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VOLUME:115 No.76, MARCH 12TH, 2018

HO US E & 16 THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

INSIGHT: WE WON’T BE FOOLED BY SMOKESCREENS PAGES

Last-ditch bid to halt EU blacklist Turnquest and ‘DEALER’ SHOT AFTER HIGH-SPEED CHASE Symonette fly out to appeal case

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Deputy Prime Minister and minister of financial services were yesterday travelling to Europe in a last-ditch bid to plead The Bahamas’ case against being “backlisted”.

Carl Bethel QC, the Attorney General, confirmed to Tribune Business that both K P Turnquest and Brent Symonette are leading a government delegation that will hold “face

to face meetings” with the European Union (EU) in an attempt to ward off the potential reputational and economic damage this would inflict on The Bahamas.

With finance ministers from the 28-nation EU set to meet tomorrow to ratify The Bahamas’ inclusion on the ‘blacklist’, the Minnis administration was engaged in feverish ‘11th hour’ efforts over the weekend to convince them otherwise.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Water and Sewerage Chairman Leslie Miller defended Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday insisting in many ways the former minister of works was “left out of the loop” regarding Nassau Island Development’s receipt of a $9.6m contract with the WSC under the previous Christie administration.

Mr Miller likened NID to “schoolboys” coming to the table with grown men, adding the company was way out of its league and should have never got the contract to construct the Gladstone Road Waste Water Treatment Plant (GRWWTP) to service Baha Mar. SEE PAGE SIX

TWO men are missing at sea after a vessel was reported by the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association to be in distress at sea.

Shortly after 4am yesterday, police received the alert and the Royal Bahamas Police Force Marine Section, the Royal Bahamas Defense Force, along with BASRA, conducted a search in the area of Great Stirrup Cay. Four men were found adrift, three Bahamians and one Honduran. Two men were reportedly still missing.

The search was continuing last night and police were actively investigating this matter.

(STILL, IT IS VERY BIG...)

Carey’s Construction was awarded a contract worth $929,875 under the previous Christie administration for work at the site where the mini-hospital was to be constructed.

But from the looks of it, according to photographs posted to the minister’s Facebook account, the contractor got no further than cutting into an existing hill at Palmetto Point, which created a cleared and smoothed off space presumably to place the clinic.

SEE PAGE FIVE

DAVIS ‘OUT OF THE LOOP’ ON BOTCHED CONTRACT

TWO MISSING AS BOAT CAPSIZES

$500K - FOR HOLE IN THE GROUND

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

THE Minnis administration is considering acquiring an existing building in Palmetto Point, Eleuthera to house a clinic that can suit the health care needs of that settlement, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands told The Tribune yesterday.

This decision, however, essentially means $535,348.77 paid to Carey’s Construction for work on a new clinic will be wasted.

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A SUSPECT is detained after a chase by police which resulted in two men being arrested. One man was immediately taken into custody, above, after the chase, while a second fled into bushes, where he confronted an officer with an object before he was shot in the leg and taken into custody. A quantity of marijuana was reportedly found in the car. See page three for the full story.

‘CEREMONIAL SIGNING IS BINDING’ OBAN Energies President Satpal Dhunna has said Peter Krieger, the company’s non-executive chairman, signed a heads of agreement with the Bahamas government during a “ceremonial” event at the Office of the Prime Minister three weeks ago because he, Dhunna, could not make it.

In a March 7 letter addressed to the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Dhunna said he signed

OBAN Energies President Satpal Dhunna. “the original counterparts” of the heads of agreement “for and on behalf of Oban

Energies” in Nassau prior to his return to London.

“As I was unable to return for the ceremonial signing scheduled for February 19, 2018, Peter Krieger, non-executive chairman, attended under the consent of Oban Energies, including but not limited to its members, the ceremonial signing for and on behalf of Oban Energies LLC,” Mr Dhunna’s letter notes.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

US FAMILY CONFIRMS BODY IS THEIR SON

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net THE family of an American man who was swept into rough seas at Queen’s Bath, south of the Glass Window Bridge in Eleuthera last week, said his body was found “atop a cliff” not far from where he disappeared, according to international news outlets.

The 19-year-old man, Jonathan Brussow of Michigan, was one of two men reportedly at Queen’s Bath when a wave struck them and swept them into the sea on March 5.

SEE PAGE THREE

PAGE 2, Monday, March 12, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, March 12, 2018, PAGE 3

‘Dealer’ shot after high-speed chase TWO suspected armed robbers, one of whom was shot by police, are in hospital after crashing into a utility pole as they attempted to evade arrest.

According to police, shortly before 9pm Saturday officers were alerted by concerned residents in eastern New Providence of a suspicious Nissan vehicle in the area. Police officers, who were on patrol in that area, responded and spotted the vehicle on Prince Charles Drive and ordered the vehicle to stop.

The occupants refused, sped off and eventually stopped when their vehicle collided into a utility pole

A MAN detained by police officers on Saturday, left, and, above, the wreck of a car following a high-speed chase, as seen in pictures circulated on social media following the incident.

HAITIAN ACCUSED OF ILLEGAL LANDING

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A HAITIAN man was taken before the Freeport Magistrate’s Court on charges of illegal landing and possession of a fraudulent document.

Frandy Alcenor, 40, appeared in Court One before Deputy Chief

Magistrate Debbye Ferguson where he pleaded guilty to landing illegally in the Bahamas and being in possession of a fraudulent resident permit.

According to the particulars, on March 7, immigration officers on patrol in the Fortune Hills area asked Alcenor to produce proof of legal status in The Bahamas when he

presented a fraudulent spousal permit, knowing the document to be false, with the intent to deceive immigration officers.

He claimed that he arrived in The Bahamas illegally by boat from Haiti after being deported and placed on the stop list in 2009.

On the charge of illegal landing, Magistrate Ferguson ordered Alcenor to

pay a $300 fine or serve one year in prison.

On the charge of possession of a fraudulent document, he was ordered to pay $3,000 fine or serve two years in prison.

Magistrate Ferguson also ordered that Alcenor be deported on payment of the fines or after serving his custodial sentence if he could not pay the fees.

US FAMILY CONFIRMS BODY IS THEIR SON from page one

Brussow was swept away, while his companion was able to hold on to a rock and managed to pull himself to safety. Officials on the island had closed the bridge a day earlier and the public had been told to stay away from the area.

“On March 9, 2018, Jonathan’s body was recovered atop a cliff several hundred yards down from where the sea grabbed him,” his family said in a statement, according to Fox 17 West Michigan. “It is our belief that he came ashore shortly after he entered the water and did not suffer.”

According to local police reports, shortly before noon on Friday, police were called to Gregory Town at the sand pit where they spoke with a local fisherman who, it is believed, discovered a human leg, what appeared to be human bones and a piece of clothing in an area referred to as “The Cliffs”.

Authorities gathered the remains and transported them to New Providence for DNA testing.

Brussow was one of several people pushed into waters by high waves last week after weather conditions led to severe sea swells at the Glass Window Bridge. The others were taken to hospital for treatment.

Local officials, along with the US Coastguard, had been searching for the young American since his disappearance.

In a post on Facebook, Athena Williams, a 20-year-old woman who was Brussow’s girlfriend, wrote: “I am blessed with two beautiful families standing by my side through this tragic loss. Sitting here today in The Bahamas, I

look out at the water and the sky and notice that this is the calmest day we have experienced this whole trip.”

The post continued: “We also hear dirt bikes running out in the distance! I truly do believe it is Jonathan calming the storm and telling us he is at peace and in God’s hands.”

Ms Williams went on to call Brussow the “love of my life”.

Officials on the island of Eleuthera, in conjunction

with law enforcement officers, were forced to close the bridge and suspend ferry services last week.

Works Minister Desmond Bannister last week announced the government is considering the construction of a new $30m bridge to replace the current pathway.

Mr Bannister said while officials are open to evaluating the current bridge to determine its structural soundness, plans for a new

bridge can no longer be delayed.

“We need to budget this year to construct a real bridge,” he said.

“But the reality is, the long-term solution is we are building a new bridge what could cost in the region of $30m to $40m.”

in the area of Super Value, Winton Meadows, police said.

One of the men was immediately taken into custody. The second suspect ran into nearby bushes, where he confronted an officer with an object, police said.

“He was shot to the leg and taken into custody,” police said in a statement.

“The vehicle was searched and a quantity of marijuana was recovered. Both men were taken to hospital and are listed in fair condition, under heavy police guard.

Police suspect the men to be involved in a number of recent armed robberies.”

The seized drugs weighed 1.2 pounds.

Police are also asking for help in solving an armed robbery that occurred Saturday night shortly before 8pm.

A woman said she had just arrived home in Marigold Estates when she was approached by a gunman who robbed her of her cash and other items before getting into a Nissan vehicle and speeding away. Investigations continues into this matter.

It is unclear if the suspect in this incident was involved in the later car chase with police.

Investigations continue.

PAGE 4, Monday, March 12, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

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Trump polls rise despite poor leadership THE image of American President Donald Trump that seems universal is of him with a self-satisfied, smug smirk on his face. But as he careens carelessly around issues about which he studiously refuses to inform himself, he continues to threaten America’s place and standing in the world.

In recent days alone, there is Trump’s bizarre decision to reward North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un with a bilateral meeting whose potential gains for the US are hard to discern. Accounts now emerging from this stunning turn of events point to a president who continues to dive into decisions without much forethought.

At the same time, he is increasingly isolated in a White House that has recently seen an unprecedented exodus of senior, critical staff. Top economic adviser Gary Cohn quit abruptly last week, reportedly over Trump’s impulsive imposition of tariffs on imported steel and aluminium.

Trump also did not handle well the horrific massacre at Parkland school in South Florida. His response has appeared scripted and insincere. His inaction since speaking with representatives of the National Rifle Association has belied his initial, heartening words.

And the Republican controlled Congress, despite the usual pious pronouncements in the wake of yet another tragic shooting, has done nothing to reduce the likelihood of a similar future calamity.

Meanwhile, Trump’s tawdry dalliance with a porn actress and slimy attempts to buy her silence afterwards can only have further alienated American women, many of whom have supported him and the GOP agenda in the past.

The Republican party would, therefore, seem to be heading toward a significant electoral defeat in November. But will that happen? Some recent developments have made observers wonder if the Democrats can actually manage to recapture the Senate and House of Representatives. There are several reasons for this.

Trump’s approval ratings have, almost paradoxically, been rising, now to over 40 percent in some polls. Hard as it is for his millions of detractors to acknowledge, Trump has presided over an economy that has seen massive stock market gains so far, rising employment

and a tax bill that puts extra money in the pockets of millions of voters.

There is still a profound connection between this isolated president and his core base of support. It also helps Trump that many American voters remain indifferent to their government, even as Republicans in Congress and the White House continue to pursue policies seemingly inimical to the interests of the nation and most of its citizens. An example is health care, where some now estimate that costs for a typical family may rise 90 percent over the next three years in the wake of GOP assaults on the Affordable Care Act. Another is abject federal legislative inaction on gun control, which polls suggest is desired by most American voters.

For the president’s many foes and detractors, two remedies are at hand.

The first is the ongoing probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election. Robert Mueller and his investigators seem to be constructing a solid case of obstruction of justice against Trump and his campaign. What Mueller’s findings will be and when they are revealed certainly have the potential to influence the upcoming elections.

Secondly, if November’s congressional elections yield Democratic majorities in both the Senate and House of Representatives, those Democratic legislators will quickly move to impeach Trump.

And the November election campaign is now in full swing.

Primary season has begun, with caucusing in California last month, voting last week in Texas and in big states like Illinois coming up. Party unity, both for Democrats and Republicans, is increasingly the subject of political discussion.

But with the influence of Steve Bannon and his odious brand of Trumpism apparently waning, the GOP may actually be shoring up its ideological flanks.

It is not clear the Democrats will be able to do so. Already the California party has withheld from 85-year-old Diane Feinstein its endorsement for her re-election campaign. Rifts between the Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton wings of the party are appearing in Illinois and Texas. This comes as the Pennsylvania high court approved a congressional redistricting that should give Democrats hope in that state.

But can they unite against Trump to take advantage?

Oban deal must be challenged EDITOR, The Tribune.

Turtle killing EDITOR, The Tribune.

I DON’T have the mental toughness to view a 41 second Facebook video of a purported Grand Bahama male resident bludgeoning the head of an obviously distressed sea turtle. The video was posted on a popular Facebook page.

A still photo of the sickening incident was posted on Tribune 242. According to Tribune 242, the law prohibits people from taking, possessing, buying or selling sea turtles -- which are endangered species. What I saw on The Tribune 242 still photo was an act of animal cruelty. Animal cruelty is

defined as the act of inflicting pain, suffering or death on an animal, usually a tame one, beyond necessity for normal disciple. While the sea turtle was not a tame animal, this fact does not preclude right-minded Bahamians from classifying the incident as brutal torture.

The brutal killing of the sea turtle was an obvious case of zoosadism. It was an overkill. There was simply no need for the inhumane method the culprit used to euthanize the sea turtle.

He could have easily slit the throat of that animal, as one Bahamas National Trust official proffered. But

he chose instead to inflict unnecessary pain.

I hope the relevant authorities investigate this disturbing matter forthwith, with the view of making an example of the individuals involved in this sickening incident. In the 21st century Bahamas, this type of behaviour which is routinely practised in backward cultures should not be tolerated here. It cannot be tolerated if we want to ascend to First World status.

a successful small business.

Many of the types of businesses you mention do not require huge amounts of capital or long periods of training to become knowledgeable but without the three rs - reading writing and arithmetic - they become difficult to run, manage and even be employed.

Hit it on the head, Mr

Government, and make the Education of young Bahamians the first base for the setting up of small scale businesses, to make them the real people employers and forget 5 billion!!

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama, March 8, 20118

THE Oban Energy Heads of Agreement… something smells highly?

I know David Copperfield resides in the Exuma and even Copperfield could not pull off what PM Minnis did having someone sign an agreement infant of TV cameras and was not in the room! He did.

Heads of Agreement surely are required to be witnessed - someone signs showing and confirming the documents were appropriately signed by who they were?

Who can sign Heads of Agreement? This is a Constitutional issue, Editor, and for along time this writer has disputed the total validity of having the Cabinet Secretary signing - a Cabinet Secretary only carries out the wishes of a Prime Minister period. Constitution Article: 77 establishes that Ministers through the authority granted by the Governor General are responsible for the business of the assigned Ministry.

Article: 88 which covers Permanent Secretaries definitely establishes that their office is ‘charged’ with the responsibility of any department of Government.

In the Heads of Agreement for OBAN at least the following Ministries came into play granting concessions so those Permanent Secretaries should have

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Editor be signatories on the Agreement - Office of Prime Minister - Transport - Environment - Health - Grand Bahama - Agriculture - Finance - Trade & Industry (eight Permanent Secretaries) not a Cabinet Secretary for NEC/ National Economic Council which is a figment of imagination make believe of the Rt Hon Hubert Ingraham’s era which has no Constitutional authority.

If there is one single project that will have environmental emissions issues for the immediate urban surrounds of Riding Rock and the areas east-west is a refinery even with the best of Air washers and filters.

Curious a refinery of a similar for Guyana, who just found large deposits of sweet oil, has been shown to be unfeasible - uneconomic…so The Bahamas approves one? What is all this talk about improving co-operation in CARICOM then about? Fool’s talk I suggest.

Editor - this Heads of Agreement must be legally challenged intact I suggest there could be grounds to investigate deliberate fraud and misuse of Cabinet authority and then there is the issue how did Mr Dhunna’s signature appear on

the document without him being present?

One thing is for sure if this Heads of Agreement is left as it is written the Hubert Minnis Government gave OBAN ENERGIES a piece of paper which they will sell for millions as it establishes carte blanche that basically without showing the group, OBAN, who admitted they not have the funding for the project - is totally safeguarded even if the most detrimental environmental issues come up that their agreement is water-tight and cannot be cancelled, yes I do accept Oban has certain obligations to carrying out certain studies.

How can the Deputy Prime Minister who is conveniently the MP for the constituency of East GB - a past Minister Maurice Moore - the Chair of the FNM believe that the process led by the Prime Minister, collectively decided on be Cabinet signed by a person not in the room and an Agreement not witnessed should stand and is not up for critical legal scrutiny and possibly investigation by the Royal Bahamas Police?

It has to be Editor - this is brazen.

D HUTCHINSON Nassau, March 4, 2018.

Education need Discrimination EDITOR, The Tribune.

READ your excellent leader article about Grand Bahama (Feb 20th) and agree with what was written. However, along with imagination we need Education.

General education, and particularly business education, how to set up, run, finance and staff

PATRICK THOMSON Nassau, February 20, 2018.

H

EDITOR, The Tribune.

SO we are going to celebrate discriminating Women’s Day-week.

Hasn’t the Minister any knowledge of the Bahamas Constitution that one may not discriminate?

Was listening to a Committee person of Women’s Day-Week on a Talk Show and every word she discriminated even to the extent

of saying men will not be guaranteed a seat at their discussions!

It is illegal in The Bahamas to a Woman’s anything - exclusively for the female gender as it is illegal to have anything solely for the male gender.

Why can’t we read The Constitution? 44 years have gone and the majority of us seem not to have read it let alone

have a copy.

Yes Editor - a female only group - a male only group is a Contravention of The Constitution - time we complied with it — it is only 44 years late.

Time the Ministers know this and stop talking total gibberish.

JENNIFER HUDSON Nassau, March 6, 2018.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, March 12, 2018, PAGE 5

THE EXCAVATION in Eleuthera to make way for a $27m clinic - as seen in this image posted to Facebook by Health Minister Dr Duane Sands.

$500K - FOR HOLE IN THE GROUND (STILL, IT IS VERY BIG...)

from page one

The facility was to cost a whopping $27m.

Asked yesterday whether the government had made a decision on how it will move forward with the contract, Dr Sands said: “Well let me put it to you like this, we don’t have $27m to build a clinic. So basically, that hole in the ground is going to stay there.

“What we may do is there are other excellent buildings that we may be able to utilise that we can accomplish what we are hoping to accomplish for much less.

“There is no question that we have to improve the health care infrastructure in central Eleuthera, but there is no point in me promising someone a Rolls-Royce when I know we can’t afford a RollsRoyce and KIA will do.

As a matter of fact, a KIA will do much better than the jalopy that they have now.

“So it’s a matter of right sizing the investment, which we could afford, and even if we have to increase fees, people can actually see tangible benefits and that conversation is the kind of conversation that I am willing to have and am having now.”

He added: “Carey’s construction got $535,348.7.

The contract was $929,875.

We paid them and now according to the contract we owe $394,526.23.”

Pointedly asked if the mobilisation fee already paid to Carey’s Construction is money wasted, Dr Sands said: “We got a nice hole.”

He continued: “So the problem is we would have done the same thing over and over and over all

throughout The Bahamas whereas you give mobilisation and you know you are $500m or $600m in deficit for the year or $2.5bn for five years and yet you still spending money you don’t have and worse off you aren’t paying your bills for legitimate services.

“This was about trying to give hope to the people and letting them believe that better is coming, but what this is, is nothing more than a betrayal because it’s a lie and threatens the viability of the country.

“If at the end of the day that I know on the menu of services we provide even when we eliminate waste, corruption and cut it to bare bones that the cost of providing that service is $400m for 92 clinics, three hospitals, two minihospitals, doctors, nurses, medicine, surgical supplies

FISHING EQUIPMENT CONFISCATED AS 70FT YACHT STOPPED IN EXUMAS A 70-FOOT sport fishing yacht was stopped and had its fishing equipment confiscated while attempting to fish in The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, according to the Bahamas National Trust.

The BNT said the national park is a “no-take zone” and fishing there is prohibited.

“Upon instruction from the park administrator, the vessel was boarded by a joint team consisting of the park warden and two Royal Bahamas Defence Force marines,” a statement posted to the BNT’s Facebook page on Saturday noted. “Upon completion of a thorough inspection, all fishing gear (was) confiscated. The vessel and its crew were then escorted via military and park patrol craft to Blackpoint, Exuma, where the vessel and crew were handed over to the Royal Bahamas Police Force for further processing.”

When caught, captains and crew often say they did not realise they were in the park, but the officials note that the park’s boundaries are marked on both electronic and paper charts,

FISHERMEN were taken to Exuma for questioning after a 70-foot sport fishing yacht was stopped and had its fishing equipment confiscated while attempting to fish in The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.

Photo: Bahamas National Trust Facebook page including in the Explorer a poaching or fisheries offence,” the BNT added. chart book, the BNT said.

Boundaries of Exuma “Park staff maintains patrol Cays Land and Sea Park to ensure both conservation run from Wax Cay Cut in and safety are maintained the north to Conch Cut in within the park. Fishing, the south, and extend out- shelling, and conching is ward 4nm to the east and prohibited within the park.”

Anyone witnessing such west, the BNT said.

“Bahamian law allows activity is asked to call severe consequences for authorities.

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etc, then why would I say to you that we could do it for $307m and then I say to you that we are going to give you another $100m worth of new things? I know that we can’t do it but I am just trying to sweeten you up and that painful conversation is the conversation that we are having now,” Dr Sands said.

On his Facebook page over the weekend, the Elizabeth MP posted several photos showing the site of where the clinic in Palmetto Point was to be constructed.

He captioned the photos with these remarks: “This is the site where millions of tax dollars were spent for

the ‘mini-hospital’ in Palmetto Point, Eleuthera.

“The land was purchased from a private vendor as opposed to using Crown land. The purchasing price remains a secret.

“Why they chose to dig this hole as opposed to building on top of the hill or elsewhere remains unclear. Why start such a project when there are glaring unmet needs in health?

Why did we not fix the problems and ensure that public concerns get first priority? Why?” Dr Sands first raised the matter on Thursday night, during his mid-year budget contribution in the House of Assembly. At the time,

he also accused the former administration of going forward with the $6.6m upgrade to the Smith’s Bay Clinic in Cat Island despite a nearly 40 per cent decline in visits to clinics on that island in the past decade.

Dr Sands insisted the decision did not follow the advice of the ministry’s technical team, and projections show the expensive build-out of the clinic would have served an average five patients per day.

He said while the government wanted the people of Cat Island to have excellent health care it doesn’t mean the government should build expensive edifices that can’t be maintained.

PAGE 6, Monday, March 12, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Davis ‘out of the loop’ on botched contract from page one

Asked why the contract was not terminated for this reason, Mr Miller said it was well on its way when he became chairman of the WSC in 2016. However, he suggested the rookie company - which did not have the best bid when compared with other private entities vying for the job may have had an ally in the Ministry of Finance who ensured the agreement was obtained and continued.

The former member of Parliament admitted to discussing the project with WSC’s General Manager Glen Laville but said he “washed his hands” of it after certain events took place.

This matter was uncovered last week after an Ernst & Young report into the corporation was tabled in the House of Assembly.

Despite a budget overrun of more than 80 percent, not since September 2016 has work been performed on the incomplete project, which was expected to receive and treat waste water from Baha Mar and return it for irrigation purposes.

According to the report,

senior WSC officials were alarmed by how the project had gone off the rails, with Mr Miller saying in a 2016 WSC board meeting that the project had not been publicly declared “a stinker” only because it was “out of sight”.

“What took place there never should have happened,” Mr Miller told The Tribune yesterday. “The people who had it, they were out of their league.

It was like schoolboys vs people with experience.”

He added: “Mr Davis never pushed it. That was pushed by the former board. Mr Davis wasn’t even aware of who had gotten the contract to be honest. That contract was given by the former board.

In fact, he was trying to get it finished in the most amicable way and then all of a sudden, the Ministry of Finance went and gave them the million and after that the board just said ‘forget about it, just leave it alone.’ We never touched it after that.

“Mr Davis had nothing to do with it. Mr Davis was in fact left out of the loop from the beginning on that.

“The company also put in a claim of $1.2m and at that time they probably

had owed the corporation about $3m to $4m. We rejected their claim and two days later they went down to the Ministry of Finance and got the money. After that I went and I raised hell with the financial secretary.

I went and I spoke to the minister and I spoke to the permanent secretary. The minister spoke to the PS who objected against the money being given to them and after that I realised that I was out of my league so I just walked away from it.

The whole board just said to hell with it.

“Who you think wrote the letter to the PS objecting to the payment? Mr Davis had to do it. He was the minister. I objected to it. The PS objected to it and Mr Davis objected to it.

Yet the Ministry of Finance gave them the cheque.”

Mr Miller said he believes it would be in the government’s best interest to sell GRWWTP. “The government now needs to make up its mind through the chairman and the board to go ahead and see if they can negotiate with another company, probably ISD, and let them purchase it because their bid was really the most qualified bid to do the job.

“Let them negotiate with Baha Mar. Let Baha Mar be responsible for it.

If not, it’s going to be an eating sore on the backs of Bahamians.”

Last Wednesday evening, before tabling EY’s damning report of the water provider, WSC chairman, Long Island MP Adrian Gibson repeatedly suggested there was an “angel” in high places who ensured NID not only received a hefty contract for work with WSC, but saw to it that certain rules were relaxed.

The report also uncovered that a woman by the same name as the secretary in Mr Davis’ law firm, Merlene Poitier, was a nominee shareholder of NID. Mr Davis, who admitted to being a guardian angel to many people over the years, was at the time deputy prime minister and works minister.

Responding to these matters and others related to the audit on Thursday, Mr Davis told reporters he only learned on Wednesday night that Mrs Poitier was a nominee shareholder of NID after the report was tabled in the House of Assembly.

Further, Mr Davis said he did not remember giving an

OPPOSITION Leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis. order for WSC’s General a recommendation for a Manager Glen Laville to company to receive state authorise NID to receive an contracts. He went on to advance payment of $1.2m question the timing of the for work on the treatment report’s tabling. plant.

Despite the document’s He also said the report completion months ago, it was biased and seemed was just tabled last week to suggest there was as public concern for the something wrong with a $5.5bn Oban Energies minister, member of Parlia- deal proposed for Grand ment or otherwise making Bahama has spiked.

MINNIS GOVT ‘PLAYED POLITICS’ OVER EU BLACKLIST RISK

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunmedia.net

EXUMA and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper suggested yesterday the Minnis administration played politics when it came to the possibility of The Bahamas being blacklisted by the European Union as a non-cooperative tax jurisdiction.

This threat, he said, came

as a surprise to the Progressive Liberal Party, adding the party is open to consultation with the government and would agree to pass emergency legislation if required to respond to what he called an “attack”.

Finance Minister K Peter Turnquest, on Friday, confirmed the government had been blindsided by the EU’s decision to blacklist the country for being a tax haven. The decision

came despite the country signing on to the inclusive framework for the implementation of the Base Erosion Profit Shifting (BEPS) initiative with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

This move on The Bahamas’ part was to stave off a blacklisting by solidifying an international commitment to comply with measures to avoid tax

planning strategies used by multinational companies to exploit gaps and mismatched tax rules to artificially shift profit to jurisdictions where there is low or no actual economic activity.

In December, while addressing the House of Assembly, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis told parliamentarians files showed the OECD in March 2017 wrote to then Prime Minister Perry Christie inviting him to consider The Bahamas applying to join the BEPS initiative.

However, he said the invite remained unanswered, adding it was a “precarious” situation inherited from the previous government. In view of this situation the prime minister at the time said the government responded aggressively.

The Bahamas signed on to the initiative in December.

Nonetheless the country is set to be blacklisted tomorrow when the 28 EU governments are also expected to de-list other nations, CNBC has reported.

“The Progressive Liberal Party, like the minister of finance, is disappointed in this development, if not entirely surprised,” the PLP deputy leader said yesterday. “The government previously assured that it had staved off this move by the EU. “The shifting goal posts of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the illusory criteria the EU

Code of Conduct Group have imposed without giving The Bahamas any real voice are a threat to our livelihood.

“It is mind-boggling that all that has been done by The Bahamas in recent years is not enough to satisfy these international bodies. But there can be no question that the national interests in the security of The Bahamas’ offshore financial centre are paramount.”

He continued: “The PLP is sincerely interested in helping the government navigate the process of de-listing and will avail ourselves for consultation and to pass emergency legislation if required, to adequately respond to this attack.

“We have a wealth of expertise and have no illusions that de-listing is a national priority to preserve our financial services industry and correspondent banking relationships, which have already suffered enough.

“However, simply achieving the short-term goal of de-listing is not enough, as these international bodies will likely move the goal posts again.

What is needed is a proactive course of action and a national non-partisan plan to improve ease of doing business and to create incentives for real international business to create economic substance in The Bahamas.

“Meaningful consultation with industry stakeholders, particularly the Bahamas Financial Services Board,

and the opposition on these issues is a must. Waiting for the OECD, and now the EU, to come up with further hoops for us to jump through will not do.”

The MP said the country must have a comprehensive approach to economic growth by generating better financial conditions in which entrepreneurs can thrive.

“As we have previously suggested, a local economic czar, designing more and easier access to banking services, deeper investment in food security through local private public partnerships, local and foreign investment in expanding industries in which more Bahamians can participate and wealth creation are just a few things that can begin immediately to ensure the sound financial future of The Bahamas,” he said.

CNBC reported on Friday, the Bahamas along with the US Virgin Islands and St Kitts and Nevis are set to be added to an EU blacklist of tax havens.

The decision, taken by EU tax experts, is expected to be endorsed by EU finance ministers at a regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, when the 28 EU governments are also expected to de-list Bahrain, the Marshall Islands and Saint Lucia, CNBC said.

As a result of both moves, the news agency said, the blacklist would maintain nine jurisdictions deemed to facilitate tax avoidance.

The other six are American Samoa, Guam, Namibia, Palau, Samoa and Trinidad and Tobago.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, March 12, 2018, PAGE 7

‘Hands off Lighthouse Point’

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net ENVIRONMENT groups from across The Bahamas have come together to launch a petition to save Lighthouse Point, a historic Eleuthera landmark residents fear could be destroyed by major capital development if not protected.

“Lighthouse Point is one of the most popular beach and recreation areas in the entire Bahamas,” the petition on change.org states.

“The biodiversity of the ecosystem and the hugely important cultural and historic resources are irreplaceable and should be

preserved for the enjoyment and education of the entire community and not just for a select few.”

The Tribune understands Lighthouse Point, despite its history and importance to the island of Eleuthera, sits on a privately owned property that is now listed for sale.

According to the Save Lighthouse Point (SLP) petition, the property is being marketed for sale as a large-scale development opportunity.

The group hoping to save the property has also said attempts by conservation partners to buy the property for its environmental value and develop it as a sustainable model have

been unsuccessful.

Holly Peel, a long-time resident of Eleuthera who contacted The Tribune with concerns over how the property was being handled, called on the government to get involved and help the group pushing to keep the property.

Mrs Peel said there is growing panic throughout the island’s community that the sale, if completed, could result in a major development which could destroy the historical landmark.

“The record will show, the people of Eleuthera have never taken kindly to our historical points being ran over and mismanaged,” she told The Tribune.

“Lighthouse Point is a

cherished landmark and we will not sit back and watch it be sold off to a development company that could just come in and put up a hotel around it or some water park.

“This site is historic and there is no monetary value you can get to offset that fact,” she added.

Sources at the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation said it was aware of current concern surrounding the proposed sale of the property, but added AMMC, as a quasi government corporation, could not halt any sale or negotiation of private property.

Press Secretary Anthony Newbold confirmed there

has been no government involvement in the process to date, saying all matters discussed surrounding the site have been among private interests.

In 2016, Disney Cruise Line walked away from plans to build a cruise port at Egg Island, Eleuthera, saying impact studies suggested the island’s marine environment could not sustain such a development.

In an email responding to questions from The Tribune on the proposed development, at that time, Disney Cruise Line spokeswoman Kim Prunty confirmed that environmental impact assessments and geo-technical studies carried out by

the company indicated the island’s marine and environmental profile could not survive a development on that level.

Ms Prunty said as a result, Disney Cruise Lines made the decision to close the door on the idea.

The Egg Island proposal was also met by a petition spearheaded by residents of Eleuthera, calling for a ban on any development by Disney Cruise Lines.

Former Prime Minister Perry Christie was made to address the development after the petition had garnered some 1,337 signatures.

SLP’s petition had 6,581 signatures up to press time yesterday.

GB MP HAILS OBAN AS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

CENTRAL Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis, parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Works and Utilities, is hailing Oban Energy’s proposed $5.5bn oil refinery for East Grand Bahama as a “step in the right direction,” despite strong criticisms from the opposition, environmental activists, and others.

Emphasising that hundreds would be employed, Mr Lewis said the investment would help to create a stable economy for Grand Bahama.

“Grand Bahama is open for business, not just for Freeport, but all of Grand Bahama,” he said. “I know we have some work to do, but the Oban decision … is a step in the right direction.”

Concerns have been raised over the proposed site for the project in an “eco-sensitive” area in East Grand Bahama, and the possibility of environmental damage. Another issue is the inclusion of a clause in the heads of agreement signed between the government and the company that allows the project to continue regardless of the findings of an environmental impact assessment.

Mr Lewis noted that the

DHUNNA: CEREMONIAL SIGNING IS BINDING from page one

“Oban Energies... hereby considers itself bound by the heads of agreement and is fully committed to progressing the project in accordance therewith.”

Last week it was revealed Mr Krieger did not sign his own name on the heads of agreement for the deal that was inked on February 19, but appeared to sign Mr Dhunna’s name instead.

Officials did not reveal during the press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister that Mr Krieger would be doing this.

The heads of agreement tabled in Parliament by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis on March 1 bore Mr Dhunna’s name. It was dated February 19. government is also committed to attracting new industry to Grand Bahama to make it a technology hub.

“We have begun to attract new industry and investment to Grand Bahama, and we believe that Grand Bahama will evolve from an industrial centre to a centre of industry and innovation,” he said during his contribution to the mid-year budget debate in the House of Assembly.

The MP indicated that the government is focusing on developing a technology industry, and creating

It is one of a string of controversies associated with the $5.5bn project in recent weeks and led to calls for greater transparency from the Minnis administration.

Philip Davis, former deputy prime minister, said last week that “ceremonial” signings like this one are “unusual”. He called for the government to release the document signed by Mr Krieger.

“Even in cases where it happens, you’d indicate that it is ceremonial so parties can be aware,” the Progressive Liberal Party leader said.

“If because of convenience the document is required to be signed in this way before you make it public, you should say it and not let the public believe something that wasn’t the case.”

Mr Krieger’s participation at

opportunities in the manufacturing industry that will bring other avenues of economic diversity to the Grand Bahama economy.

“GB has the infrastructure and is close to the US, and the prime minister wants to make the island a technology hub, and the Minister of State for Grand Bahama Senator Kwasi Thompson is off promoting Grand Bahama.”

Mr Lewis stressed that the government has done much since the May general election.

“In the short period the

the event marking the heads of agreement’s signing last month reportedly caught some members of the Minnis administration by surprise, The Tribune was told.

His visibility was owed to a family connection he has to at least one of the project’s beneficial owners, two sources in the Minnis administration have said. He has since been permanently removed from his public role in the project, sources said.

It has been previously reported Mr Krieger has faced a Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) lawsuit alleging misappropriation of millions in investor funds.

Mr Krieger also pleaded guilty to first-degree felony of organised fraud in 2006. He has been barred in the US from acting as a broker or investment adviser or otherwise

government has been at the helm of governance in this country much has been undertaken to move the country in the right direction considering the myriad of challenges that the Bahamas has (endured) under the previous administration,” he said.

Mr Lewis stated that there is a strong desire by the government to bring positive economic and social improvements to the Bahamas.

Mr Lewis also shared his desire to set up economic zones outside the City of Freeport.

associating with firms that sell securities or provide investment advice to the public.

The government has also been attacked for a clause in the Oban heads of agreement which prohibits its termination whatever environmental impact assessments conclude.

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.

In a paid advertisement published in local dailies last week, Mr Dhunna advised people not to pay attention to the “noise in the market” but to be aware of the positive things that the project will bring to Grand Bahama.

“Since coming to office that has been one of my primary focuses,” he said.

“I believe that the outlying communities (Mack Town, Hunters, Lewis Yard, Pinder’s Point, Eight Mile Rock) are the real foundation of Grand Bahama, and Freeport is the roof or covering.”

The MP said that strengthening the outlying communities would create more economic balance on the island.

“If it so happens that the City of Freeport fails, then we have something to

fall back on. So, it is very important that we build these small communities to create economic zones for balance because these are the communities where Bahamians live and have ownership.”

Mr Lewis talked about plans for those areas, including restoration of the community centre in Hunters, initiating clean-up campaigns, establishing community farming and backyard farming programmes, a farmer’s market, and developing eco-parks.

PAGE 8, Monday, March 12, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Cash shortage leaves hospital staff having to ventilate by hand

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net CASH shortages in the public health sector have delayed the acquisition of six critically needed ventilator units at the Princess Margaret Hospital, according to Health Minister Dr Duane Sands.

In an interview with The Tribune over the weekend, the Elizabeth MP confirmed an internal decision to order the units on a two per quarter basis, but insisted final approval would have to come from finance officials at the hospital when the money becomes available.

The Tribune inquired about the status of ventilators being used at PMH after reports surfaced of patients being treated using hand pumps operated by nurses and other staff.

One source at the PMH said: “They are having to ventilate by hand not just for five minutes but for hours on end. Can you imagine that? You can’t just put anyone on it to do this, they have to know what they are doing, how to regulate the rate so that the patient can breathe properly.

“The management appears to recognise the problem and it seems they

are trying to do something about it but things need to happen quicker.”

In response to inquiries from this newspaper, Dr Sands said the decision was made to purchase the six machines at a cost of $14,000 per unit, after the failure of two of PMH’s seven units, leaving both the Intensive Care and Neonatal Intensive Care Units without ventilators.

“We made a decision to purchase two at a time in each quarter of the budget,” he said.

“We have no capital budget allocation, therefore whenever finance can find the money via revenue then purchases will be

made.”

He said hospital management is still waiting for finance officials to approve the purchase order for the first two units.

Dr Sands said in the interim, officials have opted to repair the two failed ventilators out of the country.

The two units are expected back in the Bahamas in the coming weeks.

The public health sector has endured several major issues in recent months, namely the announcement and later delay of fee hikes at PMH’s Morgue Department after intense public push back in December; the

suspension of elective surgeries at PMH due to bed shortages in January and the ongoing nurse shortage which came to a head last month after the departure of 70 nurses to more lucrative posts in the American market.

Throughout the ordeals, Dr Sands has insisted that the public healthcare sector had to find ways to manage despite its limited resources.

Addressing the proposed fee hike in December, Dr Sands said there were 500 or more suggested changes in the fee structure of the hospital to generate more revenue.

He also noted at the time

that in the first quarter of 2017, the PHA lost $9m and it is anticipated that for the fiscal year the authority’s deficit will climb to about $50m.

Dr Sands said to get around the losses, there would need to be a reduction in some fees and an increase of other charges.

Those fee hikes were ultimately delayed for a 60-day period.

That timeframe ended in mid-February, but no new fee schedule was announced.

When asked about the fee changes over the weekend, Dr Sands said officials have been

ABACO RESIDENTS PROPOSE BIOFUEL PLANT

By GLADSTONE THURSTON

A HOME grown and eco-friendly solution to Abaco’s continuing electricity blackouts has been proposed by residents, who hope to get the green-light for a biomass power plant.

Utilising the invasive elephant grass as fuel feed stock, the Spring City Biomass Power Plant is projected to generate between 13 and 25 megawatts of electricity for Abaco’s daily needs.

At 13 megawatts, this would represent 66 per cent of the electricity Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) needs to produce to sustain Abaco.

Spring City Power proposes to sell this biomass generated electricity to BPL under a long term stable price that is substantially lower than the current cost of production using

diesel powered generation.

Approximately 250 new jobs will be created, confirmed Spring City Power’s CEO, Jimmy Vaughan, a Bahamian, resident in Abaco, and owner of Dunlap Petroleum.

The project was presented to the government and BPL during a recent on-site visit.

Included in that delegation were Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Reward Wells; Minister of Foreign Affairs and North Abaco MP Darren Henfield; South Abaco MP James Albury; BPL executive Toni Seymour; BAIC executive Judith Thompson; and officials of Spring City Power.

“This is an important project both in light of the electricity blackouts we have been experiencing in Abaco, and because of its environmental footprint leading Abaco towards a carbon neutral energy

supply,” Mr Vaughan said.

“This would be done by growing, harvesting and converting the elephant grass into electricity within a biomass power station.”

Last month, equipment failure at BPL’s Wilson City power station resulted in island-wide power outages followed by crippling loadshedding that affected the island for weeks.

Tourism, the main industry in Abaco and the cays, is being severely affected driving valuable business away from The Bahamas.

Currently, the power station is said to have one cooling system for all four 12-megawatt generators.

That leaves the plant with a single point of failure with no backup system.

In the proposed biomass power station, combustion of the elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) in special boilers creates high pressure steam that drives turbine generators

SPRING City Power chief executive officer Jimmy Vaughan (left) and his farm assistant Frank Knowles examine elephant grass in the field.

Photo: Gladstone Thurston to create electricity. can be produced by the production of energy in “This is done without Spring City power plant biomass power plants pollution, using techniques which would result in across the world. that are well proven approximately $3.5m per Mr Vaughan said Dunlap around the world,” said Mr year savings for BPL, he Petroleum is ready to negoVaughan. said. tiate a long term lease with Whereas solar powered The Bahamas Investment the government for use of stations generate only Authority, having reviewed the land. during the day, and wind the plans and proposConstruction of the powered stations only when als submitted, has already Spring City biomass power it is windy, biomass power granted Mr Vaughan’s plant will take 24 months stations can run all day and Dunlap Petroleum access to from planning to being fully night, he pointed out.

6,400 acres of unused land operational.

The benefits of biomass in order to do an economic “It is home grown fuel,” energy, he said, include impact analysis for con- said Mr Vaughan. “Being long term cost reduction sideration by the National carbon neutral it is ecoand price stability for con- Economic Council. logically sound. It creates sumers, reduced reliance Owned by the gov- jobs. And we can produce on imported fuel, a cleaner ernment’s Bahamas the electricity cheaper than energy source, it is a proven Agricultural and Indus- anybody else. and reliable technology trial Corporation, the land “It is a proven power that is carbon neutral, and is currently infested with generation system and fits there is no risk of an invest- elephant grass after a failed in with Abaco’s footprint as ment requirement from the farming experiment, ren- a leading tourist destination government. dering it unsuitable for requiring reliable, enviMr Vaughan projected agricultural purposes. ronmentally responsible that by 2020, Abaco’s power Traditionally, elephant power.” demands would exceed 138 grass has been used for Should the project come million kilowatt hours per animal feed, but due to to fruition, it will be the year. its high rate of produc- first of its kind in The Up to 92 million of that tivity, it is used for the Bahamas.

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TWO ARE ACCUSED OF MURDER ATTEMPT

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

TWO men were charged with attempted murder in Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

Kevin Quentin Johnson, 21, of Sunlight Cottage, and Marcus Eeffrand, 24, of Highbury Park, were accused of intentionally and unlawfully attempting to cause the death of a man on March 4.

The pair were not required to enter a plea to the charges before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt and the matter was adjourned to May 3 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment.

In other court matters on the same day, a father and son were charged with robbery, kidnapping and two counts of extortion.

Clive Schroeter, 47, of Lady Slipper Avenue, and Clyde Schroeter, 25, of Village Road, are accused of kidnapping a man at his Faith Avenue home, and robbing him for $300 on March 4.

The pair were also accused of extorting $250 and $400 from two men in separate incidents.

The two were not required to enter a plea and were remanded to prison until the next hearing on May 3.

MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2018

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

Don’t fool yourselves - we can see through the smokescreen

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

supposed honourable men and women in his Cabinet not be seen as complicit?

They have not only THE Bahamian political playbook must have let down the people of tattered dog-ears on pages Grand Bahama, but revisited by politicians old they also have lowand new – “when in doubt, ered the brand of distract the Bahamian Bahamian politics people with something with this tainted the previous government project.

When it all did!” Its predictability and down, overuse has become so boils prime exhausting in our culture. our Notwithstanding this prac- minister sat tice in the broader political next to a selfspectrum, our politicians confessed certainly don’t ring up the criminal serial scoreboard for style and and bad actor creativity points.

With the disastrous bun- to execute a gling of the Oban deal hoax before centre stage and members the Bahamian of government pleading people, which for the whole ordeal to be he has yet to the forgotten by the Bahamian address people, it was a fine time nation on.

In the meantime, to play a trump card. We imagine most administra- all eyes our set on the tions keep a few of these in WSC scandal, much to their back pockets to throw the desire of the governa smoke grenade to distract ment. Naturally, this gives the public when times our them some time to get their ducks in a row and stratdesperate.

Certainly, with the egise how they can smooth embarrassment being felt over yet another stumbling by the Minnis administra- block for the Minnis-led tion in the middle of the government.

When will our elected Oban controversy, the timing could not have been leaders learn they will gain more respect better. less disThe Water Our desire for the and approval by and Sewerage ‘sip sip’ too often being honest Corporation and trans(WSC) has causes us to take parent in the made headbusiness of lines in recent our eyes off the governing months from mark. While we the nation? high ranking wanted to know Especially for executives Prime Minbeing sent every damning ister Minnis home and act the previous - who was the then quietly government did champion for being brought back to its during their tenure, accountability and transparmost recent it is no good to us ency - to be “stinker”. The when the current lacking so disgust felt greatly in soft by the aver- government pertiage Bahamian cherry-picks when skills nent to the hearing it wants to be job is politiabout all of cally suicidal. the stunning transparent and Only ten revelations plays the blame in coming out game nearly a year months and similar of the cormurmurings poration was into their term. to those widely felt.

However, if we are honest when he was fighting for with ourselves, are we his own party’s leadership are already being circulated really surprised?

From the time of the – both within his party, as Pindling administration, well as the country. People members of the govern- are already questioning ment lived like modern day under what circumstances kings among us. Leaving can the prime minister be tabs at restaurants, extraor- ousted after consecutive dinary bills and secret lists missteps on his part.

However, the overat utility companies have become the status quo. And whelming numbers the surely, we shouldn’t be sur- majority has in Parliament prised that any of this went make it highly unlikely such on under Emperor Christie, a scenario where the prime with his history of oversee- minister receives a no confidence vote could ever come ing slack administrations.

Yet, our desire for the to fruition. Furthermore, ‘sip sip’ too often causes our elected officials place us to take our eyes off the higher value on kissing the mark. While we wanted to ring than upholding their know every damning act allegiance to the Bahamian the previous government people.

What is even worse at did during their tenure, it is no good to us when the this juncture in our political current government cherry- climate is the Opposition is picks when it wants to be on track to be even weaker transparent and plays the than the previous one. Philblame game nearly a year lip “Brave” Davis has all the political capital within into their term.

It doesn’t look good the party, but does not for any administration to stand a snowball’s chance throw a previous one under in hell of becoming prime the bus, while committing minister.

Already as party leader, similar acts right before our eyes. Can you imagine he has become a laughing the campaign rhetoric that stock. His selective amnewould have come from Dr sia has many wondering Minnis had the same Oban if he needs to leave a trail blunder took place under of breadcrumbs to find his way home. Further, the Christie?

Perry Christie would WSC findings have done have been roasted on a nothing to help his, nor stake after all of Minnis’ the PLP’s credibility, as the accusations of the former Bahamian people still are prime minister’s back- bitter towards the former handed dealings with his government. Moreover, his ascension to party leader “Chinese allies”.

Therefore, how could has only further damaged Prime Minister Minnis, the credibility of the inefsitting next to an admit- fectual Opposition who ted fraudster, as he signed struggle to remain relevant.

Essentially, the Bahamian Oban’s phantom principal’s signature as it was his people are the real losers own not be seen as blatant here. When we look across hypocrisy? How can the the aisle at leadership

options, the lack of viable alternatives are beyond disappointing. For so many of us who want to see the country move forward, we are between a rock and a hard place with the brunt of the heavy lifting falling on our shoulders.

When reality sets in and we realise that May 10 has not even come back around yet, it may be disheartening for some among us.

Certainly, we must consider how bad it was prior to getting rid of the PLP. The Bahamian people want a government it can trust, but the state of fragility we are in does not give room to the consistent amateur lapses in governance that have come under the Minnis administration in such a short time.

With every mistake made by the government, you almost feel sorry for the Cinderella Man – Minnis.

Nonetheless, Prime Minister Minnis has brought a lot of the backlash he has been receiving on himself.

If we recall, he gave a lot of lip service when he toured the archipelago during

THE GOVERNMENT might be hoping that the scandals at the Water and Sewerage Corporation might blot out the problems over the Oban Energies deal - but the public concerns about the deal signed by Peter Krieger, pictured, won’t go away so easily. election International Tax CoopEvery indiscretion we’ve season.

Thus eration Amendment Bill, witnessed – be it scandals or far, we’ve yet to see 2017 did not help us avoid secret deals – we also play something that separates the blacklist, we hope they an integral role in allowing the prime minister from can walk and chew gum at our government to carry on what we’ve grown tired of. the same time. with the nonsense they’ve Despite promises not to, he The citizenry still wants grown so accustomed to. has come before us with a the government to execute We must remember recycled style of leadership on immigration, stimulate we voted these men and that he does not wear well. economic activity through women to do our bidding.

For now, we only hope deals that are good for the Unfortunately, somewhere a jolt of something – any- Bahamian people, and along the line, this gets lost thing – happens and the govern the country well – and we lower the bar on prime minister just figures most importantly, come to our expectations of good it out. Unfortunately, we the fore on Oban. Hope- governance. know that it simply doesn’t fully, they do not use the Perhaps, not until our happen like that. headline-grabbing drama leaders realise that we mean Now, with the European at WSC and the uncertainty business, will things change.

Union making good on associated with being black- We thought we made our their promise to place us on listed as an opportunity to message clear with the last the blacklist after the gov- sweep Oban under the rug. government.

However, ernment led us to believe As we have seen before, the Minnis administration they’d taken the necessary dangerous precedents can are showing signs they are steps to curtail such a sce- be set when governments becoming too comfortable. nario – here we are again are allowed to run the Hopefully, if and when doubting their word and country as they please. The he addresses the nation, he unclear how we will be lack of a strong opposition approaches us with humilaffected. places the responsibility on ity and is honest with the As the government all the Bahamian people Bahamian people. will now have to explain to set aside political party He must realise he is to the Bahamian people allegiance and hold this receiving poor counsel, why the passing of the government accountable. as droves of people who Automatic Exchange of Governing is not sup- have been questioning his Financial Account Infor- posed to be an easy job. aptitude, are also now conmation Amendment Bill, Thus, it is incumbent upon cerned with his integrity 2017; Automatic Exchange us to ensure we are deriv- and character. of Financial Account ing the optimal value out With every passing week, Information Amendment of our elected members of his stock is plummeting – Regulations, 2017, and the government. and fast.

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PAGE 10 MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2018

INSIGHT

OBAN’S ANOTHER BITTER PILL FOR US ALL TO SWALLOW

BY FRED SMITH, QC

THE rapid fall from grace of this FNM government is becoming painful to watch. Especially for a longtime supporter like myself, the Minnis administration’s departure from its party’s fundamental ideals and their own campaign promises has been a bitter pill to swallow. Yet none of the misdeeds, missteps or missed opportunities of the past nine months is quite as alarming as the toxic and dangerous mess that is the Oban oil refinery deal.

While much of what came before could be put down to the naiveté of a freshman government trying to find its feet, this unholy pact signals something far more sinister. It reveals that despite all the talk of being different, of representing true democracy in the interests of the people, the Minnis administration turns out to be very same dictatorial wolf we know so well, just in slightly more sheeplike clothing.

The FNM promised the Bahamian people that if elected, they would put an end to shady secret deals with foreign investors of questionable reputation. Such deals have been the hallmark of all previous administrations and have been among the chief causes of this country’s

failure to empower its citizenry and meet its economic potential over the past five decades.

The Oban deal demonstrates this allegedly new-look FNM has no problem continuing to cut clandestine deals which do far more harm than good to the interests of the public.

It is proof that despite our dreams of a new start, The Bahamas is already back to business as usual.

TRANSPARENCY AND RULE OF LAW?

As Bahamians are now well aware, those who constitute the public face of the deal have been accused of fraud and one even faced felony charges in the United States. Today, the “real people behind the deal” still remain nowhere to be seen. Why all the secrecy? Where is the transparency and accountability we were promised?

Just as in past administrations, the public knew nothing of this deal until it was suddenly announced, in typical inflated and triumphalist fashion, to the media. The Heads of Agreement (HOA) has been signed, yet Oban has not conducted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as mandated by law.

The law also stipulates that such a project would require prior consultation with affected persons – which in the case of something as potentially dangerous as an oil refinery, means everyone on Grand Bahama and even residents of surrounding islands.

Yet this has not taken place. Nor is there a Land Use Plan (LUP), another prerequisite of the law, specifically the Planning and Subdivision Act. The message is clear: this FNM government is ready and willing to make secret arrangements that could pose serious risks to the lives of safety of Bahamians, before even knowing what level of impact it may have on our precious natural resources, and regardless of what the local community may think.

HIGH RISK, LOW REWARD

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

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

Photo: Yontalay Bowe/OPM Media Services The risks involved with while Bahamians were permit is nothing more than petroleum facilities are well left with the low-hanging a cynical rubber stamp.

If the government cared known. Small scale spills menial fruit.

Oil refineries need about the results of enviand accidents are routine and in the long-term, these specialist chemists and bio- ronmental tests, or about will impact the coastlines engineers. It is unrealistic what Bahamians think, why and coral reefs upon which to expect that we have any- not wait until after the EIA local tourism depends, our where near the number of and public consultation fisheries resources which experts needed to run such to sign the HOA? What provide the livelihood for a facility. There may be a happened to the FNM’s so many Bahamians and handful of appropriately commitment to due prothe island’s aquifer which trained Bahamians, but cess and pledge not to ride we all rely on for our water the vast majority of those roughshod over the law like employed by Oban will their predecessors? supply.

The real question is, why Meanwhile, the prospect take low paying jobs which of a major disaster is always will nevertheless pose great the rush? Why is the Minnis looming. In fact, the entire risks to their health and Administration seeking to business plan of a facility safety. Jobs in the oil and force this highly questionsuch as this speaks directly gas industry are among able deal through in the to the terrible danger. An the most dangerous in the first place? It is as if, nearly a year after winning the oil processing operation world. most decisive election in off the coast of Florida is the history of an independan attractive venture, from ent Bahamas, they forgot to a foreign investor’s point

of view, precisely because In its manifesto, the exit campaign mode.

But instead of looking Floridians are reluctant to FNM paid lip-service to in the mirror, government allow a facility of this kind self-determination and on their own shores. “deepening democracy”. officials are quick to shoot And no wonder. Oil refin- Yet the Oban deal rep- the messenger and claim eries are well known for resents an outright crime those who query such polluting the air, water, and against this concept gener- deals are the enemies of land. Experts have pointed ally, and a direct slap in the progress – as if Bahamiout that up to 100 pollut- face of Grand Bahamians ans (and the Press) should ants can be emitted into in particular. Once again, ask no questions and look the atmosphere from the central government is sit- the other way when politistacks and leaking equip- ting in Nassau dictatorially cians appear to be selling ment. Meanwhile, the large plotting the fate of Family our birthright to the latest amount of waste produced Islanders without consult- invaders masquerading as by these facilities must be ing or even informing them. investors. As if we should have learned nothing from dumped somewhere, preOnce again, the Cabisumably on the land, and net of The Bahamas is recent history. spills discharge chemical running roughshod over pollutants into the water. the Hawksbill Agreement, Again, with no EIA, we which declares Freeport the

have no idea if there is even industrial capital of Grand The Minnis Administraa credible plan to deal with Bahama and the engine tion’s campaign promises these realities. which should drive prosper- met with unprecedented The highly flammable ity and good governance approval from the public. nature of the product itself across the whole island. By All they needed to do was means that fire and explo- allowing the Oban facility follow their own plans and sion are always a serious to be located programmes to ensure at risk. A multioutside Free- least one more term in tude of studies port, the office. Instead, the people’s Somehow, this demonstrate time train has gone alarmgovernment there are administration is cancel- ingly and quite spectacularly higher rates ling out all off the tracks. has landed itself of cancer and Somehow, this administrathe financial other diseases back in the wellbenefits that tion has landed itself back in communi- known territory of would accrue in the well-known territory ties near oil to Grand of bad governance, dictatorrefineries, and bad governance, ship of the executive, and Bahama these stud- dictatorship of the from the deal secret deals with shady fories looked executive, and secret and ensuring eign associates. We are back at refinerthe foreign again to mega-projects that ies located deals with shady relegate Bahamians to the developers in countries foreign associates. are able to position of lowly pawns, where emisship all the while reaping huge rewards sions are profits to for invaders from outside and destroying the environstrictly regulated, whereas in another jurisdiction.

The Bahamas, the governWhat the FNM has signed ment which we are supposed ment has yet to enact any up for, then, is a project that to be preserving for future such standards. will unquestionably cause generations to come. We Again the message is significant environmental are back to Crown Land unmistakable: The associ- destruction, could ruin our giveaways to everyone and ated risks are considered too fisheries and do serious anyone but Bahamians; we great for Florida; but our harm to our tourism prod- are back to square one.

natural resources, economy uct while employing mostly and quality of life are far foreigners, risking the safety less important and there- of Bahamians and exportfore expendable. Under this ing the profits out of the deal, Grand Bahamians will country. And, because it is be sacrificing their island to business as usual the develOnly Prime Minister supply fuel to South Flor- opers have been offered Minnis and the members idians who face zero risk the usual cocktail of cheap of his Cabinet can tell us. to themselves or their own Crown Land, work permits Whatever the reasons, if community. What happened and assorted lengthy tax they want any chance at all to the FNM’s promise of pro- exemptions. A sweet deal of being seen to live up to tecting the environment and indeed! their pledge of being differusing the natural resources The claim by Oban and ent, of signalling the dawn of of the Bahamas responsibly? the government is an EIA a new day for the Bahamas, Where is the Environmental is on the way. No doubt these ladies and gentleProtection Act promised in they will claim next that men must decide to adopt their manifesto? public consultation is about a radical change of course Of course, the govern- to take place ahead of the immediately. ment has attempted to sell company obtaining the It is time for the FNM to this deal to the public with statutorily required per- get back to basics and revisit the usual mantra of “jobs, mits, but this is nothing their own Manifesto and jobs, jobs!” but Grand more than a sham. Regula- election promises for inspiBahamians already know tory bodies always follow ration regarding the way what they are in for. The the lead of the Cabinet, forward. It is time to put the now defunct BORCO oil meaning the minute the people first and take decisive facility was also billed as a HOA was signed (whether action against serious threats great generator of employ- by Satpal Dhunna or Peter to their interests. Rejecting ment but in the end, Krieger), the project was this half-baked oil refinery hundreds of lucrative jobs essentially a done deal and deal would be a great place went to foreign experts any subsequent approval or to start.

A SLAP IN THE FACE

RUNAWAY TRAIN

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2018 PAGE 11

The OECD: A robust response required

SMALL states, includ- which they could jointly ing those in the Caribbean, adopt with the OECD. are justifiably troubled by Even in the OECD Global the continuous efforts by Forum, which is dominated the member states of the by the OECD countries Organization for Economic with the nominal participaCo-operation and Develop- tion of small states, there is ment (OECD) to cripple no effort by the small jurisevery initiative they take in dictions to develop a single the financial services sector. position and to adopt a Indeed, it is true to say joint negotiating strategy. the OECD has become as Now, the OECD is going intimidating and odious an after “residency” proacronym as the IMF was in grammes and “Citizenship the 1970s and 1980s.

by Investment Programmes Under the guise of stop- (CIPs)” in the Caribbean ping financing of terrorism and elsewhere. and money laundering, the This new assault will OECD has extended its affect half the memberreach in to sovereign states states of the Caribbean that strangle their rights Community (CARICOM). ESTABLISHED in 1961, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development promotes policies that will improve the ecoand stifles their efforts in Antigua and Barbuda, nomic and social well-being of people around the world. The organisation has 35 member countries and a budget of EUR 374m. almost every area of finance Dominica, Grenada, St presence in the jurisdicCaribbean jurisdictions, Caribbean action. and banking.

Kitts and Nevis, and St “counter measures”. tion; the scheme is offered which would also include If there is not such a The paper can be read Picking-off these small Lucia operate CIPs, and states, one after the other, The Bahamas and Barbados in full at https://www. by either: low/no tax Cayman Islands, should robust, joint response that jurisdictions, jurisdictions seek to engage jointly halts the OECD juggernaut, the OECD has effectively have residency-by-invest- oecd.org/tax/exchangeexempting foreign source countries such as Portugal, the Caribbean’s CBI/RBI of-tax-information/ imposed its will on all of ment (RBI) programmes. income; jurisdictions with a Italy, the United Kingdom, programmes will be wipedconsultation-documentthem, so much so that when On February 19, the special tax regime for for- Cyprus and Malta (all of out within the next three preventing-abuse-of-resgovernOECD eign individuals that have which are EU countries) years, sinking yet another idence-by-investmentments issued a “conobtained residence through that also operate CBI/ initiative by small countries schemes.pdf acquiesce The Caribbean sultation such schemes; RBI programmes to try to survive economically.

Consultation document to the countries should also document” The OECD is presently to forge common cause in And, if it is that these prodemands on prevent- - Preventing abuse of resicollecting a list of high risk bargaining with the OECD grammes cause such alarm dence by ... of the prepare a joint and ing the abuse schemes as it regards them. (of which the UK is also a among the OECD counwww.oecd.org OECD or robust response to of residence At the end of the exercise, member). tries, they should put on the the Comby investment the OECD and engage schemes to Caribbean jurisdictions are The Caribbean countries table tangible and meaningmission bound to be included in the should also prepare a joint ful machinery by which they of the the organisation circumvent list. and robust response to the will help small jurisdictions European at the highest reporting on So, what is to be done.

OECD and engage the to overcome the loss of revUnion the financial It should be recalled that organisation at the highest enues, jobs and economic possible political (whose assets of their the majority of CARICOM possible political and tech- growth that will result from members nationals. and technical level. countries (and certainly nical level. the crushing of their CBI/ constitute Despite those that have CBI/RBI That response should RBI programmes. most of the fact that programmes) have tax include all the safeguards Turning the other cheek the memthousands of information exchange that could reasonably be is not an option for CarMore and more jurisbership of the OECD), people subscribe to these are offering agreements with many if expected, including thor- ibbean economies, nor is their representatives claim programmes for legitimate dictions and vigorous deferring the problem to it as a victory. reasons, the OECD argu- “residence by investment” not all OECD countries; ough they also have mutual legal vetting of all persons who a later date when they will More than one Caribbean ment is the programmes (RBI) or It is written in OECD- assistance treaties and are approved for the CBI/ already be consumed. government has trumpeted could create opportunities • Responses and previspeak; usually, the terms many of them subscribe RBI programmes; mechatheir signing-up to the for tax evaders. to the OECD’s common nisms for ensuring that such ous commentaries: www. mean the opposite of OECD or EU Commission The OECD is now solicdemands as some sort of iting public information to common usage. In effect, reporting standards (CRS) persons are not evading sirronaldsanders.com The writer is Antigua and virtue while, indeed, they get evidence on the misuse it argues that RBI/CBI which obliges them to taxes due in OECD counagree to remove all incen- of the CBI/RBI schemes programmes are high risk report on the financial tries; resisting the wrongful Barbuda’s Ambassador to the notion that tax avoidance US and the OAS. He is also tives from international and on effective ways for where, among other things, assets of foreigners.

The OECD now believes is a crime commensurate a senior fellow at the Institute business corporations, caus- preventing such abuse. the following applies: the ing them to shut down, and, They will get organised scheme imposes no or lim- that, notwithstanding all with tax evasion; and insist- of Commonwealth Studies at thus, depriving their coun- testimony from organisa- ited requirements to be these arrangements, the ing that OECD countries the University of London and tries of desperately needed tions that are dedicated to physically present in the CBI/RBI programmes can that have not signed-up to at Massey College in the Unirevenues. high taxation. The stage jurisdiction or no checks be used to evade paying tax the CRS to do so as a pre- versity of Toronto. The views condition for any further expressed are his own.

There has been – and is already set for a con- are done as to the physical due to its member-states. sadly remains – a lack of clusion that the CBI/RBI solidarity among all the programmes are porous affected countries. So, for tax evasion and other there is no effort to pool forms of financial crime, their intellectual knowledge and, therefore, the OECD and experience to create a should require jurisdictions solid negotiating position to discontinue them or face

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INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

HOW YOU CAN PLAY A PART IN HELPING TO FIGHT CRIME CRIME prevention is everyone’s responsibility, not just law enforcement.

One of the best ways to take an active part in crime prevention is to become more alert and aware of what is going on around you.

REPORT SUSPICIOUS PEOPLE SEEN IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Suspicious people may often be identified by their behaviour. While no one behavioural activity is proof that someone is planning to act inappropriately and many of the following behavioural indicators are perfectly consistent with innocent behaviour, these factors can help you assess whether someone poses a threat.

BEHAVIOURAL FACTORS TO WATCH FOR INCLUDE:

• Nervousness, nervous glancing or other signs of mental discomfort/being ill-at-ease.

• Inappropriate, oversize, loose-fitting clothes e.g., a heavy jacket/hoodie on a warm day.

• Keeping hands in pockets or cupping hands (as in holding a triggering device).

• Constantly favouring one side or one area

Police advice

• What they were wearing • What they were driving, including license plate number •The direction they fled.

KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS

By SERGEANT NATHALIE RANGER

of the body as if wearing something unusual/ uncomfortable.

• Pay attention to a person constantly adjusting waistbands, ankles, or other clothing. Projected angles under clothing may also be indicative of a firearm, at the waist or the ankle.

REPORT CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES

One of the most important things that you can do when you see a crime or is a victim of a crime is to report it.

When you see criminal activity, you should immediately report it to the police.

Write down important information about the crime and criminal.

GATHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRIME

As soon as possible, note the important details about the crime so that you can

Take the time to establish report them accurately to the police • day and time the crime was committed • the location • the name of the victim • what happened.

WRITE DOWN INFORMATION ABOUT THE SUSPECTED CRIMINAL

You can help the police find the criminal and get them off the street by providing a description of the criminal. Be as detailed as possible. Note the following: • Height • Weight • Approximate age • Gender • Race • Hair and eye colour • Whether the person had a weapon.

• Any distinguishing characteristics, such as birthmarks or walking with a limp

POLICE officers speaking to members of the public during a walkabout in the Fox Hill community last year. Residents can make a major difference in helping to detect crime.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

good terms and build relationships with all neighbours.

Great neighbours make their communities friendlier and safer, while improving the overall quality of life for themselves and those who surround them.

Caring neighbours stay

informed on community issues. It is likely that you and your neighbours have busy lives and schedules, but if the community comes together as a group, change can happen more efficiently, and issues can be resolved more quickly.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, March 12, 2018, PAGE 13

11th annual Ride for Hope cancer fundraiser takes place in Eleuthera RIDE for Hope hosted its 11th annual charity cycling event in Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera over the weekend, with a total of 150 riders participating to raise money for cancer initiatives in The Bahamas.

RFH co-founder Susan Holowesko Larson said organisers were overwhelmed by the level of support received from participants - with a record number of them completing the entire 100-mile course despite poor weather last week.

“This year has been something special for this event,” she said. “When you consider everything the island of Eleuthera has been hit with (last) week with the weather, to see everyone push through and keep the focus on our cause, it was something that truly overwhelmed us.

“This weekend and its success is something that we questioned, but it all worked out in the end and we are grateful that we could keep the legacy of this event going.”

RFH organisers are expected to donate all proceeds received for this year’s event to charity later this week, but according Mrs Holowesko Larson, proceeds are expected to be on par with earlier years.

Since its start in 2006, the Ride for Hope has raised close to $3m to aid cancer

research, care and treatment. It is also one of the few charities that boasts that it donates 100 per cent of the funds raised.

In 1989, Mrs Holowesko Larson’s seven-month-old son was diagnosed with cancer. Although his treatment was successful, the family spent a decade wondering if the disease would recur.

Thankfully, her son’s cancer never returned.

However, the experience left a profound impact on the family and is one of the inspirations behind the creation of RFH. Founded in 2006 along with her brother Stephen Holowesko, Mrs Holowesko Larson said a cycling event, as opposed to a marathon or walka-thon, was chosen due to familial and national history.

One of the critical programmes RFH created is the Cancer Treatment Assistance Fund, the first of its kind in the country.

The fund puts money in the hands of Bahamians needing help with cancer medicines, tests, etc - all of which can financially cripple a family.

Each year, RFH earmarks $100,000 to this fund alone.

For more information on the event, visit rideforhopebahamas.com or the group’s Facebook page.

Photos by Dante Carrer

PAGE 14, Monday, March 12, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

China: one man rule - historic vote will let president rule for life XI Jinping, already China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong, received a vastly expanded mandate Sunday as lawmakers abolished presidential term limits that have been in place for more than 35 years and wrote his political philosophy into the country’s constitution.

In one swift vote, the rubber-stamp legislature opened up the possibility of Xi serving as president for life, returning China to the one-man-rule system that prevailed during the era of Mao and the emperors who came before him.

The package of constitutional amendments passed the nearly 3,000-member National People’s Congress almost unanimously, with just two opposing votes and three abstentions. The vote further underscored the total dominance of Chinese politics possessed by the 64-year-old Xi, who serves simultaneously as the head of state, leader of the ruling Communist Party and commander of the powerful one million-member armed forces.

The move upends a system enacted by former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in 1982 to prevent a return to the bloody excesses of a lifelong dictatorship typified by Mao’s chaotic 1966-1976 Cultural Revolution.

“This marks the biggest regression in China’s legal system since the reform and opening-up era of the 1980s,” said Zhang Lifan, an independent Beijing-based political commentator.

“I’m afraid that this will all be written into our history in the future,” Zhang said.

The change is widely seen as the culmination of Xi’s efforts since being appointed leader of the party in 2012 to concentrate power in his own hands and defy norms of collective leadership established over the past two decades.

Xi has appointed himself to head bodies that oversee national security, finance, economic reform and other major initiatives, effectively sidelining the Communist Party’s No 2 figure, Premier Li Keqiang.

In addition to scrapping the limitation that presidents can serve only two consecutive terms, the amendments also inserted Xi’s personal political philosophy into the preamble of the constitution, along with phrasing that emphasizes the party’s leadership.

“It is rare nowadays to see a country with a constitution that emphasises the constitutional position of any one political party,” Zhang said.

Voting among the legislature’s hand-picked

CHINESE President Xi Jinping casts his vote for an amendment to China’s constitution that will abolish term limits on the presidency and enable him to rule indefinitely. delegates began in the mid- ten minutes, and delegates afternoon, with Xi leading returned to their seats while members of the party’s the votes were counted.

Shortly after 3:50pm, the seven-member all-powerful Politburo Standing Com- results were read over the mittee in casting their public address system and ballots on a stage inside a flashed briefly on a screen cavernous hall. He placed in the hall.

“The constitutional his orange ballot paper in a item has red box bearing the official amendment passed,” the announcer seal of state.

Rank-and-file deputies declared to polite applause.

Xi showed little emotion, then rose to vote on the floor of the hall as jaunty remaining in his seat with instrumental music played. other deputies to listen to The process was over in a report on the work of the

congress delivered by its outgoing chairman.

The slide toward one-man rule under Xi has fueled concern that Beijing is eroding efforts to guard against the excesses of autocratic leadership.

The head of the legislature’s legal affairs committee, Shen Chunyao, dismissed those worries as “speculation that is ungrounded and without basis”.

Shen told reporters that the party’s 90-year history has led to a system of orderly succession to “maintain the vitality and long-term stability of the party and the people”.

“We believe in the future that we will continue with this path and discover an even brighter future,” Shen said.

In a sign of the issue’s sensitivity, government censors have aggressively scrubbed social media of expressions ranging from “I disagree” to “Xi Zedong”. A number of prominent Chinese figures have publicly protested the move, despite the risk of retaliation.

Officials have said the elimination of presidential term limits is aimed only at bringing the office of the president in line with Xi’s other positions atop the Communist Party and the Central Military Commission, which do not impose term limits.

While some scholars questioned the wisdom of the move, others said they saw value in sending the message that Xi would be setting policy for many years to come.

“In fact, the more Xi Jinping’s position is consolidated and the longer his governing time is to last, the more secure it is for the continuity of the policies,” said Liu Jiangyong, a professor at Renmin University’s School of International Relations.

The move has crushed faint hopes for political reforms among China’s embattled liberal scholars and activists, who now fear even greater repression.

China allows no political opposition in any form and has relentlessly persecuted independent groups seeking greater civic participation.

Leading Chinese officials have repeatedly rejected any chance of adopting Westernstyle separation of powers or multiparty democracy.

Nevertheless, Xi’s confident, populist leadership style and tough attitude toward corruption have won him significant popular support.

Zhao Minglin, 32, a vice president of a Beijing investment firm, said it would be easier for Xi to carry out his ambitious vision of raising living standards if more power were concentrated in his hands.

Cuba’s likely next president pledges more responsive govt CUBA on Sunday took the final political step before a promised transition from the founders of the Communist state to a younger generation of officials.

Along with millions of Cubans, 57-year-old vice president Miguel Diaz-Canel voted to ratify a governmentapproved list of members of the National Assembly,

which convenes April 19.

Diaz-Canel, who is expected to assume Raul Castro’s seat as president that day, said the country’s next government will be more responsive

to its people.

Miguel Diaz-Canel told reporters in the central city of Santa Clara that “the people will participate in the decisions that the government takes”.

“The people can also recall someone who doesn’t fulfill their responsibilities,” Diaz-Canel said. “There has to be a focus on ties to, links with, the people, to listen to the people, deeply investigate the problems that exist and inspire debates about those problems.”

Diaz-Canel also lamented the downturn in relations with the US under President Donald Trump, saying “the reestablishment of relations has been deteriorating thanks to an administration that has offended Cuba”.

In a bit of political theater that may prove to be a shift in style from Castro’s, DiazCanel waited in line to vote alongside other citizens.

Most officials are swept to the front of lines to vote in front of local and international media.

“We’re almost in the future that we’ve been talking about, a transition,” said Jose Ramon Machado Ventura,

CUBA’s Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel. the 87-year-old second vice president who fought along with Castro to overthrow strongman Fulgencio Batista in 1959. “We’ve been in transition since Jan 1, 1959. Now, the change is generational.”

Despite the change in tone, few Cubans on Sunday expected Diaz-Canel to bring about immediate or dramatic reform.

The vice president has long been seen as Castro’s hand-picked successor, and he has consistently emphasized maintaining continuity in Cuba’s single-party political system and centrally planned economy.

Despite a series of reforms instated by Castro at the beginning of his decade in power, the Cuban government maintains its monopoly on most forms of economic

activity and the Cuban economy remains mostly stagnant and unproductive.

Young Cubans in particular are widely disenchanted by a lack of economic opportunity and the state’s tight control of virtually all aspects of life on the island.

Tens of thousands of Cubans have left the island over the last decade, draining highly qualified professional from key institutions like Cuba’s prized medical and educational systems.

“I think the change will be for the good, because it seems to me that some of the measures that have been taken in the past have become obsolete,” said Daniela Aguero, a 26-yearold doctor. “Now there will be changes to improve our economy and our policies.”

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, March 12, 2018, PAGE 15

AMBASSADOR SIR RONALD SANDERS

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA WITHDRAW FROM SUMMIT PREPARATION ANTIGUA and Barbuda have withdrawn from participation in the second preparatory meeting for the Summit of the Americas scheduled to be held in Lima, Peru next month.

Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS), which is responsible for the preparation of the meeting, explained that Antigua and Barbuda withdrew from the meeting on a point of fundamental principle.

He noted that, at the meeting, the government of Venezuela was excluded from participation without any prior explanation or discussion by the memberstates of the OAS at any level.

Ambassador Sanders said that “Venezuela’s exclusion from the second preparatory meeting was curious because it had been a full and constructive participant in the first meeting a few weeks ago”.

The only reason given for Venezuela’s exclusion was that Peru, the host country for the summit, had decided Venezuela should not be allowed to participate.

According to Ambassador Sanders, “While the host country traditionally has been able to invite attendance by a high

representative of a county that is not a member state, it is not acceptable to reject a sitting member-state of the Organization which plans and executes the meeting”.

“I want to make it clear that our stand is on behalf of all member states, not Venezuela alone. If this is allowed to occur, then any member state of the OAS could be excluded from a Summit meeting or a general assembly meeting at the sole behest of the host country”.

Consequently, Antigua and Barbuda’s Deputy Head of Mission to the OAS, Joy-Dee Davis, made the following statement before withdrawing from the meeting.

“Antigua and Barbuda does not know of, nor has it participated in, any official decision of the Summit of the Americas, the OAS General Assembly, the Meeting of Consultation of Foreign Affairs or of the Permanent Council to disenfranchise any active Member State from these meetings. We find this precedent of unilateral exclusion appalling and unacceptable.

“Therefore, on that basis and until this situation is rectified, Antigua and Barbuda regrets that it cannot participate in the meeting.”

PAGE 16, Monday, March 12, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

THREE PRIME MINISTERS IN ATTENDANCE AT LADY MILLER’S FUNERAL

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

LADY Laurie Miller, 93, was laid to rest on Saturday following a funeral at the

Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King.

She was buried in the church grounds next to her late husband, Sir Albert Miller, 89, who died August 18, 2015.

Among the mourners were Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, former Prime Ministers Hubert Ingraham and Perry Christie and parliamentarians.

Executives of the Grand

Bahama Port Authority - where Sir Albert served as co-chairman, and president for over 30 years - also attended.

Lady Miller was remembered as a humanitarian – a woman with a heart filled with love, care, and compassion for others. She was recognised for the contributions she made to the church.

Melinda Tucker and Ashley Miller-Fry, Lady Miller’s granddaughters, shared with the congregation their fond memories of “Grammy,” during visits to Freeport.

They recalled their grandmother sitting in her chair reading her Bible, or watching her favourite television show, and solving the crossword puzzles in the daily newspaper.

They said she also passed down life lessons they will never forget.

“She was strict in her ways and did not put up with any nonsense. Back then we did not understand why, but now appreciate the lessons she had instilled in us. She was always making sure she taught us to be respectful young ladies and gentlemen,” they said.

The Venerable Harry Bain said Lady Miller’s humble beginnings left her with a good work ethic, which she demonstrated in business and the church.

“She was dedicated to

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, left, Minister of State for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson, former Prime Ministers Hubert Ingraham and Perry Christie as well as West Grand Bahama and Bimini MP Pakeisha Parker-Edgecombe attended the funeral of Lady Laurie Miller at Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King in Grand Bahama on Saturday.

Photo: Derek Carroll the altar guild at Christ Maynard-Gibson said Mrs the King, and was always Miller always put her husready and willing to help band and family first. wherever and whenever she “She supported her huscould,” he said. band in a career change The Retired Archbishop – from deputy commissioner Drexel Gomez said Lady of police – to the decision to Miller was always a faithful move to Freeport. When member of the church. she and Sir Albert moved “She was also happy to be to Grand Bahama, Freeport a believer and to be num- was considered a frontier bered among those who town. Imagine the faith and truly believed and who put commitment of a wife who the belief into practice, not was courageous enough to only by being regular every accept the risk of a career week in worship but who change while her husband put the belief into practice held such a senior position. in how she identified with What some people saw as various church projects,” he upheaval and uncertainty said. they saw an opportunity to Lady Miller, nee Gibbs, contribute to the develophailed from New Provi- ment of Freeport for the dence but relocated to benefit of Bahamians yet Freeport with her husband unborn,” Mrs Maynardwho was a former deputy Gibson wrote. commissioner of police.

Lady Miller is survived In a letter paying trib- by her children, Russell and ute to Lady Miller, former Tony Miller, and Debbie Attorney General Allyson Archer.