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MP’S FIRM FIGHTING $450K BLAZE CLAIM By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
FIRE destroyed four residential units in Harbour Island when an unlicensed gas company owned and operated by North Eleuthera MP Rickey Mackey performed services there in June 2018, plaintiffs allege in court documents. An affidavit by a former inspector at the Ministry of Works claims Mr Mackey’s company, Eleuthera Petroleum Limited, did not have the dealer’s or sub-dealer’s licence that is required to sell, store and convey liquified petroleum gas to the public, nor did his employees have the installer’s licence required to connect, disconnect or fill
liquified containers. Contravening the licensing requirements of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Act makes a person liable on summary conviction to a $3,000 fine, 12 months imprisonment or both, according to the law. Plaintiffs entered a $450,646.96 default judgement against Eleuthera Petroleum Ltd last year and had the Royal Bank of Canada account connected to the company frozen. Eleuthera Petroleum is now seeking to strike out the judgement, with its lawyers arguing that COVID-19 prevented the company from submitting a timely defence in the case.
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net THE Progressive Liberal Party wants the government to adopt new COVID-19 prevention measures that allows for more virus testing and isolation to help prevent a third wave in the country. In a statement released yesterday, PLP leader Phillip “Brave” Davis urged the Minnis administration to learn from its past “mistakes” and act now
before it is too late to safeguard the country against the new, more contagious COVID-19 strains spreading worldwide. He also said the country could not afford to return to lockdowns, which will only further damage the nation’s economy. “The government has mismanaged the crisis and the economy is in worse shape as a result,” the opposition leader said yesterday. SEE PAGE FOUR
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
DOCTORS Hospital’s president last night said a $13.5m Canadian investment will accelerate the launch of a Grand Bahama care facility “comparable to our New Providence” assets by 2022. Dr Charles Diggiss told Tribune Business that the equity injection by Torontobased Fairfax Financial Holdings will enable the BISX-listed healthcare provider to quicken an expansion pace that will take it “beyond the borders of The Bahamas” and into the wider Caribbean by 2025. Fairfax Financial, whose main interests lie in insurance and reinsurance investments stretching around the world, is acquiring two million Doctors Hospital shares at $6.75 per share. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
SEE PAGE FIVE
DAVIS WARNS: ACT NOW TO AVOID THIRD WAVE
INVESTMENT SPEEDS UP HOSPITAL’S GB DESIGNS
INGRAHAM RECOVERY CONTINUES
‘PLEASE END THE SILENCE’
By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net
THEY’re just an ordinary couple, the groom born in The Bahamas, his wife in Jamaica. Now married for ten years they have been waiting for one thing - for someone to sign off on her application for citizenship. Someone, somewhere, without ever providing an explanation said no. Why? All they have met in trying to force an answer is a wall of silence. For the full story see Insight: Page 8
SPACE DEBRIS FOUND ON BEACH A STRANGE titanium ball covered in Russian text has been discovered on a beach in Harbour Island. British woman, Manon Clarke, spotted the 41kg reflective ball poking out of the sand while she was walking with her family last Wednesday evening. “We went walking to a different spot than usual and I noticed this silver shiny moon thing poking out the sand,”
THE OBJECT found in Harbour Island. the 24-year-old told The Independent. “We could see the Russian writing on the side, so
we started digging away to see more of it, which was a bit of a bold move given that we had no idea what it was.” Space experts believe that the ball could be a Hydrazine Propellant Tank for a satellite or spacecraft, though uncertainty remains about where it came from and how it came to be on the beach. SEE PAGE TWO
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham is expected to be released from hospital by mid-week after showing steady signs of improvement as he recovers from COVID-19. Mr Ingraham, 73, was diagnosed with the coronavirus two weeks ago and admitted to Doctors Hospital last Tuesday when his symptoms of shortness of breath and general malaise persisted. SEE PAGE FOUR
SPORTS WELLS AND MOSS WIN TOP ATHLETE AWARDS SEE SPORTS
PAGE 2, Monday, March 1, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Family left ‘devastated’ by man’s road death By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net THE family of the man who lost his life in a traffic fatality in Exuma more than a week ago say they are “devastated” and struggling to come to terms with his untimely death. The victim was identified by close relatives yesterday as 47-year-old Gilbert Honore. According to a report from police on Saturday, the accident occurred shortly before 10pm on Sunday, February 21. A caller contacted the George Town Police Station and reported a traffic accident in the settlement of Hermitage.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers found an aquamarine Toyota Passo with extensive damage. Police said a man was also found unresponsive in the vehicle with visible injuries. A local doctor then arrived at the scene and later pronounced the man dead. The victim’s wife, Marina Rolle-Honore told The Tribune yesterday the family is still reeling from his death. She said the family also felt that his life was taken too soon. Recalling her final moments with him, she said: “I didn’t get to speak to him the day he died. I saw him last Saturday because he went to work.
He was doing the night shift and I was asleep and when I went to church, he was asleep so I didn’t even get to speak to him that day… and by the time I got there (at the scene) his body was in the car. “We’re still trying to process and accept what’s going on and I know his family in Haiti are devastated because he was the oldest child and he provided for them,” she said. Yesterday, Mrs RolleHonore described her husband as a happy person who loved his family. “He was a jolly person,” she said. “He didn’t take too much nonsense but he loved his family. He has a child in Haiti and is the
(stepfather) of my two children and one grandson. He was a barber and he loved his job and he was a security officer.” Having been married for more than 15 years, Mrs Rolle-Honore said she will miss her husband’s calm presence the most now that he’s gone. “I just miss him being there because I’m used to him being there whether he was going with my little grandson. They was always kicking balls and throwing balls,” she said. Last July, a man also died in a traffic accident in Exuma. At the time, police said they were alerted to the incident sometime after
GILBERT HONORE 9pm by an anonymous caller, who contacted officers and reported that the traffic accident had occurred on Queens Highway, in the vicinity of Tar Bay. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a silver Honda Civic with
extensive damage after it had hit a concrete wall. The driver had severe head injuries. He was taken to the Exuma Health Clinic where he was pronounced dead. Investigations into the island’s latest fatality are ongoing, according to police.
RUSSIAN SPACE DEBRIS FOUND ON BEACH IN HARBOUR ISLAND from page one Mark Morabito, chairman of Virgin Galactic and an astronaut in training, said he was “99 percent certain it is a hydrazine tank from a rocket of some kind”, which are used on unmanned rockets for satellite launches. The Russian text on the object notes it has an operating temperature range of between -170C and -196C, a capacity of around 43 litres, a maximum weight of around 41kg and also suggests it may have been constructed in 2018. Dr Martin Archer, UKRI Stephen Hawking Fellow in Space Physics and Public Engagement at the Department of Physics at Imperial College London, said “it is clearly a Hydrazine Propellant/Bladder Tank”, which are “usually used on uncrewed spacecraft or satellites and squeeze
UNEARTHING the debris after the impact. propellant into rocket Russian at the University of engines or thrusters”. Leeds, said “the object may It cannot be determined have originated from Cuba, how or where the tank came given that Cuba was an ally from, but Dr Sarah Hudsp- of the Soviet Union, from ith, Associate Professor in which it obtained all kinds
of equipment”. Unable to move the tank, Ms Clarke and her parents went home to show pictures of it to their neighbours, soon realising it was
something significant. She said: “We left the beach because it was getting late and went back the next day with a crew of friends to try to lift it off the beach. We stupidly forgot shovels so we had around six guys do a lot of digging.” Dr Archer said: “How it washed up in the Bahamas is rather mysterious.” But he said one thing to bear in mind is that most satellites or satellite parts that come back down to Earth will fall in the ocean. He added: “Under controlled circumstances, operators will usually aim for them to be de-orbited and destroyed in the “spacecraft cemetery” in the south Pacific Ocean uninhabited area, centred on ‘Point Nemo’ the furthest point from any land on Earth. “But, of course, not all satellites enter the atmosphere under such controlled
circumstances.” Dr Archer said while there is not much evidence of charring on the tank, it would not have been on the outside of the satellite, so there is a chance it could have come from a defunct satellite. He added: “But it may also have been a spare part that accidentally winded up in the ocean. Ocean currents are known to carry junk all around our planet, so it will be almost impossible to determine exactly what journey this tank has been on.” Ms Clarke said the unknown adds to the excitement: “Thinking about the possible places it could have come from, how long it’s been there, how it got there. “We live on such a small island so something like that is very exciting. Lots of people came down to have a look at it, including Dave Stewart from the Eurythmics.”
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, March 1, 2021, PAGE 3
MITCHELL SAYS ‘COME CLEAN’ OVER LANISHA ROLLE PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Chairman Fred Mitchell has called on Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis to “come clean” about the resignation of former Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle. “When the government released its statement on Tuesday, February 23, confirming the resignation of Lanisha Rolle, the government also confirmed an investigation into the operations at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture,” Mr Mitchell said in a statement issued on Friday. “The prime minister
is reported in the media today confirming that Mrs Rolle is not being investigated. This revelation by the prime minister begs the question of why the youth minister resigned her ministerial post in the first place. “If Lanisha Rolle is not under any investigation as the prime minister asserts, then why did the minister resign and why did Prime Minister Minnis accept her resignation from the Cabinet?” Earlier this week, the PLP called on Dr Minnis to “provide a full and frank explanation on the reasoning behind and the
circumstances” surrounding Mrs Rolle’s resignation. “To date, he has not done so and has not levelled with the Bahamian people on this serious matter. “The PLP again calls on the prime minister to come clean to the Bahamian people on this serious matter,” Mr Mitchell said. On Thursday, Dr Minnis said Mrs Rolle is not being directly investigated after an internal audit he is said to have requested uncovered findings that led to the resignation of the Seabreeze MP. Asked if Mrs Rolle was directly a part of that investigation, Dr Minnis said:
“No she is not.” A letter to Governor General C A Smith with Mrs Rolle’s signature was leaked on Tuesday, announcing her resignation from her ministerial post. A statement released from the Cabinet Office confirmed the resignation later that day, noting that “certain matters have been brought to” Dr Minnis’ attention and are currently under investigation. Yesterday, Dr Minnis did not reveal what those matters were. However, The Tribune understands that when ministry officials and the board of the National
Sports Authority became concerned that established processes and procedures were allegedly not being followed at their agencies, they took their concerns to Dr Minnis on Saturday, February 13. Dr Minnis is said to have then immediately requested a “lockdown” of the ministry, ordering that no cheques or contracts be issued. The following day, Sunday, February 14, he asked Financial Secretary Marlon Johnson to launch an audit into the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and to report its findings within at most
four days, this newspaper understands. Dr Minnis received the report from the ministry’s internal audit department on Thursday, February 18. The Office of the Auditor General is now auditing the National Sports Authority. Mrs Rolle is the fourth minister to resign this term, joining Brent Symonette, Dr Duane Sands and Peter Turnquest. She was also previously the only woman in Dr Minnis’ Cabinet. Iram Lewis, previously the minister of state for disaster preparedness, has been appointed the new minister of youth, sports and culture.
Warm welcome for minister By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
IRAM Lewis, the new minister of youth, sports and culture, returned to Freeport on Friday to a warm welcome from a large turnout of well-wishers at the Grand Bahama International Airport. Junkanooers and representatives from various sporting groups were at the Western Air terminal for the minister’s arrival around noon. Mr Lewis, a Grand Bahama native, and former Bahamian Olympic athlete, was appointed to the post following the shock resignation of former Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Lanisha Rolle. As he made his way from the terminal, he was celebrated with a small Junkanoo rush-out. Mr Lewis said he did not expect such a welcome. “It is unexpected and very humbling,” he told The Tribune. “I am humbled
IRAM Lewis MP in Freeport on Friday. Photo: Derek Carroll and I am happy to be home. game.” The former athlete “I realise one thing that said not to count him out. it is not about me, it is “It is never too late I thank about what I can bring to God because God does the MYSC; it gives me an things in His own time,” opportunity to serve at he said. “I understand that another level. First of all, I as an athlete you must stay have to get my bearings as focused, and as an architect, to where we are in the min- you plan properly and carry istry, and once I am fully out your plan. So, in my view, acclimated, I will look at it may be late in the game, programmes that exist.” but…the game is not over, so With about a year to the I don’t think it is too late.” 2022 general election, Mr Asked whether his minisLewis believes it never try would support something too late to make a differ- named in honour of wellence, “even this late in the known Grand Bahama swim
coach, the late Bert Bell, Mr Lewis said: “Absolutely, it is something we would support. Mr Bell is certainly deserving of something prominent and something substantive named in his honour,” he said. “And the last time I worked closely with Mr Bell was when I was vice president of the Bahamas Olympic Committee, and when I had the Youth Olympic Games in GB, and he was one of my coordinators; he was a gogetter. He was able to pull off the whole swimming portion of that on his own. “Of course, his name is well-known not only in GB but the entire Bahamas. So certainly, he will be recognised and persons like that we will seek them out. Persons who have been forgotten, we need to go ahead and honour those who laid the foundations, and… Bert Bell is certainly one of those who would have laid the foundation.” Mr Lewis stressed sports and culture are “powerful avenues” that can bring the country together.
He believes events such as the Bahamas Games achieved that. “We have to find avenues to continue to unite and bring the country together. We know sports and culture bring the whole nation together. When we had the Bahamas Games, I was happy to bring several gold medals to GB, and the camaraderie and just the unity from Inagua to Abaco, we made connections and lasting friendships, and I understand how important it is to unite an entire nation. “Sports and culture are very powerful avenues to bring about healing, relief, and connectivity, and brings us back as one; we can’t ever forget our very rich culture. I believe we have an opportunity to bring this nation together again, inspire the youth and remember the old.” When asked about youth violence, he said his ministry will certainly to put programmes in place that will deal with discipline and conflict resolution. He said officials will
engage youth leaders on Grand Bahama such as Pastor Darrin Rolle and Bonnie Basden about the issue of youth violence in the community. “We need to engage them…and some of them are engaged, but I think we need to reach out further to expand our reach and pull them all together and find out the cause. We have to get to the root cause of why they are so violent and why they are not able to resolve their conflicts.” Platinum Knights Junkanoo group leader Thomas Curry is very excited about Mr Lewis’ appointment. “This is a day in the making,” he said. “I know Mr Pintard was (minister of youth, sports and culture) for a while, but we did not get a chance to do anything. But we want them to know that culture is also in GB and not just in Nassau.” He believes that Grand Bahama and the Family Islands are being treated as less than or differently to New Providence.
CRUISE SHIPS SHOWING INTEREST IN GB SAILINGS By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
GRAND Bahama tourism chief Steven Johnson promises that “better days are ahead” for the island, revealing that cruise ships are now beginning to express interests in sailing here. Without disclosing too many details, Mr Johnson said executives of a five-star cruise ship were in Freeport over a week ago. He did not want to reveal the name of the ship but indicated that it could mean an additional 800 passengers for Grand Bahama. “I am happy to be a part of the Grand Bahama team for tourism,” he said. “It is a lot of work, but some good news is that we have cruise ships now calling us and saying, ‘listen I have a five-star cruise ship.’ Four executives came in (recently) looking at GB— we are talking about an additional 700 to 800 passengers in GB whenever they reopen.” Mr Johnson, who was speaking at a Rotary Club of Grand Bahama meeting, encouraged people to stay tuned and keep their spirits up. For almost 15 months, the cruise industry has been shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but cruise lines are expected to begin sailing again in June. Mr Johnson noted that Grand Bahama’s cruise industry started to rebound before the global coronavirus pandemic that hit in March 2020. In February 2020, he noted that some 68,675-day cruisers came to Grand Bahama that month. “Our friend COVID knocked on the door and we went down to 22,000 in March 2020, and then zero from here on out. But there is opportunity here and we are going to bring it out. We are going to promote GB differently from our grandparents and our parents and really push (the island) further on the international map.” He assured that things are happening in tourism
on Grand Bahama, particularly in the eco-tourism sector. He said: “The eco-experience is really what is paying the bills right now. A lot of people say that nothing is going on in tourism, but you need to see the number of people coming on a daily basis. Right now, we get about 200 people coming to GB between domestic and private aviation. “If you go out to the airport you will see private Lear jets parked up, so GB seems to be a big attraction. Two weeks ago, we had Rick Ross, ‘The Boss’, who decided he wanted to come to GB. So, GB has brand loyalty throughout the world.” Mr Johnson admits that some things need fixing in Freeport, such as the International Bazaar and the airport.
“I think we have some good things going on. I came and looked around and I am not afraid to tell the minister and people what’s wrong with GB—old buildings, old products— and these are all fixable things, and I understand there are a whole lot of investment opportunities on the table. “I drive through the (International) Bazaar every day before I go to the office and I also drive to the airport every day and I just stare, and I say we have to fix this,” he said. Mr Johnson believes that a new airport needs to be rebuilt with a standard. “When you look at what they do throughout the world, airports are built to the water. So, when you build this airport back, build it higher than it is right now like Nassau but
build it around a dam so when anything comes close to it from Queens Cove or wherever it comes from, it goes in a dam,” he said. He said that the airport is in a perfect position across the street. In terms of activities on Grand Bahama, Mr Johnson said that Smith’s Point will be positioned to see daily business from cruise ships. “We are already positioning Smith’s Point where you are going to see the cruise ships come in and see daily business (there).” Mr Johnson said they have spoken with the families about a concept that is focused around the late matriarch Mama Flo, a well-known resident and businesswoman of Smith’s Point. He said plans also include creating a ‘Taste of Smith’s Point’ where
tourists are involved in making conch fritters and gully wash, a local drink. He also stated that brandings also will be established for West End and East End. West End will be known as the official conch and seafood capital of Grand Bahama, he said. “We will bring people in like the Food Network and we tell the story of GB. In the East End, we want to make it the stew fish and boiled fish capital where you get up on Saturday and Sunday for fresh ovenbaked bread and cassava bread, and we will put a stamp on ‘chicken in the bag’, with 10 to 15 locations in the Eight Mile Rock area. “We are trying to create standards where they will see the seal of approval, which means they have been to Bahamahost for
training in customer service, and they cleaned up their business. We are making that happen right now. And those are some of the things we will do. While the ‘chicken in the bag’ was created in Nassau, we will own it in GB.” Mr Johnson said Freeport will be recognised as the foodie capital as a result of the various restaurants. “What you are really going to see in GB is a new change, a facelift so our grandparents’ GB and our parents’ GB is no longer. You are going to see... us targeting people with an income of about $75,000 and up, but we saw a shift to generation X, Y, and Z and the millennials. We are seeing a big shift in GB. I know it is hard to tell people that things are happening, but things are really happening here,” he said.
PAGE 4, Monday, March 1, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Davis warns: act now to avoid third wave from page one “Everyone has pandemic fatigue, but the battle with COVID-19 is unfortunately not over. New, more transmissible strains of COVID are now circulating. Florida is leading the United States with the largest number of identified cases of the UK variant. We urge the government to learn from earlier mistakes and move from a reactive to a proactive stance.” To better protect the country against the new threats Mr Davis pointed to several recommendations made by the PLP as strategies the government could implement. These include free COVID-19 testing, making medical-grade masks available to all uniformed and essential workers and the launch of a public educational campaign on the benefits of wearing two masks. Former Health Minister Dr Duane Sands has previously suggested that the Minnis administration should remove the barrier on surgical mask imports for the public and said there should be a government mandate requiring two-layer cloth masks to be worn to reduce spread of the coronavirus. Yesterday, Mr Davis
STRIKE THREE FOR BAHAMASAIR
PLP leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis at a free curbside breakfast event for members of the public on Saturday at the Sir Lynden Pindling Centre on Farrington Road. Photo: Racardo Thomas echoed similar sentiments, saying “medical-grade masks should be made available to all workers who interact with large numbers of people.” He also said: “Strengthen isolation protocols in clinics and hospitals. It’s crucial that COVID-positive cases are isolated from other patients and that Bahamians feel they can trust these protocols so that they don’t
avoid necessary medical treatment.” The PLP leader also wants answers on data behind the decisions especially as it relates to curfew hours in New Providence. He said the current testing requirement for inter-island travel is “ keeping families apart.” He noted: “To earn public cooperation for necessary public health
32 NEW CASES AND ONE MORE DEATH CONFIRMED By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net THIRTY-TWO new COVID-19 cases and one more virus-related death were recorded in the country between Friday and Saturday, pushing the nation’s tally to 8,551 with 980 of those cases still active. The latest deceased victim is an 80-year-old New Providence woman who died February 23, bringing the country’s COVID-19 death toll to 180. Fifteen deaths still remain under investigation. According to data released by the Ministry of Health, there were 89 cases confirmed last week: nine recorded on Sunday, six on Monday, 19 on Tuesday, 11 on Wednesday, 12 on Thursday, 23 on Friday and nine on Saturday. Three of those had a recent history of travel. The week prior saw 92 new infections. New Providence accounted for the highest number of positive cases that week at 33, followed by Grand Bahama at 25 and then Abaco at 21. Hospitalisations also
rose slightly despite some fluctuations. There were 15 patients hospitalised last Sunday and Monday, 16 on Tuesday, 14 on Wednesday, 15 on Thursday, 17 on Friday and 16 on Saturday. Last Thursday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis reimposed several more restrictive measures on the Abaco, including a new curfew and tighter travel guidelines, in response to rising cases there. The Ministry of Health said during the period of January 8 - February 23, they have seen a gradual increase in the number of COVID-19 positive cases on Abaco, which has had 256 total cases confirmed since the pandemic. Due to the recent uptick in numbers, Dr Minnis said health officials have recommended stricter COVID-19 preventative measures which include tightening of the Abaco’s curfew to 8pm to 5am instead of its usual 10pm to 5am. Additionally, those travelling from mainland Abaco to any other island are also now required to take a RT-PCR COVID test in addition to following the
previous travel protocols. The new orders went into effect yesterday and will be enforced for a period of two weeks, according to Dr Minnis. In the meantime, the Ministry of Health is urging all citizens and residents to keep their guard up and adhere to the recommended health protocols. “Continue to wear a mask at all times whilst outside the home, keep physically distant and wash your hands regularly,” the ministry said. “Remember, just because a person is not sick, does not mean that he cannot have COVID-19. “If you have symptoms of COVID-19, do not wait. First, contact your health provider. While home remedies may work for a period, it is important to get tested and receive the proper care before symptoms become too difficult to manage. If you have been asked by the Surveillance Unit to get tested for COVID-19, please follow the advice and take the gold standard RT-PCR test. Employees are encouraged to work from home.”
AFTER Bahamasair was fined for a third time for allowing passengers to travel without a travel health visa, the national flag carrier’s chairman Tommy Turnquest said the infractions happened at Cuba and Haitian ports. The airline intends to make their service providers pay the fines. The infractions go back as far as December. Mr Turnquest said on Friday none have happened in The Bahamas. “All of our agents are well aware of the rules and we have a zero-tolerance policy with regards to it and any infraction we take very seriously,” the chairman said. “The infraction before
the courts, we’ve had three, had happened at Cuba and Haitian stations where we (are) outsourced by service providers. (We) made clear to them that we don’t tolerate that and we intend to make them pay the fines. “It’s an expense we shouldn’t have to pay. Of course, we shouldn’t have to pay that expense – we know the rules. Everyone knows the rules. Everyone is mandated to follow the rules and service providers at those two stations will be made to reimburse Bahamasair in that regard.” Bahamasair reportedly has until today to pay the $2,000 fine. The airline was previously fined after health visa breaches on
December 12 and December 26. On February 13, an amendment to COVID19 Emergency Powers Orders was put out stating all commercial flights and vessels from Haiti had been banned, which will be enforced for 21 days. Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield previously explained the move was made in response to concerns about Haiti’s Carnival activities, which are seen as super spreader events. While admitting the order would impact Bahamasair’s revenue, Mr Turnquest said these are just some of the challenges that are being faced during the pandemic.
measures at a time of widespread pandemic fatigue, all restrictions must reflect actual science. The competent authority should bring forward what he believes is the scientific justification for the ongoing curfew in New Providence, and if he cannot, he should end it. Perhaps there is no healthrelated justification – after all, did he not recently brag about being out and about
at 4.30am?” With COVID-19 vaccines set to arrive in the country soon, Mr Davis also advised the government not to rely on vaccinations to flatten the pandemic curve and to prevent the country from experiencing a third wave. This focus, he added, should instead be redirected to implementing more comprehensive strategies to better protect the
country in this current COVID-19 climate. “The government is making a mistake by relying so heavily on vaccines and lockdowns,” Mr Davis said. “We urge them to use a broader set of tools. We have seen and felt the costs of their previous failures to plan ahead. We should take action now to avoid a third wave and more restrictions and lockdowns.”
TOTAL CASES
TOTAL DEATHS
8,551 180 NEWLY CONFIRMED CASES 9 CASES THURSDAY
SATURDAY
NEW PROVIDENCE 6 ABACO 1 BERRY ISLANDS 1 PENDING 1
FRIDAY
23 CASES
GRAND BAHAMA 9 ABACO 9 NEW PROVIDENCE 2 BIMINI & CAT CAY 2 ELEUTHERA 1 BERRY ISLANDS 1
TOTAL TESTS
68,473
HOSPITALISED
14
12 CASES
NEW PROVIDENCE GRAND BAHAMA
6 6
LATEST CONFIRMED DEATH • 80-YEAR-OLD WOMAN FROM NEW PROVIDENCE DIED ON FEBRUARY 23.
CASES IN ICU
2
RECOVERED
7,337
INGRAHAM RECOVERY CONTINUES from page one Former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands is a part of the team of doctors attending to Mr Ingraham at Doctors Hospital. Other team members include intensivist Dr N’Tari Darville; Dr Rhea Thurston-Carroll, nephrologist; infectious disease specialist Dr Charlyon Bonimy; Dr Kevin Moss, pulmonologist and Dr Ariane Davis, endocrinologist along with nurses and other support staff. Dr Sands yesterday described Mr Ingraham as being in good spirits and “garrulous”. “He is awake, alert and very much his ordinary, garrulous self,” Dr Sands said. “We are moving in closer to him being able to be managed at home. He is breathing quite well and is comfortable.”
Last week, Mr Ingraham told a local daily that his wife and two members of his law office staff were also found to have contracted the virus, but he was the only one who needed hospitalisation. He falls in the high-risk category of COVID-19 due to his age and having preexisting health conditions. Although quite ill from COVID, Mr Ingraham did not have to be put on a ventilator at any time. Dr Sands is pleased with Mr Ingraham’s improvement as he responds positively to the treatment given to deter the pesky virus. “Former Prime Minister Ingraham has shown clinical features of steady improvement,” Dr Sands continued. “He is stronger and we have begun the process of discharge planning. He is deeply appreciative of the concern and support
expressed. He is likely to be discharged by mid-week.” Mr Ingraham, who admitted to the press that he was being assisted with oxygen, said he is unsure where he could have picked up the virus, as he limits his movements and constantly wears a mask once away from his home. He recalled going to the barber several weeks ago. Before being diagnosed with COVID-19, Mr Ingraham had gone to a doctor who told him he had bronchitis. It was worsening health conditions that led to him being tested for COVID. The former North Abaco MP has retired from mainstream politics and now operates from his law firm Ingraham and Co. He led the Free National Movement to its first election victory in 1992 and again in 1997. He served his final term as Prime Minister from 2007-2012.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, March 1, 2021, PAGE 5
MP’s firm fighting $450k blaze claim from page one The first of two plaintiffs, Justin Higgs, owns four residential rental units on the second floor of a two-storey building on Bay Street, Harbour Island and operated Carl’s Laundromat in a rental unit on the first floor of the building. He lived with his wife upstairs in an apartment above the laundry. Mr Higgs contacted Eleuthera Petroleum – the only company on the island that provides the services he needed – around June 15, 2018 to have the propane tank that services his laundromat refilled. The next day, an explosion occurred at the building complex. Mr Higgs claims he saw Ernie Mackey, an employee of the gas company, “walking to the front of the building, limping” that morning. “When I got closer to him, his shirt dropped off and there was a burning scent on him,” he said. “I went to the northern side of the building and noticed flames coming from the gas tank going toward the boxing, which is two stories up.” Freeman Hanna, now the principal of South West Consultancy Services, a company that inspects fire damage, left the Ministry of Works as an inspector and licensed explosive technician on March 16, 2019 after 30 years, according to his affidavit, which was filed on February 2, 2021. “I am aware that Eleuthera Petroleum Limited does not have a dealer’s or sub dealer’s licence issued under Section 4 of the Liquified Petroleum Act to sell, store and convey liquified petroleum gas to the public,” he said in his affidavit. “I am also aware that Eleuthera Petroleum Limited does not have the required installer’s licence as described in Section 5 of the Act and regulations for any of its employees to connect, disconnect or fill liquified containers.” Mr Hanna alleged that Mr Mackey approached him early last year to discuss the cause of the fire. “I immediately reminded Mr Mackey that his company and his employees did not have the necessary licences required by the Liquid Petroleum Act to
RICKY MACKEY MP sell liquified petroleum during the period under review or at all,” he said. “Mr Mackey asked me whether I believed that he had any defence to an action that was started against his company. I told him that based on the information I became aware of, it was highly unlikely because his employees were unskilled. However, an inspection was needed. “I inspected the premises on March 20, 2020, at the request of the plaintiffs as I did not hear back from Mr Mackey. I concluded, based on my years of experience and expertise that during the filling process of the tank, the employees of Eleuthera Petroleum Limited did not monitor the filling of the tank carefully, which resulted in the tank being overfilled and the relief valve blowing off the excess gas. The excess gas leaked and was ignited. The ignited flame flashed back to the tank which was overfilled and resulted in the fire which caused damage to the premises. “I further concluded that Eleuthera Petroleum Limited did not follow any of the basic standards set out in the regulations for the refilling of a bulk tank.” According to a statement of claim filed last March, Mr Mackey arranged for
a large garbage container to be placed at Mr Higgs’ laundry the day after the fire. Mr Higgs alleges that when he met Mr Mackey and his spouse on July 7, 2018, Mr Mackey told him and his wife that Eleuthera Petroleum and its employees were responsible for the fire. “Mrs Mackey suggested that it would be best that the defendant get the roof rebuilt at the earliest so we can get the businesses up and running and avoid more damage. Then the defendant would work on the apartments upstairs,” he alleged. “Mr Mackey also asked if I had gotten anyone to give an estimate for the repairs. I told him that I had already asked someone but was still waiting for them to get back to me. I told him if he knew anyone that could provide the estimate, he can go ahead and contact them. Mr Mackey then contacted one Mr Mekal McDonald for a quote for the repair of the roof. Approximately one hour later, Mr McDonald went to my home to measure the building. “Mr Mackey agreed that the defendant would cover the costs associated with the resolution of the building inclusive of labour and supplies. Before the conclusion
TIGHTER RESTRICTIONS A ‘PAINFUL BLOW’ FOR ABACO By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
AN Abaco administrator said tighter restrictions for the island will be a “painful blow” for those trying to “resurrect” their business activities after Hurricane Dorian. On Thursday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced that Abaco’s recent spike in COVID-19 cases prompted a tightening of restrictions, including a 8pm-5am curfew, which came into effect on Sunday. Senior Deputy Family Island Administrator for North Abaco Terrece Bootle-Laing said her office was not given notice before the prime minister’s announcement to the media, but said the move was anticipated by some residents. “As I expected this was not something they were looking forward to,” she said on Friday. “Some would have anticipated and suspected that it was coming given the number of persons going into quarantine, businesses having
to close down, and so it was anticipated.” With the earlier curfew, it is expected there will be fewer gatherings in the evenings, which Ms Bootle-Laing said may have been “the major contributing factor to our rise in numbers”. “The evening hours tend to be the more high social gathering time and that is what we’ve been paying attention to in terms of you know when persons begin to socialise and intermingle with each other and found persons have not been strictly adhering to (protocols) because as you move in and about and you get a lot of concerns about bar room gatherings and persons not wearing masks up to the curfew time and so we were seeing that, becoming very concerned about persons letting their guards down.” Still, she said, the increased restrictions are not favourable to the business community. “The business community is in recovery so this is not what is needed for their survival. For them to reduce
hours, reduce economic outlook, and so it is a painful blow for those who are just trying to resurrect from Hurricane Dorian in terms of their business activities and Abaco was gradually opening up to visitors,” she explained. “There are some businesses, especially the restaurant business, that are going to be impacted by this shut down and persons having to leave earlier and draw back on your business hours. So there are a number of businesses that will be impacted in particular the business on the cays who tend to have a more (condensed) population.” In addition to the tighter curfew, those travelling from mainland Abaco to any other island also will be required to take a RT-PCR COVID test prior to travel in addition to following all the previous travel guidelines, it was said on Thursday. An emergency order giving effect to the new curfew in Abaco was released on Friday. The tighter curfew will not apply to the Abaco cays.
of the meeting, Mr Mackey gave me a cheque for the sum of $10,000 as part payment for the repairs.” Mr Higgs alleges that while Mr Mackey purchased some materials for the roof, he has not communicated with him since July 7, 2018, to discuss other materials and funds to complete the repairs. “At all material times the defendant had accepted responsibility for the damage to the building,” he claims.
“At no time did he make any representation or commitment to us as our member of Parliament or our family member. It is my humble belief that after Mr Mackey realised the extent of the damage and the costs of repair, he decided to renege on the obligations agreed.” Lawyers for the gas company deny that Mr Mackey suggested his company was in any way responsible for the fire. “Contrary to the contention of the first plaintiff the defendant has advised and verily believes that Mr Mackey agreed to assist the plaintiff primarily as a consequence of his being a relative of Mr Mackey’s family and was in no way thereby acknowledging any liability for the plaintiff’s loss,” lawyers for the defendant wrote in their draft defence. They also deny that the company was negligent in filling Mr Higgs’ tank, arguing that “the gas tank servicing the laundromat was recently relocated by the first plaintiff or someone under his direction and which was in all likelihood the cause of the fire.” According to the statement of claim, Mr Higgs suffered “tremendous losses” because of the fire. He allegedly not only spent $46,602.27 on clean up, material and labour, but he and his tenants were also displaced and had to seek alternative accommodation “at additional expenses”. The statement said Mr Higgs received a monthly income of $1,650 from
the residential units and, up to last March, suffered a loss of $31,350 and “continuing”. The statement also said he suffered loss of income in or around $142k because of the fire. In an affidavit filed on January 28, 2021, Alexander Christie, a partner of the firm McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes, urged the Supreme Court to strike out the Judgement in Default of Defence that was filed on March 31, 2020. He said the proceedings began “at the time that the country was faced with the COVID pandemic which have impacted negatively on the conduct of legal proceedings in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.” Emails where lawyers for the plaintiffs and defendants discussed the case were exhibited in an attempt to show the plaintiffs were unreasonable in entering judgement when they did. “I verily believe that the defendant does need have an arguable defence in that the evidence suggests that it was the negligence of the plaintiffs which was the cause of the accident and further even if the defendant was liable in negligence (which is denied) the sums claimed as compensation are grossly excessive,” Mr Christie wrote. The draft defence does not rebut the allegation that Eleuthera Petroleum lacked the requisite licenses. Mr Mackey declined to discuss the matter when contacted yesterday, noting the case is before the court.
PAGE 6, Monday, March 1, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
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Lost in bureaucracy MORE than ten years ago, Bahamian Stafford Lightbourn married his wife, Sharon Lewis-Lightbourn. Under the law, she is entitled to become a citizen of The Bahamas as she is married to a Bahamian man. The week after their marriage, Mr Lightbourn put in the paperwork to start the process – and right from the start, there were problems. “They told me that I am not permitted to make any application for citizenship at that time,” he said. “They told me she could only make application for a Spousal Permit. We did so. That only lasts for a year. They have nothing in place to say what proper procedures are.” A year later, back they went – only to be told that the spousal permit could not be renewed, and that it had to be a new application. Nonsense, of course, it’s the same marriage, you shouldn’t need a new application. The new application was denied and they were told they needed to get a work visa. Again, nonsense – marriage may be a chore at times but it’s certainly not a job! Finally, they got another spousal permit sorted, that lasted for five years. Five years later, more problems – Mr Lightbourn went back to apply for citizenship for his wife again, only to be told he had to apply for citizenship, a residency permit and a spousal permit – all at once. Two years later – two years to process – the spousal permit was again approved, but the residency turned down. Finally, in June last year, the citizenship was refused, but a letter said the “board has agreed to grant Permanent Residence with the right to work”. That would last for a lifetime unless revoked, and would cost another $1,000, and with no prospect of the citizenship being granted, they paid the fee and took the residency. That still leaves Mrs Lewis-Lighbourn unable to vote, and with no reason as to why the citizenship was not granted. Credit to Mr Lightbourn for persisting, as he wrote to the director of immigration, the Minister of Immigration, and even the Prime Minister. What did he hear back? Silence. Nothing. As parties hit the election trail, we suspect many people will hear from candidates about what they will do for them once in office – but too many times people are left with the experience that Mr Lightbourn has faced. A wall of silence, a lack of answers and no indication that the public servants are working on behalf of Bahamians. The Tribune is not surprised at the long delays over decisions and wait for approvals – we have experienced the
same with some of our own staff. This kind of treatment is unfair for the many Bahamians who find themselves fighting through bureaucracy to get what they are entitled to. Why should a question mark be left hanging over the future of Mrs LewisLightbourn? Why shouldn’t she be able to take a full part in the civic life of The Bahamas? Why should she be made to feel less than she is entitled to be? We doubt this is just an isolated incident – how many others have been left uncertain over their long-term prospects for a job because paperwork hasn’t been sorted out or people have made decisions without offering a reason or explanation? This mess has lasted through both FNM and PLP governments – it’s not just down to one party or the other, but a long-term institutional problem that should have been sorted out long ago. Mr Lightbourn and his wife deserve answers – and they deserve them from the very top. He has written to the Prime Minister. In 2017, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis ran for office saying it was “The People’s Time”. Well, Dr Minnis, your people are calling, and it’s past time you gave an answer.
Davis on COVID PLP leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis is calling for action to stop a third wave of COVID-19. Or is he? He certainly talks a big game, with some tough words about learning from past mistakes, and having to act now. However, Mr Davis is also the man who has argued against lockdowns and against the emergency powers. Some ideas are just fine, such as allowing the import of medical-grade masks for the public – all well and good as long as there is enough supply for healthcare workers, but a bad idea if it means depriving those on the front line. Still, if there is enough supply, absolutely, go right ahead. He also wants isolation protocols to be strengthened – which we’d be surprised if that isn’t a goal across the medical system too. Mr Davis seems to favour dropping the requirement of testing for interisland travel – a move which if carried out will do nothing to protect against the virus or slow its spread. He also says not to rely on vaccines and lockdowns but to use a “broader set of tools” without particularly saying what those are. In short, he seems to want to be seen to be saying something while saying little.
Women must take their place EDITOR, The Tribune I READ The Tribune editorial of Friday, February 26 under the headline ‘What is being done to help women shine in politics’ and the concluding sentence - ‘Over to you, party leaders’, and want to express a different take on this subject. While there is work to be done by party leaders, there must also be a change in attitude amongst women. Mothers need to empower their daughters to have the confidence to say “we have something to contribute to our community that is not
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net hindered, but enhanced, by bringing a female perspective to problems”. We are worthy and equal to any job. We all know this is true as many institutions thrive and are built on the bedrock of female participation – the church, hospitals and education, to name a few. We have been politely waiting to be given equal power but that is not something anyone will be sharing voluntarily. Women need to
assert the balance that is needed in all things political for the betterment of our community. The glass ceiling has been broken by women like Mother Pratt, Janet Bostwick and others, let us not lose ground now by waiting on our male counterparts to give us what is rightly ours. Women need to embrace their equality, not as a stick to beat down males, but as a responsibility to future generations to ensure a more equitable, happier society. JOANNE SMITH Nassau, February 26, 2021
Lost faith in the US EDITOR, The Tribune. IT SEEMS that US security is being blamed for its slow response to requests for more police units to be sent to protect the Capitol building in Washington on January 6, which was being threatened with attack by hundreds of Trump supporters. I don’t find them raising their eyebrows at such a request strange at all – wasn’t this America? Only such unbridled madness happens in countries like Russia, or some banana republic. But not the great US of A. I, like many on the sidelines, believed that such a thing could never happen in such a great country – somebody must have just been getting over excited! I then turned on the TV and there it was – Trump, a president democratically defeated at the polls, but
too full of himself to accept that he was certainly not everybody’s cup of tea – inviting his supporters to take a walk with him and fight like hell for what he claimed was stolen from him at the polls. The best thing that ever happened to the United States was that Trump was defeated — although he claims that the election was stolen from him in a bizarre misstatement of facts. His claim of how the election was stolen, although no high court could find such theft, was so bizarre that what shocked me the most was that there are so many illinformed Americans in the Unites States who believed the lie. Imagine Americans, who have had such tremendous opportunities at education, etc, would believe such garbage and would arm themselves even using their
respected flag as an instrument of destruction, to fight for such madness. And now that the investigation is on, and demonstrators are being pulled out to answer for their sins, what is going to happen to their leader who encouraged such an angry mob — Trump described them as his supporters like some cuddly bunny rabbits – as he called on them “to fight” — and fight they did. Now they are the ones who will have to stand before the courts and be judged. But what happens to the instigator, who encouraged them to fight? No, my belief in the great USA has been shattered — to me it’s just another banana republic. NO LONGER BELIEVER Nassau, February 29, 2021
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THE TRIBUNE
Monday, March 1, 2021, PAGE 7
BANK WORKER FACES BTVI ‘is trying to intimidate employee’ $37,000 THEFT CHARGE By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
A FORMER Commonwealth Bank employee was charged in a Magistrate’s Court on Friday with stealing more than $30,000 from her employer over a sevenmonth period. Angel Hudson, 25, of Eleuthera, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt faced with 22 counts of stealing by reason of employment and
18 counts of falsification of accounts. It is alleged that Hudson stole over $37,000 from the bank while employed at its branch in Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, between June 2020 and January 2021. Officers also allege that between those same dates, Hudson made numerous false entries into the savings accounts of several customers “by posting a fraudulent debit” to purport a decrease in funds in the customers’
respective accounts. Hudson pleaded guilty to all of the offences read to the court during Friday’s hearing. However, her case was adjourned to Monday for a hearing on the remaining charges. Chief Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt also deferred bail until that time given the fact that all of the offences for which Hudson has been accused had not been read during Friday’s court proceedings.
MAN ‘THREATENED TO KILL PAIR’ By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
A 44-YEAR-OLD man was charged in Magistrate’s Court on Friday for threatening to kill two men. Taro Saunders, 44, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt, charged with threatening Gilbert Saunders Sr and Gilbert Saunders Jr with death on February 10. During the arraignment, Saunders pleaded not guilty to both counts. Saunders was granted bail at $3,500 with one surety. He was also ordered to report to the
Grove Police Station each Tuesday. His matter was adjourned to September 15 for trial. Antoinette Hilton, 34, also appeared in court on Friday charged with threats of harm. It is alleged Hilton threatened Sharmaine Knowles with harm on February 10. According to the prosecution, Mrs Knowles told police she and her husband were driving in Pinewood Gardens that day when she was threatened by a woman who had called her husband. When given the chance to speak, Hilton claimed she was dating Knowles’ husband at the time who had
told her he was in the process of divorcing his wife. However, Hilton claimed when she tried to call him on the day in question, his wife picked up the phone and started threatening her at which point she replied, she will “get her gun”. During Friday’s hearing, Hilton admitted to being under the influence of alcohol that day and claimed she was not serious when she made those remarks. Magistrate Samuel McKinney subsequently bound Hilton over to keep the peace for one year. He told her that failure to do so would result in a $500 fine or one month imprisonment.
‘I DON’T TIEF - I DOES WASH CAR’ By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
A 50-YEAR-OLD man accused of stealing a car bumper last month was granted $500 bail in the Magistrate’s Court on Friday. Michael Pierre appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney charged with
one count of stealing and one count of receiving. It is alleged that Pierre, while being concerned with another on January 22, stole the front bumper of a black Nissan March, the property of Anishka Newbold. He is also accused of dishonestly receiving the car bumper on the same day that he was concerned with another, knowing the
item was obtained through unlawful means. Magistrate McKinney told the court the item is valued at $250. During Friday’s hearing, Pierre denied both charges. “I don’t tief. I does wash car,” he told the court. Magistrate McKinney granted Pierre $500 bail with one surety. The case was adjourned to April 2.
JADRIAN TURNQUEST, left, delivering a case of the new Guinness Smooth to 100 Jamz, the home of the Guinness Bomb. He is pictured with Jamal “Mista Xcitement” Rodgers, programme director at Tribune Radio Ltd.
Smooth talking COMMONWEALTH Brewery Limited (CBL) has introduced Guinness Smooth as its newest Guinness variant. Guinness Smooth, as compared to Guinness Foreign Extra Stout (Guinness FE), is sweeter, less filling and has a lower ABV of five percent. In 1987, CBL began to brew Guinness FE locally and introduced it to the Bahamian market. Since then, Guinness FE has become a huge success and the preferred stout for many Bahamians; ultimately leading the brand to becoming a number 1 seller
in The Bahamas. In recent times it has become a consumer trend to add mixers such as juice or energy drinks to Guinness FE. Jadrian Turnquest, Guinness brand manager at CBL, thought it appropriate to introduce a smooth and refreshing option. In addition to the behavioral trends, he noted that there had been very little innovations from Guinness in its 34 years with CBL. “Guinness Smooth is not intended to replace Guinness FE but to offer an alternative to those who find the original recipe a bit
harsh,” he said. “While the essence of Guinness remains the same, Guinness Smooth is a flavorful beer with the perfect balance of bitter roast characters and sweet malt. The roasted barley, specially selected malts and hops work in tandem to create a distinct, smooth taste.” Guinness Smooth was originally released in 2003 as part of the Diageo portfolio and is one of 12 Guinness products available worldwide. Guinness Smooth is available at all 700 Wines and Spirits, nationwide, as well as local retailers.
By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net
THE union vying to represent workers at the Bahamas Technical Vocational Institute has accused the facility of “trying to intimidate” an employee as part of an investigation to find out who was behind flyers circulated on social media about the school. The flyer in question, which was circulated online in January, claimed there was a theft ring at BTVI, that an executive manager was involved and two people were fired because of it. At that time, The Tribune reached out to BTVI’s chairman, Kevin Basden, who admitted there was an ongoing investigation into malfeasances at the tertiary institution, but did not confirm the firings nor the involvement of the executive manager. Shortly after his interview, BTVI released a statement that exonerated the executive manager and admitted two employees were fired as the flyer said. The school has maintained there was no evidence of a theft ring. A company was hired to conduct an investigation into the wrongdoing at the school, however the union said even though BTVI’s statement said the investigation was over, somehow a probe remains open into who generated the flyer. On Friday, for the second time, an employee was called into a meeting with the investigators to be questioned about the origin of the flyer. The first time he was accompanied by Daniel Thompson, president of the Union of Tertiary Educators of The Bahamas. At the second meeting on Friday, the staff member reported with his
UTEB president Daniel Thompson lawyer and Mr Thompson, however the latter was reportedly ordered out by the investigator. “They are trying to pinpoint the production and the promulgation of this flyer,” Mr Thompson explained. “BTVI told you that the matter of the investigation was finished. Why are they now coming behind my member to try to intimidate him? If you have evidence that he distributed this flyer then simply produce it so he can answer your charge. “From I was there (BTVI) a few weeks ago I asked this investigator if he had digital fingerprints of my member being involved. He said ‘No, no, I am not saying that!’ “But he is acting like he is investigating a criminal. He came today again, without any evidence. “The same security consultant very rudely and aggressively told me to come off the campus in my own country. Of course he is acting on behalf of the president. He was very rude to me. I know BTVI has no labour representation at the time, but I was there representing him in a private capacity.” The Tribune reached out to Mr Basden about the allegations, as he had previously said the matter was closed. “We issued a statement
once saying investigations at BTVI were completed and we stand by that,” Mr Basden said. “It is completed. There is another matter where internal investigations are taking place, but we are not in a position to say anything at this time.” However, Mr Thompson referred to this “new” investigation as a “fishing expedition” and a “Spanish inquisition”. He feels the investigator is simply prolonging the matter to earn his keep as there is no evidence to support his claim. “They are asking him (the worker) about an IP address that is not his own,” Mr Thompson said. “That man (investigator) is trying to keep his contract. He is trying to show his worth. “This is the same fishing expedition taking place again along with intimidation. They could not produce any evidence, beating around the bush. They are using this as an opportunity to union bust and to intimidate this gentleman because they suspect he is interested in being a member of UTEB. “He has had a lot of challenges with his immediate supervisor who has been trying to get at him so this is an opportunity to union bust; the supervisor gets his cake and they have to somehow prove that they didn’t let this thing go out so someone has to be sacrificed. That sacrifice will not be my member! They claim to have a package full of documents. When the attorney asked to see the documented evidence they claim to have, they have refused to show it to the attorney.” Mr Thompson said if the investigators have evidence against the employee, they should take it to the police so they can conduct a thorough investigation.
MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2021
THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS
‘We put these people in power to help us and all we get is a wall of silence’ By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net
to get that renewed, they told me ‘no that will not be renewed’ so I had to make an application for it and it was denied and I was STAFFORD Lightbourn advised that I had to make and his wife, Sharon Lewis- an application for a Work Lightbourn need answers. Permit for her.” Like any normal couple, Mr Lightbourn said the they fell in love and were Department of Immigration ultimately married on April told him he, not only had to 24, 2010. The sky was the look into a Work Permit for limit for them until the his wife, but he had to find Department of Immigration somebody else to make the threw a monkey wrench in application for it. their horizon. “I wrote them back and Shortly after the mari- told them I have nobody tal vows were exchanged, to apply for a Work Permit Stafford set about getting for my wife and I was quite his foreign-born wife citi- capable of taking care of zenship to the country they her myself. I eventually were to reside in – The made an appointment to Bahamas. Sharon is origi- see the Director of Imminally from Jamaica and gration who told me all of according to The Bahamas it should not be done like Constitution’s Statute Law that. He immediately went on Citizenship, she is enti- downstairs and assisted me tled to become a citizen of in making another appliThe Bahamas once she is cation for Spousal Permit married to a Bahamian. and he approved that right Unfortunately, the road there and then. to citizenship is an uphill “That was good for a fiveclimb for year period. Sharon, as ‘I wrote the After the fivesince 2010 she year period and her hus- Director was up, I went band have been concerning back there to unsuccessful in it. I wrote the make an appliobtaining the cation for the much desired Minister of citizenship. I citizenship for Immigration was then told I her. could not make “I applied concerning an application for citizenship it. I wrote the citizenfor my wife the Attorney General for ship alone, I week after we would also got married”, explaining what said Stafford. the situation was have to make “They didn’t and my last letter an application for Residency acknowledge Spousal me as such. was to the Prime and Permit as well. They made Minister after I made appliit seem like I they refused her cation for the came to beg them for some- citizenship again. three of them. Two years thing. They I have not heard told me that I from him as yet.’ later they said the Spousal am not permitPermit had ted to make any application for citizen- been approved. Later on ship at that time. They told I received a letter saying me she could only make the Residency was turned application for a Spousal down.” After enduring all of that Permit. We did so. That only lasts for a year. They over the years, Mr Lighthave nothing in place to bourn received a letter say what proper procedures from the Department of Immigration, dated June are. “When I went back a 19, 2020, advising him that year later to renew that his wife’s application for they told me I won’t citizenship was “refused”, be able to renew that, however it said, the “board I would have to make has agreed to grant Permaanother application. I did nent Residence with the it a month later and they right to work”. The letter further advised wrote me back and said that was denied and reclas- Mr Lightbourn that a Residence sified as a Work Visa with Permanent a payment of $1,000 upon Certificate will remain “in approval. I paid the $1,000 force” during the lifetime and she was issued a visa. of the person to whom it That was only good for a is granted unless revoked year. When I went back under Section 18. After
STAFFORD Lightbourn and his wife. asking for the requirements of passport pictures, a police character certificate and a payment of $1,000.00, the letter stated that if Mr Lightbourn did not indicate acceptance of the offer within a year, it would be withdrawn. Having no other choice, because he wanted his wife covered to reside in The Bahamas, he paid the requested fees and took the offer of Residency for his wife. Sharon Lewis-Lightbourn is now a resident of The Bahamas with the right to work, but no right to vote. The Department of Immigration never gave a reason why Mrs Lightbourn was not granted citizenship. “We went and paid the $1,000 for her Residency and months later we were issued a certificate,” Mr Lightbourn continued. “That is not what the law says. She should be granted citizenship. She should not be given less than what the law entitles them to. They never gave a reason why. “I wrote the Director concerning it. I wrote the Minister of Immigration concerning it. I wrote the Attorney General explaining what the situation was and my last letter was to the Prime Minister after they refused her citizenship again. I have not heard
from him as yet. None of them responded to me. They were put in power to serve the people. How did they get like that? We cannot continue letting our officials who we put in power to treat us in this manner.” The Tribune contacted the Director of Immigration’s office but was told he was unavailable. We also reached out to the Minister responsible for Immigration for clarity on the matter. He messaged saying he would call back, but he never did. Mr Lightbourn supplied The Tribune with his Birth Certificate proving he is in fact a Bahamian; a copy of his Marriage Certificate; the letter he received from the Department of Immigration denying his wife citizenship and the letter he ultimately wrote to the Prime Minister. This is an excerpt from the letter he wrote to the Prime Minister: “It’s been over ten years now since my wife became a citizen of The Bahamas by way of the Constitution, under article 10 of the Constitution of The Bahamas. She has spent the last ten years waiting for the Bahamas
Immigration to acknowledge and register her as a citizen. On June 19, 2020, she received a letter from Immigration saying her application has been refused by Immigration to register as a citizen. Well I know I don’t have to tell you how wrong they are for doing that. You have the evidence there in your hand. “I have watched some news on TV from around the world showing how some country’s Governments mistreat and oppress their citizens and I would think to myself that would never happen here in The Bahamas. I am writing this letter to you with much faith knowing that you would make this right and
put The Bahamas Immigration Department back under the Constitution of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and stop oppressing the people of The Bahamas.” The only thing Stafford got in return for his plea to the Prime Minister was silence. This is all too familiar. Stafford and Sharon Lightbourn deserve an answer. Sharon deserves the citizenship the constitution says is allowed her. Can someone, please, explain why this has not happened. Sadly we suspect theirs is a story which will ring true for many other families in similar situations.
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
INSIGHT
MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2021 PAGE 9
ELECTIONEERING IN PERILOUS ECONOMIC TIMES
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis pictured at the opening of the Macfit Gym on February 22, and PLP leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis at an event held by the party this weekend. Photos: Donovan McIntosh and Racardo Thomas By MALCOLM STRACHAN THE bleak state of the country was reinforced last week when Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis delivered the Mid-Year Budget Communication in Parliament. Although Dr Minnis continues to sound optimistic, a rebound of the scale needed is untenable while we are still wrestling with COVID-19. With government revenue down by $425m and expenditure up by $112m, the decision to borrow was seemingly easy to make. But now, as we wrap our minds around a ballooning fiscal deficit of $736.1m and a lopsided debt-toGDP ratio of 78.8 percent, a pertinent question looms: How are we going to get ourselves out of this? Or perhaps, even better, who is equipped to get us out of this? The Central Bank of The Bahamas has projected that things will get worse. Forecasting the country’s debt will tower to an eyepopping $9.5 billion, there is much cause for concern. It is worth noting that, historically, recessions typically lead to a change of government. The National Bureau of Economic Research, having studied economic changes in America during election years, found that in each instance of a recession or harsh economic times, presiding heads of state were given their walking papers. As far back as Abraham Lincoln and as recently as Donald Trump, both former Presidents’ elections and firings were influenced by the state of the economy. We cannot negate the fact other issues played a significant role, especially in Trump’s case, and that racial issues have been ignored for over 400 years. But, undoubtedly, the tipping point for Americans was the economy which was exacerbated by COVID-19. Likewise, we, here in The Bahamas are in a hole we aren’t able to dig ourselves out of in the immediate term. Parties vying for government ought to be careful in politicising the state of the economy during the election race. The Minnis
administration’s commitment to providing social assistance to support Bahamians and buoy small businesses through grants and loans through the SBDC are laudable initiatives. But as we know, elections can lead to wild and unnecessary spending, and in some cases, more borrowing. There has been a global appetite for borrowing during the pandemic with many countries having few alternatives. The World Economic Forum noted one of the consequences of the pandemic is that public debt levels, as well deficits, have hit record highs. And while economists are less conservative on the level of debt countries around the world are amassing to stave
off an economic collapse, closer than some may be the importance was placed projecting, we hope the heavily on how the money focus remains clear and that is used and the interest the Bahamian people are level remaining low. kept first. This means, among other Both sides have already things, it will be crucial for started their campaign the government efforts - while not to make ‘Parties vying speculation decisions that about when the are the antith- for government bell will ring esis of the fiscal ought to be continues to record just careful in build. Thus far, because an electhe Prime Mintion is on the politicising ister has been way. non-committal the state of The Baha- the economy on a date. mian people As the maragreed the during the keting engines Christie admin- election race.’ have revved istration was up for both a poorly run parties, it is evishop, blighted by fiscal dent they haven’t spared recklessness, corruption any expense on advertisand scandal. With an elec- ing budgets. We’ve seen a tion battle that looks to be plethora of ads with both
Davis and Minnis selling themselves to the Bahamian people. And while this time of year usually leads to a lot of excitement, one can’t help but wonder if these funds are being used in the optimal way. When we consider the challenges thousands of Bahamians are facing and may continue to battle with for an extended period, is this money well spent? Moreover, unless we’re truly on the verge of a snap election, do both political parties intend to keep this up heading into the middle of next year? Meanwhile, both men are trying to impress their respective portrayals upon the electorate – one as a healer and life saver, the other as someone who
understands the plight of the Bahamian people. Rather than self-promotion, how refreshing would it be for the money spent on advertising to instead, be used to make a tangible difference in the lives of Bahamians in a time as unique to our experience as this. Such an act would speak far more to the heart of the citizenry than an ad with a spirit that does not resonate with the times that we’re going through. The Bahamian people need our leaders to come to us with real plans about how we are going to go beyond getting through these times with their encouragement, but also with their guidance and acknowledgement that we are in this together.
PAGE 10 MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2021
INSIGHT
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
US–Cuba normalisation could increase production of COVID-19 vaccines World View
By SIR RONALD SANDERS
IF US President Joe Biden eases the trade embargo against Cuba, one benefit to developing countries, including the Caribbean, could be greater access to coronavirus vaccines at an affordable price. Cuban scientists have been working on four vaccine candidates to counter the virus. They believe their most successful candidate, Sovereign 2, will enter a final phase of testing next month. Vincent Verez, one of the leading scientists on the Cuban team, says clinical tests, in two trial phases so far, have revealed Sovereign 2 is “very safe with very few adverse effects”. The scientific team claims that producing the vaccine was made more difficult by the sanctions on Cuba. They were not able to buy all the equipment and raw materials they needed, including spectrometers used for quality control. Nonetheless, their work is continuing. They have used a 20-year-old spectrometer that is still powerful enough to analyse the vaccine. Cuba’s biotech sector is well developed, making eight vaccines (for other diseases) administered to children in the country and exported to more than 30 countries. A successful coronavirus vaccine from Cuba would help to break the global control of the market by the big pharmaceutical companies in the US and Europe. Cuba’s geographical location in the Caribbean and its willingness to share a successful vaccine with the developing world, would ease the pressure on CARICOM countries which face a twin problem in relation to inoculating their people. The first is to access vaccines being produced by the large pharmaceutical companies particularly, Pfizer and Moderna, and the second is getting better prices. CARICOM countries
have not been able to vaccinate more than one percent of their people despite herculean efforts by governments to secure vaccines. The COVAX facility, established by the World Health Organization, to negotiate both supply and price with the major vaccine suppliers, has encountered major obstacles and is yet to deliver any of the vaccines for which Caribbean countries have already paid. A rollout is scheduled to start soon, but it will be less than 10 per cent of the quantities that were ordered. The generosity of the Indian government in donating 570,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines to CARICOM countries has helped them to get the inoculation programme started. But to get to the point of vaccinating 80 percent of their populations so as to achieve herd immunity, requires access to more vaccines at prices less than the suppliers are offering. Given the world’s richest countries have pre-ordered and pre-paid for supplies, the big pharmaceutical companies are under no pressure to reduce prices, or ramp up production, even as global demand is increasing rapidly. Pfizer expects about $15 billion in revenue this year from its COVID-19 vaccine developed with BioNTech. Further, the governments of countries, in which the large producers of vaccines are located, have implemented measures, restricting exports of COVID-19 vaccines, citing intellectual property rights. Pfizer and Moderna claim the rights to vast amounts of intellectual property that will be useful, if not necessary, for others to develop vaccines in the future. Sadly, the governments of the countries in which Pfizer and Moderna are located have also spurned urgings to facilitate such exports. Human rights, including the
A SCIENTIST works on the development of Abdala, an experimental vaccine for COVID-19, at the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) in Havana, Cuba, on Thursday. Photo: Ramon Espinosa/AP right to life and health, have against Cuba is its listing, list of States sponsoring ter- come from pursuing a decin the last days of Trump’s rorism to be revoked. been disregarded. ades-old failed policy that At the same time, others, no one wants, except disFor these reasons, it administration, as a sponwould be beneficial to sor of terrorism. The critics including the new Chair gruntled Cuban-American the Caribbean if the most of this listing have rightly of the US Senate Foreign exiles – a few of whom are promising of the four pointed out that it is unjus- Relations Committee, Bob in the US Congress. vaccines that Cuba is tified and serves no purpose Menendez, continue to • Responses and prevideveloping could secure other than to further crip- demand harder and tougher ous commentaries: www. World Health Organization ple the Cuban economy. measures against Cuba. sirronaldsanders.com (WHO) authorization after More particularly, it will The latter represent oppo hamper deals between sition, most of whom want successful testing. The writer is Antigua and While he was campaign- Cuba and other countries. nothing less than the immeBarbuda’s Ambassador to ing for the US Presidency, Governments of Cuba’s diate collapse of the Cuban the United States and the Joe Biden pledged to closest neighbours, includ- government. Organization of American President Biden’s reverse sanctions placed on ing CARICOM, have called States. He is also a Senior instincts on normalization Cuba by former President for its reversal. Fellow at the Institute of About 20 churches and of US relations with Cuba Donald Trump in his efforts Commonwealth Studies at to win Florida where a large religious organizations in are grounded in the sucthe University of London number of Cuban exiles the US also sent a letter on cessful efforts of the Barack and Massey College in the 17 February, to President Obama administration of reside. University of Toronto. The One of the most Biden asking that the deci- which he was Vice Presiviews expressed are entirely unfounded measures sion to include Cuba on the dent. Nothing good will his own.
LEARN TO LISTEN AND AVOID CONFLICT By SGT MAKELLE PINDER CONFLICT is a normal and necessary part of healthy relationships. After all, people aren’t expected to agree on everything at all times. Therefore, learning how to deal with conflict— rather than avoiding it, is crucial. When conflict is mismanaged, it can harm any relationship. But when handled in a respectful and positive way, conflict provides an opportunity for growth, ultimately strengthening the bond between individuals. However, based on the daily acts of violence that occur in our little country, it clearly indicates that how we handle our anger and how we deal with other people who are angry, can make the difference between managing conflict effectively and having conflict end in violence. Therefore listed below are a few conflict resolution safety tips. Unhealthy responses to conflict are: • An inability to recognise and respond to the things that matter to the other person. • Explosive, angry, hurtful and resentful reactions. • Quick to resort to the use of weapons and profanity. • The withdrawal of love,
resulting in rejection, isolation, shaming and fear of abandonment. • The fear and avoidance of conflict, along with the expectation of bad outcomes. • An inability to compromise or see the other person’s side. Healthy responses to conflict are: • The capacity to recognise and respond to the things that matter to other people. • Calm, non-defensive and respectful reactions. • A readiness to forgive, forget and move past the conflict, without holding a grudge or anger. • The ability to seek compromise and avoid punishing an individual. • A belief that facing conflict head on, is the best thing for both sides. • Remember that conflict is a normal reaction,
therefore please choose your battles wisely and learn how and when to walk away. • Always maintain the mental ability to ignore ignorant people and senseless conversations. • Compromise and think before acting. Remember that life does not have a restart button. However, if applied the safety tips provided can minimise your chances of becoming a victim. If for any reason you should fall prey to any criminal act as a result of a lack of “conflict resolution”, please contact the police as soon as possible. Or, if you come across any suspicious person(s) or have any information pertaining to any crime, please do not hesitate to contact call the police emergency at ‘919’ or Crime Stoppers at 328-tips (New Providence), 1-3008476 (Family Islands).
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
A STATUE in Martinique marking the liberation from slavery. by THOMAS CRAEMER Associate Professor of Public Policy, University of Connecticut
unfair to saddle generations of people with a debt for which they were not personally responsible. There is an important caveat in these cases of reparations though: The payments went to former slave owners and their descendants, not the enslaved or their legal heirs.
THE cost of slavery and its legacy of systemic racism to generations of black Americans has been clear over the past year – seen in both the racial disparities of the pandemic and widespread protests over police brutality. Yet whenever calls for A prominent example reparations are made – as is the so-called “Haitian they are again now – oppo- Independence Debt” that nents counter that it would saddled revolutionary Haiti be unfair to saddle a debt with reparation payments on those not personally to former slave owners in responsible. France. In the words ‘Payouts for Haiti declared of then-Senate independence slavery have Majority Leader from France in Mitch McCo- been made 1804, but the nnell, speaking before – former colonial on Juneteenth power refused numerous – the day black to acknowlAmericans cele- times, in edge the fact for brate as marking fact. And few another 20 years. emancipation – Then in 1825, at the time in 2019: “I don’t King Charles X think reparations complained decreed that he for something that it was would recognise that happened unfair to independence, 150 years ago for but at a cost. The whom none of us saddle currently living generations of price tag would be 150 million are responsible is people with a francs – more a good idea.” As a professor debt for which than 10 years of the Haitian of public policy they were not government’s who has studentire revenue. ied reparations, personally The money, the I acknowledge responsible.’ French said, that the figures was needed to involved are large – I conservatively esti- compensate former slave mate the losses from unpaid owners for the loss of what wages and lost inheritances was deemed their property. By 1883, Haiti had paid to black descendants of the enslaved at around $20 tril- off some 90 million francs in reparations. But to finance lion in today’s money. But what often gets for- such huge payments, Haiti gotten by those who oppose had to borrow 166 milreparations is that payouts lion francs with the French for slavery have been made banks Ternaux Grandolpe before – numerous times, et Cie and Lafitte Rothin fact. And few at the time schild Lapanonze. Loan complained that it was interests and fees added
EXTORTING HAITI
INSIGHT
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2021 PAGE 11
REPARATIONS HAVE BEEN PAID JUST NOT TO THE PEOPLE ENSLAVED
to the overall sum owed to France. The payments ran for a total of 122 years from 1825 to 1947, with the money going to more than 7,900 former slave owners and their descendants in France. By the time the payments ended, none of the originally enslaved or enslavers were still alive.
BRITISH ‘REPARATIONS’
French slave owners weren’t the only ones to receive payment for lost revenue, their British counterparts did too – but this time from their own government. The British government paid reparations totalling £20m (equivalent to some £300 billion in 2018) to slave owners when it abolished slavery in 1833. Banking magnates Nathan Mayer Rothschild and his brother-in-law Moses Montefiore arranged for a loan to the government of $15m to cover the vast sum – which represented almost half of the UK government’s annual expenditure.
The UK serviced those loans for 182 years from 1833 to 2015. The authors of the British reparations programme saddled many generations of British people with a reparations debt for which they were not personally responsible.
PAYING FOR FREEDOM
In the United States, reparations to slave owners in Washington, DC, were paid at the height of the Civil War. On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the “Act for the Release of certain Persons held to Service or Labor within the District of Columbia” into law. It gave former slave owners $300 per enslaved person set free. More than 3,100 enslaved people saw their freedom paid for in this way, for a total cost in excess of $930,000 – almost $25m in today’s money. In contrast, the formerly enslaved received nothing if they decided to stay in the United States. The act provided for an emigration incentive of $100 – around
$2,683 in 2021 dollars – if the former enslaved agreed to permanently leave the United States. Similar examples of reparations going to individual slave owners can be found in the records of countries including Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden, as well as Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay, Venezuela, Peru and Brazil. The French government even set an example on how the government can conduct genealogical research to determine eligible recipients. It compiled a massive six-volume compendium in 1828, listing some 7,900 original slave owners in Saint Domingue and their French descendants.
REPARATIONS, THIS TIME THE OTHER WAY ROUND…
Blessed with detailed US Census records and local archives, I believe the government could do the same for the black descendants of enslaved Americans. In the 1860 census, the last one before the Civil
War, the government counted 3,853,760 enslaved people in the United States. Their direct descendants live among close to 50 million black residents in the United States today. Using historic census records to estimate the number of man, woman and child-hours available to slave owners from 1776 to 1860, I estimated how much money the enslaved lost considering the meagre wages for unskilled labour at the time, which ranged from 2 cents in 1790 to 8 cents in 1860. At a very moderate interest rate of 3 percent, I arrived at an estimate of $20.3 trillion in 2021 dollars for the total losses to black descendants of enslaved Americans living today. It is a huge sum – roughly one year’s worth of the US GDP – but a figure that would comfortably close the racial wealth gap. The difference is, in contrast to historical precedents, this time the benefits would go to the black descendants of the enslaved, not to enslavers and their offspring. • Originally published on theconversation.com
PAGE 12, Monday, March 1, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
NIGERIAN FAMILIES AWAIT NEWS OF KIDNAPPED GIRLS
JANGEBE, Nigeria Associated Press
FATHER Aliyu Ladan Jangebe, whose four daughters are among more than 300 girls abducted by gunmen on Friday.
FAMILIES in Nigeria waited anxiously for news of their abducted daughters after more than 300 schoolgirls were kidnapped by gunmen from a government school in the country’s north last week, the latest in a series of mass school kidnappings in the West African nation. Worried parents yesterday gathered at the school, guarded by police. Aliyu Ladan Jangebe said his five daughters aged between 12 and 16 were at the school when the kidnappers
stormed in. Four were taken away but one escaped by hiding in a bathroom with three other girls, he told The Associated Press. “We are not in (a) good mood because when you have five children and you are able to secure (just) one. We only thank God ... But we are not happy,” said Jangebe. “We cannot imagine their situation,” he said of his missing daughters. Residents of a nearby village said the kidnappers had herded the girls through the town like animals, he said. One resident said the gunmen also attacked a
nearby military camp and checkpoint, preventing soldiers from responding to the mass abduction. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said the government’s priority is to get all the hostages returned safe and unharmed. Police and the military have begun joint operations to rescue the girls, said Mohammed Shehu, a police spokesman in Zamfara state. The girls’ abduction has caused international outrage. Pope Francis decried the kidnapping and prayed for the girls’ quick release,
during his public address in St Peter’s Square yesterday. “I pray for these girls, so that they may return home soon ... I am close to their families and to them,” Francis said, asking people to join him in prayer. Last week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the abductions and called for the girls’ “immediate and unconditional release” and safe return to their families. He called attacks on schools a grave violation of human rights and the rights of children, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
PROTESTERS shout slogans as police arrive during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay, Myanmar, yesterday.
UN: 18 killed in Myanmar YANGON, Myanmar Associated Press SECURITY forces in Myanmar opened fire and made mass arrests yesterday as they sought to break up protests against the military’s seizure of power, and a UN human rights official said it had “credible information” that 18 people were killed and 30 were wounded. That would be the highest single-day death toll among protesters who are demanding that the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi be restored to power after being ousted by a February 1 coup. About 1,000 people are believed to have been detained yesterday. “Deaths reportedly occurred as a result of live ammunition fired into crowds in Yangon, Dawei, Mandalay, Myeik, Bago and Pokokku,” the UN Human Rights Office said in a
statement referring to several cities, adding that the forces also used tear gas, flash-bang grenades and stun grenades. “We strongly condemn the escalating violence against protests in Myanmar and call on the military to immediately halt the use of force against peaceful protesters,” its spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani was quoted saying. An Associated Press journalist was taken into police custody on Saturday morning while providing news coverage of the protests. The journalist, Thein Zaw, remains in police custody. The Democratic Voice of Burma reported that as of 5pm in Myanmar, there had been 19 confirmed deaths in nine cities, with another ten deaths unconfirmed. The independent media company broadcasts on satellite and digital terrestrial television, as well as online.
DVB counted five deaths in Yangon and two in Mandalay, the largest and second-largest cities. It registered five deaths in Dawei, a much smaller city in southeastern Myanmar that has seen tens of thousands of protesters nearly every day since the coup. Witnesses said yesterday’s march was also large and people were determined not to be driven off the streets. Confirming the deaths of protesters has been difficult amid the chaos and general lack of news from official sources, especially in areas outside Yangon, Mandalay and the capital of Naypyitaw. But in many cases, photos and video circulated showed circumstances of the killings and gruesome photos of bodies. The independent Assistance Association of Political Prisoners reported it was aware that about 1,000 people were detained
Sunday, of whom they were able to identify 270. That brought to 1,132 the total number of people the group has confirmed being arrested, charged or sentenced since the coup. Gunfire was reported almost as soon the protests began Sunday morning in Yangon, as police also fired tear gas and water cannons while trying to clear the streets. Photos of shell casings from live ammunition used in assault rifles were posted on social media. Initial reports on social media identified one young man believed to have been killed. His body was shown in photos and videos lying on a sidewalk until other protesters carried him away. In Dawei, local media reported at least three people were killed during a protest march, supported by photos and video. Photos on social media showed one wounded man in the care of medical personnel.
Before Sunday, there had been eight confirmed reports of killings linked to the army’s takeover, according to the independent Assistance Association of Political Prisoners. The February 1 coup reversed years of slow progress toward democracy after five decades of military rule. Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party would have been installed for a second five-year term in office, but the army blocked Parliament from convening and detained her and President Win Myint, as well as other top members of Suu Kyi’s government. Yesterday morning, medical students marched in Yangon near the Hledan Center intersection, which has become the gathering point for protesters who then fan out to other parts of the city. Videos and photos showed protesters running as police charged at them, and residents setting up
makeshift roadblocks to slow their advance. Some protesters managed to throw tear gas canisters back at police. Nearby, residents were pleading with police to release those they picked up from the street and shoved into police trucks to be taken away. Dozens or more were believed to be detained. “The world is watching the actions of the Myanmar military junta, and will hold them accountable,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for New York-based Human Rights Watch. “Live ammunition should not be used to control or disperse protests and lethal force can only be used to protect life or prevent serious injury.” Security forces began employing rougher tactics on Saturday, taking preemptive actions to break up protests and making scores, if not hundreds, of arrests.
CRISIS GROWS FOR NEW YORK GOVERNOR OVER HARASSMENT CLAIMS ALBANY, New York Associated Press
THE crisis enveloping Gov Andrew Cuomo deepened yesterday as the state’s attorney general demanded he grant her the authority to investigate claims he sexually harassed at least two women who worked for him. Democrats statewide appeared to be abandoning Cuomo in large numbers as Attorney General Letitia James rejected two proposals by the governor for an investigation of his conduct. Under the governor’s
first plan, announced on Saturday evening, a retired federal judge would have reviewed his workplace behavior. In the second proposal, announced yesterday morning in an attempt to appease legislative leaders, Cuomo said he had asked James and the state’s chief appeals court judge, Janet DiFiore, to jointly appoint a lawyer to investigate the claims and issue a public report. But James said that plan didn’t go far enough, either. “I do not accept the governor’s proposal,” she said. “The state’s Executive Law
clearly gives my office the authority to investigate this matter once the governor provides a referral. While I have deep respect for Chief Judge DiFiore, I am the duly elected attorney general and it is my responsibility to carry out this task, per Executive Law. The governor must provide this referral so an independent investigation with subpoena power can be conducted.” The governor’s office didn’t immediately comment. The plan for James and DiFiore, who was appointed to her position
by Cuomo, to choose an investigator jointly, also met a cascade of criticism from fellow Democrats who called for him to relinquish all control of the investigation to James. Under state law, the state attorney general needs a referral from the governor in order to investigate his conduct. State Sen Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Senate majority leader and a Democrat from suburban Westchester County, said through her spokesperson, “We support the AG and her call for referral.”
The calls for an investigation into Cuomo’s workplace behavior intensified after a second former employee of his administration went public on Saturday with claims she had been harassed by the governor. Charlotte Bennett, a low-level aide in the governor’s administration until November, told The New York Times that Cuomo asked her inappropriate questions about her sex life, including whether she ever had sex with older men. Her accusation came
days after another former aide, Lindsey Boylan, a former deputy secretary for economic development and special adviser to the governor, elaborated on harassment allegations she first made in December. Boylan said Cuomo subjected her to an unwanted kiss and inappropriate comments. The 63-year-old Cuomo said in a statement on Saturday he had intended to be a mentor for Bennett, who is 25. He has denied Boylan’s allegations.