03152019 NEWS

FRIDAY i’m lovin’ it!

HIGH 81ºF LOW 68ºF

The Tribune

Volume:116 No.57, MARCH 15TH, 2019

Established 1903

Weekend

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

Friday, March 15, 2019 art books culture fashio n music food entertainme nt puzzles history

Weekend

WEEKEND: FIRST REVEAL FOR CARNIVAL COSTUMES

No-show Nygard ‘Just lock him up’

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net ATTORNEY Fred Smith, QC, yesterday called on a Supreme Court judge to jail Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard for two years for failing to appear in court yet again to attend his own sentencing for breaching a court order prohibiting him from engaging in any illegal dredging near his Lyford Cay home.

Mr Smith submitted to Justice Cheryl GrantThompson that a “severe custodial sentence” should

be levied on Mr Nygard, as only the loss of his liberty for a “long period” would cause the “serial recidivist contemnor” to “heel” and respect The Bahamas’ administration of justice.

Mr Smith said a fine would be “peanuts” for a reported billionaire like Mr Nygard, and would do nothing to instill respect for the country’s judicial system in someone who told a former Supreme Court judge to her face that her proceedings was “the biggest waste of time that I’ve ever experienced”.

THE National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) must “give it another go” after failing to win Cabinet approval for the scheme at the first try, a minister revealed yesterday.

Dr Duane Sands, minister of health, disclosed to Tribune Business that the government wants answers to multiple questions raised

OPERATION CLEAN-UP UNDERWAY

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE New Providence landfill’s new operator yesterday said it is “well armed with funding and ready to go” as it takes over the site’s management for the first time today.

Henry Dean, head of the Waste Resources Development Group said that the winning bidder had already mobilised with “no less than 50 trucks” ready to haul fill to the Tonique Williams Highway site to ensure all garbage is fully covered.

Pledging the 100 percent Bahamian-owned group will deliver “a first class experience for all”, Mr Dean said its first priority today will be “to kill or bring as as close to zero as possible” the risk of major fires breaking out at the site.

‘MISSING MARVIN’ HEARING DELAYED

SEE PAGE THREE

during the authority’s first presentation to Cabinet on the reformed healthcare financing plan.

While not providing specifics on the queries raised

by Cabinet, Dr Sands indicated there needed to be further testing of the “assumptions” that the NHIA has made to support how it has chosen to structure the scheme’s financing, operational and administrative mechanisms.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

pages 14 & 15

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

CABINET DEMANDS ANSWERS OF NHIA

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Page 7

A fairytale Carnival

Enigma leads the way for 2019

QC urges court to jail tycoon for two years

ST PADDY’S DAY

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

SUPREME Court Justice Andrew Forbes has delayed his ruling on a habeas corpus application in the case of 40-year-old Marvin Pratt, after agreeing that government filings in the case have not fully addressed the specifics as laid out in the application.

During yesterday’s proceedings, counsel for Mr Pratt, Callenders & Co lawyer Crispin Hall, argued the response filed by attorney for the Crown, Ryan Sands, on behalf of Chief Superintendent Solomon PETER Nygard failed to appear in court yet again yesterday.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

SEE PAGE SIX

‘TRUST US TO PLAY FAIR ON COMPLAINTS’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

AS HE urged those aggrieved by officers to make their complaints known with the Complaints and Corruptions Unit, Royal Bahamas Police Force Commissioner Anthony Ferguson said the process must be fair on all sides.

The Police Act mandates that complaints against officers be addressed within

COMMISSIONER FERGUSON six months, yet some have been waiting more than a year for police to address

their complaints and have yet to get an update.

In one recent case, two people were told time had run out for their matter to be addressed, even though they made timely complaints.

Despite the concerns, Commissioner Ferguson admitted yesterday that people may get weary with the process, but he was confident police will investigate all matters properly.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FIVE

A COMIC’S VIEW THE MANY UPS AND DOWNS OF FATHERHOOD

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Friday, March 15, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Changing of the guard in fine style

THERE was a Changing of the Guard ceremony at Police Headquarters on East Street North yesterday.

Photos: Donavan McIntosh

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 15, 2019, PAGE 3

RESIDENTS COMPLAIN ABOUT STATE OF CABLE BEACH POST OFFICE DISGRUNTLED residents have decried the state of the Cable Beach Post Office.

The glass in the building’s front door cracked and fell out but has not been fixed in nearly a month, The Tribune was told.

There is presently a hurricane shutter covering the exposed door; however, one resident said she found the door exposed and mail scattered on the floor on Wednesday night.

“And it appears a culprit is also breaking into PO boxes,” the concerned resident wrote.

“There seems to be no interest or supervision by anyone concerned. Post office has been a sore subject for a long time and it is a disgrace for The Bahamas.”

The resident added: “Mail service has been non-existent for better part of two years.”

The country’s embattled postal system has drawn

the ire of both residents and businesses who lament months-long delays and intermittent service.

Staff at the General Post Office are still waiting to be relocated to a new facility, and last month Transport Minister Renward Wells dodged questions placed by the media concerning an updated timeline for relocation.

The government announced plans to rent a portion of the Town Centre Mall to temporarily house the General Post Office. Employees were expected to be in the new facility by Christmas 2018 but that date was pushed back to early 2019.

“I will not be answering any questions about the post office today. I will address the media about that at some other point, not today,” Mr Wells said previously.

The transport minister did not return calls to press time.

Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

QC urges court to jail Nygard for two years from page one Mr Smith also revealed that Mr Nygard is now faced with another committal application for breaching Justice Keith Thompson’s order for him and his attorney Keod Smith to immediately remove a sworn affidavit from Justice Grant-Thompson’s court file containing “very sensitive” client/ attorney information from Mr Smith’s law firm Callenders & Co. Mr Smith said a number of emails containing client/ attorney information were previously stolen from his law firm via some unknown means, but were later exhibited in that affidavit

by Keod Smith, which was in support of various applications by Mr Nygard to set aside the orders Justice Grant-Thompson made concerning his contempt of court convictions and to be used in his own mitigation and sentencing hearing.

Lawyers are also seeking leave to have Keod Smith committed to prison for breaching the injunction as well, Mr Smith said.

Mr Smith’s comments came during proceedings that marked the fourth time to date Mr Nygard has failed to attend his own sentencing hearings as ordered by the court. The previous three times came on January 17 as ordered by Justice Indra Charles before transferring the matter to Justice Grant-Thompson; and January 21 and January 28 as ordered by Justice Grant-Thompson.

Nygard was ordered to show cause why he should not be cited and committed to prison for contempt for failing to show up in court to be sentenced for dredging the sea bed near his Lyford Cay/Simms Point home between March and April 2015, and again in October of 2016, despite a June 2013 injunction barring him from doing so.

Yesterday, Mr Nygard

ATTORNEY FRED SMITH, above, said that Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard, left, should be given a “severe custodial sentence”.

was nowhere to be found as the bailiff called out his name three times to mark his appearance. Mr Smith said as a result of his absence, Mr Nygard is in contempt. And that, Mr Smith submitted, was notwithstanding his required attendance for his mitigation and sentencing hearings for his second and third of three contempt of court convictions.

Mr Smith said it is “selfevident” that Mr Nygard’s conduct and repeated absences are making it

more difficult for the court to enforce the orders it already made and to consequently conduct the mitigation and sentencing hearings.

Mr Smith further accused Mr Nygard and his attorneys of avoiding the inevitable “day of reckoning.” He said a message needs to be sent publicly that the court “will not entertain contemnors and/ or their lawyers when they repeatedly slap the court in the face.”

Meanwhile, Mr Nygard’s

attorney Carlton Martin accused Mr Smith of using the Supreme Court to “stage his shenanigans” in an “abusive way”. However, he apologized to Mr Smith shortly afterwards for having made that remark.

He further submitted that Mr Smith is “obsessed” with My Nygard, something Mr Smith refuted.

On January 29, Justice Grant-Thompson ordered Nygard’s “immediate arrest” for his failure to appear on three occasions up to that point to

HAITIAN MAN, 22, ADMITS ENTERING COUNTRY ILLEGALLY

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A HAITIAN man was arraigned in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court this week for breaches of the Immigration Act. Jonas Valmy, 22, appeared before Magistrate

Charlton Smith on the charges of illegal landing and working without a valid work permit. He pleaded guilty.

According to the particulars, Valmy, right, was arrested in the Taino Beach area. He told police that he entered the

country illegally by boat from Haiti in March 2018 and remained in the country without obtaining legal status.

Magistrate Smith convicted Valmy and ordered him to pay a $300 fine for illegal landing, or in default serve two months

in prison. He was also fined $3,000 for working without a valid work permit, or in default serve 18 months in prison.

The sentences are to run concurrently. Valmy is expected to be deported to Haiti on payment of the fines or on completion of serving his sentences.

be sentenced for breaching former Justice Rhonda Bain’s order prohibiting him from engaging in any illegal dredging near his Lyford Cay home. Justice Grant-Thompson issued the bench warrant after saying she has “zero tolerance” for the Lyford Cay resident failing to honour her orders for him to appear in court for his own sentencing hearings.

At the time, she also ordered that Mr Nygard, 77, would have to show cause for why he should not

be committed to prison for failing to show in court on those occasions.

Mr Nygard subsequently appealed Justice Grant-Thompson’s order, and is further seeking an order from the appellate court that all matters in the Supreme Court proceed without him “being required or compelled by the court to be present,” and in “due consideration” to an order made in 2018 which he asserts brought the matter to an end.

Mr Nygard is also seeking to have all further proceedings in the action stayed pending the hearing of his constitutional motion, which was filed on January 28, concerning the infringement of his fundamental rights to both freedom of movement and detention.

He further asserts that Justice Grant-Thompson erred in treating the contempt proceedings as criminal contempt proceedings, and that she erred in ordering the issuance of a warrant for his arrest, in spite of or at the same time as ordering him to show cause why he shouldn’t be committed to prison.

The matter continues on March 29.

PAGE 4, Friday, March 15, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

jamaaltheartist@gmail.com

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

Published daily Monday to Friday

Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES

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

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

WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK www.tribune242.com

@tribune242

tribune news network

Action as well as words, Mr Commissioner FAIRNESS is on the mind of Police Commissioner Anthony Ferguson.

“You have to be fair,” he said, talking about the process by which the public raise concerns through the Complaints and Corruption Unit.

The fairness he is talking about is made clear as he goes on.

“You have to be fair to people who complaints are made (against)… the question I will ask is wouldn’t you want someone to be fair with you if somebody is accusing you of something?”

The answer, of course, is yes. But the question remains whether or not the force is being fair to both sides – the accuser and the accused.

Last month, we reported on three people who claimed they were tortured by police in Eleuthera.

The stories were shocking. The three – two men and one women – said they were bound and beaten, had a fishbag put over their heads, there were claims of waterboarding. One claimed hot sauce was poured into his eyes.

The three were innocent of any crime, and after being released without charge they filed formal complaints at the Complaints and Corruption Unit.

For more than a year, they heard nothing. Not a word. So they took the next step and are pursuing their case in court.

Lo and behold, after their story went public, the police called them in to discuss their complaint – only to be told that the time had expired in which it could be addressed by the force.

This was the first they had heard back from the police – only to be told that it was too late to do anything about it.

Now how is that fair, Commissioner?

There is genuine concern the police force does not handle complaints evenhandedly, from the case in Eleuthera to the ongoing case reported again today about the case of Marvin Pratt, missing since family say he was detained by police while officers collectively shrug THE US State Department human rights report’s description of local prison conditions as ‘life-threatening’ prompted readers to post their reactions on tribune242.com.

One had this suggestion: “Do away with the prison and put these adults to work instead so they are rehabilitated to enter society with skills. We have 700 islands; choose an uninhabited one and build a society there where prisoners farm, cook, construct, clean for themselves. It would be less cost caring for them; heck perhaps they produce a surplus of food which the government could use to feed homeless, orphans and the elderly. Locking adults in a cage doesn’t rehabilitate them to eventually be released into society.”

Concerned799 said: “If people don’t like the US commenting on Bahamian prisons, perhaps citizens need to get more involved in making visits so more informed debate can be had. Should Bahamian jails not meet generally accepted international standards?”

The news that the government has spent $9.2m on operations and payouts to line staff since it acquired the Grand Lucayan resort in Grand Bahama led to this comment from Clamshell:

and say his disappearance is nothing to do with the force.

And the news reported in the US State Department’s report on The Bahamas that the civilian organisation intended to investigate complaints against police officers – the Police Complaints Inspectorate – hasn’t met in a year and half with National Security Minister seemingly not appointing anyone to the office only furthers those concerns.

We all want fairness – but the fairness must be to both sides.

The Commissioner says he wants the same, saying “we’ll continue to be fair to all persons who make reports and all persons who the reports are made against”.

That being the case, we hope an investigation is already underway as to why the three complainants in Eleuthera were left high and dry, and that the force is already reaching out to them to explain what went wrong with the process there.

Anything less would not be fair.

COMMISSIONER Ferguson was also keen yesterday to reassure the public over the spate of recent child abductions, insisting the force had the situation “under hand”.

He said that three of the cases are being considered as kidnappings – though did not specify which ones – and insisting the force is following significant leads.

That contrasts somewhat with what police said on Sunday, when Inspector Leonardo Burrows said they weren’t following any other leads other than appealing to the public.

We sincerely hope significant progress has been made since Sunday and parents might soon be made to feel at ease rather than worrying about the presence of a triple child kidnapper in our midst – and that Commissioner Ferguson’s officers will live up to his words.

“They could have bought Lighthouse Point three times over for what they have spent on this dump and created a wonderful eco-tourism national park rather than another Disney cruise ship depot.”

And after Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest urged the financial services industry to go to the “next level of growth”, ThisIsOurs posted these ideas: “Here’s an idea. I hope you’re reading this. Make a call to action to every BAHAMIAN programmer in the country. Enroll them in financial services courses.

“You’re doing a couple of things: 1.There are many retired financial services EXPERTS. Financial services professionals who’ve been let go in downsizing exercises. Pay those persons to teach courses.

Employment rate down.

Do not bring in any foreign firm to do this work.

We have the talent. Your strategy should be to hit the unemployed ‘qualified’ persons first. This is

strategic – you’re attacking two problems: Unemployment and education. Before you start, put these persons through a course with Bettina Albury, she can determine who has the correct skills to train. Others may need a longer training period. Hire them as instructors under the tutelage of an existing financial services education body.

The Securities Commission already offers courses, there may be other bodies that do. No fly by night operations, no hiring your buddies, this is the sector’s and possibly the Bahamas’ life support system you’re dealing with. You don’t want bad teachers.

“2. Secondly you’re preparing the Bahamas for the future in a concrete way.

“3. You’re investing in our greatest asset. In one to two years you will have a cadre of programmers trained in financial services.

“When they’re done, give them something to do for one year. You have a year to plan what ‘something’ is. Another opportunity for retired or unemployed experts to become involved.

We may need some mathematicians.”

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

False adverts for my five dollars EDITOR, The Tribune

I SAW something called a five dollar filler upper advertised in a KFC commercial on TV. If looked very tasty and I liked the price, I went to KFC to buy the filler upper and when I got there they didn’t have what I went there for. It

was shown on TV as being there the five dollar filler upper but it isn’t really there, isn’t that what is called false advertising, what’s up with that?

KYLE ARMBRISTER Nassau March, 2019

Lack of dredging sees return of the seahorse EDITOR, The Tribune THE discovery of a seahorse in North Bimini Bay may very well be the sign that, with the temporary stoppage of dredging within the mangroves, these unique treasures may be returning to the area. It was a juvenile seahorse, which indicates the possible presence of adults in the area.

Before all the dredging and construction began in North Bimini Bay, seahorses in a variety of vibrant colours were plentiful. Many other marine species have literally disappeared, a direct result of dredging and converting the bay into land on which multi-million dollar homes are being constructed.

We sincerely pray that

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net the invasive destruction of this once natural habitat for an abundance of sea life has ended, and, we may once again witness a measurable return of what once fed the residents of Bimini and many other Bahamians as well as foreigners, who came to share our delectable marine treasures.

Against all odds, even a few adult queen conchs can be seen in the bay area.

We have yet to see a single shrimp on the ocean side since their habitats were so dreadfully destroyed. Biminites once feasted daily on these

delicious creatures which could be harvested by the bucket-full on any day.

Our sincere prayer is that any further incursion into the bay area or into the mangroves, where 80% of marine species spawn and mature, has come to an end. If not the rule of conscience, at least the historic evidence of wanton destruction of Mother Earth in North Bimini and the simultaneous disappearance of sea life should give us pause. Otherwise, this once beautiful and bounteous island will become an indelible symbol of tragic and irreparable loss.

JOSEPH DARVILLE Chairman, Save the Bays Nassau March 11, 2019

Spelling out one man’s brilliance EDITOR, The Tribune ``Honouring a Great Man of God’’ P – Privileged to serve the lowly of men.

R- Resting in the arms of Jesus, the Master.

E- Educated to the nth degree.

S- Socialite but humble unto God. T- Turning a blind eye unto sin.

O- Overwhelmed by Grace and Glory.

N- Never failing nor Faltering but steering a straight course unto Christ.

Moss.

The late Monsignor Preston Alexander Moss born October 19, 1939 to Preston Moss Sr and Veronica Moss was described by his colleagues in Christ Archbishop Patrick Pinder as a man of ``very deep faith” and “ deep understanding and knowledge of Holy Scripture.”

The most high reverend Sir died on Monday March 11, 2019 after fighting a

lengthy battle and struggle with cancer. He fought a good fight and kept the faith.

Msgr Moss distinguished accolades are many and varied. Moss was amongst the first of many Bahamians in 2018 to receive the Bahamas order of merit award.

In 1999 the distinguished Monsignor, was bestowed a Protonotary apostolic, rank

by Pope John Paul II. In 1981 Moss was a part of a two-man entourage to represent the Vatican at Belize’s Independence Celebration.

Msgr Moss was ordained to the Catholic priesthood on June 4, 1965 and served as a beloved priest for over 50 years before retiring as pastor of St Anselm’s parish in Fox Hill in 2016. He was appointed Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese in 1973 and vicar General in 1975.

Archbishop Patrick Pinder told Tribune media that Moss’s strongest points were his very, very deep

faith and very wonderful traits as an engaging preacher; with a deep, deep understanding and knowledge of sacred scripture; which drew him to many like a magnet. He will be sadly missed.

May his soul rest in perpetual peace, to God be the Glory. Great things he has done. We honour a great spiritual Bahamian leader.

Msgr Moss led by example and was considered a role model and high achiever in Bahamian history. Leading the way and being a great leader in the Catholic Church. I join the chorus of many mourners throughout the Bahamian society and the world at large. Moss’s passing has left a void which cannot in this lifetime soon be filled. He will be sadly missed. A sad time, but we rejoice with hope! Gone now, but not soon forgotten!

LOXSLEY BASTIAN Nassau March 14, 2019

The Press always has the last word EDITOR, The Tribune SOME advice to the Most Honorable Dr Hubert A Minnis - you can never hide from the press. The press always has the last say even if you try to hide.

Transparency we were promised it seems now after the $400 million signing with

Disney signings are behind closed doors no questions to be asked! Freedom of expression and of the Press is guaranteed Prime Minister, check.

R MURPHY Nassau, March 11, 2019.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 15, 2019, PAGE 5

‘TRUST US TO PLAY FAIR ON COMPLAINTS’ from page one

“If you are aggrieved by any action taken by police, you would report the matter to the police complaints unit, who I have every confidence in, will investigate the matter and where there is action to be taken action will be taken,” the police chief said yesterday in response to a question about grievances against the police.

“I think sometime people are a little weary that the outcome of the action is not the way they would like it, but we have to understand the Royal Bahamas Police Force is no different from any other society.

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net WHILE recent child abductions have sparked fear in some communities in New Providence, Royal Bahamas Police Force Commissioner Anthony Ferguson said police are following good leads and suggested the situation was under control.

As he moved to quell concerns, the commissioner yesterday also seemed to downplay the frequency and severity of the issue, telling reporters that not all of the incidents reported were actually considered kidnappings. He said as far as police were concerned only three of the cases fell into this category and were being looked at seriously.

However, he did not specify which cases were ruled out as abductions.

Nonetheless, he said, police were following significant leads.

This, despite Inspector Leonardo Burrows on Sunday telling The Tribune police did not have leads and were challenged with getting people to come forward with information that could lead to the arrest of the person responsible for the abduction of three boys who were taken and returned last Thursday.

“Let me say straight out the crack of the gun, the Bahamian people can be assured that we have this situation under hand,” Commissioner Ferguson said yesterday following a guard changing ceremony at police headquarters.

“I was advised this morning by the assistant commissioner of crime management, who, along with his team, is actively investigating this matter.

They are following significant leads and we will continue to bring these investigations to closure.”

He continued: “But I will say all of the incidents are not categorised as kidnapping and so about three of those are matters that we’re looking seriously at.

“There has to be due process.”

He continued: “You have to be fair to people who complaints are made (against) and the law is quite clear and the procedures are quite clear on investigations of complaints.

“The question I will ask is wouldn’t you want someone to be fair with you if somebody is accusing you of something? I am sure the answer would be yes and so we’ll continue to be fair to all persons who make reports and all persons who the reports are made against.”

Police have in recent months come under fire for alleged abuses against people in their custody.

Last month The Tribune exclusively reported that the RBPF was being sued for allegedly torturing three people in a bid to secure confessions from them.

Two men and a woman in Eleuthera, who were questioned at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station in January 2018, say they were bound, beaten and fishbagged before being released without charge. One claimed police poured hot sauce into his eyes.

The trio made formal complaints at the Complaints and Corruption Unit but, after hearing nothing for more than a year, they pursued their case in court.

Ferguson insists: We are in control over child abductions

“One of the matters involving where a family member came home and met the child at home by their self and they took them at that location.

“So the Bahamian people need not be in any state of panic. The Royal Bahamas Police Force, along with members of the public, is actively involved in this matter and so I expect pretty shortly we should be able to bring some resolution to this situation.”

Police confirmed last Friday that three boys were taken in last Thursday’s incident and not two as the officer initially reported.

In that abduction, all of the boys were relatives.

They were later released unharmed.

Two were eight years old and the third was ten, police said at the time. Within a 24-hour period four boys had been taken, meaning

six children were reported abducted in a three-week timeframe.

On Sunday, Inspector Burrows said the cases had no movement, explaining that people were not coming forward with information.

“We aren’t following any other leads other than trying to appeal to members of the public,” Insp Burrows said on Sunday.

“The challenge with that (the latest case) is it’s a Haitian Bahamian community and a lot of persons in that community are afraid to come forward.

“We believe that some of them may not be here legally so that has been a challenge for us.

“So we have been trying to check video cameras in the area to see if we can determine a make and model of the vehicle or anything else.”

PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE ‘MAKING SLOW PROGRESS’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

TWO years after the Office of the Public Defender was opened to much fanfare, the office is slowly growing as many continue to fight serious charges in court without a lawyer.

The problem was highlighted in the US State Department’s 2018 human rights report, which said: “The government provided legal representation only to destitute suspects charged with capital crimes, leaving a large number of defendants without adequate legal representation.”

The Office of the Public Defender was launched in January 2017. Then Court of Appeal president Justice Dame Anita Allen said it would “go a long way in eliminating the delay often occasioned by non-availability of criminal defence counsel.” Former Chief Justice Sir Hartman Longley said the office would be expected to reduce delays in criminal trials.

The government saw the office as key to reducing trial backlogs, with former Attorney General Allyson

However, days after the story went public, they were told the time had expired for their matter to be addressed by the force, despite the timely complaints they had made.

Before this, the father of Shavar Bain Jr, the toddler who was abducted in mid-February and later left outside a washhouse in Fox Hill, alleged police beat him to force a confession that he was involved in the kidnapping of his own child.

The child’s mother, Dwaynira Thurston also said her human rights were violated when police came to arrest her but refused to give her the privacy of getting

Maynard Gibson revealing that as many as 16 percent of cases do not go to trial because defendants do not have a lawyer. A $20m Citizen Security and Justice Programme loan facilitated the creation of the public defender’s office.

According to legal experts, data is not available to show how many people face serious charges without legal representation but the number that do is high. The Office of the Public Defender was initially supposed to assist people on remand awaiting trial. It was expected to eventually open up to anyone who cannot afford a lawyer.

The Tribune understands the office is swamped with work and lacks manpower to meet the considerable demand for legal representation. At the same time, the Crown Brief system, the traditional avenue through which defence lawyers have helped poor people for a fee paid by the government, continues to attract a limited number of lawyers.

Thomas Evans, QC, director of the Office of the Public Defender, said the office has recently engaged four new lawyers.

“We want to be able to satisfy the requirements of the constitution in respect to the availability of competent legal advisers for people who are charged with offences before the court,” he said, noting Article 20 (2)(d) of the constitution guarantees the right of a person to “defend himself in person, or at his own expense by a legal representative of his choice, or by a legal representative at the public’s expense, where so provided by law in force in The Bahamas.”

“We think gradually, even if slowly, we’re getting there,” he said.

One obstacle for the office is that no legislation governs its work. “We absolutely have to have a legislation on my interpretation of the constitution and I wrote a letter recently addressing that,” Mr Evans said. “I don’t know that we can properly operate the way we are operating now. I think the constitution very clearly says that this kind of activity must be done pursuant to some legislation.”

Mr Evans said officials are looking at the possibility of raising funds to meet its needs.

Regarding Thursday’s incident, police initially said two boys, aged eight and ten, were walking on Kool Acres Road in east New Providence when “they were picked up by a female who was the lone occupant” of a dark-coloured vehicle.

When it was time to drop the boys off, the woman reportedly allowed two to leave, but grabbed the third boy’s hand, keeping him in the vehicle and driving off.

“I tell her bring me back home, she say she bringing me back home now, but she did not,” eight-year-old J’Dakito Sejour told Our News last Friday.

“She drop off them, then she gone through the corner and she gone, she pass by Baha Mar then she drop me by the dump. She tell me go sit on the tyre. Then she gone. Then I start crying.

Two cars saw me, they stop and they bring me to the

dressed. Mr Bain went on to file a report with the Complaints and Corruptions Unit.

It is unclear if there has been movement in the investigation.

Recent reports also indicate the Police Complaints Inspectorate, which oversees the RBPF’s investigations into complaints to ensure they are impartial, has been non-functional. It is not clear whether National Security Minister Marvin Dames has appointed anyone to the inspectorate as the law mandates. According to the most recent US human rights report, the inspectorate has not met since September 2017.

station and they tell me tell them my mommy number and I tell them it and they called my mom.”

Young J’Dakito told Our News he had never seen or spoken to the woman before. “I didn’t know where she was gonna carry me.”

J’Dakito and the older of the two boys were shown the police’s composite sketch of the abductor and both agreed it was the same woman who took them.

But J’Dakito said, “On there she look dark, in the car she was light.”

The two eight year olds were initially dropped off by a Haitian village in the vicinity of Seabreeze and Joe Farrington Road.

The ten year old was dropped off later by the city dump. The boys were gone for roughly two hours, police said.

On March 6,

eight-year-old Tyvon Deveaux was abducted by a woman driver in a silver-coloured Japanesemodel vehicle. He was later dropped off by the entrance to the dump on Tonique Williams Darling Highway.

And then on February 16, three-year-old Shavar Bain was abducted from outside his home and then left frightened and alone outside a Fox Hill washhouse several hours later, sparking a manhunt for two women believed to be the abductors.

On March 3, an eightyear-old girl was abducted from her home by an alleged male perpetrator. She was discovered walking in the area of Woodlawn Gardens a short time after the abduction by a passer-by and was taken to the Wulff Road Police Station.

PAGE 6, Friday, March 15, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

‘MISSING MARVIN’ FATHER OF FOUR HEARING DELAYED TAKES OWN LIFE

MARVIN Pratt’s family insists officers arrested him on December 5, 2018. from page one Cash, the officer-in-charge of the Central Detectives Unit, only speaks to the role his unit and not the entire Royal Bahamas Police Force.

Mr Hall further argued the response neglected to clearly address the roles of Police Commissioner Anthony Ferguson and Attorney General Carl Bethel - the two other respondents named in the habeas corpus application.

The habeas corpus application is seeking to compel the Royal Bahamas Police Force to produce the Gambier Village resident police deny having in custody.

Mr Pratt’s family insists Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) officers arrested him on December 5, 2018, a claim Commissioner Ferguson has denied.

Mr Hall pointed out that while the court does not have the jurisdiction to investigate the information supplied in the filings, it does have the jurisdiction to either accept or reject the claims as presented. Citing the words used by CSP Cash in his response, Mr Hall contended

that filing “on its face” does not speak for the RBPF, the commissioner of police nor the Attorney General.

Further attacking the filing, Mr Hall asserted that CSP Cash’s response only addresses his actions.

From that standpoint, Mr Hall said the court would be minded to reject the response on the grounds that it does not provide a complete account of the RBPF’s actions, and more specifically, the remaining respondents named in the application.

To that end, he called for another response from the RBPF that widely addresses the actions of the force in this case, and the DEU, as the unit is at the centre of alleged disappearance of Mr Pratt.

Justice Forbes, after considering the arguments, agreed with the position and ordered further responses by the respondents named in the applicants, or at the very least, an officer with direct oversight of DEU. The case has been adjourned to Thursday, March 28 at 9.30am to allow for the further filings.

FATHER-of-four Dimaggio Darrell, 41, the owner of a company called Island Bike.

BY RIEL MAJOR POLICE are investigating two separate alleged suicides of a man and woman that occurred within hours of each other.

Police said shortly after 10pm on Wednesday they were called to a residence in Winton Estates where a male was discovered in a home, hanging from a door.

Although paramedics were called, they were unsuccessful in reviving the victim and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Tribune understands the victim is 41-year-old, father of four, Dimaggio Darrell, the owner of a company called Island Bike.

On Facebook, Darrell’s daughter also posted about her grief.

“Daddy why? Why leave me in this cruel world? Why commit suicide? So many questions but why oh, why? Why

leave such beautiful children fatherless? I’m really hurt and depressed. Hurt because you left me. Depressed about the way you left,” she wrote.

Another relative posted to Facebook: “Never in a million years did I think this day would come. Sleep well my dear nephew. Thanks for the tons of memories, the laughs and all the love. Words can’t explain the grief my heart (bears) right now. I’m here wondering why? But who am I to question God? Rest in peace nephew. See you at the crossroads.”

In the second incident, shortly after 3am yesterday police were called to a residence on Paradise Island.

Police said a woman was discovered hanging from a door.

Paramedics were called to the scene, they were unsuccessful in reviving the victim. She also was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity is not known.

Investigations continue in both matters.

ATTEMPTED UNLAWFUL SEX CONVICTION OVERTURNED

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE Court of Appeal has overturned a man’s conviction for attempted unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl seven years ago.

The appellate court quashed Lamar Young’s 10-year sentence concerning the alleged incident that was said to have taken place between August and December 2012.

Appellate Justice Sir Michael Barnett said the

reason for the acquittal was because the sentencing judge was “manifestly wrong” to have suggested to the jury that a doctor’s evidence corroborated the girl’s claim that Young tried to penetrate her vaginally.

To the contrary, Sir Michael and his fellow appellate judges said there was no evidence, much less that of the doctor, which corroborated that claim or the allegation that Young did in fact penetrate the child at one point as asserted by the Crown.

The Crown’s case was

that sometime between August and December 2012, Young had unlawful sexual intercourse with the child, and also unsuccessfully attempted to have unlawful sex with her during that same time frame.

The girl told the court that on one occasion when she was 13 years old, Young told her brothers to go outside and told her to stay inside. Afterwards, she said he instructed her to take off her clothes, which she did.

She said he then molested her before telling her to put

her clothes back on, which she did.

She also told the court that on another occasion Young instructed her to perform a sex act on him, which she did. She said she didn’t want to do it, but Young forced her to by threatening to kill her mother and brothers if she didn’t. The girl claimed that after she performed the act, Young took off her clothes and his pants and attempted to rape her.

The girl claimed that on that occasion, she was on a bed and tried to push him off her but couldn’t.

The girl also spoke of a third incident of alleged sexual assault, which she claimed took place at another location.

The following morning, after returning from work the girl’s mother told her daughter that she had a dream, and asked her if at any point in time had anyone bothered with her that made her feel uncomfortable. On the first two occasions when the mother asked that question, the girl replied “no”. The third time, however, the girl revealed that Young had molested her. Afterwards, the girl’s mother took her to the police station where statements were taken from them both.

The girl was also taken to a clinic to be examined by a doctor on January 9, 2013.

The doctor determined that the girl had a partially

perforated hymen, which could have been caused by penile or digital penetration, or when she fell while sitting on a bench in a park causing her to sustain an injury to her vagina. The girl told the court during trial that she was about 12 years old when that occurred.

However, the doctor’s report noted that no abrasions, lacerations, contusions, bruising, tenderness, bleeding, discharge, semen, bite marks, scratches nor torn material were found.

Young, meanwhile, denied ever having sex with the girl, or engaging in any inappropriate acts with her.

He claimed he had worked 23 hours a week at the time of the alleged incident. He further claimed that the girl’s mother was unemployed and he was hardly, if ever, alone with her. Additionally, Young’s employer gave evidence stating that Young was at work on the final alleged occasion.

On June 9, 2015, a jury acquitted Young of the unlawful sexual intercourse charge, but convicted him of the attempted unlawful sexual intercourse charge.

He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment a little over a month later.

Young, via his attorney Christina Galanos, appealed his conviction, chiefly on the ground that the trial judge erred when she failed to tell the jurors

that there was no corroboration in his case, thus leaving the option open to the jury of finding that there was corroboration.

Sir Michael also noted that it was a “somewhat surprising” fact that the jury, despite acquitting Young of the unlawful sexual intercourse charge, still accepted the girl’s evidence that on at least one of the two occasions Young penetrated her.

“The verdict of guilty on the offence of ‘attempted unlawful sexual intercourse’ and acquittal on the offence of ‘unlawful sexual intercourse’ suggests that the jury accepted the evidence of the (virtual complainant) on the attempted unlawful sexual intercourse but not the unlawful sexual intercourse because the judge directed that there was some evidence capable of corroboration of the offence of ‘attempted unlawful sexual intercourse’, but not that of the unlawful sexual intercourse itself,” Sir Michael said.

“As there was in fact no evidence that corroborated either offence, any reliance on the doctor’s evidence as amounting to corroboration makes the verdict unsafe.

“It is for the reason of the direction given by the trial judge on corroboration that I would allow the appeal and set aside the conviction for attempted unlawful sexual intercourse.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 15, 2019, PAGE 7

$80,000 contract agreed to clean up site in West End

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A CONTRACT worth $80,000 was awarded yesterday for the clean-up and removal of massive debris from the temporary dumpsite in West End. Minister of State for Grand Bahama Senator Kwasi Thompson, Minister of the Environment and Housing Romauld Ferreira and Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe, MP for West Grand Bahama and Bimini, made the announcement at the Office of the Prime Minister.

West End contractor Ian Bowe, of Bowe’s Heavy Equipment and Trucking, was awarded a contract of $81,500, inclusive of VAT, to clean up the one-acre dumpsite on Bayshore Road. Work is expected to start immediately on the removal of over 260 tons of debris and solid waste deposited at the site after Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

Mr Thompson said the government received a number of bids from contractors, and had assistance from the Ministry of Works, which performed the scope of works and assessed the bids.

“The current West End dumpsite was set in place as a temporary stop-gap measure for the depositing of debris and solid waste that remained after Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Throughout the years, the site has become an eyesore and an environmental health issue for residents and visitors of the West End community,” he said.

Due to persistent representation from MP Parker-Edgecombe and the island administrator, Mr Thompson said OPM, along with Ministry of Environment and Housing, decided to pool their resources to address the “unsightly” location.

“It is our intention to keep the site clean and limit the amount of waste that is deposited until a more permanent transfer site can be established,” he said.

Mr Ferreira said the clean-up of the dumpsite is part of the second phase of the “Be a Hero” clean-up campaign that was launched in Grand Bahama, in February. The campaign was officially launched in the nation’s capital last year encouraging young people to take pride in their environment and initiate clean-up projects.

Mr Ferreira said the

MINISTER of the Environment and Housing Romauld Ferreira, Minister of State for Grand Bahama Senator Kwasi Thompson, Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe, MP for West Grand with others involved in the project. second phase of the campaign involves reaching out to communities and associations, church and civic groups.

In terms of cleaning up the dump site, Mr Ferreira said officials want to make a meaningful contribution in the lives of the people who live in West End and have to pass the site everyday.

“They deserve a clean environment just as everyone else,” he said. “We make this appeal now that we are going into the second phase of the ‘Be a Hero’ campaign and persons can reach out to us at the Ministry of Environment and Housing; we are here to serve you, and we look at this as an essential component of our work,” he said.

Mrs Parker-Edgecombe was pleased that the current dumpsite would finally be cleaned. She looks forward to a new transfer station being established in West Grand Bahama.

“We thank the OPM and (Ministry of Environment) for finally coming to our aid,” she said, adding that the dumpsite has been an ongoing concern of constituents since the Minnis administration was elected to office.

BNT ADDS ANOTHER FUNDRAISER AS PART OF 60TH CELEBRATIONS

THE Bahamas National Trust has launched a new fundraiser as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations.

Ashore@Staniel was organised to raise money for the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park was hosted through the generous support of David and Christina Hocher of the Staniel Cay Yacht Club.

This event kicked off with a cocktail reception followed by a silent auction.

“Saturday’s activities began that morning with an exciting treasure hunt in the southern portion of the Exuma Park,” according to a BNT press release.

“Participants followed intriguing clues to work their way through the fun yet

challenging course. The event culminated at the historic Staniel Cay Yacht Club, where the winners were rewarded with exciting prizes. Later that evening, following a cocktail reception, attendees witnessed the premiere screening of ‘The Blue Sanctuary’, an amazing film about the Exuma Park. The weekend was capped off with a gala dinner ending with Junkanoo and dancing to the sounds of a local live band.”

Officials said the Ashore@Staniel event was successful in raising much needed financial support for the park and they are planning next year’s event.

BNT also thanked its sponsors for their help.

PAGE 8, Friday, March 15, 2019

Messy Millennials, Toxic Babies AS I sat doing a live remote from Dunkin Donuts last Friday, I got to see a young father, maybe a first timer even, have a ‘special moment’ with his child.

Sadly for everyone else in the store, his child shared that special moment with us also.

Fatherhood has its many ups and downs, joy, pain, smiles and tears.

It is also filled with aromatic gifts from the precious new additions to families. In a nutshell, baby farts are far more lethal than those of full grown functioning adults.

As grotesque as it sounds, over the years, I’ve become somewhat of a fart connoisseur, having smelt and dealt with the best of them.

In college I was so good at dropping silent but violent bombs (the Stealth Bomber had nothing on me) I garnered the nickname (one of many) “Funky Nassau”.

However, since becoming a father, I have realised through several smelly encounters that even the gnarliest “Frat boy” loaded up on the hippest fast food fare and creamy lattes and frappucinos, topped off with vast quantities of their favorite “livation” and late night “chicken in da bag” are no match for a six month old loaded up on breast milk, formula, baby cereal and baby food (with its wonderful selection of “healthy choices” such as squash, green peas, pumpkin, banana, and carrots just to name a few).

These ‘healthy’ nutritional food options for

THE TRIBUNE

The many ups and downs of fatherhood (and why the Stealth Bomber had nothing on me)

your toddler are one thing going in, a whole new world coming out.

Daddy diaper duty has led me to discovering “The Carbonic Assigas”.

This is a gaseous build up in the bowels of your toddler that usually goes undetected and causes little or no distress to your child.

It does, however, cause problems to your child’s family (you) and your peer group once released.

That’s exactly what happened to the young father the other morning, he got “assigased”, and I must admit I enjoyed watching the “rookie Dad” cringe through the entire “stinking” (literally) ordeal.

I don’t know if scientists have documented this, but I think “baby farts” can be considered “chemical warfare”.

As I sat there watching the “rookie Dad” psyche

himself up, readying himself to change his proginy’s diaper in short order, and lose some nose hairs in the process.

I was reminded of a similar situation, that happened to me when I was a “rookie Dad.”

Testimonial

MY WIFE was at the beauty salon for some well deserved pampering, and I had to watch the kids.

My oldest son had gorged himself on two bottles of milk, cereal, applesauce and a couple of zwieback biscuits, not to mention the apple juice he guzzled out of his “Sippy Cup”.

After walking 2,158 steps trying to get him to sleep, the circulation in my arm had stopped, and I was sweating like I had run several games of full court basketball.

I needed a break.

My mind was on the ice cold ‘switcha’ in the fridge, so I slid my son in his walker and bee-lined it to the fridge to pour my drink, chug it down and dash back to my boy without missing a beat.

Why the paranoid rush to get a well deserved refreshment?

Simple, nothing is happening on my watch. I could never live that down.

On my way back to my den I could smell a rather unpleasant aroma, which was indeed pungent to the nostrils.

The closer I got, the more putrid the air became; it was definitely a strong nine out of 10 on the fart scale.

Honestly, it made my eyes burn and water (it was giving ‘mace’ a real run for its money.).

I was about to “stop, drop and roll” as the heat (along with its smell) had me in fear of some sort of combustible reaction.

It was at that very moment I noticed my wife’s Shih Tzu completely laid out on the floor in a canine coma.

Instantly, I knew what had happened; the poor

Shih Tzu had run headlong (and mouth open) into the initial blast of my son’s “Carbonic Assigas”.

As alert as animals usually are, the poor dog never saw or smelled it coming.

On The Run

HOPING to wait it out until my wife’s return so she could face whatever was in that kid’s diaper, I became distraught when she informed me that due to freshly polished, wet nails, I would be on diaper duty for the rest of the afternoon.

So I mustered what little bravado I had at that moment and decided to take the bull by the horn.

With wipes in hand and fresh new diapers my back pocket, I bravely went in…

And what I saw changed my life!

What went into my child as pretty orange carrots, yellow corn and sweat potato came out florescent green and deadly.

Half an hour later, when I was finally done changing my son, I stood there traumatised; that diaper looked like a hot, molten, piece of lava, just smoldering and emitting toxic fumes.

Recycling

IN MY delirium, I started thinking how old baby diapers could be used as chemical weapons to protect our borders from illegal immigration.

The scent alone from them baking in the sun, wafting out to sea could turn boatloads of illegal immigrants back. And think how cost effective that would be since one dirty diaper could surely cover miles of shore.

There must be some use for dirty baby diapers, right?

Maybe we could let teenagers smell the really horrid ones; maybe that would help curb teen pregnancy.?

But I digress.

My only solace is that one day my kids will have to take care of me and maybe they’ll have to change my diapers.

If that day ever comes you can bet the house I will have a rainbow of colours waiting on them in my Depends.

Truthfully, after what I’ve been through, I am kind of looking forward to it.

Until next week, laugh now, cry later !

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 15, 2019, PAGE 9

The Tribune A1MAIN

THURSDAY

ACTIVISTS CALL FOR OVERHAUL OF IMMIGRATION DEPT i’m lovin’ it!

HIGH 81ºF LOW 68ºF

Established 1903

24/7 BREAKING NEWS ON TRIBUNE242.COM

Biggest And Best!

OBITS

VOLUME:116 No.56, MARCH 14TH, 2019

OFFICIA

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

RIGHTS Bahamas yesterday called for an overhaul of the Immigration Department after longstanding claims of bribery and excessive force were included in a newly released report by the US State Department.

The human rights group insisted “radical reform” of the department’s enforcement unit was the only way to bring an end to alleged “illegal apprehensions, bully tactics and degrading treatment”.

“The annual country report on human rights practices highlighted The Royal Bahamas Police Force must launch an immediate and thorough investigation into the Bahamas Immigration Department in light of the damning findings in the latest US State

Department human rights report,” the press statement read.

“Rights Bahamas has long warned that the terrible reputation of this department would come to haunt the country, but these warnings fell on deaf ears.

Now, the shameful sins of rampant corruption…and deplorable enforcement methods that lead to statelessness are on display for all the world to see.”

It continued: “Under the former PLP administration, the misdeeds of immigration escalated as never before with the tacit support of a government that sought to use xenophobia and abuse of migrants as a cornerstone of its political platform. There were high hopes that the FNM would take a different road.

“Unfortunately, under Minister (of Immigration) Brent Symonette, the longed-for reforms have not taken place.”

Bathroom work is underway, says BPL

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Power and Light said yesterday it is in the process of mitigating sanitation concerns raised about bathroom facilities at the Clifton Pier plant.

Bahamas Electrical Workers Union president Paul Maynard, who described an employee bathroom as “deplorable,” raised the issues on Wednesday, telling The Tribune workers would be pulled off the job if the matter was not rectified by Monday.

However, according to BPL yesterday, the matter was already being addressed. “The issues had already been in the process of mitigation and alternate arrangements were being made including the cleaning of the facilities in question,” BPL said yesterday in a statement. “There is also an agreement as well in the manner in which the facility will be used considering the long-term plans which includes office space on the premises.”

However, BPL declined to speak specifically to Mr Maynard’s concerns saying it does not do so when it

CLASSIFIED TRADER: CARS, CARS, CARS & MORE CARS

$1

INSIDE

L SOUR CE

State Department’s damning report on The Bahamas

CONDEMNED • Prison so bad conditions are ‘life-threatening’ • No campaign finance laws fuel corruption • Migrants face excessive force and bribery

THE US State Department flagged the cases of Bahamas-born Jean Rony Jean Charles, above, and Taranique Thurston, right, as it renewed concerns over statelessness in The Bahamas.

INSIDE: SPECIAL REPORT AND ANALYSIS

BY AVA TURNQUEST AND RASHAD ROLLE - PAGES 3, 4 & 5

MAYNARD FUMES OVER BPL TOILETS HOW The Tribune reported the story.

The statement said “illegal” raids, immigration roadblocks and deportations of people born in The Bahamas were still taking place.

Renewing concerns over statelessness in the country, the State Department concluded the government did not effectively implement laws and policiesA9MAIN to

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Electrical Workers Union president Paul Maynard has warned that Bahamas Power and Light employees stationed at Clifton Pier will be “pulled off the job” if “deplorable” bathrooms at the plant are not brought up to an acceptable standard.

Some bathroom facilities have not been cleaned

BEWU chief Paul Maynard

since December, well before Christmas, Mr Maynard claimed. He told

The Tribune there was a clear difference in standard between the bathroom BPL workers use and those utilised by non-Bahamians who were brought in to do ground work for the company’s new $95m power plant.

The BEWU chief said he complained to several executives about the condition of the facilities to no avail. As a result, he said BPL has until Monday SEE PAGE NINE

DIANE PHILLIPS HOW MICHAEL CHANGED MY LIFE FOR EVER

SEE PAGE EIGHT

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

provide “habitual residents” an opportunity to gain nationality in a timely manner, and on a nondiscriminatory basis.

As for the country’s respect for civil liberties, particularly freedom of movement, the report noted migrant claims of excessive force and warrantless searches by police and immigration officers.

Among migrant claims, the report continued, was “frequent solicitations of bribes by immigration officials” and widespread bias.

On the matter of law reform, amendments to the Immigration Act proposed by Law Reform Commissioner Dame Anita Allen, former Court of Appeal president, are reportedly still being considered.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson told The Tribune last month police were still reviewing the information

gleaned from a two-year FBI sting operation into visa fraud at the American Embassy in Nassau.

The operation led to the arrest and conviction of a Haitian-Bahamian, whose phone purportedly contained recordings of an unnamed immigration officer discussing bribery payments made to senior officials to secure permit approvals.

The RB statement continued: “The government simply cannot turn a blind eye this time. Our international reputation is at stake like never before. The RBPF, perhaps in cooperation with FBI or other international investigators, must break this immigration extortion ring and bring those responsible to justice.

“They must follow the trail of wrongdoing however high it leads,” it added.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 14, 2019, PAGE 9

from page one

Fix the bathrooms or we won’t work, threatens Maynard

to fix the issues or else workers will be told not to report to work at the Clifton plant.

The issue was put to BPL chairman Donovan Moxey yesterday. He said while BPL does want the best possible facilities for employees, there were a lot of things on the executive board’s plate.

In response to Mr Maynard’s assertion that the standard was different for Bahamians compared with foreign workers, Mr Moxey said: “Station A hasn’t been used in about four years.

There are no new bathrooms there.

“From my perspective, obviously we want to have the best possible facilities for BPL employees to work in and that is something that we are striving to do on a daily basis and those things take time.”

Meanwhile, the union says having to use bathrooms in such a condition is demoralising for the 100 BPL workers at the plant.

They work 24-hour shifts at Clifton Pier. Asked if the workers were told not to use the better bathrooms in Station A, Mr Maynard said this was not the case, but said it boils down to proximity.

“Both bathrooms are a considerable distance from each other. It’s a long walk to them,” he said. “They get dirty and stuff and have to go in the showers and change and wash clothes and stuff before they go home.”

He added: “The bathrooms are in poor condition, it’s deplorable, just ridiculous. They don’t even clean them. We told them to have them cleaned. Last Monday I went up there and I discovered this. We said this is just ridiculous.

“Then I went to another part of the plant where the white man working dealing with the new engines. That one is fixed up, nice and clean. It’s ridiculous.

“I said ‘man, y’all have two different stations going on down here – one for the white man and one for the Negroes.’”

THE STATE OF SOME OF THE BATHROOMS...

...AND THE NICER ONES A LONG WALK AWAY

came to internal matters.

Some bathroom facilities have not been cleaned since December, well before Christmas, Mr Maynard claimed on Wednesday.

He told The Tribune there was a clear difference in standard between

By MORGAN ADDERLEY BPL threat begins when a hacker the bathroom workers Tribune Staff Reporter hacks into your smart

use and those utilised by non-Bahamians who were brought in to do groundwork for the company’s new $95m power plant.

The BEWU chief said he complained to several executives about the condition of the facilities to no connected over smart avail. toAs a result, he said devices in the home, “it

WHO CAN YOU TRUST? KNOW YOUR CONSUMER RIGHTS

madderley@tribunemedia.net

OFFICIALS will focus on the theme “Trusted Smart Products” during World Consumer Rights Week.

An event series by the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) began on Monday and includes a three-day exhibition at the Mall at Marathon.

“March 15th is celebrated as World Consumer Rights Day, a chance to deliver real impact for consumers and remind the world about the importance of observing and enforcing Consumer Rights,” CPC director Ricardo Deveaux said at Monday’s press conference.

“This year’s international theme is ‘Trusted Smart Products’. From smart phones and metres to wearable fitness trackers, voice-activated assistants, smart TVs and smart security systems, apps usage and privacy, many of the products we use are increasingly becoming connected by default.

“This year, World Consumer Rights Day will highlight what consumers want and need from a connected world, and how important it is to put them at the heart of the development of these digital products and services.”

Mr Deveaux, who also serves as chairman of World Consumer Rights Week, added: “We will continue to emphasise the importance of consumers having access to digital products and services that they can trust.”

CPC research officer Lavade Darling also discussed the importance of security at the press conference.

“The major concern as it relates to smart products is that they are connected by default – and that is their fault,” Mr Darling said.

“The concern is really about data security…The

watch, because it doesn’t have the security mechanism of your smart phone.”

Mr Darling added because that watch is

presents a possible security breach or security threat”.

“And that’s what the international movement is actually concerned about,” he said.

BPL has until Monday to fix the issues or else workers will be told not to report to work at the Clifton plant.

The issue was put to BPL chairman Donovan Moxey earlier this week. He said while BPL does want the best possible facilities for employees, there were a lot

LEFT: how The Tribune reported the story yesterday. of things on the executive board’s plate.

In response to Mr Maynard’s assertion that the standard was different for Bahamians compared with foreign workers, Mr Moxey said: “Station A hasn’t been used in about four years. There are no new bathrooms there.

“From my perspective, obviously we want to have the best possible facilities for BPL employees to work in and that is something that we are striving to do on a daily basis and those things take time.”

Mr Moxey added: “We just got in. Obviously, we have a lot of different things on our plate but again we want the best work environment.”

Meanwhile, the union says having to use bathrooms in such a condition is demoralising for the 100 BPL workers at the plant.

They work 24-hour shifts at Clifton Pier.

Asked if the workers were told not to use the better bathrooms in Station A, Mr Maynard said this was not the case, but he said it boils down to proximity, adding the cleaner bathroom were a long walk away.

PAGE 10, Friday, March 15, 2019

RED CROSS FAIR TAKES NEW TURN

We must do more to combat disease, urges Minnis as he opens conference

By RIEL MAJOR

OFFICIALS from the Bahamas Red Cross announced yesterday organisers of the 78th annual Red Cross Fair will be “breaking tradition” by hosting the fair at a new and larger location this year. Red Cross director general Caroline Turnquest said the two-day event will be on April 6 and 7 at Clifford Park from noon to midnight.

Mrs Turnquest said: “We are re-imagining the Red Cross Fair, retaining the best of the traditional fair with food, games, crafts and more but adding new elements that create excitement and appeal to people of all ages. If you attended the fair in the past, you won’t recognise it this year.”

The fair will have an adult zone, a teen zone and a kid zone. On Saturday evening there will be a concert by Bahamian musicians such as Geno D, Sammy Starr, Rick Carey, Dyson Knight, Spank Band, Rhythm Band, Sonovia Pierre, Osano Neely and Funky D. The audience can also expect a combined performance from the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band and Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band making a musical tribute to Sir Sidney Poitier.

Bahamas Red Cross officials said major Junkanoo groups will perform throughout day one of the event.

On Sunday evening, there will be a gospel concert including Shabak, Bishop Denzil Rolle, Ricardo Clarke, Pastor Trent Davis, Karrington McKenzie, Dj Counselor, Clement Penn and Ayanna Clarke.

Officials from Bahamas Carnival will be hosting a fête and announced a section at the event will showcase a large variety of costumes for carnival.

THE TRIBUNE

By BETTY VEDRINE

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis opens the Medical Association of the Bahamas’ 47th annual scientific conference.

Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis opened a scientific conference on Wednesday hosted by Medical Association of the Bahamas & Bahamas Dental Association.

The two-day event is being held at the Baha Mar Convention Centre.

“It is always good to be with former colleagues, especially at events such as this,” Dr Minnis said. “During the conference there will be a rich and dynamic exchange of ideas and information which may help to improve health care practices, save lives, and enhance the quality of health for Bahamians and residents.”

He said as a doctor and as a member of the Medical Association, he fondly remembered these types of conferences and the role they played in informing him and other health care professionals of developments in medicine.

“I am advised that with both dental and medical tracts you will have over 45 lectures over the next two days. You will hear from over 30 local speakers and over 20 international speakers from individuals … expert in their fields,” said Dr Minnis. “As health care practitioners it is vital that you

remain current in medical advances, including in technology, pharmaceuticals, surgical breakthroughs, health care delivery and other areas.”

He said the government would continue to focus extensively on the prevention and treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD) like diabetes and hypertension.

“We must do more to combat these diseases, which rob us of general health and too many lives,” he said. “Along with climate change, the explosive incidence of NCDs represent two of the greatest threats to national development.”

He noted that as a matter of urgency, healthcare professionals must more aggressively address sugary drinks and the role they play in obesity, especially childhood and adolescent obesity.

“Let me also reiterate that an important component in how we deliver health care is our progress in implementing a national electronic medical records system.

“This revolutionary platform will digitally link public clinics and hospitals so that it will not matter where a patient is seen, the patient’s information and medical record can be instantly accessed,” he said.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 15, 2019, PAGE 11

DEAD VAQUITA PORPOISE FOUND, ONE OF ONLY TEN LEFT IN THE WORLD MEXICO CITY Associated Press THE environmentalist group Sea Shepherd said yesterday that it found the body of what appeared to be a vaquita porpoise, one of perhaps only 10 that remain in the world.

The group said the remains were too badly decomposed for immediate identification and had been turned over to authorities for further study.

Two Sea Shepherd patrol boats found the animal in a net on Tuesday in the Gulf of California, the only place the critically endangered tiny porpoises live. The group patrols the gulf, also known as the Sea of Cortez, removing illegal fishing nets. The vaquitas get caught in nets set illegally for

totoaba, a fish whose swim bladder is considered a delicacy in China.

In a report issued earlier this week, an international commission of experts estimated only six to 22 vaquitas remain alive.

The lower figure was the number of vaquitas actually seen on the surface during a trip by researchers last fall. The higher estimate was the number of the animals that may have been heard over a system of floating acoustic monitors making distinctive, dolphin-like “clicks.”

The commission said the most likely number of remaining vaquitas was somewhere around 10.

And the vaquitas are concentrated in an increasingly small area of about 15 miles by 11 miles, its report said.

THE ENVIRONMENTALIST group Sea Shepherd said it found the badly decomposed body of what appeared to be a vaquita porpoise,

“The few remaining vaquitas inhabit a very small area, approximately 24 by 12 kilometers, most of which lies within the Vaquita Refuge. However, high levels of illegal fishing for totoaba occur in this area,” the report said.

Defending the vaquitas in the small area should not be “an impossible task, as the area to be protected is not large,” the report added. But Sea Shepherd’s vessels have come under increasing harassment and attacks in the gulf in recent months.

The boldness of illegal fishermen, the small number of remaining vaquitas and the inability of the Mexican navy and authorities to stop poaching has raised alarms among environmentalists, who fear the marine mammal could go extinct soon.

Deadly mass shooting at NZ mosques massacre

BLOW FOR TRUMP AS SENATE DEFECTS WASHINGTON Associated Press

NEW ZEALAND Associated Press MULTIPLE people were killed today in mass shootings at two mosques full of people attending Friday prayers, as New Zealand police warned people to stay indoors as they tried to determine if more than one gunman was involved.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described it as “one of New Zealand’s darkest days” and said the events in the city of Christchurch represented “an extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence.”

One person was taken into custody but it was unclear if there were other people involved, Police Commissioner Mike Bush said.

Authorities have not said who they have in custody. But a man who claimed responsibility for the shootings left a 74-page antiimmigrant manifesto in which he explained who he was and his reasoning for his actions. He said he considered it a terrorist attack.

Ardern at her news conference alluded to anti-immigrant

sentiment as the possible motive, saying that while many people affected by the shootings may be migrants or refugees “they have chosen to make New Zealand their home, and it is their home. They are us. The person who has perpetuated this violence against us is not.”

Authorities have not yet said how many people were killed and wounded. “It’s a very serious and grave situation,” Bush said.

The deadliest shooting occurred at the Masjid Al Noor mosque in central Christchurch at about 1.45 pm. Witness Len Peneha said he saw a man dressed in black enter the mosque and then heard dozens of shots, followed by people running from the mosque in terror.

Peneha, who lives next door to the mosque, said the gunman ran out of the mosque, dropped what appeared to be a semi-automatic weapon in his driveway, and fled.

Peneha said he then went into the mosque to try and help. “I saw dead people everywhere. There were three in the hallway, at the door leading into the mosque, and

ABOVE: Ambulance staff take a man from outside a mosque in central Christchurch earlier today. Left: Police patrol the area.

people inside the mosque,” he said.

“It’s unbelievable nutty. I don’t understand how anyone could do this to these people, to anyone. It’s ridiculous.”

He said he helped about five people recover in his home. He said one was slightly injured.

“I’ve lived next door to this mosque for about five years and the people are great, they’re very friendly,” he said. “I just don’t understand it.”

He said the gunman was white and was wearing a helmet with some kind of device on top, giving him a military-type appearance.

Police said there was a second shooting at the Linwood Masjid Mosque. Mark Nichols told the New Zealand Herald he heard about five gunshots and that a Friday prayer-goer returned fire with a rifle or shotgun. Nichols said he saw two injured people being carried out on stretchers past his automotive shop and that both people appeared to be alive.

The man who claimed responsibility for the shooting said he was 28-year-old white Australian who came to New Zealand only to plan and train for the attack. He said he was not a member of any organization, but had donated to and interacted with many nationalist groups, though he acted alone and no group ordered the attack.

He said the mosques in Christchurch and Linwood would be the targets, as would a third mosque in the town of Ashburton if he could make it there.

REPUTED GAMBINO CRIME BOSS FRANK CALI SHOT TO DEATH IN NEW YORK CITY

NEW YORK Associated Press

THE reputed boss of New York’s Gambino crime family was shot to death in front of his home by a gunman who may have staged a car accident to lure him outside, dying a virtual unknown compared with his swaggering 1980s-era predecessor, John Gotti.

Police said yesterday they were reviewing surveillance-camera video of the attack on Frank Cali, 53, who was gunned down on Wednesday night at his red-brick colonial-style house in a quiet Staten Island neighborhood. The assailant sped off in a pickup truck, police said. No immediate arrests were made.

Aggressive federal prosecutions in the past 25 years decimated the ranks of New York’s five Mafia families. The cases resulted in long prison terms for their bosses — Gotti included — and encouraged their successors to keep a lower profile.

But the new generation still engages in old-school crimes — loansharking, gambling, extortion — that can make enemies and spark violence.

This week, prosecutors in Brooklyn announced a case against a long-time Gambino associate accused of killing

INVESTIGATORS load a car onto a truck on Staten Island yesterday after Frank Cali was found with multiple gunshot wounds. a suspected loanshark affiliated with the Lucchese crime family.

Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea said there has been a slight uptick in alleged mob-related violence in New York within the last year. But he said it is too soon to say whether that had anything to do with Cali’s slaying.

Shea said the mob boss emerged from his home around 9.15 p.m. after the gunman backed his pickup into Cali’s Cadillac SUV, damaging it.

“With what we know at this point in time, it’s quite possible that was part of a plan,” Shea said.

Video showed the assailant pulling a 9 mm handgun and opening fire on Cali about a minute after they started talking, according to Shea. At least 12 shots were fired. After getting shot several times, Cali tried to crawl under his SUV to hide, Shea said.

Federal prosecutors referred to Cali in court filings in recent years as the underboss of the Mafia’s Gambino family, once one of the most powerful and feared crime organizations in the country. News accounts since 2015 said he had ascended to the top spot.

The last Mafia boss to be shot to death in New York City was Gambino don “Big Paul” Castellano, assassinated on Gotti’s direction while getting out of a black limousine outside a high-end midtown Manhattan steakhouse in 1985. Gotti then took control of the family.

“We thought those days were over,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said of Cali’s slaying. “Very surprising, but I guess old habits die hard.”

Jerry Capeci, a mob expert who writes for the ganglandnews.com website, said that Cali is part of a Siclian faction now in control of the Gambino family. Capeci said the killing “doesn’t have the feel” of a Mafia-sanctioned hit.

THE Republican-run Senate firmly rejected President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency at the southwest border yesterday, setting up a veto fight and dealing him a conspicuous rebuke as he tested how boldly he could ignore Congress in pursuit of his highest-profile goal.

The Senate voted 59-41 to cancel Trump’s February proclamation of a border emergency, which he invoked to spend $3.6 billion more for border barriers than Congress had approved. Twelve Republicans joined Democrats in defying Trump in a showdown many GOP senators had hoped to avoid because he commands die-hard loyalty from millions of conservative voters who could punish defecting lawmakers in next year’s elections.

With the Democraticcontrolled House’s approval of the same resolution last month, Senate passage sends it to Trump. He has shown no reluctance to casting his first veto to advance his campaign exhortation, “Build the Wall,” which has prompted roars at countless Trump rallies.

Approval votes in both the Senate and House fell short of the two-thirds majorities that would be needed for an override to succeed.

“VETO!” Trump tweeted minutes after the vote. Trump has long been comfortable vetoing the measure because he thinks it will endear him to his political base, said a White House official, commenting anonymously because the official wasn’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

PAGE 12, Friday, March 15, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

DIALYSIS MACHINES TO BE PRESENTED TO HOSPITAL

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

THE Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation will shortly present the hospital with a “number of” dialysis machines, PMH Foundation chairman Dr Richard Demeritte announced yesterday.

The Foundation, which is neither aligned to nor a part of the Public Hospital’s Authority, has already purchased some of these machines.

They should be coming “within a month”, the chairman noted.

Dr Demeritte made these remarks while speaking at a bed donation presentation yesterday at PMH. The Foundation donated 25 new beds to the hospital to replace old patient beds. “The donation of the 25 new beds that we are giving to the PMH today is a cost of over $90,000 - funds we raised for this particular occasion,” Dr Demeritte said.

“And let me also assure you, in (a) very short time, we propose also to give the PMH a number of dialysis machines. We recognise that diabetes seem to be a

25 new beds donated to PMH

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net A BED donation presentation was held yesterday at Princess Margaret Hospital to celebrate the PMH Foundation donating 25 new hospital beds to the hospital – a gift worth more than $90,000.

Public Hospitals Authority deputy managing director Lyrone Burrows said this donation was a response to an “ongoing appeal to replace old patient beds” at the hospital.

Mr Burrows also reiterated PMH faces a bed shortage, telling reporters this will be remediated by the recommissioning of

wards that were damaged by hurricanes. Mr Burrows added there is a “long-term plan” for PMH expansion, at a cost of $200m.

Twenty-three of the new beds were placed in female medical ward 1, one in the gynae ward and one in the maternity ward (staff suite).

Mr Burrows was also asked to address the fact that replacing old beds does not mitigate the hospital’s bed shortage.

“Over the years, some of the wards would have been placed out of commission, most of which would have been as a result of one of the major hurricanes that would have affected the hospital.

“We are moving forward

growing and a very difficult thing in our country. And we must be in a position to be able to handle all those cases as they come about. So very shortly we (will) come forward and make a presentation again of dialysis machines to the hospital.”

Dr Demeritte later expounded on these remarks, explaining the context of this decision and providing a time frame of the equipment’s arrival. “The Foundation asked the PMH to let us have what is called a ‘wish list,’” he said.

“They know best what equipment

in terms of recommissioning and bringing those wards back into play. We’re now working on the old ICU, old operating theatre, recovery room, as well as the old male surgical (ward).

“So those are now in play and we anticipate within the next 12 weeks that we are in position to have those available for additional beds, somewhere between about 25-30 additional beds coming on stream as a result of that, which will help us significantly as we move into the expansion renovation of the Accident & Emergency area.

“The current space will be in a state of renovations and A&E will be shifted to another location that’s a

they need and then we go as a Foundation out to try and find donors to produce those things. Dialysis… we know that that is a very needed equipment in The Bahamas, because high blood pressure, as you know, covers our land a whole lot.

“So we’re trying to facilitate the PMH in having sufficient dialysis beds available, that when the time comes around and people need the assistance, it’s there.

“Dialysis takes a long time, I think it’s three times a week, and probably 2-3 hours a time, so we could never have too many

little bit smaller. As part of that we want to be able to ensure that we have additional spaces to be able to move persons that currently have had to be placed on trolleys in the waiting areas as opposed to finding alternative space.”

Mr Burrows clarified that these new wards may not “eliminate” the bed shortage but will “reduce significantly the impact of it”.

“We obviously have a long-term plan in terms of the expansion of the (PMH), which obviously requires significant amount of capital. We’re looking to benefactors such as the PMH Foundation but as well as the Bahamian public at large as well

dialysis beds and that’s one of the things that we are concentrating on now to make sure that we help to cover that aspect of health.”

Last September, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands described PMH as grappling with an ongoing “crisis” in its dialysis unit.

“Dialysis has been a huge challenge for more than 10 years,” he explained at the time. “We have a dialysis unit at (PMH) that was designed for 125 patients.”

Instead, he noted, the hospital caters to nearly 200 people who need renal therapy.

as international donors.

Through our efforts we’re talking about in the first phase somewhere in the region of about $200m that need to be funded to be able to provide us with the necessary expansion that we’re looking for.”

Mr Burrows was unable to provide specifics on a time frame for expansion but reiterated the necessity of “capital funding”.

Mr Burrows was also asked which specific wards are still out of commission following the damage wrought by Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

Noting he did not have specifics, he added “we’re probably somewhere in the region of about 200 beds

TOP: Richard Demeritte, chairman PMH foundation. Bottom: Lyrone Burrows, department MD, PHA. Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff short in terms of capacity and we’re working towards, one by one, bringing those back into play.”

Regarding a contingency plan in the meantime, Mr Burrows said: “We’re working to ensure we do not have patients in for any longer than is needed, that the process of assessing needs, triaging, identifying who should be in hospital and who should not, looking at utilising some of our externalities, working in partnership with the Department of Public Health.”