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The Tribune

Volume:115 No.70, MARCH 2ND, 2018

Established 1903

Weekend

A COMIC’S VIEW: UNCOVERING THE BAHAMIAN BLIND SPOT

LOCKED IN No right to scrap Oban deal over any environmental issue

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE government has relinquished its ability to terminate the heads of agreement with Oban Energies because of what environmental impact assessments may conclude about the safety of the project, according to the much-anticipated document which Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis tabled in Parliament yesterday evening.

This revelation comes after critics expressed concern that the agreement was signed before an EIA was conducted.

However, the agreement empowers the minister responsible for

the environment to force the discontinuation of any “operation or equipment” from the project that causes an environmental infraction.

The agreement, which Dr Minnis said would ease concerns that have emerged about people associated with the project, was signed

by Oban Energies’ President Satpal Dhunna, not Peter Krieger, the nonexecutive chairman of the company whose chequered past made headlines recently.

However, last week Mr Krieger signed a document related to the project during a press conference about the heads of agreement.

SEE PAGE SIX

ENIGMA READY FOR CARNIVAL

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis again accused the Christie administration of being corrupt, telling the House of Assembly last night he has heard that some foreign investors have been hesitant to do business here for fear of being asked for a “so-called incentive”.

Dr Minnis also hinted that scandalous information about the previous administration will be revealed next week when an anticipated

report into the Water and Sewerage Corporation will be tabled.

His comments came as he wrapped up debate in the House of Assembly on the Proceeds of Crime Bill and the Financial Transactions Reporting Bill, laws meant to clamp down on corruption and crime.

He said the government’s aim was to reduce domestic corruption as well as hinder any international groups who seek to use The Bahamas for nefarious means.

SEE PAGE SIX

HIT AND RUN FATALITY: TWO HELD IN BIMINI

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

POLICE have taken two men into custody in connection with Wednesday morning’s fatal hit and run.

Bimini officers made the arrests early Thursday morning, less than 24 hours after the incident occurred on New Providence.

Around 4am on Wednesday, Jean Penny Sirra, 39, was jogging along West Bay Street in the area of Bayrock when a rental vehicle fatally struck her.

Assistant Commissioner of Operational Support Kendall Strachan later described the accident during a press conference, saying: “The driver, having SEE PAGE THREE

OFFICIALS HUNT FOR LICENCE FORGERS

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net OFFICIALS from the Road Traffic Department yesterday confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the source of several “fake” licences that have turned up for renewal in recent weeks.

Road Traffic Controller Ross Smith yesterday called the matter an “ongoing problem”, one he claimed the department had first noticed in the months following its change in system.

The system change came in December of 2016 as a part of $8m automated system announced and introduced by the former Christie administration.

SEE PAGE THREE

KICKBACK DEMANDS KEPT INVESTORS AWAY

By TANEKA THOMPSON Tribune News Editor tmthompson@tribunemedia.net

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

THE ENIGMA carnival group yesterday unveiled its outfits for this year’s event. See Weekend section for more pictures.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

CCA BIDS TO KEEP BAHA MAR CONSTRUCTION DEAL SECRET

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

BAHA Mar’s main contractor yesterday urged the New York courts to seal its terms for restarting construction, as it bids to push Sarkis Izmirlian’s $2.25bn fraud lawsuit into arbitration.

THE BAHA MAR RESORT China Construction America (CCA) and its affiliates revealed in legal filings that they plan to

issue a motion “to compel mediation and arbitration, and to stay” the litigation launched against them by Baha Mar’s original developer on Boxing Day 2017.

To support its case, CCA will produce a document which allegedly sets out the terms it agreed with Baha Mar’s financier.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

INTERNATIONAL SOCCER PLAYER BAN ‘A TRAVESTY’

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

JARED Higgs’ lawyer Vincent Wallace-Whitfield called it a “travesty of justice where due process was not followed” in trying to determine how his client could be banned for four years from the Bahamas Football Association when he was never tested for any banned substances.

However, Wallace-Whitfield said Higgs was not notified that he missed a test until mid-2016, six months after the missed test.

FULL STORY - SEE SPORTS

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 2, 2018, PAGE 3

Hit and run fatality: two held in Bimini from page one struck the pedestrian, left the scene, leaving her dead in the streets.”

Although the vehicle was found shortly afterwards, the suspects were still at large until yesterday morning.

“Excellent work by officers of the Bimini District, resulted in the capture of two fugitives who are wanted by the Central Detective Unit in New Providence for a number of serious offences,” police said yesterday.

“Reports are that on Thursday 1, shortly after 12am, a team of officers of the Bimini District, acting on intelligence, went to a local marina and business establishment where they arrested two males.

“Both males are wanted by the Central Detective Unit in New Providence for killing in the course of dangerous driving, fraud and other serious matters.

“Both males will be taken to New Providence where they will face criminal charges.”

During Wednesday’s press conference, ACP

Strachan said there had been an “uptick” in pedestrian-related traffic accidents and hit and runs.

Wednesday’s fatality marked the fifth traffic-related death in five days, and occurred less than 24 hours after an elderly male pedestrian was struck and killed by another vehicle.

On Monday, a motorist was killed when a woman suspected of fleeing the scene of an earlier car crash collided into his vehicle.

That accident occurred on the intersection of Malcolm Road and East Street.

On Saturday, a man died after he was ejected from the passenger seat of car that collided with a SUV near Lake View Cemetery.

Last Friday, a passenger’s remains were found in a fire-damaged car after a collision with another car.

The accident occurred in Treasure Cay, Abaco.

Shortly after 8pm on Friday, police received a report of two vehicles on fire as a result of a traffic accident. In one of the cars, officers found human remains burnt beyond recognition.

According to the RBPF

crime statistics released earlier this year, 54 people died as a result of traffic accidents in 2017.

In the first two months of 2017, there were only eight traffic related deaths— five in January 2017 and three in February.

Consequently, the 15 traffic fatalities in the first two months of 2018 mark an 87.5 per cent increase when compared to this time last year.

In the wake of these tragedies, ACP Strachan pleaded with the public to exercise good road safety habits.

He said: “We are appealing to every one of you, drivers and pedestrians, to pay attention. And while we are also appealing, we constantly remind you of the importance of ensuring that you, firstly, and secondly the vehicle that you are driving, (are) appropriate for the streets.”

He called for drivers to hold valid licences and all vehicles to be properly licenced, registered, and insured.

He advised pedestrians to wear bright clothing, stay on the sidewalk, and exercise in well-lit areas.

OFFICIALS HUNT FOR LICENCE FORGERS from page one

BRENSIL ROLLE, MP for Garden Hills.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

MINISTER RESPONDS TO CONCERNS OF CORRECTIONS SERVICES OFFICERS

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net PUBLIC Services Minister Brensil Rolle has responded to claims that Department of Correctional Services officers are not receiving their pensions, their permanent and pensionable letters, nor are they being promoted.

Last Friday, Bahamas Prison Staff Association President Anthony Butler discussed these issues with The Tribune.

Mr Butler described the “selective process” whereby some formerly retired officers who work year-to-year receive both their pensions and salaries, while others do not.

Mr Butler said: “You had some persons receiving (both), and some persons weren’t receiving it. The persons who weren’t receiving it (were) much more than the persons who received it.”

According to Mr Butler, this issue dates back to mid2016, under the Christie administration.

Outside Parliament yesterday, Mr Rolle told The Tribune: “It’s just like the establishment. Some pensioners are re-engaged, just like the police reengage pensioners on a month-to-month basis, the same applies to the prison. But I don’t know where they’re not receiving any.

“They’re receiving one or the other.”

Mr Butler also said another major issue is that

there has been a delay in some officers receiving their permanent and pensionable letters.

He specifically referred to the 123 officers who were hired in 2016.

“I’ve been trying to get these letters from these individuals from last year.

Internally they’ve already passed their probation period, which was a year.

It’s now two years, and no one is really interested in getting these letters for them,” he said.

When asked about this issue, Mr Rolle said the claims of a delay are “possible”, and pointed to a backlog in the vetting process.

He said: “One of the issues that we have in the public service is many individuals were given (permission) to be officers — customs, immigration, prison, etc.

“And then one of the things the former government did not do was have their character(s) vetted.

“So that process has slowed it down tremendously, and I’ll speak more to that next week.

But that may be a reason why some individuals have not yet been given their permanent letter,” Mr Rolle said.

Mr Butler also said that promotions within the organisation are being withheld.

He said unlike other law enforcement agencies, which received a host of promotions in 2017, the Department of Correctional Services was only slated to receive 270.

By December, that number had dropped to 108, and officers still have yet to receive them. Mr Butler said this is “breaking down morale within the organisation”.

In response, Mr Rolle said: “We just became the government. We have not gone through that process (yet). We are processing some of the promotions we met in train.

“We’re seeking to process those. You’ve got to remember that when we came to Office, a number of issues were outstanding.

“Promotions (were) one of those issues and we’ve asked our ministry to

relook at what was taking place.

“And that process has started now. We are processing most of the promotions that were in place since last year.

“And it was related to the fact that promotions were to be had, but there were no provisions in the budget to pay for promotions. And so we’re now in a process with dealing with all of those things,” Mr Rolle said.

Mr Smith said officials and general staff recognised that several drivers applying for renewed licences in the months since the system change, possessed licence cards that either “looked wrong” or exhibited a lack of security details applied to the old cards.

“That’s when we realised that we had an issue,” Mr Smith said. “So from that point to now, we’ve worked to find these persons, analysing their cards while they wait and then turning the matter over to police.”

He continued: “We’ve noticed as the months have gone on since the initial finds, we’ve seen more and more.”

Asked if he could say how many fake licence cards the department has seen since the new system’s introduction, Mr Smith said he could not say exactly.

However, he later noted that five to six “fake cards” were identified this week alone.

Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash, officerin-charge of the Central Detective Unit (CDU), yesterday confirmed that police have arrested two persons who were reportedly in procession of fraudulent licences.

Meanwhile, Mr Smith told The Tribune his department was still working to find the source of the fraudulent cards.

On this point, he said: “This is the difficulty. We have examined these cards for some time now, and we notice that the way they are printed, we can say that they aren’t being printed in our offices with our printers.”

Mr Smith added: “Based on all we’ve seen and all we know, this is a national security matter and that

is why the police is now involved.

“The way the system was set up, if a licence was printed here, the system makes a note that we can later refer to when we are doing anything related to that licence.

“When we physically check our old system, there is no record of these licences and that’s the giveaway.”

In an audit conducted at the Road Traffic Department in 2016, Auditor General Terrence Bastian ruled that the department was collecting as little as 36 per cent of due vehicle licencing revenues on New Providence.

Mr Bastian and his team were unwilling to conclude that the Road Traffic Department was collecting just over $1 out of every $3 vehicle licencing dollars due on New Providence, instead finding that this revenue stream was being “under recorded by a minimum of $10m”.

Mr Bastian and his team also found that the department was in breach of its own Road Traffic Act, which requires it by law to maintain a register of all licenced motor vehicles, their owners, insurers and persons insured to drive them.

Mr Bastian, then, called on the department to “revamp and tailor its processes” to capture such information.

He noted in his report on the department: “It is paramount to the sustainability of the Road Traffic Department that processes are controlled to enable the collection of all, revenue due to the government.”

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PAGE 4, Friday, March 2, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

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We must guard our democracy AMONG many crises in the world, the continuing civil war in Syria is one of the most distressing. The current relentless bombardment of the so-called rebel area of Eastern Ghouta by Syrian government forces backed by Russia is considered by some to be perhaps the bloodiest episode of the country’s seven-year-old conflict. With untold numbers of civilians killed or maimed, it has become an humanitarian disaster described by the United Nations Secretary General as “hell on earth”.

Other ongoing conflicts in places like Myanmar, Yemen and the Congo, resulting in the death or displacement of millions of people, are equally terrible examples of man’s inhumanity to man, but they are receiving relatively less attention from the international media.

Internecine warfare in Syria has become more newsworthy not only because it is major part of the wider Middle East conflict but also on account of Russia’s support of President alAssad against the claimed rebel forces and the consequent involvement of the UN Security Council. It is seen as an indirect result of the destabilisation of the whole Middle East following the ill-advised and reckless US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. Moreover, the latest developments show once again the UN is largely ineffectual in responding to an international crisis when the interests of the major powers diverge to any serious extent.

Apart from condemning the unspeakable violence and bloodshed, we draw attention to the conflict in Syria in order to demonstrate, by way of extreme contrast, our own good fortune here at home in living in a well-ordered and stable democracy, with many of us oblivious to tragedies happening elsewhere in the world.

While it is in our own interests as a small sovereign nation in an inter-connected world to keep abreast of events beyond our shores in so far as we might be affected by them indirectly, we also need to be aware of serious international turmoil and count our blessings as we enjoy peace and unity under the rule of law. We should also remember, however, that our democracy is a precious commodity. It should not be taken for granted and needs to be both nurtured and constantly protected.

The notion that governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed goes back to the US Declaration of Independence. But its

resonance is just as strong in today’s world.

It follows that in a democracy the citizenry should be on its guard about how government exercises its powers and, in particular, if it oversteps them against the interests of the governed and even in defiance of the law. So, in our well-established body politic under the Westminster system of government, it is important any excesses of governmental power should be exposed - and this remains an important role of the fourth estate.

One current example which is causing growing concern is the operation of our immigration procedures. This is a sensitive issue in our country and many Bahamians harbour genuine fears about being overrun by immigrants from neighbouring Haiti, with its failed economy encouraging increasing numbers of its citizens to seek a better life here or en route to the USA. It is axiomatic that we should protect ourselves from uncontrolled mass migration and that our existing laws should be enforced. However, this must be done fairly and in accordance with accepted humanitarian standards, not least because the whole question of migrant detentions is currently in the international human rights spotlight.

Recent reported instances of unlawful detention of people by immigration officials and stories of their aggressive attitude and treatment of those suspected of immigration offences have been well publicised. There have also been disturbing reports of some officials allegedly demanding bribes and questioning decisions of the courts. In addition, we have heard of rudeness on the part of some officials in dealing with visitors arriving at our international airport.

If there is substantiated evidence that immigration officials are seeking to disregard the law or are exceeding their powers in whatever way, this must be stopped and the bad apples in the department weeded out. We urge the Government to act on this potentially serious problem before it spirals out of control.

It is a fundamental principle of our democracy that elected political leaders should be publicly accountable for their actions. It is their duty to ensure the nation’s laws are enforced, but it is also incumbent on them to keep in check corrupt or overly zealous officials who are acting on their behalf.

A well-deserved honour for Moss EDITOR, The Tribune.

I AM extremely happy that Rev Dr C B Moss was recently awarded the 2017 Golden Heart Award by the Sir Victor Sassoon Heart Foundation. For over 50 years Rev Moss worked tirelessly with many Organisations to improve the well-being and quality of life for all of our people, particularly the less fortunate.

His loyalty, commitment

and dedication to whatever he undertakes has established him as a rock in a weary land, and a shelter in the time of storm. I put it forward that the length and scope of his service to community an national development is not easily matched today.

That, however, is why I and many others are astounded that over these many years the Government of The Bahamas has never seen fit to recognise

the contributions of this great Bahamian with a State Honour, which obviously seems not to trouble him.

Nevertheless the Bahamian people know what we have in Rev Dr C B Moss, and we thank the Sassoon Heart Foundation for recognising it also. We say to God be the glory.

ground water for their water supply and they are not on a sewer system may I suggest they quickly have their water supply checked as no cesspit is watertight.

To the promoter may I suggest a Memorial Garden format with various Columbaria (walls where the remains after cremation will be placed). This would

create I suggest an exceptional improvement to the area.

Yes, the developer has to provide adequate car parking.

Householders you better check your well water supply…cesspits leak!

LORNA WILLIAMS Nassau, February 28, 2018.

Cemetery proposal EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT is certainly interesting that a promoter would be interested in developing a cemetery when traditional funerals and interments are now not the norm and cremation is.

Interesting arguments against the proposal, however, if the surrounding residential area uses

JEROME WILSON Nassau, February 27, 2018.

Garbage keeps on piling up EDITOR, The Tribune.

PLEASE allow me space in your column to express my concern about a very serious issue that has gotten little to no attention from all governments. I am talking about the issue of littering.

I have lived in Freeport for several years and it saddens me to see how a once clean city has literally become a garbage dump.

As I drive around the city, it is alarming to see the beer and liquor bottles, soda cans, paper, fast food containers, plastic utensils, plastic bags, paper bags, chip and chocolate bar paper, etc.

These items are thrown onto the streets and

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net roadsides by motorists and pedestrians who use our streets daily.

I have been trying to do my part by picking up trash on my own and by participating in several organised clean up campaigns, but this is not the answer to the problem.

Organising clean up campaigns is like a revolving door. People are littering faster than we can pick it up.

It has become so frustrating that I refuse to participate in any future clean up campaigns until our government decides to do something about it.

If there are no laws in place to curb this very serious problem, then now is the time to enact and enforce some laws.

We have been erecting anti-littering signs and taking out newspaper ads for many years and it is obvious that these don’t work as the problem is only getting worse.

We are living knee deep in garbage and it seems to be business as usual.

I am calling on my government to tackle this very serious problem or it will eventually tackle us.

Thank you.

ERVIN MISSICK Freeport, Grand Bahama, March 1, 2018.

The big mango deal EDITOR, The Tribune.

MANGOES and Plantains from Haiti - wow what a big deal!

I really wonder listening to the commentary of our ministers whether they live in a world of reality or a child as the smallest of issue becomes a mega deal and the mega deal means in reality absolutely nothing.

So these mangoes and plantains.

Agriculture knows precisely how much is imported now through Miami so they have an indication if it is in its wildest of dreams feasible to establish a Ro-Ro

container ship service between Haiti and Nassau (certainly Minister Symonette through his Sea Link can give them an estimate instantly).

So lets speculate - one container load of mangoes in season and one container load of plantains, maybe per week - can you operate a shipping service with just that and what are we going to send back to Haiti to pay for the return of the vessel?

Mango season, Bahamian ones lie at Potters Cay rotting, dah?

Get rid of the US Middle Man - our Produce Importers buy direct - ship with

Tropical Shipping to Miami who will bring the one or two containers to Nassau.

Is this a mega deal to merit all the comment from the Prime Minister and the.

Minister of Agriculture as if without them we will not starve?

I am wondering as this deal was already established by Christie & Co was it because of the shipping aspect it did not go forward? Totally unfeasible.

W THOMPSON Nassau, February 28, 2018.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 2, 2018, PAGE 5

Bills seek to cut out corruption

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net LAWMAKERS united yesterday to support the Proceeds of Crime Bill and the Financial Transactions Reporting Bill, laws meant to clamp down on corruption and crime, although Progressive Liberal Party leaders warned against overreach.

The Proceeds of Crime Bill was sparked by weaknesses identified in the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s assessment of the country’s anti-money laundering defences last year.

Among other things, the bill will allow authorities to target the wealth of civil servants, politicians, their relatives and suspected criminals who live beyond their legal income.

Several parliamentarians yesterday emphasised that, if enforced, the bill should allay concerns Bahamians have about elected officials who leave office with

NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames. substantially greater wealth no matter where they may than they had on entering be operating, in the comoffice. munities, in the financial National Security Min- centre, across jurisdictions ister Marvin Dames said: or on the deep web. Where “The nuts and bolts of these the Tracing and Forfeiture far reaching and significant of Proceeds of Drug Trafbills is to launch an effec- ficking Act of 1986 did not tive assault against the go far enough, the Proceeds criminal networks operat- of Crime (Bill) made some ing throughout our country, inroads and what those

acts were not successful in accomplishing, this bill will achieve and put our nation on par with global financial and anti-corruption strategies.”

PLP leaders, however, questioned provisions in the bill that would allow the property of people not convicted of a crime to be forfeited. They said this could result in possible constitutional violations. While the bill has provisions addressing convictionbased civil forfeiture, it also contains provisions for non-conviction based civil forfeiture, empowering the courts to grant an order of civil forfeiture in relation to properties when they conclude, “on a balance of probabilities,” that such property is “proceeds of criminal conduct, an instrumentality or terrorist property.”

Exuma and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper said: “There is a provision where a confiscation order may be had if a person is charged.

I implore the government

to seriously look into whether this section can stand up to constitutional scrutiny. The threshold for charging someone is not very high. We should not, in our haste, be so quick to leave behind the basic tenet of law that a person is presumed innocent until guilt is proven. The provisions in this section could potentially backfire and cause significant hardship if we get it wrong and lead to costly lawsuits against the government, for which the Bahamian people will ultimately foot the bill. We must take care that this and other provisions of the bill do not infringe on the constitution rights of Bahamians.”

Health Minister Dr Duane Sands, however, said people have used the principle of innocence until proven guilty as a cloak to engage in wrongdoing.

“Because we have no proof or because the law says people are innocent until proven guilty,” he said, “and evidence is hard

to come by, we watch as an ordinary fella, we knew him since he was a boy and he was never the brightest light in the chandelier. He works at a regular job or maybe he doesn’t work at all. Interestingly, he drives a luxury car that someone making ten times his salary cannot afford. And he lives in a million dollar home or has a sixty foot yacht.

His parents are not rich.

He didn’t inherit from his wealthy uncle. He never struck gold or oil in his back yard but he is living large...

The presumption that one is innocent ‘til proven guilty, a principle, a truth on which civil society is based, while a noble and romantic concept, has provided a cover for all types of criminal activity. And persons in this country have exploited that premise to do all manner of evil including raping, stealing and killing. The point is perpetrators, criminals know that while they may be guilty the system is too weak, too stressed, too slow, too corrupt to prove it.”

COURT DELAYS SENTENCING OF QC TEACHER’S KILLERS

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE sentencing of two men and a teenager for murdering Queen’s College elementary teacher Joyelle McIntosh in 2015 has been delayed after counsel for one of the convicts argued against the “complete logical fallacy” of his client being convicted on both manslaughter and attempted murder.

David Cash, attorney for Armando Sergeant, submitted before Justice Bernard Turner yesterday that his client’s conviction on those two charges are illogical because whatever intent his client had to commit attempted murder would have to be consistent between the two charges in question.

Mr Cash submitted, as he did on December 12 when Sergeant and his two co-accused were convicted, that the jury returning a not guilty verdict for murder, and a subsequent guilty verdict for manslaughter, suggested his client did not have the “requisite intent” to commit the offence in question.

Conversely, however, he said the guilty verdict for the charge of attempted murder suggested Sergeant

did in fact have the requisite intent.

Mr Cash also stated that based on the evidence, his client was not the shooter.

Thus, he claimed, the attempted murder charge should be done away with.

In response, Director of Public Prosecutions Garvin Gaskins, assisted by Akeyra Saunders, questioned if Justice Turner, having accepted the jury’s verdict on December 12 and consequently discharging the jury, can revisit the issue without running afoul of the law.

He thus suggested, among other things, that Mr Cash should have sought to convince the court at that time not to accept the verdict concerning attempted murder, and that his client will have to take the matter up elsewhere.

Mr Gaskins further suggested that based on his submissions yesterday, Mr Cash was essentially telling Justice Turner that although he accepted the verdict, still he did not accept it.

“That’s illogical,” the DPP said.

In response, however, Mr Cash submitted that the issue was raised prior to the jury being discharged, and after he would have made his arguments, the Crown requested more time to

respond. Thus, Mr Cash submitted that the issue was still “live” as a legal issue as Justice Turner had not ruled on it.

Justice Turner ultimately said he would make a ruling on Mr Cash’s submissions on March 15. The judge also adjourned the matter to the 21st and 22nd, at which time the Crown will continue its submissions concerning its seeking the death penalty for Johnny Mackey of Bonaby Alley, as well as to hear from the doctor who compiled the psychiatric report on him.

General submissions from counsel and the defence’s response to the Crown’s submissions will also take place on March 22.

In December, a 12-member jury returned a guilty verdict of murder for Mackey as well as the teenager accused in the matter, who cannot be named because he was charged as a minor.

Sergeant, was found not guilty by a vote of eight to four of murder, but was found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

The jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts for all three accused on the attempted murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and attempted

armed robbery charges.

At that time, Crown prosecutor Viola Barnett indicated the Crown’s intent to seek the death penalty for Mackey.

During trial, the jury was told the teenager, who was 17 at the time of the incident, along with Mackey and Sergeant attempted to rob McIntosh of her 2009 silver coloured Toyota Corolla worth $6,000.

During the failed carjacking, the victim was shot multiple times in her head and body. She later crashed into a wall at the intersection of Parkgate and Village Roads.

All three had denied the allegations.

During trial, however, Crown witness Detective Sergeant Kendra Wallace said the teenager admitted to shooting the fourth-grade teacher when interviewed on November 20, 2015 at the Central Detective Unit (CDU).

Det Sgt Wallace said the teenager made his initial confession to a social services employee in the presence of herself and the interviewing officer after alerting the officers that he needed to “get something off his chest”.

Det Sgt Wallace said the teenager, in speaking with the social services

employee, said he felt bad about what he did and only did it because he wanted to steal the car McIntosh was driving.

Det Sgt Wallace said the teenager again confessed to committing the crime at the start of the actual record of interview, but denied participating in the interview process on the advice of his attorney.

The investigating officer, Sergeant Jamal Evans, said the teenager told police in his initial record of interview he was “sorry” and did not “mean to kill her”.

At the time, Sgt Evans said the teenager “appeared to have some remorse” when he initially interviewed him on November 20, 2015.

Regarding Mackey and Sergeant, Det Sgt Wallace further said in her testimony how both men, in their records of interview on November 18, 2015, told officers the teenager was the one who shot McIntosh.

Det Sgt Wallace said Mackey – who the Crown charged was the person laying down in the middle of Parkgate Road on the night in question, thus causing McIntosh to swerve to avoid hitting him – admitted he did so but said it was because he caught a “cramp”.

Meanwhile, Sergeant, she

said, admitted to having knowledge of the offence but denied shooting the deceased. According to Det Sgt Wallace, Sergeant said he saw when Mackey dropped to the ground and said he knew it would be a robbery.

As the car got near, he said the teenager approached and subsequently shot the deceased.

However, subsequent to the closure of the Crown’s case against them, all three convicts took to the witness stand and claimed they were all beaten by police to give false confessions concerning their alleged involvement in the crime.

Sergeant, in particular, claimed he was given a proposal by police so that he would identify the teenager as the shooter in the crime.

After he denied the proposal, Sergeant said he was beaten and fish-bagged by officers to coerce him to comply.

Sergeant said he was ultimately made to sign documents pertaining to the initial interview, the contents of which were not true. Nonetheless, Sergeant said when he was arraigned for McIntosh’s murder on November 23, 2015, he was charged with three murders.

However, he said the other two murder charges were later dropped.

MAN IN TEARS AS HE IS CLEARED OF KIDNAPPING AND ROBBING STUDENT

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A MAN cried audibly from a Supreme Court holding dock after being unanimously acquitted of the armed robbery and kidnapping of a local college student six years ago.

Ekron Taylor lowered his head and sobbed as a nine member jury returned unanimous not guilty verdicts of armed robbery, kidnapping and receiving concerning Okoye Cooper’s abduction in early 2012.

Outside of court, Taylor could be seen joyfully thanking his attorney Moses Bain, while also giving praises to God for his acquittal and attributing it to him praying over the matter.

Last month, Ravon Dwight Major, the son of convicted drug traffickers Dwight and Keva Major, as well as Sebastian Cartwright, were both sentenced to five years probation after they pleaded guilty to kidnapping Cooper.

However, Justice Bernard Turner ordered that should Major and Cartwright breach their conditional sentence, they would serve a three-year custodial sentence at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Cartwright, who also pleaded guilty to stealing, was further ordered to

pay $1,000 in restitution to Cooper by April 30.

The Crown entered a nolle prosecui order for Major’s armed robbery and receiving charges in connection with the 2012 abduction, while the court directed the jury to acquit Cartwright of armed

robbery and receiving, The Tribune understands.

Major, of Soldier Road, was previously accused of robbing Cooper of a $240 cell phone while Cartwright was charged with robbing the victim of his 2000 Honda Inspire vehicle valued at $9,000, along with

bank cards and cash.

It was alleged that at about 7.30pm on the day in question, Cooper was on campus at the College of The Bahamas when he was approached by two men, abducted and later found at Marshall Road in the trunk of a car, gagged and tied up.

NEW BUSINESS HOURS As of

Monday, March 5th, 2018 The d’Albenas Agency Ltd.

Will open for business at

7:30am

and close at

4:30pm

Monday through Friday.

Both the office and warehouse will have the above business hours.

Signed, Management Palmdale 242-677-1441 242-322-1441

PAGE 6, Friday, March 2, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

No right to scrap Oban deal over any environmental issue from page one Last week, The Tribune revealed Mr Dhunna was dismissed by a credit research firm in 2010 for alleged “gross misconduct”. Before Oban Energies’ website was wiped of references to him, Mr Dhunna was described on the website as a former managing director of CreditSights, though a representative of that firm said he was just a director of a department.

The agreement for the $5.5bn oil storage and refinery project featured no signature from Mr Krieger.

A source in the administration has said the principals of the company have removed Mr Krieger from his public role in the project, adding his visibility owed to a family connection he had to at least one of the company’s beneficial owners.

The agreement also did not reveal who the owners of Oban Energies are. Dr Minnis made no communication about the agreement when he tabled it yesterday evening, saying he will address concerns about the project in Parliament next week.

The agreement says: “The parties agree that the government shall not have the right to terminate these heads of agreement based upon any EIA report, but instead shall work with the developer to mitigate any concerns. If the government does not provide any such comments to the EIA within (a) 60-day period, the EIA shall be deemed acceptable to the government.”

The agreement requires the developer to first conduct an EIA for the oil refinery or terminal part of the development, then for all subsequent portions of the project.

The government would have 60 days after the agreement is submitted to provide comments and to prompt the developer to take precautions or make modifications that could address its concerns.

The agreement allows the government to impose financial penalties on the developer for environmental infractions that are not rectified within 30 days of notice, although the agreement stipulates that the aggregate number of fines

and penalties cannot exceed $3.5m.

The agreement says: “If any material environmental infraction is not remedied within 90 days of such written determination by the qualified independent expert, the minister responsible for the environment shall make the determination whether to continue the penalties or cause the discontinuation of the operation or equipment producing the environmental infraction and any other relevant governmental agency may determine to suspend the permit for the operation of the terminal or oil refinery as applicable.

“If the environmental infraction is deemed by the minister responsible for the environment to be an urgent threat to the health of exposed persons, the surrounding environment or an urgent safety concern, the minister shall determine whether to immediately or in a time specified by him, cause the discontinuation of the operation or equipment producing the environmental infraction any other relevant governmental agency may determine to suspend the permit for the operation of the terminal or oil refinery, as applicable.”

The agreement for the $5.5bn project includes standard concessions offered to developers under the Industries Encouragement Act and Export Manufacturing Industries Encouragement Act. The development is exempt from taxes on income, import duty, export tax and real property tax for 15 or 25 years based on the relevant law. The development is also exempt from value added tax on “construction material, equipment, furniture, fixtures and other material required for construction, equipping, furnishing and completing the development, as well as exporting any and all refined and stored products and oils once operations commence”.

Vehicles and gasoline needed for constructing the development could be imported and exported from the country free of customs duties.

However, the agreement stipulates that tax benefits and concessions could be reduced on a proportionate

PETER KRIEGER, above, at the signing ceremony and, below, the signatures on the heads of agreement and the extract detailing the restriction on the government preventing it from terminating the deal based upon any EIA report. basis if the number of jobs agreed to within certain time periods do not come to fruition.

These include 600 direct jobs plus 1,000 indirect and induced jobs during the construction period and 250 direct full-time jobs during operations.

This contradicts Dr Minnis’ statement in the House of Assembly two weeks ago, when he said the deal would produce 1,000 jobs during the construction phase and 600 jobs upon completion.

The agreement says the developer will use commercially reasonable efforts to substantially complete construction of the entire development by December 31, 2030.

If the developers cannot obtain water and electricity from the Grand Bahama Power Company at an economically viable rate, then the developer would have the right to develop and use its own self-generated or sourced utilities, the document also states.

Unless terminated through “force majeure” – unforeseeable circumstances that prevent someone from fulfilling a contract – the agreement will be effective for 45 years.

KICKBACK DEMANDS KEPT INVESTORS AWAY from page one

“Let me start by strongly rejecting the false equivalence that there is no difference between the FNM and the PLP –- there are clear differences, Mr Speaker, which some who should know better are conveniently forgetting,” Dr Minnis said.

He said the corruption

of the past five years was a “national disgrace” that should never be allowed again.

“I have listened to stories and reports of investors staying from The Bahamas because they feared of being asked for a so-called incentive to do business in The Bahamas,” he told the House of Assembly.

Yesterday, Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip

Davis and Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin rebutted Dr Minnis’ claims, suggesting it was inaccurate to paint the former administration with the broad brush of corruption.

“Official corruption retards and hinders national development,” Dr Minnis also said yesterday.

“Such corruption hinders our progress as a country.

Investments by domestic

and foreign investors will be decided by merit under this administration. We are already attracting new investment and interest because we are distinctly different from the former administration.

“Lest we quickly forget, the former administration gave millions of dollars of untendered contracts, including road works and other projects in Andros.

On the watch of the former minister of works and the current leader of the opposition, a number of individuals were granted for construction contracts at BAMSI despite not meeting

certain requirements.”

Mr Davis then rose to respond to this, saying there is “nothing inherently wrong” in awarding a contract without going to tender, once best practices were followed.

“The member for Killarney is now suggesting that I would have done something that is not in keeping, under my watch,” Mr Davis said.

“I wish for him to identify, because there’s nothing wrong per say in awarding a contract without going to tender. They have done it and are doing it today. They just did it.”

Dr Minnis also

questioned if there was corrupt intent behind the Christie administration entering into a “lifetime” contract with a worker with a clause that states three years’ notice was needed before the agreement could be terminated. The Bridge Authority contract, previously reported on by The Tribune, had no fixed end date. He said he hoped the case is taken to court.

“You give three years notice for a contract, that’s normal?” Dr Minnis asked.

In response, Mr Davis said nothing Dr Minnis raised pointed to corruption.

“The member for Killarney spoke about a lifetime contract clearly there is nothing he read that supports that assertion,” Mr Davis said. “It does have a termination clause which speaks to the fact it’s not a lifetime. It is, I accept that a termination period of three years may not be a normal term period, but one has to understand the circumstances under that was agreed. With victor’s justice being exerted by the government and on hindsight, I now can opine it was probably a good thing to have the three-year term clause, (because) the person in question would have been terminated summarily as have been so many. . .”

Mr Davis said he has also learned he is named in the WSC forensic report, but no investigator has spoken to him about the matter, something he called “unfair”.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 2, 2018, PAGE 7

PALACIOUS SEEKS NEW PUSH TO REACH AT-RISK YOUTHS IN INNER CITY

FROM left, Anna Martin, vice chair of GGYA’s management council; John Bethell Jr, chairman of the GGYA’s board of trustees; Archdeacon James Palacious, new chairman of GGYA’s management council; Rosamund Roberts, secretary to the GGYA’s board of trustees and Denise Mortimer, national executive director.

Photo: Precision Media THE Governor General’s Youth Award is expanding into inner city communities to reach even more highrisk youths.

The new push was revealed at a press conference on Monday held to announce Anglican Archdeacon James Palacious as the new chairman of GGYA’s management council, the body responsible for the day-to-day running of the programme. He takes over from Jack Thompson.

“Government has been good to us in terms of contributions. We have to

make sure those funds are spread as widely as possible to impact as many people as possible,” said Archdeacon Palacious.

“We want to train a new generation who could be enthusiastic about perpetuating what has happened here. As we move on, we expect nothing but great things to happen. We do not want an elitist type programme… to say we are all whistle clean,” he said.

“We want to say we took some fish from out there who needed cleaning up…They are the kind of

persons who could go back into those areas and really try to influence the people that they would have grown up with.”

According to GGYA’s national executive director, Denise Mortimer, youth empowerment for the marginalised is not an entirely new thrust.

About 100 young men from the Youth Empowerment And Skills Training (YEAST) Institute previously received their Bronze Award.

Education Minister Jeff Lloyd founded the now

defunct programme in the late 1990s to help rescue at-risk males from a cycle of violence, poverty and failure. He served as its executive director.

Also, GGYA once had units comprised of residents from the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys and the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls – residential care facilities for juveniles with court convictions.

According to Ms Mortimer, the goal is to revive relationships with rehabilitative agencies, in addition to creating an open unit

for youths not enrolled in school, college or any organisations.

A Gold Award Holder – a person who has reached the highest rung in GGYA – would run the open unit with assistance from others who matriculated through the programme.

“Our mandate has to be reaching the at-risk and the inner city young people,” said Ms Mortimer. “The programme is available to anyone. Anyone can do it.

You just have to want to do it, want to make a personal achievement.”

For over a quarter of a century no GGYA participant had ever been brought before the courts, said chairman of the GGYA’s board of trustees John Bethell Jr. “I think that says something,” he noted.

Other expansion plans on the drawing board include the possible launch of a unit at Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) in North Andros and reviving units in the Northern Bahamas, specifically Grand Bahama, Abaco, Bimini and the Berry Islands.

Dug up the road? A $10,000 fine may be coming your way A $10,000 fine is under consideration for utility companies responsible for digging up newly paved roads.

Director of Works Melanie Roach said the Ministry of Works is recommending that the present fine of $75 be increased.

“We are looking to upgrade the fines,” said

Ms Roach, according to a release from Bahamas Information Services.

“We’ve recommended to the Attorney General’s Office a fine of $10,000. If they do go into a recently paved road instead of just reinstating and paving the trench, they have to reinstate and pave the entire lane width for 50 feet

before and 50 feet after the trench.”

Yesterday, the Ministry of Works also announced it has, through Bahamix, embarked on a road works project in New Providence and the Family Islands.

Ms Roach said the extensive list of roads includes West Bay Street from Blake Road to the roundabout at

WOMAN WHO SLAPPED TEACHER FREED

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE COURT of Appeal yesterday freed a Grand Bahama woman who was previously imprisoned for attacking the principal of Jack Hayward High School five years ago.

Appellate Justices Jon Isaacs, Roy Jones, and acting appellate Justice Sir Michael Barnett, reduced Latoya Williams’ six-month sentence to reflect the time she already served, two months, for assaulting Yvonne Ward in September 2013.

Though being freed, Williams is still required to pay the principal the $884 she was initially ordered

YOUR

to pay in compensation by May 1. Defaulting on that payment will result in one month’s incarceration at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Subsequent to them quashing her six-month sentence, Justice Isaacs admonished Williams to not “resort to violence” should she have any difficulties with anyone going forward.

Williams was initially arraigned before Magistrate Debbye Ferguson where she pleaded guilty to four charges, including causing harm, disorderly behaviour, resisting arrest and causing damage.

She was sentenced to six months in prison for causing harm and sentenced to one month for resisting arrest,

both to run concurrently.

Williams was fined $25 for disorderly behaviour and $684 in compensation to Ms Ward, including $200 in punitive damages. Williams was ordered to pay the fines by 3pm at the time, but was unable to. That resulted in an additional six months incarceration.

It was previously reported the principal fell into an argument with Williams in her office, which resulted in the former being slapped and then attacked by an angry Williams.

Defending the security at Jack Hayward High, officials said when Williams came on to the campus she was calm and security guards had no idea of what she intended to do.

CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019

Old Fort Bay, Village and Soldier Roads from Shirley Street to Baillou Hill Road, East Bay Street from the bridge to Montagu, roads in Palmdale and Firetrail Road and Culberts Hill.

Removal of the existing pavement and paving are set to begin on Farrington Road on Monday, March 5, between the

hours of 9.30am to 2pm, Monday through Friday, for 10 working days. The resurfacing of Farrington Road will extend from the “six legged” roundabout to Boyd Road.

The director advised the motoring public to avoid Farrington Road while the road works are being carried out.

Public notices of road paving will be issued through Bahamas Information Services, government notices, the Ministry’s Facebook page and hotline, and door-to-door for residents affected.

Bahamix recently completed road works on Willow Tree Avenue, Pinewood Gardens.

PAGE 8, Friday, March 2, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Dat’s da way tings go but does it have to be?

T

HIS week, our government debated two bills - the Financial Reporting Bill and Proceeds of Crime Bill - that, taken together, should go some distance to stamping out official corruption in the country.

But without a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), can they actually make a difference?

- for five-year intervals certain party ministers, officials, and supporters can do no wrong.

During the last administration, there were too many scandals and controversies to shake a stick at. Yet, as expected, the then-ruling PLP often rationalised and normalised bad behaviour (and bad judgment) by ministers that should have been dealt with swiftly.

Behaviour that cost taxpayers serious money.

Now we have a new government that, comOver the years, sadly, mendably, has actually Bahamians have become put ink to paper in an accustomed to “da way effort to give Bahamians tings go”; when the Pro- a way to punish politicians gressive Liberal Party and public servants who (PLP) is in power, “PLP unethically profit off the people straight”, and when public purse. the Free National MoveHopefully, if you come ment (FNM) is into parliament in power, “FNM We need catching the bus people straight”. transparency and four years Though this later you’re long “accepted” in our “riding soft” in a arrangement may government. Benz, these bills have been ben- We need will give authorieficial to many ties a way to fanatical fol- FOIA. scrutinise your lowers of these financials dealparties (and other party ings - a way to clawback followers before them), that car (and the mansion this practice has done a and the yacht) you sudgreat disservice to this denly acquired on your country. “meagre” MP’s salary.

The biggest problem we What we get, inevitably, is an environment where still face as Bahamians,

THE BLIND SPOT

SIR DURWARD KNOWLES, above, on his 100th birthday. Is he having a catch-up session with fellow Bahamian legend Ronnie Butler now? though, is that it’s hard to clawback anything when you have no claws. And since every party before has demonstrated a blind spot for “their people”, it’s hard to see how effective the bills will be at dealing with “official corruption” without FOIA. Most of the “scandals” I reference have been exposed as a result of “breaking news” stories in the press. Specifically, as

Memorial Service For EUNAMAE PATRICIA SMITH, 59 of Pinewood Gardens, will be held on Saturday, March 3rd, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Edmond Street, off Dolphin Drive. Officiating will be Bro. Calvin Thompson.

Left to cherish her memories are her Husband of 38 years: Godfrey Smith; Two daughters: Shekera Smith-Dorsett, Shetara Smith; One son: Godfrey “Birdie” Smith Jr.; One son-in-law: Kurt Dorsett; Two grandsons: Kurt and Trent Dorsett; Four brothers: Harrison, Neville, Aldon and Frederick Williamson; One sister: Lillian Williamson; Sisters in law: Valrena, Mavis, Althea, Barbara and Cheryl Williamson, Yvonne Dittmar, Barbara Pratt, Shirley and Sophia Smith; Brothers in law: Hayward and Whitfield Smith, Bruno Dittmar, Jerry Pratt; Aunts: Elva Smith, Clarista Williams, Venus Cox, Florence Bain, Viola Miller, Dorothy, Shirley, Eulene, Richlene Williamson, Carmarita Musgrove; Uncles: Ernest Williams, Newton, Lindsey, Edward and Leslie Williamson and Ozel Miller; Nieces and Nephews: Carolyn, Sophia, Melvern, Brittany, Ingrid (Patty) Williamson, Indira Dean, Harrison Jr, Justin, Jamal, Nevillene and Vernard McPhee, Nekera and Quiton Sweeting, Neville Jr, Nathan Williamson, Kendrik, Aaliyah Williamson, Deran, Devon, Teneil, Dana, Daniesha Williamson, Kristen, Ashley and Cherell Williamson. Dwayne, Pascal and Justin Dittmar, Shanitra Smith and Shadeia Cooper; Cousins including: Felton Williamson, Carolyn Black, Kevin Tomlinson, Edris Bowe, Delvon and Judy Miller, Cynthia Cox Bowe, Valarie, Charlie and Ralph Smith, Dehren, Deanza Jr, Daswell, Nikki, Dot, Valarie Williams, Charlene, Melissa, Yvette, Glenroy and Kenrick Williams. Monique and Stacy Williamson and many more; Other Relatives and Friends including: Evelyn Rolle, Magary Moss, Rosenell, Stephanie and Minerva Johnson, Milton Newbold and Family, Mavis Douglas and Family, Lenora Cooper, Atiya Coakley, Shervone Burrows and Family; Special thank you to: Yvonne and Zach Williams, Anthony Bridgewater and Family, Holston Bain and Family, Anthony and Nancy Russell, Roy Antoine and Family, Cynthia Hepburn, Sherry Taylor, John Smith, Debra King, Gerald Petty and Family, Telsa Miller and family, Leonard Johnson, Stacy Johnson and Family, Rosie and Reuel Bowe and the entire South Beach Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses for your encouraging calls and visits. Renal House including Nurse Bridgewater and Rahming, Dr. Ilsa Grant-Taylor, Dr. Gemma Rolle, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah, South Florida Surgical Specialist, Atlantis Food and Beverage and Cashiers’ Department, Sadie Curtis Family and other relatives and friends.

Viewing will be held in the Irenic Suite at Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Ltd., Robinson and Soldier Roads on Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

a result of news items posted in the dailies since television news in this country seldom “breaks” news.

(We’re still at the sippycup stage with ZNS in this regard even though it’s been around forever.)

So it falls to the Fourth Estate, as is their mandate, to give Bahamians factual information that otherwise would not see the light of day.

Think back on all the revelations surrounding, say, Nygard, BAMSI and Baha Mar. Also, remind yourself of all the shady deals (LOI anyone?) and certain government contracts that made your blood boil. Now ask yourself whether you would have likely learned of those controversies if you relied solely on government ministers and agencies to voluntarily “come clean”.

I think it’s fair to say, “probably not”.

In the moment (or fiveyear long moments), every deal or misdeed done by ministers and their respective departments is “well done”.

Alas, no fisherman ever calls his fish stink.

So it’s up to us as Bahamians who want better for our country to point out the rotting carcasses. And for that we rely on a free press with lawful access to relevant information.

The world is now advancing so quickly that we can’t afford to wait every five years to find

out “who tief da money” or “who sign da contract” or “who get da kickback”.

And since even this new FNM administration seems to have developed a blind spot for the deals they “reel in” (see the tabled Oban heads of agreement, which I will dissect next week), we need a way to get more information in real time.

We need transparency in our government. We need FOIA. Without it, the Financial Reporting Bill and Proceeds of Crime Bill may be destined to fate of all paper tigers - declawed, toothless and ineffective.

A WORD FOR SIR DURWARD AND LADY MILLER In closing this week, I would like to extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to the Knowles and Miller families, respectively.

I was lucky enough to meet Sir Durward at an early age. He was very friendly with my late grand father KM Thompson.

LADY LAURIE MILLER

It was always great to see the legendary Olympic medalist the “Sea Wolf” growing up, but it was equally enjoyable seeing him as an adult, and him remembering who “my people is” asking for my late mother Marlene before her passing, as well as my Aunt Kay whenever I saw him at the RECN weekly meetings.

I must admit my Auntie Kay was deeply saddened to hear of his passing.

Despite feeling her pain, I did enjoy the historical trip down memory lane.

I also got a kick out of the fact, that he was a fan of this very column.

I have always been a fan of Sir Durwood and his many accomplishments and philanthropic work, which benefited Bahamians from all walks of life.

The legend of the great “Sea Wolf” will live on for generations in The Bahamas.

Sir Durwood no longer belongs to us, he belongs to the ages.

May he Rest In Peace.

I have this funny feeling Ronnie Butler was at the gate in heaven, guitar in hand, ready to welcome Sir Durwood to the best party ever, an invite the “Sea Wolf” earned and greatly deserved.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention Lady Miller, the widow of Sir Albert Miller.

Sir Albert was another of my late Grand Father’s good friends. He was “Uncle Albert” to me, so naturally Lady Miller was “Aunt Laurie”. I have fond memories of visiting Freeport as a little boy, and lunch prepared by “Aunt Laurie” is one that will never fade a way. Oh that macaroni!

So, to the Miller family, please know how sorry I am for your loss, my sincerest condolences.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 2, 2018, PAGE 9

PLP ‘made provisions’ for new morgue in Cat Island

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party leader Philip “Brave” Davis made “provisions” for a morgue to be built on Cat Island during the last administration, PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell told The Tribune yesterday.

However, these plans were stopped when the Minnis administration came to power last May, Mr Mitchell claimed.

On Thursday, The Tribune reported that when

anyone is declared dead on Cat Island they are stuffed into a body bag, placed in a bathtub and blanketed with ice to slow the process of decomposition because there is no working morgue.

According to Mr Mitchell, such an occurrence is a “regrettable one-off” that is being “exaggerated for political purposes.”

A group of Ministry of Health officials, who fear retribution, spoke to The Tribune on the condition of anonymity regarding the horrors of Cat Island’s medical facilities.

“Under the former government there was supposed to be the construction of a mini hospital, but apparently when the government changed it stopped,” one official said.

“That new facility was also supposed to have a new morgue. So we have no place to store the dead people.

That’s the biggest concern.”

“Cat Island’s healthcare system is not a priority,” the official added. “It saddens you especially considering the political atmosphere.

I don’t care which government comes in, the needs

of this community and the state of medical care should be a priority.”

In a statement, Mr Mitchell told The Tribune: “The situation with the morgue should be properly addressed to the FNM administration.

“There were provisions for a morgue in the construction in a new clinic which was begun under Mr Davis but was stopped by the (Free National Movement) when the FNM came to office.

“The construction on the clinic has not resumed and we do not know when it will

be. If the clinic is completed as designed then a morgue will be part of it, if is built according to the PLP’s original plan.

“In addition, arrangements I am advised have been made (through) local government to get a cooler as a morgue for temporary use in Cat Island.”

Mr Mitchell added: “The issue reported about the use of a bathtub and ice appears to have been a regrettable one off, temporary situation which is being exaggerated for political purposes.

“Budgetary issues should also be referred to the present administration.”

On Wednesday, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said he was unaware of the morgue situation. However, he said budget constraints contribute to the crisis public health facilities in the country face.

He added: “We have a $5m budget for public health and it costs $3.5m to run Abaco and Exuma’s mini hospital. I have 98 other clinics that I have to run with the balance of the funds.”

lifetime partnership with the faculty and students of CC Sweeting through its Interact Club, which helps to develop leadership skills and meaningful service projects. RCNP’s commitment has included service project

work by planting trees and creating a Peace Garden for students to enjoy and meditate. RCNP will continue to embark upon similar projects and outreach events to engage faculty, staff and students.

SOME of the particiipants in the peace assembly organised by the Rotary Club of New Providence with partners.

Rotary Club of New Providence Rotary Club of New Providence. - During February, the Change Makers of the Rotary Club of New Providence (“RCNP”) highlighted Rotary International’s theme, “Peace and Conflict Resolution” by featuring a range of nationally and internationally renowned guest speakers who in their own right are the faces of peace and conflict resolution throughout different areas of the community.

Featured speakers such as Dr Carlos Reid, Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson, Philippa Dean of the Crisis Center and the famous “rough neck Pastor” Dave Burrows made up the line-up of guest speakers at RCNP’s weekly meetings.

The events culminated with the second annual school outreach peace assembly at the CC Sweeting Senior High School.

On Wednesday, February 28, the Rotary Club of New Providence in partnership with the Royal Bahamas Police Force, faculty members of CC Sweeting, 100 Jamz, Dr Carlos Reid and entertainer MDEEZ collaborated to put on a fun-filled, motivational and power packed event which left the students noticeably motivated, hyped with awareness, and cheering for more.

The Peace and Conflict Resolution assembly kicked off to an amazing start with inspirational welcome remarks by President Inga Bostwick-Labosky of RCNP, whose infectious enthusiasm set the tone for the remainder of the program.

Students were then given a strong message by Assistant Commissioner of Police and Rotarian Ken Strachan to guide and encourage them along the way. Students were reminded of the harsh realities which can arise out of making bad choices and inappropriately addressing issues involving conflict as oppose to exercising good judgment to avoid the materialisation of negative consequences. Students were also firmly warned to avoid being sucked into a life of crime and gang violence which could ultimately lead to imprisonment or death.

Dr Carlos Reid made

a cameo appearance and chimed in with similar words of encouragement by further contextualising the appropriate behavior that students should seek to adapt when dealing with conflict resolution; particularly if they wanted to succeed in life. He explained that students could either choose to soar with the eagles or alternatively become susceptible to the pitfalls of being a chicken. The solemn nods and general responsiveness of students in the audience made it ostensibly clear that the various messages delivered were well received and resonated deeply within them.

In RCNP’s effort to further engage students in bringing awareness to the seriousness of peace and conflict resolution, students earlier participated in a prejudged essay competition on the topic, “Does peer pressure play a pivotal role in resolving conflict?” The essay winner and runnerup were ceremoniously announced and presented with their awards by RCNP President Emeritus and CC Sweeting Alumni, Ray Winder and the exchange was well received by the celebratory cheers of fellow students and faculty supporters. Shandira Hepburn was the winner and was presented with a brand new laptop; and the second place winner Jasmine Turnquest was the recipient of a UB Chapter One gift certificate.

To lighten up the tenor of the strong message delivered, students of Cobra City were wowed with jaw dropping performances from members of the illustrious RBPF band which ranged from the strong and melodious vocals of a female soloist to a matrix styled performance executed by one of the talented and agile band drummers.

The assembly culminated on an high note

JOIN THE CLUB OUR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers.

To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line.

For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 502-2373 or 447-3565.

with the performance by MDEEZ. The energetic performance did not disappoint and the students and staff became fully engaged, cheering and dancing while reciting word for word the lyrics of the various songs

performed. This was truly an event that Cobra City will not forget and it is believe to be the first step among many to come on the road to peace and conflict resolution.

RCNP has forged a

PAGE 12, Friday, March 2, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

LIGHTHOUSE POINT:

A ‘BIOLOGICAL, GEOLOGICAL AND MARINE PARADISE’

L

ighthouse Point, a approximately 700-acre parcel of paradise, is located on the southeastern tip of Eleuthera. Around a 20-minute trek by vehicle (preferably a 4x4 SUV) from Bannerman Town, down an unpaved, overgrown road, it feels much farther. When you finally arrive at your destination it’s as if you’ve passed into an otherworldly realm.

At the end of the dusty, pot-holed road – which has caused many a visitor to turn back before reaching their destination – a stunning vista opens up to pristine, unspoiled beaches and dramatic rock outcroppings. Natural wild coppice, salt-rich ponds believed to contain a trove of insight for geologic researchers and unique historic sites and ruins complete what is among one of the most impressive and breathtaking sites that you will ever see – anywhere.

station.

Within ecotourism and recreation, plans have been outlined for an eco-lodge and camping, hiking, snorkeling, birding, naturalist guided tours, benches, picnic tables, shade structures and comfort stations.

The site would also provide training resources for Bahamian scientists, a research destination for terrestrial and marine scientists worldwide and linkages with local and international science institutions.

But Lighthouse Point is much more than a spectacular view. The biological diversity there is as high as any place on Eleuthera, due to its relative isolation and long absence of human activity, according to experts. It is home to nine endemic species of plants, representing around 11 per cent of the Bahamas’ endemic plant species.

The ponds, which support at least 30 different species of wading birds and shorebirds, are thought to be home to stromatolites – an ancient life form. Marine resources include an adjacent rich fishing ground and significant reef systems. There is also a century-old lighthouse that sits atop a bluff overlooking the stunning site.

Brian Boom, Vice President for Conservation Strategy at the New York Botanical Garden, describes Lighthouse Point as “a biological, geological and marine paradise.”

In many ways, Lighthouse Point represents the best of the natural beauty, invaluable resources and cultural significance that The Bahamas has to offer. And environmental conservationists want to make sure it stays that way and that this special place is preserved for future generations.

It’s why a new push has emerged to establish Lighthouse Point as a national park to be managed by the Bahamas National Trust (BNT). It would make the area the second national park on Eleuthera.

INVALUABLE NATURAL RESOURCES

Already, Lighthouse Point has proven to be a valuable site for research teams. Joe Wunderle of the U.S. Forest Service has visited the site as part of his important research on the critically endangered Kirtland Warbler.

Graduate students from Mississippi State University conducted research on the salt ponds and students from The Island School at nearby Cape Eleuthera have completed archaeological and marine research projects as part of their school curriculum.

In terms of plant diversity, Lighthouse Point definitely stands out, said Dr. Ethan Freid, a botanist at the BNT’s Levy Preserve, who explained it as a combination of incredible aesthetic beauty and really high levels of diversity.

“The number of endemic [plant] species – those that only occur in The Bahamas and nowhere else in the world – is 89 and there are at least nine at [Lighthouse Point],” said Dr. Freid.

If you create a park you are taking 11 per cent of the country’s endemic plant species and automatically protecting them. For that small of an area that’s a high number.”

“The quality of vegetation, the high number of species, the intactness [of the plants] is not something that we find in a lot of places. If that’s disturbed by development then we will see a reduction in diversity, some won’t be able to exist anymore. High diversity means you have stability in the system. The lower the diversity the less stable it becomes and is in danger of collapsing.

‘SAVE LIGHTHOUSE POINT’

It is estimated that between 3,000 and 10,000 visitors make the bumpy journey to Lighthouse Point each year to picnic, enjoy the turquoise waters, search for shells, tour the area or just take in the exquisite natural beauty of the site. The wild coppice leading to the point is a popular spot among locals to catch land crabs.

After sitting quietly and relatively undisturbed for many years, Lighthouse Point became a flashpoint for concerned local citizens and environmentalists who wanted to protect the site from large-scale resort development, a model that has had a dismal success rate in the Family Islands.

The South Florida-based company, The Related Group headed by Jorge Perez, purchased the property in 2005. The Group’s plans for a $4 billion development included a large hotel resort, homes, condominiums, a marina for mega-yachts and a golf course.

In 2008, when much of the world’s economies crashed, plans for the development were shelved. By 2012, the property was placed back on the market.

Since then, a grassroots campaign, headed by a group of concerned citizens calling themselves Friends of Lighthouse and the Eleuthera Land Conservancey, raised awareness and some $8 million (with the help of The Nature Conservancy) in an attempt to purchase the land and save it from large-scale development. The offer was rejected.

The campaign to “Save Lighthouse Point,” which also highlights the significance of historic ruins located in nearby Millars Plantation in old Bannerman Town, attracted local and international attention. A petition circulated on Facebook received 1,600 signatures over a period of four weeks. Through the campaign, the report “A Shared Vision for South Eleuthera” was produced, outlining a plan for sustainable development on the entire island and particularly at Lighthouse Point.

As for jobs, the park model estimates that the new facility would provide around 125 jobs – 30-plus for the infrastructure build out; 15 maintenance and operations, 20 eco-lodge; 20 concessions and support; and 40 ancillary positions.

Additional entrepreneurial opportunities are also expected to be created from the increased tourism and expanded community investment over the long term.

The BNT manages a total of 25 national parks, covering more than two million acres, throughout The Bahamas. Eleuthera already has several local sustainable development models in place that are unique to The Bahamas. The Island School and Cape Eleuthera Institute employ green building, renewable energy and local food production.

The Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve, operated in partnership with the Bahamas National Trust, is a model for land preservation, nature-based tourism and educational outreach. The 25-acre preserve was established in 2009 by Ms. White, a long-time resident of Governor’s Harbour, and the Leon Levy Foundation.

The Levy Preserve has rapidly positioned itself as a successful destination for ecotourism, outdoor education and natural history sciences. It is ranked number one of all Eleuthera activities on TripAdvisor.com. The preserve is ready to leverage its expertise to lead the Lighthouse Point project, extending its successful model to Lighthouse Point.

Supporters note that critical to the success of a Lighthouse Point national park will be the strength of public-private partnerships, which have been essential to the favorable outcome of ecotourism and conservation strategy on Eleuthera.

For instance, the government and ministry of tourism will be key partners when it comes to securing the land and promoting its sustainable use. Potential private partners would fill the gaps by providing training and skills development, marine and science conservation, terrestrial science and conservation, education training and research, and conservation science expertise.

“Public spaces are so important to national development and we feel like this is one of those last great places that should be left for the Commonwealth (of The Bahamas) not just for locals but guests who want to escape to something different,” said Shaun Ingraham, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of the One Eleuthera Foundation and developer of the One Eleuthera Economic Development Model.

“People should be able to continue to enjoy these spaces. We don’t have to put a hotel and a golf course on every beautiful piece of land.”

Efforts to convince government officials that establishing the area, inclusive of the adjacent crown land as a park will be the best use for the site have already begun. For the BNT and its partners, there is a sense of urgency to save the site from large-scale development

THE NEXT STEP

To determine if Lighthouse Point would be viable as a national park, the BNT and partners commissioned Marvin and Lee Cook of Caribbean Heritage Concepts to assess existing conditions at the site, make recommendations for public use of the area as a conservation area and explore the costs to implement various options for development into a park.

“A Concept Plan for a National Park at Lighthouse Point South Eleuthera” concluded that establishing Lighthouse Point as a national park within the Bahamas National Trust would be a tremendous accomplishment.

RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT

The BNT and its partners are not blind to the fact that jobs are an important driver of the local economy, and a top priority for government officials who base development decisions, in part, on the number of potential employment opportunities that a new project brings with it.

Plans to establish Lighthouse Point as a national park involve development at a scale appropriate for environmental, social and economic sustainability. It combines preservation, education, low-impact development and international ecotourism.

Among the obvious benefits would be the conservation of an unparalleled natural environment, permanent protection of a uniquely biodiverse ecosystem, establishment of a renowned research state for terrestrial and marine science, job creation and long-term economic development, and enhanced quality of life for Eleutherans.

Conservation efforts at Lighthouse Point would include an extended trail system, interpretive signage, boardwalk in and through sensitive areas; improved entrance and exit roads; invasive species removal and management, marine conservation programs; and weather

Development options outlined in the plan spanned a range of possibilities, from simply repairing the road and allow the use of the property to continue with no further enhancement, to full development that would support public use, research, education and concessions, and eco-resort ventures.

There is wide support to establish Lighthouse Point as a national park. The first critical step, however, is securing the property, the Cooks noted.

“It would preserve a very significant natural site in conservation stewardship and convey economic benefit to the island of Eleuthera, and specifically, to south Eleuthera,” noted the report. “Foremost, creating a park safeguards a special natural and cultural jewel that might otherwise be irrevocable transformed and lost forever. With proper stewardship, the site can flourish as a place for Bahamians and visitors to study, use and enjoy.”

The Bahamas National Trust, the One Eleuthera Foundation, and The Island School are calling on the public to support the conservation and sustainable development of Lighthouse Point. Readers are encouraged to visit

www.savelighthousepoint.com to get involved.

Photos by: Erik Kruthoff