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The Tribune

Volume:115 No.80, MARCH 16TH, 2018

Established 1903

Weekend

WEEKEND: THE INSPIRATION BEHIND HANDBAG DESIGNER’S RISE

Water staff fear more heads to roll

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

THE termination of Glen Laville from the post of general manager of the Water and Sewerage Corporation could be the “tip of the iceberg,” insiders told The Tribune yesterday, adding there are fears others may be fired in the aftermath of Ernst and Young’s audit of the water provider. Mr Laville was fired Wednesday and accused by WSC Chairman Adrian Gibson of mismanaging the affairs of the corporation. Mr Laville, in an interview with The Nassau Guardian, said he would not take his termination lying down and hoped to give WSC an opportunity to retract some of the issues

in the EY report, which he said were false. He has indicated an intention to seek legal redress. “You know things have been shaky here at the corporation for a while now and the firing of Laville doesn’t do anything to help,” one executive told The Tribune yesterday on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly about the matter. “Many of us wonder and are coming to the conclusion that other high-ranking people out of this corporation are next. The line staff and others do not appear to be safe either. We surmise that it’s just the tip of the iceberg. This EY audit has opened Pandora’s box.” SEE PAGE SIX

DRUMMING UP A STORM

THE forensic audit by EY into the Water & Sewerage Corporation needed to dig deeper, the head of its management union argued yesterday. Ednol Rolle told Tribune Business there were several areas in the report where he and his members had “reservations” over the findings, suggesting that they - as middle managers - could have provided some answers and clarity to the accounting firm’s concerns. Declining to identify

these “areas” until he had discussed them with the “new” management team, following Glen Laville’s termination as general manager, Mr Rolle said the Water & Sewerage Corporation’s short-term performance depends heavily on how far the Government goes in “purging” the state-owned body. “There were a couple of things that, on the surface, there’s a bit more investigation required in some of these areas,” the union chief told Tribune Business of the forensic audit. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

LLOYD BEGS TEACHERS: BE PATIENT By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net EDUCATION Minister Jeffery Lloyd yesterday called grievances raised by the Bahamas Union of Teachers this week “legitimate,” but urged the union to be patient as the government works to “resolve the issues”. In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Mr Lloyd said while the problems presented seem severe, he was of the view that “patient and understanding minds” could come to an agreement on many of the issues raised by BUT President Belinda Wilson during an impassioned speech on Wednesday before a group of disgruntled teachers. Mr Lloyd said he is working “night and day, day and night, non-stop” to address the things the government is at fault for in the SEE PAGE THREE

QC SMITH IN THUMBS-UP FOR ‘FLYING’ MAGISTRATE

‘AUDITORS DIDN’T DIG DEEP ENOUGH’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas hosted its 14th Annual Foreign Languages Day with cultural performances and an international food fair. Pictured is Cuban performer Silvia Irene, of Everything Handmade. See more on page three. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

ATTORNEY Fred Smith, QC, praised the government yesterday for facilitating court hearings on Inagua involving migrants accused of entering the country illegally, though he said there remains a need to provide migrants with access to legal aid. After their conviction on Tuesday, the migrants were deported on Wednesday, proving fears that mass illegal immigration will result from rigorously adhering to laws are overblown, Mr Smith said. “Quite the contrary, all of these people are now presumably back out of The Bahamas,” he said. SEE PAGE THREE

BETHEL: ANY MARITAL VIOLENCE A CRIME By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

AS his office puts the final touches on amendments to the Sexual Offences Act, Attorney General Carl Bethel yesterday made clear proposed marriage controls shopped by the Bahamas Christian Council will not be accepted “quid pro quo”. Mr Bethel said he met with the council to discuss

their recommendations, adding that the final bill – if passed – will criminalise all forms of violence regardless of marital status. The BCC opted to withhold its position on proposed amendments, which would criminalise marital rape, until it has seen the final bill. However, it was revealed earlier this month there had been a progressive shift in consensus from the body on the need for a legislative

approach to abuses that can occur within a marriage. Along with recommendations on proposed amendments, the group submitted a companion bill called Sanctity of Marriage Bill 2018 that seeks to establish another advisory council to set rules for Bahamian marriages, legislate counselling and effect tax incentives for married couples who live together. SEE PAGE FIVE

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

DEY CAN’ BE SERIOUS SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Friday, March 16, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

PROTESTORS DEMAND THAT BAHAMIANS BENEFIT FROM COUNTRY’S NATURAL RESOURCES By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net A SMALL group of protestors gathered in Rawson Square yesterday in a demonstration against the Minnis administration. Led by Omar Archer Sr, the protesters’ demands included repeals of the Sovereign Wealth Fund Act of 2016 and the International Persons Landholding Act. They also criticised the Oban Energies oil refinery and storage facility proposal and called for an end to crime and corruption. Organisations represented included Bahamians for Better Bahamas, the Bahamas National Resources Foundation,

and the Cabbage Beach protesters. Former Progressive Liberal Party member of parliament Keod Smith was also at the protest. At its heart, Mr Archer told The Tribune, the demonstration was held to “ensure that all Bahamians benefit from our natural resources”. He said for decades Bahamians have been treated like third and fourth-class citizens in their own country, and called for the repeal of legislation he believes perpetuates this inequality. “We want the government to ensure that the Sovereign Wealth Fund Act of 2016 is repealed and discarded,” he said.

He believes the law keeps Bahamians from benefitting from revenue generated from the country’s natural resources. “That is terrible,” he said. Mr Archer, former chairman of the defunct third party Bahamas Democratic Movement, also called for the government to make good on its promise to institute a recall system for non-performing members of parliament. He added: “And it’s very important that they understand we want to repeal the International (Persons) Landholding (Act). “If we continue this way, in another 20 years our country is going to be owned by foreigners.”

Although Mr Archer has supported Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis in the past, he said this demonstration was an attempt to hold the government “accountable”. According to one protester, who did not wish to be named, Dr Minnis was outside the Churchill Building earlier that morning, talking to primary school students. The protester alleged Dr Minnis did not acknowledge their group. Consequently, at the demonstration’s zenith, the protesters shouted directly at the Churchill Building. They chanted “We want our t’ings!” and bellowed their demands through a megaphone.

Throughout the demonstration, the smell of alcohol and smoke also wafted through the air. At one point a, Junkanoo band arrived. However, officers present prevented the band from playing their drums. THERE was a lively protest in Rawson Square yesterday as a group of Bahamians gathered. The group was led by former general election candidate Omar Archer, right, under the name Bahamians for a Better Bahamas. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/ Tribune Staff

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 16, 2018, PAGE 3

Lloyd begs teachers: be patient

from page one dispute, while “weighing all options” on the things “we’ve already made right”. On Wednesday, Mrs Wilson said the union was preparing to file a trade dispute over several ongoing issues, including the union’s access to campuses, the rights of teachers, unresolved issues at several schools and unpaid confirmation wages owed from September. At the time of her claims, Mrs Wilson said if the issues were not resolved to the union’s satisfaction, it would take industrial action. The BUT filed its dispute yesterday afternoon, according to Labour Director Robert Farquharson. Meanwhile, for his part, Labour Minister Dion Foulkes said he expected the dispute letter to go through the “normal processes” before any action could be taken by the BUT. In response yesterday, Mr Lloyd told The Tribune: “I

MINISTER of Education Jeff Lloyd. am aware, as I am sure you are, that the union in this case has a legitimate grief. They are owed money. “Now while we differ on how many of them are owed under the guidelines of our agreement, the issue is that several of them are still waiting to be paid. We

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

can’t run away from that. We have to fix that.” The BUT remains adamant that 753 teachers have not received a $1,000 lump sum payment as guaranteed to newly confirmed teachers by an industrial agreement. However, according to

Mr Lloyd, a vast majority of those teachers were added to the public service via agreements that prohibited them from the payment contracted teachers; retired teachers that were reengaged and persons hired as aides, were all identified as groups prohibited form the

payment. Mr Lloyd also confirmed that he and several senior staffers in the Ministry of Education met with Mrs Wilson and other representatives from the BUT on Monday. Of the meeting, Mr Lloyd said: “We sat in with them and heard the concerns. I announced during that meeting that I would have to leave before we were done. I asked Mrs Wilson to continue on with the meeting without me, but she refused.” He added: “My actions were not intended as a slight or disrespect, I made it clear that I had a limited window and I tried to steer the meeting in a direction that would allow us to cover as much as we could before I had to leave. I thought she would have been okay to continue once I made my exit. She objected. The meeting ended.” The Tribune asked Mr Lloyd if he believes his departure led to Mrs Wilson’s actions, he said he didn’t believe so, but insisted he has always “kept

the communication lines opened.” “Whatever was said (Wednesday) was generated by her idea to do what she viewed as best for the those involved,” he said. “I have been clear with this from day one, I believe teachers are extremely critical to everything we do at the Ministry of Education. Therefore, I am dedicated and focused on doing right by them. “I do believe what we saw on Wednesday was disappointing, but the issue is money, and again, they have a right. We asked them to be patient, and we are working to fix this. We have pleaded with them, and we are trying to find the money. We want the same thing. We want our children to have the best education possible. A proper education,” Mr Lloyd said. Mr Lloyd also rejected the notion that some teachers were being mistreated by administrators. Additionally, he denied claims the union was being barred from various campuses.

UNIVERSITY’S CULTURE CLUB

THE UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas hosted its 14th Annual Foreign Languages Day with cultural performances and an international foods fair. XTREME Dance Squad is pictured above. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

DONGMEI LIU, a faculty member of the Confucius Institute, performing a Chinese “Fan Dance”.

QC SMITH IN THUMBS-UP FOR ‘FLYING’ MAGISTRATE from page one

“This is not perfect, but it is a good start.” The government has faced intense pressure from immigration advocates over longstanding practices such as deporting detained people without giving them a chance to be heard in court. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, as acting minister of immigration, said he “sent” a magistrate to Inagua Tuesday to oversee legal proceedings against 230 recently apprehended migrants. They were subsequently deported to Haiti after pleading guilty to illegally landing. Dr Minnis said he ordered the vessels they used to be “sunk.” He said it will now become standard practice to send a delegation to islands where migrants are detained to facilitate fair

hearings and deportations. Reacting to this yesterday, Mr Smith said: “I would like to congratulate the Attorney General Carl Bethel and (Director of Immigration) Mr Clarence Russell for turning a new leaf in their treatment of alleged illegal migrants. This is a big first step in respecting constitutional and Criminal Procedure Code rights. It is a complete break and a fresh start from the unconstitutional and illegal procedures adopted under Fred Mitchell. This is at least an attempt to respect the constitutional rights of every person in the Bahamas, whether they are Haitian or not. Haitians have rights too and if we are to mature and if we are as a nation to be respected for the democracy that we boast about having, it is important that the world sees that we are serious about due process in the Bahamas.” Mr Smith said to perfect

the process, people accused of illegally landing in the Bahamas should be given legal aid, access to advice from an independent counsel and access to an interpreter. “I have always opposed and continue to oppose the concept of swift justice or ‘assembly line justice’ or ‘fast track justice’ because that does not protect individual circumstances and rights,” he said. “So I do hope that as our government changes its posture from the brute boorishness of the Fred Mitchell era, we also ensure that there are legal aid attorneys from the public defence clinic as well as prosecutors available and that people who may have been born in the Bahamas or who may be political refugees are afforded the opportunity for properly trained interpreters to mount a defence or an appeal under the Organisation of American States or the United

Nations treaty refugee status provisions that we have so that their rights are respected.” On Facebook yesterday, attorney Wayne Munroe echoed Mr Smith’s concerns, saying: “…You don’t require a magistrate to intervene but if you decide to engage that process you need to provide interpreters, consular access and adequate time to consult lawyers. This rush may end up being counter productive.” Although the law allows people convicted of illegal landing to be fined and/or imprisoned, Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson Pratt discharged the detainees this week rather than imposing a penalty or sentence. Mr Smith said: “I applaud the sentence imposed by the magistrate as a rational and sensible one in the circumstances. There was no sense in imposing a fine or a sentence of imprisonment

and given that all of these persons were taken from vessels a discharge so that they wouldn’t have a criminal conviction and a recommendation of deportation was sensible. This occurrence simply demonstrates a sea change in the government’s approach and that is why I am applauding them. No process is ever perfect and that is why lawyers, prosecutors, defence attorneys, appellate courts exists because there is often a slip.

“Granted, I was not there. I don’t know exactly what did or did not happen but from the reports that I have seen this is a dramatic difference from the past unconstitutional and illegal behaviour of the Mitchell era. It is also important to point out to all the people who say that giving illegal immigrants their rights under the Constitution would cause an invasion of illegal immigration in The Bahamas that this shows that it does not.“

PAGE 4, Friday, March 16, 2018

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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Growing power of China’s leadership IN an inter-connected world with varying time zones, information is conveyed instantaneously to a global audience day and night and the newsworthiness of items is often overtaken as the media competes to be the first to report important events. A recent example was the surprising news of the sudden prospect of US talks with North Korea about its nuclear threat. This was sufficiently significant to distract attention from the change of China’s long-standing policy of restricting its president to two five-year terms, with this major development not receiving the media attention it merited. In an historic constitutional change, China’s National People’s Congress at its annual sitting has overturned the two-term limit. It had been established in the 1980s in order to help to develop a system of collective leadership and orderly succession and to protect against a return to the unbridled power of the founding father of the People’s Republic, Mao Zedong, who ruled the nation from 1949 until his death in 1976. Removal of the limit could result in the current president, Xi Jinping, remaining in power indefinitely instead of standing down in 2023 at the end of his two terms. Furthermore, his political philosophy – “Xi Jinping Thought” – has also now been written into the constitution. Critics regard this as a rubber-stamping of a Communist Party diktat since there had been no national debate on the issue, though the Party claims that the move has the mass support of “the common people”. It means that Xi Jinping has consolidated his personal and political power while he is simultaneously head of state, leader of the ruling Communist Party – over which he now has an iron grip -- and commander of the huge armed forces. Having amassed power not seen since the days of Chairman Mao, he is now regarded as having been elevated to his level. Xi Jinping is popular because of his anti-corruption measures, and his supporters say China needs a strong leader to pursue economic reforms and deliver stability and wealth. But his rise to power has been accompanied by a strengthening of the role of the Party in the country’s affairs together with a clampdown on emerging political reforms and tighter restrictions on civil society including detention of activists and control of religion and the media. So, reportedly, there are now growing fears of a possible return to the repression and horrors of the Mao era characterized not least by the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s and 70s. Overall, the result appears to be a reversion to greater authoritarianism

or worse despite the opening-up of the country to the rest of the world and the economic reforms pushed through by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping during the 1980s. China continues to be not only a one-party communist state with no political opposition permitted but has also reverted to one-man rule as in the days of Mao. The conclusion must be that there is now no hope of political reform towards a multiparty democracy, even if there ever was. At the same time that President Xi and the Communist Party are tightening their control at home, China seems to be seeking increased status and influence in the world while it reaches towards pre-eminence as a global economic powerhouse and is looking to embark on a new chapter in the nation’s development. The rest of the world could be forgiven for regarding with some alarm these developments in its most populous nation with the second largest economy after the USA and possessing one of the strongest military forces. As a utopian political idea designed to protect workers who were being exploited and denied proper benefit from the fruits of their labour, communism originally seemed to many an acceptable ideology. But, while the ideal may have been noble, in practice its application in various different countries was universally brutal and cruel with a one-party state, a rigidly controlled press and political police with limitless powers –- and invariably it developed into tyranny imposed by a small minority on the rest of a country. But there will always be opposition to totalitarianism and the people will eventually rise up to remove a dictator, though perhaps not in the case of China because of its size and long period of communist rule. While observers consider these momentous events in China, we reflect on the contrast of our own good fortune in living in a free society here at home but recognize the inherent fragility of our system of governance. It is an important tenet of democracy that those chosen to rule should do so with the consent of the people who can remove them from time to time at the ballot box. We should be on our guard against any government that exceeds its powers or violates the people’s rights in some way or lacks transparency and governs ineffectively. Sadly, despite a good start the FNM government is now being taken to task for its poor performance in various ways and for failing to fulfil its electoral promises. Some of this criticism is justified and our political leaders would do well to take heed.

Epilogue to ganja EDITOR, The Tribune. IN Jamaica grass is heralded as the weed of knowledge. If you want to become wise light up a spliff. Each household can grow as much as five plants. Small amounts of marijuana for personal use has been decriminalised. It is also legal for religious purposes. Meaning Rastafarians can use marijuana openly as a part of their religious ceremony. Jamaicans are excited about the possibilities of the country becoming a grass tourism destination. Recently in Montego Bay tourists were told not to leave their rooms after a state of emergency was declared due to the increase in violence. For several years Jamaica has recorded more than 100 murders a month. The following is an excerpt taken from trip savvy. (“As most places murder in the Caribbean are often linked to the drug trade and largely confined to known trouble spots typically poor communities. Tourists are rarely victims of homicide, which is why

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net such killings spark headlines when they occur”.) Jamaica is known for its involvement in the drug trade. Hard on the heels of Honduras and El Salvador, Jamaica is rated high on the list in murder per capita. According to worldatlas.com some of the most dangerous cities in Jamaica are Montego Bay, Kingston and Spanish town. Jamaica is also rated very high in firearm deaths internationally. In America, nine states have allowed the use of recreational marijuana, and thirty states give it the OK for medicinal purposes. Grass is now big business in the United States. It is speculated that America is the number one user of marijuana in the world. Of all Americans two in five twelve and older has used it. Five years ago the office of the National Drug Control Policy opposed the legalisation of marijuana and other drugs mainly because legalisation would

increase the availability and use of illicit drugs pose significant health and safety risks. Several inner cities in states throughout America are burdened down with drug affiliated crimes. But does all of the above make America unwilling to move ahead in its quest to legalise. In America the almighty dollar is king and it is willing to sacrifice its people at all cost. Someone said that when America sneezes the Bahamas catches the cold. So now that America has decided to lessen their outlook on weed the Bahamas is debating following suite. The fragrance of the almighty dollar has permeated our nostrils and whetted our appetite, what are we going to do, will we make the same sacrifices as our neighbour to the north or will we stand up for our children. While we ponder on this take a walk down memory lane and relive the nightmare of the eighties of which I am a survivor.

Party before the church? Cancel the Oban deal EDITOR, The Tribune.

HOW many ordained Ministers of Religion sit in the House of Assembly today? The comments by Archdeacon Sebastian Campbell and Rev Morrison should resonate through every resident of The Bahamas as how true was that criticism of the Hon Revs in so much as their forgetfulness in the No Confidence debate/Vote against Speaker Moultrie. Not a single one upheld their beliefs and all with no exception followed the RED line and honour to

the FNM. Thank you Revs Campbell and Morrison for raising this how true you spoke further you are so correct as to how the Bahamas Christian Council (BCC) operates which really is the Bahamas Baptist Council. Their constitution requires them to always advise if any member disagrees with the statement the BCC is putting out – you never hear this. The BCC is totally controlled by Baptist churches their smallest have the same right as the larger

denominations such as the Anglicans and Roman Catholics who I really cannot understand why they stay as members? Revs who pull party colour first over Christ have no place in the pulpit - they are dividing their congregation…Christianity is unifying. To the lousy Rev MPs I suggest you resign either as a Rev or a MP at the soonest as clearly you can’t comply with two rules. W THOMPSON Nassau, February 26, 2018.

EDITOR, The Tribune.

PRIME Minister Minnis can and he would be highly recommended to cancel the Oban Energy Agreement as clearly the Agreement is flawed in content and law. Clearly as time goes by the Oban team shows it does not have the experience and qualifications as further exposé by The Tribune reporting shows. Cut your losses, Prime Minister, and cut bait and

the Oban Energy Agreement now. The OBAN decision is bad for us. Agreeing to something blindly which is what seems to have been the case. Desperate process is wrong - is horrible governance and not what hundreds of PLP’s switched their vote for to give the FNM such a mega win. Without the PLP switch vote 35 seats was not on the cards. Prime Minister Minnis get with Rt Hon Hubert

TP Nassau, March 14, 2018.

A Ingraham and take his counsel. He won the last election for you when he told us don’t vote DNA and we didn’t. If he didn’t it would have been a toss up who won. PM Minnis, cancel Oban if you wish to see a second term - continuing is going to haunt you every day and month until 2020. T J HUTCHINSON Nassau, March 10, 2018.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 16, 2018, PAGE 5

Conviction thrown out for attempted murder of teacher By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A SUPREME Court judge has rejected a jury’s attempted murder verdict against one of three men previously tried for the murder of former Queen’s College Elementary teacher Joyelle McIntosh. Justice Bernard Turner dismissed the jury’s unanimous guilty verdict against Armando Sergeant, after his attorney previously challenged it due to it being inconsistent with another conviction stemming from the same matter. The judge’s reasons for dismissing the jury’s verdict will come at a later date, The Tribune understands. In December, a 12-member jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts for Sergeant and his two co-accused, Johnny Mackey and a teenager, on the charges each faced of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and attempted armed robbery. Unlike his two coaccused, however, Sergeant was found not guilty of murder by a vote of 8-4, but was found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter. Subsequent to the jury’s verdicts against his client, and as well as earlier this month, Sergeant’s attorney David Cash argued against the “complete logical fallacy” of his client being convicted on both manslaughter and attempted murder. Mr Cash submitted, as he did in December when his client was convicted, that a not guilty verdict for murder, and a subsequent guilty verdict for manslaughter, suggested Sergeant did not have the “requisite intent” to commit the offence in question. Conversely, however, he said the guilty verdict for the charge of attempted murder suggested he did have the requisite intent.

Mr Cash also stated that based on the evidence, his client was not the shooter. Thus, he claimed, the attempted murder charge should be done away with. Director of Public Prosecutions Garvin Gaskins, assisted by Akeyra Saunders, responded at the time by questioning if Justice Turner, having accepted the jury’s verdict on December 12 and consequently discharging the jury, can revisit the issue without running afoul of the law. He thus suggested, among other things, that Mr Cash should have sought to convince the court at that time not to accept the verdict concerning attempted murder, and that his client will have to take the matter up elsewhere. Mr Gaskins further suggested that based on his submissions, Mr Cash was essentially telling Justice Turner that although he accepted the verdict, he should not accept it at present. “That’s illogical,” the DPP said. In response, however, Mr Cash submitted that the issue was raised prior to the jury being discharged, and after he would have made his arguments, the Crown requested more time to respond. Thus, Mr Cash submitted that the issue was still “live” as a legal issue as Justice Turner had not ruled on it. In December, a 12-member jury returned a guilty verdict of murder for Mackey as well as the teenager accused in the matter, who cannot be named because he was charged as a minor. At the time, Crown prosecutor Viola Barnett indicated the Crown’s intent to seek the death penalty for Mackey. During trial, the jury was told the teenager, who was 17 at the time of the incident, along with Mackey and Sergeant attempted to rob McIntosh of her 2009 silver coloured Toyota

ARMANDO SARGEANT, at a previous appearance at court during his trial. Corolla worth $6,000. During the failed carjacking, the victim was shot multiple times in her head and body. She later crashed into a wall at the intersection of Parkgate and Village Roads. All three had denied the allegations. During trial, however, Crown witness Detective Sergeant Kendra Wallace said the teenager admitted to shooting the fourth-grade teacher when interviewed on November 20, 2015, at the Central Detective Unit (CDU). Regarding Mackey and Sergeant, Det Sgt

Wallace further said in her testimony how both men, in their records of interview on November 18, 2015, told officers the teenager was the one who shot McIntosh. Det Sgt Wallace said Mackey – who the Crown charged was the person laying down in the middle of Parkgate Road on the night in question, thus causing McIntosh to swerve to avoid hitting him – admitted he did so but said it was because he caught a “cramp”. Meanwhile, Sergeant, she said, admitted to having knowledge of the offence but denied shooting the

deceased. According to Det Sgt Wallace, Sergeant said he saw when Mackey dropped to the ground and said he knew it would be a robbery. As the car got near, he said the teenager approached and subsequently shot the deceased. However, subsequent to the closure of the Crown’s case against them, all three convicts took to the witness stand and claimed they were all beaten by police to give false confessions concerning their alleged involvement in the crime. Sergeant, in particular, claimed he was given a proposal by police so that

he would identify the teenager as the shooter in the crime. After he denied the proposal, Sergeant said he was beaten and had a bag placed over his head by officers to coerce him to comply. Sergeant said he was ultimately made to sign documents pertaining to the initial interview, the contents of which were not true. Nonetheless, Sergeant said when he was arraigned for McIntosh’s murder on November 23, 2015, he was charged with three murders. However, he said the other two murder charges were later dropped.

BETHEL: ANY MARITAL VIOLENCE A CRIME from page one

Yesterday, Mr Bethel said he told the BCC the concept of a marital support bill was an “attractive proposition”, but made clear any incentives legislation would have to be non-discriminatory and non-mandatory. “The provisions for spousal sexual abuse within the bonds of a marriage will now be within the Sexual Offences Act,” he said. “Once passed, if it is passed, that will criminalise all forms of violence against women in any marital context, men and women, the wording is always spouse. “The Christian Council also suggested some kind of marital support bill. I find that to be a very attractive proposition for the Bahamas; it is something that is done in mature jurisdictions where married couples receive tax breaks that nonmarried partners do not,

and there are thousands ways in which you can help without in any way actually discriminating against people who cohabit.” Mr Bethel underscored the majority of relations in the Bahamas were not within the bond of marriage, but he noted there were positive and nondiscriminatory ways to provide incentives or support. “A number of states do it,” Mr Bethel continued, “even in Britain just to support the institution of marriage, we’re gonna look at precedents from Britain, US, and Canada. It is not a quid pro quo, it is not intended to be a softener or sweetener. I think the church was moved in thinking about capturing violence in marriage, and that it shouldn’t only be that but also how can we positively somehow assist in supporting marriage as an institution. On that basis I entertained discussion

and I told them I would look at it. “But do not view it as companion legislation,” he added. In addition to tax incentives, the proposed Sanctity of Marriage Bill would affect the creation of a marriage guide that will be used by marriage officers to determine the eligibility of engaged couples but would not apply to non-residents. It also would introduce a “marital duty of care”, an obligation for married couples to treat each other with due regard, care and respect in an understanding manner, demonstrating a commitment to the welfare and meeting the needs of the other party as they would reasonably “wish” to be treated. An aggrieved spouse under this section can then apply to a magistrate for an order mandating the pair seek marriage and family counseling, pay fees, and

A YEAR’S WAIT FOR TRIAL OF MAN ACCUSED OF STABBING HIS FATHER By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE man who allegedly stabbed his elderly father to death in his house off Faith Avenue south four months ago will stand trial in a year’s time in connection with the crime. Justice Bernard Turner said Lee Sweeting’s trial over the stabbing death of his 76-year-old father, Leon Sweeting, will commence on April 1, 2019. A pretrial review date has been set for

March 22, 2019. Sweeting’s attorney Shaka Seville told The Tribune after yesterday’s hearing he has requested a pathologist’s report, which could take as many as three months to prepare. Upon his receipt of that report, and if certain issues arise with it or anything else in the matter, both he and the Crown are free to contact the court. In November 2017, Sweeting, of Bamboo Town, stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann

Ferguson-Pratt faced with one count of murder in connection with the incident. According to initial police reports, shortly after 9am on November 24, 2017 officers received reports that a lifeless body was found in a home at Ambergris Street off Faith Avenue. Officers responded and confirmed that a man was in his home, apparently deceased. Emergency Medical Services personnel were subsequently called and confirmed he was dead.

reappear to provide evidence of compliance with that order. Yesterday, Mr Bethel said he did not agree to any provisions of the bill, but instead the broader concept of marital support. He stressed the country’s divorce laws were “decrepit and outdated” as the world had already moved beyond the need to prove a marital offence. “Don’t look at this stage at the specifics,” he said, “if I can say one thing, if you look at my approach I’ve tried to walk right down the middle to achieve the goal even in terms of looking at things like a

Marital Encouragement Act. Something to support or encourage the institution of marriage is one thing, but I’m not gonna have something mandatory that will make it more burdensome for people than it already is.” He continued: “We already have decrepit and outdated divorce laws. The world has moved beyond the need to prove marital offence, and has accepted that marriage at its essence is a consensual relation based on two simple words, ‘I do.’ “When I do becomes ‘I don’t,’ I don’t know if it (divorce) should be as

simple but the concept of having to prove a marital offence is antiquated. It was only until the 1960s that a woman in the Bahamas could even sue for divorce, and the grounds were very limited. The men had all the rights – we have to make things not only equal but equal access to justice.” Mr Bethel said: “When you have complex laws supported by establishment interests as being disincentives to the breakup of family or marriage, the problem is it can have the effect of chaining people to unacceptable situations just because they don’t have money to pay lawyers.”

PAGE 6, Friday, March 16, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Water staff fear more heads to roll from page one However, President of the Bahamas Utilities Service and Allied Workers Union Dwayne Woods predicted yesterday Mr Laville’s firing would not necessarily affect employees. He said for the most part, workers just wanted operations to return to normal when WSC was not under public scrutiny, suggesting low employee morale. However, Mr Gibson said the staff morale was heightened as a result of the EY audit tabled in the House of Assembly last week. “They are looking forward to reform and the possibilities of a brighter future at the corporation,” Mr Gibson said yesterday. “We want to shift the culture. Implement proper procurement processes; strengthen internal collections efforts - $44m is outstanding. Embrace innovative and new approaches to Water and Sewerage, for example, the startup of a (reverse osmosis) unit to properly oversee and administer RO contracts, capably oversee and/or even operate plants; foster an environment for greater staff training and exposure to best practices; ensure an adherence to good corporate governance; foster an environment of harmony between the two unions and the corporation; pass a new WSC Act so that WSC falls within the scope of URCA and no longer is both operator and regulator; move the corporation towards profitability and seeing a reduction in the government subsidy as a result; among many other sound and/or new business/people-oriented approaches. “We want to ensure a transformation of the corporation, with staff development being a central theme. The aforementioned

WATER and Sewerage Corporation chairman Adrian Gibson MP. are merely a short overview Laville has indicated that he of the many plans on the will be instituting proceedings. In the circumstances, horizon.” Regarding Mr Laville’s it is obvious that the matter threat of taking court action, will be adjudicated and all Mr Gibson said: “I note from issues properly ventilated this morning’s paper that Mr in either the tribunal or the Supreme Court. Given the circumstances, we will not be making any further comments in connection with this matter.” Mr Laville’s firing has been a notable climax to this situation. Last Wednesday, the report, which was laid on the table, painted a damning picture of WSC, May 5th, 1929 to March 14th, 2018 portraying a corporation awash with irregularities. Hamilton’s, Long Island, Bahamas In particular, the debacle of the Gladstone Road Waste Water Treatment Plant (GRWWTP) was exposed. Despite a budget overrun of more than 80 per cent, not since September 2016 has work been performed on the incomplete project, which was expected to receive and treat waste water from Baha Mar and return it for irrigation purposes. Senior WSC officials

Death Notice

Reuben Leon Knowles

Leon passed away peacefully at home in his sleep in Hamilton’s Long Island. Cherished and loved he is predeceased by his wife Verna and survived by his daughter Linda Brown and her husband Robert Brown, granddaughter Lauren (Brown) Connolly, husband Sean, great grand children Vivienne, Elise, Richard and Juliette Connolly, granddaughter Danielle (Brown) Rapillard & husband Dylan and granddaughter Kristin Brown and brother Edmund Knowles and his wife Sandra. A dedicated banker at Barclays Bank for 36 years he was also a faithful member of St. Matthew’s Anglican Church in Nassau where he served many years on the vestry. Leon with his fierce love for Long Island was a founding member of the Long Islander’s Association and a dedicated president for many years. He was admired and respected by many throughout The Bahamas and abroad. Date of Funeral Service to be announced. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to St. Paul’s Anglican Parish, St. John’s Church, P.O. Box CT 30316, Clarence Town, Long Island, Bahamas. Arrangements by Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited, 19 Palmdale Avenue, Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas.

were alarmed by how the project had gone off the rails, with former Chairman Leslie Miller saying in a 2016 WSC board meeting that the project had not been publicly declared “a stinker” only because it was “out of sight”. “If this was out there like the (government) building next to the Paul Adderley (building) this would have been a headline long time,” he said. “God only bless us it is behind God’s back and you cannot see it.” The plant, initially budgeted at $9.6m with a completion date of 2014, has cost taxpayers at least $17m so far, EY said. Mr Gibson has said the EY report would be sent to police. Investigators identified Merlene Poitier as one of the shareholders in the contracting company for the GRWWTP project, Nassau Island Development. EY reported that she works in the law firm of Progressive Liberal Party leader Phillip “Brave” Davis. She is a

secretary there. The company’s other shareholder is identified as Anthony L Ferguson. As he tabled the report, Mr Gibson said NID appeared to have an “angel” on its side. He said notwithstanding the recommendations from the then board, management and consultants to terminate NID’s contract and/or not make any additional payments, countless board minutes and emails show that the recommendations were “overruled”; that there were “external influences and manipulation”; that they were able to “evade termination.” In one instance in 2014, former WSC Chairman Lester Cox ordered the WSC to “make an advance payment” of $1.2m to NID. But EY said WSC management resisted and explained the amount the contractor had been paid to date was substantially more than what was reflected in the construction progress. Mr Cox, in various

emails, appeared irritated that senior officials questioned the requests. In one email to Mr Laville he said: “We sat in the meeting at 10am with the JV and I am amazed that we are still discussing while the project is at a standstill. Maybe I did not make the minister’s request clear so I repeat. FACILITATE THE PAYMENT so that this project can come to a completion.” The report does not specify what minister Mr Cox was referring to, but Mr Davis was the minister of works with responsibility for WSC at the time. Mr Davis, the former deputy prime minister, has refuted much of the audit’s claims and has said it was nothing more than a witch hunt. He has also insisted auditors did not speak with him on the issues outlined in the report and admitted his secretary was a nominee shareholder of NID, adding the post did not have any financial gain attached to it.

FNM TO CELEBRATE SIR CECIL’S BIRTHDAY By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement will celebrate the birthday of the party’s founder, Sir Cecil Wallace Whitfield, who played a pivotal role in deepening the country’s democracy. David Thompson, chairman of the FNM Grand Bahama Council, on Wednesday announced several events are planned, including a talent show, a family fun day and a church service this weekend on the island. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis is expected to travel to Freeport to attend the church service. Today, a talent show will take place at the Sir Cecil Wallace-Whitfield Community Centre in Freeport. A “fun day” at the FNM headquarters will take place Saturday from noon to 9pm and a church service will be

held at the Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King at 10am Sunday. Sir Cecil, who was born on March 20, 1930, founded the FNM party in 1971. He was elected as the FNM MP for Marco City constituency. “Sir Cecil was a man with a profound love for God, his family, his church, and his country,” said Mr Thompson, who was successor to Sir Cecil as MP for Marco City from 1990 – 2002. “Many of us recall the pivotal role Sir Cecil played in nurturing and safeguarding our democracy and his contributions made before and during the first 1967 Majority Rule PLP government,” he said. Mr Thompson described Sir Cecil as one of the founders of democracy, saying he worked tremendously in establishing the two-party system of government constitutionally in the

country. “In his tenure as a Cabinet minister the work he did was far-reaching and impactful,” he added. When Sir Cecil was minister of works, Mr Thompson said he made it his business to bring critical infrastructure to the majority of Bahamians, especially in the Over-the-Hill areas of New Providence. He also recalled his ambitious efforts in installing street lights, building new schools and roadways in the Family Islands and New Providence, improving the lives of Bahamians. Mr Thompson also stressed that the hallmark of Sir Cecil’s legacy was promoting education and being a champion of workers. As minister of education, he noted that Sir Cecil spearheaded the establishment of a teachers’ college in San Salvador. “He appreciated teachers

and their critical role in our overall national development and the need for more teachers and schools,” Mr Thompson said. Mr Thompson said Sir Cecil was among the generation who led the struggle for Majority Rule and equality. “When Sir Cecil came to believe that the ideals of that struggle were not being honoured he was in the forefront of the formation of a new political party, the FNM, which has ensured a viable two-party system vital in securing and deepening democracy in our Bahamas,” he stated. He believed the party’s founder would have been pleased that 51 years after helping to bring about Majority Rule, and 47 years after he helped to form the FNM party, the country and the FNM party which he devoted considerable energy continue to flourish.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 16, 2018, PAGE 7

Road traffic worker fired in probe into fake licences By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

A ROAD Traffic Department employee has been terminated and is expected to face prosecution after allegedly being implicated in a forgery investigation centred on several “fake” licences identified by the department’s new $8m automated system. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Local Government, Lorraine Symonette-Armbrister yesterday confirmed the sacking, adding the authorities had compiled enough information to pursue a case against the now former employee. However, Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle, head of the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Anti-Corruption Unit, refused to comment on the investigation when contacted. Earlier this month, Road Traffic Controller Ross Smith confirmed the investigation, insisting at the time, the “ongoing problem” was first noticed in the months following its change in system. Mr Smith said officials and general staff recognised that several drivers applying for renewed licences in

the months since the system change possessed licence cards that either “looked wrong” or exhibited a lack of security details applied to the old cards. He later said that five to six “fake cards” were identified in one week alone. The Tribune understands dozens of “fake cards” have been identified over the course of the of the last five months. The department’s new automated system was introduced in December of 2016 by the former Christie administration. Mrs Symonette-Armbrister told The Tribune: “Details are still coming together on this, but as it stands, we have concluded on the person we think is responsible in the case. All of the information is now with the police, and we expect that they will move forward with prosecution in short order.” She claimed senior officials within the ministry were working to determine if the former employee was hired by the Road Traffic Department, or whether the person was added to the department through the Ministry of Finance when it aided in the new system’s roll-out. When asked about the total number of licences

identified by the system, Mrs Symonette-Armbrister said she was unable to say, but noted the automated system is equipped to identify “any and all malfeasance”. To that end, she added: “All reports I have come across indicated that we are moving in the right direction on this. One of the biggest thing with this new system is that we have all aspects of the operation covered and guarded against these types of actions. “When Mr Smith told me that something was identified, I told him look into it and once he did, the system allowed him to circle and gather everything connected to this case. Very, very quick action and we got it all covered.” In an audit conducted at the Road Traffic Department in 2016, Auditor General Terrence Bastian ruled the department was collecting as little as 36 percent of due vehicle licencing revenue on New Providence. Mr Bastian and his team were unwilling to conclude the Road Traffic Department was collecting just over $1 out of every $3 vehicle licencing dollars due on New Providence, instead finding this revenue stream

ACCUSED CLEARED OF SHOOTING MAN DEAD AT POTTER’S CAY By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A MAN has been cleared of murdering another man the day before his birthday on Potter’s Cay Dock three years ago after a Supreme Court jury found him not guilty of the crime. The jury returned an 8-4 not guilty verdict for Denico Bowe, thus acquitting him of the October 9, 2015, shooting death of Strauss Edwards Jr at the popular social venue. Shortly before 10pm on the day in question, Edwards was getting into a vehicle at Potter’s Cay Dock, when two men armed with handguns approached and opened fire before fleeing on foot. Edwards died in hospital from his injuries. Bowe, when formally arraigned in the Supreme

Court in January 2016, denied committing the crime and maintained his not guilty plea at his trial when it began in May last year before Justice Bernard Turner. However, the jury returned a guilty verdict of 11-1, which was not acceptable in law. As a result, a retrial was ordered. The retrial, which took place between February 12 and March 14 before Justice Carolita Bethel, saw the Crown relying on the testimony of the brother of the deceased, who claimed he saw the accused shooting into his brother’s car on the night in question. However, Bowe, represented by attorney David Cash, took to the witness stand and called seven alibi witnesses who maintained he was at Ball’s Alley and not Potter’s Cay Dock at the time of the murder.

Additionally, another eyewitness gave a different description of the shooter than the one given by the brother of the deceased. Jacqueline Forbes-Foster and Destiny McKinney prosecuted the case.

HUNT FOR SCHOOL RAIDERS

POLICE are looking for two suspects who were caught on surveillance footage during a break-in of a trailer at Windsor School off Frank Watson Highway. This occurred near the Albany development in

was being “under recorded by a minimum of $10.” Mr Bastian and his team also found the department was in breach of its own Road Traffic Act, which requires it by law to maintain a register of all licenced motor vehicles, their owners, insurers and persons insured to drive them. He called on the department to “revamp and tailor its processes” to capture such information. Mr Bastian noted in his report on the department: “It is paramount to the sustainability of the Road Traffic Department that processes are controlled to enable the collection of all, revenue due to the government.”

western New Providence. The two men wore hoods and had the bottom half of their faces covered. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call police at 919 or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS.

VACANCY NOTICE NEWS EDITOR Cable Bahamas Limited is seeking to employ an experienced News Editor. The successful candidate must have experience in Media and Editing and the ability to collaborate effectively with the Media team. JOB SUMMARY The News Editor will be responsible for providing technical assistance with all aspects of the internal and external operations of OurTV -The Community Channel and all OurTV in-house productions with specific responsibility as a News Editor. JOB DESCRIPTION • • • • • • • • •

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PAGE 8, Friday, March 16, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Dey can’ be serious with this political BS A

FTER twenty years as a professional stand up comedian, it’s safe to say, I know what is, and isn’t funny. Also, unequivocally, I know good political “BS” from bad political “BS” instantly. I’ve been spoiled rotten over 20 years as a matter of fact, from the FNM and PLP in their various incarnations locally. To Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Donald Trump internationally. Trust me, I know! So, that is why I can only laugh at recent comments, regarding various pertinent national issues, made by certain members of the present administration. “Dey can’ be serious.” Let’s have a closer look at some of the more comical utterances from “da gubbament” recently.

BLINDSIDED The Tribune understands Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has been gathering all relevant information on the project in an effort to present a full response during his presentation to the mid-year budget debate, and to prevent being “blindsided again”. Blindsided again ? The leader of the country shouldn’t ever be blindsided, let alone on a regular basis. Shouldn’t the PM have

been properly briefed by his team prior to proceeding with the OBAN deal? Why were there no detailed background checks on the dubious foreign executive team, heading up the operation, prior to signing the HOA? Simple due diligence by the FNM would have saved the PM from being blindsided, front-sided, side swiped and rear ended.

DELISTED From an article by Tribune Business Editor Neil Hartnell: KP Turnquest, the Deputy Prime Minister, urged Bahamians - and especially the financial services industry - not to panic as removing this nation from Europe’s listing was “number one priority for me right now”. It should be, since you and AG Carl Bethel got us on it in the first place! Both Turnquest and Bethel had “one!” job, as mandated by the PM last year; ensure that the EU regulations were met to avoid us being black listed. And have it done by January 2018. And here we are in March of 2018 on the EU blacklist! Mr Turnquest and Mr Bethel, you are aware, if you were a part of the Trump administration, you would have been fired on Twitter by now. Luckily for

HE’s smiling... but is Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis joking? Naughty wants to know... your sake, Dr Minnis isn’t that “Trumpian”. Mr Turnquest revealed that this statement likely stemmed from the fact that The Bahamas’ initial compliance commitment was signed by Marlon Johnson, the Ministry of Finance’s acting financial secretary, rather than himself or a Cabinet-level minister. When all else fails, pass the buck I guess. That excuse by Mr Turnquest has to be up there with the classic “My dog ate my homework.”

Definitely bad political “BS”, and you expect the EU to remove us from the blacklist because you admitted to “slunkin”? Hilarious. Mr Turnquest added that when the EU expressed this concern to the Government on March 2, he immediately responded by sending them the same letter signed by himself. Had the EU recognised this, Mr Turnquest said, its statement and “blacklisting” rationale “could not hold up”.

The EU’s rationale seems solid at this point, since The Bahamas remains blacklisted. What I think would be really amusing, maybe my good buddy Marlon Johnson should exercise his potent sense of humour, by pulling a Peter Krieger, and send the EU a letter using his rationale, signed KPT. Heck, that may get us off the blacklist sooner rather than later. At this stage anything is worth a try.

When looking at the performance of our present administration. Taking all things into consideration two famous quotes come to mind. The first by Mark Twain: “Suppose you were a member of parliament. And suppose you were an idiot. But I repeat myself.” The second by Henry Cate: “The problem with political jokes, is that they get elected.” Until next week, laugh now, cry later.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 16, 2018, PAGE 9

Rotary Club of East Nassau Rotary Club of East Nassau. - A very touching presentation was made by Deon McPhee to members of the Rotary Club of East Nassau about the life-saving heart surgery his two-year old daughter, Rachel, recently received thanks to the Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation. Mr McPhee and his partner Raydon Forbes were guests of Rotarian Christian Knowles at a club meeting in February where both men related stories of how the Bahamas Heart Foundation had touched their lives by facilitating heart surgeries for loved ones. According to an official, The Sasson (Bahamas) Heart Foundation has helped over 4,000 of children over the past 55 years with major surgeries performed either in Florida or in the Bahamas. The organisation boasts of spending 97 cents of every dollar raised in aid of their young patients. The Rotary Club of East Nassau was proud to increase their support of the Heart Foundation to help them maintain their outstanding record of helping children with heart disease. Pictured from left: Geoff Andrews, RCEN treasurer; Corinne Laville, president elect; Hope Sealey, club president; Raydon Forbes, Rachel’s mother; Rachel McPhee; Deon McPhee, Rachel’s father; Christian Knowles and Ms Lafleur, Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation.

Rotary Club of New Providence Rotary Club of New Providence. - A cookout was held on Saturday by the Rotary Club of New Providence at Camperdown Stables - which coincided with a competition being held at the location. Riders competed under the watchful eye of a judge who had flown in from the US - while visitors tucked into dinners provided by the hard-working Rotary crew or a range of snacks available. The event raised funds for local activities and ongoing Rotary campaigns.

Pictured above is the Rotary team in action, plus below and right, riders at the stables.

JOIN THE CLUB OUR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers. To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line. For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 502-2373 or 447-3565.

VACANCY NOTICE PRODUCTION ASSOCIATE Cable Bahamas Limited is seeking to employ an experienced Production Associate. The successful candidate must have experience in Media and Camera work and the ability to collaborate effectively with the Media team. JOB SUMMARY The Production Associate will be responsible for assisting with all aspects of work related to the internal and external technical operations of OurTV. JOB DESCRIPTION • • • • • • • A CHEQUE for $5,000 is handed to the Bahamas Heart Foundation by the Rotary Club of East Nassau.

READERS REACT TO MIGRANT MOVE AFTER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis sent a magistrate to Inagua to convict and facilitate the deportation of Haitian migrants caught illegally trying to enter the country, readers gave their views on tribune242.com. Joeblow backed the move: “This is the first thing bordering on sensible yet from this administration! I hope there’s more to come!” As did Stillwaters: “Yes, yes, yes, yes!!! Finally, some sensible moves!!!!!! Thank God for pressure.” There was also support from Sheeprunner12: “Excellent . . . this is how a sensible, efficient government should operate... KUDOS!!!!” TheMadHatter said: “Good stuff. Too bad it took a threat of a noconfidence vote to make it happen, but at least it happened. Keep it up and quickly introduce long awaited legislation to finally make it a crime to employ illegal persons punishable by a fine of $10,000 per illegal for each director of the company or individual or one year in jail. The ‘harbouring’ law is insufficient.”

There was this from Sickened: “Doc’s vision is starting to come together. The positive metre is starting to move.” But TalRussell had this to say: “Ma Comrades, in the meantime the same judge has to drive by Nassau’s shanty towns to reach the airport ... the backlog of cases in the judge’s home court will only increase. This is exactly what Trump is doing ... but why not when you’re running out of logical reasons to explain ya self on the floor of the People’s House about backroom sludge messiness Oban. Minnis, like Trump, has not brought charges against companies for employing illegals at the expense of local workers.” John said: “Good thinking. Persons have been asking for a mini defence base in the South for decades. Not only because of the illegals problem but also because of poaching. And

now this puts more pressure on human smugglers who may have charged to bring their cargo to New Providence but are now being cut off at the pass without the immigrants even seeing sight of Nassau.” Birdiestrachan offered this comment: “It made no sense to bring the illegals into Nassau and then send them home on a jet, I always wondered about that. So I give this one to doc.” Avidreader said: “PM Minnis needs some solid and popular acts to make up for the errors committed with the OBAN deal. Personally I don’t like illegal immigration for a number of reasons and I recall how my papers had to be in order when arriving in North America or Europe so I cannot tolerate the idea of people being allowed into a country without permission and the proper documentation. It is so unfair to the legal residents who pay taxes and try to have some pride in and hope for their country.” • Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.

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THE TRIBUNE

Thousands mourn brazen killing of Rio de Janiero city councilwoman RIO DE JANEIRO Associated Press CRYING, chanting and screaming in anger, thousands gathered in front of the Rio de Janeiro state legislature Thursday to say goodbye to a black city councilwoman shot in the head four times, a brazen murder that shocked Brazil and raised questions about the effectiveness of a military intervention in the country’s second biggest city. Marielle Franco was slain Wednesday night while returning from an event focused on empowering young black women. Her death touched a nerve in Latin America’s largest nation, where more than 50 percent identify as black or mixed-race yet most politicians are white men. A police official told The Associated Press that the 38-year-old Franco appeared to have been targeted by perpetrators who knew exactly where she would be sitting in a car with tinted windows. The official agreed to reveal the details only if granted anonymity because he was not authorised to discuss the case publicly. In the attack in the Rio neighborhood of Estacio de

Sa, Franco’s driver, Anderson Pedro Gomes, also was killed and her press officer, Fernanda Chaves, was injured. “They are trying to silence our voice, the voice of all black women in this country,” said Larissa Neves Lago, one of those mourning Franco. “Marielle is here! Today and forever!” chanted some in the crowd. Elected in 2016, Franco was a member of the leftleaning Socialism and Liberty Party known for her social work in poor and marginalised shantytowns, or favelas, and for her outspokenness against police violence, which disproportionately affects black residents. Just last weekend, Franco lamented on social media what she alleged were recent police killings. “Another homicide of a young man that could be credited to the police. Matheus Melo was leaving church when he was killed. How many others will have to die for this war to end?” she wrote in her last post on Twitter. Franco grew up in Mare, an area of northern Rio with a warren of favelas that sometimes erupt in violence. Her rising star status

Friday, March 16, 2018, PAGE 11

MARIELLE FRANCO Photo By Marcelo Freixo/Wikimedia Commons in politics was notable in full investigations. Rio’s police force is one to the nation. Former Presidents Fera nation where upward The attack came just of the most deadly in the social mobility, particularly a month after President world. In 2016, 925 people nando Henrique Cardoso, for blacks and others from Michel Temer put the mili- were killed during police Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva marginalized neighbor- tary in charge of security in operations, according to the and Dilma Rousseff also hoods, is rare. Rio, which is experiencing a think tank Brazilian Public expressed grief over the Protests were planned spike in violence less than Security Forum. Tallies by killing, which dominated in several cities Thursday two years after hosting the human rights groups put the newscasts. Security consultant Paulo 2017 number over 1,000. evening, and Franco’s party 2016 Summer Olympics. Brazil’s public security Storani, a former comcalled for a march in Rio on The intervention has Friday. been controversial because minister, Raul Jungmann, mander of Rio’s elite police said in a statement that force known as the BOPE, federal police would help warned against jumping investigate. That was a to conclusions about the subtle way of saying the police or blaming the miligovernment did not think tary intervention, which he the local police force, which believes will ultimately be would usually be solely ineffective. “This is an election year responsible for investigating a killing, is up to the and I fear some might use task. Rio’s police chief this cowardly act to score political points,” Storani quickly refused help. Gen Richard Nunes, said. Franco’s sister, Anielle appointed as Rio’s public security secretary, said in Franco, told journalists her a statement there will be a family is considering leav“full investigation on the ing Rio out of fear. “Our favela is crying, Rio assassination”. is crying and Brazil is crying At Brazil’s Congress PALL bearers carry the coffins containing the remains of Marielle today,” she said. Franco and her driver Anderson Pedro Gomes past a crowd of in Brasilia, lawmakers of Franco’s party demanded thousands gathered outside City Hall, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. that an independent comAs news of the attack it has put thousands of mission investigate the spread Thursday morning, troops on the streets and, crime. Some wondered several thousand people at least so far, doesn’t publicly whether Franco gathered in front of Rio’s appear to be having an might have been targeted city hall. In the afternoon, impact. It’s also being criti- by police. thousands followed as the cized because generals Temer, a political advercoffins were carried to their don’t appear to have the sary of Franco’s, called respective burial sites. appetite to take on major the assassination “an Human rights groups and components of the violence: act of cowardliness” and the United Nations offered endemic police corruption defended the military intercondolences and demanded and heavy-handed tactics. vention in a video statement

‘Multiple’ fatalities when bridge collapses at FIU onto vehicles MIAMI, FLORIDA Associated Press A PEDESTRIAN bridge being built across an eightlane highway collapsed at a Miami-area college Thursday, crushing eight vehicles under massive slabs and killing multiple people, authorities said. Search and rescue missions were underway. Eight people were taken to hospitals. The number of fatalities was not immediately known. “The main focus is to rescue people.” said MiamiDade police director Juan Perez. “As soon as those efforts are over, our homicide bureau will take the lead.” The main companies behind the bridge’s construction have faced questions about their work and one of the companies was fined in 2012 when a 90-ton section of a bridge collapsed in Virginia. In Miami, the 950-ton, 174-foot span was assembled by the side of the highway and moved into place Saturday to great fanfare. The $14.2m bridge connected Florida International University and the city of Sweetwater. It was expected to open to foot traffic next year. “We are shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding at the FIU-Sweetwater pedestrian bridge. At this time we are still involved in rescue efforts and gathering information,” the school said in a statement. The National Transportation Safety Board sent investigators to the scene. Gov Rick Scott said he was headed there as well.

“We have a national tragedy on our hands,” Sweetwater Mayor Orlando Lopez said. The “accelerated bridge construction” method was supposed to reduce risks to workers and pedestrians and minimize traffic disruption, the university said. “FIU is about building bridges and student safety. This project accomplishes our mission beautifully,” FIU President Mark B Rosenberg said in the statement Saturday. Cristina Rodriguez, a 23-year-old junior who was on spring break with other students, said she was not surprised when she heard the bridge collapsed. “I just felt the bridge was done too quickly to believe the bridge was stable and sound to support everything that was on there,” said Rodriguez, who was not on campus Thursday but drives through the intersection almost daily. MCM, the Miami-based construction management firm that won the bridge contract, took its website down on Thursday. But an archived version of the website featured a news release touting the project with FIGG Bridge Engineers, “a nationally acclaimed, awardwinning firm based out of Tallahassee”. The release said FIGG had designed “iconic bridges all over the country, including Boston’s famous Leonard P Zakim Bridge and Florida’s Sunshine Skyway Bridge”. MCM said on Twitter that it was “a family business and we are all devastated and doing everything we can to assist. We will conduct a full investigation to determine

EMERGENCY personnel respond after a brand-new pedestrian bridge collapsed onto a highway at Florida International University. exactly what went wrong and will co-operate with investigators on scene in every way”. FIGG said in a statement it was “stunned by today’s tragic collapse”. “In our 40-year history, nothing like this has ever happened before. Our entire team mourns the loss of life and injuries associated with this devastating tragedy, and our prayers go out to all involved.” FIGG was fined in 2012 after a 90-ton section of a bridge it was building in Virginia crashed onto railroad tracks below, causing several minor injuries to workers. The citation, from

the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, said FIGG did not do the proper inspections of the girder that failed and had not obtained written consent from its manufacturer before modifying it, according to a story in The Virginian-Pilot. Court documents show that MCM, or Munilla Construction Management, was accused of substandard work in a lawsuit filed earlier this month. The suit said a worker at Fort Lauderdale International Airport, where the company is working on an expansion, fell and injured himself when a makeshift bridge MCM built collapsed under the

worker’s weight. The suit charged the company with employing “incompetent, inexperienced, unskilled or careless employees” at the job site. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the president was monitoring the situation and would offer whatever support was needed. Rep Mario Diaz-Balart, who spoke at a ceremony celebrating the bridge’s construction over the weekend, told CBS there were going to be a lot of questions that have to be answered about what happened. “Right now the most

important thing is going to be to save people who are hopefully still alive,” he said. Florida International University is the second-largest university in the state, with 55,000 students. Most of its students live off-campus. The bridge was supposed to be a safe way to cross a busy street and a plaza-like public space with seating where people could gather. In August 2017, a university student was killed crossing the road that the bridge was supposed to span. Florida International University is also home to the National Hurricane Center.

PAGE 12, Friday, March 16, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

First Step Academy’s cultural day celebrates ‘Erryting Bahamian’ SCHOOL children watch on as activities take place.

FIRST STEP ACADEMY celebrated their national pride and cultural day on Tuesday under the theme “Errything Bahamian”. The event included exciting displays of Bahamian food, folklore, drama, music, song and dance.

RBDF POP band takes part in school celebrations.

STUDENTS use goatskin drums, saws and cowbells to make Bahamian music.

LIMBO! Limbo! Limbo!

PLAITING of the maypole during celebrations.

DANCE team performs their routine.

TEACHING the boys how to beat a drum.