02212023 NEWS, SPORT AND BUSINESS

PM SAYS NEVER TO COMMITTEE MOVE

Pintard request for immigration panel by House snubbed

By LETRE SWEETING and LEANDRA ROLLE

PRIME Minister Philip Davis said he will not at this time or ever support a House of Assembly select committee on immigration, calling it unnecessary and questioning the motivation for the committee itself. His comments in Parliament came shortly after a motion to establish the select committee was defeated in the House of Assembly, with every government MP present voting against it.

The motion was brought by opposition leader

Michael Pintard who earlier in the day had said the country is reaching a “tipping point” on immigration, adding that politicians must not “sit idly by” and hope the situation resolves itself.

Mr Davis asserted that he and his administration did not support the opposition’s proposal as sufficient action had already been taken on the issue.

“I would like to think it was a genuine view of the opposition. On our side, we are sufficiently satisfied that the appointment of a select committee to look into these matters again

MAN FACES COURT OVER DEATH THREAT TO DAVIS

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 21-YEAR-OLD was remanded to prison yesterday after he was accused of threatening to kill Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis on Saturday.

Isaac Roberts, represented by attorney Bjorn

Ferguson, faced Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt on a charge of threats of death.

According to police reports, it is alleged that someone called Central Police Station around 8.20am on Saturday, February 18, and threatened to kill Mr Davis.

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

AMID repeated calls from the opposition for her to reveal the number of taxi plates that have been issued since assuming office, Transport Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis did not confirm the total number while answering questions on the issue in the House of Assembly yesterday. She said it would be improper for her to do so as the process had not yet been completed.

Mrs Coleby-Davis, who is also the minister of housing, addressed the controversial issue of taxi plates and other matters related to her ministry while answering questions put to her by the opposition in the morning sitting of yesterday’s parliamentary meeting. She was one of several government ministers who answered a series of questions from the opposition.

PM says never to committee move

continues to kick the can down the road and will not bring the results that we think we can do by what we have been doing,” Mr Davis said.

“We on this side don’t see it as a necessary tool at this time and I don’t know whenever we will see it as a tool, but at this time, the time is for action not talk,”

Mr Davis said.

When he led off debate on the motion yesterday morning, Mr Pintard said growing unrest in Haiti, which is fueling increased illegal travel to The Bahamas and elsewhere, cannot be allowed to destabilise the country.

Therefore, he said it is incumbent for policy makers to do all they can, with the help of regional partners, to minimise the crippling impact that unchecked migration from Haiti and elsewhere will bring to The Bahamas.

“Madam Speaker, unregulated migration from Haiti or anywhere else poses challenges to our sovereign integrity, security, our healthcare system, educational system, our social services, our economy, and more,” Mr Pintard said.

“Reluctantly, as the temperature on the streets and at dinner tables from Mathew Town, Inagua to Grand Cay, Abaco, we are near the tipping point and must not sit idly by hoping and praying that this problem resolves itself.”

He added for too long, successive governments have been doing the same thing which he said has not yielded the results Bahamians had hoped for.

However, Mr Pintard said the establishment of a select committee could result in increased participation from citizens, improved policies and ultimately, change.

“Madam Speaker, we know that many Bahamians

are outraged at the state of affairs but outrage, Madam Speaker, isn’t what necessarily will produce results,” he added. “It’s what we do in utilising what in many cases is righteous outrage when people believe that policymakers are engaged in conflicts that did not advance the welfare of the people on the ground.

“Today, Madam Speaker, I believe we have a chance to collaborate in this House on this matter that is so important.”

The opposition leader conceded that there must be a comprehensive plan of action to tackle the nation’s immigration problems, one that should include assistance from our international partners like CARICOM, the OAS, the UNDP, among others.

He then pointed to a list of items that he said the opposition believed should be terms of reference to the proposed select committee for the immigration crisis.

This includes the need for a thorough examination of our border security by air; Bahamian citizenship, inclusive of addressing issues such as naturalisation for those that have long been waiting, conducting an audit of all work permit holders, modification of the Nationality Act, among others.

“Madam Speaker, it is an urgent and imperative for this administration to address the irregular communities of shanty towns that exist,” he continued.

“It is important that this select committee look at all this government has been doing and proposes to do.”

He also called for the Davis administration to clarify its position on shanty towns, saying it appears that there are two different narratives painted by the government.

He said the government needed to state clearly how it intends to proceed with dealing with shanty towns.

This comes after Mr Davis addressed the nation Sunday night, outlining his administration’s policies to deal with irregular migrants and shantytowns.

In his address, Prime Minister Davis announced his government’s “Operation Secure” initiative, which he said is a collaborative security operation involving the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Department of Immigration, that will address security and migration issues.

The prime minister also pledged to take “decisive” action on shanty towns, saying residents will be required to relocate at their own expense.

However, Mr Pintard there is a need for a “housing revolution” so that persons can make a transition from shanty towns into homes.

He also called for the government to release a

timeline for when it intends to move.

He continued: “Madam Speaker, the next term of reference for this select committee is there is a need for us to answer a series of questions that we have not been able to hear the government answer before.

“How many illegal migrants are in The Bahamas today? How many shanty towns are there and what is the composition of the shanty towns? How many Bahamians? What percentage of those persons in the shanty towns are Bahamians? How many of them have status and how many of them don’t have status?

“Madam Speaker, any decision that we make as a government has to answer these and other questions.”

Minister of Immigration and Labour Keith Bell also gave a contribution to the debate, saying there is already serious attention being paid to the issue of irregular immigration.

“Our aggressive efforts to protect our borders and deport those who enter our country illegally has not ceased in 2023,” Mr Bell said last night.

“In January of this year some 570 persons were repatriated, between the 1st and the 14th of February 2023, some 454 deportations were taken. Madam Speaker, this totals 1,024 deportations for the first six weeks of this year. If present irregular migration trends continue, and from all indications it will, we will experience another record-breaking year,” Mr Bell said.

He said the country currently had twice as many Cubans detained as Haitians at this time.

Concerning the matter of fake and false medical certificates being provided to the Department of Immigration, Mr Bell said that the matter has been referred to the appropriate body.

“However let me issue a warning, it takes a very long time to become a physician or an attorney under a republic, making false declarations to the Department of Immigration is a criminal offence. The Department is prepared and will prosecute such offences. To any professional providing false information to the Department of Immigration I warn you to stop,” Mr Bell said.

Mr Bell also responded to assertions from former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, who last week called for an audit of work permits issued under the Davis administration.

“They were the government and exercised executive control of the government, not 10 years ago, not five years ago, but up to September 2021. The honourable member makes this request for an audit of current permits, (but) did he undertake to conduct an audit of the permits issued by his ministers of Immigration?” Mr Bell said.

SEARS SAYS TASK FORCE SET UP ON SHANTY TOWNS

By LETRE SWEETING lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

WORKS Minister Alfred Sears said Cabinet has reconvened a shanty town task force and the Bahamian public will soon be given a roadmap which the government will use to address the issue of illegal structures.

His comments came during the House of Assembly’s debate on a call from the official opposition for the establishment of a select committee in Parliament to investigate the illegal immigration issue.

“The issue of irregular, unpermitted structures in The Bahamas, now that the court has dismissed the action (injunction), the ruling of the judge is being studied. The Cabinet has reconvened the shanty town taskforce and we see the group has met, I’ve met with the group. They’ve started their work. Their surveillance and surveys are being done throughout the country,” Mr Sears said.

“In a very short period of time, we will be meeting and outlining to the Bahamian public a roadmap to address the irregular unpermitted structures, not only in shanty towns, but also downtown Nassau. Buildings which are also not historically protected as historic buildings will also be served with notices as some of them are being served as I speak. So this will not just be against any

particular socio-economic group. We will have a very comprehensive plan,” Mr Sears said.

Earlier in the debate, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe expressed his opposition to the Free National Movement’s call for the select committee on illegal immigration. He called it a waste of time, manpower and resources, especially in the face of a new operation aimed at better tackling shanty towns.

The call for the establishment of the select committee on immigration is proposed by official opposition leader Michael Pintard. The debate came after Prime Minister Philip Davis’ pledge to take “decisive” action on shanty towns during a national address Sunday night.

Mr Davis, in his address, introduced “Operation Secure” to aid in tackling the unregulated communities adding that people responsible for aiding the network of shanty towns will be held accountable. He also said people who live in shanty towns will have to find alternative housing; however no timeline has been given for when the government will move to evict residents or demolish the illegal structures.

Yesterday, Mr Munroe said that the select committee will require a lot of time, resources and manpower that law enforcement does not have to spare at this time.

MAN DIES AS CAR HITS WALL

A MAN died when his car crashed into a wall early yesterday, police said.

The incident occurred around 1.35am in the area of East Street.

Police said a man was driving a white coloured Honda Civic south on East Street when he lost control and crashed into a wall of a business.

He received major injuries and died at the scene.

This comes days after an

American tourist died after being was thrown from a four-wheeler while in the area of Arawak Cay.

Police said the man from Miami was a passenger when a woman driving the four-wheeler lost control of it near the Arawak Cay Police Station around 3pm on Saturday.

The man was ejected from the four-wheeler; he was taken to hospital where he later died.

“Time is finite. Resources are finite. That’s the reality. Members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) and (Department of) Immigration do not have unlimited time. We do not have unlimited manpower, we are building back from where they (the official opposition) left us,” Mr Munroe said.

“The other side seems to think we have unlimited time. I have recorded the contribution of the member for Marco City (Mr Pintard), who came in

with an undefined scope for the select committee, very broad, I have noted 14 very serious and involved terms of reference. The question fundamentally is this: we talk about urgency and the need for action,” he said.

“The prime minister in his national address set out the national immigration policy. So, I would say Madam Speaker, that we have a choice to sit down in a select committee that has no terms of reference as the time for reporting. One of the terms of reference for everything you do, certainly in this administration,

everything that I’ve been set to do, has a time for reporting, a time for action,” Mr Munroe said. “No proposed time for reporting (was given) for this select committee. I trust that it’ll be remedied before we come to vote. But the choice is between a select committee that on the part of the person proposing it will consume a lot of time and resources of defence force personnel, who could be doing other things, of immigration officials who could be doing other things,” Mr Munroe said.

“So when you do these things, the question is, do we commit to a 14 point in terms of reference, no time for reporting. . .select committee, or do we take up the invitation extended by the prime minister that we put out there exactly what we intend to do. If you want to critique it, you can critique it, if you want to have your say, you can have your say,” he said.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court lifted an injunction which barred the government from demolishing shanty towns. The injunction had been in place since 2018.

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and FNM leader Michael Pintard in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Photo: Moise Amisial

ADRIAN GIBSON REMOVED FROM PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE

FREE National Movement Leader Michael Pintard has requested that Long Island MP Adrian Gibson be removed from the Public Accounts Committee and be replaced with Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis.

House Speaker Patricia Deveaux told parliamentarians yesterday during the start of the morning session that she had received correspondence from Mr Pintard, requesting Mr Gibson’s removal from the committee.

“I would’ve received correspondence from the leader of the opposition requesting the removal of the honourable member from Long Island from the Public Accounts Committee to be replaced with the honourable member for Central Grand Bahama and I will now oblige that request,” she said.

After the House of Assembly broke for lunch, Mr Pintard was asked by reporters for the reasoning behind the decision.

However, he replied there was nothing unusual about the change and that it was not worth being discussed publicly.

“We normally make committee changes. It’s nothing that (is) so

dramatic that’s worth a discussion in the public domain.”

When asked if the request was made due to Mr Gibson’s pending court case, Mr Pintard refused to answer and said, “I have nothing new to say on what I mentioned relative to that matter.”

Last June, Mr Gibson was arraigned in a Magistrate’s Court with six others on corruption charges in connection with his tenure as executive chairman of the Water and Sewerage Corporation under the Minnis administration.

The charges stem from Mr Gibson’s alleged failure to declare his interest in contracts awarded by the WSC.

Mr Gibson pleaded not guilty to the charges when he was arraigned again in the Supreme Court last September.

Public sector wages expected to grow to $941.7m by 2027

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

STATE Public Service

Minister Pia Glover-Rolle said the government forecasts a growth in public sector wages over the medium term from $863.9m in the 2023/2024 fiscal year to $941.7m in the 2026/2027 fiscal year.

She added it has been estimated that the annual additional incremental costs associated with the labour agreements the Davis administration has completed since coming to office is $18m. The state minister was

responding to the opposition’s questions while Minister of the Public Service Fred Mitchell was absent regarding the cost of labour agreements and budgetary allocations.

One of the questions was whether the government will provide the annual additional incremental costs associated with the labour agreements it has completed since coming to office.

Mrs Glover-Rolle

answered: “The government has estimated that the annualised additional incremental costs associated with the labour agreements that we have completed since

coming to office is $18m.

“We honoured our commitments to public sector employees when we came into (office) and we brought much-overdue relief to scores of workers, including teachers, nurses, doctors and other public sector employees.

“So these commitments were long overdue, and our administration is proud to (have) honoured the obligations to these workers in our country.”

The government was also asked to indicate if the spending aligns with relevant related budgetary allocations for the current fiscal year.

“Yes, we can confirm that the estimated annual additional incremental costs associated with the completed labour agreements align with the related and relative budgetary allocations for the current fiscal year; $20m was allocated for labour agreements in the FY 2022/23 budget,” the state minister said.

“The government remains committed to ensuring that all budgetary allocations are carefully managed and monitored and that all are in line with the government’s broader fiscal goals and objectives.”

The government was also asked to explain how the

projected costs related to these labour agreements align with the reduction in public sector staff-related costs projected over the medium term in its Fiscal Strategy Report 2021.

“The government forecasts a growth in public sector wages over the medium term from $863.9 million in fiscal year 2023/24 to $941.7m in fiscal year 2026/27,” she said.

Meanwhile, there were other questions about the alleged treatment of senior civil servants. Last October, former Public Service Minister Brensil Rolle told the Davis administration to “deal fairly” with all public

officers amid claims that some in the service were being victimised.

The question about paying the senior civil servants who were allegedly sent on administrative leave and were found to have done nothing wrong while being stripped from their legal posts and lawful secondments the same way “they have settled matters for the financial secretary and others” was also put to the Davis administration.

However, Mrs GloverRolle said the question seemed to be in response to some accusation and said it is not clear which employees are being referred to.

HOW MANY TAXI PLATES? MINISTER WON’T SAY

from page one

Earlier this month, opposition leader Michael Pintard chastised the government for avoiding the question-and-answer period in Parliament and even protested in the House along with other opposition MPs during the last sitting.

The FNM has placed more than 30 questions on the House of Assembly’s agenda for the Davis administration to answer. Some of them were answered yesterday. One of the questions asked related to the distribution of taxi plates, something that the opposition has repeatedly spoken of amid accusations that the law has not been followed

regarding the issuing process. There have also been calls from the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union for the minister to resign, saying the decision to issue “hundreds” of taxi plates last year has caused the market to be oversaturated.

Yesterday, Mrs ColebyDavis responded: “The opposition is directed to a press statement from the Ministry of Transport and Housing dated 22 June 2022. As outlined in the press statement, the government of The Bahamas intends to modernise the transportation sector –a critical component of this goal is to bring long overdue changes to the distribution of taxi plates and to empower Bahamians.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that SHAMOY RANSFORD BARTON of Davis Street, Fox Hill Road, New Providence, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 21st day of February, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that JOSE ACKEEM HERNANDEZ of #19 Sapodilla Blvd, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 14th day of January, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

“As the minister of transport, I wish to advise the opposition that the process is not complete and remains in progress. Additionally, as the month of May is the period of renewals of franchises for taxi and livery plates, it would be improper for the minister to confirm an exact number at this time.

“However, the minister is minded to definitively state that efforts to improve the transportation sector are ongoing and that all decisions have been made and will be made in the best interests of the Bahamian people.”

Mrs Coleby-Davis was also asked about her ministry’s decision to evict dome residents in Abaco and ultimately have the temporary housing structures

demolished.

However, she referred to previous statements on the demolition exercises, citing public concerns about the conditions of the domes and the fact that they were only meant for temporary use.

A number of questions were also posed about the Pinecrest Subdivision, specifically about the contract bidding process, contract value and money spent on the project to date.

Mrs Coleby-Davis, in her reply, began by stating the powers of the housing minister under the Housing Act and added: “The opposition should be aware that the Minnis administration of which the leader of opposition and the member for East Grand Bahama

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that DANACHLEY SHIRLEY JEAN of East Avenue, Carmichael Road, New Providence, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 21st day of February, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

served, published a request for proposal (RFP) for a private sector partner to construct homes on the island of New Providence.

“Upon coming to office, the review proposals continued and Arawak Homes Limited was selected as the private sector partner to build the homes at Pinecrest.”

After the minister finished responding to the questions, Mr Pintard noted that several questions put to Mrs Coleby-Davis were still not fully answered.

“This is not, Madame Speaker, of simply getting up and making a few statements that refer to the questions. We are expecting that the public is going to be provided with accurate information and the

minister has made very little attempt in respect to that question,” he added. As it relates to the taxi plates, the opposition leader said even though the process was still ongoing, the minister still could have indicated how many taxi plates had been given out to date.

He added: “We are also aware that there have been several suspensions of senior officers and other officers in the ministry with respect to transport and it is our understanding related to the taxi plates and so the minister would want to clarify what was the nature of the decision made by these individuals that resulted in no less than the prime minister intervening and a number of those persons having been suspended.”

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that EDINA THARISSA LOUIS of Treasure Cay, Abaco, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 21st day of February, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

JULIEN of General Delivery, Gregory Town, Eleuthera, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 14th day of January, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

FNM leader Michael Pintard yesterday.

Photo: Moise Amisial

LONG Island MP Adrian Gibson pictured previously in the House of Assembly.

Policing plan outlines priorities to stop crime

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander’s policing plan, which was tabled in Parliament yesterday, outlines six key priorities that aim to upset crime trends and tackle gun violence in the country this year. These include a zerotolerance approach to minor and major crimes; revolutionising community policing; restructuring the force’s internal processes; strengthening partnerships with law enforcement counterparts to expand policing and developing a more proactive approach to youth and gang violence and optimising technology in crime prevention and police operations.

“These areas of priority will direct the force in 2023,” Commissioner Fernander wrote.

“The dynamic parts of our aggressive youth initiatives are geared towards youth empowerment and critical thinking to make good life choices that contribute to a civil society. As a result of these programmes, we expect a major reduction in youth demographics for serious crime within ensuing years while creating safer communities in the process.”

The commissioner’s plan also notes objectives for each priority, starting with plans for revolutionising community policing.

The plan states that the goal is to amplify police presence throughout The Bahamas through community walkabouts; engage community members and funnel intelligence gathered through community led initiatives among others.

Additionally, the police force plans to take a zerotolerance approach to

minor and major crimes by increasing concentrated saturation patrols in hotspot communities, expanding Operation Ceasefire and targeting prolific criminals, drug peddlers, repeat offenders and establishing a monitoring unit to monitor suspects being electronically monitored.

As it relates to internal restructuring, the plan says the objective is to hire a minimum of two squads each year to offset attritional manpower losses and reestablish the inspection and review branch to ensure that all areas within the force are compliant with the force’s policies and procedures.

The commissioner’s policing plan adds that the force will expand several of its youth focused policing programmes, including its police cadet programme, Just Adolescent Mentorship Movement (JAMM) and Second Chance programme and others.

To optimise technology in crime prevention and police operations, the 2023 policing plan further states it will expand the use of CCTV to include Grand Bahama, Abaco and Bimini and use social media platforms to reinforce and disseminate crime prevention literature.

Some of these initiatives were foreshadowed by the police chief earlier this year when he unveiled the crime statistics for 2022.

The latest crime data revealed increases in several crime categories when compared to the year before, including murders, armed robberies and sex crimes.

However, Commissioner Fernander has repeatedly pledged the RPBF plans to take policing to “another level” this year. This comes as serious crimes continue to trend upwards in the country, particularly homicides.

EXERCISE TO BRING EXTRA CENSUS DATA

THE Bahamas National Statistical Institute will be conducting a post-enumeration survey where census enumerators will re-enter the field to capture additional data needed to assist in validating and finalising the 2022 Census report.

The three-week census exercise will be face-toface; it began February 14 and will end March 7 in New Providence only.

Census workers aim to successfully survey 10,000 homes, obtaining all data using digital devices, which will be directly uploaded, validated, and processed in real-time. Each survey takes just 20-30 minutes to complete depending on the household size.

Gabrielle Fraser, BNSI chairperson, stressed the importance of community cooperation in the exercise.

“We hope this exercise is successful and the public warmly receives enumerators,” she said.

The census provides a comprehensive picture of

CUBANS INTERCEPTED BY US COAST GUARD

THE US Coast Guard reported that 31 Cubans were repatriated yesterday following two vessels being intercepted.

The first was off Cay Sal Bank in The Bahamas, and the second was about ten miles off Long Key, Florida.

The US Coast Guard cutter Joseph Poroo intercepted the vessels.

In a statement posted to Twitter, the Coast Guard warned: “The weather is unpredictable, #DontTakeToTheSea & risk your life for a journey you can do safely, legally.”

17-YEAR-OLD ESCAPES FROM SIMPSON PENN

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

the social and living conditions in The Bahamas. Only a census can provide such complete details. Census data informs how the government distributes funds and assistance for many critical sectors, including education, healthcare, and employment and provides relevant data for planning and informed policy making decisions.

The PES enumerators will be wearing a bright orange vest and carrying bags with The Department of Statistics clearly marked on both items. Additionally, they will possess an official photo identification signed by the acting managing director, Nerissa Gibson.

The BNSI urged the public not to allow access to persons who do not have these identifying items.

“We encourage every household visited to participate and to provide accurate data with the comfort that data will remain confidential,” Ms Fraser said.

POLICE are looking for a 17-yearold who escaped his holding quarters at the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys over the weekend.

A police representative told The Tribune yesterday they have not found the teen and police are still investigating.

“Police are seeking the public’s help in locating a 17-year-old juvenile male of Adelaide, who reportedly escaped from his holding quarters at the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys between

6pm on Saturday, 18 February and 7am on Sunday, 19 February 2023,” police said in a press release.

This is not the first time teens have escaped from the juvenile detention centre.

In August 2018, 13 juvenile inmates escaped the centre for boys after gaining access to the building’s ceiling; the boys were between 15 and 17.

At the time, a police official said the boys were unarmed and no one had been hurt during the escape. The teens reportedly attempted to assimilate within a crowd celebrating Fox Hill Day.

Police said in a statement at the

time: “According to reports, shortly before 10pm, a supervisor on duty was alerted by noise coming from one of the colleges. Upon making checks, he discovered an opening in the roof and a number of inmates were missing. Officers responded to the Fox Hill area, where they captured eight of the inmates and returned them to the school.”

In October 2018, a second group of juvenile inmates escaped the centre. Anyone with information regarding the juvenile’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS (8477).

TWO vessels were intercepted by the US Coast Guard, with 31 Cubans repatriated yesterday.

The Tribune Limited

Trump absent as GOP caucus train begins to roll

NIKKI Haley is swinging through Iowa this week fresh off announcing her presidential campaign. Her fellow South Carolinian Republican, Sen Tim Scott, will also be here as he decides his political future. And former Vice President Mike Pence was just in the state courting influential evangelical Christian activists.

After a slow start, Republican presidential prospects are streaming into the leadoff presidential caucus state. Notably absent from the lineup, at least for now, is former President Donald Trump.

Few of the White House hopefuls face the lofty expectations in Iowa that Trump does. He finished a competitive second to devout social conservative Ted Cruz in 2016, and went on to carry the state twice, by healthy margins, as the Republican presidential nominee in the 2016 and 2020 elections.

“It is genuinely impossible for this guy to try to manage these expectations,” said Luke Martz, a veteran Iowa Republican strategist who helped lead Mitt Romney’s 2012 Iowa caucus campaign. “They are enormous. They are self-made. I don’t see how anyone who is saying ‘I’m the guy’ can come in and even get even a second-place finish.”

Yet, in the three months since he announced his bid for a comeback, Trump has not set foot in Iowa, the first place his claim of party dominance will be tested early next year.

To be sure, Trump is making moves in Iowa. On Monday, his team announced it had named a state campaign director, Marshall Moreau, who managed the 2022 campaign of Republican attorney general candidate Brenna Bird. Bird defeated Democrat Tom Miller, who had been the longest-serving attorney general in the country, first elected in 1978.

Trump has maintained an Iowa political presence, with a national campaign team member, Alex Latcham, based in the state. But Trump held a kickoff rally on Jan 28 in South Carolina, where his 2016 primary victory sealed his status as GOP frontrunner. And he squeezed in a speaking spot earlier that day at the annual state GOP meeting in New Hampshire, where he also won the firstin-the-nation primary seven years ago.

Though the caucuses remain nearly a year off, they remain the first event on the calendar, and some Iowa GOP activists have taken notice of Trump’s absence.

“I found that quite interesting,” Gloria Mazza, chairwoman of the Polk County GOP, said of Trump’s New Hampshire and South Carolina stops. “Because Iowa is first in the nation, doesn’t everybody come here first?”

Meanwhile, others are making impressions.

Haley’s sharpest applause during her first stop as a candidate in Iowa — and the first campaign event by any GOP prospect in Iowa — came Monday night at a flooring company warehouse in Urbandale, a Des Moines suburb, as she addressed gender education in schools, a flashpoint among conservatives.

She suggested to an audience of about 200 that gender education need not begin in schools before middle school, marking a contrast with prospective candidate Ron DeSantis. The Florida governor last year signed legislation

forbidding instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity before fourth grade.

“Well, I don’t even think that goes far enough,” she said. “We don’t need to be telling our children about gender. That’s for the parents to do. That has nothing to do with schools.”

Though Pence is not yet a candidate, his advocacy group Advancing American Values last week launched a campaign to organize opposition to school policies like one in an eastern Iowa district.

Pence was in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday rallying opponents of a policy by the nearby Linn-Mar Community School District that’s at issue in a federal lawsuit. The school board last year enacted a measure allowing transgender students to request a gender support plan to begin socially transitioning at school without the permission of their parents.

The issue, an early focus of 2024 Republican presidential prospects, is particularly contentious among Christian conservatives, with whom Pence routinely says he identifies. And at Wednesday’s event at a pizza restaurant — it had the feel of an early caucus campaign stop — Pence illustrated its traction.

“We don’t co-parent with government,” Pence told a cheering audience of more than 100. “We trust parents to protect their children and no one will ever protect America’s children better than their moms and dads.”

Haley plans a rally Tuesday in the Cedar Rapids area. Meanwhile, Scott is speaking an event at Drake University on Wednesday, part of what aides call a national listening tour aimed at informing his plans, before addressing the annual Polk County Republican fundraiser in suburban Des Moines that evening.

Quietly making inroads is former Arkansas Gov Asa Hutchinson, who visited Iowa in January, and met last week with legislative Republicans in the Capitol in Des Moines and Republican activists in western Iowa.

Though several would-be candidates including Trump were in Iowa last year campaigning for midterm candidates, these first impressions at the outset of the GOP presidential primary are important. That’s especially true as many in the GOP wait to see whether DeSantis proceeds with a White House bid.

But as the field of candidates grows in the coming months, Trump still retains a core of Republican support that could be hard to overcome.

In October, 57% of Iowa Republicans said they hoped Trump decided to run in 2024, according to a Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll, while 33% said they hoped he would not and 10% said they were not sure.

“Of course, there’s a contingent that will support him regardless,” Iowa Republican national committeeman Steve Scheffler said. “But there’s an increasing number of people who want to kick the tires before making a decision. That’s what gives others an open door.”

By THOMAS BEAUMONT Associated Press

Certainty and issue of immigration

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I HAVE often spoken about the concept of “certainty” and why it is important to the success of any endeavour.

It is essential that stakeholders know the ground on which they stand. We, the citizens of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, are stakeholders in the development of this beautiful country. We need to know with confidence our rights and obligations. We need to know with confidence the steps that our government is taking to address the matters that concern us.

This administration has left us uncertain on the matters which matter to us. We are uncertain of the plan to address escalating violent crimes. We are uncertain of the plan to save the National Insurance fund.

We are uncertain of the plan to remedy the water supply problems in Eleuthera. We are uncertain of this administration’s plans to address shantytowns.

We are uncertain of what additional measures this administration will take to combat the illegal immigration crisis in The Bahamas.

I regret the National Address by the Prime

letters@tribunemedia.net

Minister did very little to provide that certainty.

The illegal migration of persons from Haiti to The Bahamas has been a longstanding issue. If you have the benefit of owning a copy of Mr Hubert Ingraham’s “I Say What I Mean and I Mean What I Say”

I commend to you, pages 906 to 927, his Op Ed published in The Tribune on the 19th February 2004, almost exactly 19 years ago.

Since the 1970s, the presence of large numbers of undocumented Haitian nationals have had an adverse impact on our national resources.

Successive governments have sought to address this issue by prosecuting offenders, deporting illegals, and strengthening our borders. It is clear, however, that despite these well-meaning attempts, we have been unsuccessful on stemming the flow of Haitian nationals seeking to enter the Bahamas outside of the lawful avenues.

We must look at addressing the issue further upstream. This is an issue that The Bahamas as one of, if not the main, country adversely impacted by

this unlawful movement of persons.

This is an issue which we must take the lead. We ought to be the leading voice and advocate for resources to assist the restoration of democracy to the Republic of Haiti.

This long-standing problem is not one that can be resolved by one administration. It is an issue that requires long term and short-term solutions.

There must be a bipartisan approach. I commend the Leader of the Opposition for calling for the establishment of a select committee on Immigration.

This must be more than just a public relations exercise.

I call upon the government to demonstrate political maturity and the dedication to national development so that the Select Committee can come up with real solutions which enjoy wide support and provide our people with reassurance that our future is secured.

Thank you for this very valuable space and may God continue to bless the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

SEN HON MICHELA E BARNETT ELLIS Nassau, February 20, 2023.

Basic freedoms

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I DO not agree with Lincoln Bain. With that said, however, I believe it is incumbent upon all of us to defend the right of Lincoln Bain to have a voice in this country.

Not just Lincoln, but all critics of our government must feel assured of their right to free speech. We need to recognise what is going on here.

And not just here, but around the world. The shutting down of dissent is one of the most dangerous preludes to the loss of democracy and our basic freedoms. A country that jails government critics is already on the slippery slope to dictatorship and authoritarian rule. This is common to all oppressive regimes. The Davis administration is showing its true

colours and some people predict a serious loss of legitimacy to their political party due to this travesty of trampling democratic principles. Make no mistake about it, the jailing of protesters is an assault on our most basic freedoms. The Bahamas is better than this. Aren’t we?

A SMILE on the face of a young winner in the E Clement Bethel Awards, presented yesterday by Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg.

Photo: Austin Fernander

THE BEST and brightest were presented with trophies yesterday for the E Clement Bethel Awards.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg is pictured with award winners at the National Art Gallery yesterday.

CHINESE GOVT INVITES SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

APPLICATIONS are being accepted for the Chinese Government Scholarship for the 2023/2024 academic year. There are 279 Chinese universities admitting CGS students from all over the world.

“We welcome all eligible young

OVER GUN POSSESSION

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

discovered in a bedroom concealed in a pillowcase.

Bahamians to pursue higher education or conduct research in Chinese universities,” a Chinese embassy representative said. Applications should be completed online and are required to be submitted to the Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs before February 24.

Scholarship criteria, forms and other information can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website at https://mofa.gov.bs/ the-peoples-republic-of-china.../ You can also contact the Chinese Embassy at nassau@csm.mfa.gov.cn for further information.

BANK CARD FRAUD ALERT FROM POLICE

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE Royal Bahamas Police Force has consistently recorded complaints relating to bank card fraud, warning that those participating will be prosecuted.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Kenwood Taylor, of the crime management and criminal investigation unit, said these matters are to be taken very seriously.

“Scenarios regarding this type of fraud can take the form of fraudsters stealing a victim’s physical card and using it for unauthorised transactions,” he said.

“Fraudsters illegally photographing or recording information from a victim’s card and using it for fraudulent transactions or fraudsters stealing card information

electronically and creating a duplicate (fraudulent) card to carry out unauthorised transactions. A skimming device is sometimes used to capture credit card information from the magnetic strip.”

In addition to credit card fraud, ACP Taylor noted investigators have seen a trend in which people’s bank accounts are compromised and unauthorised transactions are carried out.

“These transactions can take the form of online purchases or unauthorised transfers to other bank accounts in both instances of credit card fraud and bank account fraud, investigators suspect that the persons involved can be local and international,” he told this newspaper.

He said it does not appear to be a particular age group targeted for these offences. However, he urged members of the public to be vigilant

when conducting transactions with their cards.

“Monitor your bank accounts regularly so that in the event of fraud, the matter can be detected and reported to either the bank or police as soon as practicable,” said ACP Taylor.

“Members of the public are also encouraged not to disclose their password or PIN for bank cards or online banking to anyone. If you are found participating in these types of fraud you can be prosecuted,” he added.

In recent weeks, many people have taken to social media to complain that fraudsters have contacted them posing as bank employees, saying that “suspicious transactions” have been conducted on their cards. Some say that the fraudsters tend to have a strong accent from foreign countries.

MAN FACES COURT OVER DEATH THREAT TO DAVIS

from page one

After this incident, a suspect was taken into police custody and had his cell phone confiscated. In court, the accused pleaded not guilty.

However, given the seriousness of the offence, the prosecution objected

to bail.

However, Mr Ferguson said his client is presumed innocent until proven guilty and he has no antecedents. Mr Ferguson added there was nothing before the chief magistrate that would prove his client would not return for his trial if released.

The chief magistrate said that as the

ROBBER CRAWLED THROUGH DRIVETHROUGH WINDOW

AN ARMED assailant climbed through a drivethrough window and stole cash from a business on Madeira Street on Sunday morning.

It was one of four armed robberies that took place on Sunday in New Providence.

The incident occurred shortly before 7am in the Madeira Street area.

Police were told that the occupants of a dark purple Nissan Cube drove up to the drive-through window of a business. One of the occupants climbed into the drive-through window and pointed a firearm at the cashier, who fled upon seeing the suspect.

While attempting to remove cash from the register, an employee struck the suspect with an object, but the suspect was able to remove an undisclosed amount of cash before making good his escape.

The second incident occurred sometime around 1.20pm in the area of Carmichael Road.

Two masked men entered a business armed with

firearms and demanded cash. The manager complied and the suspects were given an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing the area in a dark Nissan Cube.

Around 4.30pm in the Bernard Road area a masked gunman entered a business and demanded cash. The manager complied and the suspect fled on a motorcycle with an undetermined amount of cash.

Around 11.30pm, two men stole a man’s red 2009 Suzuki Swift, licence plate number AJ0699.

The man said he was in the area of the Delaporte park with a woman when two gunmen robbed him of his car and personal items.

The suspects fled the area in the victim’s vehicle.

Police are actively investigating and are appealing to members of the public who may have information regarding these matters to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 502-9991/2.

TWO ACCUSED OF ARMED ROBBERIES ON INAGUA

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

TWO Inagua men were charged with stealing $8,500 in cash in a set of armed robberies on the Family Island last week.

Geraldo Brown, 43, and Tromarze Knowles, 25, stood before Magistrate Samuel McKinney on two counts of armed robbery.

It is alleged that on February 13 in Matthew Town, Inagua, the pair while armed with a handgun robbed Kataro Thomas of $3,500 in cash. They are also accused of stealing $5,000 from Sean McIntosh

at gunpoint that same day. Due to these charges being indictable offences, the defendants were not required to enter a plea; they were informed that their matter would be transferred to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). The accused were further told that as the magistrate lacked the jurisdiction to grant bail they had the right to apply for it through the higher court. Until bail is granted, they will be remanded at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. They are expected to receive their VBI on April 24.

recipient of these alleged threats is the nation’s leader, the court will not take this matter lightly. She deferred Roberts’ bail hearing to Thursday at 11am. Before being taken into remand at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services, the accused was allowed a brief moment in court with his parents.

TWO men were sentenced to 30 and 15 months in prison respectively after admitting to having a banned gun and ammunition last weekend.

Damian Reckley, 19, Brendon Adderley, 19, Thorn Adderley, 29, Thor Adderley, 57, and Ashantee Burrows, 19, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt. There they faced a charge of possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of ammunition.

The Adderleys and Burrows faced additional charges of two counts of ammunition and a single count of possession of a component part of a firearm.

At around 6.15pm on February 17, officers on mobile patrol stopped the defendants on Poinciana Drive for reckless driving of a silver colored Mazda Axela. A search of the vehicle for dangerous drugs and firearms uncovered a red bag in the backseat. In it was a black .40 Austria Glock pistol with the serial number erased. At the time of their arrest the defendants were also found with 12 unfired rounds of .40 ammunition.

In a subsequent police interview, Reckley denied knowledge of the gun.

Then at around 2.45pm on February 18 a search of the Adderleys’ residence by police acting on a warrant found an additional seven unfired rounds of .40 ammunition and one round of .380 ammunition. These bullets along with a black Glock .40 magazine were

In court after consulting with their attorney, Reckley pleaded guilty to the prohibited weapon and attached ammunition charge, while Brendon Adderley pleaded guilty to the remaining charges.

The other accused pleaded not guilty to all charges against them. With Brendon Adderley and Reckley admitting to the offence the charges against the other defendants were officially withdrawn.

Mr Lewis stated that both of his clients are remorseful and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. In addition to saying that Reckley is gainfully employed and that Brendon is the father of a two-yearold child, Mr Lewis asked that the court temper justice with mercy in their respective sentencing.

Regarding Reckley, the chief magistrate said she “shudders” to think what would have happened if police hadn’t intercepted him, saying that the level of guns on the streets have reached alarming proportions.

As such, she sentenced Reckley to two-and-ahalf years in prison for the firearm and ammunition charges to be served concurrently. She further stated that the only reason he was spared a seven-year prison sentence was because of his age, previous clean record and early plea of guilt.

With reference to Brendon Adderley, after it was revealed that he had a prior ammunition conviction from 2021, he was sentenced to 15 months in prison for the ammunition and magazine charges.

Photo: Austin Fernander

Life lessons learned during the battle with long-term COVID

LOCKDOWNS may have been lifted, and mask mandates may have been suspended, but the effects of COVID-19 have been vast and devastating, and they leave a lasting impression on many today. Bahamian families have been ripped apart by the pandemic. In some cases, several members of one family have died due to the coronavirus disease.

About 800 people were reported to have died due to COVID-19 in The Bahamas. In addition to those who have died, others are still suffering from the effects of long-term COVID. It’s something that is not often discussed, but is very real and prevalent, as many people are battling from symptoms that linger long after they contracted the virus.

Mia Campbell is one of them. Her battle with COVID-19 continues 14 months after the first sign of ill health. She is determined to beat the disease that has taken lives and caused suffering and pain to many. While some contracted the disease and experienced mild symptoms that went away, there are others like Mia whose lives have been completely changed by COVID-19. She was a healthy, vibrant business woman with an active lifestyle. While she continues to stand strong and remain positive, she finds herself having to face multiple doctors and tests, and she has been re-admitted to hospital more than once as she fights to regain her former active way of life.

Coronavirus first raised its ugly head in her life around Christmas time: “With the start of Christmas festivities in 2021, my entire family was excited to be able to be together, but still we were taking precautions. So all members of my family, before coming together, did COVID testing. This is when I found out I was positive - on Christmas Eve! At first I felt okay. I only had nasal congestion with slight headaches. But by Boxing Day, I was feeling terrible. I had nasal congestion, headaches, nausea and vomiting, body aches, weakness, everything associated with COVID. I got worse as the days moved on. The symptoms got worse and they were stronger. It was rough as I live alone and had to take care of myself.”

Mia is a woman who has always been striving and independent. A 1993 graduate of St Augustine’s College, Mia spent two years training at the Bahamas Hotel Training College before landing her first job as an Apprentice Chef at Resorts International on Paradise Island. A few years later, Mia went into the financial sector and joined CIBC, where she worked in various positions before joining Unibanco as an executive assistant. She remained at Unibanco until the company closed their doors. Her path then led her to Cedric L Parker and Co where she worked as a legal assistant until 2020. The pandemic hit the country, as it did the world, and due to the changes, many had to adapt and find new ways of supporting themselves. For Mia, it was an opportunity to become an entrepreneur. She opened her business AIM

Concierge Services shortly thereafter. It turned out to be a great idea. With many people working from home, they were able to utilise Mia’s services to have items brought to their home. The convenience worked well with the new norm that COVID19 brought about. She was excited about the opportunity, but there was one downside. The travel restrictions affected her ability to visit her son Valin and his family, who reside in the United States. Like many others, Mia resorted to regular video calls to reach out and see her loved ones from afar. Valin Bodie is performing exceptionally in agriculture, and was featured in Face to Face with Felicity in June 2021. Valin is said to be the young est soil scientist in the cannabis industry in the United States. He owns and operates Environmental Soil Solutions (ESS), a soil company which he operates out of Stroud, Oklahoma. ESS sits on a few acres of land, and he is in the process of building the warehouse and office building as his business grows. Clients love the high quality soil mixtures ESS provides. His business has since expanded from just servicing local gardening and retail stores in Tulsa to the entire Oklahoma City, as well as neighbouring states such as Missouri and Arkansas. Valin performs research and development activities, monitoring all progress, as well as preparing and mixing soil for packaging and distribution. He and his wife Keisha have two daughters - Iva and Haelyn.

mins, bush medicine and over the counter drugs in an attempt to feel better. Symptoms, she said, wouldbe strong, then weak, then return just as strong as they did on day two. She would force herself to go outside and take walks, or take warm showers in an attempt to feel better. Two weeks later, she took a COVID-19 test which turned out negative. However, Mia says she was having a hard time recovering.

You should always put family first. Pay attention to your body. Some signs might be minor, but some are showing you a bigger picture

Mia says life has been difficult ever since the first time she contracted the disease. Daily activities were not the same as she struggled to get up to par. She decided to visit a doctor to get professional help:

They are Mia’s world. Family life is very important to her. Born and raised in New Providence, Mia is the eldest child of Estelle and Floyd Campbell. She has two brothers, Eddie and Jake, a sister-in-law, Anastasia, and a nephew, Tre. She is dedicated to her family as well as her friends, and she is known for her warm heart and her willingness to help not only her loved ones, but strangers when she sees people in need. Through her concierge business, she was meeting even more people and finding new ways to get involved with the community.

With so much to live for, Mia took it as a blow when she caught coronavirus during the holidays. After Boxing Day 2021, her initial battle went on for two weeks straight. Like many other Bahamians who experienced COVID, she

hereby given that IAN LLEWELLYN YOUNG of P. O. Box N-9494, Nassau East North, New Providence, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 14th day of February, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

Face to Face

By FELICITY DARVILLE

anxiety. I was visiting my son in Oklahoma in October 2022 when I had the same feelings again.

“I contacted a friend of mine who is a doctor in Nassau who told me to watch how I was feeling closely and told me to attend the ER if I felt worse. He said he thought that I was going to be okay. I chugged along and didn’t go to the ER.

“Post COVID is real! In January of 2022, I attended my private doctor with chest tightness and a racing heartbeat. He told me that I had anxiety, and prescribed Xanax pills. I didn’t take them as I didn’t want to get hooked on them.

“At the end of January 2022, I started having breathing issues. I always felt like I was fighting to breathe. I would have tightness and pain in my chest and my heart would feel like it was beating in my throat. I attended Doctors Hospital’s emergency room on January 27, 2022, where they took many tests and scans. My heart rate was elevated and stayed high for the entire ER visit. I was eventually discharged with meds to treat my symptoms and partially diagnosed with ‘long COVID’.

“I went on for months with these feelings and eventually went on with my private doctor’s diagnosis of maybe suffering from

“On November 30, 2022, I was once again having the feelings and this time, they were a bit more intense. I was home alone and didn’t want my brother to drive to get me as it was a bit far. I tried calling a few friends to take me to ER. One of my friend’s sisters came and took me.

“At this point, besides the chest pain and tightness, rapid heart beats and shortness of breath, I started feeling faint. My body was moving faster with these feelings than they did before. I made it to ER just in time. I passed out as I got in the ER. The doctors were able to wake me quickly.

“By that time, I was hooked up to everything! I was given aspirin and other medications along with morphine as the pain was very sharp. Morphine didn’t work and I was given something stronger. I ran a lot of tests and scans.

“After ten hours, I was discharged with medications and a referral to see a cardiologist. I attended a local cardiologist and did a few tests. I was given a Holter monitor to monitor my heart over the next 24 hours. My heart rate was extremely high even while I was asleep. I was then put

NOTICE is hereby given that MILES GORDON SAWYERHILL of #7 First Terrace, off Collins Avenue, P.O. Box SS19555, Nassau, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 21st day of February, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

on beta blocker pills to try to regulate my heart. The cardiologist here told me that I have all the symptoms of POTS - Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.”

Mia found herself in the ER once again in midDecember, 2022. The doctor on duty suggested that she see an electrophysiologist for her heart. There are no specialists of this kind in The Bahamas. Mia’s sister-in-law said her mother had been given the same diagnosis, and provided her with the name and contact of an electrophysicist in Miami, Florida. This would be another difficult Christmastime for Mia, but she weathered through. By December 29, she was able to travel to Miami and visit the doctor. More tests were run, and Mia was told that she is most likely suffering from Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS), which is when the heart rate increases very quickly after getting up from sitting or lying down. However, additional tests and treatment would run her into at least $15,000.

Mia’s Doctors Hospital LAMP insurance had been providing some assistance with ER admission, tests and prescriptions, but she was not in a position to handle the new medical bills that were necessary to help her recover from life threatening symptoms.

Her son, Valin, set up a Go Fund Me to help his mother: “Many of you know me and you know how much my mom means to me and how much she pours into others. She now has some medical

complications that have brought bills (She doesn’t have insurance unfortunately that’s not a norm in the Bahamas).”

The response has been tremendous, with many of the donors commenting on her kindness and willingness to help others, with the hopes that her kindness would be reciprocated at a time like this, when she is most in need. But Mia still needs another $10,000 to aid in her recovery. The details are outlined in the Go Fund Me page: https:// www.gofundme.com/f/ mia-campbell-with-medical-expenses.

“With this being known, I decided since I didn’t have any insurance, that I need to set my pride aside and have another fundraiser besides the Go Fund Me to assist me,” Mia said.

“I talked it over with my son again and some of my family and close friends, and we decided to have a souse out. As this planning is going on, I was again rushed to the ER on January 30, 2023; but as we know, I can only be treated to what we know so far. We won’t know for sure until all testing is complete. So I am taking all my medications until I can get the next two tests done.”

The Souse Out for Mia Campbell will be held this Saturday, February 25, at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church Grounds, Shirley Street, from 8am to 2pm. For more information, contact (242) 544-4570. Donations can also be made to Mia Campbell Scotiabank account number: 006015433, transit number: 70045.

When asked what lessons she could share with others from this entire ordeal, Mia replied: “You should always put family first. Pay attention to your body. Some signs might be minor, but some are showing you a bigger picture - things that need to be taken care of for you to live your best life.”

NOTICE is hereby given that ORDLY JEUNES-GENS of Lee Street, New Providence, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 21st day of February, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

MIA Campbell pictured above and, top left during one of her visits to her. Also inset, pictures of her son and his family.

Sunak in the spotlight amid international issues

INEVITABLY, news of President Biden’s surprise first visit to Ukraine yesterday has dominated the headlines.

During his dramatic brief stay in Kyiv he is reported to have reassured President Zelensky directly about the unprecedented continuing military, economic and humanitarian support for Ukraine by a “coalition of nations”, and he is now on a three-day trip to Poland shortly before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

The purpose of the trip to Poland at a critical moment in Russia’s war with Ukraine seems to be to reiterate the US commitment to transatlantic security and to strengthen relations with countries in eastern Europe that are becoming a real force in the region. This is against the background of last week’s Munich Security Conference which until now had been topping the international news agenda. As well as a look at this today, it might be interesting to comment on the thorny issue of the Northern Ireland Protocol which is also much in the news at present because it is the key issue in determining the province’s political future. It has also become a bone of contention between the UK and the US.

The annual Munich gathering of heads of state and government - as well as others - is said to be the world’s leading forum for debating international security policy and key current foreign and security challenges. It is the largest meeting of its kind and has existed for more than half a century. This year, of course, it has been all about Western solidarity and common purpose in supporting Ukraine and, more broadly, an opportunity to take stock of countries’ commitment to the rules-based international order. While world leaders called for long-term support for Ukraine, British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, spoke of the need to “double down” on supply

The Peter Young column

of military equipment. The large American delegation, which included some 50 lawmakers, underscored the US Congress’s bipartisan support for assisting Ukraine.

What hit the headlines at Munich was Vice President Kamala Harris’ declaration that the US had “formally determined” that Russia had committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine. The UN defines such crimes as “widespread or systemic criminal acts” committed against a particular civilian population.

The International Criminal Court in The Hague prosecutes those accused of such crimes. But the Court has no powers of arrest and can only exercise jurisdiction within countries which have signed the international agreement that set it up.

Russia withdrew from the ICC in 2016.

Even though the emphasis of this year’s Munich conference was on opposing rather than appeasing an aggressor nation, for historians it seems to have carried echoes of 1938 when the Bavarian capital hosted a conference that resulted in the infamous Munich Agreement in which European powers ceded the Sudetenland – then part of the border area of Czechoslovakia – to Nazi Germany in a mistaken effort to preserve peace.

Notwithstanding the inherent importance of the

Munich gathering, what has been of considerable interest to people in Britain is the meeting in its margins between the British prime minister and the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen.

Reportedly, this was to try to resolve the differences between the EU and Britain over the Northern Ireland Protocol agreed to by the two sides when Britain left the bloc three years ago. The protocol related to trading arrangements and it has for long been a contentious issue. The UK maintains it is not working and the way it is being implemented has caused difficulties.

It therefore needs to be changed.

With this in mind, there has been speculation recently in the UK press that a deal with the EU to enable a revision of the protocol was close. Last week, Sunak held a round of meetings in Belfast with

Press freedom in news again

How often has it been said that a free, independent and strong media is an essential part of democratic societies. But, after last week’s incidents in Nassau involving a police officer seizing a cell phone belonging to a Tribune reporter and then another RBPF member threatening a separate staff member with arrest for taking photographs, perhaps it needs to be repeated – yet again.

In the Western world, watchdog journalism plays an essential role in holding those in positions of power to account for their actions – and it is reasonable to think that most people agree that those who are rightly and properly engaged in journalism should never be interfered with or harassed by officialdom in a free society like The Bahamas.

In the view of some, last week’s actions were hardly “a big deal”. But, at the very least, they were symbolically significant. Many believe the perpetrators should be held to account for illegally interfering with the legitimate work of a journalist even though, in this case, it may only have been the actions of overzealous police officers on the spur of the moment. But perhaps the “broken window” theory should apply on the basis that petty wrongdoing, if not challenged, only leads to more serious misbehaviour.

To my eye, The Tribune in its editorial of February 16 – and Human Rights Bahamas in a separate article – described well the concerns the public should have about this abuse of power by law enforcement.

What is more, a little research shows that as recently as April, 2021 a senior officer of the RBPF said officially in a media interview that recording interactions with the RBPF is not against the law and that officers can only seize a mobile phone when they have reasonable grounds to believe that it contains evidence in relation to an

offence that is under investigation.

Freedom of speech is the basic feature of democracy which allows people to express their opinions, convictions and beliefs without fear of persecution, harassment or punishment by those in authority. In a democracy, governments exist with the consent of the people and are subject to dismissal by them at regular intervals at the ballot box. However, to ensure peace and good order in the efficient running of a country, governments must be able to exercise certain powers in relation to national security which restrict free speech and curb the rights of individuals. What matters is the exercise of sound judgment in dealing with individual cases. Freedom of speech and journalistic reporting are also restricted by laws covering, for example, defamation, sedition, obscenity and incitement to violence not to mention matters like unauthorized publication of classified information, copyright violation, trade secrets and right to privacy. So journalists already operate under considerable constraints.

Judging from the evidence revealed by a Google search, there seems to be a growing view that press freedom around the world is under increasing pressure as authoritarianism and illiberalism are on the rise. Tyrants and dictators arbitrarily restrict press freedom since they will not accept any form of challenge to their power. From personal experience of a military coup in Africa, I know that the first step for coup plotters is to take over radio and TV stations and seek to limit or control the press for they understand the power of the written and spoken word.

In a democracy, press freedom protects the interests of the people. Those involved in action – however limited that might beagainst journalists that hinders their ability to pursue their legitimate work should be brought to book.

Northern Ireland’s main political parties and, apparently, told them of progress that had been made on a new deal to ease post-Brexit trade and customs rules.

Then, while in Munich the next day, the PM said in a question and answer session with the press that he had had a useful discussion with the European Commission president and that there had been “very good progress” in finding solutions to the remaining differences. Sunak also reassured those present that Britain wanted to have a positive relationship with the EU – “The UK may have left the bloc, he said, but “It didn’t leave Europe. We are a European nation”.

Despite the Prime Minister’s optimism, doubts persist about bridging the gap between the two sides; for example, the fundamental issue of trade disputes

continuing to come within the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

But it is hoped that real progress will be made this week.

The main test for the Democratic Unionist Party is that there should be no new checks on goods being traded between Great Britain and Northern Ireland because to do so would weaken Northern Ireland’s status as being part of the UK.

The purpose of the protocol was to avoid, after Brexit, having to impose a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as an EU member. In such circumstances, and given that Britain had just left the EU, it was recognised that special arrangements would be needed for goods entering Northern Ireland from mainland Britain, in

particular goods destined for the ROI.

The DUP’s support for any new deal is crucial because, if the protocol remains in force in its present form, the party will continue to refuse to take part in the power-sharing agreement in Northern Ireland that was an essential part of the Belfast Agreement of 1998, known colloquially as the Good Friday Agreement.

The result has been that the province has been left without a devolved powersharing executive since early last year.

This is a complex issue requiring further explanation, not least about the way in which the UK and US are at odds over it. But, if the PM’s optimism turns out to be justified and there is progress in the negotiations this week the situation may soon become clearer.

GATHERING OF UK AND CARIBBEAN CHIEFS OF DEFENCE

It was good to receive recently information about a high-level meeting this month in Barbados of UK and Caribbean Regional Chiefs of Defence Staff. This conference was attended by Defence Chiefs from ten countries across the Caribbean, including The Bahamas. Among a number of issues, the focus of the conference was on joint regional priorities including action against Serious and Organised Crime. The UK re-affirmed its commitment to the Caribbean as a reliable partner and stressed the

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that LEILA BENEDICT PALMER of Shirley Park Avenue, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 14th day of January, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

importance of regional cooperation among countries with shared values and interests and the need for specialised training for the region’s armed forces. In the words of the Chief of the UK Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, regional security has developed into global security so that cooperation is also required on a broader front in areas like illegal narcotics, people trafficking and response to disasters. He also emphasized that the strength of regional co-operation was critical if Caribbean countries were to continue to respond effectively to natural disasters.

It is the case, of course, that there is already a continual flow of people from the Caribbean attending training at institutions in Britain like the Royal College of Defence Studies and the UK Defence Academy as well as training courses in their own region. But, against this background of existing close links, many in the Caribbean will also surely now welcome news of this conference in Barbados as additional evidence of the renewed commitment by Britain to build on the long-standing relationship with the region concerning defence matters. Long may such co-operation flourish.

NOTICE

hereby given that LISA JUSTAL of Wulff Road, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 14th day of January, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

BRITAIN’S Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gives a television interview on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany. (Ben Stansall/Pool via AP)

THE United Kingdom and Caribbean Heads of Defence Conference in Barbados.

Biden declares ‘Kyiv stands’ in surprise visit to Ukraine

UKRAINE Associated Press

PRESIDENT Joe Biden swept unannounced into Ukraine on Monday to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a defiant display of Western solidarity with a country still fighting what he called “a brutal and unjust war” days before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

“One year later, Kyiv stands,” Biden declared after meeting Zelenskyy at Mariinsky Palace. Jabbing his finger for emphasis on his podium, against a backdrop of three flags from each country, he continued: “And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands. The Americans stand with you, and the world stands with you.”

Biden spent more than five hours in the Ukrainian capital, consulting with Zelenskyy on next steps, honouring the country’s fallen soldiers and seeing US embassy staff in the besieged country. Altogether he was on Ukrainian territory for about 23 hours, travelling by train from and back to Poland.

The visit came at a crucial moment: Biden is trying to keep allies unified in their support for Ukraine as the war is expected to intensify with spring offensives. Zelenskyy is pressing allies to speed up delivery of promised weapon systems and calling on the West to provide fighter jets — something that Biden has declined to do.

The US president got a taste of the terror that Ukrainians have lived with for close to a year when air raids sirens howled just as he and Zelenskyy wrapped up a visit to the gold-domed St. Michael’s Cathedral.

Looking solemn, they continued unperturbed as they laid two wreaths and held a moment of silence at the Wall of Remembrance honouring Ukrainian soldiers killed since 2014, the year Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and Russian-backed fighting erupted in eastern Ukraine.

The White House would not go into specifics, but national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that it notified Moscow of Biden’s visit to Kyiv shortly before his departure from Washington “for deconfliction

purposes” in an effort to avoid any miscalculation that could bring the two nuclear-armed nations into direct conflict.

In Kyiv, Biden announced an additional half-billion dollars in US assistance — on top of the more than $50 billion already provided — for shells for howitzers, anti-tank missiles, air surveillance radars and other aid but no new advanced weaponry. Ukraine has also been pushing for battlefield systems that would allow its forces to strike Russian targets that have been moved back from frontline areas, out of the range of HIMARS missiles that have already been delivered. Zelenskyy said he and Biden spoke about “long-range weapons and the weapons that may still be supplied to Ukraine even though it wasn’t supplied before.” But he did not detail any new commitments.

“Our negotiations were very fruitful,” Zelenskyy added. Sullivan would not detail any potential new capabilities for Ukraine, but said there was a “good discussion” of the subject.

Biden’s mission with his visit to Kyiv, which comes before a scheduled trip to Warsaw, Poland, is to underscore that the United States is prepared to stick with Ukraine “as long as it takes” to repel Russian forces even as public opinion polling suggests that US and allied support for providing weaponry and direct economic assistance has started to soften. For Zelenskyy, the symbolism of having the US president stand side by side with him on Ukrainian land as the anniversary nears is no small thing as he prods allies to provide more advanced weaponry and step up delivery.

“I thought it was critical that there not be any doubt, none whatsoever, about US support for Ukraine in the war,” Biden said.

Biden’s trip was a brazen rebuke to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had hoped his military would swiftly overrun Kyiv within days. Biden, a Democrat, recalled speaking with Zelenskyy on the night of the invasion, saying, “That dark night one year ago, the world was literally at the time bracing for the

fall of Kyiv. Perhaps even the end of Ukraine.”

A year later, the Ukrainian capital remains firmly in Ukrainian control. Although a semblance of normalcy has returned to the city, regular air raid sirens and frequent missile and killer-drone attacks against military and civilian infrastructure across the country are a nearconstant reminder that the war is still raging. The bloodiest fighting is, for the moment, concentrated in the country’s east, particularly around the city of Bakhmut, where Russian offensives are underway.

At least six civilians have been killed and 17 more have been wounded in Ukraine over the past 24 hours, Ukraine’s presidential office reported. In the eastern Donetsk region, the Russian army was using aviation to strike cities on the front line. A total of 15 cities and villages have been shelled over the past 24 hours, according to the region’s Ukrainian Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko. In the northeastern Kharkiv region, cities near the border with Russia came under fire. A missile strike hit Kupiansk, damaging a hospital, a plant and residential buildings.

“The cost that Ukraine has had to bear has been extraordinarily high,” Biden said. “And the sacrifices have been far too great.” But “Putin’s war of conquest is failing.”

“He’s counting on us not sticking together,” Biden said. “He thought he could outlast us. I don’t think he’s thinking that right now. God knows what he’s thinking, but I don’t think he’s thinking that. But he’s just been plain wrong. Plain wrong.”

Signing a guest book at the presidential palace, Biden praised Zelenskky and the Ukrainian people, closing with “Slava Ukraini!” — “Glory to Ukraine!”

The trip gave Biden an opportunity to get a firsthand look at the devastation the Russian invasion has caused on Ukraine. Thousands of Ukrainian troops and civilians have been killed, millions of refugees have fled the war, and Ukraine has suffered tens of billions of dollars of infrastructure damage.

Biden, wearing a blue suit and at times his signature aviator sunglasses, told Zelenskyy the US will stand with him “for as long as it takes.” Zelenskyy responded in English: “We’ll do it.”

The Ukrainian leader, wearing a black sweatshirt, as has become his wartime habit, said through an interpreter that Biden’s visit “brings us closer to the victory,” this year, he hoped. He expressed gratitude to Americans and “all those who cherish freedom.”

It was rare for a US president to travel to a conflict zone where the US or its allies did not have control over the airspace.

The US military does not have a presence in Ukraine other than a small detachment of Marines guarding the embassy in Kyiv, making Biden’s visit more complicated than other recent visits by prior US leaders to war zones.

While Biden was in Ukraine, US surveillance planes, including E-3 Sentry airborne radar and an electronic RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft, were keeping watch over Kyiv from Polish airspace.

Speculation has been building for weeks that Biden would visit Ukraine around the Feb. 24 anniversary of the Russian invasion. But the White House repeatedly had said

that no presidential trip to Ukraine was planned, even after the Poland visit was announced.

Since early morning on Monday many main streets and central blocks in Kyiv were cordoned off without any official explanation. Later people started sharing videos of long motorcades of cars driving along the streets where the access was restricted.

At the White House, planning for Biden’s visit to Kyiv was tightly held — with a relatively small group of aides briefed on the plans — because of security concerns. Sullivan said Biden gave final approval for the trip, which had been in the works for months, on Friday during an Oval Office meeting at which he was briefed on security plans for the visit.

The president travelled with an usually small entourage, with just a few senior aides and two journalists, to maintain secrecy.

Asked by a reporter on Friday if Biden might include stops beyond Poland, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby replied, “Right now, the trip is going to be in Warsaw.” Moments later — and without prompting — Kirby added, “I said ‘right now.’

Biden quietly departed from Joint Base Andrews near Washington at 4:15

a.m. on Sunday, stopping at Ramstein Air Base in Germany before making his way into Ukraine on an overnight train from Poland. He arrived in Kyiv at 8am on Monday. He departed after 1pm by train back to Poland. Until Monday, Biden’s failure to visit was making him something of a standout among Ukraine’s partners in the West, some of whom have made frequent visits to the Ukrainian capital. White House officials had previously cited security concerns with keeping Biden from making the trip, and Sullivan said Monday that the visit was only undertaken once officials believed they had managed the risk to acceptable levels. In June, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and then Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi travelled together by night train to Kyiv to meet with Zelenskyy. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited Kyiv in November shortly after taking office. This is Biden’s first visit to a war zone as president. His recent predecessors, Donald Trump, Barack Obama and George W Bush, made surprise visits to Afghanistan and Iraq during their presidencies to meet US troops and those countries’ leaders.

DOWNPOUR KILLS AT LEAST 36 IN BRAZIL, CITIES CANCEL CARNIVAL

BRAZIL Associated Press

HEAVY rain caused flooding and landslides that have killed 36 people on the northern coast of Brazil’s Sao Paulo state, officials said Monday, while fatalities could rise. Sao Paulo’s state government said in a statement that 35 died in the city of Sao Sebastiao and a 7-year-old girl was killed in neighbouring Ubatuba. On Monday morning, more than 500 people were continuing search and rescue efforts.

Some of the hardesthit cities that are under a state of emergency, including Sao Sebastiao, Ubatuba, Ilhabela and Bertioga, cancelled their Carnival festivities as rescue teams continued a search for the injured and missing under the rubble.

“Our rescue teams are not managing to get to several locations; it is a chaotic situation,”

the mayor of Sao

that precipitation in the region has surpassed 23.6 inches in one day, one of the highest amounts ever in Brazil in such a short period.

Bertioga alone had 687 millimeters during that period, the state government said.

Gov. Tarcisio de Freitas said in a statement he requested support from the army, which sent two airplanes and rescue teams to the region.

are dozens of people

Later, he added

that

TV footage showed houses flooded with only the roof visible. Residents are using small boats to carry items and people to higher positions. A road that connects Rio de Janeiro to the port city of Santos was blocked by landslides and floodwaters. The northern coast of Sao Paulo state is a frequent Carnival destination for wealthy tourists who prefer to stay away from massive street parties in big cities.

Lula da Silva said on Twitter he will visit the region Monday. Sao Paulo state government said in a statement

US President Joe Biden, left, shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mariinsky Palace during an unannounced visit in Kyiv, Ukraine, yesterday.

Photos: Evan Vucci/AP

PRESIDENT Joe Biden walks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at St Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral on a surprise visit, yesterday, in Kyiv.

THIS photo provided by the Sao Paulo Government shows vehicles fallen from an elevated area along the beach in Sao Sebastiao, east of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, after it was damaged by a severe weather system went through the area.

Photo: Sao Paulo Government via AP

Westbrook, page 17

McPhee-McCuin and Lady Rebels fall short

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin and her University of Mississippi Lady Rebels had their chances in regulation on Sunday, but they blew it and lost in overtime as the NCAA top-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks stayed undefeated.

Playing before a record crowd of 65,630 fans at The Pavilion at Ole Miss, the Lady Rebels managed to close out the regulation tied at 55-55, but in the extra five minutes, they couldn’t contain South Carolina, who went on to secure a

The great Bill Russell remembered at NBA All-Star weekend

64-57 win. While the Gamecocks, coached by Dawn Staley, improved to 27-0 overall and 14-0 and need one more win at Tennessee on Thursday to clinch the

Southwestern Conference

(SEC) regular season title, McPhee-McCuin and her Lady Rebels are 20-6 and 9-4 with two more games to play this week to at least match or improve on their 10th SEC winning season last year.

“I think it was great. They’re the number one team in the nation. A lot of people have tried to take them down and have been unsuccessful,” said McPhee-McCuin of the live nationally televised game.

“We had a chance to take them down in regulation, but just couldn’t figure it out. “It’s a learning experience for us and we will only get better as a result of it.”

With Ole Miss scheduled to play Missouri at 7pm on Thursday and close out their regular season on Sunday against Alabama, McPhee-McCuin said they are on the verge of surpassing last year’s 10-6 SEC season. “It’s been great. I think we are playing good basketball, but not our best basketball yet,” she said. As they work on getting to that level, McPhee-McCuin said if they are more efficient on the offensive end scoring the baskets rather than making the costly turnovers, as they did against South Carolina, they will be

SEE PAGE 17

Minister Bowleg for one! Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic officially open

Liverpool and Real Madrid meet again in the Champions League

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer

Auerbach suggested he meet the player then known as Lew Alcindor.

SALT LAKE CITY

(AP) — This was the first All-Star weekend since the death of 11-time champion, Hall of Fame player and Hall of Fame coach Bill Russell.

He was not forgotten.

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer BILL RUSSELL

The entire season has been a tribute to Russell, with all teams putting his No. 6 at midcourt and all players wearing it on their jerseys.

And at Sunday’s Legends Brunch — one of the best events of All-Star weekend, not to mention one of the toughest tickets to secure — Russell was honoured with remarks from Boston All-Star Jaylen Brown, former oncourt rivals Julius Erving and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Hall of Famer Grant Hill.

Abdul-Jabbar called Russell “my friend, my mentor, my role model.” He was 14 when he first met Russell and the initial greeting wasn’t overly friendly; the Celtics were using the gym at Power Memorial in New York, Abdul-Jabbar’s high school, for practice.

Russell was reading The New York Times, and Celtics coach Red

How Abdul-Jabbar remembered Russell’s response: “I’m not getting up to meet some kid.”

They met anyway, and became very close over the years, with Russell — notorious for disliking autographs — even signing a Celtics jersey for Abdul-Jabbar a few years ago. And that day, just as he did in that high school gym a half-century earlier, Russell called Abdul-Jabbar “kid.”

“There’s a whole lot more truth and love and respect for my 60-year relationship with Bill Russell,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “Not just as one of the greatest basketball players to ever live, but as the man who taught me how

SEE PAGE 16

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Champions League royalty go head-tohead today when Liverpool hosts holder Real Madrid at Anfield.

The two giants of European soccer meet in a repeat of last year’s final and the standout match of the round of 16.

While Liverpool and Real Madrid share 20 Champions League titles between them, Manchester City continues its quest to win the trophy for the first time and Napoli has emerged as a surprise contender after an outstanding start to the season.

LIVERPOOL’S REVENGE MISSION

Liverpool has the chance to avenge the 1-0 loss to Real in the final in Paris last May and goes into the first leg in much-improved form after back-to-back

wins against Everton and Newcastle in the Premier League.

It has been a season of struggle for a team that was competing for an unprecedented quadruple of trophies last year. So much so that, up until the past week, winning the Champions League looked like its best chance of qualifying for next season’s competition.

But there have been encouraging signs in those morale-boosting wins that

leave Jurgen Klopp’s team just six points off the top four and a Champions League-qualifying spot.

Real is aiming to be crowned champion of Europe for a record extending 15th time and is fresh from winning the Club World Cup earlier this month.

But it faces a fight to hold onto its Spanish league title, with Barcelona leading the way at the top of the standings.

MAN CITY’S YEAR?

The Champions League is the one major trophy City has failed to win since being taken over by Abu Dhabi’s ruling family in 2008. While the arrival of Erling Haaland last summer looked like a potential game-changer in Europe, question marks hang over Pep Guardiola’s team in the Premier League. A 1-1 draw with Nottingham

SEE PAGE 17

OLE Miss Rebels head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin. REAL Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN - Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg shoots a basketball yesterday to signify the official opening of the prestigious Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic for senior boys. The opening ceremonies were held at AF Adderley Gymnasium but the games will be played at the Kendal Isaacs Gym

Photo: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

Minister opens Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic for senior boys

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports

WALKING back into the AF Adderley Gymnasium for the opening ceremonies of the 36th Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic brought back some fond memories for Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg.

Bowleg, who started out as a basketball player for the AF Adderley Fighting Tigers when they were a high school, ventured into coaching, before he became the president of the Bahamas Basketball Federation and eventually emerged into politics.

Bowleg, who captured a pair of back-to-back titles with the CC Sweeting Cobras in 2012 and 2013 and again in 2015 and 2016, said he’s been constantly asked if he misses coaching and he would consistently say “no.”

But upon hearing the roar of the crowd in the mystique AF Adderley Gymnasium on Monday morning, Bowleg said he felt the adrenaline that he experienced in the past and had a change of heart about whether or not he missed coaching.

He stated empathically that he “did.”

Bowleg was declaring the weeklong tournament for senior boys open.

In its return after not playing for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of the games will be played at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

Bowleg commended Alsworth “Whitey’ Pickstock, who convinced Fighting Tigers’ head coach Doug Collins that they should start the tournament to raise funding for their athletic programme.

The idea was accepted by principal Hugh Campbell and gave birth in 1992 when the LW Young Golden Eagles, also a high school team then, won the first title under coach Walter Rand and led by most valuable player Bernard.

It was during one of the tournaments that he was playing in, Bowleg said

RUSSELL

FROM PAGE 15

to be bigger as a player, and as a man.”

Hill spoke of how he had heard plenty about Russell — his commitment to social justice and civil rights, an unwillingness to be deterred by threats, and his pride in standing alongside other athletes committed to the same, everyone from Muhammad Ali to Colin Kaepernick.

“And then I got to meet Bill Russell. It wasn’t at all what I expected,” Hill said. “While I had read about his strength and his seriousness, what I saw with my own eyes was his happiness and his humour. He was all of those things. And that’s

he found his wife on the basketball court in AF Adderley Gym and they have been married for the past 18 years. In his brief address, Bowleg said he’s also delighted to have been able to serve as a coach for some of the coaches, who will be coaching their respective teams in the tournament.

Among the list were Dario Burrows of the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools’ champions Charles W Saunders, Dastyn Baker, now coaching at CC Sweeting and Ernest Saunders, the head coach, of the Jordan Prince Williams Falcons.

With teams from Jordan Prince Williams, Government High, RM Bailey, Charles W Saunders, CC Sweeting, CV Bethel, Anatol Rodgers and CI Gibson all in attendance, Bowleg declared the tournament open. He also shot the ceremonial shot from the free throw line, but missed the first two before converting the final one.

Pickstock, who was also among the list of dignitaries on hand, said he was pleased to see the tournament return because it provides an opportunity for the young men to develop their skills, especially against their counterparts who come in from Grand

what made Bill Russell great. Great for the game. Great for the country. Just great to be around.”

Erving told the story of how he played golf with Russell, and how neither was very good.

Golf was merely an excuse to get together and tell stories, ones that would often bring Russell’s loud and distinct cackle when he found something humorous.

“Everybody knew when William Felton Russell was in the room,” Erving said.

“I cherish those times.”

ZHURI’S MOMENT

LeBron James always said that he wasn’t chasing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record, so there was no sense of relief when he

Bahama and some of the Family Islands.

“The whole idea for establishing this tournament was for the players to have some camaraderie among themselves,” Pickstock said. “The advent of bringing in Freeport was to take the tournament to another level from a national perspective.”

Grand Bahama teams participated in the tournament for the first time the following year in 1983 when

the Catholic High Crusaders, coached by Gladstone ‘Moon’ McPhee, won. In fact, Grand Bahama teams won the next two with the Hawksbill High Hawks, coached by the late Errol Bodie and the Eight Mile Rock Bluejays, coached by Gary McIntosh, were the 1994 and 1995 champions.

The tournament was cancelled in 1986 when there was a dispute with the high school coaches, forcing a split with the government

James posted the clip on his social channels.

“The Lakers’ social media post, they posted the one with my whole family on there that I actually posted I believe yesterday or the other day,” James said.

“It’s hard for me to stop watching that because watching Zhuri’s reaction to that is, like, the greatest — it’s so cool.

“If I’m having a bad day, I know exactly where I can go to fix my day,” he added.

and private schools and the formation of the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) and the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS).

When the tournament resumed in 1987, the host AF Adderley Fighting Tigers, coached by Collins, went on to become the first two-peat champions before there was a dominance of the Grand Bahamian teams

also the 30th anniversary of Adam Silver’s first All-Star Game as part of the NBA.

Back then, he was special assistant to Commissioner David Stern. Now, Silver is the NBA Commissioner.

“It’s interesting to think about the contrast between then and now,” Silver said.

It’s all different.

actually took over the top spot on the NBA points list.

To him, the best moment within that moment was the reaction of his daughter Zhuri to the record-breaking jumper earlier this month.

“Seeing Zhuri’s reaction to that moment was pretty, pretty cool.”

SILVER’S ANNIVERSARY

Not only was this weekend the 30th anniversary of Utah’s first time hosting the All-Star Game, but it was

All-Star ballots were on paper then and distributed in arenas; Michael Jordan was the leading vote-getter with just over 1 million votes. Voting is electronic now; LeBron James got about 8 million votes this year.

There’s been about a 500% increase in the number of international players in the NBA over the last 30 years, from around 20 in 1993 to around

up to 1997 when the CR Walker Knights, coached by Trevor Grant, returned the title to New Providence.

In that span of Grand Bahama success, Jimmy Clarke coached Hawksbill High to the first of threepeats from 1992-1994.

The only other team to three-peat was the CI Gibson Rattlers, coached by Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson, with their feat from 2004-2007.

Following Bowleg’s twostraight from 2012-2014 with CC Sweeting, the Tabernacle Baptist Falcons, coached by Kevin Clarke, won it consecutively in 2017-2018.

Clarke also played for the Falcons, whose coach then was Norris Bain when they won it back-to-back in 2009-2010.

Bain, who won his first two straight in 1995 and 1996, is listed as the winningest coach in the tournament, having won six titles. Bowleg, Johnson and Clarke have each captured four crowns, albeit Clarke is the first to win with two different teams after he came to New Providence and led the Knights to their victory in 1997.

The defending champions of the tournament are the Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins, coached by Denycko Bowles.

Since then, Bowles has been moved to Anatol Rodgers where he is coaching the Timberwolves.

The Mystic Marlins are now coached by Kevon Spence.

Comedian Das Quay served as the master of ceremonies for the opening, which featured entertainment by the AF Adderley School Band and cheerleaders, the Royal Bahamas Police Pop Band and musician Julian Believe.

Theophilus Claridge, a former principal at AF Adderley and now the Southern District superintendent, brought remarks on behalf of Dominique Russell, the director of education, science and technology.

Also in attendance was Belinda Wilson, the president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers.

120 now. And no All-Star Game will mean more to a local economy than this one, Silver said, with a $280 million estimated impact from the weekend on Salt Lake City businesses.

“In terms of the magnitude of All-Star, this is our largest in our history,” he said.

MCCLUNG EFFECT

The NBA said Sunday that the video of All-Star Saturday Night — highlighted by Mac McClung’s win in the dunk contest — generated more than 520 million views in the first 12 hours following the competition.

That was the most ever for an All-Star Saturday night, the league said, and the figure is obviously just going to keep rising.

BILL RUSSELL

Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, top right, shoots a basketball yesterday to signify the official opening of the prestigious Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic for senior boys. The opening ceremonies were held at AF Adderley Gymnasium but the games will be played at the Kendal Isaacs Gym.

Photos: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

SHOWN, from left to right, are Alsworth Pickstock, one of the tournament founders, Belinda Wilson, president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers, Mrs Hugh Campbell, wife of the late Hugh Campbell, Kenneth Rolle, vice principal of AF Adderley, and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg.

Falcons fly past Saints, 76-49

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Jordan Prince Williams Falcons, in their first game since losing the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools’ senior boys title to the Charles W Saunders Cougars, didn’t have any mercy on the Kingsway Academy Saints.

In a lopsided victory on day one of the 36th edition of the Hugh Campbell

SCHEDULE

• Here’s a look at the schedule:

TODAY

6pm - CW Saunders vs Anatol Rodgers

7pm - CR Walker vs W1 8pm - Doris Johnson vs W7 Wednesday Noon - Study Hall vs SC Bootle 1pm - Louise McDonald vs Agape 2pm - Gateway vs Bishop Michael Eldon 3pm - St George’s vs Winner of game one

Basketball Classic yesterday at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, the Falcons flew past the Saints 76-49. In the feature game of the night, the CC Sweeting Cobras doubled up the Government High Magicmen 67-31.

The CV Bethel Stingrays stunned the Queen’s College Comets 41-36.

Falcons 76, Saints 49: Although they only had two players in double figures, Jordan Prince Williams had a balanced scoring attack as they marched past Kingsway Academy in a lopsided affair.

Kamari Minns led the attack with 16 and Jakayo Kemp had 13. Both Ellery Lockhart and Barkley Cadet had eight and Valentino Ferguson, Broc Glinton, Kenneth Reckley and Philip Robinson all scored six as head coach Ernest Saunders had his team clicking on all cylinders.

Minns had 10, with a pair of three-pointers, to help the Falcons open a 19-10 first quarter lead. Kemp came up with nine in the second quarter as they extended their lead to 38-20 at the half. They were never challenged the rest of the way.

For good measure, and Lockhart had five as they extended their lead to

TO SIGN WITH CLIPPERS AFTER JAZZ WAIVE HIM

LOS ANGELES (AP)

— Russell Westbrook was waived by the Utah Jazz yesterday and the ninetime All-Star is expected to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to a published report.

The 34-year-old guard was acquired by the Jazz from the Los Angeles Lakers on February 10. He averaged 15.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 28.7 minutes per game in a rocky tenure with the Lakers.

Members of the CC Sweeting Cobras senior boys basketball team can be seen in full force yesterday during the opening ceremony of the prestigious Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic, now in its 36th edition, at the AF Adderley Gymnasium.

64-32 at the end of the third.

Ferguson canned a pair of three-pointers in the fourth as they stayed ahead for good.

Evan Cartwright had a game high 21 points and Rayjin Smith added 11 in a losing cause. Kenyon Johnson had six, Cayden Cunningham five and Ethan Burrows four, but it wasn’t enough. Cobras 67, Magicmen 31: Jaheim Armbrister

canned 13 points as he led the attack for CC Sweeting as just about every player scored.

Jamerolston was the only other one in double figures with 11.

Mauricio Davis had nine, Jason Williams eight, Ronald Adderley six, Emmanuel Adams five, and Calvin Thurston, Mataeo Minnis and Robert Prater all added four.

In a losing effort, Leroy Rolle had 11 and Rasheed

Brennen finished with eight.

Stingrays 41, Comets 36: Charles Major III had 12 points, Prescott Stubbs had 11, Derrick Edgecombe eight, Marvince Dorel five and Juvenson Jilles chipped in with four in pushing CV Bethel to victory as they led from start to finish.

The Stingrays had went up 17-7. Leonardo Burrows had a game high 19 points and Tayshawn Taylor had eight in the loss.

36th St Valentine’s Regatta ‘a huge success’

ESPN reported that Westbrook’s agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports, told the outlet he will sign with the Clippers after completing a contract buyout on the remaining $47 million he’s owed on his expiring deal.

Schwartz did not immediately respond to messages from The Associated Press. The Clippers had no comment.

The move would reunite Westbrook with Paul George, his former teammate in Oklahoma City. It also allows Westbrook to stay in Los Angeles. He is from the area and starred at UCLA.

George had lobbied recently for the Clippers to land Westbrook, who won the MVP in 2017 with the Thunder.

“I’m a big believer and a fan of what Russ’ work is, having one of my best seasons in my career alongside of him. I’ve seen what he can do night in and night out,” George said. “I really think he can improve the team. He’s such a big talent. He rebounds, he finds guys, he makes the game easy for everyone. I think he will come in, he will mesh and he’ll figure out how we play and he’ll adjust to it.”

Westbrook would join a Clippers team that is fourth in the Western Conference at 33-28 coming out of the All-Star break.

LIVERPOOL FROM PAGE 15

Forest on Saturday saw Arsenal overtake City at the top of the table and highlighted vulnerabilities that have been evident for much of the season.

But City has looked strong in the Champions League, cruising through the group stages and is the overwhelming favourite to win when it travels to RB Leipzig on Wednesday.

But Guardiola’s time in charge at City has been punctuated by surprise exits in Europe, so the potential for an upset is real.

The City manager is still waiting to win his first Champions League title with a team other than Barcelona featuring Lionel Messi, having lifted it twice with the Catalan club in 2009 and 2011.

THE SURPRISE

PACKAGE

THE 36th edition of the St Valentine’s Regatta turned out to be a huge success over the weekend in Montagu Bay.

The popular sloop sailing event, the brainchild of the late Eleazor ‘the

LADY REBELS

FROM PAGE 15

right where she wants them to be.

“We have to be able to capitalise on our free throw shooting or a two-on-one situation and stuff like that. So I would like to see us do that.

“If we do that, we will be in good shape. Defensively, we’re one of the best in the country. We just need our offence to start catching up.”

Sailing Barber’ Johnson, took place on Saturday and Sunday.

Winning the title was Whisper with 15 points, followed by Sweet Island Gal with 13 in second and Flash placed third with 12.

Following in the footsteps of her legendary basketball coach Gladstone ‘Moon’ McPhee, McPheeMcCuin said she was quite pleased to hear the compliments she continues to receive from the media and her peers as they consider her to be one of the top coaches in the NCAA.

“I think it’s well earned. There’s been a lot of work put into this,” McPheeMcCuin said.

“I come from a coaching tree, so it’s pretty cool. But I work hard every day. I’m humble. I learn a lot. I’m a student of the game and

The Dream Girl was fourth with 10 points, the Cobra got fifth with seven and Unca John completed the field in sixth place with four points.

Organisers of the event thanked the Bahamas Boat

for us to go back-to-back 20-plus seasons and go to the NCAA Tournament is a blessing.”

This is the 18th year for McPhee-McCuin as a coach after she made the transition from playing as a point guard. She is now in her 10th year as a head coach and the fifth at Ole Miss, having just signed on a four-year deal.

“You know they will have to run me my money after this season right,” McPhee-McCuin joked. McPhee-McCuin is even more excited about what

Owners and Sailors Association, along with the fans, who showed up on Montagu Bay.

The Johnson family indicated that they will redouble their efforts to ensure that the legacy of

next season holds as she will get the opportunity to coach her second Bahamian player in Rhema Collins, who will be joining Ole Miss after completing her high school career at Weber School.

“We’re really excited about Rhema and what she will be bringing to Ole Miss,” said McPheeMcCuin, who a few years ago coached point guard Valerie Nesbitt on her Lady Rebels’ team.

“You haven’t seen her best performances yet. Rhema is a special talent and honestly, I think her

their father continues to live on. The event was sponsored by Cuba Libre & Street Side Pizza, Goombay Punch, Bank of the Bahamas and Johnson’s Trucking and Johnson’s Barber Shops.

best talent is ahead of her.

I don’t think you have seen the best of her yet.

“We hope to help bring that out of her when she comes.”

With Collins being on the team, McPhee-McCuin hopes to come back home in November to play in a tournament at Atlantis, similar to what they did last November when they played in a tournament at Baha Mar.

On Saturday, Collins helped Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, clinch their third regional championship title.

Napoli was the most impressive team of the group stages and is racing away at the top of the Italian league, leading by 15 points. It faces Eintracht Frankfurt away today on the back of a five-game winning run.

Striker Victor Osimhen looks unstoppable in front of goal, with 19 this season and nine in his last nine games. His performances have seen him linked with a summer move to Manchester United and he can further enhance his reputation as the Champions League returns.

Based on form, Napoli looks like one of the leading contenders to win the trophy and will take some stopping if it can maintain it.

LUKAKU’S BACK

Inter Milan, which is the closest challenger to Napoli in Italy, is also in action in the Champions League this week when it hosts Porto on Wednesday. If it is to stand a chance of going far in the competition, much could rely on Romelu Lukaku staying fit and getting his goal-scoring form back.

WINNERS of the 36th St Valentine’s Regatta over the weekend in Montagu Bay.

OPENING CEREMONY:

Photo: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

TOUR DE TURQUOISE RAISES A RECORD $165,000 FOR EXUMA

FOR donors who wonder where exactly their dollars go and who they help, in Exuma they only have to look as far as the school bus that proudly bears the name LN Coakley High.

Sponsors, supporters and riders who participated in the 2022 Tour de Turquoise raised more than $100,000 to pay for that bright blue bus that has been a student body gamechanger.

But having wheeled in record success, when founder Howard Chang and sponsoring supporters like author Jeff Todd, Peter Nicholson, the largest shareholder at Grand Isle Resorts & Residences, and Bob Coughlin, founder of Friends of Exuma, vowed to top that figure in 2023, many held their breath, doubting they could do it.

This week, the announcement came.

“Tour de Turquoise 2023 raised more than $165,000, a fantastic new record, thanks to all those who support this grass roots cycling event and especially the second homeowners who have made Exuma their home and want to give back,” said Todd. And co-founder Chang, who introduced the growing cycling event after being a founding member of Canada’s Les Domestiques (‘cyclists who serve’) touches on the appeal of the local event.

“What our donors love about this event is how the money really touches those who need it,” he said.

“Exuma is such an impressive community with so many needs, whether it be in health, education or the environment. Our job is to identify those needs and do our best to invest in causes that have a direct impact on people’s lives.”

Among other causes, the event has helped purchase a bus for the local hospital, revitalised a local basketball court, sent children to camp, created a cycling club for students, and most recently, bought that new bus for the high school so students can participate in extra-curricular activities after school.

But getting to the level of donations the Tour now enjoys did not happen easily. According to Todd, the event only raised modest sums, though it brought the community together, until the big boost in 2021 when it brought in over $100,000 for the first time.

“That’s when major donors and supporters like Bob Coughlin and Friends of Exuma (an NGO founded by Coughlin) stepped up,” said Todd.

“We wouldn’t be where we are without people like Howard Chang and his family and Bob Coughlin, second homeowners who love the community and want to give back to Exuma.”

Also key to Tour de Turquoise has been the Exuma Foundation of Canada, a registered charity

that allows Canadians to receive a tax deduction for their donations and more recently, Friends of Exuma, which offers tax incentives for American donors. The event features two races for all ages and abilities, including a community ride of about 40km (25 miles), and a ‘VIP route’ of

80km (80 miles) for more experienced cyclists. In both, donors and locals ride side by side and socialise while taking in the island’s vistas and famously blue water. Tour De Turquoise partners with the medical and law enforcement authorities.

Timing of the event is no

accident. Exuma’s worldclass water and beaches, not to mention the friendliness of the locals, has been a winning combination for donors seeking a fundraiser that’s off the beaten track, especially in January when temperatures in northern climates are freezing and cyclists in Exuma

are pedalling along in t-shirts astride a shoreline of warm sparkling waters.

“I look forward to coming here every year,” Norbert Frisckhorn says, a retired entrepreneur who has been to all eight events.

“First off, the island is incredibly beautiful. And then there are the people who remember you year after year. It’s a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a holiday, connect with friends, while also making a difference in a place that really benefits from it.”

Much like Chang, Coughlin had an inherent drive and motivation to give back to an island he also calls home. As the founder of Paycor, a platform that delivers payroll and human resource services to major companies across US, he knows a thing or two about building winning teams.

“Friends of Exuma has been leaning in and supporting many projects,” adds Coughlin, who is also the founder of the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, one of the largest running events in the US. “Tour de Turquoise is a perfect chance for us to collaborate and introduce potential new donors to the island. Chang and his team have done a wonderful job with the ride and we look forward to reaching greater heights together in the future.”

To learn more about Tour de Turquoise in January 2024, visit its website at rideforexuma.com

A GROUP of cyclists who completed the 2023 record-setting Tour de Turquoise event gather in front of the bus purchased for LN Coakley High with funds from last year’s race.

THANKS to founder Howard Chang, a second homeowner in Exuma, with strong support from other second homeowners like Bob Coughlin, 2nd from right, founder of Friends of Exuma, the 8th Annual Tour de Turquoise cycling event hit a record high, raising $165,000 for Exuma needs, topping the 2022 raise that purchased a new bus for LN Coakley High.

Ex-top Gaming Board official in $42,000 wrongful dismissal FROM PAGE A24

his dismissal and did not afford him the requisite notice set out in the Employment Act. Further, and in contrast to Gaming’s contentions that he was purportedly paid benefits commensurate with his years of service, he was not as his vacation pay was reduced by some $42,404.”

Mr Scott sued on the basis that this was wrongfully deducted, but the Gaming Board insisted that his vacation pay should

be based on when it was accrued not his current rate of pay. The former secretary said he “objected strenuously” to this, but was told by the chairman in response: “Well, you contact your lawyer.” The chairman is not named, but is thought likely to have been former MP, Kenyatta Gibson. And Mr Scott also asserted that “in some cases I was directed not to take vacation due to industry matters such as regularisation of domestic gaming

and opening of Baha Mar. In fact, in every such case my inability to proceed on vacation was duly noted and approved by the appointed Board”. Giving evidence on Mr Scott’s behalf, Georgette Dorsett-Johnson, a former assistant secretary of the Gaming Board’s administrative services division until she was placed on leave at the same time as the ex-secretary, said vacation pay was always calculated on an employee’s current pay rather

“The fuel charge under-recovery will be recovered via the recently implemented glide path recovery mechanism, which will be used to pay for current and overdue balances to the supplier,” the minister said, referring to Shell. “What the Government has done is top-up the existing facilities to BPL.

“I am referring specifically to the 2019 and the 2021 loans. These loan facilities provided BPL with additional cash to meet its obligations. The arrangements of these loans are the subject of ongoing negotiations between BPL and the Ministry of Finance.”

Mr Sears provided no specifics on the nature of these discussions, while noting that BPL’s government credit lines were put in place by the former Minnis administration. He later reiterated: “This is not a subsidy, but a top-up of the existing facility by way of a loan which was entered into in 2019 and 2021. The present value of the facility is pegged at $100m. To date, approximately $50m has been advanced to BPL.”

Stating that what he described as “interim funding” complied with regulations requiring BPL to adjust its fuel charge “to recover all prudently incurred fuel costs”, the

minister added: “That is, the interim funding will be repaid from the funds recovered via the fuel charge.”

Mr Sears, in what appeared to be carefullyworded answers to the Opposition’s questions, did not link BPL’s $50m drawdown on the loan facilities provided by the Government or their recovery to the ongoing fuel hedging controversy. Indeed, he avoided any mention of the word “hedge” in his statements, which were read out in the House of Assembly during the morning session.

However, well-placed BPL sources said Mr Sears was clearly indicating that the fuel charge hikes imposed on electricity customers this year are designed at least in part to recover the Government’s $50m advances. Given that the increases are also designed to repay $90m in unpaid fuel bills due to Shell, it appears that the rolling series of fuel charge rises could be seeking to recover as much as $140m via BPL’s household and business consumers.

Based on Mr Sears’ disclosures, one well-placed source told Tribune Business yesterday: “What we are paying in these additional fuel charges is to recover the Government’s fees for that debt and the loan, which is what we suspected. That’s what it sounds like to me, based on what he’s saying. When they

MARKET

put forward these additional fuel charges everyone was trying to figure out how they made those calculations.”

Other Tribune Business contacts said the two BPL loan facilities identified by Mr Sears were each worth $30m when set-up under the former Minnis administration in 2019 and 2021. They added that only $30m was outstanding, and due to government, when the former administration was voted out in the September 16, 2021, general election, implying that a further $20m drawdown has occurred under the Davis administration.

“It was a float to help BPL remain solvent and pay its bills,” one contact said, adding that this was supposed to have been fully paid-off via BPL’s now-aborted $535m rate reduction bond (RRB) refinancing. They pointed out that BPL has been close to financial meltdown for years across multiple administrations, with its cash flow insufficient to pay all its vendors and debt servicing costs alone amounting to around $2m.

“The reality is that BPL has had financial challenges for years, for decades,” one source said. “It is still spiralling downwards from there. Nobody has put forward a comprehensive solution to resolve it, and whatever resolutions come to the fore, no government commits to them. It’s a challenge the

than at the time when it was accrued. Two current Gaming Board employees, its deputy secretary and senior salary administrator, gave evidence for the regulator.

Sir Ian, while accepting the Gaming Board’s evidence that Mr Scott was dismissed as part of a restructuring, found he was not properly compensated for vacation pay. “It was evident that Scott’s duties that kept him tethered to the Gaming Board and not

country is going to continue to face.

“It’s one of those things that has to be communicated to the public that, at some point in time, to resolve the problem it’s going to cost people some money. There needs to be a realistic conversation with the public about what it takes to fix BPL once and for all. It’s just one of those things.”

Mr Sears yesterday did not explain what has caused such sharp hikes in BPL’s 2023 fuel charges other than to blame the early 2022 increase in global oil prices sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He again sought to justify the Government’s decision to delay passing on increased fuel costs to BPL’s customers so as to give them more time to recover from COVID-19’s ravages.

“In order to insulate consumers from the impact of rapidly-rising fuel costs brought on by the Ukraine crisis, we delayed the passthrough to coincide with the economy’s emergence from the shocks brought on by Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic,” the minister confirmed.

This meant holding BPL’s fuel charge at 10.5 cents per kilowatt hour (KWh) for at least an extra seven to eight months, even though the Government had not executed the trades to purchase extra cut-price fuel volumes that were essential to hold the charge at this level. As a result, the fuel bills paid

MONDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2023 CLOSECHANGE%CHANGEYTDYTD% BISX ALL SHARE INDEX: 2671.551.800.0726.491.00 BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI52WK LOWSECURITY SYMBOLLAST CLOSECLOSECHANGE VOLUMEEPS$DIV$P/EYIELD 7.005.30 AML Foods Limited AML 6.95 6.950.00 0.2390.17029.12.45% 53.0040.06 APD Limited APD 39.95 39.950.00 0.9321.26042.93.15% 2.762.04Benchmark BBL 2.76 2.760.00 3000.0000.020N/M0.72% 2.652.31Bahamas First Holdings Limited BFH 2.65 2.46 (0.19) 2,2760.1400.08017.63.25% 3.322.25Bank of Bahamas BOB 3.02 3.320.30 1,0000.0700.000N/M0.00% 6.306.00Bahamas Property Fund BPF 6.30 6.300.00 1.7600.000N/M0.00% 9.808.78Bahamas Waste BWL 9.65 9.650.00 0.3690.26026.22.69% 4.503.25Cable Bahamas CAB 4.09 4.240.15 1,923-0.4380.000-9.7 0.00% 10.657.50Commonwealth Brewery CBB 10.23 10.230.00 0.1400.00073.10.00% 3.652.54Commonwealth Bank CBL 3.58 3.580.00 0.1840.12019.53.35% 9.307.01Colina Holdings CHL 8.50 8.500.00 0.4490.22018.92.59% 17.5012.00CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank CIB 15.99 15.990.00 0.7220.72022.14.50% 3.252.05Consolidated Water BDRs CWCB 3.04 3.060.02 0.1020.43430.014.18% 11.2810.05Doctor's Hospital DHS 10.50 10.500.00 0.4670.06022.50.57% 11.679.16Emera Incorporated EMAB 9.94 9.950.01 0.6460.32815.43.30% 11.5010.75Famguard FAM 11.20 11.200.00 0.7280.24015.42.14% 18.3014.50Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) LimitedFBB 18.10 18.100.00 0.8160.54022.22.98% 4.003.55Focol FCL 3.98 3.980.00 0.2030.12019.63.02% 12.1010.00Finco FIN 12.10 12.100.00 0.9390.20012.91.65% 16.2515.50J. S. Johnson JSJ 15.76 15.760.00 0.6310.61025.03.87% PREFERENCE SHARES 1.001.00Bahamas First Holdings PreferenceBFHP 1.001.000.00 0.0000.0000.0000.00% 1.001.00Colina Holdings Class A CHLA 1.001.000.00 0.0000.0000.0006.25% 10.0010.00Fidelity Bank Bahamas Class A FBBA 10.0010.000.00 0.0000.0000.0007.00% 1.001.00Focol Class B FCLB 1.001.000.00 0.0000.0000.0006.50% CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI52WK LOWSECURITY SYMBOLLAST SALECLOSECHANGEVOLUME 100.00100.00Fidelity Bank (Note 22 Series B+)FBB22 100.00100.000.00 100.00100.00Bahamas First Holdings LimitedBFHB 100.00100.000.00 BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing) 115.92104.79Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BAH29 107.31107.310.00 100.00100.00BGS: 2014-12-7Y BG0107 100.00100.000.00 100.00100.00BGS: 2015-1-7Y BG0207 100.00100.000.00 100.00100.00BGS: 2014-12-30Y BG0130 100.00100.000.00 100.00100.00BGS: 2015-1-30Y BG0230 100.00100.000.00 100.00100.00BGS: 2015-6-7Y BG0307 100.00100.000.00 100.00100.00BGS: 2015-6-30Y BG0330 100.00100.000.00 100.00100.00BGS: 2015-10-7Y BG0407 100.00100.000.00 95.0093.54BGRS FX BGR120037 BSBGR1200371 94.9994.990.00 250 100.12100.12BGRS FL BGRS88037 BSBGRS880378100.03100.030.00 94.1594.09BGRS FX BGR132139 BSBGR1321391 93.3693.360.00 101.55101.42BGRS FX BGR124228 BSBGR1242282 101.45101.450.00 103.49103.38BGRS FX BGR118027 BSBGR1180276 102.70102.700.00 92.6792.67BGRS FX BGR131239 BSBGR1312390 92.5592.550.00 90.9890.98BGRS FX BGR132249 BSBGR1322498 90.9590.950.00 94.8094.80BGRS FX BGR134140 BSBGR1341407 93.9493.940.00 100.39100.39BGRS FX BGR138230 BSBGR1380306 100.39100.390.00 96.8496.84BGRS FX BGR138240 BSBGR1380405 96.1096.100.00 100.32100.32BGRS FL BGRS81035 BSBGRS810359100.66100.660.00 100.34100.34BGRS FL BGRS81037 BSBGRS810375100.17100.170.00 100.57100.57BGRS FL BGRS84033 BSBGRS840331100.15100.150.00 MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI52WK LOW NAV YTD%12 MTH% 2.592.11 2.593.87%3.87% 4.903.30 4.904.87%4.87% 2.271.68 2.273.03%3.03% 203.47164.74 195.65-3.84%-3.84% 212.41116.70 180.14-15.19%-15.19% 1.771.71 1.773.07%3.07% 1.981.81 1.988.44%8.44% 1.881.80 1.884.42%4.42% 1.030.93 0.95-7.23%-7.23% 9.376.41 10.188.63%8.63% 11.837.62 13.6115.01%15.01% 7.545.66 7.732.87%2.87% 16.648.65 13.13-20.87%-20.87% 12.8410.54 12.06-4.33%-4.33% 10.779.57 10.62-0.31%-0.31% 16.279.88 16.27N/AN/A 11.228.45 11.223.00%25.60% 14.8911.20 N/A N/A N/A MARKET TERMS BISX ALL SHARE INDEX 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00 YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price 52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity 52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week Change - Change in closing price from day to day EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today NAV - Net Asset Value DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months - Not Meaningful P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | CORALISLE 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225 | BENCHMARK 242-326-7333 Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F CFAL Global Equity Fund Leno Financial Conservative Fund Leno Financial Aggressive Fund Leno Financial Balanced Fund Leno Financial Global Bond Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - Equities Sub Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - High Yield Income Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - Alternative Strategies Fund INTEREST Prime + 1.75%

being able to take leave on demand,” Sir Ian ruled.

“In fact, the correspondence in evidence shows that Scott was offered, on one occasion, compensation for 50 percent of his leave by then-chairman Terah Rahming. I accept that he was properly permitted to accrue the vacation due to the exigencies and demands of his high office as secretary to the Board. I was not persuaded that the Gaming Board acted ultra vires at the time in doing so.”

Ruling that this had set a precedent that the Gaming Board could not ignore, Sir Ian ruled that there was no evidence produced to show Mr Scott’s vacation leave was to be based on the time at which it was accrued. With nothing to show this was policy or standard procedure, he added: “Such a practice would necessitate a reverse accounting of sorts which, on balance, I do not consider was ever the norm when calculating such benefits.” generate sufficient funds so as to clear the utility’s debt to Shell.

by BPL’s customers were insufficient to repay Shell, the fuel supplier, in full and the debt owed to the latter began to accumulate.

BPL, in early March 2022, sought to get ahead of the Shell debt accumulation by announcing a 30.4 percent, or 3.2 cent, increase in the fuel component of consumers’ bills to 13.7 cents per KWh. This, though, was rejected by the Government, with the Prime Minister pledging that it would “brainstorm” to come up with alternatives - which never materialised.

Mr Sears, though, yesterday denied that the magnitude of the correction - and fuel charge hikes set be experienced throughout 2023 - would have been less if BPL had implemented these adjustments earlier.

“The overall costs paid by Bahamians would remain the same regardless of the rate of recovery as the fuel costs are a direct passthrough,” he said.

“However, the monthly fuel charge (as in the case of the recently-announced glide path schedule rates) is dependent on the period set for the recovery. It is noted that the Government sought to hold the fuel charge constant to provide price stability to the consumer over a fixed period, and is now facilitating the recovery of the accrued amount over an equitable comparable period to dampen the impact of the same, as announced in October by the Prime Minister.”

The extent of BPL’s debts was disclosed in the recentlypublished Fiscal Strategy Report, which said: “The recent disclosure of approximately $150m of payment arrears of Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) represents a significant unbudgeted liability of the Government.

To ensure continued provision of essential electrical

services to the public, the Government has committed to ensuring payment of this liability by the corporation.” The Davis administration vehemently denied that the bulk of this sum was accrued on its watch due to the decision not to execute the trades that would have underpinned BPL’s hedging initiative and the 10.5 cents per KWh fuel charge. It instead claimed much of the unpaid bills were built up under its Minnis predecessor, which the Opposition has rejected.

Mr Sears’ House of Assembly answers indicate that, besides the unpaid fuel bill owed to Shell, the $150m sum also includes monies owed to the Government and other vendors. While a portion was likely incurred under the Minnis and other administration, the evidence - especially the timing of the disclosure - strongly suggests that the majority built-up during this administration’s term.

The minister, meanwhile, said the Government has no plans to eliminate VAT on BPL’s fuel purchases as this would result in greater costs being passed on to consumers. “The Government has not removed VAT on fuel purchases because BPL charges VAT on the electricity which it produces, and the removal of VAT would impose on the suppliers of the fuel a cost increase which would be greater than the VAT on fuel,” Mr Sears said.

“This cost increase would be transferred to the consumers of electricity. It is to be remembered that VAT is charged on the importation of fuel, and disallowing VAT on the sale of fuel would lead to an increase in the price of fuel. Most fuel used for generation is diesel so this decision would impact other consumers, not just BPL.”

In the Estate of AUDLEY C. KEMP SENIOR late of Waterloo Road in the Eastern District of the Island of New Providence one of the Islands of The Commonwealth of the Bahamas, deceased.

NOTICE is hereby given that the Judicial Trustee Report as of December 2022 is available for review. All Beneficiaries are asked to contact Ms. Sydnease Rolle for arrangements to be made to obtain a copy of the report. Identification must be provided.

Legal Administrator

Email: srolle.ake@gmail.com

Telephone: 603-1022/805-3976

LEGAL

‘No stone left unturned’ on Gov’t accountability

committee on which the Opposition holds a majority and can thus seek to set the agenda. While Mr Pintard’s move to replace Long Island MP, Adrian Gibson, with fellow FNM member, Iram Lewis, drew much attention yesterday, the Opposition leader said he was “looking forward to sitting” with Mr Smith.

Promising to make as many committee hearings as possible open to attendance by the public, Mr Pintard added: “We are going to look at opening things up going forward. Our goal is to make this as open as possible for the public to observe the work that is taking place.”

He spoke as the Prime Minister accused the former Minnis administration, in which Mr Pintard was a member, of “a cynical attempt.. to appear to be fiscally responsible” by bringing the Public Procurement Act into legal effect just three weeks before his government took office on September 22, 2021. Philip Davis KC, in responding to numerous Opposition questions related to public procurement, argued that the Act had been left “unworkable in many respects” on its implementation due to what he described as “hastily designed provisions”. His administration has since unveiled a new Bill designed to remedy these deficiencies, which has already been tabled in Parliament

and subsequently circulated for wider stakeholder consultation.

Responding to questions from Mr Pintard, who called on the Prime Minister to explain why the Government “continues to break the law” surrounding the publication of public contract awards and their values, Mr Davis said the Act “came into force in the middle of a [general election] campaign” despite being passed several months earlier.

“While the Government acknowledges the importance of compliance with the Act, it has been working diligently to address these issues since coming into office on September 22, 2021,” Mr Davis said. “The Act was passed in a cynical attempt by the previous administration to appear to be fiscally responsible. It did not come into force until several months after it had been passed, just before the election.

“The provisions were hastily designed, and left the legislation unworkable in many respects. For example, the enabling resources and training to effect implementation were not in place.

The Government has taken several steps to address the gaps in the procurement system, including tabling a revised Act, creating a procurement career path in the public service, and acquiring new procurement software. “These measures are intended to ensure that all future procurement processes comply with the

Public Procurement Act.

The Government remains committed to transparency, accountability and good governance in all its activities and will work to ensure that all laws and regulations are applied appropriately.”

Mr Pintard, though, was unimpressed by the answers received from the Prime Minister and his Cabinet ministers. “They were playing cute,” he told this newspaper. “What they don’t appreciate is we will take their answers, do the reviews and be back in the House shortly. Some of them did not answer the substantive part of their questions.”

The Opposition leader took “another stab” at the issue last by reading before the House of Assembly questions concerning Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) $150m unpaid arrears and the Government’s borrowing of $232.3m in special drawing rights (SDRs) from the Central Bank.

As to the Prime Minister’s Public Procurement Act reply, Mr Pintard said the Government was clearly non-compliant with provisions in the existing law that require the identities of winning bidders and the value of contracts be disclosed within 60 days of their award. This means that all contracts awarded between September 1, 2021, and December 21, 2022, should have been revealed publicly.

Few have, and the Opposition leader argued that the Government’s noncompliance “sends the wrong message to a local and international audience” while also “undermining the moral message” when the Prime Minister calls on others to obey the law.

“Until such time as they change the law, they are required to comply with the law,” Mr Pintard argued of the Government. “What are they trying to hide by failing to publish all the contracts they’ve been issuing to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars?”

Mr Davis, though, yesterday pledged that his administration is working with a consultant to finalise a report that will list the contracts entered into by the Government since the Act took effect. “The Ministry of Finance in conjunction with Go Bonfire is finalising the report listing contracts awarded by

the Government. We aim to have the first edition published in due course,” he added. “All ministries, departments, and agencies will be fully compliant.”

The Prime Minister added that the Government has not appointed a Procurement Review Tribunal, as allowed for and called to by the existing Act, because it is “mindful” of the impending legislative reforms. And, while the Minnis administration had identified persons to serve on the Public Procurement Board, its successor did not proceed with their appointments due to concerns about the Board’s structure.

“While the previous government had identified individuals to be appointed to the Public Procurement Board (PPB), these individuals were never formally appointed,” Mr Davis said.”After reviewing the Act, the current administration had serious concerns about the structure of the Public Procurement Board and decided that it was best not to proceed with the previous government’s appointments.”

Asserting that the procurement system in effect on September 1, 2021, did not capture all information on contract awards as required by the Act, the Prime Minister said of the Go Bonfire report: “The report will outline the steps to ensure

compliance with the Act, including creating a procurement career path in the public service and acquiring new procurement software. “The Government is committed to transparency and accountability in all its procurement processes. It will work to ensure that all future procurements are conducted in accordance with the Public Procurement Act. Once the report is completed, it will be laid on the table of the honourable house.”

Taking further shots at the former administration, Mr Davis said: “Despite unprecedented levels of borrowing and expenditure, which left our national debt at more than 100 percent, the previous administration failed to properly and fully account for how billions of dollars of public money was spent, or who the recipients were of that spending...... “As per the law, all ministries, departments, and agencies are required to have a Tenders Board that reviews all procurement opportunities. If the value of the bid exceeds $250,000, it is then submitted to the procurement department for a no-objection review. This is in sharp contrast to the practices of the previous administration, under which many procurement arrangements remain obscure.”

PHILIP DAVIS KC

Fidelity ready to ‘put money behind’ bad mortgage cure

where its mouth is by investing its own money in a properly-structured distressed housing acquirer by purchasing any securities it issues.

Revealing that he has presented this concept to multiple administrations without success to-date, he said: “If you have a significant portion of properties in distress because people cannot make payments, those are on the banks’ books. Banks don’t really want to be property owners; that’s not our mandate.

“The bank doesn’t want persons coming in to inquire:

‘Can you sell me a home?’

They want to loan them money to buy a home. A non-performing loan has effectively been converted into a physical asset because you’re now in a state of saying you can only realise a recovery through the sale of the house. You’ve effectively become a property owner trying to sell a home.

“When there is a significant amount of capital tied up in non-performing assets it creates several issues for the banks.” Mr Bowe

said Bahamian lenders, in taking over and repossessing distressed properties, and exercising their power of sale, are faced with hiring realtors, property managers and others to keep the real estate in its “maximum value state”. And “time and energy” from bank staff is also required to address the delinquent mortgage loans.

“If you have a tremendous amount of distressed properties with owners unable to pay for it, and which have tied up bank capital and, at the same time, have government expanding housing through building new properties, you have left a significant deficiency in your economic system,” Mr Bowe argued. “Building more homes only exacerbates the problem.

“One of the core elements that has certainly struck home for us is that the Government needs to be careful with new housing initiatives when we have such an inventory of distressed properties. It means that banks take possession, but have capital tied up in these properties. When you are building more new homes you are not resolving

that issue; you are exacerbating that.”

Mr Bowe said his REIT proposal would help to eliminate the overhang created by distressed properties that are clogging up banks’ balance sheets, thus freeing up money for productive lending purposes once again while also getting more Bahamians into existing properties at an affordable price.

“The concept is how do you get the unproductive sector in the housing market productive again,” he added.

“There’s a couple of components. There’s capital. The banks have capital, but we don’t want to be in the business of property managers; we want to make loans. How do you attract persons wanting to invest in non-financial products like real estate?

If you have a structure that allows capital to be raised and buy distressed properties at a fraction of their value.

“We know the banks want to divest those properties because that’s not their business. We know there’s a need because the Government says there’s a

housing shortage. The REIT effectively would combine supply and demand, saying here’s a supply of distressed properties and demand for distressed properties? How do I get these working together? The REIT allows me to acquire distressed properties at a fraction of their value.”

Mr Bowe said the “vast majority” of Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) current non-performing loan portfolio are mortgages, with “in excess of 30 percent” of that loan type now 90 days or more past due for payment. The Central Bank’s December 2022 report said 10.2 percent, or more than $1 out of every $10 tied up in outstanding mortgage loans, is delinquent, and the Fidelity chief estimated that the industry average for distressed properties is around 20 percent. Bahamas-based commercial banks have become increasingly skittish on mortgage lending since the 2008-2009 financial crisis, which resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in mortgage arrears piling up on their books that took years to move due to the difficulties

encountered in selling them on to new, qualified purchasers. This has left them more reluctant to extend credit for home ownership - the biggest investment most people make and a vital economic driver.

Mr Bowe, affirming that his proposed REIT would have to be autonomous from government and run on commercial principles, said there was sufficient room to acquire distressed properties for cents on the dollar, invest to upgrade them and sell at a profit while still enabling the buyer to access affordable housing at a discounted price. “We need to become more creative in getting money flowing in the banking sector,” he added. “If nonperforming loans are taken off the books of the banks, they will have an incentive to lend in the mortgage space more aggressively. It has the dual benefits of getting liquidity back into a non-performing sector of the banking industry but also getting persons into homes are more affordable prices.”

Mr Bowe said the REIT would also provide

Civil service wages to grow $77m in 3 years

FROM PAGE A24

who do so much for our country.”

Mrs Glover-Rolle added that the increased public sector wage bill aligned with the Budget’s funding, saying: “The Government confirms that the estimated annualised additional incremental costs associated with the completed labour agreements align with the relevant, related budgetary allocations for the current fiscal year.

“$20m was allocated for labour agreements in the 2022-2023 Budget. The Government remains committed to ensuring that all budgetary allocations are carefully managed and monitored, and that all expenditures are in line with

the Government’s broader fiscal goals and objectives.”

As for the medium-term growth in the civil service wage bill, Mrs Glover-Rolle added: “The Government forecast growth in public sector wages over the medium term from $863.9m in fiscal year 2023-2024 to $941.7m in fiscal year 2026-2027.”

Elsewhere, the Prime Minister pushed back on the Opposition’s challenge as to why the 2022-2023 Budget’s projected deficit differed from that set out in last year’s Fiscal Strategy Report when the Fiscal Responsibility Act requires that they be “consistent”.

“There is no legal requirement that the annual Budget be an exact replica of the Fiscal Strategy

Report,” Philip Davis KC said. “However, the annual budget is consistent with the broader goals and objectives of the Fiscal Strategy Report, including the focus on deficit reduction.

“The Government remains committed to achieving its fiscal targets, and the Budget was formulated with this objective in mind. While the target deficit for the Budget may differ slightly from the targets established in the Fiscal Strategy Report, the overall strategy for reducing the deficit and achieving fiscal sustainability remains the same.”

And, dealing with the Opposition’s attack on the Government’s decision to eliminate the 10 percent duty on imported yachts

Head of Facilities and Maintenance

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join an outstanding and ambitious team at Inspired who recently opened premium school on the island of New Providence in The Bahamas. The school has already proven to be incredibly successful and is now moving into its second year.

We are looking for an exceptional Head of Facilities and Maintenance, who brings outstanding experience, high standards and a solution focused approach. You will be able to demonstrate the ability to assist in the key decision making related to systems, their commissioning and critical infrastructure required for our new, state of the art school campus in Western New Providence. Working with the site delivery team, consultants and others, as Head of FM you will be central to ensuring a smooth transition of the project from live construction to practical completion and handover.

Amongst other responsibilities you will: deliver monthly and annual strategic reporting and planning; produce a multi-year campus maintenance plan; coordinate all maintenance related works to the campus and its facilities; support the site team throughout the current construction process, whilst always ensuring regulatory compliance and adherence to global best practice.

King’s College School offers the highest quality modern facilities in a purpose-built state-of-the-art facility on an expansive 10-acre campus, ensuring that students benefit from a learning environment that has been designed for how students learn in the modern day.

Facilities include football pitches, tennis and padel courts, as well as dance, drama, and art studios. There will also be state-of-the-art science labs, a multi-purpose hall, a 25m swimming pool, an adventure park playground, and plenty of green spaces and shaded areas for students to enjoy.

When joining King’s College School, The Bahamas, you will join the family of the award-winning Inspired Education Group, the leading global group of premium schools, with over 80 schools operating in 23 countries. We offer a competitive salary and benefits and access to best practice and career pathways with some of the very best schools worldwide.

To apply please send a CV and letter of motivation to admin@kingscollegeschool.bs

outside the Parliamentary process, the Prime Minister said: “This category is not a significant revenue earner for the Government. If anyone looks at it, they’ll see it’s negligible or nonexistent. They don’t import their yachts to The Bahamas, and one of the reasons why is we have duty on yachts.” This, Mr Davis, added as a barrier to The Bahamas’ ambitions to establish a yacht registry “which we’ve [both political parties] been touting for many years. We consider it more useful for the purposes of creating a yacht registry to eliminate duty that we’re not collecting anyway because people are not importing their yachts”.

“The elimination of duty on yachts purchased and operated by wealthy individuals is an issue that has been discussed extensively by the Government and various stakeholders, and there is recognition that this policy can provide significant benefits to the maritime industry in The

Bahamas. However, to date, no importer has utilised this mechanism, and the Government will continue to examine ways to facilitate and grow the sector.”

Mr Davis also justified the Government’s position that elimination of this duty rate by “remission” was correct.

“However, to-date, there have been no qualifying imports, and thus the issue has not arisen in practice,” he added. “The Government remains committed to ensuring that all laws and regulations are applied appropriately and will continue to monitor and assess the situation as it develops.”

The Prime Minister also denied that the Government was required to lay the agreement for the $20m loan by Jamaican-based Proven Group, which was facilitated by local firm, Simplified Lending, in the House of Assembly because this was not a loan borrowed by itself or that it had guaranteed. Instead, the borrower was the Ministry of Housing via its function as a corporation sole, which

OPPORTUNITY

Grocery Store Managers needed

flexibility and portfolio diversity through being able to enter into a variety of transactions other than the purchase of distressed homes and their resell. He added that social housing, rentto-own and leases were all other opportunities it could explore.

“We’ve even said to the policymakers that Fidelity would be prepared to buy bonds or mortgage-backed securities which the REIT may offer to help finance their acquisitions,” he told this newspaper. “It changes the risk profile. This is not an idle idea we have expressed if it’s appropriately structured with the right governance and right professionalism be brought to bear.

“It converts some of my current non-performing, non-income portfolio into new assets that are more diversified. It opens up opportunities for that market to move and my investment risk to change. It’s a bit of a snowball effect. If we can roll this snowball up the hill and get it moving we may be surprised at how big it becomes.”

will be responsible for the loan’s repayment.

The loan is to finance the Government’s 365-lot Renaissance at Carmichael housing subdivision, and Mr Davis said: “The Ministry of Housing, being a corporation sole, is authorised to receive advances or loans from financial institutions, whether from the public or private sectors, to fulfill its mandate of developing homes. The ministry, therefore, obtained the necessary approvals and followed due process in securing the loan....

“The Debt Management Act does not apply in this case. The Ministry of Housing is a corporation sole. As such, the loan proceeds were deposited into the account of the corporation sole in accordance with the relevant regulations and guidelines.” The Prime Minister also asserted that a competitive bidding process was used to select Proven.

Turning to the hiring of Rothschild & Co as the Government’s debt advisers, Mr Davis said: “Rothschild and Company has been engaged in an advisory capacity by the Government to provide guidance and support in the international debt market. As one of the leading, highly-specialised, international financial advisory firms with expertise in debt management, Rothschild provides strategic advice to the Government on various aspects of its international debt portfolio.

“Advice includes the analysis of market conditions, identification of potential risks and opportunities, and the provision of recommendations on the most effective ways to structure and manage the government’s debt portfolio.

“The scope of work for Rothschild involves a detailed review of the Government’s current debt profile and the provision of ongoing support in implementing any recommended strategies. They are also brokering relationships with bond-holders and other market actors.”

UNIFIED BUS DISPATCH CENTRE CLOSE TO READY

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

THE dispatch centre that will play a key role in efforts to unify New Providence’s jitney system is expected to be unveiled within the next month, it was confirmed yesterday.

John Bridgewater, Bluestone Labs chief executive, told Tribune Business that the bus unification project has a projected summer deadline for full

completion. “We had been hit with a delay in terms of implementing the devices. But the software has been much completed. The dispatch centre is about two to three weeks out,” he said.

“The only thing left is adding that physical component, so persons would be able to scan their QR code once booked. We are working diligently to get it up as fast as soon as possible.” Supply chain backlogs with third party vendors have threatened

the project’s timelines, but the team is being “patient” in its approach to the system’s roll-out.

“We’ll definitely be up and running by summer time. We will do the first unveiling of the dispatch centre, and it will be a sequence of these unveilings as we start to bring a number of the different components that makes it a real bus system online,” Mr Bridgewater said.

“These things are massive in terms of their

Credit bureau database has 50% of population

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas’ first-ever credit bureau yesterday estimated it now has half the country’s population in its database with all commercial banks and credit unions supplying it with their clients’ files.

Marissa Nixon, the credit bureau’s sales and office manager, told Tribune Business that just three utility companies - Cable Bahamas, REV/ALIV and the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) - have signed on to provide it with data on their customers.” Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) and the Water

and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) have yet to do so.

“I know that it does have an impact on persons gaining access to credit, because now it gives more of a broad view,” Ms Nixon said of the increased data being gathered. “I think it actually will enable persons in our economy to develop themselves financially, and be more aware financially;

Union unveils multiple grievances with BPL

By FAY SIMMONS jsimmons@tribuemedia.net

UNION leaders yesterday unveiled multiple grievances with Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) relating to the processing of union dues, pension and medical benefits, and the re-engagement of retirees.

Kyle Wilson, the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union's president, accused the energy monopoly of non-compliance with "the terms and conditions" of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed by the two umbrella union bodies, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and National Congress of Trade Unions of the Bahamas (NCTUB), with the Progressive Liberal

Party (PLP) when it was in opposition.

Asserting that BPL line staff "feel ignored", he added: “The MoU clearly outlines the framework of conduct between unions and the various government agencies and related companies to avoid industrial disharmony. But it seems to have no effect and no value at BPL.”

The union's grievances include the delayed processing of union dues, while Mr Wilson alleged that BPL's staff pension scheme has been operating without a governing Board and deducting contributions prior to the required date. He said: “Some of the major issues are the delayed processing of union dues, which is currently creating a myriad of issues for

the union's financial operations and obligations.

"The implementation of a non-contractual pension scheme without consultation with the union. It has been operating for five years without a pension Board. It’s alleged only to be established on paper in late 2019, notwithstanding the deduction of members' funds for this pension prior to.”

Mr Wilson also voiced displeasure with changes to the medical benefits offered by BPL, and the utility's purported refusal to shop for alternative providers.

Mr Wilson said: “Unilateral changes to the medical benefit, without union consultation or involvement in spite of a court order to do so. Also an absolute refusal to shop the medical with the

BTC adds 1,200 more clients to fibre network

THE Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) says it has connected a further 1,200 customers to its fibre-to-the-home infrastructure as it proceeds with the network's nationwide roll-out.

The carrier, in a statement, said it has now linked Cooper’s Town, in Abaco, and New Providence's Sandyport community to the network. And it has begun work on upgrading Stapledon Gardens in a bid to complete fibre-to-thehome's New Providence roll-out this year.

Shantell Cox-Hutchinson, BTC's director of technology operations, said: “We are focused on delivering a truly reliable customer experience. Over the last few weeks, we have been aggressively pushing to upgrade customers to fibre services to reduce - and eventually eliminate - the number of customers using our legacy copper services.

"BTC’s fibre-to-the-home service provides faster speeds, and much more reliable service, not to mention more value for money. We aim to upgrade all our customers that are in areas that have already been 'fiberised'. Customers love the speed, and the convenience that fibre brings, and they also love the agility of our Flow TV services. We are on track to have New Providence and Grand Bahama fully fiberised by the end of 2023. A number of Family Islands are also earmarked for upgrades this year as well.”

Franklyn McCoy, a resident of the Mayfield Park Subdivision in Freeport, said of BTC's fibre service: “There is no lagging in the connection, and I am able

to get my classwork done quickly, especially when I have to upload certain programs. The speeds are 100 percent faster in my estimation, and I would most definitely recommend fibre to others.”

Susan Stubbs, a resident of Bootle Bay, Grand Bahama, added that fibre was installed in her home four months ago. “My Internet is up and running, and I honestly don’t have any issues as before. I would most definitely recommend

infrastructure. There’s so many moving pieces to these kinds of projects and co-ordination is what brings them to fruition. When you look at anywhere else in the world, these types of things happen and a massive effort takes a lot of co-ordination.”

Speaking for the drivers, Harrison Moxey, the United Public Transportation Company’s (UPTC) president, said: “We will soon be sending some stuff out to tender and some

to be able to educate themselves on how to not be credit dependent, and how to ensure that they have good credit.

“So I don’t think that it’s a bad thing. I think, right now, with the economy as it is, this is a good thing, especially the younger persons who are probably now just coming and accessing credit, or coming out of high school, getting a small credit card to build that credit.

“I think this is something good for our economy, knowing that economically we do have issues regarding debt. But it’s a

possibility of a better, more cost effective policy existing in the open market.” He also expressed unhappiness that BPL has been recalling retirees to work, describing it as "the blatant morale busting practice of rehiring persons who have received hundreds of thousands of dollars in upfront cash through a voluntary separation agreement, which also includes additional thousands of dollars a month for the same persons for the rest of their lives in monthly pension annuity payments.

"This is creating a state of negative and low morale amongst the staff who have demonstrated nothing but loyalty to this company. The discriminatory and questionable hiring practices, promotions and disregard for the registered agreement, which clearly states you must return to work if you were wrongfully dismissed. Despite a court ruling that has exonerated a staff member, the company is outright refusing

notices for the drivers. The network isn’t up and running now, but all of that will be coming into play the same time as the dispatch centre is completed and fully outfitted.

“The office is really critical before we get anything operating for the bus drivers. We will be getting some quotes in for the cameras and all of that stuff, so we are lining things up.”

The pilot programme for the bus unification programme was launched

country project. It’s not that the credit bureau has been put in place to stop you from being able to access credit. No, we want you to access credit responsibly, and know that you can manage it responsibly and this is a way to encourage that and to ensure that.”

The credit bureau’s main role is to provide lenders with greater insight into a potential borrower’s creditworthiness, especially whether they have a strong track record of repaying previous loan obligations in full and on time. Those who display such a history will find it easier to access

to reinstate the member in accordance with the agreement.”

BPL, in response to the union's issues, said it "notes the union’s concerns". It added: "BPL advises the union and the public that its management and Board of Directors are committed to addressing those concerns as well as maintaining amicable relations with the BEWU in the best interest of the more than 800 associates in New Providence and the Family Islands.”

Mr Wilson, meanwhile, said BPL had failed to come up with "a short or long-term business plan for future projects or future projections for the company, or its cost of direction" plus the "clear

in 2017, but the initiative has undergone several changes since it was first developed. For example, previous plans did not fully account for the difficulties in organising all of the various franchise owners into one single entity. In addition, the pilot did not use a bus tracking system but a dispatch system, which is a new dynamic in the project involving the UPTC and Bluestone Labs.

credits, while lending institutions will find it easier to assess and price risk.

Only registered institutions that have an agreement with the credit bureau can access to a potential borrower’s credit score and rating. Around 50 percent of the country’s population are now included in its database, and Ms Nixon said: “We do not have the entire population, but I think it’s about half. I think we’re almost at half, but I’m giving you the number based on my report done at the end of last year.”

establishment of protocols and guidelines for natural disasters, epidemics, pandemics and hardship conditions".

BPL was also accused of failing to recognise long service employees and refusing to pay the cost of living renumeration outlined in the industrial agreement.

Mr Wilson said: “The union assures the public that we will not act irresponsibly. But we will do what we have to do to secure our benefits. Therefore, let the chips fall where they may. This union is willing to use whatever tools are available in our box if management persists with the attitude of ignoring and disrespecting the union.”

fibre to others in the community," she said.

As for New Providence, fibre-to-the-home has so far been installed in Pinewood Gardens, Soldier Road, Sea Beach Estates, Westridge, South Beach, Coral Harbour, Cowpen Road, Bacardi Road, Pastel Gardens, Gladstone Road, Tropical Gardens, Gambier, Westwinds, Silver Gates, Jones Heights and Sandyport.

Margaret Hanna, a resident of Pastel Gardens, said: “I now have super-fast Internet speeds and there are no outages or interruptions at all. There was a period last year when my granddaughter was schooling virtually, and thanks to BTC’s fibre she could seamlessly do her research online as there was never an issue connecting."

BTC’s implementation of fibre-to-the-home started in 2016 in New Providence and Bimini. Since then, the network has also been installed in Exuma, Grand Bahama, Abaco, San Salvador, Rum Cay, Long Island and Cat Island.

SHANTELL COX-HUTCHINSON, BTC's director of technology operations (DTO).

DEXTER ROLLE, BTC fibre technician.

$5.76 $5.76 $5.46 $5.92

Fidelity ready to ‘put money behind’ bad mortgage cure

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

FIDELITY Bank (Bahamas)

stands ready to “put money behind” a properly structured investment vehicle that could cure this nation’s housing and distressed mortgage woes, its top executive said yesterday.

Gowon Bowe, the BISX-listed lender’s chief executive, renewed his call for the Government to work with the private sector in creating a real estate investment

trust (REIT) or alternative financing mechanism that could take delinquent properties off commercial banks’ books at a fraction of their true worth.

Warning that the Government’s construction of new subdivisions was merely “exacerbating the problem” created by non-performing mortgage loans, which continue to “tie-up” bank capital and deter the sector from further lending, he told Tribune Business that the vehicle he was proposing could both unlock private investment and held solve The

Bahamas’ shortage of affordable housing.

Asserting that the REIT or similar vehicle would have to be structured so that it was independent of the Government, with an autonomous Board and professional managers, Mr Bowe told this newspaper that it would be the catalyst to develop a “vibrant” distressed housing market of the sort that exists in many other nations but not The Bahamas.

Gateway Financial and its Mexican partner, Ascendancy, are the only specialist players to emerge

Gov’ts $50m loan recovery via BPL fuel charge hikes

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Government is seeking to recover $50m in advances made to Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) via fuel charge hikes of up to 163 percent that will be imposed on households and businesses in 2023, it emerged yesterday.

Alfred Sears KC, minister of works and public utilities, told the House of Assembly that the Davis administration had elected to “top-up” the loan facilities the Government has made available to the cashstrapped energy monopoly instead of providing subsidies as has been normal practice.

Some $50m, or half the available $100m, has been advanced to BPL to-date to enable it to pay its bills,

• $100m facility supporting troubled utility

• Minister: Loan 'topup' but no subsidies

• Consumers not hurt by delaying rise

and the minister subsequently said this “interim funding will be repaid from the funds recovered via the fuel charge”.

Responding to a series of BPL-related questions posed by Opposition leader, Michael Pintard, and finance spokesman, Kwasi Thompson, Mr Sears denied that BPL was using operational revenues to cover its higher fuel costs. The latter is supposed to be passed through

in this niche in The Bahamas todate. Asserting that their efforts have been relatively successful, the Fidelity chief nevertheless argued that a more comprehensive solution is needed with his bank’s non-performing mortgages accounting presently for 30 percent of that loan niche.

And, while acknowledging that the REIT proposal might be perceived as self-interest, Mr Bowe pledged that Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) was ready to put its money

SEE PAGE A22

• Bank chief unveils distressed property solution

• Gov’t ‘worsening’ situation by new home builds

• Will free loan capital, offer affordable housing

100 percent for consumers to cover via the fuel charge component of their electricity bills.

“The company is not using operational revenue to cover the increased fuel cost. The company has an accrual that has built up with the supplier due to the actual fuel costs outpacing the fuel charge collected,” Mr Sears replied, effectively confirming that - up to October 2022 at leastBPL had not been passing on its full fuel costs to consumers as required by law.

As to whether the Government is providing taxpayer-funded subsidies to BPL to cover its fuel expenses, Mr Sears denied this while affirming that the series of phased-in fuel charge hikes throughout 2023 are designed to

SEE PAGE A20

Ex-top Gaming Board official in $42,000 wrongful dismissal

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Gaming Board’s former top official has been awarded $42,404 after the Supreme Court found he was wrongfully dismissed by the regulator.

The Chief Justice, in a February 17 ruling, determined that Verdant Scott, a 33-year Gaming Board veteran who spent the last four-and-a-half years as

secretary to the Board, was incorrectly deprived of due vacation pay when his services were terminated with effect from November 29, 2017.

Mr Scott, who was first hired as a gaming inspector in February 1984, initiated legal proceedings for wrongful and unfair dismissal after his 33-year, seven-month career was ended by the Minnis administration. The termination notice alleged

that he had no accrued vacation day owing, and that previous payments for accumulated vacation had been calculated incorrectly because they were based “on your current rate of pay as opposed to the rate of pay at which it was earned”.

As a result, the Gaming Board “appropriated” the $42,404 vacation pay Mr Scott thought due to him, justifying its actions using the Employment Act.

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Opposition’s leader yesterday pledged to “leave no stone unturned” in holding the Government accountable while asserting that the Public Accounts Committee is now “rolling” into action.

Michael Pintard, speaking after Cabinet ministers read out written answers to multiple questions posed by the Opposition during the House of Assembly sitting, told Tribune Business that Parliament’s public spending watchdog is due to question Luther Smith, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Works and Utilities, at 10am this morning.

“Things are rolling with the Public Accounts Committee,” he said. “We’re going to be putting questions to Luther Smith tomorrow [today]. Some of them revolve around not just the Water &

“Scott’s pleaded case complains that, in dismissing him from its employ, the Gaming Board breached his employment contract, which is governed by the industrial agreement with the Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU),” Sir Ian Winder, the chief justice, noted.

“He says the Gaming Board never provided him with a reason for

SEE PAGE A20

Civil service wages to grow $77m in 3 years

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Government’s civil service wage bill is forecast to grow by $77.2m or 9 percent over the three years to 2026-2027, it was revealed yesterday, with the Davis administration’s industrial deals already adding $18m to the annual cost.

Pia Glover-Rolle, minister of state for the public service, answering the Opposition’s written questions in the House of Assembly, confirmed that the size of government will continue to expand as she revealed that $20m has been allocated in the current 2022-2023 Budget to cover new public sector pay deals.

Speaking on behalf of Fred Mitchell, who has the main ministerial responsibility for the public service, she said: “The Government estimates that the annualised additional incremental costs associated with the labour agreements it has completed since coming to office is approximately $18m.

“By honouring commitments to public sector

employees and the various interests represented, we have brought much overdue relief to hardworking teachers, nurses, doctors and other public sector employees. These commitments were long overdue, and our administration is proud to have honoured the obligations to those

SEE PAGE A22

Sewerage Corporation but Bahamas Power & Light (BPL). We’re not going to leave any stone unturned with trying to get them [the Government] to be accountable and transparent. We’re going to come at them from multiple angles.”

The Public Accounts Committee, whose main function is to scrutinise government spending, is the only parliamentary select

SEE PAGE A21

‘No stone left unturned’ on Gov’t accountability

MICHAEL PINTARD