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VOLUME:116 No.58, MARCH 18TH, 2019

HO US E & 16 THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

PA GE S SPORTS: SWIMMING TRIO TARGET MAJOR CHAMPS

Shot dead right in front of cops

Officers witnessed Fox Hill gunman open fire on duo

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net TWO men were shot, and one killed, yesterday afternoon during a brazen drive-by shooting at the Fox Hill roundabout. The second victim was shot in the leg and taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital.

According to Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash, the two perpetrators were riding a moped when one shot the victims. CSP Cash added that officers

from the Mobile Unit were patrolling the area when the incident occurred and actually witnessed the shooting.

Officers pursued the moped through Fox Hill to the Blueberry Hill area.

There the suspects escaped into bushes opposite Bahamas Harvest Church.

CSP Cash said police are working with some “significant leads” on the matter, adding officers are “very confident” that they will find the perpetrators.

THE Supreme Court order blocking the government from clearing out shanty towns in the country now prevents those residents from altering or expanding those communities.

The government was granted a variation of the August 2018 injunction blocking evictions and service disconnections in an

By NATARIO MCKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net NATIONAL Health Insurance’s (NHI) top executive yesterday admitted “we have work to do” to convince the government its “financing model” will not result in multi-million dollar shortfalls.

Graham Whitmarsh, the NHI authority’s managing director, said the assumptions underpinning the scheme’s proposed pricing and costs were being assessed in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance.

Mr Whitmarsh said the government wanted to get it right rather than risk burdening working Bahamians with an unsustainable universal health coverage funding mechanism.

MINISTERS MISS THE DISCLOSURE DEADLINE

SEE PAGE THREE

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

order filed on March 14 and obtained by The Tribune.

“Further,” the order read, “pending the determination of this action or until such further order, the 177 applicants and other residents and occupiers of the land in shanty towns in New Providence or elsewhere in The Bahamas shall take no action to construct, erect and or alter any further buildings or structures otherwise than in accordance with the Buildings Regulation Act.” SEE PAGE FIVE

NHI BOSS: WE MUST PROVE OUR NUMBERS

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

COURT ACTION HALTS SHANTY TOWN BUILDS

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

HOME

THE SCENE of a double shooting yesterday in Fox Hill.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

THREE Free National Movement parliamentarians - two of them Cabinet ministers - were granted more time to file their public disclosures, The Tribune was told.

Tourism Minister and Free Town MP Dionisio D’Aguilar, Social Services Minister and Southern Shores MP Frankie Campbell as well as West Grand Bahama and Bimini MP Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe did not meet the March 1 deadline.

The MPs all requested extensions, and to date, only Mr Campbell has submitted his declaration.

SEE PAGE 12

‘WE WEREN’T STEALING POWER SUPPLY’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Cooper family – the operators of several major fast food franchise restaurants in Freeport - has “categorically and emphatically” denied any wrongdoing concerning the alleged theft of electricity by the Grand Bahama Power Company.

The family said yesterday that close to 500 jobs are at stake due to

THE SCENE in Freeport. the disconnection of power supply at their businesses.

A total of seven businesses

– three Burger Kings, three KFCs, and one Pollo Tropical location – have been implicated in the theft investigation. The Cooper family claimed the controversy is due to widely used energy saving devices installed at the businesses in question, not electricity theft.

Power supply has been turned off since Wednesday after the GBPC filed a complaint with police.

All of the businesses are

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FIVE

INSIGHT

FRED SMITH: NO ONE SHOULD GO TO JAIL FOR A JOINT SEE PAGE SEVEN

PAGE 2, Monday, March 18, 2019

PHOTO of the car the police would like to track down.

THE TRIBUNE

Police release picture of car reportedly used in child abductions

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net POLICE have released a photo of the car reportedly used in the recent spate of child abductions in New Providence.

Officers are searching for a silver/champagne-coloured Nissan Tiida. The car has black tints on its front and rear windows and the last two digits on the licence plate are “35”.

Police have also released a sketch of a woman who is wanted in connection with the abductions. In the photo, the woman is depicted as wearing a bonnet over her hair and dark glasses.

Since February 16, there have been six confirmed cases of child abductions.

The youngest victim is three years old and the eldest, 10.

Five of these incidents involved boys and alleged female perpetrators. All the children were found unharmed within hours of being taken.

Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson addressed the situation on Thursday, saying police are following good leads and suggesting the situation was under control. As he moved to quell concerns, the commissioner also seemed to downplay the frequency and severity of the issue, telling reporters that not all of the incidents reported were actually considered kidnappings.

He said as far as police were concerned only three of the cases fell into this category and were being looked at seriously. However, he did not specify which cases were ruled out as abductions.

Nonetheless, he said, police were following significant leads. “Let me say straight out the crack of the gun, the Bahamian people can be assured that we have this situation under hand,” Commissioner Ferguson said on Thursday. “I was

POLICE have released the above sketch of a woman who is wanted in connection with the abductions. advised this morning by a dark coloured vehicle, the assistant commissioner police said.

CSP Cash said earlier of crime management, who, along with his team, this month: “What actually is actively investigating this happened is that three kids matter. They are follow- were on their way home ing significant leads and we from school, a car pulled up will continue to bring these alongside them asking them investigations to closure. So if they wished for a ride.

“After they refused the the Bahamian people need not be in any state of panic. ride, the lady insisted that However, last Sunday she would give them a ride.

Inspector Leonardo Bur- The three kids, they got in rows told The Tribune the vehicle, when they got police did not have leads near the Haitian Village, and were challenged with the lady allowed two of the getting people to come boys out and she kept one.”

The two eight-year-olds forward with information that could lead to the arrest were initially dropped off of the person responsible by a Haitian village in the for the abduction of three vicinity of Seabreeze and boys who were taken and Joe Farrington Road. The returned last Thursday, ten-year-old was dropped off later by the city dump.

March 7.

Then, police initially The boys were gone for reported that two boys, roughly two hours, CSP ages eight and 10, were Cash said.

The day before, March abducted from the Kool Acres area of eastern New 6, eight-year-old Tyvon Deveaux was abducted Providence.

However, the next day, from a park by a lone Chief Superintendent Solo- female driver in a silvermon Cash confirmed that coloured Japanese-model three boys were taken: two vehicle and on February eight-year-olds and a ten- 16, three-year-old Shavar year-old. The boys were Bain was abducted from walking on Kool Acres outside his home. On Road in eastern New Provi- March 3, an eight-year-old dence when “they were girl was abducted from her picked up by a female who home by an alleged male was the lone occupant” of perpetrator.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, March 18, 2019, PAGE 3

THE SCENE of a double shooting yesterday in Fox Hill.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff from page one Distraught relatives and members of the community flooded the scene surrounding the roundabout and park, which is a popular area frequented by area children and older residents.

The deceased’s sister, Aaliyah McKenzie, identified the victim as Jovardo Thompson, 26.

A father of two toddlers, Ms McKenzie and other relatives described Thompson as a “loving person” and a “friend to all,” adding he was a jokester who was “always clowning”.

They said he used to work in construction with his father.

At the scene, CSP Cash said: “Shortly after 3.30 this afternoon, police were alerted to a shooting incident that occurred here at the park in Fox Hill. The officers, once on the scene, saw the lifeless body of a man lying in the street.

Additionally, there (was)

Shot dead in front of cops a second victim, who was shot in his leg and he was transported to the Accident and Emergency section of Princess Margaret Hospital, where he is undergoing medical attention.

“But what I would want to say to you is that during this event, a Mobile Unit from this division was on the alert and patrolling the

BODY FOUND IN GB BEING TREATED AS A HOMICIDE

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net POLICE are currently investigating the weekend discovery of a man’s body in Grand Bahama as a homicide, Assistant Commissioner of Police Samuel Butler told The Tribune yesterday.

According to police, officers acting on information went to an area off Pioneers Way near Coral Road sometime after 11pm on Saturday night. There they discovered the “lifeless body of a dark male”.

ACP Butler added the body had injuries consistent with blunt force trauma.

“The police preliminary assessment of the body

found in Grand Bahama is facial and upper body injuries consistent with blunt force trauma,” he said yesterday. “An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.”

When asked if police are investigating the incident as a homicide, ACP Butler replied: “Yes, until otherwise determined.”

Regarding whether the body was moved to that location, ACP Butler said: “Based on preliminary crime scene management, there are strong indications that it is the original crime scene and the death occurred within an hour of the police arrival.”

The Tribune understands the victim to be Charles Rolle Jr.

FIVE HAITIANS JAILED FOR ILLEGAL LANDING

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

FIVE Haitian nationals were sentenced to serve a month at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services for illegally landing in the country, according to a press statement from the Department of Immigration.

Benson St Surin, Thon Paul, Jean Joseph, Louis Anel and Elvie Joseph were each convicted of the offence when they appeared before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans on Friday, the statement said.

Meanwhile, a Jamaican woman, Garshea Marie Martin, was convicted of overstaying and fined $2,000. Failure to pay the fine would result in two months’ imprisonment.

Earlier last week, five foreign women - three Venezuelans, a Guyanese, and a Jamaican - were collectively fined upwards of $5,000 for overstaying in the country.

Venezuelan nationals Beatriz Castro,

Yanneris Caicedo and Deymilis Aragor, along with Guyanese native Chelsea Alexander were fined $1,000 each by Acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Subsola Swain after admitting to overstaying.

Jamaican national Terrian McPherson was fined $1,500 for the same crime after admitting to overstaying in the country by one year and eight months at the time of her arrest.

Another five women – Beatriz Marquez, Mallesia Cadogan, Tavanna Bennett, Tameka Clair and Tomay Clarke – were also fined $1,000 each for being caught with fraudulent extension stamps in their respective passports.

These women, who are from Venezuela (Marquez), Guyana (Bennett and Cadogan) and Jamaica (Clair and Clarke), were all apprehended during “Operation Lockdown” conducted by Department of Immigration and police officers at the Sugar Hill nightclub on Thompson Boulevard on Saturday March 9.

area at this time and actually witnessed the account happening right before their eyes.

“So what they did, they pursued the moped, which (was) leaving the scene at the time, they pursued that moped through several corners here in the Fox Hill district. Those persons were able to elude the officers in the Blueberry Hill area near a church.

“Both suspects, they ran from the officers into the bushy areas, one dropping an instrument on the scene which was retrieved by the police. Again now, this investigation is early and we don’t know the exact motive behind this latest homicide.

“But as we unravel what happened here, we’ll be in a better position to update the media as to exactly why this happened. But we are also appealing to members of the public who live in this area or actually may have been tending or visiting one of the businesses at this location, or the park as a matter of fact.

“But if they have any

CHIEF Superintendent Solomon Cash. information to feel free to call the police and give us that information.”

CSP Cash could not say whether the suspects or victims are known to police at this time. He added police suspect the perpetrators “targeted” the two victims.

He then took members of the press to the area where the perpetrators fled. They abandoned the moped in the bushes, which police retrieved.

CSP Cash was also asked to address public concern that such a bold shooting occurred while officers were on patrol.

“I will agree with that totally, but what I want to say is: our officers are committed to securing the citizens of The Bahamas.

And you find that from time to time you might have isolated incidents.

“But what I want the members of the public to understand is that some perpetrators or suspects are relentless in carrying out acts of criminality.

And it’s difficult when their minds are made up to carry (out) these acts to prevent them. But we will remain focused with our strategies to remain in these communities. In essence where we would want to prevent or minimise these types of incidents from happening.”

However, he also encouraged the public to assist in the matter.

“What we want to say to the community is that, you know these persons live among you. So any information that you have that may be able to assist us, the police, in solving this sooner, the sooner we get these persons off the street, then we would relieve you of that stress of being fearful that these persons are still at large. So we ask the community to assist us with that.”

CSP Cash also dispelled concern that the perpetrators could be hiding in the church, saying they used the area as a means to escape.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 919, 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS.

PAGE 4, Monday, March 18, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

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As the world steps forward, once again we drag our feet WHAT exactly does The Bahamas want its position to be when it comes to marijuana?

For a long time, there has been a growing sense things must change with regard to marijuana laws – not least of all for the field of medical marijuana, but perhaps even for those who find themselves locked away for years for recreational use.

Let’s not pretend that this isn’t a daily issue for The Bahamas. Routinely, The Tribune receives statements from the police about the seizure of marijuana and the arrests of those in possession of it. We hear about fields of marijuana being discovered – one press release recently told of how officials flying over an area could smell the pungent scent of the plants in a field below, leading to its discovery and destruction.

Even Downtown, with as many police as there are there, it is not uncommon for passers-by to be offered the drugs for sale in broad daylight.

Conversely, last week saw the 47th annual scientific conference of the Medical Association of The Bahamas, with Dr Michelle Weiner among the speakers. She is a leader in the field of medical cannabis and CBD oil – and spoke at length about the subject.

She is leading the way, however, across the water in the United States.

Here in The Bahamas, progress on the topic has been considerably slower.

A government committee was to review marijuana criminalisation laws, but it appears to have shown little if any sign of actual reviewing. In September, Bishop Simeon Hall bemoaned that no one had yet been appointed to

the committee, and when things finally got moving, he noted the country was “behind” on consultation.

In the midst of this lack of progress, there are now concerns about CBD oil being brought into the country – but confusion about whether it is being imported legally or not.

Clarity – and equality – is needed. If someone is arrested for a few ounces of illegal drugs on a street corner while someone else gets away with selling the oil version of an illegal drug in a store, there is clearly an issue. Justice should not be enforced dependent on the suspect’s bank balance.

So where do we go from here? It would be good if the government could lay out a road map of where it wants to go in terms of whether it wants to decriminalise or legalise marijuana, and the timescale it envisages bringing legislation to the House if so. It should also consider carefully what happens with those making money illegally at present in the trade – and what happens to those individuals if a transition takes place.

The progress seems to be unhurried, but we should bear in mind there is an urgency for those continuing to face our courts on a regular basis. We wonder if it is truly necessary for the lives of so many young people to be blighted by a court case and a jail sentence for a very small amount of marijuana.

QC Fred Smith on Page 7 of today’s Tribune poses all the questions we need to ask - why are we waiting? We are behind the curve when it comes to facing questions over the future of marijuana – both medically and recreationally. It is past time we caught up.

Change arrival schedule EDITOR, The Tribune TO THOSE who effectively eliminated the Bahamian group with the small equity holding of certain Cruise Lines please listen up - how is Global going to increase passengers - spend obviously the most important issue if they, Global, have no influence on the schedules of the cruise boats?

Design? Although the photographs of the artist renderings are not clear very clearly the architects of Global have used quite a lot of architectural rendering and forgot the strict security required by International Convention - IPPS. There has to be

100% separation between public and cruise ships no intermingling - the rendering published do not show this infant the obvious total opposite seems to be proposed. Modern, very modern design in the midst of colonial - hope the Special Nassau Town Planning Board will insist in a compatible design? God help Nassau City if the trend continues like the ugliness of The Pointe?

I am more than curious where Arawak Port Development will play in this? They were conveniently said not to be part of the RFP proposal but when the IPO comes how can you stop them grabbing up 25% as was the

intent from page one. We have to ask for a specific declaration of ownership of MP’s.

Unless we change the current arrival schedule there is no reason to spend $250 million as we still will be receiving cruise boats with ‘000’s of passengers who cannot spend as they have spent south of us Nassau is the last but one or last port of call before Florida. Surely the committee who selected Global did their research or was it a done deal? Let’s see the other artist renderings for comparison?

A MINUS Nassau March 9, 2019

Remove short pants ban EDITOR, The Tribune TO THE people of the Bahamas and the Minister of Education and Prime Minister in particular. It has come to my knowledge that our public libraries do not allow entry to people wearing short pants.

Primary school students are required to wear short pants in various instances.

Athletes and practical

citizens living in a tropical climate also wear weather appropriate clothing.

The policy that no primary school boy or girl in their p.e. uniform can enter a public library seems counter productive. For laws and policies to be just, they should apply equally to all citizens, all citizens should be able to follow them, and they should serve a purpose to better our society.

This policy does none of the above. I understand your administration did not make this policy but here is an opportunity to make a change for the better.

Please remove the short pants ban from your libraries forthwith.

DR ANCILLENO DAVIS Nassau March 10, 2019

VAT can tell its own tale EDITOR, The Tribune

VAT Revenue shortfall of $180 million…

Government does not want to debate the interim Budget communication.

Minister of Labour says - economy is buoyant - strong.

Truth told as VAT is solely determined by wholesale and retail sales and as it has such a massive shortfall just how can the economy be buoyant and strong as clearly because of all

the exemptions and additional Tax liabilities the economy is seriously under performing and we should note this as Minnis & Co. soon will present Budget 2019-2020.

You can only have a VAT shortfall if sales are down - sales down equals slow economy.

W THOMPSON Nassau, March 10, 2019.

Spot on, PM. Brian Moree is right man for the job EDITOR, The Tribune I CONGRATULATE the upcoming Chief Justice on his expected appointment as substantive Chief Justice of our wonderful nation, the Hon Brian Moree. Former Acting Justice Moree is the perfect individual for this appointment. The entire country knows that I do not often agree with the Most Hon Prime Minister, but with this appointment, God bless his soul, he is right on this one.

I have known the learned Queen Counsel, Brian Moree, all of our adult lives. He served his articles right in the celebrated law chambers of Messrs McKinney; Bancroft & Hughes, while I served mine within the august chambers of Messrs Bostwick & Bostwick, where the senior partner, the Hon J Henry Bostwick, QC, was my own pupil master.

Brian, if I may, was a brilliant student of the law and has emerged after decades in the trenches, as one of Her Majesty’s Counsel. He would have specialised in commercial practice while my specialisation would have been criminal defence and matrimonial law.

The incoming Chief Justice is the consummate manager and has the ability to direct, effectively, scores of personnel at one of the largest law firms in the nation. He is always unflappable, at least in public.

Well dressed, poised and a polished speaker, Brian, I predict, will serve the country exceedingly well in his newest appointment.

Having served on the bench at the Supreme Court level and as President of assorted semi-judicial bodies and agencies, he is well qualified to served in this elevated post.

I have long advocated

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net for his appointment as Chief Justice even before the appointment of the late Stephen Isaacs, another dear and life long friend.

Brian has something “special” about him and in his long career at the Bar there has never been a whiff of scandal, ever. He and his youthful and vibrant wife, Angela, are the proud parents of two sons who have entered the legal profession and went through the ropes at Messrs McKinney; Bancroft & Hughes. One of the sons in particular, I believe that he is Sean, has long demonstrated his commitment to the less fortunate in our wider society. Lady Angela has, truly, been the wind beneath Brian’s wings!!

Some at the Bar and without, have questioned Brian’s putative age as being too close to the legal age for retirement of a senior jurist. This artificial age limitation is a severe barrier to appointing and retaining qualified personnel to serve on our judicial benches. The usual retirement age can vary from 65 to 67 years of age. My position is that a jurist really comes into her or his own only after a considerable period on the bench and the actual trying of assorted cases over the years. Brian has been a practitioner for more than 35 years solid.

Apart from the above, my friend Brian has served The Lord Jesus Christ as a lay member at Calvary Bible Church up in Centreville. He was always to be seen at the eastern entrance to that sanctuary on Sundays, greeting members and visitors with genuine sincerity. ...I know this for

a fact as I stopped right in front of the church one Sunday when I saw him, fully regaled in his Sunday best, a few years ago. Hitherto, I was not aware that Brian and his family have an unequaled passion for The Lord Jesus Christ.

I look forward to the Hon Brian Moree serving a minimum of three years as Chief Justice and then another three, if he so wishes and The Lord Jesus Christ concurs, as He will, as President or I hope that there is a name change by then, Chancellor of the Court of Appeal.

But, while congratulating the soon to be Sir Brian Moree, Chief Justice of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, I would be remiss if I dared to forget to mention, by name; partners of Brian at his current law firm: the Hon Richard Lightbourne, former MP for the FNM for Montagu; Hugh Campbell-Cleare, senior partner; Mr John Wilson, senior partner; Reverend Hartis Pinder, semi-senior partner and, of course, all of the others who make up the wonderful firm of Messrs McKinney; Bancroft & Hughes.

This man has been my personal friend and benefactor over the years. At his behest, my beloved youngest daughter, Jasmine Bodie, has been able to serve as a summer intern for the last three years, with a relatively generous pay package. I welcome the appointment of a professed and declared servant of The Lord Jesus Christ to our Supreme Court as substantive Chief Justice. To God then, in all things, be the glory…

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr Nassau March 13, 2019

THE TRIBUNE from page one

now operating with “limited power” on emergency generators.

In addition to the possibility of hundreds being unemployed, this could damage the owners’ business reputation which could result in the loss of licences from the various international franchise brands.

The family held a press conference yesterday at Precious Acres – the headquarters for their respective businesses. Paxton Cooper, Kenneth Symonette, and Elvis Burrows spoke on behalf of the Cooper family.

Their attorney, Carlson Shurland, was also present.

“The Cooper family is deeply saddened by the latest spate of events concerning our family and the issues involving the alleged theft of electricity from GBPC,” said Mr Burrows.

“Nothing can be further from the truth. On behalf of the Cooper family, we wish to emphatically and categorically deny any wrongdoing in this matter.

We contracted a licensee of the GBPA, with a certificate of good standing, for the installation of an energy saving device that, to the best of our knowledge, was widely used by other businesses on the island.

“Our family has always operated our businesses with the highest degree of honesty and integrity.

These are the core values that our businesses are built on. We are very distressed by the latest development in these matters as most of our fast food restaurants have been disconnected, and as of now we are still without power.”

In a statement issued on Friday, GBPC said it filed a police complaint after it uncovered a series of suspected electricity diversions during metre audits at a number of businesses in the Freeport area.

“As per our established protocols,” the GBPC statement read, “we have taken immediate steps to isolate those customers from our electrical grid and formally lodged a complaint of suspected theft to the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

The RBPF has officially launched an investigation and to our knowledge persons are assisting the police in this matter.

“At this time it is unclear the number of GBPC customers involved, but there is evidence that other businesses and residential locations are also utilising this practice and we are working with the RBPF to further assess this matter.

“At this time, our primary concern is the serious safety risk these diversions pose to the public and GBPC employees and the need to regularise these businesses.”

Mr Burrows, Mr Cooper and Mr Symonette said that they were arrested on Friday and questioned by CDU officers in reference to the alleged electricity

Monday, March 18, 2019, PAGE 5

Family strongly denies any involvement over alleged electricity theft

FROM the left: Attorney Carlson Shurland, Kenneth Symonette, Elvis Burrows and Paxton Cooper. theft. They reported to police at 11am on Friday and were later released late that evening between 7pm to midnight.

“Because of this, we have retained the services of an attorney to represent us of what appears to be a developing criminal matter,” Mr Burrows said.

“We have given both the GB Power and CDU free access to our businesses and have been cooperating fully with them in these matters.

“Again, we have nothing to hide for we have done nothing wrong. We are completely innocent in these matters, and wish and want to bring this matter to conclusion and have our power and our good name restored,” he said.

When asked by The Tribune whether the device they had installed at their respective businesses was legal, Mr Shurland said that the family entered into a legitimate contract with a reputable licencee of the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

He said that he has attempted to reach the licencee, but has been unable to find him. Mr Shurland also believes his clients are being unfairly targeted and said that many other businesses and residents on the island are using the same energy saving device, and that the

police and the power company know who they are and are not pursuing them.

Asked if they had got approval from GBPC to use the device, Mr Shurland said: “You don’t need approval to use an energy saving device, that is not standard operating procedures. Do you get approval to change the wattage in your light bulbs?”

Meanwhile, Mr Burrows said that the cost of power is high in Grand Bahama, and that their power bills represent a very substantial cost on their books.

After having installed the device several years ago, he said that they had noticed some savings but nothing significant.

He declined, however, to say how much they had spent or invested to have the devices installed at their businesses.

The device was one of many initiatives that they had embarked on, in addition to LED lighting and investing in more energy efficient equipment.

“To the best of our knowledge the device was supposed to regulate the equipment in the restaurants and produce cost saving initiative when it is in operation —I am not an electrician,” Mr Burrows said.

“We have been interrupted since Wednesday

COURT ACTION HALTS SHANTY TOWN BUILDS

from page one

The government sought a variation of the order in October 2018, claiming it was made aware that certain residents or occupiers of shanty towns in New Providence had “continued to engage in the construction, erection and alteration of buildings or structures” within those areas without obtaining building permits, in violation of the Buildings Regulations Act. It said such activities “injure the public interest in the proper enforcement of planning laws, creates risk to human safety by the construction of substandard housing, and is detrimental to the orderly development and use of the environment.”

Last August, Supreme Court Justice Cheryl GrantThompson ordered the government and utility providers to halt any planned service disconnections or evictions in shanty towns pending a judicial review of the Minnis administration’s

policy to eradicate those communities.

The injunction prohibits the government, directly or through its agents, appointees or employees, from taking possession of, demolishing any building on, or otherwise interfering with the enjoyment of land in shantytowns in New Providence by the 177 applicants for the judicial review, as well as other residents’ and occupiers’ of those communities, by disconnecting any utilities “other than pursuant to the relevant enabling legislation” pending the determination of the action or until further order.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, Attorney General Carl Bethel, Labour Minister Dion Foulkes, Public Works Minister Desmond Bannister, Bahamas Power and Light, and the Water and Sewerage Corporation are listed as the respondents.

Non-profit group Respect Our Homes Limited (ROHL) and Luanne Nonord and the 177

residents are listed as the applicants.

Shanty town residents are seeking to ventilate concerns the government’s “eradication policy” and subsequent evictions are unlawful, unconstitutional, and motivated by ethnic discrimination without clear title to land ownership.

Last week, Marsh Harbour Township chairman Roscoe Thompson, a member of the Abaco shanty town task force, said he reported as many as three houses being put up in the Mud. “There were three or four new houses being put up,” Mr Thompson said on Thursday, “and I’m going to go down there tomorrow to see if they stopped them, but it doesn’t look like nobody cares now. We haven’t heard a word, we haven’t had a meeting. I don’t know how long its been.

“But it’s pretty much the same,” Mr Thompson added, “a lot of talk, no action.”

evening and we are still interrupted, and I say with all sincerity, unless our power is restored in a reasonable time we have no choice but to shut our stores down because we are on limited power on emergency generators and I don’t know what will happen to our close to 500 employees that we employ collectively among ourselves. But if our power is not restored soon, we just can’t push it anymore.”

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn He added: “This whole issue of theft and stealing is just ludicrous.”

Mr Cooper, who operates Pollo Tropical and Burger King on East Sunrise Highway and Ranfurly Circus, said he could lose his franchise licence over the matter.

“We had persons from Pollo Tropical International call us to find out what is happening and we have explained to them all what is going on because

the contract talks about if found guilty of any criminal offence you can lose your franchise,” he said.

For his part, Mr Symonette said the business owners are being “dragged” through the mud over unproven allegations.

“Among our businesses we have about 500 employees, and people are just dragging our names through the mud over something we have not been found guilty of, and they do not know the complete truth about. When we hire someone in our businesses – we are not a big company like BORCO or the Container Port, but we have been consistent in this community for years.

“And people are ungrateful to say the things they are saying. When we pay someone a salary they are able to buy food and send their children to school with lunch; we are helping this community more than we are hurting. And we have been consistent because some of our businesses have been in this community for some over 50 years, and we don’t deserve to the way we have been treated by the Power Company, or some of our people on this island,” he said.

PAGE 6, Monday, March 18, 2019

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net FORMER chief parliamentary clerk Maurice Tynes has criticised the handling of the decision not to hold a debate in the House of Assembly on the mid-year budget statement, telling The Tribune the government does not own Parliament.

Mr Tynes was asked to comment on the government’s decision not to hold a debate - an unprecedented departure from previous administrations that has drawn the ire of the Official Opposition, as well as FNM party insiders.

“You don’t do it arbitrarily like it was done this year,” Mr Tynes said, “it has to be done with discussion with the opposition. The government party does not own the Parliament, they may control it but then all civil democracies have a discussion between the government and the opposition, and if you’re going to change the rules then it has to be done in discussion, not done arbitrarily.”

For his part, however, Mr Tynes said he always felt it was “stupid” to hold two debates within a three-month cycle as no other country had this policy.

“It ought to be a budget statement followed by questioning by the committee of the whole House,” he added.

“They had a debate up until this year so if they change it, it ought to have come from discussions with the opposition.”

Last month, Renward Wells, leader of government business in the House of Assembly, reportedly advised South Andros MP Picewell Forbes there would be no debate on the mid-year budget as there was no corresponding resolution.

Mr Forbes is leader of opposition business in the House.

THE TRIBUNE

Tynes: Govt wrong not to hold mid-year budget debate

FORMER chief parliamentary clerk Maurice Tynes “How can you say you’re cutting five percent in expenditure from each ministry because you’re not getting in revenue, and you don’t say what you cutting and where you putting that money?” asked a former FNM parliamentarian, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, adding the current administration was not transparent.

Yesterday, Attorney General Carl Bethel insisted the decision not to hold parliamentary debate on the mid-year budget statement did not signal a lack of transparency, telling The Tribune anyone who wanted information could simply “read” tabled documents.

Mr Bethel dismissed criticism over the unprecedented shift in

policy concerning the mid-year budget statement.

Yesterday, Mr Bethel maintained the debate portion was not mandated by law unless there were supplementary appropriation bills, or borrowing.

“The PLP had to borrow. We didn’t have to borrow,” Mr Bethel said when pointed out that the policy was upheld by the subsequent Progressive Liberal Party administration.

“It’s very simple, if we were mismanaging the finances of the country and had to borrow then we would have a debate. Right now we are managing expenditure,” he continued, “in the budget statement they are there.”

The Tribune asked Mr Bethel whether he felt the lack of debate was a matter of transparency. “It does not, no,” he said, “because the budget statements are there.

No one is saying they’re incorrect.

It’s all set out, very transparent just read them. There is nothing hidden or not disclosed. No one has made that criticism, they are demanding a debate but the law does not require it.”

The mid-year budget statement was first introduced by the Ingraham-led administration in the 2007/2008 budget cycle to bring a level of ministerial transparency and accountability to the budgetary process, and a subsequent debate has been held since the first statement was read in February 2008.

In the first such statement, then-Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham outlined the purpose

and implications of the proclamation - which he said represented the “establishment of a level of transparency and accountability which is, without doubt, a noteworthy enhancement in the process of governance.”

Prior to this, Mr Ingraham explained, the annual budgetary process was primarily concerned with the economic context of the fiscal period; an articulation of the government’s expenditure plans and programmes of the fiscal year; and issues related to raising necessary revenue and finances for the budget.

He added that the performance review portion was often overshadowed by the plans for the upcoming year, with little attention given to the government’s performance in the current year.

In his 2008 statement, Mr Ingraham said: “It is specifically an opportunity for ministers to report to Parliament and the Bahamian people on the progress they are making on the programmes established for their portfolios in the current fiscal year, to determine its adequacy and to make the case for any additional expenditure which may be required.”

At the time, Mr Ingraham said the documentation circulated with the mid-year statement contained the necessary information for this reporting process, and showed the progress of expenditure on recurrent and capital expenditure and on recurrent revenues.

“The information is therefore,” Mr Ingraham said in 2008, “being

laid before this honourable House to enable it to query all aspects of the management of the public finances, and to question ministers thereon.

“Thus, this opportunity is specifically structured for parliamentary review of the performance of the budget midway during the fiscal period.”

Mr Ingraham added: “My government is honoured to have had the opportunity of introducing this new landmark in strengthening our parliamentary process and making government more accountable to the people.”

When asked for comment yesterday, Official Opposition Leader Philip Davis reiterated his accusation that the Minnis administration upheld a hypocritical “double standard” when it came to governance.

“They’re just arrogant and they believe the Bahamian people don’t see what they’re doing,” Mr Davis said. “(Minnis is) going to the Family Islands on the public purse campaigning. And if you watch any of those sessions, because he just repeats himself, he’s going to talk about the mid-year budget in these small groupings instead of giving an opportunity to debate it in Parliament.

“And there are some questions we need to answer,” Mr Davis continued, “they claim that tourist arrivals have been up but when we look at departure taxes that’s down significantly what does that mean? Are we not collecting the taxes?”

CANNABIS PRODUCTS? EVERYBODY WANTS THEM, SAYS SANDS

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

“EVERYBODY wants it,” is how Health Minister Dr Duane Sands described the boom in cannabisderived products hitting shelves locally.

Dr Sands told The Tribune the uptick in local advertisements for products containing cannabidiol or CBD represented an inevitable trickle down of global trends, reiterating the country was still in uncharted waters.

He confirmed there were no licences issued by the Ministry of Health, as required by the Dangerous Drugs Act, to import cannabis-derived products, but stressed it was not his ministry’s job to enforce or intercept goods.

“Everybody wants it,” Dr Sands told The Tribune on Friday, “everybody doing it, everybody talking about it. We got CBD shampoo, CBD dog food. The real question is whether people have CBD that you can take in your body, swallow.”

“If these things are ingestible, as opposed to topical, then (Ministry of Health) would get involved,” Dr Sands said, “but if it’s a lotion then it may have come in under the radar. They put CBD in everything now, Jamaican healing oil—the issue is whether you can drink it or eat it, and that’s where certainly persons travelling with a prescription for CBD have been hauled before the courts.

“But if you have a product containing CBD not

intended for ingestion,” Dr Sands continued, “then typically that wouldn’t set off any alarms at (Department of) Customs but you would have to ask Customs on what basis because we certainly have not issued new licences or permissions.”

Customs Comptroller Dr Geannine Moss has not responded to calls or messages from The Tribune concerning the importation of cannabis products - first placed in January.

Notwithstanding the boom, the Bahamas

National Commission on Marijuana (BNCM) is not likely to meet its April deadline to submit a first draft to government codifying Bahamian attitudes on the controversial plant, Cochair Bishop Simeon Hall said yesterday.

Bishop Hall said the commission has noticed an uptick in advertisements for products containing CBD locally, but declined to comment further.

“I don’t want to prejudice the report,” Bishop Hall said, “but we are studying it, we are conscious of that (increased sale of cannabis-derived products). The mandate of the commission is to codify and analyse how the Bahamian people truly feel about the herb. It’s not promoting the usage of any kind, we are just trying to analyse what people are doing with this.

“I can’t speak authoritatively,” he added, “I believe we will have some part of the work ready for April, but I do not think it will be completed in April.”

There are multiple strains of the Cannabis Sativa plant; however, the two most popular are commonly known as Industrial Hemp and marijuana.

Industrial Hemp is high in cannabinoid CBD and low in THC - the cannabinoid that creates a mind-altering “high”; and CBD oil is commonly sourced from this strain.

However, there is a distinction between CBD oil - which contains naturally occurring terpenes, flavonoids, Cannabinoids, and other beneficial phytonutrients from the whole plant; and hemp oil, which is normally pressed from the seeds and, while it contains a lot of antioxidants and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, does not contain the same number of cannabinoids.

On Friday, Dr Sands said: “There are many things that catch people’s attention, and people buy it because it is trendy. Whether you’re talking about saw palmetto, melatonin, ginkgo biloba, or whatever. (Consumers) buy the stuff expecting benefits but a lot of times it is a marketing ploy.

“We have agreed to be guided by, among other things, the Marijuana Commission’s work,” Dr Sands continued, “it would be pointless of us to embark on a parallel task independent of their work. This is being brought to my attention, as you drive down the street you see a sign does that now mean that there’s an infraction of any law,

DR DUANE SANDS and then who would be responsible for investigating that?

“Now if you out there selling morphine, then certainly we would certainly act.”

Dr Sands continued: “It really depends on what the product is. If I’m selling hairspray and one of the ingredients of the hair spray is CBD, and this thing is clearly non-ingestible what act does that fall under?”

Cannabis, defined as “Indian hemp” is classified in part II of the Dangerous Drugs Act alongside coca leaves, crude cocaine, and raw opium.

The Act defines “Indian hemp” as “all parts of any plant of the genus cannabis whether growing or not from which the resin has not been extracted; the resin extracted from a part of such plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt derivative, mixture or preparation of such plant or resin.”

It further allows a “qualified person with special authority of the minister” to cultivate, trade in, import or bring into the Bahamas marijuana for medical or scientific purpose.

The Tribune questioned on Friday whether the lack of enforcement concerning drug stores and online vendors was hypocritical given the harsh sentences imposed on offenders caught with small quantities of marijuana.

Dr Sands said: “We are in uncharted waters and I think we have agreed to make a determination, we are in the process of doing that.

“In the meantime, there is going to be questions asked particularly as you see changes in the rest of the world. Because everybody has jumped on this bandwagon. You may ask why do you need CBD for your fingernails, well because people will buy it.

“Then the question is, is it creating a problem, and if so what is the problem that it is creating?”

MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2019

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

By FREDERICK R M SMITH, QC

N

O ONE should go to prison for smoking a joint. No life should be ruined over a small amount of weed.

Marijuana is not the devil and, like certain other recreationally enjoyed substances like alcohol, most humans are perfectly capable of using it responsibly.

In certain contexts, it is beneficial for your health and in an increasing number of countries, it is becoming legalised for recreational and medical use – generating massive revenue returns in the process.

Most right-thinking Bahamians know all this, yet our society continues to vilify, hunt down and destroy young people over this relatively trivial pastime, condemning them to lengthy prison sentences as if they were hardened criminals. On this issue like so many others, The Bahamas is simply stuck in the past.

A hangover from the 1970s There was a time when a zero tolerance approach to marijuana was considered cutting edge. The term “War on Drugs” was coined by a US journalist in 1971 shortly after President Nixon declared drug abuse public enemy number one. The prevailing view at the time was narcotics in general were a scourge on society and must be eradicated by strong action – interdiction, arrest and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. Users were weak, deviant, morally degraded and essentially deserved what they got at the hands of the authorities. Countless substances, differing from each other in virtually every way imaginable were all lumped together and referred to under the category of “drugs”.

Over the last 50 years, many of the underlying assumptions that fed this perspective have been debunked. Substance abuse is now widely and rightfully seen as a mental health challenge, not a crime, and users are recognised as victims, not perpetrators.

There is also an appreciation that certain substances which were once vilified can have numerous heath benefits and qualify as medicine to treat several conditions.

Chief among these is of course marijuana. Meanwhile tall tales of the terrible consequences – that it kills brain cells, is a ‘gateway drug’, etc. – are laughed off by today’s experts.

Gradually, the rest of the world is coming to see that marijuana is not some demon that will steal away the minds of their children, but a complex substance which, like countless others consumed by humans, can have benefits if used responsibly and lead to negative affects if abused.

The light has not yet shone on The Bahamas, however.

We remain mired in the Dark Ages as usual and the resulting effects on our society are more egregious than most realise.

Overwhelming the system Thousands of young people in The Bahamas today smoke marijuana; perhaps tens of thousands.

Whether you like it or not, this is a cultural fact that simply cannot be avoided.

When caught with whatever the police arbitrarily

No one should go to prison for smoking a joint happen to believe is “too much”, usually all but the tiniest amount, they can be charged with a serious offence and face years in jail. Because use is so prevalent, and because users tend to be young, comparatively non-violent and generally cooperative, marijuana possession charges make up a very large percentage of the cases before the courts.

This, in a judicial system already overwhelmed and struggling to cope, with individuals facing serious charges waiting months and even years on remand – though supposedly innocent until proven guilty in the eyes of the law.

The arrests themselves probably make up a large part of the work of police officers who, instead of going after violent offenders, tend to prefer to target marijuana users as they represent a comparatively easy way to rack up arrest numbers without undue effort or risk of violence.

Destroying lives Unfortunately, our aggressive enforcement and punishment policies for marijuana possession have destroyed and continue to destroy countless good people’s lives. The predominant victims of our flawed approach come from lower income families – a sector of society that has found escape from daily hardships in alcohol and other narcotics throughout history and across every nation on the planet. Meanwhile, habitual users of more serious and potentially deadly drugs like cocaine, tend to hail from the wealthier sectors of society. Safely ensconced in their gated communities and behind armies of attorneys, they are all but immune from police action.

While the privileged continue to do as they please in their safety and comfort, unconscionably long remand and or prison sentences in some of the most harsh, violent and depraved conditions imaginable at Fox Hill Prison are the fate for the hapless poor teenager who merely sought a few hours of harmless escape in marijuana. Inevitably, when released such victims will be very changed; afraid, angry, frustrated, resentful and emotionally broken by this harrowing experience.

They will also have criminal records and will find it near impossible to secur a job, open a bank account, or go back to school. They will be rejected and stigmatised, outcasts for the rest of their lives.

In the circumstances, it is not unreasonable to expect these victims to lash out, to hurt others or engage in criminal or anti-social behaviour in an effort to quell their emotional turmoil or even just to survive.

Society’s response is to vilify them as enemies of the state, forget them on remand or throw the book at them and lock them up for lengthy periods. The Bahamas has become a factory that uses the raw material of harmless youngsters to produce hardened, violent criminals in a seeming endless cycle.

renowned for marijuana tourism - both medical and recreational. We have the land, we have the climate, we have the location. Sadly, we still lack the vision and the will.

We could truly pursue a “Green Economy”! And, provision could be made for growing it in certain designated areas, like Grand Bahama, to spur economic activity and create jobs and actual exports.

Our own worst enemy

The rest of the world We are talking about a substance that is already fully legal in Canada and Uruguay, and soon it seems, will also be legal in Mexico.

Its consumption, but not cultivation, is legal in the Republic of Georgia and in South Africa. It has been decriminalised in 10 American states and the District of Colombia, with more on the way. Meanwhile, its medical use is allowed in 33 US states and 13 other countries.

Just last summer, the CARICOM Regional Commission on Marijuana recommended the declassification of marijuana as a dangerous drug. It has already been decriminalised in Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda.

These changing attitudes are not a coincidence; they follow the evolving evidence uncovered by science. Recent research asserts that marijuana can improve quality of life by improving sleep, increasing appetite and reducing pain for people with chronic conditions, especially when these conditions do not respond to conventional treatments.

It is, by all accounts, an extremely safe substance with benign and largely avoidable side effects.

Marijuana has never been linked to death by overdose, despite being the most widely used illegal drug in the world. The most adverse effects are from the act of smoking, but a number of alternative delivery systems are now available.

Opportunity Apart from the human benefits, the process of decriminalisation and legalisation has opened up hitherto unimaginable opportunities for financial profit, for both nations and intrepid entrepreneurs.

Take for example, what has happened in Colorado.

In 2014, the first year of legalisation, combined recreational and medical sales totalled nearly $700 million. By 2018 that number had jumped to more than $1.5 billion. In the last five years combined, the state has sold $6 billion worth of marijuana.

Sellers are making a killing, but so is the local government. In that same period, tax revenue is said to have grown by 266

percent – from $67 million in 2014 to $247.4 million in 2017. These tax gains have been spent in areas such as public schools, social services, employment boosting efforts and health care.

Contrary to what the fearmongers projected, there was no measurable increase in use among middle school and high school students and traffic citations for driving under the influence actually went down.

The courts had to deal with 6,000 fewer cases per year thanks to the change, while the total increase in the number of adults reporting marijuana use went up by only two percent. Clearly, those who wanted to were using it anyway; all Colorado legislators did was recognise and accept this ineradicable fact, then find a way to employ it as a benefit rather than a drag on society.

The Bahamas could learn so much from this example. We are ideally placed off the eastern coast of the United States and just north of the Caribbean to service two emerging markets; and boasting ideal weather conditions for marijuana growth, we could take this industry by storm. It would take serious regulation and even more serious enforcement of quality control and proper accounting practices, but if the government can pull it off with the illegal numbers racket, they can certainly do it with marijuana.

This country has everything it needs to pioneer this extremely lucrative industry in the region while at the same time saving countless youngsters from terrible fate. We have a class of well-educated, industrious and hungry entrepreneurs capable of making The Bahamas world

On the issue of marijuana legalisation, like so many others, our failure to take initiative is the only real barrier to social progress and financial success.

The world changes all the time and yet we stand still. Surrounded by the wreckage of hopelessly outmoded, woefully misdirected and shockingly inhumane polices that achieve absolutely nothing while destroying lives and making a mockery of justice, we seem chronically incapable of acting in our own best interests. We are unable to think intrepidly, to grasp opportunity.

We are a nation allergic to change.

This is precisely why, though remarkably well placed to be a leader in global innovation, this country continually finds itself playing catch-up, if ever, on so many fronts to more courageous, ambitious and forward thinking nations.

Despite ideal geographical location, political stability and abundant resources, both human and natural, we remain our own worst enemy

PAGE 8 MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2019

O

N March 12, the Council of the 28-nations European Union (EU) placed 15 small territories on a list of what it calls “non-cooperative jurisdictions”.

What the EC considers these territories to be “non-cooperative” about reveals the raw exercise of power by the strong over the weak.

In this case, the firm intention of the EU is to impose its tax policies upon other nations through strong-arming.

The language the EU uses speaks of cooperation, but it sounds more like coercion. The targeted countries must either surrender to the EU’s demands to raise their taxes or face consequences. The EU Council has specifically directed the EU member states “take the revised EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions into account” in aid, trade and financing.

In other words, those territories that do not surrender to EU tax demands will be punished.

According to the EU Council the lower levels of taxation set by over 60 countries harm their revenues. The theory of this unproven contention is that EU countries are losing tax revenues because of the “harmful”, lower tax levels of other countries. Yet, the EU Council has not conducted nor published any research to prove its claim.

The EU has operated as if it is enough for its Council and Commission to make this assertion for it to be true.

The claim of “harmful tax competition” goes back to the late 1990s when the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, (OECD) - the world’s richest countries – blacklisted jurisdictions because they had low tax regimes.

But the EU has decided to launch out on its own because the OECD, pressured from within its own councils and sensitive then to the outcry from small countries, created the Global Forum in an effort to paint a better picture of its self-assumed authority for setting tax rules.

The Global Forum, dominated

by OECD members, includes small countries whose views have to be taken into account, albeit only within the narrow and

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EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

Cooperation, coercion and capitulation

self-serving framework set by the OECD. But even that limited area of manoeuvre for small states appears to be unacceptable to the EU. Hence, the advent of its own effort to impose its will.

As with all such power plays in international politics, the EU has targeted the weakest and most vulnerable first. If they succeed in bending a large number of small countries to their will, in the fulness of time they can confront more economically resistant countries.

Four Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries are among the 15 now tarnished by the absurd self-given power by the EU to victimise sovereign states.

The four countries on this list are: Barbados, Belize Dominica and Trinidad and Tobago. Others would have been included except that their governments have promised the EU that, by the end of 2019, they will “amend or abolish harmful tax regimes”. Among the Caribbean governments who have made this promise, described as a “commitment” by the EU, are: Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts-Nevis and St Lucia.

The Bahamas is named in a separate category of commitment.

According to the EU Council, Bahamas has “committed to addressing concerns relating to economic substance in the area of collective investment funds” – whatever that means.

Obviously, it is the EU that has set the criteria for determining “economic substance” and it is the EU that will decide whether any commitment has been met.

The sadness of all this for small countries is this steady erosion of their rights could have been nipped in the bud. In the late 1990s, a strong alliance of small states, crying out at the advantage that was being taken of them contrary to international law, caused the OECD - and the EU within it - to pause.

Had they remained resolute in their resistance, the picture may have been different now.

But, the OECD and the EU reset their strategy. They picked-off governments of small countries one by one through different forms of persuasion. The tragi-comedy of representatives of governments rushing to Paris and Brussels to sign away their state’s rights played out on a stage of the absurd.

Ministers succumbed and raved to their people that, by agreeing to surrender revenues and jobs,

they had shown their countries were not “tax havens” and they were “fully compliant with international standards” although it was the OECD and the EU not any international body that set the “standards”.

The problem with ceding rights is it never stops. As Richard Hay of the London-based legal firm, Stikeman Elliot, points out: “Those countries that have accepted EU dictation on design of their domestic laws to avoid being blacklisted now have a foot on the escalator – the EU will be back for more next year and in the years following.”

Caribbean countries are not alone as victims to the power play to which they are subjected. There are other countries, some within the EU who are unhappy that a noose will eventually be placed around their necks, and of course the United States of America and China.

The OECD has already named the US as only partially compliant on providing ownership and identity information for bank accounts, trusts and formation of corporations – all of which are big business and huge money earners. The US should be engaged to construct a different approach to this issue.

It is worth recalling it was the Republican Party and the George W Bush administration that helped to overturn the OECD juggernaut of “harmful tax competition” in the late 1990s.

Caribbean jurisdictions chose to surrender to the OECD and the EU, casting it as “cooperation” in an effort to salvage their international financial services sectors. But that cooperation has been one-sided and disadvantageous. The region should politely and respectfully point out that fact to the EU. Simultaneously, they should forge greater alliances to fight for the sovereign right of their states to set taxation as befits their own needs.

The writer is Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organisation of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own.

Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

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MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2019 PAGE 9

Treat people like F animals and that’s how they’ll behave

by Malcolm Strachan

ORMER United States President Barrack Obama once said: “We believe that when people make mistakes, they deserve the opportunity to remake their lives.”

This begs a question to ask ourselves: While we can all agree that those who have become offenders ought to be removed from society, have we done a good enough job of creating a pathway after they’ve paid their debts to return as functioning members of the same?

If we are honest with ourselves, aside from a name change, the answer is no.

With many referring to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS), formerly Her Majesty’s Prison, as a “crime school”, rather than a rehabilitative centre, the proof may very well lie in the proverbial pudding. Similarly, with the high rate of reoffending, certain consideration has to be given to our failures in prison reform.

While it may be natural for members of such a small society to want to see disrupters punished severely, punitive institutions only serve us by creating and regurgitating monsters back into our environment.

No wonder many of us are afraid of crime when the perpetrators live so close.

Much of this discussion was highlighted late last year when Eyewitness journalist Clint Watson took us behind the gates for an expose of what really goes on inside the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. With numbers more than doubling the capacity which the prison should hold and subhuman living conditions, any expectation of prisoners returning to a normal life among us can be futile.

Prisoners themselves caution against putting ourselves in situations that would lead us behind bars.

Indications of it not being a place for human beings to live should not be taken lightly. And in fact, they haven’t been.

Last week, the US State Department, in its Human Rights Report, highlighted many areas The Bahamas needs to improve – among them the conditions of our prison. As a country still looking to get a handle on crime, consideration has to be given to what has seemingly become the biggest organised crime centre in the country – the very place we send criminals to be reformed and rehabilitated.

Obviously, something is not right about that picture.

In Watson’s documentary, Sentenced to Suffer, one

inmate calls the entire idea of the prison being a correctional facility “a farce”.

Perhaps even more concerning is that we don’t know from the government and minister of national security what their plan is as far as prison reform.

The first step in finding any solution is accepting there is a problem – and the nature of the problem.

And with videos circulating throughout social media last year showing inmates being able to enjoy some luxuries such as cellphones and marijuana, it became quite obvious that is part of the problem too.i After raids turned up large amounts of contraband and possible corruption, at least we can be satisfied there has been some level of acknowledgement the system s defective and a change in direction is necessary.

National Security Minister Marvin Dames did not hesitate to voice his frustration when he was interviewed: “I’m not surprised - from the time I was serving in the force this was one of the challenges we faced. That’s the challenges of corruption within our law enforcement agencies. While we continue to say the vast majority of our officers are decent, hardworking individuals unfortunately there is still a small element, as small as it may be, but it exists, and these are the challenges we face.

“I can tell you the times we had to go into the prison and execute raids on these cells and find everything from blunt instruments to drugs to cell phones. We know that these things exist and unfortunately they’re making their way into prisons with the assistance of prison staff who have no respect for the oath that they would have taken, and no respect for the vast majority of their colleagues who come to work on a daily basis and work hard to keep us all safe.”

“This is nothing new but I can assure you one thing,” Mr Dames said, “we’re working very hard as a government, we’re working very hard with leadership

WE’re working very hard to bring about a transformation, says Marvin Dames. of these agencies to bring about a level of transformation that will make incidents like these go away.”

Without a doubt, a transformation is needed, and we need a lot of help getting there.

Norway presents a perhaps aspirational but nonetheless great challenge for where we can be on this issue. With the lowest recidivism, or lowest rate of reoffenders in the world at an eye-poppingly low rate of 20 percent, Norway is obviously doing something right. The US - who slammed our prison system - has one of the highest with 76 percent of its prisoners reoffending within the first five years after being freed. To dive deeper on those figures – Norway’s incarceration rate is about 75 per 100,000 people while the US is around 707 per 100,000.

No comparison.

Prison Governor Arne Wilson, who is also a clinical psychologist at one of Norway’s prisons which have become notable for not having bars on the windows and allowing sharp objects in kitchen facilities, provides some interesting insight into what has made their system so successful:

“In closed prisons, we keep them locked up for some years and then let them back out, not having had any real responsibility for working or cooking. In the law, being sent to prison is nothing to do with putting you in a terrible prison to make you suffer. The punishment is that you lose your freedom. If we treat people like animals when they are in prison, they are likely to behave like animals. Here we pay attention to you as human beings.”

Realising this is not something we’ve done well, the government should be encouraged to learn from those who have had more success in this area. Even though we are in close proximity to the US, they have undoubtedly put more emphasis on punishing their prisoners than rehabilitating them.

Oddly enough, a 2007 report produced by the US Department of Justice “found that strict incarceration actually increases

offender recidivism, while facilities that incorporate cognitive-behavioural programmes rooted in social learning theory are the most effective at keeping ex-cons out of jail.”

The BDCS has been trying to move towards cognitive behavioural theory as a means of rehabilitating inmates, but to what degree they have been successful, it is hard to say. What we can say is that simply by looking at the numbers, tackling this issue will most certainly be a tall order for the new commissioner.

As we wait for the announcement of a new prison commissioner whose role will be to transform the BDCS into a correctional, rather than penal facility, Dames is still assuring the Bahamian people that a lot of work is taking place even though it may not necessarily be visible.

Dames affirmed there is much to do and noted government cannot make the same mistakes as in the past on prison reform.

Obviously referring to the previous administration enacting their vision for the prison in law but without foundation – Dames seems to be urging citizens to trust the process.

We can only meet the government halfway on this. There is a tremendous challenge ahead and we hope the government is in the process of securing the right person for the job.

PAGE 10 MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2019

GAIN AN EDGE A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

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GAIN AN EDGE

A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

H

AVING strong literacy skills are important if people want to pursue higher education and advance in their careers, according to reading specialist and Dean of Social and Educational Studies at the University of The Bahamas (UB), Dr Ruth Sumner. “Even entrepreneurs require a certain level of literacy to be successful and survive in our competitive world. I believe that everyone should be functionally literate so that they can be responsible, contributing citizens of society,� she noted.

Dr Sumner believes literacy is vitally important in today’s workforce as daily occupational demands require a strong base and essential literacy skills to function. “Being a strong reader and writer and being able to function using digital technologies is imperative,� she said.

Dr Sumner’s passion to help others unlock their abilities through reading fuels her continued involvement with Project Reading, a non-profit organisation that teaches adults to read.

She also helped establish the Bahamas Literacy Association to promote literacy across the country and elsewhere.

In her years of experience, through research and observation, she recognised that usually those more highly literate persons are who would go on to higher education. “Their aptitude

DR RUTH SUMNER, Dean of Social and Educational Studies at the University of The Bahamas and ability will work for them. It allows them to qualify for the better scholarships and grants that will assist them in pursuing higher education. They know that they will be able to cope and experience success because of their advanced literacy ability,� she stated.

It was during Dr Sumner’s childhood days on Long Island that her love for reading was ignited. She

recalled there was not much to do besides attend school and church. Therefore, to pass the time she and her siblings would either play games or read. “We also knew that in order to make any progress in life we needed a good education. This was instilled in us daily. My father was a very brilliant, well-rounded man who made sure that we studied and completed our homework and read. He did

so by first reading to us and reading himself,� she said.

For Dr Sumner and her siblings, books were a big part of life. “My father ensured that besides being able to borrow books from the small public library in the community, he provided books in the home so we would have access to them even though money was scarce and there were six of us to take care of.�

With no high schools on Long Island, Dr Sumner’s parents made sure their children received a high school education by relocating them to New Providence. Dr Sumner went to St. John’s College and grew up with family - most of whom had a passion for education.

Dr Sumner went on to specialise in English Language & Literature at the San Salvador Teachers’ College. She learned how to teach reading, as literacy was not a part of the educational landscape. “Educators surrounded me. I grew up with my sisters and many cousins who were teachers. Upon graduating, I really wanted to work with computers but it meant having to go to the United States and my parents could not afford it. As a second choice, I applied and was accepted into the San Salvador Teachers’ College,� said Dr Sumner who in 1992 joined the then College of The Bahamas as a Language Arts/Reading Specialist in the education division.

However, it was in the Master’s programme at University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, where literacy was the buzz word. “Ever since then, my focus has been in the area

of literacy, specifically family, school, adolescent and adult literacy. In my Master’s and Ph.D. programmes, my research was in the area of literacy.

Even my ongoing research is generally in that area,� explained Dr Sumner.

The veteran educator is not only passionate about literacy, but education on the whole and continues to promote its importance.

She ensures UB Education students are readily prepared to meet the needs of a diverse range of young educators who might exhibit reading challenges. “As educators, we know that the early years are the most crucial years for learning. So in the B.Ed. Primary and Early Childhood programmes, three Literacy courses are offered to prepare students, as they are responsible for teaching young children the literacy skills to ensure that they are successful in school,� noted Dr Sumner.

Reflecting on her many years in the classroom, mentoring young adults and as literacy champion for the country, Dr. Sumner remains steadfast. “Forty-nine years later, I am still in the business of education with no regrets. If I had to, I will do it all over again,� she said proudly.

Simple rules to keep your child safe CHILD safety is a crucial part of their development and growth. Teaching them about safety can be a challenging feat to accomplish.

To start off you have to imagine the various dangers your offspring may face which, on its own, can be a harrowing thought.

But children are spontaneous by nature and quick to grasp new information, so the earlier you teach them how to keep themselves safe, the more protected they will be.

Make sure your child is comfortable and ready to have this conversation about safety. It is important

important your child can approach you if they feel uncomfortable with the way they were touched.

Safe Circle

they do not become afraid while you talk to them.

So, make sure your tone is casual and reassuring and not one that will instil fear in them.

Learn how to differentiate between a ‘good’ touch and a ‘bad’ touch

In today’s world, with children interacting with a lot of people from a very young age, learning to understand the difference between a ‘good touch’ and a ‘bad touch’ is crucial. Once that differentiation has been understood, it is

It is necessary your child has a safe group or safe circle they can approach whether they are in trouble, unhappy, or just want to talk. A safe circle is the few most-trusted people in your child’s life.

Ensure your children do not keep any ‘body secrets’- secrets about having been inappropriately touched or made to feel uncomfortable - and

JAPANESEVEHICLES.COM

come straight to you, especially if someone tells them to ‘keep it a secret’, or ‘play a game and not tell mum and dad’. Having them talk about such experiences is a healthy practice that will help them cope with and process what happened, and make sure your child’s safety is ensured.

Personal Space and Boundaries Teach your little one the importance of setting personal boundaries. They need to understand the concept of personal space from a very young age. If they feel like someone is invading their space, they should not be afraid to yell out. Think of a phrase or a code word together, which they can yell, in case they feel like they are in danger.

Choose something that will catch the attention of passers by.

Buddy System Instruct your little ones to always stay in a group or with friends (or relatives) when outside. If your child is alone, make sure they know they have to call you to inform you they are alone.

Also, ensure they know they should never leave school, or anywhere with anyone else known or unknown unless you know of it, and are okay with it.

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Ensure your children know their home address, mother and father full name and phone numbers. This will come in handy if they are in trouble and need to reach out to you.

Practice makes perfect Spend time on the weekends and in the evenings verbally creating various virtual situations for your child to think about how they would respond if faced with a challenge. ‘What would you do if I am late to pick you up, and (familiar person) aunty offered to drop you home?’ This gives them the space to think of and tell you how they would respond to different situations. It also gives you the opportunity to correct them or suggest a

safer alternative if you are uncomfortable with the solution they came up with and ensure your child safety at school or in any place in your absence.

Road Safety Rules Teaching your child road safety rules should be a part of your routine to keep them safe. Teach them the right way of crossing a road.

Make it a habit to practice this sequence every time you are together.

Also, encourage your child to walk on the side of the road where they can see the oncoming traffic.

Child’s Playground Safety While your little one is playing in the park, it is necessary certain norms are followed. This not only ensure your child’s playground safety, but also the safety of others around them. While it is natural for them to be excited, make it a point that they wait for their turn on the swings or slides. Teach them to maintain a safe distance from the swings to avoid accidents. In case they are pushed or pulled, they need to be taught to reach out to you or an accompanying adult, instead of hitting the other child back!

Talk to your child, and do not forget to listen!

Talking to your child about their day, the happy moments and not so happy moments in their day, their friends, and their lives not only keeps them connected but also helps them feel safer. The most important balance to strike here is between talking and listening.

The more you actually listen to what they have to say, the safer and more comfortable they will feel talking to you about anything. Â Let us create safer communities Please visit the Royal Bahamas Police Force Website at www.royalbahamaspolice.org or Facebook page at www. facebook.com/rbpforce for Latest News, Daily Crime Reports and additional Crime Prevention Tips

THE TRIBUNE

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced over the weekend that Exuma is poised for major capital works projects, which will include a new airport and an Office of the Prime Minister.

He also announced the planned lifting of the moratorium on taxi and rental car licence plates for the island, road upgrades, and improvements to the island’s health facilities.

Dr Minnis made these announcements at a town hall meeting in Exuma on Saturday night. He also taunted island MP Chester Cooper, saying every time he mentions Mr Cooper’s name, the MP announces that “he is going to a lawyer to consult to sue.”

During his remarks, the prime minister lauded Exuma’s economic growth as the impetus for why the capital works are needed.

“But Exuma, Exuma needs more,” Dr Minnis said.

“Your economy is growing. Your tourist numbers are growing. It also means that you need more taxis.

It also means that you need more self-drive (rental) vehicles. It also means… your airport will become obsolete. It must have improvement. You must have improvement.”

Pictures of the new airport that is being “designed and prepared” for Exuma were shown to the audience, to raucous applause.

“We cannot have our guests and ourselves be exposed to the elements of the environment,” he continued.

“So if Exuma is receiving a new airport, it will also mean that with time there must be additional employment to run such facilities.

What it also means is that if our tourist numbers are increasing and our airport is being expanded to accommodate, you must have additional taxis, et cetera.

“And as I stand here tonight, I want to inform Exuma that the government will lift the moratorium on taxi plates and self-drives just for Exuma. I want

Monday, March 18, 2019, PAGE 11

PM promises major capital investments in Exuma PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis speaking in Exuma over the weekend.

Nassau to hear me - I did not say Nassau.”

Dr Minnis added for these things to be accomplished, the island “must have leadership”.

“And that is why we are going out to tender, within the next week or two, for the new Prime Minister’s Office in Exuma,” he said, as illustrations were again presented to the audience.

“Once that office is going out to tender now, we should be able to start construction very soon. It has facilities for the prime minister, it has facilities for advisors of the prime minister.”

Dr Minnis underscored that a new airport with additional facilities and more vehicles requires sturdy roadways.

“But how can you have a new airport with additional facilities, how can you have a new Prime Minister’s Office, for God’s sakes, how you ga get there? You get new car, taxis, et cetera... what the hell you (going to) drive on?

“Therefore, new budget, I have already spoken to the minister of works.

Exuma will get new roads.”

“You (have) new roads, you have more people moving in, providing land for them. We’re providing Crown land, we’re going to build new subdivisions so that individuals can build…

You’ll purchase that land

‘CAT ISLAND MUST GET

BY WITH ONE AIRPORT’

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

THERE is no way to justify spending money on the refurbishment of the Arthur’s Town Airport, Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar has said, as he suggested Cat Island residents could “comfortably get by” with one airport.

The comments came in response to questions put to him by The Tribune over the Minnis administration’s long-term plans for the property.

He said: “No, we have (not) made any determinations yet, but I don’t think one can justify the allocation of limited resources to an airport that has been ranked and ruled to be nonessential to services.”

Mr D’Aguilar said several options have been considered in recent months, with none showing “any real reason to put money into such an undeserving” location.

He contended: “There is significant work needed there. We’re talking millions of dollars’ worth of improvements just to bring (the Arthur’s Town Airport) up to the mark.

“There is no way to justify spending that money there, when just up the street there is another airport that is fully operational and capable of servicing the entire island. We simply cannot. And honestly, I don’t want to because we have more critical airports on other Family Islands that need tremendous repairs; airports that are critical to our economy.”

Last September, Mr D’Aguilar said the government was at a “crossroads,” admitting that plans to either repair or permanently close the airport were being considered.

His comments came in response to an announcement by Sky Bahamas that it would suspend its flights to the Arthur’s Town Airport over safety concerns with the runway there.

The airline said it would be rerouting all of its scheduled flights into New Bight, Cat Island, adding the resumption of flights hinged on the completion of all repair work to the runway and apron.

Addressing the Sky Bahamas statement, Mr D’Aguilar told The Tribune the government was still weighing its options with the struggling property.

At the time he pointed to a 2013 Christie administration report, which assessed the economic viability of all 28 Family Island airports and recommended the Arthur’s Town Airport not be refurbished or repaired.

Mr D’Aguilar said the report concluded the airport be permanently closed and the New Bight Airport be operated as the primary airport for the island.

Restating that position during an interview last week, Mr D’Aguilar insisted residents take advantage of the New Bight Airport, saying the facility “adequately services the entire island.”

“I’ve said it before and I will continue to say it, just up the street, I think it’s about 35 or 45 minutes by car, there is full-service airport that can sustain Cat Island.

“We are working on government efficiency now.

We are not going to waste money. Residents in Cat Island can comfortably get by with one airport. We have to be realistic and responsible with how we spend the country’s money.”

When contacted about the matter last week, Official Opposition leader Philip “Brave” Davis went on the defensive, calling the claims “insensitive” and “unloving”.

“This decision shouldn’t come down to money,” the Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP said.

“This is about caring for the people of a community.”

Mr Davis also urged the government to speak with Arthur’s Town residents before making any firm decisions.

very cheap, with all the infrastructure, and I’d like to say less than $30,000.”

The prime minister also said health facilities on the island are “inadequate” and short staffed. He added he has spoken to the minister of health and instructed him that next budget, “the money is there”.

He added he told the minister: “Medical personnel better be provided in the Exumas and Abacos, two of the most advanced health facilities in this Bahamas. The monies will be provided. So there are no excuses.”

He also said: “Exuma and

The Bahamas are poised for an epidemic of prosperity. You need stronger leadership in Exuma.

Exuma is not represented by the Free National Movement. But we are still one Bahamas. And we will not discriminate against island or constituency in this Bahamas. Not as long as I’m here.”

Dr Minnis also reiterated that Opposition leader Philip “Brave” Davis and Mr Cooper voted no to the government’s decision to secure a $100m credit facility from the Inter-American Development Bank for hurricane protection.

It was this decision that showed the opposition did not care about Bahamians, Dr Minnis suggested.

“I’ve asked the question repeatedly. And I’m going to ask it tonight again, because I know the opposition is listening. I know that Chester is listening. I know that Brave is listening. And I want them to answer the question: Why do they feel that Exuma should not be prepared in the event of disaster?

“Now, every time I

mention Chester, I hear on the radio the next day, ‘he is going to a lawyer to consult to sue.’ So, I know he’s listening So I’m going to make it easy for him today.

I’m gonna pause for 10 seconds, allowing him to call his lawyer so his lawyer can

listen…his lawyer can hear it from me.”

The prime minister proceeded to take a lengthy pause.

“Now, I’m sure his lawyer is on the line. So I will say it again, so that Chester can run to the lawyer…so they could start suing, should they choose.”

PAGE 12, Monday, March 18, 2019

HELPING HAND FOR HANDS FOR HUNGER

THE TRIBUNE

J S JOHNSON & Company kicked off its 100th-year celebrations by joining forces once again with Hands for Hunger (H4H). The company’s management and staff volunteered their time to help H4H distribute over 7,000 lbs of

fresh produce to more than 200 families within the Nassau Village community, free of charge. “We are extremely grateful for J S Johnson’s partnership over the years and specifically the support of the community market that took place in

Nassau Village,” said Zeleka Knowles, executive director of Hands for Hunger.

“It shows they have a lot of faith in our programmes and through corporate partnerships, we’re able to make a quantifiable difference in communities.”

MINISTERS MISS THE DISCLOSURE DEADLINE from page one

Yesterday, Mrs ParkerEdgecombe told The Tribune she was given until March 15 to file but did not do so. She said she planned to “deliver next week”.

The Tribune was told Mr D’Aguilar was given until the end of the month, but planned to file within the next two days.

The Public Disclosure Act empowers only two people to act on delinquent filings: the prime minister and the leader of the opposition. Either of them can publish the information through a communication in the House of Assembly or cause for it to be laid in the Senate. Either can authorise that the information be presented to the

FROM left: Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe, Frankie Campbell and Dionisio D’Aguilar did not meet the March 1 deadline. attorney general or commissioner of police so those who failed to disclose could face a penalty.

The penalty for not disclosing is a $10,000 fine and/ or up to two years in prison.

Last year, the deadline for filings was delayed until the end of March.

Despite this, three people, two senators and a parliamentarian, still failed to make their disclosures by

that date. Those outstanding filings were submitted in the lead up to the PDC’s much-delayed meeting to discuss filings, so they were ruled to have been in on time.

When asked earlier this month, Attorney General Carl Bethel said there was no set deadline for the PDC to report outstanding filings, adding it is up to the “discretion” of the committee.

THE TRIBUNE

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A LOCAL attorney has endorsed the United States’ recent condemnation of the country’s inhumane prison conditions, charging that the accuracy of the report is “frightening”.

Nicholas Mitchell said The Bahamas’ prison system has long subjected inmates to “hardship of an intensity far exceeding the unavoidable level of suffering inherent in detention”.

He said government’s failures to rectify the problem forces the judiciary to sentence offenders of “any and all categories” to suffer through “horrific conditions,” which in turn gives rise to “actionable claims for the violation of human rights.”

Released last week, the US State Department’s latest human rights report described the Bahamas’ prison conditions as “life-threatening”.

The report further said conditions at the Bahamas

Monday, March 18, 2019, PAGE 13

Attorney endorses US criticism of prison conditions in Bahamas Department of Correctional Services “failed to meet international standards in some areas and were harsh due to overcrowding, poor nutrition, and inadequate sanitation and ventilation.”

According to the report, overcrowding, poor sanitation and inadequate access to medical care and drinking water remained problems in the men’s maximum-security block.

Additionally, pretrial detainee juveniles were held with adults at the Fox Hill remand centre, the report said.

Mr Mitchell, in a statement to The Tribune, said: “The issues highlighted in the report, and as communicated by inmates with whom I’ve spoken; overcrowding of prison cells,

lack of access to drinking water, food of little to no nutritional value... a lack of ventilation and adequate lighting and abuse by guards at the correctional facility are all compounding factors which epitomise degrading treatment or punishment.

“It is time that the government recognises that there must be some consideration given to the relationship between the grounds of permitted deprivation of liberty and the place and conditions of detention.

“The mere existence of the present and only correctional facility creates a precarious situation where the government, in failing to seriously consider the construction of a new prison, or upgrades to the present

US VISAS EASIER IF YOU LIVE IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

APPLYING for a US visa has just become much easier - for Trinidadians and Tobagonians.

US Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago Joe Mondello announced last week that under certain conditions Trinbagonians will no longer have to sit for interviews to renew their visas.

Currently, Bahamians do not have the same benefit.

“I asked my people to look into this,” Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield told The Tribune, noting how good the benefit would be.

Mr Mondello, in a video, said: “I’m pleased to announce that the embassy’s consular section has initiated a new service for visa applicants that makes it much easier and much more convenient for our Trinbagonian friends to renew their visas. It’s called interview waiver and it means exactly that. If your tourist visa is expiring or has been expired for less than a year, you no longer have to come to the embassy for an interview.

“All you have to do is fill out your application online before your visa is expired more than a year.

The application process will automatically let you know if

you qualify for an interview waiver.”

The online visa application will advise applicants if they qualify for an interview waiver. The programme applies to people seeking temporary business and tourism visas, or B1/B2.

The programme exists in Barbados and Jamaica as well. First-time applicants in Trinidad and Tobago will still be required to sit for interviews.

Bahamians enjoy other travel-related benefits to the US. Unlike nationals of many other countries in the region, they can travel to the US with a police record from local pre-clearance facilities.

facility, has left the judiciary with no choice but to sentence offenders of any and all categories to suffer through the horrific conditions giving rise to actionable claims for the violation of constitutional rights.”

Mr Mitchell is no stranger to the discussion surrounding the bad reports emanating from the Fox Hill facility. In April of last year, one of his clients, Denico Bowe, who was recently acquitted of a murder at Potter’s Cay Dock three years ago, filed a lawsuit against the government for unlawfully detaining him for some five days after he was found not guilty of the crime. According to Bowe’s sworn affidavit, he

was forced to urinate in jars and was not provided with access to a toilet. He claimed he was also forced to defecate in a slop bucket, which was “simply dumped periodically”.

Bowe, who is also represented by attorney David Cash, said there were between five to seven men in a cell at any given time.

And if the slop bucket were ever to get full, he would be forced to defecate in a plastic bread bag.

And if his family had not visited him, Bowe claimed in his affidavit, he would not have had the plastic bag to defecate in during his time in custody. He also claimed he had to “use and experience” other inmates

using their T-shirts and socks to clean themselves because there was no toilet tissue.

He also alleged the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services never provided an update on his release or status, but instead taunted him by saying he may be released “today, tomorrow, Monday, Tuesday, who knows when they ga let you go.”

Bowe also claimed he contracted scabies and was exposed to inmates with tuberculosis, making him sick on numerous occasions. He alleged he was forced to use his “bathing bucket” from which to drink water when no other containers were available.

PAGE 14, Monday, March 18, 2019

FACEBOOK TAKES DOWN 1.5M POSTS OF SHOOTINGS NEW ZEALAND Associated Press

FACEBOOK says it removed 1.5 million videos of the New Zealand shootings during the first 24 hours after the massacre.

The revelation provides a chilling snapshot of how quickly provocative — and often disturbing — images circulate on the internet and the challenges facing social media companies such as Facebook as they try to stamp them out.

Facebook says it prevented 1.2m of the videos from being uploaded to its social network but that implies 300,000 versions of the video were available to watch for at least short periods of time before Facebook excised them.

THE TRIBUNE

Christchurch gun shop sold rifles to shooter

NEW ZEALAND Associated Press

A CHRISTCHURCH gun shop today admitted selling guns online to the 28-year-old white supremacist accused of killing 50 people in mosque shootings that have upturned New Zealand’s reputation as among the world’s most tolerant and safe nations.

At a news conference, Gun City owner David Tipple said the store sold four guns and ammunition to Brenton Harrison Tarrant through a “police-verified online mail order process.”

He said none of the weapons were military style semi-automatic weapons. Calling for gun laws to be tightened, New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern has said the attacker used five guns, two of them semi-automatic, which were purchased with an ordinary gun license and modified.

It was not clear if any of the firearms Tarrant purchased from Gun City were used in Friday’s shootings.

“We detected nothing extraordinary about this licence holder,” Tipple said, referring to the shooter.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Q3 2018 The Board of Directors at AML Foods Limited announced results for the third quarter ended January 31st, 2019 reflecting a net profit of $1.67m, compared to $1.37m for the same period in the prior year. Sales for the quarter were $45,473m compared to $44,319m, an increase of 2.6% for the same period in the previous year.

We are pleased to report positive sales growth and profit despite experiencing market challenges. Although some locations remain depressed, sales have started to rebound in a number of our stores. Consumer spending habits remain heavily focused on value which continues to influence overall customer spend and margins. Our performance was also impacted by an increase in utilities that placed significant pressure on expenses, as well as elevated shrink levels. As we look ahead, we will remain focused on improving the conditions of our stores and driving transaction counts, as well as better management of shrink and expenses.

To prepare us for further growth, we are maintaining our focus on investing in the development and training of our team and driving efficiency and effectiveness in our systems and processes. Our Technology transition is progressing well and our new operating system is now in three of our eight stores. Additionally, I am proud to announce that our new $600k training centre in New Providence is scheduled to be open and operational in April.

The Board of Directors have approved an ordinary dividend payment of $0.03 per share, payable on March 29th, 2019 to shareholders on record as of March 22nd, 2019.

Tipple said he and staff are “dismayed and disgusted”

by Friday’s shootings.

His store has been criticized for leaving out a roadside advertising billboard that shows a parent helping children with rifle target practice in the wake of the shootings.

Three days after the attack, New Zealand’s deadliest shooting in modern history, relatives were anxiously waiting for word on when they can bury their loved ones. Islamic tradition calls for bodies to be cleansed and buried as soon as possible after death, usually within 24 hours.

Aya Al-Umari, whose older brother Hussien Al-Umari died at the Al Noor mosque, wept as she talked about a kind man, a quintessential big brother who delighted in teasing his little sister.

On Monday, the family was still waiting for the release of Hussein’s body.

They have tried to be patient, and understand that police have a job to do, but they are growing weary of the lack of information.

A GIRL walks to lay flowers on a wall at the Botanical Gardens in Christchurch, New Zealand, yesterday.

“It’s very unsettling not knowing what’s going on, if you just let me know — is he still in the mosque? Is he in a fridge? Where is he?”

Aya said. “I understand the police need to do their job because it’s a crime scene, but you need to communicate with the families.”

Ardern has said authorities hoped to release all the bodies by Wednesday, and Police Commissioner Mike Bush said authorities were working with pathologists

and coroners to complete the task as soon as possible.

Tarrant, an Australian citizen who lived in New Zealand, appeared in court on Saturday amid strict security, shackled and wearing all-white prison garb.

He showed no emotion when the judge read one murder charge and said more charges would likely follow. It has been reported that he had dismissed his appointed lawyer and plans to defend himself.

‘CLEAR SIMILARITIES’ IN BOEING CRASHES ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia Associated Press

PRELIMINARY information from the flight data recorder of an Ethiopian Airlines plane that crashed a week ago and killed 157 people shows “clear similarities” with an earlier disaster involving the same kind of Boeing aircraft in Indonesia, Ethiopia’s transport minister said Sunday.

The crash of Ethiopian Flight 302 on March 10 and that of a Lion Air plane in Indonesia in October — both of them Boeing 737 Max 8 jetliners — have

prompted the United States and other countries to ground the aircraft.

The flight recorders from Flight 302 that went down shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa for Nairobi were recovered “in a good condition that enabled us to extract almost all the data inside,” Transport Minister Dagmawit Moges told reporters.

Information collected so far from the flight data recorder has indicated “clear similarities” between both crashes, she said. Both the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder were sent to Paris for analysis by the French air accident investigation agency BEA.

Thank you to all our loyal customers, dedicated staff and shareholders for your continued support of AML Foods Limited.

Franklyn A. Butler, ll Chairman

STAFF VACANCIES Temple Christian School 2019 - 2020 Temple Christian School invites applications from qualified Christian persons for the following positions for the 2019-2020 school year: • Physical Education/Agriculture Teacher, grades 7 – 12 • Maths Teacher, grades 7 - 9 • Maths, Business & Economics Teacher, grades 10 - 12

1

Applicants must: A) Be a practicing born again Christian who is willing to subscribe to the Statement of Faith of Temple Christian School.

B) In the case of a high school teacher, have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in the relevant field and/or a Teacher’s Certificate/Diploma from an accredited/recognized college or university.

C) In the case of Mathematics, Accounts and Business Studies, have the ability to prepare students for the BJC and BGCSE examinations.

D) Have a minimum of two (2) years of teaching experience in the relevant subject area.

E) Be willing to participate in the school’s extra-curricular programs.

Teaching applications are available on the school’s website www.templechristianbahamas.com and at the Administrator’s Office, 4th Terrace East Collins Avenue (directly behind the New Evangelistic Temple).

A detailed job description is also available at the Office of the Administrator.

Applications are to be submitted to: Dr. Samuel L. Rutherford Administrator Temple Christian School 4th Terrace East, Collins Avenue P.O. Box N-1566 Nassau, Bahamas Ph: 325-1095 The deadline for the submission of teaching applications is Friday, March 29, 2019.

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THE TRIBUNE

Monday, March 18, 2019, PAGE 15

SHALL WE DANCE?

BAHAMAS Kennel Club held its Dog Show at Collins House this weekend.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff