The Sea, Church at 7:30 p.m.

Chief Celebrant, Archbishop Patrick C. Pinder, CMG, STD

Right of Christian Burial for Fr. Remy R. David will be held on Friday, 22nd February, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cathedral. Chief Celebrant, Archbishop Patrick C. Pinder. Interment will follow in the Catholic Cemetery, Infant View Road.

Friends may pay their last respects at Bethel Brothers Morticians, #44 Nassau Street on Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until service time.

Funeral Service for Dorothy Symonette, 67 will be held on Wednesday, 20th February, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Margaret’s Anglican Church, Kemp Road. Officiating will be Rev’d Fr. Oswald Pinder, assisted by other ministers of the Clergy. Pre-Cremation.

She joins her parents: Cecilia and Stafford; Brothers: Kenneth (Ruth), Eric (Enid), Baldwin (Vernice), Stafford Lee (Dorothy) and Philip Leonard; Sister: Thelma Symonette; Sister-in-law: Lois Symonette.

The Tribune

She is survived by 4 Sisters: Mabel Smith, Juanita Symonette, Stella Knowles and Juanita Carey; 1 Brother: Arthur Symonette; Sister-inlaw: Anita Symonette; a host of nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, cousins, and relatives and friend, too numerous to mention; and the Administrator, Staff and residents of the Persis Rodgers Home for the Aged.

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EMAILS leaked from a ther’s The emails were obtained data breach of China ConThe Tribune following a struction America’s (CCA) by in December highservers show that from story the breach of CCA as early as 2013, Jerome lighting by a San Francisco Fitzgerald was seeking to servers China Construction secure millions of dollars hacker. paid 24 bitcoins in brokerage, trucking, and eventually equivalent of $24,000) limousine contracts at Baha (the have access to their servMar while he sat in Cabinet to restored; however, it apas the Minister of Educa- ers that emails forwarded tion, Science and Tech- pears relating to personnel or nology, The Tribune has to, at CCA were compromised, learned. top officials at Baha The emails contradict the despite saying they were not Minister, who this week de- Mar by the hack at concerned to office his using ever nied time. direct contracts to himself the Mr Fitzgerald writes, “I In an email dated May 18, or his family from the mulam aware that interior ma2013, sent to Mr Izmirlian began to arrive ti-billion dollar resort.

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Marsh Harbour Healthcare Centre has a tortured history, one of missed deadlines and claims of shoddy of- workmanship, all without GOVERNMENT clear accountability. ficials commissioned the any The facility’s original Marsh Harbour Healthwent bankrupt. care Centre in Abaco yes- contractor the of Construction THURSDAY, terday, touting it as a longDECEMBER began centre 29, 2016 awaited boost to the island healthcare the former Ingraham TheTribune PRICE – $1 (Family and the Christie adminis- under Islands $1.50) tration’s National Health administration.

When the Christie adInsurance plans. came to power, Like the Child and Ado- ministration renovating the $" ) (0-% Ĺš $1m the new health centre in lescent and Robert Smith it spent PRIME Minister Perry Christie tours SEE PAGE SIX Abaco yesterday. was Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff that Complex (CARS) commissioned last year, the

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GRAND BAHAMA facilityABACO has been health on storm-strick Min- cane Irma 242.394.5555 residence Prime ELEUTHERA destroyed. The 242.350.3500teachers’ There is no water. and safety conditions EXUMA to deteriorate, urged the 18 been has been destroyed. The is 242.367.4204 no light. 242.332.3211 HEALTH the he smell242.336.2304 school will only continue destroyed. There about, you can yesterday as The in the afterged Island Minnis said to evacuate “As we walkcarcasses, dead animals. deister Dr Hubert on the island reduced will of dead stench(BAHAMAS) of the individuals remaining residentsIrma, which has REPORT LIMITED. INSURANCE we get them that of rubble and SPECIAL health conditions Russell, BROKERS & math of Hurricane it’s essential said.

AGENTS there to piles Words: Khrisna W Carey www.Insuran ceManageme teriorate and most structures Dr Minnis the only ntBahamas.c Pictures: Terrel island unlivable. Dr Minnis to leaveom off this island,� rendered the bly reluctant stay here,� saw for the concern for understanda expressing “They cannot were home, delegation as A1MAIN Many and a and days ever known through said after he damage left by Irma place they’ve hurricane ripped of their residences, first time the Five monster about the safety personal belongings.

We will have left behind. the Defence by the smell after the Category island. “They are concerned they may have and exacerbated here of all esmaterials condition, the small southern vessel a the same physical the destruction still whatever Force dispatch the cleanup and at The island’s carcasses and strongly urge those the Defence said.

Dr Minnis of rotting animalled Dr Minnis to small community can Force will try to commence SEE PAGE there is security,�Established 1903THREE sential services, to leave until the ensure that Island been time has on Ragged Ragged Island and be restored. to the residents; a walk through “I’ve spoken Minnis said following i’m lovin’ it!

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the holiday would on the actual date be observed of the historic event, Tuesday, January The change in the 10. public holiday calendar has been perceived by many as an attempt by the government to strike success of a seconda blow to the event by We March Bahamas.

SEE PAGE SIX

HUSBAND KILLED AFTER GUNMEN FORCED COUPLE TO STOP CAR

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunem edia.net CHIEF Superintendent Clayton Fernander, in-charge of the officerDetective Unit, Central drivers yesterday warned to tra cautious� after be “exmen forced a couple armed to stop their vehicle in the of the road before middle shooting and killing the driver.

Chief Supt Fernander said police believe armed robbery may be the for the killing. He motive incident could havesaid the “happened to anyone�.

The murder took place shorty after 9pm day in the area on Tuesof nium Gardens, off MillenWilliams Darling Tonique Highway, and brought the murder count to country’s 109 for the year, according to The Tribune’s records.

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DR PERRY GOMEZ $24,498

RENWARD WELLS $12,980

DION SMITH $9,275

SOUTH ISLANDS ON MARIA ALER PUT T

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By AVA TURNQUE ST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@t ribunemedia.n et WATER and Sewerage Corporation Adrian Gibson Chairman yesterday confirmed the existence of a “do not list populateddisconnect� by scores of elites at the government owned utility provider as he pledged initiate a crackdown to on delinquent accounts.

Mr Gibson told The Tribune the list� held “confidential 221accounts with a combined , total of $175,000 for ending June the period 2017.

He said that he plans to direct the corporation to notify all persons owing excessive arrears to resolve debts or face disconnectio n. “There is dential list,� a list confiIsland MP said.the Long “In fact, I that all the would think over the last corporations year or and more particularlytwo, May of this in year, there has been tion paid toclose attenthat list by the managemen t with a view to changing the way those lists usually operate. “As it stands, this confidential list of persons has a number on it, and really and truly used to notify it’s being courtesy call persons by I can say too or letters. chairman of that as the the corporation I am going that all personsto direct excessive arrears owing who are SEE PAGE EIGHT

POLICE LAUNCH FOX HILL OFFENSIV E

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By RASHAD Tribune Staff ROLLE prepared. rrolle@tribun Reporter

By SANCHESK During a emedia.net A DORSETT address fromlive national Tribune Staff Reporter homicides WITH as his office sdorsett@tri the guarding the well as safefore- last night, Dr cast for Hurricane bunemedia.n residents of et Minnis Fox Hill.

Maria said: “Hurricane projecting the ACTING Maria is Commission storm to pass another During a near the Southeast of Police Anthony potentially er walkabout dev- son Fergu- Fox Hill on Tuesday, Baha- astating hurricane in mas Friday that we the announced yesterday Commission Acting Minister Dr morning, Prime must carefully monitor.� establishme Hubert Minnis Ferguson nt of two said the er He added: is urging residents Though most separate Royal Anti-Gang Bahamas Firearms of those of the Bahamas and islands to was spared Police Force anti-crime tigation Tracing and Invesbe vigilant units aimed and Unit will operate SEE PAGE TWO gang activity at eliminating out of the Central Detectry, reducing in the coun- tive Unit (CDU) the number while the of SEE PAGE 11

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of McKinney Drive off Carmichael Road and formerly of Tarpum Bay, Eleuthera, will be held on Thursday, 21st February, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Christ the King Anglican Church, Ridgeland Park, West. Officiating will be Venerable G. Kingsley Knowles, assisted Cannon Curtis Robinson and Fr. Colin Humes. Interment will follow in Ebenezer Cemetery, Shirley Street.

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Revealed: on the eliteNames list and what they owe d

By AVA TURNQUE ST Tribune Chief officials could Reporter aturnquest@ not be reached up tribunemedia to .net According press time.

FOUR former to sources Progres- close to the sive Liberal Party Cabinet Monday Mr matter, as of ministers owed Wells has since more than paid $9,000 on $20,000 each his accounts at Bahamas with an outstanding Power and Light, balformer minister with one ance of some $8,600.

The source for some $60,000 in arrears also said as ARNOLD as of July, of Monday according to FORBES a list obtained in talks withMr Forbes was

by The Tribune. $62,023 to settle the the company The Credit balance over a and three-month Collections Departmen period. Mr MPs, senators t listing of Forbes, former PLP Mount and board Moriah MP, members for the period to Cabinet was appointed ending July in January 2015, 31, and previously served revealed that former State Minister chairman as the in the Ministry of the Bahamas Arnold Forbes of Works Agricultural and Industrial owed BPL Corporation. $62,023.14.

Others on the “do The list obtained not Tribune contains by The disconnect� list are: former delin- Minister of Health quent accounts of six Perry Gomez, former Dr former PLP Cabinet Pines Tall minisMP Leslie ters, two former Miller, PLP MPs, former Minister two private of one sitting entities, and Dr Danny Johnson, Youth former Cabinet min- Nassau Village ister: Bamboo MP Dion Renward Wells. Town MP Smith, former Tourism Minister Obie Mr Wells, Wilchcombe DR DANIEL , $9,277.07 and who owed former South Beach MP JOHNSON two separate $3,703.96 at Cleola Hamilton $24,413 $12,981.03 in locations - former Minister of and total – did not for Legal State want to comment Affairs Damian yester- Gomez. day, and the other former SEE PAGE EIGHT

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business utility operator Editor nhartnell@tr ing to “walk is quite willibunemedia.n away� from et maximum $25m, five-yearit BAHAMA BPL Light’s (BPL)S Power & if themanagement contract board and hold a “crunchboard will administrati Minnis on with PowerSecur meeting�

The meeting,wish it to go. with the outcome e today, be attended which will ical in deciding likely crit- executives by PowerSecure and their attorneys latter remains whether the from the US, is viewed as manager.

Multiple Tribune CLEOLA as key to determining Business sources whether HAMILTON OBIE yesterday two sides will “kiss and the confirmed $6,118 make up� or WILCHCOMBE that the DAMIAN US FULL separate. $4,911 STORY - SEE GOMEZ BUSINESS NINE individuals $3,413 July. The sums named on the BPL “do HURRICANE not disconnect� do not include any payments list INSURANCE: made or furtherand the amount they owed at the end of debt incurred since that date.

Are you Covered

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‘We will still march without permission’

‘STAY VIGILANT’ AS ZIKA CASE TOTAL RISES TO 25

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seats: Encaptured four Island and Cat were spent under to South Aners’ dollars administration. glerston; 1,900 votes and San Salvador; Christie the win with is evidence 2017 the as well as Exuma

By SANCHESKA A DORSETT Mr Christie’s 1,875. unofHe said if there�, the new dros VIRGIL ELECTION Islands.

DORSETT

By SANCHESK Reporter to the Tribune Staff Reporter

By KHRISNA Reporter the same route as seat, Fox According the the Ragged of “criminality et planned� even Tribune Staff from the Parwill allow SPEAK An additional being resdorsett@tribunem Deputy Chief without the government’s bunemedia.n ganiser Ranard Henfield ficial results Registration government course.

THE PEOPLE edia.net nemedia.net sdorsett@tri PAGE 4 was still permis- that “after revealed nounced its kvirgil@tribu sion. his Hill, law to take several weeks of last month that the to press time. and liamentary t, Mr Chipman after ON’ back planned a decounted up DESPITE being In an interview and forth� the Cabinet his parMoments DNA ‘TO GO PAGE 5 march to mark the PLP IN a surprisingat the Departmen out of 12 pollwith The Tribdenied the as the na- This marked the worst in Office on anniversary AFTER leadinglandslide use of Rawson 50th defeat party won seven maiden speech Minand Parliament une, Mr Bostwick II said “there Wednesday rejected the group’s of Majority Rule.

LOSE humbling leader, Dr Prime Min- ing divisions in the former Squares ty to a stunning feat for a governing will be no compromise� application to protest for a protest This latest development Mr tion’s next PLP BIG NAMESPAGE 7 dealing a parapolls, outgoing that under recent history. in Rawson and the and Parliaments Rule Day in January,on Majority group will “not is yet victory and to the ProgresChristie lost PLP stronghold, while will nis promised victory came MPS ister Perry Squares because another set back for the organiBahamians The FNM’s won five. Bahamas organiser We March attempt towardbe deterred by this the “event lysing blow Party last night, years the Centreville his watch, YOUR PROJECTED conflicts with another sation that planned to protest fascist his seat in last night by Christie John Bost- and a rocky five PAGE 9 to fear from Mr Christie wick sive Liberal on y II said yesterday Monday, January the abuse of our coercion event� already booked challengIn 2012, have nothing , pointing to despite conPrime Minister constituenc representing the demon- constitutional 9 - the original rights and date.

FAR included two for that observance incoming the Centrevillestration said that Dr Minnis’ leadership, the government RESULTS SO PAGE 14 freedoms�.

Minnis declared date 25 votes aftermore than 40 won the eighth “will go on as planned, on n, which he for to Dr Hubert fraces a abused In a post on Facebook, Progressive Majority Rule Day.announced for for of stituency have victimisatio tional� “imthe area Liberal time with to unoflead or- Chairman Party that those who trust “have continued reports ultimately However, earlier consecutive He defeated is “unconstitu MORE COVERAGE Bradley Roberts of years, according party and the post this month it “wrong�.

PAGES 2-18 positions an- was announced 2,950 votes. moral� and to unofficial tured to fear�. ficial results. in Parliament that candidate Ella removal from has held Opsomething to thousands of According able his Mr Christie 1977 and the FNM’s of the Official of votes at the FNM was leader Speaking 1,349 the of by at the Q ment House today. since House all results, defeat won the Lewis the seat in the a stunning pledged that jubilant supporterslast night, Mr Christie leader of Dr Minnis ion will give to pull off securing a mas- position has been Liberal Party time. polling division in E Sports Centre ies. Assembly. but one of the PLP, administrat a long fought National MoveProgressive “This was victory is not the Free also announced his General Terranceit sive 34 of 39 constituenc ry Regthe since 1997. released a Prime 2012. he By ment leader be sworn in as Auditor the resources Parliamenta t did battle, but AVA yours,� former is Although The TURNQUEST The the loss, aboutTribune the islands of Bimini his seat to that he will fourth prime Bastianto probe how taxpay- istration Departmen re- mine - the victory thousands Chief Reporter Minister lost Movement statement didaturnquest@tribun and not speak full election last Dr Minnis told on the carEleuthera, bringing The Bahamas’ at Govern- needs Christie not release 5pm the toemedia.net tal Free National packed with the and po- Mr minister at to 25 confirmed SEE PAGE SIX sults last night, in from the of FNMs cases By SANCHESKA DORSETT (FNM) candidate Reece grounds. nationwide. coming time nival HEALTH numbers people’s officials Tribune Staff Reporter litical newcomer agency around “This is the “This is like a lull, terday urged residentsyesand I who secured government from the and I am your servant quiet sdorsett@tribunemedia.net Chipman, to period,� Dr remain vigilant McMillan 11pm. However it apagainst SEE PAGE THREE vironmental factors en- “We continue to get said. unofficial numbers, samFORT that ples as they the PLP only conbreedof the mosquitoes send them in for Dr Andre Charlotte MP peared that despite Rollins “The outcome the inspire “lull� intrust local transmis- testing but we have no fur- night that “there said last according to vention did not ther cases, which sioninofthe will be no theBahalast Zika virus.

Mark Humes is good. disciplinary results, said coming afor confidenceDirector but that’s of Public Health We’re still monitoring and against the action� taken “obvious� mian electorate sweeping defeat residents unofficial seven doing our surveillance.

Dr Pearl think that it is ROLLE tional Movement Free Nanow and IMcMillan yesterhave stood behind us day they night ter Fort Charlotte “I think we have

By RASHAD Reporter MPs who told him party would wonderfulthat there has aconfirmed been ousted party winning the the party have repeatedly lead- the progressing well and Tribune Staff stand the any a better chance been no as it relates Hubert Minnis Leader Dr to rebuild emedia.net new con- to could not he been victori- opportunity as leader rrolle@tribun getting the message firmed cases of the country per- election had since the deitself,� he said. leadership out the Official Opposition, of there and persons partment’s press for for- ership despite their beous in the PLP’sadding that reengineer heeding cause there is no release on it.

SIX longer, him.

AS HE called This Zika thing December legal basis THE REBEL SEVEN of, SEE PAGE RASPBERRY 5, which Minister Perry sonal affection for was pro- race in January, for such a move. made a mistake� mer Prime ard Lightbourn, Lorettafrom left, Hubert Chipman, Edison Key, the number of cases raised down in July, which came who ICED TEA “the party resign as leader is when RichMr Sears, He added that Butler-Turner, Neko in New we usually Christie to Providence from a formal Andre Rollins. to the Free Na- in choosing Mr Christie.

Liberal Grant, Theo Neilly, get our first case objection 22 to 23. and jected to lose (FNM) Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune has been Alof the Progressive There is one case Movement’s last night, SEE PAGE SIX against “the bogus lodged solidify widespread support Staff each on the tional Party (PLP) FNM’s Executive said he saw levelled against himcharges� around a new leader.�

Commitfred Sears tee would not have His remarks came six other members and the a case ment who took of Parlia- e-mail in response to in an because the group’s actions part ques- “were consistent action of removing in the tions from The Tribune. constitutionally with the Dr Rollins echoed nis from the post. Dr Minprotected Dr Rollins sentiments the said a growing of Long Island right of parliamentarians to number of MP recall a parliamentary FNMs are admitting Loretta lead“that and St Anne’sButler-Turner er when they the best course of MP Hubert confidence no longer have the party to take action for Chipman, who last in his/her ability under present circumstances the said the if the matter week to lead.� were is to to be taken to court, the SEE PAGE THREE

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Volume: 113 No.27

WATER CORP CHIEF’S

Page 21

i’m lovin’ it!

FIREFIGHTERS yesterday battled a large blaze at the New Providence Landfill, nearly three weeks after tackling a massive fire at the city dump that burned for nearly a month.

Officer in Charge of Fire Services, Chief Superintendent Walter Evans said the current fire is “not connected� in any way to the previous blaze and at this time officials do not know PRIME Minister what caused the fire. HowDr Hubert Minnis meeting ever Environment Minister Kendera Woodside, the mother of Kenred Dorsett told remurdered Eugene Woodside. he RASHAD porters at the siteBythat TribuneinStaff ROLLE suspected “sabotage�

Three Reporter rrolle@tribun He said emedia.net Photo: Yontalay relation to the fire. after murder that days the Bowe team he “instructed� the struggle withpushed the country’s composure.

THE the hugs and have Dr Minnis said of firefighters towords comforting the national violent crime into he felt the fam- Each citizen has of Prime ily’s spotlight yet “before a responsibili blaze extinguished Minister Dr her pain remained and again, even pain. “What makes Hubert ty our countries.

Minnis and today and me feel has whatever information worse is that nomination day� “He ain’t even acute.

Patricia we must bring Yes one most we see in Minnis couldn’this wife God,�

Baha Mar’s live a life, certainly beforethe that forward. mother more than I feel for this the yard, of those These criminals my answer Mrs I can say.� questions Dr Minnis opening on Friday. that consumed “He’s a baby. Woodside cried. my years as a medicalI, during Mrs Minnis, live among us.� said he will Kendera shortly Woodside yesterday medical attention doctor, to ensure The blaze started breath right I could give my the family who emphasised she grieved is provided andfor as baby now just for after 3am Wednesday to her ance before that her appear- Mrs Woodside, who is year-old said officpregnant.

Eugene, whoson, eight- my to be right here. They my “You can see Chief Supt Evans political move,them was not a heart out my take was killed four the grieving days fire the battle pain to ago. body. called expect ers and she’s going on women to wear black “This my “Why but through,� daythese for at least another people ain’t he almost shoot only son. They in mourning one day this week said. “I assured her ing a “huge� tellthat somefor my daughter time today they he said the wind isme “As a mother, murder victims.

(Friday) too right now?� bringing my son and they inside (the medical personnel we will have I’m calling factor. house) with she cried between me. What all mothers upon after screams they come do SIX because as PAGE to look to my family?

SEE Dr Minnis her because believe mothers I really console the tried to What they do to us? would’ve delivered she’s nant. can family at their “Why they most of them said Mrs Minnis, who stop this,� her I have to make surepregbud Road home where Rose- live 29 years, ain’ carry me? I so they are closer to me knowing at times. “We have was tearful both and her unborn infant that was shot by Eugene they are my He’s a baby.� our sons who well and are former patients,� a stray bullet we cradle Tonio Woodside, Monday as Minnis, a gynaecologi on father, arrangemen we will also make Dr become from birth and as he did his homework.

Eugene’s ts to make they consoled men we are st by fession, said. sure the as he struggled his wife even still with necessary medical “The messagepro- them. We have personnel we to speak with look after her to maintain must send to the entire and see is the police Bahamas them. I think all women can’t fight this wear black should regular basis to ensure her on a one alone. and the safety of her and her mourn what’sday this week unborn infant.� happening in SEE PAGE TWO PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Chairman Bradley Roberts lashed out at his former party colleague Vincent Peet last night, accusBy NEIL HARTNELL ing the former North AnTribune Business so alarmed dros and Berry Islands MP Editor by the Caribnhartnell@tr bean Financial ibunemedia.n of being a “political enemy�

Action Task By RASHAD ROLLE et Force’s (CFATF) Tribune Staff THE Attorney who mounted an independreIn June, Reporter ONE of the leaked emails showing a draft rrolle@tribun Gen- report on The he told Pareral yesterday ent campaign because he Sciliament emedia.net quest from Minister of Education, slammed that he instructed Bahamas the deficiencies was denied a nomination cost Bahamians to ence and Technology Jerome Fitzgerald.

BRENSIL anti-money in the nation’s to begin work on his staff of from the governing party.

Rolle, min- increases such addressing ister the laundering supwas flaws PLP The to of regime in $10,149,738 Speaking from public services for Limolink as “entirely The revision . and clientele with which his agent Mr Bethel early June. unacceptable�, warning You are encour- porters at a rally in North blasted the said National Insurance, he included comes after limousine company was fa- Bahamas. between put The Bahamas they had former Christie more aged to get a reference from Andros last night, Mr Robmiliar. “in great tration for failing adminis- 2016 and May December 1,700 workers that werethan if erts said “this is war� as danger�.

2017, the in his original not regard the the president of Viacom “Also withA1MAIN known weaknesses to tackle public purse count.

Carl Bethel wish. Please feel free he urged the crowd to vote ballooned Amid the told Trib- necessary urgency. with the $16,532,738 because limousine business we you by une Business contact me personally for incumbent Dr Perry Liberal Party’sProgressive of he had been FULL Christie are ready to meet with to administrati the of the criticism have your agents contact Gomez, adding that a vote STORY - SEE on’s Minnis your people anytime,� he or the BUSINESS hiring of new public Mr Porter our Managing for Mr Peet is a vote for service tion because ofadministraworkers during writes. its firings Free National Movement. directly.� that period. “As indicated we really Director SEE PAGE SIX SEE PAGE SIX only cater to highend cusSEE PAGES TWO & THREE tomers and are the official

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Top cop and PM eing the fire divided on crimeFle FIGHTING DEPRESSION : AUTHOR

FORMER PM TELLS OF LAST TALK WITH NOTTAGE

WELLS

By RICARDO Reporter Tribune Staff nemedia.net rwells@tribu

G concern ADMITTIN Bernard Notin over what Dr have battled last tage may his isolation during Prime Minisdays, former yesterday for ter Perry Christie admiration the expressed forth by the effort put security to former national the build-up minister in election. the May general from his Breaking away since being silence hispublic of office in a voted out last month, toric fashion Mr Chrisvisibly troubled of his portions tie detailed n with his last conversatio and longfriend childhood colleague on time political Thursday.

Centreville The former Nottage as Dr MP saw “fought tehis someone who throughout naciously� he loved and life for thosetrait he said he a supported, up to their saw on display n. last conversatio

By SANCHESKA DORSETT SEE PAGE SIX Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.n et

Greenslade: Bahamas is not in crisis

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PAGE SEVEN

Christie: It’s like the Wild West

certain neighbourhoods� and the suggestion to do

By NICO SCAVELLA is “emotional and makes so no do much more to “fully Tribune Staff Reporter DESPITE the country sense�. derstand this senseless unnscavella@tribunemedia.

His comments came recording 13 homicides net of killings,� and have set law 13 days, Commissioner in hours after the country reof corded its 27th homicide PRIME Minister Perry enforcement respond “as Police Ellison Greenslade Christie yesterday likened quickly as possible� and in the year. Seven people for said the Bahamas is not have a “very meaningful way� the Bahamas’ crime in ROLLE a state of “crisis� and in been killed since Friday. situation to the “Wild West,� their crime fighting efforts.

By RASHAD Reporter On Monday afternoon, average Bahamian can the These efforts, Mr Chrisconas he said the recent Tribune Staff wave emedia.nettinue to “go about their day police also reported that a of murders in the capital tie suggested, would likely rrolle@tribun man was stabbed outside as normal day� without include dedicating the an establishment must solicit a “major�

Nottage’s fear be on Nassau and stantial� number a “subof being attacked.

DR Bernard forever “continuous� effort by Manwill At a press conference Street while two men were his ers to patrol the of officEmergency acti“footprints the Bahamian administration to “flood streets shot while in the area The National at on police New Providence and of headquarters on Ross of t etched after they agement Agency (NEMA) the streets� with officers siCorner. These victims tal landscape� the police managemen in multaneously giving developmen work asMonday a for- after a weekend of were said to cations with from entering the vated its emergency evacuation a bid to do “all that is necesthem be in stable “carnage�, and an Commissioner condition A DORSETT through his of the Bahawere blocked sary to bring this madness “the capacity to interdict at the Kenplan yesterday in hospital. the movements of peopleBy SANCHESK mer president of Greenslade area. were also shelter was established to a halt�.

Athletic said the only soat the Commissioner Staff Reporteret lution to the country’s crime mas Association Several persons with respira- dal G L Isaacs Gymnasium Mr Christie, speaking on the streets,� incorporat- Tribune bunemedia.n Greenslade said Centre s, the Bahamas problem to the hospital Association , theis to “keep prolific ply not enough it is simElizabeth Sports with reporters yesterday, ing more reserve police of- sdorsett@tri during Gar- rushed offenders for people on Queen as a shelter Medical Association S in Jubilee tory complaints. said the “madness� occur- ficers, and “if necessary� and as a behind bars�. He to “point the finger Tribune arrivedwere which was used said - for displaced RESIDENT to evacuate their the at the af- Royal Bahamas police MinDoctors’ Union When The ring is due to gang activity incorporating Royal Baharesidents forced last hurricane consumer in times for FORMER Prime Police of recrisis�

Force mas Defence Force marines dens were after a massive the scene, severaltheir roofs, as the the minister and retaliation. health and (RBPF) is not yet refuse to “manage to accept the believed residents. on landfill ister Perry Christie homes yesterday their a defeat, was as I did when I the dump is smaller fairs, education, considering Providence pouring water Opposi- implementing their homes.

He said the past bloody in policing efforts. a The fire at for it arrears, into pictured yesterday. W. a curfew fire at the Newcommunity in thick, blaze grew closer to or “locking down started by SEE PAGE THREE COMMISSIONER Mr Christie also said for Tall national security, who was in sponsibility response to weekend is the Photo: Terrel of Police Ellison Greenslade he Philip “Brave� to have been Road.

Parliament airport tenant described recent resigned,� he said in levelled speaking at a press development� a “shocking would be speaking with blanketed e Staff smoke. tion Leader . conference yesterday.

Member of Miller was also assist- bush fire off Fire Trail as accusations criticism Christie hazardous the Carey/Tribun that Wednesday from Photo: on will Bahamas Mr reblack Terrel W. Carey/Tribune ion Davis said in recent questions the Royal Pines Leslie in hosing down their 71, died Staff quire the government TWO AND THREE administrat e spending, misfea- moves made by the government SEE PAGE THREE entrance pandering at his administration Members of to SEE PAGES Dr Nottage, the Cleveby a party blocked the visibility ing residentsproviding transportaof irresponsibl WELLS at a “misstep�

Police Force as thought

By RICARDO Reporter Wednesday He will receive homes and sance and cronyism. needed help. that weeks. never any

By RICARDO WELLS he was “disap- to its base. to the subdivision maintained Angry residents tion for those who Tribune Staff “There was land Clinic. the three most recent arrangeHe also said allegations being zero.

I was acceptin to Christie nemedia.net alterthat Tribune relating Mr inci- a double shooting Staff Reporter dropped by the in verbal rwells@tribu gova state funeral announced, documents s would on my part ty for any degree dents, which have left on Ross By LAMECH Per- pointed�around by the new berwells@tribunemedia.net a review of one became involved irrements to ing responsibili of human trafficking. man dead and three others Corner yesterday, lamented Tribune Staff JOHNSON Prime Minister tossed matters that to these two controversie the press secion of any whatsoever of criminality, FORMER fire off Fire Reporter Suppression Act, Chapter the “too bold� as according to Office of the the notion James Coakley, 53, administrat yesterday condemned ernment concerning a smaller bush to the city his last term the country and po- in hospital in serious condi- crimes occurring nature of ljohnson@tribunemedia.net of 106. absolve his and prove that much sponsible spending andbare’ is just after a ry Christie spread retary for the AS Anthony have ed by Cargill Creek, Andros Minnis administra- transpired during tion. in the caplice Movement fre- Trail Road that blanketed Jubilee Gardens yesterday is as noth- that ‘the cupboard is wrongdoing efforts by the his government in The former ital recently, as he insisted Prime Minister, continue to grapple was brought before Fire Trail Road. fire the smoke in Jubilee Officer-in-charge prime minister.at accusations from of the FNM’s rhetoric slogans.� the Free National A MAN appeared with the latest spate of areas in Chief also charged boxer was in bushes off to prevent dump. The tion to portray as he challenged flees from the in Magistrate Newbold. vio- Central Detective of the that a “handful of prolific Magistrate’s “political political slogans.� with Hitting back Minnis adminisA DORSETT light, YOUNGSTER done enough the New Providence Gardens and surrounding landfill that started PAGE SIX lent SEEcrimes, ing more than challenges I have Unit, offenders� remain Court yester- son-Pratt Joyann Fergu- counts of rape filed three SEE PAGE THREE a negative leader to carry out a law enforceof the at and threatened A at the New Providence to evacuate their homes. Hanna/Tribune Staff

By SANCHESK under hell-bent day accused of Reporter to answer to two Section quent fires have caused some of thick, black smoke the controvergovernment officials are seeking Chief Superintendent Clay- on terrorising officials fire of the members “One of the the nation’s sexually as- counts were asked to Photos: Shawn Tribune Staff 6(a) of the Sexual .net prompting who led the rnment the public. ton Fernander, s of trafficking tration concerning Landfill that Many residents saulti ore than $8m ral homes, spiratory issues. th tribunemedia assionate examination the person

IS • FORMER PM BY DAVIS TRIBUTE TO LEGACY OF ‘DISAPPOINTED’ FNM ALLEGATIONS COLLEAGUE • SAYS GOVT DID NOTHING WRONGT OVER $8M PAYOU

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Left to cherish her fond memories are her Two daughter: Charlene and Emma; Four grandchildren: Dino, Mark, Crystal and Kimberley; Great grandchildren: Moniqua, Mark and Carter and a host of other relatives and friends.

Friends may pay their last respects at Bethel Brothers Morticians #44 Nassau Street on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until service time.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, February 19, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

L

AST week I visited a woman whose age did not dictate her level of poise and persona. Big in personality and kind in heart, Keva Hanna-Lawrence spoke with authority and excellent diction as she shared some of the things she could remember from her days growing up in Acklins with her parents and siblings, including former Governor General Sir Arthur D Hanna.

I picked some jujube fruit from her tree along with her cousin Linelle as she showed me where she’d done some recent yard work herself. Later, as we sat in her living room and she reflected on her life filled with adventure and travel, she found the simpler things the most enjoyable and most importantly: “Family is everything; family is more important than money”.

She was born in 1936 in Pompey Bay, Acklins.

Pompey Bay beach is said to be the site of one of the largest Lucayan settlements in The Bahamas. She was born to Joseph Albert Hanna and Flora Hanna (nee Heastie). Her mother was a multi-talented woman who ran the household while her father was a lighthouse keeper. For that reason, the family lived on Castle Island for a time and the children assisted their father in the daily chores to keep the lighthouse running.

Arthur, who would later become an astute politician and Governor General from 2006 to 2010, was the eldest of the siblings, followed by Barbara, Yvonne, Keva, Joan, and then Patrick (whose twin died in childbirth). Each one of the children became major contributors to national development, while Patrick found himself making strides in New York City as a police officer before he passed away.

All of the children were born two years apart. It was Flora’s strong belief that mothers should be allowed to rest properly after giving birth. She believed in this right so much so that one time when a young lady on the island got pregnant and gave birth before two years’ time, she attempted to have the father arrested.

“Pompey Bay was a quiet place growing up; it

CLOCKWISE from top left: former Governor General Arthur D Hanna during his days at Government House, visited by his siblings Yvonne, Joan, Keva and Patrick and other family members; a sketch of Keva in her younger days; Keva at the beach back in the day; Keva as a part of Bahamas Girl Guides; Keva, far right, with friends visiting The Bahamas; SirArthur sings happy birthday to his cousin Dorcas as other Hanna, Heastie, Tynes family members are gathered.

A family bonded in history where the ties stay strong belonged to us (the Heasties) and it was just our family, my uncles Arnold and Herbert and their families living there,” she said.

“I had a lot of love

Funeral Service For

Retired Nurse Daphne Shamane Clarke, 51 of Carmen Close Road, Baillou Hill Road South will be held on Friday, February 21st, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Boyd Road. Officiating will be Monsignor Alfred Culmer assisted by Deacon Peter Jones.

Cremation will follow.

Predeceased by her Parents: Asp Akel Clarke and Dr Ethel Clarke.

Left to cherish her memories are her Beloved Daughter: Krisitine Clarke; Sisters: Denise, Shaketra and Yolanda Clarke, Asp Stacy Curry; Brothers: Jamaar Small Sr, Ahmad and Vernon Clarke; Sister-in-law: Barbara Small; Nieces and Nephews: Jamaar Jr and Jordan Small, Ethan Adderley, Antanique Clarke, Vernon Jr and Kobi Clarke, Charlize Curry and Zyien Bowe; Aunts and Uncles: Samuel Wright, Idamae Rolle, H. Don King; Numerous Cousins including: Deborah Deleveaux, King Johnson, Ivan Johnson, Nathan Rolle, Veronica Miller, Rosalind Strapp, Wellington Rolle, Audley Rolle, Clifton Rolle, Thelma Rolle, Theresa Rolle, Jonathan Rolle, David Rolle, Douglas Richards, Eloise Culmer, Alvin, Daisy, Jeffrey, Pete, Robert ad Stephen Clarke, Juanita and Gail; and a host of other family and friends including: Leonisa Edwards, Stacy Dean, Sister Larry Ferguson, Tasha Collie, Carrise “Rasta” Seymour, S.A. C Alumni 1985.

around me. My parents believed in education. We went to school and mama never wanted us to be idle. A lot of people came to my parents for advice.

They also liked coming to Pompey Bay because they said it had the sweetest water you could drink.

When my father moved to the lighthouse, his wife and children went with him. He never left his family. He made us work, cleaning and sweeping the lighthouse and he believed in teaching his children.”

Keva remembered a story about her brother Arthur she couldn’t dare share when her parents were alive: “Arthur really loved his sisters and he built a boat for them. He called it a bateau. He took Barbara and Joyce in it. It was shaped like a square and not so airtight, so it started leaking and taking on water in the middle of the harbour. The water there was some of the deepest around the island. Arthur jumped out of the boat and started swimming and pushing the boat with his sisters in it until he pushed the boat ashore. Daddy would have killed him if he knew. I was the only person who saw it, but I never told anyone.”

Eventually, Joseph stopped lighthouse keeping

and sought a new life for his family; so they travelled to New Providence by boat, going from the serene and quiet island life to the bustling city. Flora’s brothers also moved to Nassau and established a foothold of businesses on Robinson Road including Heastie’s Tile Factory, a lumber yard and a furniture store.

Keva would eventually go to London for training to become a registered nurse. She spent a number of years at Princess Margaret Hospital but eventually moved to Canada where she continued her nursing practice. A time would come when the government of The Bahamas called on her to help establish a tourism office in Canada; she ended up leading that office and spearheading projects to open up The Bahamas to the Canadian market. She earned a Masters in Business Administration. When she returned home, Keva spent time at the Ministry of Works and then back at the Ministry of Tourism, becoming close with many of the politicians of the day including Brent Symonette and Perry Christie.

During her long years as a nurse, she recalled an incident that sheds light on the effect of crime back then, much less how dire the situation is today: “They called me out around one o’clock in the morning to come to the operating theatre.

There was a victim with a gunshot wound to the heart that went right through.

There was so much blood on the floor it came nearly to my ankles. My job was making sure the doctor had

There will be NO PUBLIC VIEWING. Persons wishing to sign the book of condolences may do so at Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Ltd. Robinson and Soldier Roads on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until service concludes.

KEVA with her daughter, Leslie, her son-in-law and grandsons

the right tools and handing them to him. I was also responsible for getting blood from the blood bank for him. The doctor used 40 pints of blood to save this man. Not only did the doctor save this man, but in six days he was able to walk out of the hospital. I don’t think that man lived too long, because he was a bad boy who liked to have guns, and we knew him. But the doctor worked really hard to save him.”

Keva married Kenneth Lawrence when she returned home and they had one daughter, Leslie who currently lives in South Carolina and is married to Sanford Greene with two sons.

Keva couldn’t help but consider family her everything, seeing that she comes from a family line with strong bonds and tradition. Most Bahamians have heard of the HannaHeastie-Tynes connection and this bunch hold reunions to keep their bond strong. In 2014 they held a family reunion in Charlotte, North Carolina because John Hanna, the oldest ancestor, arrived in The Bahamas in 1783 after having lived in the Carolinas.

This reunion was hosted

by Marilyn Heastie Burrows Gool. The original historians who have kept the family history intact include Garvin Tynes, Kenrick Hanna and Kendrick Williams. Recent historians include Penelope Nottage, George Heastie, Ingrid Tynes, Judith Bell and Elva Gamble. Their carefully planned reunions usually happen through the efforts of Peggy Knowles,

Aldin Hanna, Mizie Hanna, Danny Tynes and Barbara Pierre.

The Hanna-HeastieTynes clan comes together to celebrate its rich history and that of other families who emanate out of Acklins, Long Cay, and Crooked Island including the Farquharsons, Collies and Rolles.

The Bahamas is truly a country of intertwined families and if more families were to dig deeper into their past, they may discover they were related to people they work with, people they live next door to and people who they socialise with, without even knowing. Without this proper understanding of family history, crime can continue to increase because people don’t even know they are actually related and killing a family member. My great grandmother, Blanche Hanna was born in Long Cay; therefore, this interview made me realise that I am related to even more Bahamians than I thought.

A part of the 2014 reunion booklet, written by Harlington Hanna Jr reads: “Some of us often joke about the family being the royal family of The Bahamas, and recently discovered some historical facts which may support this supposition. In research documented and reported by several universities, researchers studying the travels of Columbus at the time he first visited the western hemisphere revealed that his primary purpose in the islands of The Bahamas was to find the ‘King of the Indians’. He was told the king of the islands was always fully clad in gold.

He attempted to take his ships into the area where the king lived but the shallow waters would not allow it, so he finally abandoned The Bahamas and went on to Cuba. Researchers revealed that the shallow waters he could not navigate to reach the king of the Indians was actually the Bight of Acklins. Their further research revealed numerous artifacts in the area where the king lived, which confirmed that at the time of Columbus, this area was the most populated and prosperous area in The Bahamas. Researchers called this area the ‘Delectable Bay Complex’, which stretches from Delectable Bay in Acklins, south to Jamaica Cay. We call this area Pompey Bay, Acklins, the primary ancestral home of the Hanna, Heastie, Tynes family in The Bahamas.”

THE TRIBUNE The Scoop

W

HEN the time comes, I will make myself known as the writer of this piece, but for now, know that I am not in any way vested in either of the parties vying for management of the cruise port in our downtown.

The government of The Bahamas is about to make one of the most important decisions it or any government may ever make. The importance of that statement is even more onerous as that decision relates to our number one and arguably “only’ industry.

Tourism.

The last bastion of sovereignty as it relates to our economy rests in the decision the government will make with regard to the granting of the port concession. Just recently the government granted two concessions to cruise giants. One to Disney in Eleuthera, the other to Carnival in Grand Bahama and it is reported another will be granted to RCCL in Grand Bahama as a part of the Our Lucayan deal.

These decisions come on the heels of previous acquisitions by the industry in Abaco, Eleuthera, the Berry Island and God knows elsewhere. RCCL has bought up almost all of the western end of Paradise Island and is pushing government to allow them to set up a beach experience there. I am sure the multi-billion dollar development of Atlantis would just love that. None of those enterprises has a drop of Bahamian ownership and Bahamians are relegated to positions of servitude as they are shipped back and forth to the islands for the crumbs the industry refers to as salaries.

And now the likes of Carnival, RCCL, NCL and others have the unmitigated gall to make application to take over the port in our capital. DO NOT DO IT. For years, they have tarnished our image with false allegations of crime rates lower than the crime rates on their own ships.

I have sight of the crime report and on numerous occasions police remove either passengers or crew who are in possession of drugs and in some instances firearms. Goodness knows how much contraband is brought into this country via the cruises ship. The FBI, according

Tuesday, February 19, 2019, PAGE 9

Handing control of our port to the cruise lines would be like surrendering to privateers

to this journal, has reported the under-reporting of crime (murders, rapes and assaults) on cruise ships.

The industry has no respect for our leaders and I have witnessed them addressing various Ministers of Tourism in a way that would

shock most Bahamians. They have complete disregard for our sovereignty and would use their cartel status to push the government in any direction of benefit to them even if it were to the detriment of Bahamians. I heard with my owner ears when a senior leader uttered that when a cruise industry magnate was dissatisfied with the way an ancillary business deal was not going the way that he wished, he said to the then opposition, “if you want us to shut it down, we will if it will help you win”. That is the power they wielded then. Imagine if they controlled every single port in the country.

These are the people who tell their visitors not to shop in Nassau. Not to take money off the ship. These are the people who make whatever shore excursions we have unattractive because they have to add on their cut for doing absolutely nothing except from bad mouthing it.

These are the entities we will be subjected to. Privateers previously defined a warship or person

authorised to attack foreign shipping. Will the government give further concessions authorising this bunch to attack our primary industry and hence our economy?

We used to pay them to bring their ships here. Let’s not now give them the port to control and to profit from. This is our last stand.

It is in this vein I believe Global Ports must be granted the concession and for a number of reasons.

1. They will have some semblance of leverage when negotiating with the cruise industry and that is what the cruise ships are concerned about.

2. It is ludicrous for the industry to control the port. It is akin to the airlines controlling LPIA. Owning their own port for the singular use of one or two of their ships is one thing, BUT NOT THE CRUISE PORT OF THE BAHAMAS. 3. Imagine how the cruise ship will treat taxi drivers and the leverage they would have over government to do as they wish with this unruly bunch. Taxi drivers would be lucky to be within a mile of the port.

4. We understand that Global was selected without opposition by the vetting committee who, by the way, was not even made known to the Bahamian public. If indeed that was the recommendation of the committee, then work with Global to get the best deal for The Bahamas and Bahamians. Make them give shares to the Bahamian people. Retain ownership of the port and give Global a management deal similar to the deal at LPIA. 5. If the recommendation was made based on the merits of the deal, what would it say to future bidders on government RFPs? That the best man does not win on merit? That surely does not speak to transparency.

Mr Prime Minister and Cabinet, do not allow The Bahamas to become a colony of the cruise ship industry and Bahamians their subjects. Your place in history will be determined by what you do and if you sell us back to masters who come on ships, you may find yourself being compared to others back in the motherland who did the same thing over 400 years ago when they collaborated with those that came on ships.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, February 19, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

‘WE NEED TO MAKE CHANGES TO PROTECT LOBSTER POPULATION’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

VETERAN spearfisherman David Rose believes The Bahamas’ declining lobster population can be reversed if the country reverts to when live catch are brought to market.

“We need to re-gear and go back to the completely live product, and then bring the lobsters to GB, Abaco, and Nassau where there can be factories set up to deal with this very valuable product,” he said, estimating that some five million pounds of tails are caught annually in The Bahamas.

Mr Rose noted the lobster population had declined significantly due to the size of crawfish that are being brought to market now when compared with larger sized crawfish caught in the past.

“I have been in the crawfish business since I was a young boy. There is no question that there is a decrease. Today, we see a lot smaller crawfish and a lot of undersized tails are brought in accidentally because of our current system,” he said.

In the early 50s and 60s, Mr Rose stated all product from the ocean was brought to market alive due to lack of refrigeration. He said all that had changed with A8MAIN technology.

“We catch every year

PAID FOR ARTICLE

about 15 or 16 million lobsters, and we then throw away 10 million pounds of the lobster heads. These 10-million pounds of heads would not be thrown away in Florida because they have to catch their fish alive,” he explained.

Mr Rose believes that in most of the tropical countries in the world lobsters are caught alive. “We are one of the only nations that throw away 5,000 tons of (lobster) heads which can be used to make soup or bisque in France. This kind of waste has to stop,” he said.

Mr Rose believes the lobsters are worth some $45 million on the US market if they were brought in with heads.

He said because buyers do not want to deal with hiring people to process the tails, they want only the tails brought in so that most of the work is already done.

If lobsters are brought in alive, Mr Rose thinks it would eliminate the problem of the undersize catch which are being sold on the black market.

He said fishermen with live catch would have to adhere to the catch size of an overall weight of one pound, 3 3⁄8 inches carapace length or six inches tail length.

“If the lobsters are alive and you measure it, if it is too small it goes back in the sea if not damaged or killed accidentally, so it does not

have to go on the black market and sold cheaply, which is done over the country,” he explained.

“Vast amounts of undersized tails are caught. You make it alive caught product only; it is very simple for Fisheries to deal with it.

If somebody got a crawfish tail in their boat, they are in trouble. If somebody got undersized crawfish, they could be advised to release them,” he said.

Mr Rose strongly suggests the country looks at putting a grandfather clause in place to protect those lobsters that have reached the 20 pounds range or are about seven feet long.

“If lobster has a minimum size limit, then it should be like in the US where many of their species, especially their Snook is a perfect example; if it is 20 inches it is protected, but at 20-28 inches it can be caught legally and used for food,” he explained.

He noted that once the Snook exceeds 28 inches, it is now a part of the grandfather clause where the law protects them, and they become broodstock. “If our lobsters have a maximum size limit say up to the 20lb range, or once a lobster gets to be five pounds it becomes a professional broodstock individual. The female lobster at this size carries more eggs and males can fertilise way more females,” he said.

Statement from the Office of the Prime Minister

Response to European Commission ‘High Risk Third Countries’ List

O

VER the past year, Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis and his administration have been actively engaged in discussions with various international organizations concerning the country’s involvement in international financial markets.

These organizations include the European Union (EU), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The FATF was founded by the Group of Seven (G7) countries to develop policies aimed at combating money laundering and terrorism financing.

Government officials have been involved in a variety of meetings over the last several months to better understand the concerns of the EU, OECD and FATF and to present the position of The Bahamas as it relates to each organization’s requirements.

In 2018, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Hon. K. Peter Turnquest, and Minister of Financial Services, Trade and Industry and Immigration Hon. Brent Symonette met with EU, OECD and FATF officials in France and Brussels, Belgium.

As a result of these meetings, and a close working relationship between The Bahamas and the EU, OECD and FATF, the Government passed a package of legislation in December 2018 to satisfy various requirements and commitments, including: • The Removal of Preferential Exemptions Act abolishes preferential tax regimes for certain categories of companies.

• The Register of Beneficial Ownership Act establishes a secure and searchable database of the ownership details for all legal entities registered in The Bahamas.

• The Commercial Entities (Substance Requirement) Act requires certain categories of companies to demonstrate a substantial economic presence in The Bahamas.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Minnis and Attorney General Hon. Carl Bethel also met with various members of the EU in Brussels.

POSITIVE RESULTS The work by the Minnis Administration over the last several months has produced very positive results, especially as it relates to the 40 listed requirements by the FATF. The Bahamas was placed on the FATF watch list in October 2018 when

Taxation and Customs Union within the EU may lead this body to recommend to the EU of Finance Ministers that The Bahamas be placed on a “Blacklist” of countries that are “non-cooperative for tax purposes.”

A “Blacklist” is expected to be produced over the next few months, however The Bahamas believes it has met requirements expressed by the Taxation and Customs Union and has provided requested clarification over the last several weeks as a result of a healthy dialogue and exchange.

The Government has been very cooperative, and Prime Minister Minnis is fully committed to meeting international obligations while maintaining the integrity of the domestic financial services sector.

PRIME Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis it only satisfied 17 of the required 40 FATF criteria. By year-end, The Bahamas was essentially compliant with 30 of the 40 requirements, a record similar to the United States.

As a result of this significant progress, if the FATF list of high-risk countries were compiled today, The Bahamas would not be included under the current criteria.

A variety of working groups within the EU impact The Bahamas. The two most relevant at this time are the Taxation and Customs Union, and the Justice and Consumers Unit Financial Crime.

The Taxation and Customs Union works on a list of “non-cooperative tax jurisdictions for tax purposes.” The Justice and Consumers Unit Financial Crime works on the list of “high-risk third countries presenting strategic deficiencies in their national anti-money laundering/counter-terrorism financing AML/CTF) regimes.”

In early January 2019, Prime Minister Minnis and Attorney General Bethel met with the head of the Taxation and Customs Union.

The Taxation and Customs Union concentrates on issues related to “Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS),” which generally relates to the way in which a broad range of financial services are provided in and from The Bahamas as an international financial services centre.

BEPS specifically relates to taxavoidance strategies where businesses “shift” their “profits” from higher-tax jurisdictions (like some in Europe) to lower tax jurisdictions, thereby “eroding” the “tax-base” of the higher-tax jurisdictions.

Failure to meet requirements by the

A ‘FLAWED’ PROCESS On Wednesday, February 13, 2019, the Justice and Consumers Unit published a draft AML list of countries it deems a threat to their financial system due to what it considers strategic deficiencies in the ability to prevent terrorism financing and money laundering.

This is not a “blacklist,” but if agreed to by EU members at a subsequent meeting, it would require financial institutions to engage in “enhanced customer due diligence” for financial transactions to and from The Bahamas.

This draft AML list represents an advisory, issued by the EU, which is similar to the advisories issued by the US and UK in October 2018, when The Bahamas was placed on the FATF Action Plan.

The draft AML list is unrelated to the BEPS issues discussed by Prime Minister Minnis and Attorney General Bethel in Brussels on January 15, 2019. It is also unrelated to recent amendments to the Commercial Entities (Substance Requirement) Act. The Bahamas became aware of the possibility of being included on the Justice and Consumers Unit draft AML list in a January 21, 2019 memo from the EU’s diplomatic representative to the Caribbean, based in Jamaica.

The Minnis Administration regrets this decision and wishes to point out several deficiencies in the approach to listing The Bahamas: • The Justice and Consumers Unit failed to consider the progress made by The Bahamas since May of 2017, based on the FATF criteria. As stated by the Unit, work prepared by the FATF is used to consider additions to this list, and old criteria for The Bahamas was considered.

• The Bahamas was informed that

the Unit was advised that The Bahamas does not have any law that criminalizes money laundering or terrorism financing. This is not accurate.

• The Justice and Consumers Unit notes failures to prosecute all types of money laundering, but does not consider the increase in money laundering prosecutions and convictions in The Bahamas.

• The Bahamas does not believe the process used by the Justice and Consumers Unit included a sufficiently in-depth review necessary to conduct an assessment relative to the consequences of such a list.

• The Bahamas does not believe it was given sufficient notice of inclusion, which would allow for constructive dialogue with this Unit in the EU, allowing The Bahamas to challenge or address issues raised.

• The Bahamas also questions the Unit’s approach in simply announcing an intention to list The Bahamas. This appears contrary to the EU’s own written methodology set forth in a “working paper.” This EU methodology sets out a specific process whereby the actual risk, if any, posed by each individual country is intended to be assessed on a sliding scale from “low’ to “moderate” to “severe.” Listing The Bahamas together with wholly non-compliant war-torn States is disproportionate and inflicts harm and punishment on The Bahamas without consideration for reforms and improvements in the AML/CFT framework.

The Justice and Consumers Unit’s draft AML list has already been criticized by Member EU States and the United States Department of The Treasury. In a statement the US Treasury noted that it “has significant concerns about the substance of the list and the flawed process by which it was developed.”

The Treasury stated that “the European Commission’s process for developing its list contrast starkly with the FATF’s thorough methodology.”

The Treasury Department also stated that it “does not expect US financial institutions to take the EU list into account in their policies and procedure.”

The Bahamas poses no threat to the EU financial system and regrets this action by the EU, especially in light of it being based on out-of-date information.

The Bahamas stands ready to meet its international obligations and has shown a willingness and ability to work constructively in this regard.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 19, 2019, PAGE 11

After the disaster that was Fyre Festival, Ja Rule says he wants to have another go... from page one

among the app’s listed “featured talent”.

The rapper told TMZ “In the midst of chaos he has not yet seen either there’s opportunity,” Ja film. “They’re very popular, Rule said. “So I’m workthey’re very popular. Maybe ing on a lot of new things. I one day. I lived it, man. I got my new platform Iconn. ain’t gotta watch it,” he said. It is kinda similar to what The rapper said he is the app was, but you gotta instead focusing on his understand the app was newest venture, Iconn – a separate from the festival.” “[Fyre Festival] is the booking agency app with most iconic festival that similarities to the original Fyre app, “promising never was, so I have plans a ‘secure, one-to-one con- to create the Iconnic music nection’ between verified fest,” he continued. “But talent buyers and artists”, you ain’t hear it from me.”

In the aftermath of the according to Billboard. documentaries’ releases, Ja Migos, DMX, Funkmaster Flex, and the Game are Rule attempted to portray

IN the midst of chaos there’s opportunity, says Ja Rule.

himself as a victim. In a series of Twitter posts in late January, he wrote: “I love how ppl watch a doc and think they have all the answers…I too was hustled, scammed, bamboozled, hood winked, lead astray!!!

Y’all want it to be me sooo bad it’s crazy…kinda sad!!!

The crazy is I’m watching the docs in awe myself (sic).”

Ja Rule also took to Instagram to apologise to Maryann Rolle, the Exuma restauranteur who lost thousands of dollars after catering to guests working on the project. He wrote: “My heart goes out to this lovely lady…

Maryann Rolle we’ve never met but I’m devastated that something that was meant to be amazing, turn out to be such a disaster and hurt so many ppl… SORRY To anyone who has been negatively effected by the festival… Rule (sic).”

Festival creator Billy McFarland has been dubbed a “serial fraudster” and sentenced to six years in prison in October. He admitted to defrauding investors of $26m in the Fyre Festival and over $100,000 in a fraudulent ticket-selling scheme while he was out on bail pending trial.

PAGE 12, Tuesday, February 19, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

HAITIANS SEEK WATER, FOOD AS BUSINESSES REOPEN AFTER PROTEST PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti Associated Press BUSINESSES and government offices slowly reopened across Haiti yesterday after more than a week of violent demonstrations by hundreds of thousands of protesters demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moise over skyrocketing prices that have more than doubled for basic goods amid allegations of government corruption.

Public transportation resumed

in the capital, Port-au-Prince, where people began lining up to buy food, water and gasoline as crews cleared streets of barricades thrown up during the protests.

Moise has refused to step down, though his prime minister, Jean-Henry Ceant, said over the weekend that he has agreed to reduce certain government budgets by 30 percent, limit travel of government officials and remove all non-essential privileges they enjoy, including phone cards.

Ceant also vowed to investigate

alleged misspending tied to a Venezuelan programme that provided Haiti with subsidised oil and said he has requested that a court audit all state-owned enterprises.

He also said he would increase the minimum wage and lower the prices of basic goods, although he did not provide specifics.

Many Haitians remained wary of those promises, and schools remained closed yesterday amid concerns of more violence. “The government is making statements that are not changing anything

at this point,” said Hector Jean, a moto taxi driver who was waiting for customers. He recently had to buy a gallon of gas for 500 gourdes ($6), more than twice what he normally pays, and he has been unable to find customers who can afford to pay higher fares. “It’s very hard to bring something home,” he said. “I have three kids.”

Other goods in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation have also doubled in price in recent weeks: A sack of rice now costs

$18 and a can of dry beans around $7. In addition, a gallon of cooking oil has gone up to nearly $11 from $7. Inflation has been in the double digits since 2014, and the price hikes are angering many people in Haiti, where about 60 per cent of its nearly 10.5 million people struggle to get by on about $2 a day.

Dozens of people yesterday stood outside a financial services company waiting to pick up money transfers from relatives abroad.

THE SING OFF: IT’S MADURO V BRANSON

16 US states ganging up on Trump WASHINGTON Associated Press CALIFORNIA and 15 other states filed a lawsuit yesterday against President Donald Trump’s emergency declaration to fund a wall on the US-Mexico border.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra released a statement saying the suit alleges the Trump administration’s action violates the Constitution.

“President Trump treats the rule of law with utter contempt,” Becerra said.

“He knows there is no border crisis, he knows his emergency declaration is unwarranted, and he admits that he will likely lose this case in court.”

Joining California in filing the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Virginia. All the states involved in the lawsuit have Democratic attorneys general.

Trump declared a

national emergency to fulfill his promise of completing the wall.

The move allows the president to bypass Congress to use money from the Pentagon and other budgets.

• President Trump is lashing out at key officials involved in the Russia probe, namely former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe and the current deputy attorney general, Rod Rosenstein.

In an interview with CBS, McCabe described Rosenstein as having raised the prospect of invoking the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office.

Trump says McCabe and Rosenstein “look like they were planning a very illegal act, and got caught.”

Trump then tweeted: “This was the illegal and treasonous ‘insurance policy’ in full action!”

Rosenstein issued a denial of McCabe’s account last year. He said any suggestion that he had ever advocated for the removal of the president “is absolutely false”.

CARACAS, Venezuela Associated Press

SAILOR IN ICONIC KISS PHOTO DIES GEORGE Mendonsak, the ecstatic sailor shown kissing a woman in Times Square celebrating the end of World War II, has died.

He was 95. Mendonsa, who lived in Rhode Island with his wife of 70 years, was shown kissing Greta Zimmer Friedman, a dental assistant in a nurse’s uniform, on August 14, 1945 — known as V-J Day, the day Japan surrendered to the United States. “The guy just came over and kissed or grabbed,” Friedman, who died in 2016 at the age of 92, once said.

“It was just somebody really celebrating. But it wasn’t a romantic event.”

REFUSING to back down amid a mounting battle over Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis, the government of President Nicolas Maduro announced yesterday that it will hold its own huge concert to rival one being organised

by Richard Branson, a backer of opposition leader Juan Guaido.

Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said the government will throw a concert on Saturday and Sunday on Venezuela’s side of the border — opposite one in Colombia being spearheaded by Branson.

Stepping up the standoff, Rodriguez also promised to deliver 20,000 boxes of government-subsidised food to the poor in the Colombian border city of Cucuta, where tons of aid from the United States is now sitting earmarked for struggling Venezuelans.

Maduro is vowing not to let US aid enter Venezuela, and announced his government would import 300 tons of aid from Russia. He said Venezuela paid for the Russian goods and isn’t a country of beggars.

“They want to enslave us,” Maduro said. “That’s the truth.”