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VOLUME:114 No.80, MARCH 16th, 2017

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CL ASSIFIEDS TRADER: CARS, CARS, CARS AND TECH

INSIDE

Bosses withheld Chinese passports Davis confirms BATTLING documents kept IT OUT TO to control workers BECOME

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday made a startling admission in the House of Assembly, saying Chinese nationals who entered the country to construct the $3.5bn Baha Mar resort had their passports and work permits withheld, adding that this was done as a means to “control” the foreign labourers.

While debating an amendment, which is considered companion legislation to the Trafficking in Persons Act, Mr Davis said

the Christie administration was “concerned” that the workers’ documents had been “held” from their possession.

In a later interview with The Tribune, Mr Davis explained that the discovery was made some time after the Christie administration took office in 2012, and several complaints were “looked into”.

He said that he was not aware of whether the practice has continued, adding that a formal investigation would only follow complaints made to the Department of Immigration.

SEE PAGE SIX

TOP CHEF

ONE of the four Doppler radars purchased by the government to bolster the functionality of the Meterology Department will be fully installed and operational by the second week of April, Director of Meteorology Trevor Basden said yesterday.

The installation of the other three Doppler radars, set to be installed in Abaco, Long Island and Mayaguana, will be complete by November, 2018.

The existing Doppler radar, which was first pur-

chased in 2005 and became the subject of contention following the passage of Hurricane Joaquin in 2015, will be refurbished and subsequently installed in Ragged Island, Mr Basden said.

Refurbishing that radar will cost approximately $1.43m, a figure that is built into the near $20m price-tag for the acquisition of the four new radars from Finnish company Vaisala, he added.

The old radar has been “decommissioned” since March 1, according to Mr Basden, who confirmed that it was not in service during the passage of a tornado at SEE PAGE SIX

L SOUR CE

ROLLINS HITS OUT AT ABSENCES OF MINNIS

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

FORT Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins yesterday suggested that Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis has not shown he is ready to lead the nation, pointing to his attendance at House proceedings.

Dr Rollins further urged Prime Minister Perry Christie to “call out” Dr Minnis on his inadequate performance.

The Fort Charlotte MP also attempted to lambast another member of Parliament over his attendance in the House of Assembly.

SEE PAGE 11

MITCHELL SAYS THANK YOU AS ELECTION CLOCK TICKS

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

AN emotional speech by Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell in the House of Assembly yesterday has heightened speculation that the government will “ring the bell” for the general election very soon.

Mr Mitchell thanked his colleagues in the House for their years of dedicated service and foreshadowed a win for the Progressive Liberal Party at the polls.

He told the Lower House that his party was “the greatest political organisation in this country” and said he looks forward to continue to serve “should the people allow it”.

FIRST NEW DOPPLER RADAR INSTALLED BY MID-APRIL

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

$1

SEE PAGE SIX

ALISSA SWAIN, of Abaco Central High School, prepares a lobster dish at the 25th annual Young Chef National Junior High School competition at L W Young Junior High yesterday. See page two for more photographs.

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

FURY AT LABOUR LAW CHANGES BAHAMIAN employers last night reacted with fury to proposed changes to the Employment and Industrial Relations Acts tabled in Parliament yesterday by Shane Gibson, the Minister of Labour.

Criticism of the bills, which appear to have given the Trade Unions everything they had been demanding, suggested it would deter Bahamian businesses from hiring and make it more difficult to tackle the 25 to 30 per cent youth unemployment rate. The proposal to raise the redundancy cap by two-thirds under the Employment Act attracted the most concern.

Mr Gibson said in the House of Assembly that the changes to both Bills would strengthen protections and benefits for Bahamian workers.

FULL STORY, SEE BUSINESS

DUMP FIRE ‘80% OUT’ BUT SMOKE STILL RISING

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

AS TOXIC smoke from the New Providence Landfill continued to blanket communities yesterday, Deputy Director of Environmental Services Thomasina Wilson said the fire, which has been burning for nearly two weeks, is 80 per cent extinguished.

Ms Wilson said while it rained for several hours on Tuesday, the brief showers exposed hot spots and caused the smoke to rise.

However, yesterday, many residents in SEE PAGE EIGHT

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

HALKITIS: FNM LEADER TO BLAME FOR ALTERCATION

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net GOLDEN Isles MP Micheal Halkitis yesterday accused Free National Movement leader Dr Hubert Minnis of intentionally “provoking an altercation” between FNM supporters and campaigners for the Progressive Liberal Party who were canvassing the Carmichael Road area on Tuesday.

Several videos of the altercation were posted on social media and show supporters from both parties SEE PAGE TEN

PAGE 2, Thursday, March 16, 2017

BATTLING IT OUT TO BECOME TOP CHEF

THE TRIBUNE

YOUNGSTERS battled it out in the 25th annual Young Chef National Junior High School competition at L W Young Junior High yesterday, conjuring up a host of delicious dishes in the event.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 16, 2017, PAGE 3

STEPHEN GREENSLADE, DNA Candidate for Golden Isles.

MARVIN DAMES, FNM candidate for Mount Moriah.

MINISTER of State for National Security Keith Bell.

Town Hall event at university

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE University of the Bahamas’ (UB) series of pre-election ‘town hall’ events kicked off in front of a packed and animated crowd last night, leaving organisers promising to provide a larger venue than the Harry C Moore Auditorium for the next one.

UB officials hope the new series will become a premier feature of the political season, in which politicians would discuss issues in greater detail than might otherwise occur.

Panellists were influential voices on law enforcement issues from across the political spectrum, including Keith Bell from the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), Marvin Dames from the Free National Movement (FNM), Stephen Greenslade from the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), Sharell McIntosh from the Bahamas Constitution Party, Alex Morley from the African Peoples Socialist Party, and Andrew Stewart from the Bahamas National Coalition Party.

Addressing the topic, “Is the Justice System just?” the panellists answered four questions provided to them beforehand and three that were asked by audience members. In each instance they had two minutes to respond.

Mr Bell lauded his government’s efforts to tackle crime but his claims were met with scepticism by the crowd then when his counterparts spoke. There were audible laughs when he said the PLP “never believes in politicising the judicial system”.

One man shouted “600 murders” when Mr Bell said his party has increased

the capacity of law enforcement agencies. Another shouted “You ga lose” when he boasted about the PLP’s comprehensive crime fighting plan. “There should be no heckling,” the moderator said.

The representatives of the two major political parties provided few new details about their party’s plans and seemed in synch on the current issues of bail and how to tackle high crime, agreeing that prevention, detection, prosecution and rehabilitation are areas in which attention must be focused and resources devoted.

In what appeared to be a newly-revealed policy position for his party, Mr Dames suggested that if elected to power the FNM would reform the Judicial Service Commission.

“That commission is selected by the government of the day,” he said. “We need to ask that we add on to it like in the United States where we have select committees that go and interview judges and they comprise not only one party, but any number of parties where there is a balance to ensure that we select judges that are not biased and aren’t intimidated.”

Mr Dames also promised to step down as MP of his constituency if Bahamians in Mount Moriah rate his performance poorly.

Nonetheless, it was the straight-talking Mr Morley who proved to be a crowd favourite. Striking an anti-establishment tone, he urged the audience to consider the historical contexts of the systems and institutions The Bahamas has inherited and to question whether they have been designed to adequately serve their needs.

DRIVE-BY SHOOTING IN FOX HILL SEVEN or eight shots were fired from a passing car in Fox Hill last night hitting “Sparkey”, described as one of Fox Hill’s “boys on the blocks”. Onlookers said “Sparkey” was still alive when he was lifted into the ambulance and

rushed to hospital.

The shooting took place at about 10:45 pm near the National Insurance building in Fox Hill. An onlooker said that “Sparkey” was in his late twenties, jobless, but sat on the blocks and “ran some things” for others.

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PAGE 4, Thursday, March 16, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

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

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Persons are not ‘unpatriotic’ for telling the truth GOVERNMENT’S recent statement accusing Sarkis Izmirlian of being “unpatriotic” in his attempt to inform Bahamians of what was really behind the failure of Baha Mar, brought back many memories of another disgraceful period of this young, independent nation’s history.

During that period any patriotic Bahamian who had the courage to work with the Americans in their efforts to cut off the Bahamas as a transshipment route for the ferrying of drugs from the south into the US, was “unpatriotic”. The Pindling government dismissed them as so many pariah on this country’s body politic.

During that period some of us knew, by indiscreet whispers - probably dropped especially for our ears – that the Americans were holding a sealed indictment against one of our leaders.

A lengthy explanation of why it remained sealed, but never acted upon, was “declassified in part” and a “sanitized copy was approved for release in 2013/02/12”. It makes interesting reading and confirms much of what we knew at the time. However, we shall leave that for another day – another time. It is not relevant in this present discussion – only a reminder to government members that when someone is trying to tell you something that you would rather not hear, to dismiss that person as “unpatriotic” is the height of ignorance. One should listen and digest, because the results of the Baha Mar tragedy has already shaken investor confidence in this country.

And so when Pindling lost his election after 25 years, the Bahamas had earned the reputation as a “nation for sale”. This time it will be known as a country and a people that can’t be trusted. (See Mr Richard Coulson’s letter on this page today).

Now back to Baha Mar. We want to take up a particular statement made a few days ago by Attorney General Allyson Maynard Gibson that Baha Mar would still be closed if Mr Izmirlian’s resort to Chapter 11 in Delaware’s bankruptcy court had gone forward. We wonder how she can say that with such conviction, or is she unfamiliar with the second chance given investors under chapter 11? If Mr Izmirlian had been successful in Chapter 11, Baha Mar by now would have employed Bahamian contractors to complete the construction of the hotel and the staff, most of whom are trained, would be running it. By now Baha Mar would have opened and been doing business. If Mr Izmirlian’s case had failed the Baha Mar resort would have been put into liquidation — and so ends the story.

According to Wikipedia: “Chapter 11 affords the debtor in possession a number of mechanisms to restructure its business. A debtor in possession can acquire financing and loans on favourable terms by giving new lenders first priority on the business’s earnings. The court may also permit the debtor in possession to reject and cancel contracts. Debtors are also protected from other litigation against the business through the imposition of an automatic stay. While the automatic stay is in place, creditors are stayed from any

collection attempts or activities against the debtor in possession, and most litigation against the debtor is stayed, or put on hold, until it can be resolved in bankruptcy court, or resumed in its original venue …

“If the business is insolvent, its debts exceed its assets and the business is unable to pay debts as they come due,the bankruptcy restructuring may result in the company’s owners being left with nothing; instead, the owners’ rights and interests are ended and the company’s creditors are left with ownership of the newly reorganised company.

“All creditors are entitled to be heard by the court. The court is ultimately responsible for determining whether the proposed plan of reorganisation complies with the bankruptcy law.

“Chapter 11 usually results in reorganisation of the debtor’s business or personal assets and debts, but can also be used as a mechanism for liquidation. Debtors may ‘emerge’ from a chapter 11 bankruptcy within a few months or within several years, depending on the size and complexity of the bankruptcy. The Bankruptcy Code accomplishes this objective through the use of a bankruptcy plan.

The debtor in possession typically has the first opportunity to propose a plan during the period of exclusivity. This period allows the debtor 120 days from the date of filing for chapter 11, to propose a plan of reorganisation before any other party in interest may propose a plan. If the debtor proposes a plan within the 120-day exclusivity period, a 180-day exclusivity period from the date of filing for chapter 11 is granted in order to allow the debtor to gain confirmation of the proposed plan.

With some exceptions, the plan may be proposed by any party in interest. Interested creditors then vote for a plan.”

“When a business is unable to service its debt or pay its creditors, the business or its creditors can file with a federal bankruptcy court for protection under either Chapter 7 or Chapter 11.

“In Chapter 7, the business ceases operations, a trustee sells all of its assets, and then distributes the proceeds to its creditors. Any residual amount is returned to the owners of the company.

“In Chapter 11, in most instances the debtor remains in control of its business operations as a debtor in possession, and is subject to the oversight and jurisdiction of the court.”

If Mr Izmirlian’s proposal had been accepted, both creditors and staff would have been fully paid and Baha Mar would be in business today.

It is interesting that although government is aiming for a soft opening in April, already — as happened in the case of Mr Izmirlian – dates are starting to change.

And the group that is understood to be the potential purchasers — must believe what they have heard of what caused Mr Izmirlian to stumble — because it is understood that they do not intend to close the purchase until the hotel has been completed and Baha Mar’s doors are ready to open. In our opinion that tells the full story. We now know who to believe.

Table scraps for foreigners EDITOR, The Tribune FOR a week, this journal has been reporting that foreigners who worked at Baha Mar are enraged at getting offered maybe two to four cents on the dollar - or worse, getting no answers whatever to the claims they duly filed months ago - while Bahamians have been made whole.

Surprise, surprise! They should have read my column of September 19 last year.

I quoted Cabinet Minister Jerome Fitzgerald, the garrulous politician always ready with a pungent quote to boost his ambitions. In speaking of the Compensation Committee chaired by James Smith, he had this to say: “The Committee is taking all claims, Bahamian and non-Bahamian. Some of those will not get much; they’re non-Bahamian.”

Exactly. Since Mr Fitzgerald is the Prime Minister’s favoured lapdog, this statement of policy must come straight from the top.

The trouble is, while it’s a popular policy, it’s illegal.

As I read our own Companies (Winding Up Amendment) Act 2011, it provides that after secured creditors the only priority can be given to claims of Government and employees, all of whom must be treated equally and

New port a blow to Grand Bahama EDITOR, The Tribune.

NEW Carnival Cruise Port Grand Bahama - location is rather obvious east of the boundary of the Port on land owned by GBPA about 200 acres.

Like building a Shopping Centre Carnival, developer, will have an anchor tenant, Carnival then there will be retail, all the shops and restaurants, etc, to build up a rental income.

Look at Jamaica - they took a sleeping village on the south coast Falmouth and RCL developed it ....

the port is totally self-supporting cruise visitors do not need to leave the port.

Grand Bahama be warned.

Why no transparency on the detail? Why no public meeting and hearing to hear the opinion of the locals - people in the tourism trade?

Stem Cell Tourism - remember week after week we heard the PM talking about this new potential alternative pillar of the economy - one clinic open in five-years!

Chinese Banking system was to open a centre for the

trading of the Quand (their money) where - in The Bahamas - anyone over the past three-years heard anything more?

South Ocean CasinoHotel project - seems that also is bush crack gone.

Improved Jitney service Hubert Ingraham always said leave them people alone you can’t ever get them organised - seems so. PLP failed on this also.

BAMSI - what is the real story? We know the contractor did not have building Insurance.

New License Plate sys-

tem, started at $4m ended up at $8m and the Police when they stop you have no idea who the vehicle is legally owned by.

Well blow me down!

NHI - will the old folk, the Pensioners still get free medical care? Who knows certainly Health doesn’t want to tell anyone.

My fear for these folks that also is bush crack gone.

Awake Bahamians awake!

J HUTCHINSON Nassau March 13, 2017.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net ratably, without distinction as to nationality.

Of course, Mr Smith assures us that the whole procedure has been removed from the normal liquidation process, so creditors should be grateful for any crumbs they receive from the Chinese EXIM Bank under its “ex gratia” claims offer - as if the Bank were running a charity bazaar. In reality, the Bank only makes these payments under compulsion of an agreement (never disclosed) with Government, which itself ejected the Bahamian liquidators chosen with much publicity less than two years ago.

And in paying and assuming these claims, the Bank will simply turn around and assert them against the mortgage debtor Baha Mar, to be eventually extracted when the new owner pays off the mortgage. Thus Government handles the biggest bankruptcy in our history outside the law.

Foreign creditors may soon be lining up smart lawyers who will punch a hole in this leaky can of worms.

In cancelling a court-approved liquidation, they

can argue that Government acted ultra vires under our Constitution, justifying financial claims against the State, and possibly against its willing members of the Compensation Committee, including Mr Smith himself.

That unfortunate gentleman, once an independent Central Bank president, now seems lost in powerless confusion, saying “I can’t speak for the Government ... payment is under review by EXIM ... it’s wait and see ... we’re not making the rules.”

Government always has full authority to compensate any category of its citizens for losses beyond their control, whether job claims or hurricane damages.

But that compensation must be made by special subventions from the Treasury authorised by Parliament, not by taking funds from other innocent parties simply because they are non-Bahamian. Otherwise, our nation will suffer profound reputational image for discriminatory treatment and begin a campaign to drive away risk-shy foreign investors who can go elsewhere.

RICHARD COULSON Nassau, March 15, 2017.

Just do your job EDITOR, The Tribune.

SINCE the work on Baha Mar has begun and 600 persons have been hired so far; is it safe to say that the sale of Baha Mar has been completed?

Are we going to have to wait until April 21, like Attorney Wayne Munroe is saying.

He says that we are going to see “something” that will cause people to finally see what the deal is.

If what he is saying has nothing to do with making the agreement public, I will suggest that he puts his po-

litical aspirations for the St Anne’s Constituency on hold.

This may seem farfetched, but I would venture to say that there is no agreement for the sale of Baha Mar; except the Prime Minister wants to use it as a trump card in the upcoming election.

If that it is the case, will it be enough make up for the number of Bahamians who will not be employed at Baha Mar? EDWARD HUTCHESON Nassau, March 12, 2017.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 16, 2017, PAGE 5

Legal debate heard in PM’s recusal bid in Appeal Court

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net LEGAL arguments over Prime Minister Perry Christie’s recusal application in an ongoing judicial review involving Lyford Cay resident Peter Nygard were heard in the Court of Appeal yesterday.

Mr Christie is attempting to have the appellate court review Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Bain’s refusal of his recusal application, in which he argued that she cannot be perceived to be impartial in hearing the judicial review while awaiting an approval of her application to extend her tenure as a Supreme Court judge.

The judicial review concerns allegations that Lyford Cay resident Peter Nygard illegally increased the size of his property.

Wayne Munroe, QC, led the arguments set out in a notice of motion for leave to appeal the February 6 ruling of Justice Bain which was filed to the Claughton House, Charlotte Street court last week.

The application and its supporting affidavit, followed within hours of Justice Bain handing down a 17-page judgment explaining her discretion to refuse leave to appeal.

Mr Munroe yesterday argued that the judge knew “when she wrote for an extension, who were the parties in action before her and that the application was outstanding.”

“Knowing all of this, the judge should’ve recuse herself upon receipt of the letter” Mr Munroe said.

“All of the contents of the letter is known to the judge.

There’s nothing in the letter that required any factual examination,” he added.

He also said that the judge’s ruling on the recusal application did not dispute the facts concerning her appointment to the Supreme Court in 2009 and that in order for her to receive an extension of her tenure, it would have to go through a person who is party to legal proceedings before her.

“Wasn’t it a fact the application was made when the case was about to start?”

Justice Stella Crane-Scott asked.

“One week in fact” Justice Jon Isaacs added. Mr Munroe said yes.

PRIME Minister Perry Christie, who is attempting to have the court of appeal review the refusal of his recusal application for Supreme Court judge Rhonda Bain.

The QC said the judge asked to review a decision self on the law and failed to treated the issue as one of made by the learned judge properly access the applicajudicial interference and in- and whether she should tion. dependence which, he said, recuse herself applying the It is fifthly proposed that was not the issue. principles that are not con- there was a real danger of Mr Munroe said the con- troversial or disputed be- bias in the declaration of tempt case dealt with by tween the parties through a the ruling that there was a the Court of Appeal con- simple, discreet set of facts motive to not have the judicerning Maurice Glinton, that were before her,” Mr cial review heard.

QC is a clear example of Smith said.

It was lastly proposed that an instance that refuted He stressed to the court notwithstanding the prime the judge’s assertion that that “in none of the grounds minister’s delay in making she would’ve been unable of appeal was any reference the recusal application, the to complete two part-heard to great public interest or judge had a responsibility to committal proceedings had constitutional importance.” do so of her own volition. she acceded to the prime The matter continues toJustice Bain, in her ruling minister’s application. day in the appellate court last Wednesday, said that “Is there an explanation before Justices Isaacs, the first five draft grounds as to why the intended ap- Crane-Scott and Roy Jones. did not specify any erring pellant waited seven months The prime minister’s ap- or misdirection in law or to make this application?” plication seeking leave to fact concerning her ruling Justice Isaacs asked. contest the February 6 deci- rendered on February 6.

Mr Munroe said no, sion was made on six “draft On the sixth argument, stressing that “this is simply grounds of appeal.”

Justice Bain said “there is dealing with an application It was argued that the no realistic prospect of the by a litigant. There’s noth- judge was wrong in law and intended appellant in sucing executive in nature of in fact to not recuse herself ceeding on this ground.” this application.” after receiving a letter from “In his submission, counMr Munroe contended Mr Christie’s counsel con- sel for the intended apthat the judge should’ve cerning the facts and law recused herself from the ju- where the requisite test for dicial review proceedings in recusal was made out.

June 2016 when she wrote a It was also proposed that letter seeking an extension the judge was wrong to of her tenure. come to the conclusion that Fred Smith, QC, lead a recusal was not warranted lawyer for interested party in the circumstances.

Save The Bays said that the The judge was also algrounds articulated by the leged to have been wrong applicants “have no relative in determining that she prospect of success.” could not continue hearing He referred the court to a the aforementioned “part 2015 decision in Governor heard” committal proceed& Co Bank of Ireland v ings if she had recused herO’Donnell which dealt with self. a similar issue.

It was also proposed that “This court is being the judge misdirected her-

pellant submitted that the appeal raises questions of great public interest and therefore the court should grant leave. The intended appellant did not raise the issue of an appeal in the public interest as a ground of appeal,” the judge added.

Justice Bain further reasons that the “court has to consider the particulars of each case before making a determination whether to grant leave to appeal.”

She noted that this case was different from that of Melidor “which dealt with the discovery of documents from government ministries and departments, a matter that had not been pronounced on by the court of appeal.”

“The question of recusal of a judge is not a novel application and has been raised before in matters before the Court of Appeal.

Additionally, the matter of public interest has not been raised by the intended appellant as a ground of appeal.”

“The grant of leave to appeal is discretionary and the court must take all the factors into consideration.

After reviewing the pro-

posed grounds of appeal, the court finds that there is no realistic prospect of success. The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.”

“As the court has refused leave to appeal, the application for stay of proceedings will fall away” the judge added, before awarding costs against the first respondent - the prime minister - for the unsuccessful application.

Attorneys for the prime minister had filed a motion in the Supreme Court on January 26 asking that Justice Bain recuse herself from the judicial review or any other cases in which he is a party - on the basis that she is set to attain the legal age for retirement in April.

She has an application for extension that would have to be authorised by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister in consultation with the leader of the Official Opposition.

The motion of recusal was filed by Mr Christie’s lawyers in his capacity as minister responsible for Crown land and was argued on January 30.

PAGE 6, Thursday, March 16, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

FIRST NEW DOPPLER RADAR INSTALLED BY MID-APRIL from page one

the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) early on Tuesday morning which caused damage to a Bahamasair plane and several rental cars.

The radar was decommissioned due to the “health hazards” its radiation could have on persons conducting the installation of the new radar.

“Our radar would not have been working, but, however, we do have other means by which to observe the weather, like satellite imagery, and we’re also getting Doppler weather radar images from Miami and also Key West,” he said.

“So we do have tools in place. Again the whole purpose of us investing in a Doppler radar is because we can be very accurate.”

Mr Basden made his announcements during a press conference to provide an update on the installation process at the Weather Sta-

THE NEWLY-installed WRM 200 doppler rader at the weather station at LPIA. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff tion at LPIA. His statements came four months after Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin and other government officials signed a contract valued at $19,136,110 for the acquisition of the four new radars from Vaisala.

The country’s only Doppler radar, which was first

purchased in 2005, has been a subject of contention ever since the passage of Hurricane Joaquin, when it was alleged that it was inoperable during the height of the storm.

A year later, it was out of service for some 10 days, according to Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin, after it

“came off its gears” during the passage of Hurricane Matthew.

Yesterday, Mrs Hanna Martin said that with the purchase of the four radars, the government is hoping to establish a “network of coverage” that spans the entire archipelago.

“Each Doppler (radar) will connect to the other doppler, thereby providing continuous coverage as you go through the chain of islands,” she said. “It will provide The Bahamas with coverage and a degree of coverage that is unprecedented. The Met department is really going to a new level in The Bahamas.

Unprecedented. This is a very important day for The Bahamas in terms of our capacity as a people, in terms of our ability to be able to predict, to protect, to forewarn, this has armed our people in a way that has never been seen and perhaps anticipated.”

Lester Atkinson, a Vaisala Radar Engineer, her-

alded the government’s purchase as a “very, very wise decision”. He explained that the four new Doppler radars are WRM200 radars that utilise C-Band technology, which, according to Vaisala’s website, has “distinct advantages” over the country’s lone S-band radar.

“It’s dual polarised, which means that it can actually do a better job with the particle identification than your old S-Band radar that was just a single polarised radar,” he said. “So this technology is the newest technology out.

“The reason you’re getting four radars scattered around the islands is that they can overlap each other and do what we call a composite, very normal thing to do. And in all honestly, one radar can see what’s (happening) at the other radar.

That’s what you want to do.

You want to have that overlap.”

When asked about the durability of the radars, Mr

Atkinson said: “There are things that can wear out; this is a magnetron system that has a limited lifespan.

But we designed this radar, the gear train, the drive motors; everything involved in it mechanically is extremely durable.”

Regarding the refurbishment of the existing radar, Mr Atkinson said officials will endeavour to make it “very identical” to the four new Doppler radars.

“The signal processor, the antenna control, the (Interactive Radar Information System) software, it will all be identical,” he said. “It will receive a new tower, new radome, we will use the existing transmitter and some existing components. So we will take the original parts of the radar and make it as modern and up to date as your new radar.”

The government first announced plans to strengthen the country’s weather tracking service in November, 2015.

MITCHELL SAYS THANK YOU - AS ELECTION CLOCK TICKS from page one

Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins also thanked his constituents and Prime Minister Perry Christie for giving him the opportunity to serve while confirming that he will not be offering himself as a candidate in the next general election.

There has been no firm indication from the Christie administration on when the next general election will be held, with the Prime Minister suggesting three months ago that a potential date hinged on voter registration numbers.

Those comments came in December, amidst a slow registration period. Over the course of the last six weeks, however, numbers have steadily increased.

As of yesterday, 138,564 people of an estimated 172,000 eligible voting population have registered.

Political pundits have speculated that the PLP will dissolve the House of Assembly within the next two weeks, submit its writ for a general election and commence its campaign machinery. The next election must be called on or before May 9.

Mr Mitchell said regardless of the election date, the PLP will put up a “strong fight” with the hopes of being able to continue “making the country better and stronger”.

“The PLP is going to have a strong fight in the next general election. We have candidate in every seat and we will make a strong push as to why there should be continuity of governance in this country because we did the heavy lifting the past five years. We have given many people an opportunity and a chance to succeed,” Mr Mitchell said.

“The PLP is still the

greatest political organisation in this country. There is none other that can compete with the PLP, none other.

We pledge, as we face this country in the next general election, to provide a promise of good governance to make this country stronger.

We took this country into independence and we mean to keep it the best little nation on this earth.

“To all my colleagues it has been a great honour serving with you and I look forward, if the people allow it, to come back here.”

For his part, Dr Rollins said he “did not know how many more opportunities” he will have to say goodbye, and as such, he thanked the people of Fort Charlotte and the Prime Minister for giving him a voice in Parliament.

“I don’t know how many more opportunities I’ll have to come to this place, but I

wish to thank the people of Fort Charlotte for reposing their confidence in me and for allowing me to be what I said I would be and that is the voice in this place,” Dr Rollins said.

“I would be ungrateful if I did not say thank you to the Progressive Liberal Party, its stalwart councillors of Fort Charlotte, its foot soldiers and, yes, I want to thank the right honourable member for Centreville for giving me this opportunity.

But I hope you understand that for all I have done to hold you accountable it has been to promote a better country, so that those in my generation would be in a position to see a better future than our present.

“So as I am a member of the FNM and I remain a member of the FNM I am not too big to acknowledge where I ought to be thankful.”

BOSSES WITHHELD CHINESE PASSPORTS from page one

“[Penal code amendment] It stems from the amendment that was made to the Trafficking In Persons Act and the fundamental reason for the development and evolution of this specific offence, which has been dubbed an offence against humanity,” the Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP told Parliament yester-

day morning. “It really finds its genesis in the manner in which employers treat employees. It really evolved from the fact that employers still believe that their businesses are plantations.

That’s the basis for it.

“Then, for example, the court in determining whether this offence has been committed, what they did with it if you look at it, it usually comes from the workplace because we were

very concerned, for example, with the construction at Baha Mar when they had the foreign workers there. You will find that their passports were held (and) their work permits were held and that was a means to control them.”

Mr Davis did not make clear whether he was referring to the project’s general contractor China Construction America, or its former owner Sarkis Izmiralian.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 16, 2017, PAGE 7

Armed robbery sentencing hearing delayed by a week

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net A JUDGE yesterday deferred a sentencing hearing by a week for a man who was recently convicted of the gunpoint robbery of an elderly man at his workplace three years ago.

Jarvis Fernander, 22, stood trial before Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs for two days on charges of armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon concerning the March 28, 2014 hold up of Dudley Martinborough for his cellular phone, $180 cash and a Rolex watch valued at $3,000.

Fernander had denied the charges when formally arraigned in the Supreme Court and when his trial began on February 28.

The jury convicted him on March 2.

In yesterday’s scheduled sentencing hearing, Fernander’s lawyer Calvin Seymour raised a legal issue concerning the assault charge, referring to the Privy Council decision of Chevanese Hall. The Privy Council’s decision upheld the Court of Appeal’s ruling to quash the conviction in The Bahamas’ first tried human trafficking case.

The issue concerned whether Fernander should have been tried summar-

ily, or indictable concerning the assault charge.

Crown prosecutor Darell Taylor and Mr Seymour were given a week by Senior Justice Isaacs to prepare submissions and counter submissions on the issue.

The judge adjourned the matter to March 22.

At Fernander’s trial, the nine-member jury heard testimony from the 73-yearold coordinator of the Bahamas Maritime Cadets institution that sometime around 10am on the day in question, while at the East Bay Street school, he observed two men approaching the door to the old Gold Circle Complex.

The victim said one of the

men was 5’8” and the other 5’11”. He described both as slim. However, he said the men never came inside which led him to believe they were up to no good.

When he tried to lock the door, the men barged in and were tugging at him aggressively when his eye glasses fell off.

He also noticed that the shortest of the two men was armed with a black handgun.

After telling them that the school had no money, the gunman threatened to put a bullet in his head.

He was struck in the head and they took the items that they had demanded.

He picked out the ac-

cused at an identification parade four days after the incident.

In cross-examination, the witness admitted that he was near-sighted and had glaucoma but insisted he’d observed the men for some 30 seconds.

He also said the same individuals came into the school making inquiries about the establishment two days earlier.

Before excusing the jury to deliberate, the judge noted that persons can sometimes make mistakes in identification.

The jury, after two hours of deliberation, returned unanimous 9-0 guilty verdicts on both charges.

NEW DATE FOR APPEAL OVER ACID ATTACK ON FAMILY

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A NEW date has been set for the Crown’s appeal against the punishment imposed on a woman who threw acid on her lover, his wife, and the couple’s son.

The Crown has lodged an appeal against the $8,700 compensation order levied against D’Nika Mackey who pleaded guilty to three

counts of use of deadly means of harm, arguing that it was unduly lenient, as the magistrate attached no consequences if the restitution was not made.

Mackey appeared in the Court of Appeal yesterday morning with her attorney Craig Butler.

However, the matter was further adjourned to April 27 due to the large volumes of cases being heard by the Court of Appeal.

Mackey, 28, of Sandilands Village Road, admitted to the crimes before Magistrate Samuel McKinney in September 2016.

She had had an affair with the woman’s husband for two years, but he made amends with his wife of six years in October 2015.

The couple still lived apart with their parents, despite the move to salvage the marriage.

The attack occurred on

December 13, 2015, the day after the married couple celebrated their wedding anniversary at Paradise Island.

Mackey confronted them and their three-year-old son outside the man’s home in Fox Dale around 1.30pm.

Mackey called out to her lover, who ignored her, and, in anger, she threw acid, causing injuries.

The wife’s injuries were the most severe as she re-

ceived acid burns to the side of her face and arm.

At the time of her arrest, Mackey took responsibility for her actions and said she was angry because she was still in a relationship with the married man.

However, less than 10 per cent in restitution had been paid by Mackey who claims she is unemployed.

Ambrose Armbrister and David Cox appeared for the Crown in the matter.

READERS LACK CONFIDENCE IN GOVT OVER BLAZE IN THE Tribune’s latest online poll, we asked readers if they were confident the government would solve the landfill fire issue.

A huge majority - 89 per cent of those voting - said they did not have confidence in the government dealing with the problem.

Commenting on the poll, Reverendrichlkemp called for confidence: “REALLY people, when you lack confidence in your government, it REALLY demonstrates your lack of self-confidence. I am confident this or any other government can solve this minor issue. Begin believing in yourselves and thus, believing in your government, regardless of who’s in power. But it all starts with you!

To which Economist responded with: “The private sector owns and operates the landfill in Freeport. The government owns and operates the landfill in Nassau.

The difference is like night and day. No, 50 years of fires proves that Bahamians should have no confidence in the government to solve the landfill fire issue. Rev,

I believe in myself to know the difference between competence and incompetence. Am I confident that Bahamians can solve the problem? Yes, those in the private sector. I have no confidence in the government to solve the problem.”

After former State Minister for Finance James Smith said the Export-Import Bank of China had not authorised Baha Mar’s Claims Committee to pay former expatriate workers what was owed to them, ConchyJ said: “It is time to let all US citizens know how unfairly US workers and vendors have been treated. We will ask all to show the Bahamian government their displeasure by choosing other destinations for their vacations, group travel and business travel until a fair and reasonable decision has been made. I truly feel sor-

ry for all of the wonderful friends and people we have worked with and hope they understand that we wish no ill will towards them or their families and hope they will show support for us in the upcoming election!”

Casinojoe74 had this to say: “Expats worked just as hard and sacrificed just as much as anyone else.

Even more if you consider we uprooted our families, left other jobs, got kicked out of the Bahamas when our visas expired and had to find new homes, employers, schools for our kids, etc ... correct me if I’m wrong, but the Chinese construction company of America and their 5,000 workers were paid in the end right?

Hmmm ... maybe when Perry loses the election in May the new PM will sort things

out for us.”

Don’t miss your chance

to join the debate on tribune242.com.

TWO IN HOSPITAL AFTER LATEST SHOOTINGS

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

TWO men are recovering in hospital after they were shot in separate incidents on Tuesday night.

According to reports, the victim of the first incident around 9pm arrived at the Accident and Emergency Department of the Princess Margaret Hospital with gunshot injuries. He was treated and is listed in serious, but stable condition.

About an hour later, police say two men were fighting on East Bay Street when one of the men pulled out a gun. A man who was standing in the area was shot. He was taken to hospital where he is also listed in stable condition.

Anyone with information on any of these incidents is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-991 and Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS. Police reported yesterday that 25-year-old Jason Cleare, of Faith Gardens, who was being sought in connection with a fatal hitand-run accident on February 18, turned himself into officers at the Police Traffic Department on Tuesday.

Officers from the Selective Enforcement Team took a man into custody on Tuesday and charged him with possession of dangerous drugs.

Shortly after 9pm, officers on routine patrol on Martin Street saw a man acting in a manner that aroused their suspicions.

The man was approached, searched, and a quantity of marijuana was found in his possession.

TO ADVERTISE IN THE TRIBUNE, CONTACT 502-2394

PAGE 8, Thursday, March 16, 2017

DUMP FIRE ‘80% OUT’ BUT SMOKE STILL RISING

THE TRIBUNE

A leading financial organization is seeking an applicant for the position of:

IN-HOUSE LEGAL COUNSEL

Job Description The Legal Counsel will support the Company’s corporate functional groups, including Business Development, Finance, Investment, Treasury and the Corporate Secretary. The Legal Counsel will act as a subject matter expert and provide guidance on corporate governance, business development, investments and securities activities, including complex transactions, both domestically and internationally, and provide assistance on a broad range of other corporate law matters.

The Legal Counsel will also be expected to have an extensive understanding of Trust laws, estate planning structures and fiduciary products and be able to draft, review, and amend all and any related documents.

The successful candidate needs to demonstrate a strong ability to establish excellent working relationships and liaise closely with a wide range of both external and internal contacts, including clients, Trustees and external counsels.

The successful candidate would need to be highly professional at all times and demonstrate a strong set of general legal skills. You will ideally have between 7-10 years’ experience either at a law firm or a mix of law firm and in-house. In addition, the successful candidate must: • • • • • • •

Have outstanding verbal and written communication skills, the ability to work effectively in a team and demonstrate a self-starting attitude and a high level of independent thought; Be able to quickly form strong working relationships with internal and external colleagues and contacts; Demonstrate commercial awareness and the ability to apply legal knowledge and experience within a dynamic commercial environment; Have strong organisational skills and attention to detail; Demonstrate a high degree of personal motivation and the desire to develop within the role and take on additional responsibility; Be highly responsive with ability to manage a large workload efficiently and effectively; Be solution-oriented with a focus on exceptional client service.

Qualifications The applicant must be a Counsel and Attorney of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and a member of the Bahamas Bar Association in good standing.

We offer an excellent benefit package and salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Interested applicants may submit resumes by email to legalad2017@gmail.com

A WORKER in a protective mask at the dump fire earlier this week.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff rold Road landfill site, blanfrom page one keting nearby communities, and in particular Jubilee southern New Providence Gardens, in thick, black still complained of heavy hazardous smoke and forcsmoke in their communi- ing residents in that comties, a government clinic munity to evacuate their closed temporarily and homes. some schools again shut On Monday, Environearly to avoid exposing the ment Minister Kenred Dorstudents to the smoke. sett said GelTech Solutions, The Department of Pub- a company that specialises lic Health announced last in fighting fires while pronight the Flamingo Gar- tecting the environment, dens Clinic will be closed has been contracted by the until Friday because of government to assist in exan increase in the “smoke tinguishing the massive fumes” infiltrating the blaze. He told The Tribune building. the US-based company, “Persons in need of medi- along with Fletcher Air, cal care should visit the began dropping FireIce - a South Beach Health Cen- firefighting gel - on the sites tre,” a Department state- at the landfill on Sunday, ment said. The hours of op- that were either too dangererations for Thursday and ous or unreachable by fireFriday at the South Beach fighters.

Health Centre will be 9am On Tuesday, Mr Dorsett to midnight.” said the inclement weather Bahamas Academy and had not done much to help Garvin Tynes Primary tackle the fire but did conSchool closed early yester- tribute to rising smoke. day. Workers House Acad“Whether or not (the emy and Government High rainy weather) helped I’d School were among those prefer to say yes and no,” that had also shut early be- he told reporters. “It didn’t cause of smoke the previous come in sufficient quantiday. ties and for a length of time Ms Wilson said the smoke to make a significant imhas settled down and fire- pact. But what it did do is fighters are working hard to cause a lot of steam to rise, fully put out the blaze. so now smoke. It has put it “The aerial drops of Fire- out in some pockets, but the Ice have helped tremen- smoke is now very high so dously,” she said. “We are when the sun comes out the now fighting the fires on smoke which you now see the ground and trying to shifting toward the north make inroads. The smoke should dissipate and we has picked up quite a bit but should be able to make an we are working in the back assessment. of the wind. We had some “As a result of the rain rain but it made matters and the smoke, we have worse and exposed some not been able to begin our hot spots but it has settled air drops for the aircraft to down now.” date because visibility at On March 5, a massive the landfill is a challenge,” blaze broke out at the Har- he said.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 16, 2017, PAGE 9

Wheelchair valet hailed as an Unsung Hero of health care

Unsung

HER ES

VERONICA Ferguson, wheelchair valet and concierge service personnel at the Princess Margaret Hospital, is the recipient of the monthly Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) Unsung Heroes award for February.

A 16-year veteran of the PHA, Ms Ferguson was recognised yesterday as an “ambassador of excellence” who often made it her mission to do as much as she could to assist the patients she serves

by PHA managing director Herbert Brown.

The position Ms Ferguson now holds came about last year as a result of her unrelenting passion to assist and aid. According to Mr Brown, Ms Ferguson saw a need that was not being met and viewed it as an opportunity to expand her role in assisting those seeking care at the hospital.

“Veronica envisioned a wheelchair service that would provide compassionate care to elderly and handicapped patients seeking non-urgent or outpatient services at the hospital,” Mr Brown told The Tribune.

“After receiving the requisite training, this is exactly what has been established.

Through this exemplary department, patients who need additional assistance are picked up kerbside at the Critical Care Block entrance and wheeled to various specialty clinics and to other clinical or hospital services with a minimum of inconvenience and struggle.”

Ms Ferguson and her assistant, Sherman Davis, un-

derwent training to learn how properly to lift and/or move patients.

Kevin Darville, The Tribune Media Group’s special projects co-ordinator, revealed the wheelchair valet service was given a “sweet upgrade” on Valentine’s Day at Ms Ferguson’s personal expense. “Ms Ferguson greeted each of her valet patients with special holiday-themed treats: cookies, candy and juice,” he said. “Her selfless act of love and kindness has elevated customer service at PMH. Ms Ferguson hopes to inspire other members of the PMH family to independently plan and execute similar efforts to showcase the best quality healthcare that PMH is known for.”

Ms Ferguson, a woman of few words with the spotlight on her, called her achievement “special”. She added that her love for her patients and their wellbeing is what drives much of what she does, not the opportunity for notoriety and awards.

She is the second monthly winner of the award, following veteran nurse Patricia Laing who received the inaugural award in January.

Excellence The Unsung Heroes awards programme recognises and rewards excellence, care and compassion in the Bahamas health care system as part of a ground breaking public-private partnership between the PHA and the Tribune Media Group.

It will identify and pub-

VERONICA Ferguson receives her recognition pin from Kevin Darville, the Tribune Media Group’s special projects co-ordinator, as the February winner of the PHA Unsung Heroes award, watched by Herbert Brown, managing director of the Public Hospitals Authority.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff licly honour those PHA employees who have gone “beyond the call of duty” in providing levels of care and compassion throughout the islands, in the authority’s two hospitals (Princess Margaret and Rand Memorial), Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre and its 108 clinics and agencies.

Nominations of employees for the monthly award are made by co-workers and by patients and visitors.

The winner each month will receive a cash prize, dinner for two, a framed certificate and a bespoke recognition pin. An annual winner, selected from the monthly champions, will be announced and honoured at a gala dinner at the end of the year.

The prestigious awards programme is part of a partnership between the PHA, The Tribune Media Group and the Aidan Roger Carron Foundation announced earlier this year to advance the fight against paediatric diseases in the

Bahamas, an alliance local health officials said will have a “significant impact” on the delivery of paediatric care throughout the public healthcare system.

Its aim is to raise awareness about and subsequently battle various diseases, such as Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), Leukaemia, Diabetes and Cancer.

The partnership is the brainchild of Robert Dupuch Carron, president of the Tribune Media Group, and his wife, Elizabeth, whose infant son Aidan has been battling HLH, a deadly auto-immune disease. In July, the seven-month-old contracted a high fever following vaccinations and had to be medically evacuated to Florida for specialist treatment in the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami. Aidan’s plight prompted his parents to establish the Aidan Roger Carron Foundation and forge a partnership with the PHA to ensure that what hap-

pened to their son does not happen to other families.

Mr Dupuch Carron said the initiative “is about bringing together partners from all walks of life with a common goal of transforming our approach to paediatric healthcare, so that no child is left behind.

It is also about recognising and saluting all those who, without their extraordinary efforts, many other children would not be here.”

Criteria The criteria for nominees for the monthly PHA Unsung Heroes Awards encompass exceptional success in an area or aspect of work including consistent and outstanding performance; demonstrating initiative for personal development and professional knowledge while maintaining the highest standards of relationships with patients, staff and the community; consistent and outstanding leadership, actively promoting and encouraging colleagues to deliver a high standard of

service; consistently high standard of service delivery to internal and external customers; achievement in promoting links with the community or enhancing the reputation of the PHA in it; and noted participation in community health activities at various levels.

The attributes which make an employee suitable for nomination include attitude, drive to succeed, overall work quality, an exceptional act of service and willingness to go the extra mile.

Nomination forms and full criteria for eligibility and selection can be found on the PHA website (phabahamas.org) or submitted via email to or obtained from Human Resources. They will also be available to patients and visitors at all facilities. Nominations must be submitted by the last day of the month and an independent selection committee will judge the entries.

Employees can only win one monthly award per calendar year.

THE Aidan Roger Carron Foundation has been formed with the aim of transforming paediatric care in The Bahamas.

Aidan Carron was seven months old when he contracted a secondary and potentially deadly auto immune disease, Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), last July after a “catch up” administration of his vaccinations.

He developed a fever of 107.1F (41.6C) and had to be rushed by air ambulance to the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, where he spent more than five months being treated with blood tranfusions, chemotherapy, steroids and antibiotics and has returned to their care again recently.

His parents, Robert and Elizabeth Dupuch Carron, have said they do not want

other Bahamian families to suffer the same experience and have agreed to release Aidan’s confidential medical records to allow physicians, nurses and researchers detailed insight into the diagnosis, testing and treatment of life-threatening diseases.

In January, The Tribune Media Group, the Public Hospitals Authority and the Foundation announced a partnership to advance the fight

against paediatric diseases.

The Foundation’s mission statement is “Together we can fight HLH, Leukaemia, Cancer, Diabetes, obesity and other paediatric diseases by utilising worldclass partnerships, creative multi-platform educational campaigns, state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and treatment protocols, whilst recognising the ‘Unsung Heroes’ in our nation.”

FOUNDATION AIMS TO TRANSFORM PAEDIATRIC CARE IN THE BAHAMAS Aidan Roger Carron

Children’s

Foundation

H e a l i n g L i t t l e Wa r r i o r s

PAGE 10, Thursday, March 16, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

HALKITIS: FNM LEADER TO BLAME FOR ALTERCATION from page one heckling each other; however, FNM Chairman Sidney Collie has insisted that it was the PLP’s supporters who first engaged his party members.

In one video, a team of FNM members, including party Leader Dr Hubert Minnis, are seen campaigning in the Golden Isles constituency when they were taunted by PLP supporters.

Some in the group also verbally attacked Dr Minnis, telling him he could not control his own party so how could he run the country, while shouting obscenities.

In a statement posted on social media, Mr Halkitis explained that he was aware that Dr Minnis and his candidate were doing a walkabout in the area, and intentionally led his team of campaigners in another direction.

However, he said, Dr Minnis led his team to the PLP headquarters which led to persons in the FNM “verbally taunting” the PLP supporters.

“Yesterday (Tuesday), I led another walkabout in the Golden Isles constituency as I have been doing regularly. Knowing that Dr Hubert Minnis and his new candidate were also doing a walkabout, I deliberately led my group west on Carmichael Road away from my headquarters and away from the FNM headquarters to avoid any possibility of our groups clashing,” Mr Halkitis said.

“Dr Minnis decided that in this politically charged atmosphere he should lead his group past my headquarters where some of his supporters proceeded to verbally taunt some young

MINISTER of State for Finance Michael Halkitis. men in the area.

He continued: “A heated verbal altercation resulted. It was unfortunate but blame should be placed squarely on the shoulders of Hubert Minnis for provoking the altercation and then playing victim.”

In a statement to the media, Mr Collie said the actions of PLP supporters exposed the government’s desperation, adding that Bahamians can see “their tactics and activity”.

He said he hoped the PLP and “their supporters change their behaviour and begin to try to bring the country together instead of trying to divide it”.

“The PLP continues to have only a negative message for the people of The Bahamas. They do not have a record to run on so they have resorted to do nothing but act in a negative manor (sic). Bahamians across our country can see through their tactics and their negativity,” Mr Collie said.

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322-7993 or 3236591

“Every person has the right to be politically active. People have the right to support any candidate or party that they choose to and should not have to worry about supporters of other parties verbally assaulting them on the streets.

Mr Collie said: “I know that FNM supporters will continue to show respect to those who do not agree with us and I hope the PLP and their supporters change their behaviour and begin to try to bring the country together instead of trying to divide it.”

In another video, a woman in a FNM shirt is seen shouting obscenities at a PLP supporter, telling the man that Dr Minnis is her “Prime Minister” and Prime Minister Perry Christie does nothing but “sell dreams”.

In yet another video, a group of FNMs are seen walking through the constituency when a truck carrying people clad in yellow shirts emblazoned with Mr Halkitis’ face drives past.

“Y’all ain’t get no money, go home,” one man who was campaigning for Mr Halkitis is heard screaming on the video, “we want money.”

Persons on social media weighed in the on the drama with some blaming Mr Halkitis, some blaming Dr Minnis and others condemning both men.

One person wrote: “This is beginning to get on my last nerves. We are all Bahamian what is the problem? FNM or PLP why are we fighting each other?

This puts tears in my eyes to see people older than me carrying on in such a manner. Ya’ll only showing the parts of the story ya’ll, FNM and PLP, want people to see. Please lets unite and become one. This is why we have had such poor governance since independence.

What the hell ya’ll expect from ya’ll damn children?”

Another person said: “Juvenile behaviour. Mr Halkitis, I know you and you are better than this. Did you walk the constituency only to write about the FNM or did you walk to understand the concerns of the community better? If so then talk about that, what you learned, what the community’s needs and concerns are and how you plan to address them. Make your time count for something.”

It was also said on the video that Mr Halkitis was present; however he was not seen in the clip and has denied being there during the altercation.

The incident did not turn violent.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 16, 2017, PAGE 11

Rollins hits out at absences of Minnis from page one However, House Speaker Dr Kendal Major did not allow Dr Rollins to lodge a verbal attack on the MP who was absent from the session and threatened to name him if he continued with the attack.

Dr Rollins said: “I will tell you this, if you want to be Prime Minister and you want to be the most powerful person in this country like the Rt Hon member for Centreville, I expect that the person who is aiming for your job is present and accounted for every day, that we are inside this House and I look down there and I see absence.

“And if I were you (referring to the Prime Minister) I would call him out on it. Leadership means that you stand up to your feet even if you feel that you are weak you stand and then Long Island and Montagu and Central Grand Bahama (and) Bamboo Town, we will help you stand. I am upset and I am spitting all over the place and I’m sorry and you tell me you think that this is how we are going to get this country moving.”

Speaking on what led to the ousting of Dr Minnis from the post of Leader of the Opposition in the House, Dr Rollins said while Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner has been maligned for replacing the Killarney MP, she was chosen by the rebel seven MPs because they believed the Opposition should have been performing much better than it was.

In a lengthy diatribe in Parliament that hit out on several matters of public interest - including the economy, the fire at the New Providence Landfill and Baha Mar - Dr Rollins confirmed that he will not be running in the next general election.

The Fort Charlotte MP

said his run in politics over the last five years had not been about personal interests, but rather his opportunity to be the voice of Bahamians who feel they have been silenced.

He said the harsh critique of the government was not to gain political brownie points, because he would not be seeking reelection in the 2017 general election.

At one point Dr Rollins and Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell became entangled in a shouting match over the Fort Charlotte MP’s failure to remain relevant in the ongoing debate on the Criminal Procedure Code.

“We said that we were about forging a new generation of political leaders and I have found, Mr Speaker, that absolutely does not exist,” Dr Rollins said. “We in this country are playing politics the same way in 2017 that was played in 1967 and prior in the days of the UBP. In those days they gave people flour, they gave people food in the can because you know us li’l old black people that can hold us. That will keep us pacified, Massa,” Dr Rollins said.

“Oh, how terrible it is when we do not know the power that we possess. Woe be unto he who fails to understand his responsibility, not to a political party, but to country so that history will duly record that he was on the right side. Mr Speaker, there are people in this country now economic slaves not any better off than those pre-1967.

“They want to see verifiable proof and action that we are about we say or what we claim to be about. Not one case as though there was only one example of human trafficking going on in this country. Not so that we can show the US Embassy ‘Look, look here this is what we have, one case.

Now hopefully you will leave us alone’.

He continued: “But what is the totality of their body

of work. I can’t say that I am progressive or that I am a new generation of anything if my actions do not reinforce my word. This side, and no, I’m not campaigning because I am not running. And I am so glad that I get the applause of the member for Fox Hill because what he is about is perpetrating the status quo and as far as the member for Fox Hill is concerned this is big people’s business and young people like me ought to stay out of big people’s business. The reality is, Mr Speaker, anyone elected to this House is an equal and the people out there expect young and old to speak up and fight for them and their families.”

Dr Rollins said: “It isn’t about politics, Mr Speaker.

Me being in here has never been about politics. That is why I have no regrets about anything that I have done in here because to try to say that I am prepared to do anything to get by politically that would make me a prostitute and I am not prepared to do anything to stay in this House. Unlike some inside here who will sit down and do whatever their side asks them to do so that they can continue to say that I am an MP, man get over it,” he said “You have nothing to live for in life that is all that you care about. Who am I talking about? Anybody who forgets their moral compass simply because if they don’t do something their party will be upset with them. We gotta get out of that, man.

This country deserves better.

“And we want to bring people up here to say that we are having state dinners.

The president of Guyana could come here and have them living in the lap of luxury and our people wallowing. What we are doing in this country is not working. We have, as a reality, we have our country being set up to be dictated to by foreign powers,” Dr Rollins said.

ANDRE ROLLINS, Fort Charlotte MP, speaking in the House of Assembly previously.

PAGE 12, Thursday, March 16, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Pintard spotlights problems in Marco City constituency

FORMER FNM Chairman Michael Pintard, who has been highlighting problems in the Marco City constituency.

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement candidate for Marco City, Michael Pintard has taken up the charge to have

long standing issues addressed in areas that are still without city water and paved roads in the Marco City constituency.

Mr Pintard, former FNM chairman, met with residents of the Grasmere and Yeoman Woods Subdivisions at a town meeting last week at Unity in Christ Assembly Church.

He told them that their concerns are important, and invited an official of the GB Utility Company to hear their concerns and provide them with answers and news they have been waiting to hear.

The absence of city water and paved roads in some of those areas have been a long standing problem for the past decade. Mr Pintard informed residents of the progress that is being

made to resolve the two vexing problems.

“For more than ten years, residents of Yeoman Woods and Grasmere had petitioned various authorities to assist them with paving their streets and connecting to city water. Aside from the installation of water mains in a small area of Grasmere, very little else was done,” said Mr Pintard.

“This is about to change.

The residents have been briefed on progress so far to remedy the two vexing and stubborn problems,” he added.

Mr Pintard said that the GB Utility Company general manager assured residents of its participation to bring the relief so desperately sought by residents.

Stressing the potential dangers of not having ac-

cess to city water, the official of GB Utility said that work in some areas could commence in short order.

The FNM candidate is pleased that tangible steps are being taken towards the road paving and installation of city water.

“I expect that bringing the relief residents need… will be achieved,” he said.

There was a commitment to signing on to City Water once the lines were installed and playing a more meaningful role in assisting in securing paved roads.

The residents were grateful to Mr Pintard for assisting in bringing relief after 10 years.

Mr Pintard has also assisted other residents of Marco City with home repairs by donating building

materials and supplies to those affected by Hurricane Matthew.

He was among the first persons to reach out and assist constituents in Marco City. He said that he helped everyone regardless of their political persuasion.

Mr Pintard, who was ratified in January 2017, said he intends to run his campaign differently from the norm of petty politics and mudslinging.

He said his will is about empowering all who reside in Marco City.

“My party selected me as the candidate for the area in the upcoming general elections, and I intend to continue to reach out to every single voter. My plan is to revitalise the area and, accordingly, all of those in the constituency,” he said.

PM STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF ROLE FOR NEW CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT GRADUATES

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie told 20 new graduates of the Customs Department in Grand Bahama yesterday that their role is critical to the country’s governance and they must be “obedient” when called on to serve in the Family Islands.

“You are beginning a career today which is critical in the overall scheme of things when it comes to the governance of our country,” he said at a graduation ceremony in the BUT Building in Freeport.

Mr Christie said that their career path may take them outside Grand Bahama to other islands of The

Bahamas when the need arises. “You are expected to be faithful and obedient public officers to the call,” he said.

The graduates are the first set of recruits to be introduced and trained under the New Customs Management Act and the Regulations 2011.

Mr Christie first met and interacted with the new recruits in December and promised to attend their graduation. He told them they are now part of a prestigious department which functions as both border security and revenue agents for the Government.

“It enfolds on you a tremendous responsibility in both aspects of your duties.

It is not merely a desk job where you can hopefully

expect a long and secured career with benefits, but you are beginning a career today,” he said.

The Prime Minister explained that New Customs Management Act and Regulations 2011 is a modernised Act drafted to meet the obligations contained in the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed by the Bahamas in October, 2008, and to align with the Trade Rules of The World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The Act, he said, was also drafted to comply with the instruments and standards of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) such as the Revised Kyoto Convention on the Simplification and Harmonisation of Customs Procedures, and

to introduce best practices, among other things.

Mr Christie added that the Act reinforces the role and capacity of the Bahamas Customs Department to achieve its strategic objectives.

“You are now the first recruits to be the beneficiaries of a $16.5m loan agreement between the Government of the Bahamas and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB),” he said.

According to the Prime Minister, the three components of the loan agreement are to improve the facilitation of trade; to collect revenue; and to improve border protection.

“You will be immersed into a modernised Customs organisation with improved border protection, enforcement and the Electronic Single Window (which began February 1) and System Automation,” he said.

Mr Christie again reminded graduates of the major role that the Customs Department plays in the economy of The Bahamas. “Almost 60 per cent of Government’s revenue and taxes are to be collected by you. You need to be very conscious that the Customs Department is not the Customs Department of 1914, when the Department was established.

It is not the Customs Department of the 1950s and 60s.

“This is a new day for Customs and you should be proud to know that you have entered the threshold of a new and innovative system,” he said.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 16, 2017, PAGE 13

Mortimer says Minnis ‘callous’ over Baha Mar

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Deputy Leader Chris Mortimer yesterday suggested that a faction within the Free National Movement was focused on derailing progress at Baha Mar for personal gain as he condemned FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis for his “callous” statement over the resort’s sale.

Mr Mortimer contended that the recent pledge made

by Dr Minnis indicated that members of the FNM are operating solely to redirect Baha Mar to a particular group, and claimed that the FNM’s inclusion of persons once closely aligned with former Baha Mar owner Sarkis Izmirlian, have morphed the party’s political ideals into special interest.

Three former executives at Baha Mar now stand as candidates for the FNM in the upcoming general elections: former Baha Mar Director, Dionisio D’Aguilar, for Freetown; former Baha Mar VP of Security, Marvin Dames, for Mount Moriah; and Baha Mar Leadership Development Institute Executive Director, Jefferey Lloyd, for South Beach.

“The reality is that we cannot be pulling against the country,” he said, “we need the country to work, we need Bahamians working...the reality isn’t so much about Baha Mar, reality is that as leaders we have to understand that our words go well beyond a particular event.”

Mr Mortimer continued: “Anybody who is looking at this country as an investor or anybody, as Bahamians (we should) want to make sure that the persons that we entrust with the authority should be using it to the benefit of the Bahamian people.

“The fact of the matter is,

I thought the remarks were callous, were not forward thinking and regrettable that someone who leads a party would be able to espouse such views and he should have apologised for it a long time ago, I don’t know what he is waiting for.”

On Sunday, in a statement posted to his Facebook page, Dr Minnis said his party would “engage and execute a real sale of Baha Mar to a qualified and respectable purchaser who believes in Bahamians; a purchaser who will utilise only Bahamian labour to complete the resort, and will put Bahamians back to work with real jobs as quickly as possible.”

The next day, Dr Minnis added that if the Baha Mar deal does not stand up to public scrutiny, his party reserves the right “to not approve any sale that is not in the best interest of the Bahamian people.”

The remark attracted extensive criticism from members of the governing Progressive Liberal Party, industry observers and economic pundits; all of whom speculated over the series of moves that would permit Dr Minnis to execute such a feat, given that the resort is a private entity.

Offering his take on the situation, Mr Mortimer yesterday said that he is of the view that Dr Minnis didn’t consider his words prior to offering them up in a public forum.

He further stressed that as leader of one of the nation’s prominent political organisations, Dr Minnis should have “thought through the ramifications” of his assertions.

Mr Mortimer said: “(Special interest) is what is on the minds of everybody in this country. Every single person, you just go into any street, any barber shop, go

and talk to anybody and that is what is the concern on the minds of Bahamians; interest are being promoted within that party.”

Despite the criticism levelled at Dr Minnis, however, a source with intimate knowledge of Baha Mar in an interview with The Tribune on Sunday welcomes the Killarney MPs position on the property.

The source, who did not want to be named, called Dr Minnis’ pledge a “game changer for the property” that if followed through, would likely start a “bidding war where the Chinese would no doubt be out”.

The insider added that Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian would “be able to beat any bidder”.

Mr Mortimer spoke during a news conference at the party’s East Street south headquarters, called to mark the endorsement of the party by Pastor Jeremiah Duncombe and the ‘Gatekeepers’ organisation.

Reverend Duncombe, leader of the organisation, said the DNA stood as the best opportunity to “help save this country from total moral and economic collapse”.

After “days, weeks, and months of much intense prayer”, Reverend Duncombe said he “unequivocally endorse Branville McCartney as the individual, to form the next government of The Bahamas, following the upcoming general election.”

He added: “I endorse the leadership team of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), in support of this objective.”

Reverend Duncombe also called on other independent candidates and small political organisations to join the DNA and its leadership team.

Last July, Reverend Duncombe along with Bahamas Public Services Union

President John Pinder, former Senator John Bostwick and several other persons, launched what was then referred to as the People’s Movement.

Subsequent to this action, several members of the group opted to join the United Democratic Party (UDP) - leaving behind Reverend Duncombe and his team.

The DNA yesterday didn’t state what role Duncombe would play in the party moving forward, only expressing gratitude for his endorsement of their party and its ideals.

DNA deputy leader Chris Mortimer.

Finance Corporation of Bahamas Limited

NOTICE

TO SHAREHOLDERS The Annual General Meeting of Finance Corporation of Bahamas Limited (FINCO) will be held on Tuesday, 28th March, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. in the Governor’s Ballroom, British Colonial Hilton Hotel, Number One Bay Street, Nassau N. P., The Bahamas. A copy of the 2016 Annual Report can be downloaded from FINCO’s website at http://www.rbcroyalbank.com/caribbean/bahamas/index.html?cc=bahamas_17.

Hard copies of the Annual 2016 Report are also available at the offices of RBC/FINCO.

Corporate Secretary

PAGE 14, Thursday, March 16, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Residents fall ill, blaming foul odours at Pinder’s Point

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FOUL odours from the industrial park are believed to have made some Pinder’s Point residents ill last week, an environmental group claimed yesterday.

Shuffel Hepburn, of the Pinder’s Point Lewis Yard Environmental Committee (PPLYEC), claims that at least three residents reportedly experienced severe nausea and vomiting as a result of odours believed to be emanating from an industrial plant near the community last Wednesday.

He claims that people in the vicinity were also affected at the harbour as well as patrons at a restaurant on Queen’s Highway.

“We were informed by a resident of the area that all the customers at the restaurant were feeling nauseous, and we also received reports that a security officer at the main entrance to the mailboat dock also reportedly took ill,” he added.

Mr Hepburn also said that a family at Seaco Town - one of the affected communities - had to leave the confines of their home last Thursday evening because of the strong odours.

“Berthram Pinder (chairman of PPLYEC) and I drove down there after getting complaints from at least one resident of Seaco Town who had moved his family out overnight because they could not sleep, and the smell was very strong,” he claimed.

PPLYEC held a town meeting on Tuesday night to discuss the concerns of residents and to talk about further plans to raise awareness about the reported health and environment issues confronting residents.

The PPLYEC has held a number of protests to

highlight the plight of residents living near the industrial plants. The group is calling for the relocation of residents from Pinder’s Point, Lewis Yard, Seaco Town, Hawksbill and the other surrounding communities.

For many years residents have complained about various health issues, including eye, nose and skin irritations, nausea, and respiratory problems, which they believe are associated with industrial pollution in the area.

They are also concerned about ground pollution as a result of various oil or

other chemical spills.

A number of health studies have been conducted in relation to industrial pollution in the area from as far back as the late 1980s.

Last week, Prime Minister Perry Christie said that his government is concerned about industrial pollution but said that health assessment studies conducted by government over the years has indicated that residents were not in harm’s way.

He said relocating residents is not something that government will consider as no recommendations have been made to do it.

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THE MINISTER’s Award at last year’s Cacique Awards was awarded to the late Dr Myles Munroe and his wife, Ruth. Their children, Charisa and Myles Munroe Jr, accepted the award on their behalf.

BAHA MAR TO HOST CACIQUE AWARDS AT CONVENTION CENTRE THE business of Tourism will be on display at the Baha Mar Convention Centre on April 8 as the Ministry of Tourism presents the 17th Cacique Awards.

The prestigious awards represent the highest honour in Tourism as they celebrate the brightest and best in the country’s leading industry.

Categories for the awards include Transportation, Local Airlines and Tour Operators, Creative Arts, Handicraft, Special Events, Cecil Rose Sports and Leisure, Sustainable Tourism, Human Resources, Manager of the Year, Chef of the Year, Employee of the

Year – Front of House, Employee of the Year – Back of House, Sales Executive of the Year, Hotelier of the Year, the Minister’s Award, Clement T Maynard Lifetime Achievement Award, the Blue Ribbon Panel Award, the Willie Love Award and the People’s Choice Award.

Writer and Chorography Director of the programme, Ian Poitier, said he is excited about this year’s gala as it is the first event of this magnitude being held at Baha Mar. “We are going to bring the usual glamour and excitement that people have come to know and love over the years,” he said.

“In addition, this year we want to draw people into the world of tourism, hospitality and what it is like if you’re involved in tourism.

The Business of Tourism is our theme and we are going to look at the mechanics. There are thousands of people involved in that process and each one of them plays a vital role.

“Baha Mar is spectacular for the region and for the world and one of the reasons why breaking ground for Baha Mar has been of such interest is the scale of it. That is now coming to fruition and so having the Cacique Awards here makes it all worthwhile.”

Tickets for the Cacique Awards are $50 and all proceeds go to a scholarship for deserving students of the Tourism and Hospitality programme at the University of The Bahamas. On sale now, they can be purchased at the Ministry of Tourism by contacting Evamae Ferguson at 302-2078.

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PAGE 20, Thursday, March 16, 2017

CAPTAIN Deek with a 90lb Yellowfin Tuna.

‘ZEBRA’ hunting with Captain Ryan Neilly of Spanish Wells Fishing.

THE TRIBUNE

A 21LB bull Maha Mahi on a fly in Exuma.

LUI D with a sizeable Yellowfin Tuna.

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CAPTAIN Ryan Neilly had happy clients in Spanish Wells.

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PERFECT weather for fishing late last week and over the weekend has seen the Wahoo biting like crazy around The Bahamas and Mahi Mahi in abundance.

Keep checking the BahamasSport Fishing Network (BSFN) expert page for fishing reports throughout The Bahamas: this will be helpful in tracking the “hot spots” and providing advice on gear and fishing methods being used.

For a sample of the spectacular fishing to be had in The Bahamas, expert advice, tournament dates and results, informative features and photo galleries visit the BSFN page at tribune242. com or www.bsfn.biz or on Facebook - Bahamas Sport Fishing Network.

BSFN slideshows can be found on USA Today’s website in the Travel section at experience.usatoday.com.