02222018 news

THURSDAY i’m lovin’ it!

The Tribune Established 1903

24/7 BREAKING NEWS ON TRIBUNE242.COM

HIGH 85ºF LOW 74ºF

Biggest And Best!

OBITS

VOLUME:115 No.64, FEBRUARY 22ND, 2018

OFFICIA

$1

I N S IDE CL ASSIFIEDS TRADER: CARS, CARS, CARS, CARS

L SOUR CE

‘What’s all the fuss about?’

• PM INSISTS FORMER GOVERNMENT SIGNED OFF ON OBAN ENERGIES • SEC LAWSUIT AGAINST KRIEGER DISMISSED AS ‘OLD NEWS’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis dismissed concerns yesterday about Peter Krieger, the nonexecutive chairman of Oban Energies and public face of the multi-billion-dollar project, who has faced a Securities Exchange Commission lawsuit alleging misappropriation of millions in investor funds, saying the revelations are “not new”.

Insisting previous administrations performed due diligence assessments on the project before his administration decided to push it forward, Dr Minnis suggested the heads of agreement for the $5.5bn East Grand Bahama project will ease concerns that have emerged about all the people behind the project when it is tabled.

However, the agreement was not tabled in the House of Assembly

• WEBSITE WIPED TO HIDE DETAILS OF LEADERSHIP TEAM • COMPANY ‘TOOK ADVANTAGE OF MINNIS’ NAIVETY’

yesterday as officials said it would be.

Asked why, Dr Minnis told reporters: “Parliament was very short today, but it will be tabled next week.”

Mr Krieger paid $110,000 to settle a SEC lawsuit about a decade ago, though he did not admit guilt or innocence in the case. He was also a defendant in a legal action filed in 2013 by the Bahamas-based judicial manager for a sister company of the insolvent insurer, CLICO, in which he was accused of misappropriating $8.7m of the company’s funds for his own personal use. The case against him was dismissed after it was determined that the statute of limitations had passed. Mr Krieger has stressed he is an “ambassador” for Oban Energies and would have an “extremely limited” role once approvals are obtained.

SEE PAGE FIVE

TURNQUEST POINTS TO GROWTH DESPITE DEBT HANDICAP

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Minister Peter Turnquest.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

DESPITE increased revenue and a real economic growth of 1.8 per cent, Deputy Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest said there are still tens of millions of dollars in remaining commitments left behind by the previous Christie administration that need to be satisfied.

For the first half of the fiscal year, revenue collection was up by $25m, overall spending not related to debt redemption was down $67m, and the full GFS deficit position has improved by $92.3m, all occurring while the government paid off tens of millions in bills left behind by the former government, he said.

Pointing to $30m in

verified payments and arrears over and above what was known during the budget exercise last May, the finance minister said situations like this have resulted in the GFS deficit at the midyear already representing 61 per cent of the $233m full year deficit that had been previously projected.

To a large extent, he said, this reflects the ongoing overhang of the previous government, resulting in the Minnis administration’s obligation to make provisions to settle overdue debt.

In addition, Mr Turnquest said despite the 10 per cent across the board cut at all government agencies – announced by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis last year – there was a $15m increase on spending on SEE PAGE SIX

NEW POLICE PROBE AT WATER BOARD

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

ALLEGED theft of water pumps and the brazen trick used to disguise it have prompted the Royal Bahamas Police Force to be invited yet again to launch a criminal investigation into irregularities at the Water & Sewerage Corporation.

Asked about the matter when contacted yesterday,

WSC Chairman Adrian Gibson admitted he sent a letter yesterday to Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle, head of the Anti-Corruption Unit, inviting the police to investigate matters that were uncovered during a recent investigation by the Internal Control and Compliance Division of the corporation.

“The matters in question fall within, and perhaps outside of the ambit of

suspected theft, and have caused there to be serious allegations and/or findings of a criminal nature that purportedly could involve certain WSC employees and corporation resources,” he admitted. “Notably, a few days ago, I briefed ACP Rolle by telephone and I also did the same with Minister (of Works Desmond) Bannister.”

SEE PAGE THREE

WE CHERISH EXCELLENCE YET TOLERATE SO MUCH THAT FALLS SHORT

SEE PAGE TEN

Win a trip to Russia with your Visa card Win an all-expense-paid trip to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, courtesy of Visa, when you use any Visa card issued by Scotiabank*.

Need a card? Apply today. Visit bs.scotiabank.com/hellorussia

WWW.BURGERKING.BS

/BURGERKINGNASSAU

#HelloRussia *Conditions apply. Subject to credit approval. Offers subject to change at any time, at Scotiabank’s discretion with limited notice. Contest ends January 31, 2018. ®Registered trademark of the Bank of Nova Scotia, used under licence.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

PAGE 2, Thursday, February 22, 2018

FAKE FACEBOOK ACCOUNTS CREATED IN MPS’ NAMES THE government has advised that there are fake Facebook accounts in the names of Deputy Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest and Minister of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield, set up by persons who are asking for money.

Any messages received in either man’s name offering or soliciting financial

assistance are fake, the government said.

The public is asked to exercise extreme caution and care when accessing all messages to establish which are authentic and which are false.

Last week, Mr Turnquest urged those on Facebook not to accept any friend requests from him,

revealing there were two fake profiles using his name to solicit money.

“Dear friends,” Mr Turnquest wrote on his authentic Facebook page, “Please do not accept any friend request from me, I have not sent any invitations in over a year. There are now two fake profiles out there soliciting money in return for

some grant. I am not and have not made any such solicitation or offer. Please do not engage these criminals. I am working with the police and Facebook to shut these accounts down but in the meantime please be careful and do not send money to anyone soliciting money in this way. Again, these are fake profiles.”

THE TRIBUNE

PETER Turnquest’s Facebook post warning about the fake profile.

A TRUCK pictured in a post circulated on social media hanging off the side of Potter’s Cay dock. It is unclear what the cause may have been for the incident.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, February 22, 2018, PAGE 3

New police probe at water board from page one “We’ve had issues with the New Providence Operations Division of WSC, wherein a recent police investigation of alleged theft of hydrants was undertaken.”

This matter is currently before the courts.

Mr Gibson said: “Arising out of (the hydrant) investigation, the Internal Control and Compliance Division (ICC) has conducted an inventory check and carried out further reviews of the stores section of the Operational Division. About a week ago, the stores manager discovered that there were empty boxes on shelves that previously held pumps. Upon inspection, they were found to be filled

ADRIAN Gibson in the House. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff with loose pipe fittings and/ With each pump valued or empty boxes placed on at more than $500, the the shelves. ICC was called total value of the pumps in to investigate and, upon unaccounted for is under their review, discovered $20,000, Mr Gibson said. that 47 pumps––of various “On the face of it,” he horsepower––are missing.” added, “it appears that

various items were placed in the boxes and the boxes were returned to shelves so that when an inventory count was concluded, no one was immediately alerted to the fact that the boxes on the shelf did not contain the content as labelled. It’s like walking in a foodstore, drinking a can of soda and putting the empty soda can on the shelf. ICC is in the process of reviewing all items in stores, manually going through the boxes, to ensure that they contain items labelled thereon and to ensure that the computerised record of inventory and the physical count of inventory align.”

Mr Gibson has pledged to shake-up the culture of the corporation, introducing a strictness that would

HOMICIDES ‘DOWN BY OVER HALF’

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE several recent murders, homicides are still “down more than 50 percent” compared to last year, Minister of National Security Marvin Dames said yesterday.

Speaking with The Tribune outside of the House of Assembly, Mr Dames discussed initiatives the Royal Bahamas Police Force is using to combat crime, the upcoming scientific manpower study of the RBPF, and last weekend’s shooting incidents in Pinewood Gardens.

Mr Dames said: “Right now it’s still early into the year. But when you look at homicides, its down more than 50 percent compared to last year. So (the police) are doing a fairly good job.

They’ve been seizing weapons every week, assault rifles, handguns and the like.”

While Mr Dames said murders are down more than 50 percent, The Tribune’s records show a decrease of 45 percent compared with this period last year.

Up to press time, there were 16 homicides recorded for the year, compared with 29 as of February 19, 2017, according to this

newspaper’s records.

A man was shot dead Tuesday night as he visited a relative in Wilson Tract, police said.

This came after two men died and four others were taken to hospital after two separate shootings in Pinewood on Friday and Saturday nights. Another man was found stabbed to death earlier Friday at Potter’s Cay Dock.

When asked specifically about the incidents in Pinewood Gardens, Mr Dames said: “We recognise that we do have a problem with some of our young men, a number of whom have resorted to a lifestyle of gangs and drugs and other criminal activities.

“And this is the world that they’re living in, unfortunately. Not all of them, but a goodly number of them. So we’re working as a government to find some kind of solution to these problems.

“One of the things that we’re doing certainly is providing that increase in police visibility in a number of these communities that are plagued with such problems.”

He said law enforcement has seen tremendous success in the crime fight.

“We’ve been targeting prolific offenders, we’ve

been using technology as well to expose those persons who are involved in gang activities, who are involved in the selling of drugs in these communities, who are involved in armed robberies and housebreakings and all of the like.

“So we, from the police perspective, have been doing a pretty good job in reducing the level of activities in these communities.

“Now that is not to say that from time to time you will (not) have flare-ups like we had in Pinewood.”

However, Mr Dames added: “This is not a police problem. This is a problem of neglect. Neglect that has manifested itself over decades. And so we now as a people have to take a stance and determine what direction we want to go, we want to take our country. And it starts within our homes.

“When it reaches the police, it is often too late…

Yes, the police’s job is prevention, detection of crime, apprehension of offenders and bringing them to justice.

“But how did we get here? And so we recognise as a government that our approach must be holistic and it must involve the collective contribution and support of every segment of the community.”

Mr Dames said there is a lot more work to be done in terms of restructuring the police force to aid in fighting crime.

“And so very shortly, by next month sometime, you should see something that our government has promised, which is a scientific manpower study of the police force. “(This will be) looking at recruitment, looking at training, looking at education, looking at police stations, looking at numbers, and determining the need for every police station throughout (the country).”

Mr Dames reiterated that one major issue facing the force is the dwindling number of officers— a phenomenon that has been ongoing since 2011.

“We need to get a grip on that,” Mr Dames said.

“And we need to determine based on demographics, based on crime, based on development, based on size, any number of other variables, what is needed to police respective communities throughout The Bahamas. It’s going to be a very interesting report (the manpower study), we’re very excited about it, and we hope to certainly be sharing some of our results by next month sometime.”

SURINAME MAN ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF DRUG SMUGGLING A MAN from Suriname was arrested at the Lynden Pindling International Airport on Tuesday after he was suspected of smuggling drugs into the country.

Police said the man arrived from Jamaica shortly after 1pm when he was arrested by local officials. He was taken to hospital where he excreted “a number of capsules,” police said, each containing cocaine.

Police are also asking for the public’s help in solving

two armed robberies.

Shortly after noon on Tuesday, a man with a firearm entered a fast food eatery on Carmichael Road, held employees at bay and robbed the place of an undetermined amount of cash.

Then shortly after 2pm, a woman was in the parking lot of a corporate office on East Bay Street when she was approached by a gunman who robbed her of cash before fleeing in a white Toyota.

ensure transparency and accountability.

He said: “I have directed the management to ensure that, going forward, a compliance officer is assigned to the New Providence Operations Division. There will be a full recount of stores items, including full inspection of all boxes and containers; installation of additional security cameras at key areas/points within stores; identification of high valued items and further separation of these items in more secure storage facilities - these items will require a higher level of authorisation to be accessed and issued; and a bar coding/scanning system will be implemented.

“The idea is to foster an environment of transparency and accountability.

We want to ensure we can account for taxpayers’ monies. Prima facie, it appears that these are longstanding legacy issues that have plagued the corporation for many years; we are going to put the controls in place to ensure that these incidences don’t recur and that leakage, wastage and the potential for theft is minimised and/ or stopped. As it stands, ICC is conducting a further investigation to ascertain how many other items could potentially be missing from stores with a view to reconciling the physical count with the computerised inventory count.”

Last year, Ernst & Young conducted a forensic audit of the corporation. The anticipated audit has not been disclosed to the public.

PAGE 4, Thursday, February 22, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

jrolle@tribunemedia.net

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

Published daily Monday to Friday

Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES

News & General Information Advertising Manager Circulation Department Nassau fax Freeport, Grand Bahama Freeport fax

(242) 322-1986 (242) 502-2394 (242) 502-2386 (242) 328-2398 (242)-352-6608 (242) 352-9348

WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK www.tribune242.com

@tribune242

tribune news network

America’s easy gun laws affect The Bahamas AMERICAN politicians seem conflicted as to whether their second amendment right to carry firearms is more important to them than the lives of citizens who are being mowed down by those same firearms in the hands of mentally disturbed persons.

Finally a group of Florida teenagers, who last week watched 17 of their classmates and teachers murdered, urged young persons from around the country to join their voices in protest. By noon yesterday, there were about 1,200 persons, mostly students, on the grounds of the Tallahassee State House. However, they were disappointed at their reception and the fact that almost 71 lawmakers had already voted against banning the semi-automatic weapon.

An added insult was the fact that these lawmakers had an A rating from the National Rifle Association, which, because of the association’s heavy political donations, especially to the Republican Party, are blamed for keeping the guns on the streets.

Not to be deterred, the students plan to march on Washington on March 24, backed up by smaller rallies and protests around the US. Guns are the problem, one of them declared. “And, if legislators don’t listen?” a reporter asked a group. “Then we can do without them,” was the quick response of a determined young lady.

Most of these young people will be of voting age for the November mid-term elections, and they have declared that they will vote. If their voices are not heard now, they will certainly be heard then.

“I just know we must prioritise lives over guns,” said a 17-year-old senior.

“Why is your right to own an AR-15 more important than a kid’s right to feel safe?” she asked, answering her own question with – “It’s not, it’s common sense.” Yes, it’s common sense. You can control a gun by banning it, but it is difficult, if not impossible – as last week’s shooting has proven – to detect a mentally disturbed person who pulls the trigger.

In the first two months of this year there have already been 18 school shootings in the US. So why is the second Amendment still so important to Americans?

Times have changed. In the intervening 227 years there is no need for militias to protect citizens against their own government. Today Americans have all the security that they need.

However, by a 2008 Supreme Court decision it was decided, for the first time in the country’s history, that an individual had a right to keep a weapon at home for self-defence. Despite all the carnage being caused by these easily available guns, lawmakers, supported by a strong gun lobby, are loathe to force citizens to give up their guns.

Parkland, named last year as the safest city in Florida, had its image shattered last week when gun shots rang out at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, ending the lives of 17 students and teachers, and wounding 14 others. The 19-year-old gunman, a former student of the school who had been expelled, obviously had mental problems. He was carrying a military-style AR-15

semi-automatic rifle.

According to a 2002 US National Safety Council report in 1999, 3,385 children, ages from 0-9 years, were killed with a gun. This includes homicides, suicides and unintentional injuries.

We shall never forget a report several years ago of a teenager who, missing his curfew for being home at night, decided to sneak in through a window. His sleeping father, wakened by the noise, reached for his gun and shot. The next day he was planning his son’s funeral and explaining the accident to the police. If there had been no gun, there would have been no accident.

In the Parkland school shooting, there is talk of firing the police superintendent for not detecting the mental problems of the expelled teenager who, gun in hand, had taken down the Parkland school.

What these lawmakers don’t seem to accept is that it is easier to remove a gun than to detect a mental case. After all, even though this young man had been expelled from the Parkland school, the family with whom he lived – they took him in after the death of his adoptive parents – knew he was depressed, but never expected him to be a killer. Also, although there were guns in the house, they thought they had the only key to where they had been secured.

Today lawmakers are concentrating on devising stiffer rules to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill.

Already America’s gun laws make no sense. It is illegal for a gun dealer to sell a handgun to anyone under 21, but not illegal for them to sell a military style gun to an 18-year-old. It is said that most Americans can buy an AR-15 rifle before they can buy beer. And to get around the no handgun rule for 18 year olds, there is the so-called “gun show loophole”. This keeps government out of private gun sales where age does not matter.

In our British tradition, guns have never been available without a police licence. To be caught with an unlicenced firearm means at least five years in prison with no questions asked. We remember the days when the “billy” strapped around a policeman’s waist was his only means of defence. Today policemen going out on a dangerous mission are armed, because of the ease with which guns in the United States are available to our criminal element in The Bahamas. And so law-abiding Bahamians should be equally interested in Americans banning the sale of guns, now the major source of our problems – as well as theirs.

Americans would be wise to ban the sale of guns to the public. Those who want to own a gun would then have to apply to the state for a licence to purchase and own the gun. Therefore, instead of the police having to search for the mentally unstable, it would be easier for them to assess whether a person indicates instability when they come in to apply for the licence.

As the young Parkland student said, it is so obvious that this is just “common sense”. But as the debate is now raging in the US it would seem that “common sense” is not so common among many lawmakers.

Cave calamity EDITOR, The Tribune.

I READ with some trepidation the Antiquities, Monuments & Museum Corporation and Ministry of Tourism’s plans to establish Preachers Cave in Eleuthera as a National Heritage Tourism Park.

Having recently documented the decline and desecration of Clifton Heritage Park, due in no small part to littering and illegal dumping, I am of the opinion that it would be a huge mistake to entrust the archaeological treasure which is Preachers

Cave to a similar style of management.

Our historic monuments and antiquities, particularly those in Nassau, have suffered from neglect and decay for decades; the Queens Staircase completed in 1794, the Nassau Public Library built in 1797 and the Hog Island Lighthouse built in 1817 – just to name a few.

The Bahamas’ track record for preserving our national treasures is abysmal and it would be criminal for Preachers Cave to become the latest casualty added to this evergrowing list of decaying

buildings and landmarks.

The government needs to take a hard look at the laws and policies in place for the management and preservation of our antiquities and of our environment in general as it is long overdue for them to be given the proper care and respect they deserve. I might also add that the laws and penalties for littering and dumping are in dire need of modernising and serious enforcement.

IAN MABON Nassau, February 21, 2018.

The illegal immigrant problem EDITOR, The Tribune.

I WOULD be grateful if you would publish this letter in your column in order to convey my sentiments as a tax payer, a nationalist and a proud Bahamian. Here are some recommendations which I would like to offer at this time to solve the Haitian problem.

Recommendation 1 - Form a Blue Ribbon Commission with powers to sit from place to place and powers to summon any member of the public which may be of assistance in solving the Haitian problem which we have been experiencing for decades.

This committee should be comprised of the following contributors: a) Christian Council representatives, b) Civil Society, c) the Bar Council, d) the Fourth Estate, e) the University of The Bahamas, f) the Rotary Clubs, g) the Chamber of Commerce, h) Talk Show representatives who have made constructive suggestions over the airwaves.

The committee drawn from this august group would be required to submit contributions by way of white papers and live interviews on ZNS radio and TV. To begin in earnest, here are some immediate suggestions which can solve this vexing problem, especially having regard to the drain and unacceptable financial dent which, if the bull is not taken by the horns, can lead to further downgrades. The Consolidated Fund can bear no more harm as a result of the pressure which we are getting from costs involved from our hospitals and our schools, which is depriving our own people the immediate care they deserve.

Just recently we had a shortage of beds in our hospital which resulted in urgent operations to be delayed as there were no

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net beds in the hospital, due to an increased number of illegal immigrants. Secondly our schools can no longer accommodate the students in the areas concerned where they live due to the increased registration of illegal immigrants. In addition, they have squatted on our land over the years and shanty towns have become a serious problem that has to be addressed. Maybe the time has come for us to seriously consider changing our education policy of education for all students from five years old.

The extra increase of births to illegal immigrants are using up resources that Bahamian taxpayers should be benefiting from. Our hospital pharmacies have difficulty in maintaining the level of medications needed for urgent purposes and other shortages make it hard for Bahamians to get services they are paying taxes for.

The idea of the gentleman approach, to visit the Haitian President to speak about the matter happens to be a band-aid approach, as this has been tried on various previous occasions, without resolution of curbing the flow of illegals into Nassau.

Recommendation 2 Consensus drawn from that distinguished group should be immediately acted upon and a delegation be sent to the United Nations so that all CARICOM members to whom share a part. This would allow the members of the UN to appreciate the dilemma The Bahamas is in and to request some financial aid. As it stands now we are just making the money from Tourism and other taxes like VAT, which Bahamians pay and it’s being flushed down the drain, due to the burden of supplying fuel to Bahamasair planes and taxing further our Social Service Department. I think the

time has come also for us to ignore this human rights plea on our psyche and make a decision in our best endeavour for the sovereignty of the Bahamas, the same way how Trump is doing for the USA. Recommendation 3 - A more efficient way to deal with this problem is to buy a big barge with upper and lower decks, using the financial assistance received from the UN, to transport illegal immigrants, rather than transporting them on Bahamasair. Also, build a jail at Inagua and station a magistrate there to deal with the cases as they happen, and stop using the detention centre in New Providence to detain them. While in detention at Inagua, they must earn their keep. The men can be used to make blocks, using a block machine and the ladies can be used to prepare straw baskets and plaits to be sold in Nassau at the straw market. A fish house should be installed for the collection of freshly caught fish for later transfer to Nassau.

Recommendation 4 Put an urgent motion to the House of Assembly to amend and make clearer Article 7 of the Constitution. Make it retroactive to 10 or 15 years.

Successive governments have failed in this regard due to 1) political expediency, 2) not demonstrating the political will, 3) allowing themselves to be caught up in manipulative democracy.

In conclusion I wish all true tax paying Bahamians who have respect for the country, to make a stand by expressing their feelings before our country is taken over by foreign elements.

We must not be forced to adopt the shanty town environment which is quietly taking over our beloved country.

WHITEHEAD OLD FARMER University of Wulff Road, Nassau, February 21, 2018.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, February 22, 2018, PAGE 5

from page one

to have been concerned about whether it could demonstrate proof of funding.

When Dr Minnis was asked if he is confident financiers of the project were aware of the true background of the executives and are minded to back the project despite yesterday’s revelations, he said: “Ask me of my confidence? …No, I don’t want to say what I want to say. I’m on TV. But the heads of agreement will explain everything.”

He added: “I think what happens is y’all should wait until the heads of agreement is tabled in Parliament next week. You will see what individuals are supposed to do with commitments they’re responsible for, guidelines, etc. The head will speak for itself. I think it’s essential for the heads to be tabled next week so you can read it in its entirety before you start jumping off the edge left, right and centre. Wait for the heads of agreement and see who signed the heads of agreement, etc, explains a lot of what you’re looking for now. That’s why it is essential before jumping off a cliff and asking questions, it’s essential to review the heads of agreement then you come after me, but don’t come in the blind. It’s like you sitting on the moon with a fishing line, dropping that line and trying to catch one fish on earth; you don’t know where the hell it going throughout the universe.”

Although Dr Minnis repeatedly emphasised that previous administrations had no concerns about the project, Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) officials disputed this yesterday.

• Grand Bahama environment fears - see page eight

‘What’s all the fuss about?’

Dr Minnis dismissed these revelations about him as old news yesterday, despite the fact that they were not previously acknowledged or disclosed to the Bahamian public.

“These are matters that were dealt with by former governments,” Dr Minnis said when questioned outside Parliament. “They had done their necessary due diligence; we completed the heads of agreement.”

Suggesting he is satisfied that Mr Krieger has “explained himself”, Dr Minnis said: “Y’all have drilled him. What I would say is that all governments have gone through the process of due diligence; they were quite happy and the heads had already started; what we did was complete the heads of agreement.

Due diligence and everything were done by the previous governments and, of course, the Bahamas Investment Authority despite what it would’ve inherited, would’ve gone through everything and explained everything to us.”

Dr Minnis did not directly address revelations that the three executives of the project may have had their qualifications or background exaggerated.

Yesterday the company edited its website, removing all references to the executives just a week after Dr Minnis made claims in the House of Assembly nearly identical to what the website claimed about the company’s management team.

As he addressed the deal in the House of Assembly last week, Dr Minnis said he was “advised that Oban

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, left, with Peter Krieger, executive director of Oban Energies.

Photo: Yontalay Bowe/OPM Media Services Energies’ management chief executive of the comteam has been involved in ‘It’s essential to review the heads of pany Mr Michel works for, large energy infrastructure agreement then you come after me, but Anthony Felice. Mr Felice, projects around the world don’t come in the blind. It’s like you who heads Drexel Hamilton, and brings over 30 years of an investment banking firm, large complex construction sitting on the moon with a fishing line, said Mr Michel is a director experience.” of a department at the firm, dropping that line and trying to catch one However, the executive fish on earth; you don’t know where the not the managing director from the company said to as was claimed. He said the have over 30 years man- hell it going throughout the universe.’ company has been helping agement experience with Oban Energies with financial expertise in construction Krieger said Monday efforts he had not been a managing issues relating to the project. operations, Senior Vice will be made to establish Mr director of the firm as he Mr Krieger has said the President Russell Erick- Erickson’s “extensive expe- claimed, according to a rep- bank backing them will resentative of the company. produce a letter for the son, actually has a history rience” in construction.

The Tribune also revealed In addition, the man identi- government this week indiin boat manufacturing.

He was also recently a car yesterday that the com- fied as the finance chief of the cating its financial support salesman, though a former pany’s president, Satpal project, Mark Michel, should for the project. Critics have manager of a company he Dhunna, was dismissed not have been included not only expressed concern worked for told The Trib- from CreditSights, a credit on the website as part of about the track record of une this week he was fired research firm, in 2010 for the company’s manage- Oban Energies, but succesfor lack of performance. Mr alleged “gross misconduct”; ment team, according to the sive administrations are said

COOPER: WHY NO ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT YET?

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

EXUMA & Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper said yesterday the government must explain why it entered into a heads of agreement with Oban Energies ahead of the company submitting an environmental impact assessment and evidence of adequate funding.

Mr Cooper said the Progressive Liberal Party, like much of the country, is working to grasp the basics of the arrangement the Minnis administration

entered into this week.

Peter Krieger, Oban Energies’ non-executive chairman, has confirmed to The Tribune that he was one of three defendants who was accused of misappropriating more than $3.7m of investor monies by US government regulators.

That lawsuit, which was filed by the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2005, was settled without going to trial some three years later. Mr Krieger, who challenged the allegations against him, paid a $110,000 civil penalty “without

admitting or denying” the claims, and agreed to be bound from committing future securities law violations.

Addressing the revelation yesterday, Mr Cooper said the Minnis administration has many questions to answer and demanded it come clean to the Bahamian people.

“We do have some concerns,” the PLP deputy leader said. “We do have a lot of questions. We would like to understand the extent and the nature of the due diligence by the government to determine the fit

and properness of the principles and the shareholders of Oban Energies.”

Mr Cooper added: “Certainly, we will also be interested in the financial due diligence that may have been carried out to give the government assurance that the project was ready to be in the heads of agreement phase.”

He continued: “(The government) must speak to the readiness of this project given what we heard in the recent press conference, that they intend to deliver a banking letter for funding; they intend to do an environmental study.”

Mr Cooper said the entire ordeal seems “curious” given that the project was nurtured by the Free National Movement since coming to office.

Press Secretary Anthony Newbold earlier this week stressed that the project satisfied government criteria for deals of this magnitude.

He stated: “Obviously to have gotten it to the stage where you got to yesterday (Monday) where government felt comfortable to sign the heads of agreement, you talk about due diligence, then yeah that must have been done to the

point where all the technical people were comfortable.”

Mr Newbold later added: “I don’t know very many bankers or venture fund capitalists will just be giving out money because someone says ‘I have this wonderful project in the Bahamas, just give me $50m.’ Lots of things would have to happen, including something that would comfort a financier.”

Asked if the government is comfortable with the people involved in the project, Mr Newbold said: “Up to this point, I would say yes and had to be to sign that agreement (Monday).”

PAGE 6, Thursday, February 22, 2018

Turnquest points to growth despite debt handicap from page one personal emoluments or salaries and allowances. These totalled $373m as compared

to the $358m expended in the corresponding period of 2016-2017. The minister said this was mainly due to a recent industrial agreement-related lump

sum payment of $7.7m and outstanding overtime payments to the Royal Bahamas Police Force of $6m.

Nonetheless, Mr Turnquest said the finances of the country are in a far better place than they were at the mid-point of the last financial year.

The aggregate GFS deficit for the first six months of the current fiscal year totalled some $198m, down sharply from the deficit of $290.3m recorded by the previous administration at the mid-point of the 20162017 fiscal year, he told Parliament.

“I am pleased to advise that present estimates indicate that the economy recorded real growth on the order of 1.8 per cent in 2017.

This renewed buoyancy stemmed primarily from construction activity associated with ongoing foreign investment projects, as well as rebuilding work in the wake of the hurricanes,” Mr Turnquest said yesterday during the mid-year budget presentation which reviews

economic development for the last six months ending December 31, 2017.

“While the rate of unemployment did rise marginally between May and November of last year, it still stood fully 1.5 percentage points lower than a year earlier. All of the islands surveyed also posted lower rates of unemployment than had been experienced in November 2016,” Mr Turnquest also noted.

“Prospects for the economy in 2018 are for yet further strengthening of activity, with real growth estimated at 2.5 per cent.

Conditions in the labour market are consequently also expected to improve.

These developments will be underpinned by the completion of Baha Mar’s phased opening and by various foreign investmentrelated projects.”

He said the government expects the growth of both the tourism sector and the national economy to be favourably impacted by stronger projected growth in the United States.

THE TRIBUNE

DEPUTY Prime Minister Peter Turnquest.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff In its latest forecast, the deficit that had been proIMF has boosted its fore- jected in last May’s budget cast for US growth by 0.4 communication.” percentage points, to a level Mr Turnquest has urged of 2.7 per cent. The increase ministers and departin investor and consumer ments to redouble vigilance confidence in the United through the second half of States – The Bahamas’ most the fiscal year, to ensure important trading partner the government meets its - augers well for continued desired expenditure and growth in tourist travel to, deficit targets. and investment interest in, “The $92.3m improveThe Bahamas, he said. ment in the GFS deficit in “The recurrent expendi- the first half of this fiscal ture number at the mid-year year, as compared to the of $1.79bn appears to show previous year, largely a sharp increase in recur- reflected a deliberate rent expenditure. This is $76.4m reduction in capital occasioned, however, by the expenditure, from $152.2m spike in the debt redemp- last year to $75.8m this tion or debt repayment year. This fiscal year, the of over $540m when com- government has exercised pared to the same point last extreme prudence in the year – also illustrated in the commitments for capital summary report. expenditure, ensuring that “This significant bump up only meaningful and critiin debt repayment was due cal public investments are to the repayment of short approved. term financing obtained to “That said, we acknowlmeet immediate financing edge that our public needs in anticipation of the infrastructure plant, in too $750m bond secured by the many cases, remains well government. below the standards for a “When you adjust for 21st Century Bahamas. The the debt repayment num- government commits, over bers in both years, one this term in office, to find would readily observe that creative and efficient ways total government expendi- to substantially increase ture – both recurrent and productive investments capital - at the midpoint in our hospitals, schools, of the current fiscal year is clinics, airports and digital $1.078bn as compared to infrastructure, to allow for $1.146bn last year, indicat- the sustained social and ing a decrease in spending economic development of of some $67.5m.

Bahamians throughout the “This coupled with an full archipelago.” increase in revenue collecThese investments, he tion of $24.8m is what has said, will be critical to led to the improvement in underpin the much-needed the deficit position by some improvements in produc$92.3m. tivity, boost the growth “That said, this year’s potential of the Bahamian GFS deficit at the mid- economy and thereby year does, however, contribute to enhanced represent some 61 per job opportunities for our cent of the $323m full-year citizens.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, February 22, 2018, PAGE 7

Cooper dismisses ‘voodoo economics’ of budget report

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net EXUMA & Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper yesterday dismissed the government’s mid-year budget communication as nothing more than “voodoo economics” devoid of plans and policies to improve the country’s financial outlook.

Mr Cooper, leading the Official Opposition’s response to the communication yesterday, accused the Minnis administration of “prettying up the books” as the country falls further into economic chaos.

Chief among Mr Cooper’s concerns was the government’s intention to borrow roughly $100m to be used as an investment in Bahamas Resolve. This comes after the government moved a $90m resolution for borrowing earlier this month, however officials have said the latter does not represent new borrowing.

Mr Cooper went on to question how the government could juxtapose its rate of borrowing with the fact that government expenditure has climbed to $1.3bn.

He also highlighted that

CHESTER COOPER MP public service salaries are been unemployment, bad pegged at $75m; $15m more roads and deteriorating than last year despite more infrastructure and no hospithan 2,500 layoffs in the tal beds,” he added.

“The PLP cannot endorse sector.

“It was all about pret- it and the people of the tying up the books and country deserve better from spin without giving us the this ‘people’s time’ governunderlying realities on the ment. This government ground,” Mr Cooper told has no vision, no plan and reporters during a press no strategy for managing conference in the Minor- and growing the economy. ity Room at the House of We heard nothing new. We heard nothing that inspires Assembly yesterday.

“While (Finance Minis- confidence.

“Without fail, the minter K Peter Turnquest) may boast of improving figures, ister of finance presents which we question, we say figures distorted by caveats at what cost? The cost has and double speak to try to

knit together something coherent that tries to make the government look good.

“However, we all see it for what it is – more voodoo economics from a government that promises much but delivers little. The lack of economic growth is the fundamental issue facing our economy.”

Mr Cooper suggested the government’s attempt to separate expenditure for debt reduction continues to be disingenuous, arguing that the Bahamians economy operates on a cash basis in which all expenditure is viewed on the same plane.

Mr Cooper said much of the debt reduction touted by the government yesterday came as a result of the current administration’s attempt to restructure debt and not resolve it altogether.

The Exuma & Ragged Island MP insisted that this strategy would only extend the burden on the Public Treasury.

He maintained that revenue collection should be up across the country with very little occurring over the last year to offset the process.

Moreover, he urged Bahamians to question

the government’s boast of slashing capital expenditure by some 50 per cent.

Mr Cooper said: “But at what cost? Look around us. We can see the price we are paying. The busted roads with potholes, the dilapidated schools, the crumbling infrastructure, a hospital devoid of beds, the growing health crisis, crime continues unabated.

“Having slashed capital expenditure and having slashed 2,500 jobs from the public service, how is it that the Minnis administration does not have either revenue nor expenditure on target?

“The minister failed to explain how we are paying for infrastructure upkeep and how we will keep entitlement programmes funded without driving up the debt.”

Regarding economic growth, Mr Cooper accused the Minnis administration of repackaging projects initially presented by the former Christie administration - particularly in Grand Bahama.

Addressing New Providence, Mr Cooper added: “For the growth he claims experienced in 2017, as he indicated, we can

thank Baha Mar for that.

Apparently, they’re now fully on board.

“We have yet to see any details on the government’s proposal to remove VAT on bread basket items, remove business licence and other taxes in the inner-city communities and electricity and healthcare as was promised for all Bahamians.

“The minister did not mention these today.”

The government has promised that some of these initiatives will be addressed in the 2018-2019 budget communication.

“Only less than a month ago, the minister of finance said VAT revenues were down due to a sluggish economy,” Mr Cooper added. “Today he says VAT revenues are up and acts as if the economy is booming, yet in the same breath speaks to the climbing unemployment rate.

“As usual, there are far too many inconsistencies from the minister of finance.

We will therefore await the competent reports Central Bank on these matters.”

The PLP expects to raise all of its concerns when Parliament resumes next Thursday.

GOVT SEEKS EXTRA $100M FOR BAHAMAS RESOLVE

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

THE Minnis administration is seeking approval from Parliament for a new loan of $100m to invest in Bahamas Resolve Limited, Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest announced yesterday.

He said the government

remains committed to facilitate Resolve retiring its original $100m promissory note issued to the Bank of the Bahamas in respect to the initial tranche of toxic loan transfers.

After exploring funding options, Mr Turnquest said the government is of the view it would be best to access the domestic market given the ample levels of

excess liquidity.

“In the first half of this fiscal year, some $69m was expended from current government resources as part of the $100m that the government is to invest in Resolve,” he told Parliament yesterday during his mid-year budget communication.

“As I foreshadowed in my statement to Parliament on Resolve, in

September of last year, and as was disclosed at the time of our recent international bond issuance, the government committed to facilitate Resolve retiring the original $100m promissory note issued to the Bank of The Bahamas in respect of the initial tranche of toxic loan transfers, in accordance with an agreed schedule.

“After exploring

funding options, the government is of the view that it would be best to access the domestic market, given the ample levels of excess liquidity. In line with this commitment, new corresponding borrowing authority will be sought from Parliament, today, to cover this sum.”

Following his address to Parliament, Mr Turnquest moved a resolution seeking

the funding.

The resolution authorises the minister to raise the funds by way of the creation and issue of stock, loan agreements or the issue of bonds.

Bahamas Resolve is the special purpose vehicle the Christie administration created in 2015 to clean up BOB’s balance sheet and go after loans the bank was unable to recover.

PAGE 8, Thursday, February 22, 2018

Refinery ‘a death knell’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE signing of a heads of agreement for the Oban oil refinery in East Grand Bahama is being characterised as a “death knell” for the environment and the people of the island, according to one environmental activist.

Joseph Darville, of Save the Bays, a non-profit environment group, said it is a colossal mistake to approve such a project in an area that boasts of having one of the most pristine environments in the country.

He stressed residents have already witnessed and continue to be impacted by the devastating effects of an oil refinery in the southwest part of the island.

His comments came as an online petition has been launched to stop the project from going ahead.

“It is an amazing misstep of our government to go ahead to this extent that they would sit down with some foreign entity and sign an agreement which is actually signing a death knell for our environment and people,” Mr

JOSEPH DARVILLE Darville said. “And I am saying that unequivocally because we have not been provided with any sort of information to allow us to come to any other conclusion.”

Oban Energies executive director Peter Krieger, during the signing on Monday, expressed his eagerness of having an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the oil refinery and storage terminal completed in 45 days.

However, Mr Darville believes that it is “ludicrous” to think that an EIA for such a project would be

ready in such a short space of time.

“They are putting the cart before the horse. We should have been informed about the vicinity, and the exact dimension of the development. This EIA should be done by an independent agency, not one appointed by the government or the company that is proposing to do this development - this is a gross insult to the people of the Bahamas, and particularly to Grand Bahamians.”

The Save the Bays executive indicated that the project could threaten about five to six different ecosystems in East Grand Bahama.

“A project of that magnitude with plans to be producing 50,000 barrels of refined fuel per day would have a catastrophic impact on environment and people,” he claimed.

Fisherman and businessman Fritz Thompson, who operates of a small bone fishing lodge in Sweeting’s Cay, East Grand Bahama, does not welcome the project.

“Being a crude distillation operator many years

ago, I am very familiar with the potential environmental threat that can come from a refinery, and I share the concerns of the residents,” he said.

“We have heard of the existing concerns of the residents in the Pinder’s Point area, and one should be very concerned that we do not have the same in this area.”

Mr Thompson indicated that the residents of McLean’s Town, Sweeting’s Cay, and Moore’s Island make a living from the sea catching conch, lobster, and fish.

“We also have some of the most beautiful beaches on that coastline that needs to be protected. I feel that (while) this new refinery and storage will be built with the latest and best technology to minimise and eliminate pollution and spills, I do not welcome this project and trust the government to ensure that all necessary measures are put in place to address the concerns.”

He also suggested that the government consider putting a clause in the agreement that would allow for the construction of a

public harbour that can service the needs of East Grand Bahama.

Eco-tour guide Rudy Sawyer, of Blue Green Outdoors, who takes groups on eco-tours to East End, believes that Freeport would be a more suitable location for the oil refinery project.

“The government talked about focusing on promoting the east as ecosensitive area, and the west for its cultural heritage. But to hear them encouraging a group to put up an oil terminal is anti-eco-sensitive, and for it to be in the most eco-sensitive zone that they had taken a policy decision to set aside for eco-tourism developments.

“I think that Freeport would have been an ideal spot for that type of development. East End is really the richest ecological area – one of the richest we have in the country. It has been well known for the bone fishing that is going on, and I certainly would hate to know they would do things that could disrupt that.”

Gail Woon, of EARTHCARE, had mixed feelings about the project that could provide hundreds of jobs on the island.

THE TRIBUNE

“I would like to see people have jobs in Grand Bahama because we desperately need jobs (here).

But I was hoping that our country would move away from fossil fuels instead of investing in fossil fuels which contributes to climate change as we are already being impacted by more severe hurricanes, and people are being affected all over the world.”

Ms Woon, a marine biologist, agrees the refinery could have been located where there is already environment damage in the industrial area.

“It would be little or less impact because you would not be impacting the pristine coastal areas, the mangroves, coppice and forest areas, and the water tables,” she said Officials have said the project would create 1,000 construction jobs, and provide 600 permanent jobs for Bahamians.

Meanwhile, a petition called ‘Stop the Oban Energies oil refinery project. It will destroy the beautiful Bahamas’ can be found on change.org. It had less than 100 signatures up to press time.

CROWN CHALLENGES RELEASE OF SMUGGLER PENDING APPEAL

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A GRAND Bahama businessman’s release from custody pending the appeal of his four-year sentence for gun and ammunition smuggling has been stayed pending the Crown’s appeal of the Supreme Court’s decision to release him.

Court of Appeal Justices Jon Isaacs, Stella CraneScott and Milton Evans adjourned Edward Barrett’s matter to March 5 to hear the Crown’s appeal of Justice Renea McKay’s February 14, 2018, decision

to grant Barrett bail pending his appeal, effectively staying that judge’s order until that time.

Additionally, Barrett’s attorney, Wayne Munroe, QC, attempted to apply for bail for his client at yesterday’s hearing, however that application was adjourned until after the court would have heard the Crown’s appeal against Barrett’s Supreme Court issued bail.

As such, Barrett, who was not present in court yesterday as the order of attendance did not include his name, remains in custody at the Bahamas Department of Correctional

Services (BDCS).

In January, Barrett was sentenced to four years in prison for smuggling three guns and 248 rounds of ammunition through his import company in 2016.

According to the evidence led during trial, Bahamas customs agents found two high-powered rifles and 248 rounds of ammunition of various calibres stashed away in a flat-screen television, as well as a revolver in a Tide laundry detergent box. The latter was found inside a blue bin containing groceries.

Barrett imported those

items into Freeport, Grand Bahama through his company, Sapona Import, on February 11, 2016, on behalf of “Mary Jane Smith”.

However, the magistrate noted during trial that name was an individual Barrett made up to conceal his gun smuggling activities.

Additionally, the evidence suggested Barrett’s export/import licence had been cancelled by the Port Authority three years prior to the incident in question.

Barrett was at the airport to receive the items, after requesting a private pilot to deliver them from Fort

Lauderdale, Florida. However, he did not fill out a C-44 form authorising him to clear the goods on “Mary Jane Smith’s” behalf.

Barrett attempted to remove the television box before it could be inspected by customs officials, the court heard during trial.

When an officer removed the television, the front and back became separated, revealing in a disassembled Draco 7.62 rifle, a 9mm rifle and 228 rounds of ammunition.

Officers also removed a Tide box containing a .45 Taurus revolver and 20 rounds of ammunition.

Magistrate McKinney noted that Barrett had no delivery address for “Mary Jane Smith”, notwithstanding him claiming the goods on her behalf. Magistrate McKinney also said that Barrett had prepared an invoice billing the fictitious person $344 for him importing the items before the duty had been assessed.

In his testimony, however, Barrett claimed a police officer told him to make up the fake invoice, and that he was unaware of his business licence being cancelled.

However, his testimony was dismissed as untruthful by the magistrate.

Roberts Furniture

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION

Month

CREATE A LEGACY OF

Love

CLASSIC SAVE LEGACY BEDROOM SETS

40% FEBRUARY 22

-28TH

ND

BUY a SERTA® Orthopedic Mattress and GET the Box Spring Absolutely FREE!

SPECIAL OF THE WEEK FRIDGE & STOVE

$1,599

Roberts Furniture

5th Terrace & East Avenue CENTREVILLE Phone: 322-8862 Join us on Facebook

LINEN DEPT SALARY UP TO

50% OFF

DEDUCTIONS

AVAILABLE

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, February 22, 2018, PAGE 9

MINISTRY LAUNCHES YOUTH AND CULTURE IN THE PARK

MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Michael Pintard held a press conference yesterday at the ministry to officially annouce their ‘Youth and Culture In The Park’ project.

He was joined by Henry Higgins, project co-ordinator; Terez Davis-Nixon, cultural affairs officer and John Darville, youth officer.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

READING PROGRAMME HELPS CHILDREN TO LEARN EVERY DAY AS a part of the BTC Learning Everyday initiative, Centreville Primary’s Grade 3C class enjoyed a morning of laughter and entertainment last week. BTC’s endorsed talent Tyrone Burrows led an engaging reading session of “The Elephant’s Boast”

No. 1

in the UK for Value-added (The Guardian, 2017)

by Susan Blackaby. The book talks about a pompous elephant overcoming his ego.

The story generally teaches children the importance of humility and the dangers of being boastful.

Principal Jasmine Sands said: “I thought that this was

a wonderful initiative. I mentioned to the reader that I was observing the male students and realised that they were extremely intrigued and fully attentive to the story.

We don’t have any male staff members at our school. So, we are always appreciative

Top 10

100% FLEXIBLE 100% ONLINE 100% RELEVANT

UK University (Graduate Employability)

APPLY NOW FOR MAY 2018 INTAKE

MBA/MBM

Exceptional value — earn an accredited UK MBA or MBM for under US$10,000 • Can be completed in 18 months • Specialisations: Banking, Entrepreneurship, Events, Finance, Health Management, Hospitality & Tourism, HRM, Info. Systems, Leadership & Innovation, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Marketing & Sales, Project Management • Option to earn both an MBA and MBM in under 24 months

The Edinburgh Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) Regional workshops conducted by Edinburgh Faculty

MSc HRM (SHRM Recognised) MSc Data Science MSc Construction Project Management (RICS and ICE accredited) MSc Transport Planning and Engineering MSc Health and Social Care BA Business Management (Top-up) BA Business & Enterprise (Top-up) BA Sales Management (Top-up)

FREE ini 4 iPad M ply) le p p A ap itions d n o (C

Final Year Entry to holders of Associate Degree and/or Diploma Specialisms: Marketing, Finance and HRM

BSc Nursing Studies (Top-up) PG Cert. Learning and Teaching

INFORMATION SESSIONS Wednesday 28th February, 6.30-8pm Rum Kay Island Room British Colonial Hilton, Nassau Thursday 1st March, 6.30-8pm Queen Conch Meeting Room Canal House, Pelican Bay, Lucaya, Freeport email info@SEIdegrees.com for reservation

Edinburgh Napier University has been granted Institutional Recognition by The National Accreditation & Equivalency Council of the Bahamas

www.seidegrees.com

Regional Office: 27499 Riverview Center Blvd., Suite 223, Bonita Springs, Florida 34134, USA • Tel +1 239 444 4399 • Fax +1 239 444 4398

info@SEIdegrees.com

when we have positive male figures on campus.”

Grade 3C’s teacher, Anastacia Maksyhung said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the session. I think I may have enjoyed it more than the students. I liked the interaction between the reader

and the students. I love how he helped bring the book to life for the children. I also appreciate that the students can apply this story to their everyday lives.”

Centreville Primary was stop four in the BTC Learning Everyday tour.

Indira Collie, BTC’s manager for public relations said: “We believe that reading is fundamental in raising a child. Learning should be fun and engaging.

This tour is just one prong in our holistic approach to youth empowerment.”

PAGE 10, Thursday, February 22, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

We cherish excellence yet tolerate so much that falls short

By Diane Phillips

L

IKE thousands in The Bahamas, we have been glued to the TV since the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang started on February 9. And like others who we assume are equally glued, we asked ourselves why are we so fascinated by sports like downhill skiing and ice dancing that are about as akin to life in The Bahamas as radiators and car seat warmers?

The answer was not difficult to come by. We are fascinated, enthralled and entranced by the continuous display of excellence.

We may not be able to ski or power through 980s off a steep ramp that would terrify us if we just had to walk it, but we appreciate excellence and the discipline and determination it takes to get there.

So if we are such great appreciators of excellence, why do we tolerate such slackness in our behaviour, in how we treat each other and our surroundings? If we are dazzled by greatness, why do we as a culture or society fall short in how we view ourselves and our community?

How did we get so disengaged? Dr David Allen, one of the great thinkers of The Bahamas, believes that a portion of the population has been so traumatised that we suffer social fragmentation both in an emotional and cognitive sense. He traces the beginning of the social disconnect to the epidemic of crack cocaine addiction.

When you speak with him and realise the extent of gang warfare and violence and the mental fragility of a whole segment of society that feels disconnected, you begin to see how fragile the social fabric is.

It helps to explain a portion of why the island of New Providence looks the way it does and particularly in high density areas of the inner city where abandoned vehicles are accepted as a not unexpected component of the general landscape, as much a part of street life as moving vehicles.

Pericles Maillis, when he was president of the Bahamas National Trust, once said: “Bahamians have an incredible tolerance for chronic ugliness”. Tolerance may be an admirable

WORLDS apart? A dilapidated building opposite Doctor’s Hospital on Shirley Street and, right, the ice dancing at the Winter Olympics.

Main photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff trait in many cases, but tol- roof caved in or its second erating ugliness created by storey balcony falling or ourselves is a different story. its broken windows in full When does our patience view is a blight on our hiswear thin with those among toric town?

When do we take our us who litter, who think throwing fast food contain- own surroundings as seriers out of a car window ously as we take a foreign is an acceptable form of nation’s medal score at the Olympics? disposal?

If you think it is a stretch When do we say enough is enough when the to link the Winter Olympics thoughtless, self-absorbed and the paucity of respect neighbour tosses used mat- for our surroundings, you tresses, refrigerators and can blame the strange comparison on my early worn sofas outside?

When do we as a society dementia or you can look say your building with its at it the way I see it. There must be a very good reason why we admire excellence in others yet do not demand across from Government House. And we do not it of ourselves.

So to explore that if you mean to pick on just that take the implications of one. There are dozens and what both Dr Allen and dozens across the island of Pericles Maillis said about New Providence. There are the causes and the effect several, members of what of why and how we toler- was once called Nassau’s ate what we should never Dirty Dozen, where paint is accept, I would add a third peeling, doors are missing, windows are broken and component.

We have a tax system that weeds are weaving their way in and out, growing rewards ugliness.

I am sure it did not start through floors and cracks. out to do that, but real These once proud strucproperty tax rewards those tures were a part of the who ignore their proper- architectural treasure trove ties because the lower the of The Bahamas. Today value, the less tax the prop- they are but sites where erty owner pays and if the glory days of old are disproperty is in really bad tant memories increasingly condition there may be fading into oblivion.

There is a cure and that almost no tax at all.

So we are forgiving is the good news. It is as those who present us with simple as instituting penalappalling ugliness due to ties and fines for purposeful lack of attention, care and neglect, wanton placement upkeep. The result is a situ- of unpermitted signage or ation, for instance, where a illegal dumping. We can building with majestic lines remove abandoned vehicles has fallen into total disre- as the present government pair, most recently its roof already has, reportedly caving in. Unfortunately, or moving more than 2,000 in otherwise, the building is in recent months. But if we a very public space, directly do not change the culture

and if we do not change the way property is assessed, we will repeat this cry for better treatment of our surroundings endlessly.

Before we flip back to the TV and the next sport coming down the pipe as another Olympics draws closer to completion, it’s worth looking at a medal count and understanding what foundation underpins those who win.

Look at the stats. Of the 2,952 athletes from 92 countries competing in 102 events in 15 categories of sport and athleticism, Norway with 109 athletes is strongly out in front as of this writing. Guess what else Norway is? Near the top of the list in just about everything that makes a place desirable – health care, security, human rights, and oh yes, cleanliness.

Pretty impressive.

Clean matters whether it is a clean sweep at the Olympics or how we sweep our streets in a community that makes us proud to be Bahamian.

PAGE 12, Thursday, February 22, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

COURT TO APPOINT APPEAL LAWYER

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A MAN seeking to challenge his 40 year sentence for murdering a retired 88-year-old Canadian physician on a Family Island three years ago will receive a court appointed lawyer for his appeal application.

Moses Morris stood before appellate Justices Jon Isaacs, Stella CraneScott and Milton Evans seeking to challenge his sentence of 39 years and nine months for fatally stabbing Dr Harry Geoffrey Harding on Long Island in 2015.

At first, the Simms, Long Island native maintained he would proceed without a lawyer, after presenting the appellate judges with

written submissions concerning his appeal.

However, after acknowledging he had no money to pay for a lawyer himself, Morris agreed with Justice Isaacs’ suggestion that he should have a lawyer appointed to execute his appeal.

“I think that would be best,” Justice Isaacs said.

He subsequently ordered that Morris be assigned an attorney at the public’s expense, and adjourned the matter to March 22 for mention.

On March 11, 2016, Morris pleaded guilty to murdering Dr Harding and was sentenced to nearly 40 years in prison by Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson.

He was initially arraigned before then-deputy chief

magistrate Andrew Forbes, now an acting Supreme Court judge, on one charge of murder stemming from the April 2, 2015 incident.

According to initial reports, shortly before noon on the day in question, police in Long Island received a report that a man had been found dead at his home in Clarence Town. When they arrived, they found the lifeless body of Dr Harding with multiple stab wounds in his body.

Dr Harding, who owned a vacation home in Long Island and regularly visited the island after purchasing the property in the 1960s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Roger Thompson represents the Crown in the matter.

STUDENTS and teachers of Inagua All-Age School paid courtesy calls Spearker of the House Halson Moultrie, top, and Governor General Dame Marguerite on Tuesday, February 20, 2018.

Photo: Letisha Henderson/BIS

CAVES VILLAGE Premium Office Space for Lease 1,081 sq.ft. 2 open plan areas, conference, reception, kitchenette, bathroom and IT closet. $4,233.92 pm inc. CAM + VAT 1,056 sq.ft. 4 offices, conference room, reception, kitchenette and bathroom, IT closet. $3,696.00 pm. Inc. CAM + VAT Contact Mr. Simon Chappell on 327 1575 or 477-7610 Email: simon@cavesvillage.com

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, February 22, 2018, PAGE 13

PAGE 14, Thursday, February 22, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

TRUMP SUGGESTS SUPPORTING GIVING GUNS TO TEACHERS WASHINGTON Associated Press

SPILLING out wrenching tales of lost lives and stolen security, students and parents appealed to President Donald Trump to set politics aside and protect America’s school children from the scourge of gun violence.

Trump listened intently to the raw emotion and pledged action, including the possibility of arming teachers.

“I turned 18 the day after” the shooting, said a tearful Samuel Zeif, a student at the Florida high school where a former student’s assault left 17 dead last week. “Woke up to the news that my best friend was gone. And I don’t understand why I can still go in a store and buy a weapon of war. An AR. How is it that easy to buy this type of weapon? How do we not stop this after

Columbine? After Sandy Hook?”

Trump promised to be “very strong on background checks.” And he suggested he supported allowing some teachers and other school employees to carry concealed weapons to be ready for intruders. But largely he listened Wednesday, holding handwritten notes bearing his message to the families. “I hear you” was written in black marker.

The president had invited the teen survivors of school violence and parents of murdered children in a show of his resolve against gun violence in the wake of last week’s shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and in past years at schools in Connecticut and Colorado. The latest episode has prompted a renewed and growing call for stronger gun control.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, looks to Julia Cordover, the student body president at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

READERS RESPOND TO LATEST NEWS READERS on tribune242.com have been posting their views on this week’s news.

After Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants president Gowon Bowe urged the Government to focus on distressed properties, rather than new housing developments, in its “daunting task” of reviving the Bahamian mortgage market, DonAnthony said: “Mr Bowe should look in the mirror.

These banks shoulder more of the blame than anyone else for the massive backlog of distressed mortgages that are an albatross on their balance sheets. Rather than mark these properties down massively to sell them they hold them for years and years and the entire economy suffers. Though painful it would be better to sell these properties and let the capitalist market system do its magic. Persons could move on to rent or own properties they could afford, new buyers who were renters could become home owners,

the banks would be able to claw back much of the provisions they had against these properties. We need reform of mortgage regulation, just the opposite of what the PLP had in mind so that these properties could be cheaply and easily sold. It is creative destruction, the old decayed limbs are pruned away, leading to new growth. Instead, because of these banks, we have stagnation.”

With the Government facing questions over the proposed $5.5 billion oil refinery, after the project’s chief promoter confirmed his involvement in two lawsuits, Observer had this to say: “The PLP and FNM just love dealing with foreigners and certain select Bahamians to the exclusion and detriment of the country as a whole. It should not surprise anyone

that simple background checks are not done, proof of finances does not exist, feasibility studies ignored, environment impact studies are nonsense, business track records don’t exist.

The Bahamian waters, considered the most beautiful on earth will be destroyed forever.”

John asked: “And despite the project bearing a $5 billion price tag where is the benefit to the Bahamas and to the Bahamian people?

Six hundred jobs and a $100,000 a year tip. But being exposed to unknown environmental factors and safety concerns and the lost opportunity of having a better fit project.”

Full power was restored to Abaco following four days of outages.

But Bcitizen had this to say: “North Abaco has experienced two complete outages in less than 24 hours since the problem was reported to be resolved.”

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

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, February 22, 2018, PAGE 15

BTVI PRESIDENT GETS A CLOSEUP LOOK AT WORK OF STUDENTS PRESIDENT of the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute, Dr Robert Robertson, recently conducted a walkabout to visit classrooms, workshops and labs at the Old Trail Road campus, giving him the opportunity to further connect and get first-hand feedback from students.

Dr Robertson chatted with students about tuxedo making, hair colouring and relaxing, carpentry, auto mechanics, in addition to receiving helpful tips about information technology.

Keeping students first is one of the institution’s strategic plan goals.

“Since assuming the office of president back in 2016, I’ve maintained an open door policy. It is my mission to be interactive with our students, from meeting with a select group of representatives during what was dubbed, ‘Coffee and Conversation,’ to sitting and sharing meals, to stopping and chatting with them on their way to classes, I am adamant about putting students first. They are our clients and I want to be reachable, touchable, accessible to them,” Dr Robertson said.

He added his walkabouts have proven beneficial as he then gets a better appreciation for vocational and

DR Robert Robertson with a student during a walkabout at BTVI. technical education. is spending $6 million on “I get to see the students a campaign to revive the in their element and they reputation of vocational are doing some complex education and $200 milthings here. It’s amazing. lion to improve the delivery There is much worth in of it, including the use of vocational and technical online education. education.

Respectfully, “This speaks volumes. what an electrician can do, They clearly understand an accountant may not have the importance of technia clue about, and the intri- cal and vocational training. cacies of computer software It shouldn’t be disregarded. that one of our information For example, politicians go technology management to barbers, doctors need students or graduates mechanics, hotels need carknows, may be foreign to penters, electricians and a dentist. Every trade we engineers, and generally, offer here is important and society needs small busihas its place in society.” ness owners, which help to Dr Robertson referred create employment,” he to a recent article he read said. on the PBS News Hour BTVI also has prowebsite, which speaks to grammes in Grand Bahama the United States having a and Abaco. Currently, there “skills gap” and urgently are 1,467 students enrolled needing more tradespeople. at the Nassau campus, 219 In that August 2017 article, in Grand Bahama and 36 in it revealed that California Abaco.

DELICIOUS BY THE DOZEN. A Dozen Donuts Starting at 14 $

www.dunkinbahamas.com @dunkinbahamas

(Incl. VAT)