03192019 NEWS

MONDAY TUESDAY i’m lovin’ it!

HIGH 80ºF LOW 68ºF

The Tribune Established 1903

24/7 BREAKING NEWS ON TRIBUNE242.COM

Biggest And Best!

VOLUME:116 No.59, MARCH 19TH, 2019

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

WOMAN: HOW YOU CAN STEP AHEAD IN STILETTOS

Unsafe here? Try a Florida break Bahamian’s face slashed in random restaurant attack

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net A BAHAMIAN man has said he is thankful to be alive after he was slashed in his face during a knife attack at a restaurant in Pembroke Pines, Florida, on Saturday.

Harold Williams, a Bahamasair manager, went into the Pines Market restaurant at 9610 Pines Boulevard on Saturday to use the restroom and was attacked as he walked to the rear of the business. He has described it as an unprovoked attack which left him with a large slash on the

side of his face and one of his eyes swollen shut.

Mr Williams was not in the US on official airline business, Bahamasair chairman Tommy Turnquest said yesterday.

A Pembroke Pines Police Department official confirmed to The Tribune yesterday that the alleged attacker is Fawaz Hassan, a 24-year-old employee of Pines Market. He was taken into custody following the incident.

Mr Williams told 7News Miami he was in Florida to pick up medication and was running errands on Saturday when he stopped at the SEE PAGE THREE

ALEXANDER Grikitis, president of Oban Energies, declared his confidence in the future of the $5.5bn oil storage and refinery project after a lengthy meeting with government officials at the Ministry of Labour yesterday.

He gave no details about what happened, telling reporters “agreements and confidentiality”

dictate he not speak about it. Asked if he is confident the project will still go ahead, he said: “I am, 100 percent.”

Yesterday’s meeting between Oban Energies and government officials had been long delayed.

A meeting was initially scheduled for January 7.

Some political observers have speculated the Minnis administration would prefer to exit the Oban deal after SEE PAGE FIVE

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

A SUSPECTED armed robbery, which turned fatal late on Sunday night, has pushed the country’s murder count to 15 for the year, according to The Tribune’s records.

The victim, according to reports, was in a business establishment on Taylor Street, Nassau Village, shortly before midnight when a gunman forced his way into the business and shot him in his body several times before fleeing on foot.

The victim was taken to hospital where he later died.

The incident occurred just under nine hours after a father of two was gunned down in a brazen drive-by shooting in Fox Hill.

SEE PAGE TWO

GOSPEL SINGER ON RAPE CHARGE

OBAN BOSS - 100% WE’LL GO AHEAD

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

ROBBERY VICTIM DIES OF WOUNDS

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

SHOW ME SOME RESPECT

MUSIC entrepreneur Ellis Rich yesterday criticised the Ministry of Tourism for failing to treat former Bahamian beauty queen Khiara Sherman, above, with “fairness, dignity and respect”.

See Tribune Business for the full story

CHRISTIAN Massive lead singer Cartnel Kent Johnson was charged in Magistrate’s Court yesterday with allegedly raping a woman earlier this month.

The 48-year-old was charged before Acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain on a single rape charge stemming from the March 8 incident.

SEE PAGE TWO

‘DON’T BE SO PETTY, PRIME MINISTER’

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party deputy leader Chester Cooper is firing back at Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ recent taunts against him, calling for the prime minister to “resist the temptation to be petty”.

Mr Cooper, who is also the Exuma member of parliament, addressed Dr Minnis’ recent spate of Family Island town

DR Minnis and Chester Cooper hall meetings as well. He accused the prime minister of “campaigning using the

people’s money”. However, Free National Movement chairman Carl Culmer defended Dr Minnis against these claims, saying Dr Minnis’ trips are more than a campaign tool.

Mr Culmer also addressed the opposition’s criticism of the closed-door signing between the government and Disney Island Development Ltd for a multi-million dollar project in Eleuthera.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE SIX

FACE-TO-FACE NOW THAT’S A REALLY SMART IDEA

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Tuesday, March 19, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

JAMAICAN TEENAGER DENIES PRETENDING TO BE A DENTIST

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A JAMAICAN teenager who goes by the nickname “Pumpkin” yesterday refuted allegations he posed and billed himself as a local dentist over the last five months.

Jahvonie Montaque, 18, denied practicing and advertising himself as a dentist between October 28, 2018 and March 13 when arraigned before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux.

The West Bay Street resident further denied being found in possession and/or control of various dental health appliances, equipment or supplies without the proper

authority, which he used to practice dentistry or perform dental work, on March 13.

The matter was adjourned to Thursday, and he was remanded into custody in the interim. Montaque is married to a Bahamian woman, whom The Tribune understands is pregnant, however the magistrate indicated that his official status would have to confirmed by the Department of Immigration.

As Montaque is charged under the Dental Health Act as opposed to the Penal Code, the magistrate will use the adjournment to review the matter and to ensure that the proper law is applied to Montaque’s case. He is represented by attorneys Howard Thompson Jr and Keith Seymour.

JAHVONIE Montaque yesterday.

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

ROBBERY VICTIM DIES IN HOSPITAL OF HIS WOUNDS from page one

CHRISTIAN Massive lead singer Cartnel Kent Johnson, left, in action

GOSPEL SINGER ON RAPE CHARGE from page one He was not required to enter a plea to the charge and the matter was adjourned to May 28 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment.

Bail was denied and he was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services in the interim. He has the right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail. Christian Massive is a local gospel singing act.

Johnson is represented by attorney Bjorn Ferguson.

In the earlier incident, according to Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash, two men were riding a moped in Fox Hill when one of them opened fire on two men. One died at the scene and the other is in hospital.

CSP Cash added that officers from the Mobile Unit were patrolling the area when the incident occurred and actually witnessed the shooting.

Providing an update on these two homicides yesterday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander, the officer in-charge of crime investigations, said police were “combing through” several significant leads, telling The Tribune that information presented to officers in the Fox Hill matter had led investigators back to that community around noon yesterday.

“Officers are presently on the ground in both matters,” he said when contacted. “What we know at this time in the Fox Hill shooting is significant and we are following all avenues of our investigation there.

In Nassau Village, we are appealing to members of the public to help us along and assist where they can.”

ACP Fernander said the Nassau Village shooting appeared to be isolated, suggesting that armed robbery could have been the motive behind the killing.

The shooting came after another man was attacked and shot outside a party on Samson Street in Nassau

Village early Saturday morning.

That victim, who was taken to hospital in a private vehicle, was listed in stable condition.

Nassau Village was highlighted by police during a recent walkabout to mark the start of the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s “Police Month”.

During a tour of the area, Assistant Superintendent of Police Stephen Maycock, the acting commander of the Southeastern Division, noted the steady decrease in criminal activity in that community.

He, however, also noted the rise in the theft of cars and car parts despite targeted police efforts.

Nonetheless at the time, he said, community officers had matters there under control.

The victims in the Nassau Village shootings have not been identified by police, but investigations into both matters are continuing.

In the Fox Hill case, the victim has been identified as Jovardo Thompson, 26.

On Sunday, police told The Tribune officers were investigating the discovery of a body found in Grand Bahama on Saturday with blunt force trauma injuries as a homicide. However, an autopsy is needed to determine the exact cause of death in that case.

Anyone with information related to these or any other matters is asked to call police at 919, 5029991 or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS.

PICTURE APOLOGY

IN YESTERDAY’S Tribune, coverage of Sunday’s murder in Fox Hill included use of a file photograph of a woman grieving, taken from a much earlier unrelated incident. The photograph should not have been used and we apologise to the lady concerned for the error.

THE TRIBUNE from page one sandwich shop to use the restroom. He said a man behind the counter said he could use the restroom there. As he was walking to the restroom, the assailant attacked him, he said.

“I just don’t understand why they attacked me,” he said, telling 7News he is grateful to be alive.

“As I approached him, I felt this knock on the side of my face. I thought he punched me,” he said. “It wasn’t until I looked down, and I saw him holding a kitchen knife, eight or 10 inches long, and then the blood started gushing everywhere, and I realised I was stabbed.”

According to 7 News, Mr Williams said the man who stabbed him didn’t say a word.

“I tried to get out of there, because he looked like he was coming to stab me again,” he said, “and the other guy who was with him, he just opened the door and said to me, ‘Never come back here again.’”

Mr Williams told the news station that a US doctor said he may need surgery to repair the muscle in his jaw.

Pembroke Pines police took Mr Hassan into custody and charged him with aggravated battery.

“The victim entered into Pines Market - 9610 Pines Boulevard - to use the restroom,” a police official said. “As the victim walked towards the rear of the business, the suspect struck him in the cheek with a knife.

“The suspect, 24-yearold Fawaz Hassan is an employee of the business, and stated that he was defending himself.

“Our investigation did not reveal that the victim was armed, or presented any threat to the suspect.

The suspect was subsequently taken into custody.

“I have no information regarding this incident being related to a hate crime, but I am aware of an assault which occurred in our city on Saturday,” the official also said.

Some speculated on social media that the incident was a hate crime, however another US police official told this newspaper for the case to be considered as such the perpetrator would have had to have shouted racial slurs in the presence of a witness.

Tuesday, March 19, 2019, PAGE 3

Bahamian’s face slashed in random restaurant attack

HAROLD WILLIAMS, a Bahamasair manager, above and inset, after a knife attack at a restaurant in Pembroke Pines, Florida, on Saturday.

Still, the attack triggered calls for the government to issue a statement stating its position on incidents of this kind.

However, when Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield was asked about the situation at an event yesterday, he said he did not

know about it and declined comment.

The incident follows a harsh “Level Two: Exercise Increased Caution” alert by

the US warning its citizens about crime levels in The Bahamas.

It warned US citizens that violent crime such as

burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assault were common in tourist areas in New Providence. The alert noted the vast majority of crimes occurred in the capital and Grand Bahama, but added the Family Islands were not crime-free.

As in previous crime warnings, the alert also prohibited US government personnel from visiting the Sand Trap area in Nassau due to crime and criticised activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, stating that they were not consistently regulated.

Former Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell issued a statement and seemed to suggest there needed to be a crime warning issued from the Bahamas to Bahamians in the US. He said: “The PLP is deeply concerned about reports of an unprovoked stabbing and serious wounds to Harold Williams, a manager of Bahamasair, on Saturday, 16 March 2019. It appears that this may be a hate crime. The matter is being investigated.

“The government of The Bahamas must say what the position is on this matter and if indeed it is so classified as a hate crime. This issue bears some greater importance given the constant attacks on public safety matters by US officials about The Bahamas.”

For his part, Mr Turnquest said the incident was “most unfortunate,” adding he spoke to Mr Williams on Sunday, following the attack.

This newspaper could not reach Mr Williams yesterday, but a relative told The Tribune the family wanted privacy at this time.

RECKLEY TRIAL MOVES A STEP CLOSER GOING TO COURT

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Urban Renewal Deputy Director Michelle Reckley is one step closer to standing trial over allegations she defrauded the government of $1.2m via the Urban Renewal Small Homes Repair programme in Grand Bahama.

Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt transferred the matter to Magistrate Ambrose Armbrister’s court following a status hearing over Reckley’s multiple million-dollar fraud allegations.

Reckley, pictured right, along with five others—James Hall, Kylon Vincent, Christopher Symonette, Stefanie Collie and Joseph Lightbourne—will return to Magistrate Armbrister’s court on March 29 for a fixture hearing.

According to the chief magistrate, Magistrate Armbrister accepted the matter after she would have spoken to “several” of her colleagues, two of which she said were “not minded” to accept the matter for various reasons.

She thus encouraged counsel on record for the matter to work together and with the Crown, led by Eucal Bonaby, to designate

two straight weeks out of their calendar for the matter to be heard in its entirety.

Otherwise, she said based on her experience, such a matter, with six accused people, can linger for an “inordinate” amount of time. She further noted that she would “hate” to know that the matter would end up lasting for “years”.

A date of March 29 was ultimately proposed by the Court for a fixture date. On the issue of trial dates, Mr Bonaby proposed either the last two weeks in June or the first two weeks in July as options.

However, defence attorneys Anthony McKinney, Simeon Brown, and Carlson Shurland, all indicated that they all have issues with the Crown’s disclosure of certain documents and/or parcels of evidence to date.

In particular, Mr McKinney noted that he had written a “lengthy” letter to Mr Bonaby concerning many items that haven’t been disclosed by the Crown, as he asserted that said discovery list is “long”.

Nonetheless, Mr McKinney and Mr Shurland both indicated their willingness to work with an earlier trial date, given their client’s desires to have the matter heard sooner than later.

Mr Brown objected to the early trial date however, as he expressed the difficulty the the Crown’s lack of disclosure would have on him being able to properly analyse the documents and preparing a proper defence.

In particular, he referred to a certain item listed for

discovery in Mr McKinney’s letter, namely the engagement contract between the government and/or Urban Renewal and KPMG, as one of those he would have to analyse alongside his accountant. And that would “take time”, he said.

Last month, Reckley, 58,

was charged with defrauding the government of some $1,255,637.83 via the Urban Renewal Small Homes Repair programme in Grand Bahama.

She was arraigned alongside five others—Hall, 49; Vincent, 26; Symonette, 59; Collie, 27; and Lightbourne,

40 —when they all entered not guilty pleas to 59 total charges.

Reckley faces 21 charges.

Shortly after their arraignments at the Nassau Street Magistrate’s Court complex, the accused were transferred to the Supreme Court where they were granted bail in the amount of $9,000 each.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, March 19, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

jamaaltheartist@gmail.com

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

Published daily Monday to Friday

Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES

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

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

WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK www.tribune242.com

@tribune242

tribune news network

Fishing for the truth about Oban IT IS more than a year now since the much-heralded Oban Energies Heads of Agreement was signed – a year in which the leaders of the project have changed and government enthusiasm has wilted in the face of revelations about those they were dealing with.

After a game of musical chairs at the company, the new president is Alexander Grikitis, and he is the project’s principal cheerleader too – telling reporters yesterday that he was “100 percent” confident the $5.5bn oil storage and refinery project will go ahead.

He of course has replaced Satpal Dhunna, who listed himself as managing director of a company who denied he ever held such a title, and whose signature was the centre of contention when the company’s non-executive chairman, Peter Krieger, appeared to sign Dhunna’s name and not his own at the signing ceremony for the Heads of Agreement.

Krieger himself had concerns raised about him, as he was one of three people accused of misappropriating millions of dollars of investors’ money by US government regulators.

Out both of those have gone – but have lingering doubts and questions gone with them? What else might be found out beyond what has already been uncovered by diligent reporting?

After starting out on a foundation build on sand, has Oban moved to a position where the government can seriously proceed with the deal?

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis – after the revelations about former leaders of the Oban project – admitted the government had made “missteps” in the matter.

They were more than missteps, we would suggest. This was more akin to Minnis in the role of Charlie Brown from the Peanuts cartoon, who is always fooled by his friend Lucy who places a football for him to kick, promising she won’t pull

it away at the last minute only to do so.

He’s already taken one run at the Oban football only for it to be whisked away – is he all set for a second try?

When the deal was done originally, Dr Minnis said the Bahamas Investment Authority “would’ve done financial assessments to ensure funding is there and that (Oban) can complete the project” and that the government would insist on environmental impact assessment and environmental management plans being done to ensure “complete safety of each and every Bahamian as well as the environment”.

Fast forward to yesterday, and Dr Minnis says they are still assessing what is best, and “ensuring we do all the proper investigations, ensure environment impact studies, ensure our environment is protected”. That doesn’t sound like much of anything has been done in a year.

Certainly, his conclusion of “whatever is in the best interest of The Bahamas will be done” is a lot less enthusiastic than his past comments – and some way short of new Oban president’s Grikitis’ confidence. Indeed, when asked about it recently in Grand Bahama, he dismissed the very reasonable question by saying that he “ain’t talking nonsense today”.

Speaking of talking nonsense, in the wake of the revelations about the past of the now former Oban principals, Dr Minnis told reporters it was essential to review the Heads of Agreement before coming after him, adding: “It’s like you sitting on the moon with a fishing line, dropping that line and trying to catch one fish on earth; you don’t know where the hell it going throughout the universe.”

While we wait for you to come clean about the current state of the project and the likelihood of it proceeding, Dr Minnis, we should remind you we’re still here, and we’re still fishing.

Well done, my child, well done indeed EDITOR, The Tribune.

PRESTON, our fallen Priest, most highly esteemed! May the Good Lord be with you!

Throughout the trajectory of your life, some way, somehow, you knew That, like Jeremiah, you were chosen from your humble station to rise above - and soar!

Like Daniel, you were tested. You passed. You overcame. You left an open door For so many who came behind, who through you saw traits of Christ right here on earth; A blazing path prepared for you from the moment of your birth.

You inspired so many with your homilies about the richness of God’s grace; Because of you, many a sinner now seeks to see God’s face.

TRIBUNE Business reported Simon Potter of the Bahamas Petroleum Company saying the firm has cemented “the certainty we’ve been craving” with a $2.54m working capital raised that will underpin all activities leading to the drilling of its first well by 2020.

Readers gave their reactions on tribune242.com.

Sealice said: “No one has been craving oil, in fact, I believe part of why the FNM (won) was because they said ‘no oil’ in their

With shoulder to the plow, you endured, Preston; when in pain, you looked above. Your time has come to see the Spirit fully revealed - God’s arms opened up in love.

You faithfully carried the mantle of your priesthood in such a gentle, humble way Elevated though you were, you wanted even the least among us to be allowed to have their “say”.

Your time, your talents and your treasure, you offered up as First Fruits to the Lord; You stood up against all manner of ill with flint-like faith in God. If you find yourself hesitating - like Isaiah or like Peter did - please do not be afraid; There is a glowing ember just waiting to touch your lips; it is in the fire laid!

Just cry out to God for

campaigning, now of course this has changed and the FNM wants the oil and the tax dollars - what’s changed? Nothing. Politicians still greedy as all hell and don’t know nuffin’ about no environment.”

DDK posted this: “Oil drilling in Bahamian waters should be prohibited.

mercy; the cherubim would bring it to our lips with grace So that you may abide forever, in ultimate joy, within that Holy Place!

Though sick, though tired, you disdained selfpity. Give up? You never would! You understood that this day would come; you prepared as best you could.

We offer you back to God who made you, Preston; we uphold your sacrifice; Giving and serving, serving and giving, they defined your very life!

May God who made you, accept you home, Preston; for you served his only Son! May he say to you with mercy and compassion: “Well done, my child! Well done!”

TYRONE G SAWYER Nassau March 14, 2019 Full stop. It’s bad enough the cruise ships and golf courses are destroying the environment . . .”

BahamaPundit had this to say: “Drilling for oil in the Bahamas is a terrible idea. The most beautiful ecosystem in the world and the FNM want to risk it all on dated technology.”

But Proudloudandfnm said: “Bring it! Resume ready to go!”

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

We must leave the right legacy EDITOR, The Tribune MY PEOPLE, we are called to be the environmental consciousness pioneers, at this critical juncture of Earth’s dramatic agony, caused by our human species.

Our mission is sacred; the indomitable laws of nature require us to preserve the sanctity of her breast, her bosom and her precious womb. We all come forth from her loins, yet she has entrusted the preservation of every aspect of her glorious self to our safe keeping. Indeed, we have within our powers to destroy her and all that exist upon her. Over many millennia, she has through her evolutions passed through significant iterations.

However, presently, she is unwittingly, negatively and dangerously being assisted by the footprints of man, down a path she has never intended.

Specifically, within the boundaries of our archipelago formation, she has over millions of years carefully, diligently and graciously laid forth a panorama of seas, islands, beaches, coral reefs, mangroves, bays, wetlands, even swamps; and’ dry land ... both, relevantly spread with a multitude of terrestrial and marine species. A multitude of these features are indigenous just to our islands and seas. Thus, smorgasbords of delights have been ours over ions of times. We sin mortally when in our ignorance, or simple disrespect, we wantonly pillage, ravage and destroy her beauty in the name of “progress.”

As similar aspects are rapidly disappearing across our globe, more and more a multitude of prospectors are focusing a keen eye on the splendors of these pristine islands and cays of our Bahamaland.

They come, in the name of development and job creation; however, unmindful of the hand of God in this glorious creation, they simply end up more so like pirates, coming often to plunder, and carry off as booty our sacred heritage to feed their insatiable self-

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net ish power of greed. As the available coastal real estate, especially along the seaboard of the United States, completely disappears, many look our way to find and secure their wilderness refuge. However, we are the designated stewards of these islands, so gifted to us unconditionally.

Thus our abiding responsibility is to preserve them for time immemorial, into the thousandth generations yet unborn.

We will forever, like the great and enlightened masters of yesteryear, need the silence and peace of the wilderness, whether on land or in the sea to commune meaningfully with ourselves and our creator.

Thus upon the bosom and belly of Mother Earth, we discover the true abodes of peace, richness, fullness, rejuvenation and abundance.

We need our wilderness, we need to treasure our places of refuge in order to commune with our spiritual self, contemplate the essence of our being, and come to intuitively perceive the reason of our being here and specifically in this place at this time.

Additionally, the multitude of terrestrial and marine species also need and require their habitats of refuge to prosper and grow. They do so again with an unconditional motive, to share themselves with us, feed us and create a symbiotic relationship with them and the Earth we mutually share and enjoy.

When we lose sight of this transcendent vision of our place and that of every creature in the nature of all things, then we begin to eat away at the abundance, lose sight of the need to replenish, and very soon all is lost. Humanity is fast tracking along that route of the annihilation of all the natural and sacred gifts so abundantly bestowed upon us by our gracious creator.

As environmentally consciousness pioneers, then, we all are the ones entrusted

with the mission to awaken our slumbering fellow human beings, not only locally, but regionally and globally. Our pristine waters do not exist in a motionless state; they flow in and out of our archipelago, sending forth life into other regions and bringing in return life from afar.

Water and air are Similar and indispensable, the most unconditionally sharing gifts on this planet. Thus how we treat our waters and our air in and around our islands, bays, streams, sounds, and even swamps has profound effects, not only at home but across the globe.

Thus to the degree that we care for these treasures so will the positive results be realised. What areas we preserve, well planned and managed, will not only return lasting benefits to us, but will also send those effects throughout the realm. Then in the ages to come, our children, from whom we are borrowing this planet, will cherish and preserve this God-gifted spot in the limitless universe. They too will have pure drinkable water, clear dividable water, abundant fishable water and refreshing breathable air. These are their fundamental rights and we need to guarantee them.

We need then, to create reserves, banks into which our treasures can reside and grow, providing us with the residual outcome to supply our long term needs, and consequently allowing all living species to roam in their safe wilderness of refuge. Therein lies the sustainability of what God has so graciously bestowed upon our people and nation. In short and in essence, this mission is nothing short of a moral and spiritual mandate. It has just now been estimated that at the rate we are wantonly destroying our lands and seas, our oceans will be devoid of all life by 2048. Is that the legacy we wish to bequeath future generations!?

JOSEPH DARVILLE Save The Bays Freeport, GB March 18, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 19, 2019, PAGE 5

from page one

Oban boss: 100% we will go ahead

intense public push back to the proposed Grand Bahama project and admitted government missteps.

Officials are expected to meet again today, Mr Grikitis said.

The government’s lead negotiator is Loren Klein.

Labour Minister Dion Foulkes also attended the meeting.

“We’re in negotiations and some things they have requested to change but I can’t really make too many statements at this point but (today) we’ll be more open to talk,” Mr Grikitis said yesterday.

The government wants to amend Oban Energies’ heads of agreement to adjust environmental clauses, economic terms and several restrictive legal conditions. The project has been opposed by environment organisations.

An environmental impact assessment for the project has not been disclosed to the public.

Promoted as a multibillion-dollar investment in Grand Bahama, Oban Energies became a lightning rod for criticism early last year when unflattering information about some of the people fronting for the company were publicised and it was discovered that Peter Krieger, the company’s former non-executive chairman, signed the heads of agreement on behalf of Satpal Dhunna, the former president of the company, at a public ceremony.

In addition, Mr Krieger pleaded guiltily to firstdegree felony of organised fraud in 2006. He also faced accusations of

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, watches Peter Krieger, the-then executive director of Oban Energies, sign the Heads of Agreement last year. Inset: Alexander Grikitis, now president of Oban Energies. misappropriating more than $3.7m of investor monies, which he denied doing.

The Tribune also revealed last year that Mr Dhunna was dismissed by his former employer, CreditSights, in 2010 for “alleged gross misconduct”.

Additionally, research

showed that Oban Energies’ previous senior vice-president, Russell Erickson, purported to have a wealth of experience designing, coordinating and managing large logistical supply chain strategies, was experienced only in boat manufacturing.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has admitted Cabinet made mistakes with the project. He was asked yesterday during an event at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium about the future of the project.

“We would still be assessing what is best for the Bahamas, ensuring

we do all the proper investigations, ensure environment impact studies, ensure our environment is protected,” he said. “So whatever is in the best interest of The Bahamas will be done.”

Editorial comment & Jamaal’s view - Page 4

‘GBPC REFUSING TO SIT DOWN AND TALK TO US’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A LAWYER representing Grand Bahama business owners has claimed that a Grand Bahama Power Company executive refuses to sit down with them to find an “amicable” resolution regarding disconnection of power supply at seven fast food restaurants which are the subject of a police investigation into alleged electricity theft.

Carlson Shurland, of Shurland and Co, said that he made contact with Tony Lopez, chief financial officer at GBPC, by email who allegedly responded to his request by sending him a middle finger emoji.

Mr Shurland was retained

by the Cooper family on Friday when GBPC filed a complaint with police after it had allegedly uncovered a series of suspected electricity diversions at several businesses in Freeport during a recent metre audit.

This led to the subsequent arrest of businessmen Paxton Cooper, Elvis Burrows, and Kenneth Symonette, who have all denied any wrongdoing, saying the controversy is due to widelyused energy saving devices installed at their businesses. They have since been released from custody pending the outcome of the police investigation.

The businesses affected include three Burger Kings, three KFCs and one Pollo Tropical, which have been

without power since last Wednesday, and are operating on limited power from emergency generators.

On Sunday, the family warned that they might have to shut down the businesses which could result in the unemployment of almost 500 Bahamians if power is not restored.

When asked if he intends to take legal action on behalf of his clients in the matter, Mr Shurland, pictured right, said that it depends on what the power company decides to do.

He said: “I told Mr Lopez to restore the power and asked him if he would like to sit down and discuss amicably a resolution. What I got from him was an emoji of ‘the finger’. And if that is the attitude he has, then once my clients give me instructions, well, like my grandmother used to say, ‘if you can’t hear me, you will feel.’”

Mr Burrows indicated

that the cost of power is high and is becoming a bit “prohibitive” for business people in Grand Bahama.

“Those who do not run a business may not be fully cognisant of what we go through,” he said on Sunday. “The energy cost is one of the highest cost on the books, and so we as well as other businesses too were using the same energy conservation device to realise some of the same savings we’re trying to realise.

“We weren’t trying to do anything else than to affect some energy savings, which from a business standpoint... you looking at the bottom line; you looking at line items on your income statement to see how you can affect and manage

those costs,” Mr Burrows said.

Meanwhile, Mr Shurland said that many other businesses and residents are using the same device, which is being installed by a licensed businessman in Freeport.

“The person who is installing the device is not stealth; they are driving around with a big logo on his truck. It is a wellknown business entity in Freeport,” he said.

Kenneth Symonette, the operator KFC on the East Mall and Pioneer’s Way, said that before they purchased the system it had existed for years.

“The gentleman approached us. We were having problems with high power bills and complications with too many power

surges and losing a lot of equipment,” he claimed.

“We were buying cash registers and when I had placed orders for power packs, (the power pack provider) said to me no one buys this amount of power packs in our system in the whole world, what are you doing in Freeport?”

“We went through 20 power packs in one month because they were melting on the wall because of the power surges. And here comes someone who says, ‘my system can clean up your power’ and we say tell us what else it can do, and he said, ‘it will save you energy; you only pay what you use.’”

Mr Shurland believes that the power company cannot prove that his clients stole or obstructed anything.

“They are speculating.

That is why I say it is fake news because it was negligent investigation, it was too premature,” he said.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, March 19, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

AG’S FRANK SMITH APPEAL ADJOURNED UNTIL MAY

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE Crown’s appeal of former PLP Senator Frank Smith’s recent acquittal of 15 bribery and extortion related charges was adjourned by over a month because the prosecution has not received the trial transcripts.

The appellate court adjourned the matter to May 14 after obliging Director of Public Prosecutions Garvin Gaskin’s request for an adjournment because his team was not in possession of the trial’s official records.

One of Mr Smith’s attorneys, Damian Gomez, QC, objected to the adjournment, asserting that the Crown was served with a record his legal team previously prepared for the chief magistrate’s use, and which is identical to the official transcripts.

Mr Gomez also complained that in lodging its six grounds of appeal against Mr Smith, the Crown has done so without any from page one Last week, PLP leader Philip “Brave” Davis said the deal appeared to be shrouded in secrecy.

To this, Mr Culmer said the signing was “done in the open”, adding striking deals is for the Progressive Liberal Party.

Mr Culmer made these comments yesterday following an event at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

Over the weekend, Dr Minnis held a town hall meeting in Exuma to announce major capital works projects for the island. Earlier this month he held town hall meetings in Eleuthera and several parts of Andros.

During his Exuma address, Dr Minnis taunted Mr Cooper, saying every time he mentions Mr Cooper’s name, the Exuma MP announces that “he is going to a lawyer to consult to sue”.

Yesterday, Mr Cooper fired back at these comments, criticising Dr Minnis for introducing politics to this event.

“I had hoped, beyond all reasonable expectation, that when the prime minister visited Exuma over the weekend he would speak to the community about beneficial developments for Exuma and leave politics out of it,” Mr Cooper said in a statement. “I was mistaken.”

“Not only is it comical that the prime minister seeks credit for capital works that have been developed over successive administrations, it is offensive that he is campaigning using the people’s money.

“If he would only resist the temptation to be petty and realise he should be the prime minister of all the people of the Bahamas, not just FNMs, we would all be better off for it.”

Mr Cooper also accused Dr Minnis of “trying to turn public sentiment against the PLP” because the PLP did not support the government’s decision to secure a $100m credit facility from the Inter-American Development Bank.

“specificity”, thus depriving the defence of knowing what issues the Crown is raising.

Concerning the transcripts, however, appellate Justice Jon Isaacs noted that the court only got the transcripts on Friday evening, and thus thought it would “probably be best” to adjourn the matter.

His fellow Justice Stella CraneScott said that her brief perusal of the transcripts shows that they do not contain information specifying what charges were laid before the court.

Mr Gomez noted that the chief magistrate’s ruling outlined the former charges against his client, but ultimately yielded to the appellate judge’s observations.

Meanwhile, Smith’s lead attorney, Keith Knight, QC, regretted the adjournment as he said he was prepared to commence with the matter yesterday.

In July 2017, Smith was arraigned before the chief magistrate on 13 counts of extortion, and one count each of attempted

extortion and bribery. He denied the charges.

It was alleged that between April 2016 and April 2017, in respect of his duties as a public officer, Smith demanded and obtained $5,000 a month from Barbara Hanna, knowing that he was not lawfully authorized to do so.

He was also alleged to have attempted to extort another $5,000 from Mrs Hanna in May 2017.

Concerning the bribery charge, it was alleged that he solicited $5,000 a month from Mrs Hanna for aiding her in getting a contract with the PHA. According to the evidence led at trial, in March of 2016, Mrs Hanna’s cleaning company, Magic Touch, was awarded a $500,000 contract by the Public Hospitals Authority to clean the Critical Care Block (CCB) of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH). Smith chaired the PHA at the time.

After she was awarded the contract, Smith was alleged to have

contacted her and requested a meeting. At that meeting, Smith was said to have demanded the sum of $5,000 from Mrs Hanna.

After receiving her first contract payment, Mrs Hanna said she satisfied Smith’s demand, believing it to be a one-time payment.

Upon doing so, however, she claimed she was told she had to make monthly payments in that amount.

Mrs Hanna subsequently paid Smith the $5,000 every month between March 2016 and April 2017, other than for August 2016, according to the now-rejected evidence. The Crown further alleged that a subsequent request for payment was made in May of 2017; however, Mrs Hanna refused that request because Smith’s political party, the PLP was no longer in power, and/or because he was no longer in a position of authority to request and/or demand the same.

The Crown, by way of its lead

attorney Edward Jenkins, QC, later asserted that Mrs Hanna’s claim that she met with Mr Smith in March of 2016 after she was awarded the $500,000 contract was a “simple mistake”, and instead asserted that she met with Mr Smith in March of 2015.

However, in a February 1 ruling, the chief magistrate noted that there was not “one scintilla of evidence” to suggest that Mrs Hanna met with Smith, pictured left, prior to December of 2015, and further charged that the Crown’s effort at trying to establish that the two met in 2015 “casts further serious doubt on whether the conversation ever took place.”

She ultimately acquitted Smith of all 15 criminal charges after finding fault with numerous “inconsistencies” and “discrepancies” in the Crown’s case, which she further said was “undermined” by its own witnesses.

‘DON’T BE SO PETTY, PRIME MINISTER’

LEFT: Chester Cooper; Above: PM Hubert Minnis; Inset: Carl Culmer Dr Minnis criticised both Mr Cooper and Mr Davis for voting against the matter while speaking in Exuma last week and in Eleuthera previously.

“As if this administration has not already borrowed and taxed enough in two years with very little to show for it,” Mr Cooper continued.

“It appears the prime minister either does not know or is seeking to hide the fact that the contingency loan cannot be used to fund the rebuilding of permanent infrastructure. It is a badly negotiated loan that even some government ministers clearly did not examine carefully.”

Mr Cooper also said “there is

no issue” regarding the country’s capacity to borrow in the event of a disaster.

He also noted the people of Ragged Island, who he also represents, are still “left to fend for themselves” in the aftermath of the destruction wrought by Hurricane Irma in 2017, while Dr Minnis “shamelessly touts how much he covets” a second term.

Yesterday, Mr Culmer was adamant that Dr Minnis is not campaigning.

“He’s going out there and giving the message to the Bahamians, to let them know exactly what is happening in The Bahamas,” Mr Culmer said.

“The Bahamas is not New

Providence,” he continued. “The Bahamas is all the islands…(Dr Minnis is) going out there, sharing the vision of his government to the islands.

“There’s a lot of projects you’re going to be hearing about in New Providence and you’re going to hear a lot projects coming in for the rest of the Family Islands. We are addressing the islands together.

We are not just looking at New Providence.”

He also stressed the importance of Dr Minnis initially making announcements to the people of the islands, saying it is fair to “give the recipients the news first”.

Regarding the opposition’s critiques of the Disney project signing, Mr Culmer said: “This government do not sign nothing in the dead of night. This was done in the open and will be discussed and signed (in) the House of Assembly.

“This government don’t strike deals. We leave deals for the PLP government. This government looks for improvements, ways to improve Bahamian society and move us forward. So when you talk about deals, refer to the PLP, not the FNM. “You can rest assured that there’s no deals going to be strike.

“The deals are for the PLP. We look for moving Bahamians forward.”

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 19, 2019, PAGE 7

NO RESTRICTION ON CANNABIS-BASED PRODUCTS

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THERE are no restrictions on the import of topical products containing cannabis compound CBD, according to Customs Controller Dr Geannine Moss yesterday.

Dr Moss told The Tribune the enforcement agency takes instructions from government and regulatory agencies on prohibited or restricted goods, and to date, there have been no instructions mandating the seizure of products containing cannabidiol or CBD. In an interview with The Tribune, Dr Moss stressed the ban on importing the plant itself remained intact.

“The Customs Department is an enforcement agency,” Dr Moss

said, “and we do a lot of agency duties for other government bodies and regulatory agencies, so we have prohibited and restricted goods list.

“Unless, or until, the relevant agency who would regulate the import of any substance,” she continued, “until they say to us that substance or a substance is restricted - and restricted would mean it would need to have prior approval from whichever regulatory agency that oversees the item, they would need a permit or import - or is prohibited.

“We have gotten no such instruction from any agency however you must appreciate when those things come in, they are coming in as lotions, hair pomades, creams, topical items.”

It was not explicitly stated whether this extends to edible

products containing CBD as attempts to reach Dr Moss for further explanation were unsuccessful.

The Tribune was also unable to confirm whether topical products containing THC, the cannabinoid that creates a mindaltering “high” when consumed, are restricted.

Dr Moss’ comments come as the Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana (BNCM) prepares to submit its first draft on Bahamian attitudes on the controversial plant— the first step in a larger debate on the prohibition of medical and recreational use.

Medical marijuana can be prescribed as the whole, unprocessed marijuana plant or its basic extracts, and the major active compounds in those extracts, are

the cannabinoids CBD, THC, and cannabinol or CBN - which is mildly psychoactive with powerful sedative properties.

Popular uses of CBD - which is not psychoactive - include relief from chronic, muscle pain, convulsions, and inflammation; and the use of CBD oil has become immensely popular.

The Dangerous Drug Act restricts “every compound, manufacture, salt derivative, mixture or preparation of such plant or resin” unless given a special permit for medical or scientific purpose.

In an earlier interview with The Tribune, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands 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.

Yesterday, Dr Moss said: “We have no instructions from that authority who would be the regulatory agency. They would be able to break it down, speak on its components authoritatively or whatever health risks. They would be able to speak authoritatively.”

She continued: “You have these trends, a while ago it was Moroccan oil, Argan oil. Until (Department of) Customs get instructions form whichever agency, the Bahamas Pharmacy Council, the Ministry of Health, then we would step in and any product we find with those items in it, of course then we would seize, or if they say we need a permit then we will look for permit.

“We do that all the time, every time,” she added.

Newbold to focus on TV

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

PRESS Secretary Anthony Newbold is now overseeing television programming for the Office of The Prime Minister, The Tribune understands.

The move was confirmed

by Prime Minister Hubert Minnis via Erica Wells Cox, newly appointed communications director in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), who said Mr Newbold has been focusing on strategic communication projects such as a new 30-minute television programme being pitched as “interviews with government ministers on issues of national importance.”

“The press secretary has been focusing on strategic communications projects, such as the new 30-minute informational television programme, ‘A Closer Look’ which features interviews with government ministers on issues of national importance. Mr

Newbold’s focus is always ensuring clear and frequent communication with the press and the Bahamian people,” Dr Minnis’ statement noted.

When asked if Mr Newbold’s weekly press briefings were cancelled or suspended, Mrs Wells Cox added: “No they are not cancelled. They will resume.”

In an article last month, The Tribune directed attention to the fact that Mr Newbold had not hosted a press briefing since before Christmas giving way to criticism over the need for his role at OPM. In a press statement announcing his appointment on May 18, 2017, the government said: “This appointment is the beginning of the resolve of newly-elected Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis to make transparency one of the watchwords of his new Free National Movement government.

(Anthony Newbold) will conduct media briefings on Cabinet

decisions after Cabinet meetings and coordinate media appearances and press conferences for the prime minister among other duties.”

Nonetheless, the plan has seemingly fallen apart in recent months, with reporters growing increasingly frustrated by Mr Newbold’s limited ability to get substantive responses to queries.

Sources in the government, speaking anonymously about the matter to The Tribune in February, blamed civil servants and a political culture which, for all the rhetoric, struggles with transparency.

Some also criticised Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, saying he never sent a directive to senior civil servants ordering them to respond to information requests that come from senior communication personnel like Mr Newbold.

Mrs Wells Cox was appointed as OPM communications director in January.

‘TWO MADE DISCLOSURES WITHIN EXTENSION TIME’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net TWO of three parliamentarians who requested extra time to disclose their assets and liabilities this year made their disclosures before the end of the extension period, according to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.

“Three MPs would have written the commission in advance and asked for an extension,” he said. “That was granted. One in particular was travelling at a particular time. In spite of (requesting extra time), my understanding is two have already submitted even before the expiration of the granted time. They complied and the other has been given an extension and the commission has the right to do that.”

The Tribune reported yesterday that Free Town MP Dionisio D’Aguilar, Southern Shores MP Frankie Campbell and West Grand Bahama and Bimini MP Pakesia Parker-Edgecome missed the March 1 deadline and sought an extension, which the law allows.

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 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 Public Disclosure Commission’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.

Funeral Service

Dr. Emil George Moxey, 83 Resided in New York City formerly of Nassau, Bahamas, died in New York City on Tuesday, March 12th, 2019.

Funeral Service will be held at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church Brooklyn, New York City on Wednesday, March 20th, 2019 at 10:00 am.

His survivors include: Sisters: Marva Sawyer, Margaret Moxey, Melodie Walkine and Linda McPhee. Brothers: Benjamin Johnson, Dr. Mortimer Moxey, Dr. Allision Moxey, Rev. Molendyno, Francis Moxey. In-Laws: Sylvia Moxey, Dudley Sawyer, Kendal McPhee. Nieces and Nephews: Eric Sawyer III, Angelique Sawyer, Michelle Sawyer, Candice McKenzie, Christoph McKenzie, Sharon and Joseph Bab, Debra Moxey, Marva Moxey, Pastor Mario and Erika Moxey, Maxine Thompson and many other close friends and relatives.

ANTHONY Newbold is overseeing television programming for the Office of The Prime Minister.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, March 19, 2019

L

AST week I met a group of smart women who decided to come together to do something special for this country. I recognise each of them from their various fields of expertise. All of them represent bodies of people, groups and institutions and are influential in their own right. They have figured out that by joining their forces, putting their brains as well as their hearts together, they can do something powerful – rally the women of this country to positively impact their homes, their places of work and communities.

They came up with: S.M.A.R.T. Women – Spiritual, Mature, Active, Relational Tutors. The “smart women champions” include: Charlene Paul, Marisa Mason Smith, Cheryl Bazard, Corinna Neely and Linda Baker.

Paul is a chief internal auditor, Smith is a human resource and training professional, Bazard is a noted attorney, Neely is an insurance executive and Baker is a corporate administrator. These ladies officially launched on Tuesday, March 12 at Luciano’s of Chicago restaurant, with about 30 women attending the event. The attendees represented the broader caucus of core women the campaign is targeting to help reach a broad sector of society.

The mission is to create and develop a network of smart women who “enhance, transform and empower a nation” through seminars, workshops, conferences and mentorship.

The motto is: “strengthening her hands, renewing her mind”.

The campaign will begin with a survey of 1,000 Bahamian women in order to gain “statistical data and insight into the role being played by women in our society”. They also want to “ascertain the level of financial skillset and preparation women have for the leadership role they are often forced to assume”, then identify the gaps and needs in financial education. The goal is to host national seminars geared at reaching the average working class woman, attract influential women to share their best practices and mentor others, and provide the tips and tools needed along with motivation and inspiration for change. The SMART Women campaign plans to take to the airwaves to provide tips and

THE TRIBUNE

Now that’s a SMART idea

CLOCKWISE from top left: Corinna Neely, Linda Baker, Charlene Paul and Cheryl Bazard: Centre: Marisa Mason Smith. encouragement for women to make smart choices on a regular basis. The group wants to provide practical solutions and financial advice that the average woman can implement and follow through to develop financial discipline and change a mindset.

In addition, the campaign will involve the publication of books, newsletters and other related material and paraphernalia to encourage women to stay on track in these key areas of their lives: faith, health, relationships and finances.

The women came together and created the campaign because of questions that haunt smart women: Can I have it all? Can I achieve financial success and still have a strong family? Can I survive in a male dominated field? Can I succeed and keep my personal integrity and purity? What do I have to sacrifice in order to achieve personal success?

“In order to do this, we must make smart choices and smart decisions,” the SMART woman brochure reads.

“We must simply be smart women. No one is left out, every woman can become a smart woman.

So we invite you to come with us on this journey as we learn, grow and develop into smart women.”

Looking at it more closely the SMART acronym means: S for Spiritual – “I am

more than a body. I am a spirit being with a soul, mind intellect and emotions. I must nurture the whole of me.”

M for Mature – “I must feed and develop all of me (spirit, soul and body).

Maturity speaks of developing my gifts and talents, becoming the best me I can be by maximising my full potential, which can only come through diligence.”

A for Active – “I must be intentional in the pursuit of my dreams and goals. I am not passive. I am active physically and intellectually. I take care of myself to ensure that I am in the best of health physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally.”

R for Relational – “I am a social being with social responsibilities. I am intentional in building strong, positive relationships that improve my overall health and wellbeing. I use my influence for good. I am a leader. I am the head and not the tail. I nurture the relationships that build up and not tear down.”

T for Tutors – “As a woman I am a nurturer. I accept my responsibility to train and nurture the next generation.”

Cheryl Bazard, who elaborated on the SMART Women vision at the event, noted the success of the campaign would help The Bahamas as it strives to reach United Nations Sustainable Development

Goals (SDGs). Particularly, goal 1 reducing poverty; goal 2 on food security; goal 3 promoting good health and well being; and goal 10 of creating reduced inequalities in the country. She pointed out that in the latest McKinsey report study in Canada, it has been found that engaging women in the economy will lead to $150 billion in GDP growth by 2026. The United Nations has stated that empowering women in the economy and closing gender gaps in the world of work are key to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. She notes that only five percent of Fortune 500 CEOs are women, indicating space for growth.

“This is not motivated by party, colour, class or creed; it is driven by our motto of forward, upward, onward, together and every effort, no matter how small, is a trajectory that is progressive and unifying,” she said.

Charlene Paul said the campaign plans to partner with a network of key organisations with a focus on women. Thousands of women will be invited to sign up to join the campaign, and by September, they intend to host a major summit.

“Thousands of women every day are faced with tough decisions. It doesn’t matter where you start, you can still impact your nation.

I was raised by a single mother - a smart woman who made smart choices and decisions that impacted the trajectory of my path in life. We can help to change the attitude, mindset and knowledge base, helping our girls to make smart choices. We have smart phones and smart TVs… we should have some smart women! Together we can change a nation by simply being smart.”

“We have gathered to bring focus and attention to the women of our society.

Women have an awesome role but also an awesome opportunity to bring the change we need in our society. Over 70 per cent of Bahamian homes are ran by women. Women yield significant hold over our children, our ideologies – religion, health and wealth are in the hands of women.”

Charlene said “everyone is trying to do it on their own, and that’s not how nations are built”.

“Each group can only do so much. But by networking, synergy happens. We can spread our messages far and wide. We have got to work together and support each other.”

The SMART Women campaign’s symbol is the butterfly. “As the process from caterpillar to butterfly is fraught with stages of uncertainty, so is the movement of the female from girl to womanhood. It is only through smart decisions that one arrives at the beautiful and free end of unrestricted movement from a precious, limiting environment.”

For more information, contact Charlene Paul at 422-3766 or crpfree@live. com

CLASSIC CARS ON SHOW AT ARAWAK CAY THE Antique Auto Club of The Bahamas’ 32nd Annual Antique Auto Show takes place on Saturday from 12 noon to 6pm at Arawak Cay Cultural Centre.

There will be a wide variety of vintage cars on display, as well as food and games for kids. The event will culminate with a musical presentation not seen before at the club’s shows. RUBiS Bahamas Limited will support the event as a sponsor and featured vendor. “We greatly appreciate corporate sponsors like Rubis” said president Freeman Deveaux “Not only does their business fit in nicely with our automotive theme, but their support will help the underprivileged children of our selected

beneficiaries. Proceeds this year will benefit the Ranfurly Homes for Children and the Bahamas Association for the Physically Disabled.”

Pictured above, from the left: Murray Forde, Antique Auto Club; Latia Duncombe, RUBiS sales & marketing manager; Freeman Deveaux and O’Niel Bain, RUBiS marketing programs coordinator.

THE TRIBUNE

F

OR many people in Britain it is mindboggling that with so little time remaining before the nation is due to leave the European Union on March 29 the terms of its departure have still not secured parliamentary approval.

This date was set when Prime Minister Theresa May’s government in 2017 invoked Article 50 of the EU Lisbon Treaty – the mechanism for a member state to withdraw – and it was later enshrined in British law.

With the continuing harmful divisions that have sown much discord in the country, not least in the Westminster Parliament itself, the government’s failure to finalise the so-called divorce bill and arrangements is now being judged to have precipitated a political and constitutional crisis that has become perhaps the most important national challenge since the Second World War. There is widespread consternation that more than two and a half years after the United Kingdom’s 2016 referendum which resulted in a narrow majority voting to leave the EU – 52 percent to 48 percent in a high voter turnout – the House of Commons in London has voted on two separate occasions to reject the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated with the EU by the Prime Minister. However, the evidence shows the general public simply wants the government to press on with implementing the outcome of the referendum and ensure the UK’s departure on March 29, not least because of a commitment to do so in the 2017 General Election manifestos of both the Conservative and Labour Parties.

There is insufficient space here to rehearse the familiar arguments for and against Britain’s departure, but it is generally accepted the whole Brexit exercise has been a hugely difficult

Tuesday, March 19, 2019, PAGE 9

Rejected it may be, but May’s deal may be pill which has to be swallowed The Peter Young column and complicated endeavour. Nonetheless, many are critical of the efforts of Mrs May’s government to extricate the nation from the EU and they regard the protracted negotiations as being nothing short of messy and humiliating.

The endless ebb and flow of partial agreement followed by counter argument

and changed negotiating posture on both sides has now finally boiled down to the need for the House of Commons to accept Mrs May’s Withdrawal Agreement as the only deal available and which the EU is not prepared to reopen. MPs rejected it for the second time last week and also voted against a no-deal which has now, in effect, been taken off the table. If they vote it down for a third time this week, they will face the only remaining option of an extension of the Article 50 process beyond March 29, which they also voted for last week. However, all 27 EU member states have to agree to this for it to take effect. That could entail a delay in Brexit of up to two years and then perhaps a second referendum or even no Brexit at all, so there is a danger of killing it off altogether.

After last week’s unprecedented drama in Parliament of a succession of votes with some Cabinet ministers openly defying the Prime

Minister – to the extent that collective responsibility has almost disintegrated -- all eyes will now be on the House of Commons again as MPs have a final chance to retrieve Brexit, though at the time of writing there is some doubt about whether the agreement will be put to the vote this week at all. The main objection of Leavers or Brexiteers to Mrs May’s deal is the backstop provision which is designed to ensure the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland remains open by keeping the latter in the customs union in the absence of a post-Brexit trade arrangement between the EU and Britain.

They fear this could keep the whole of the UK in the customs union ad infinitum -- despite Mrs May’s claim of legally binding assurances that that will not happen -- and prevent the nation striking trade deals with the rest of the world.

They are also concerned

about the size of the divorce bill at some 50 billion dollars.

The most recent polls suggest that, with time running out, a majority of the public now supports the agreement and MPs are being accused of openly defying the will of the people. Moreover, reportedly the latest signs are that the hard-line Tory Brexiteers in the European Research Group, who have maintained that ‘leave means leave’ and Britain must quit the single market

Winning ways with words IT WAS a joy last Friday to attend the prize-giving ceremony at C C Sweeting Senior High School for the winners of the 3rd Annual National Essay Competition held in February and organised by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the think tank The Nassau Institute.

My fellow director of the Institute, Leandra Esfakis, and I watched 76 students and their teachers from 14 different schools receive special certificates for participating in the competition. The winners in each school were given trophies and the overall

winners also earned separate trophies and cash prizes for their efforts, while the overall winner will attend a threeday economics seminar organised by the Foundation for Economic Education in Atlanta during the summer.

In 2016, the Nassau Institute put forward the idea of an annual economics essay competition and secured the blessing of the Ministry of Education. While the Templeton Religion Trust is the main sponsor, we also contribute to the funding of the project. Students enrolled in Business Studies programmes are asked to

write an essay in their own words on a subject based on the book ‘Economics in One Lesson’ by the renowned American economist Henry Hazlitt.

What was notable at last week’s ceremony was not only the enthusiasm, commitment and motivation of the students but also the level of knowledge they displayed in their essays together with, in most cases, a high standard of writing. Working with the Ministry of Education, we hope to repeat the essay competition next year and develop other related projects in the coming months.

and the customs union, may now come around and back the Prime Minister. It is also possible that the Democratic Unionist Party, who zealously guard Northern Ireland’s status as part of the UK and upon whose support on other issues Mrs May, pictured left, has depended because she does not have an overall majority in Parliament, may do likewise.

According to some observers, one of the reasons for the Brexit negotiations being so difficult and prolonged is the EU has been stalling because it does not want Britain to leave for fear of other member states following suit. It is also the case a majority of MPs are Remainers and admit to following their consciences and their own judgment over Brexit rather than representing the views of their constituents.

The extreme Brexiteers want a complete break and so far they have refused to budge. But, given the dire warnings about Brexit never happening, many people hope they will eventually accept perfection is sometimes the enemy of the good. In the face of EU intransigence, even though Mrs May’s deal may not be the best it is the only one available and at this late stage it is probably the least bad option.

For MPs at Westminster, this week could be the moment of truth.

• Peter Young is a retired career diplomat and former British High Commissioner to The Bahamas where he is now a permanent resident.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, March 19, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

GUNMAN KILLS THREE ON DUTCH TRAM IN SUSPECTED TERROR ATTACK UTRECHT Associated Press A GUNMAN killed three people and wounded five on a tram yesterday morning in what authorities said may have been a terror attack, and a suspect was seized after a manhunt that convulsed the Dutch city of Utrecht.

Dutch Justice Minister Ferd Grapperhaus said the attacker — identified as Turkish-born Gokmen Tanis, 37, pictured right, — “was known” to justice authorities and had a criminal record, but would not elaborate.

“If it had terror motives, that

is being investigated. But it was very serious. The world shares our grief,” Prime Minister Mark Rutte said.

The attack came three days after 50 people were killed when an immigrant-hating white supremacist opened fire at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, during Friday prayers. There was no immediate indication of any link between the two events.

Dutch authorities reduced the threat level in the city back

to four out of five following the arrest, which came after a manhunt involving heavily armed officers with dogs. During the hunt, police released a photo of a bearded Tanis aboard a tram in a blue hooded top.

“We cannot exclude, even stronger, we assume a terror motive. Likely there is one attacker, but there could be more,” Utrecht Mayor Jan van Zanen said as police searched for the suspect.

In the immediate aftermath of

the attack, Dutch military police tightened security at airports and key buildings in the country, and Rutte declared: “If it is a terror attack, then we have only one answer: Our nation, democracy, must be stronger that fanaticism and violence.”

The shooting took place at a busy intersection in a residential neighborhood. Police erected a white tent over an area where a body appeared to be lying next to the tram.

Anti-terror officers gathered in front of an apartment building close to the scene. A dog wearing a vest with a camera mounted

on it was also seen outside the building.

The Netherlands’ anti-terror coordinator, Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg, raised the threat alert to its highest level, 5, around Utrecht, a city of nearly 350,000.

Political parties halted campaigning ahead of provincial elections scheduled for Wednesday that will also determine the makeup of Parliament’s upper house.

In neighboring Germany, police said they stepped up surveillance of the Dutch border, watching not only major highways but also minor crossings and train routes.

HAITI OUSTS PRIME MINISTER AFTER VOTE OF NO-CONFIDENCE PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti Associated Press

PEOPLE salvaging what is left of their belongings after Tropical Cyclone Idai, in Beira, Mozambique.

1,000 feared dead after cyclone hits Mozambique JOHANNESBURG Associated Press MORE than 1,000 people were feared dead in Mozambique four days after a cyclone slammed into the country, submerging entire villages and leaving bodies floating in the floodwaters, the nation’s president said. “It is a real disaster of great proportions,” President Filipe Nyusi said.

Cyclone Idai could prove to be the deadliest storm in generations to hit the impoverished southeast African country of 30 million people.

It struck Beira, an Indian Ocean port city of a

half-million people, late on Thursday and then moved inland to Zimbabwe and Malawi with strong winds and heavy rain. But it took days for the scope of the disaster to come into focus in Mozambique, which has a poor communication and transportation network and a corrupt and inefficient bureaucracy.

Speaking on state Radio Mozambique, Nyusi said that while the official death toll stood at 84, “It appears that we can register more than 1,000 deaths.”

Emergency officials cautioned that while they expect the death toll to rise significantly, they have no way of knowing if it

will reach the president’s estimate. More than 215 people were killed by the storm in the three countries, including more than 80 in Zimbabwe’s eastern Chimanimani region and more than 50 in Malawi, according to official figures. Hundreds more were reported injured and missing, and nearly 1,000 homes were destroyed in eastern Zimbabwe alone.

Doctors Without Borders said rivers have broken their banks leaving many houses fully submerged and around 11,000 households displaced in Nsanje, in southern Malawi.

UN agencies and the Red Cross helped rush

emergency food and medicine by helicopter to the stricken countries.

Mount Chiluvo in central Mozambique was badly hit by flooding. One resident said he heard a loud noise, like an explosion, and suddenly saw a river of mud rolling toward his home.

“I was indoors with my children, but when we looked we saw mud coming down the road towards the houses and we fled,” Francisco Carlitos told Lusa, the Portuguese News Agency.

The family lost their home and possessions but safely reached higher ground.

The country’s president, who cut short a visit to neighboring Swaziland over the weekend because of the disaster, spoke after flying by helicopter over Beira and two rural provinces, where he reported widespread devastation.

“The waters of the Pungue and Buzi rivers overflowed, making whole villages disappear and isolating communities, and bodies are floating,” Nyusi said.

The United Nation’s humanitarian office said the government issued flood warnings and said heavy rains

were forecast for the next 24 hours, including in areas already hit hard by Idai.

The Red Cross said 90 percent of Beira was damaged or destroyed.

The cyclone knocked out electricity, shut down the airport and cut off access to the city by road.

UN officials cited reports that Beira Central Hospital’s emergency room was flooded and without power, and that much of the building’s roof had collapsed. Doctors Without Borders said it had completely ceased operations in Beira hospital, local health centers and throughout the community.

The destruction in Beira is “massive and horrifying,” said Jamie LeSueur, who led a Red Cross team that had to assess the damage by helicopter because of the flooded-out roads.

The UN also warned of devastation outside Beira, in particular of livestock and crops. “As this damage is occurring just before the main harvest season, it could exacerbate food insecurity in the region,” the U.N. humanitarian office known as OCHA said.

PRIME Minister Henry Ceant was thrown out of office by a no-confidence vote yesterday prompted by government dysfunction and inability to quash inflation, blackouts and frequent opposition protests that have paralysed Haiti.

The Chamber of Deputies voted 93-6, with three abstaining, to replace Ceant, pictured, as soon as President Jovenel Moise and the heads of parliament’s two houses agree on a replacement.

Until then, Ceant and his Cabinet will remain in place with limited powers, raising the prospect of even rockier government performance.

Moise and Ceant have had frequent disagreements that have hampered Ceant’s ability to carry out his constitutional duty to run the state. Ceant has held office since July, when his predecessor was removed for mismanagement of the end of subsidized oil aid from Venezuela.

CUBANS ANGRY ABOUT US VISA RESTRICTIONS HAVANA Associated Press

CUBANS have had widespread access to social media for just a few months, and they embraced it yesterday to bombard US diplomats in Havana with complaints about new visa restrictions. More than 400 Cubans sent comments to the Facebook page of The U.S. Embassy in Havana, largely to complain about the elimination of five-year tourist visas announced on Friday. Cubans now will need a new visa for each trip. That’s devastating for Cuba’s private entrepreneurs, who often make trips to the US for supplies, and for those trying to visit relatives in the US. Many also complained about delays in the family reunion program caused by a reduction in consular personnel in Havana following a series of mysterious illnesses suffered by diplomats there.

ARMANDO, THE ‘LEWIS HAMILTON OF PIGEONS’, SELLS FOR RECORD $1.42M A CHAMPION pigeon has been sold for a record $1.42m after two buyers from China got into a bidding war, according to reports on the BBC. Auction house Pipa called Armando the “best Belgian long-distance pigeon of all time”. He’s also been dubbed the “Lewis Hamilton of pigeons”.

The champ, who turns five this year, is now enjoying his retirement and has already fathered a number of chicks. “It was unreal, the feeling - it was something out of this world,” said Nikolaas Gyselbrecht, the CEO of Pipa - short for “Pigeon Paradise”, “In our wildest dreams, we had never hoped for a price like that. We hoped for around $450,000 to

THE PIGEON: Armando $560,000, and we only dreamed of $680,000.”

Mr Gyselbrecht said that two people from China ended up in a bidding war, escalating from $600,000 up to $1.42m in just over an hour. To put it into perspective, he says, the usual price for a racing pigeon is around $2,800.

But Armando is no usual pigeon. The last three races

of his career were the 2018 Ace Pigeon championship, the 2019 Pigeon Olympiad and the Angoulême - and he won them all.

He has no shortage of admirers, either. Fred Vancaillie, president of the local pigeon fancying association in Perwez, told Belgian broadcaster RTBF that he was “the Lewis Hamilton of pigeons”, adding that he was one of the best in the history of the sport.

Although Armando’s racing days are behind him, Mr Gyselbrecht says that racing pigeons can carry on having chicks until they’re about 10, and live up to 20.

While Armando will now settle in for a quiet life, it’s likely his new owners will breed him and race his progeny.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 19, 2019, PAGE 11

BAHAMIANS CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF US INTERVIEW WAIVER

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

MANY Bahamians seeking American visas have taken advantage of the US’ interview waiver programme, according to US Embassy spokesperson Penny Rechkemmer.

The Tribune had incorrectly reported on Monday that the interview waiver programme,

recently introduced in Trinidad & Tobago, does not apply to Bahamians.

In a statement, the US Embassy spokesperson clarified the requirements for Bahamians.

“The US government is the only source of accurate information regarding US visas and the US visa process. The US government is dedicated to making the process as transparent and straightforward as possible,”

the embassy spokesperson noted. “The interview waiver programme has been in place for several years in the Bahamas, and many Bahamians take advantage of the programme.

Under the interview waiver programme, those who are renewing a previous US visa, or who meet certain other age-related criteria, may qualify for a waiver of the visa interview. Eligibility is determined based on the answers

provided to questions during the appointment scheduling process. However, consular officers reserve the right to require an interview for any visa applicant.

You maybe be eligible if you meet the following criteria: you are under the age of 14 or older than 79 years of age; you have a previous US visa in the same class as the visa which you seek to renew; your fingerprints have been taken previously; you have

no refusals for a visa in any category since your most recent visa issuance; if applying for a B1/ B2 or C1/D visa, your prior visa in the same classification is still valid or expired within the last 12 months; and your prior visa is not annotated ‘clearance received.’”

The US Embassy is streaming a Facebook Live event on its Nassau Facebook page on Monday, April 1 at 2 pm and invites Bahamians to participate.

Single-use plastics ‘to be banned by 2020’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net DRAFT legislation is in place for the ban of Styrofoam and single-use plastics, with a target date of implementation by 2020, according to Environment Minister Romauld Ferreira.

While in Grand Bahama last week, the minister said officials will soon embark on an aggressive public relations campaign.

He noted Styrofoam and plastics are a threat to the environment, particularly the ocean where they can be ingested by fish and other marine life.

“Our target date is next year. We will begin a very aggressive public relations

campaign, you will see that roll out, and that should happen within weeks,” he told The Tribune.

“We have draft legislation in place and we are currently speaking with related government agencies such as the Royal Bahamas Police Force, (Department of) Customs, and others that have an interest and a role to play in leading this charge,” he said.

Mr Ferreira stressed that the real issue is that Styrofoam and plastic ultimately end up in the ocean.

“It has been estimated now in terms of microplastics if we continue with what we doing we will end up with more micro-plastics in the ocean than fish,” he said.

PLASTIC waste is a major threat to the environment. Inset: Romi Ferreira.

“When we launched the ‘Be a Hero, Make Your plans and noted that he has programme we were fully Bahamas a Clean, Safe received support from the aware that as an island Bahamas’ campaign was Ministry of Grand Bahama nation we must do our part. launched October 2018 in and the Office of the Prime And sometimes we believe Nassau, and went national Minister. that we are insulated from in February.

“One of the things I enjoy these things, but they “A big part of clean-up is working as the minister of have actually found these controlling what goes into the environment is that we micro-plastics in the fish the waste stream as well, have the full support of the we eat—fish caught locally. and the fact of the matter is prime minister who is very And so it impacts all of us,” that every single bit of Sty- environmentally conscious. he said. rofoam and plastic that has And it did not take much Mr Ferreira indicated ever been made continues to convincing...that we will the ban goes hand in hand exist, and this is why we have in fact join the rest of the with the clean-up campaign to make that shift,” he said. world in banning single-use launched by the MinisThe minister said that he plastics and Styrofoam,” try of Environment. The is very excited about the said Mr Ferreira.

The Ministry of Environment and Housing created a task force to advance an inclusive national campaign to phase out single-use plastics such as plastic bags, straws, food utensils and Styrofoam containers by 2020.

By implementing the ban, The Bahamas will join more than 40 countries around the world including parts of the United States, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, Kenya, Rwanda, Haiti, and Antigua and Barbuda that have already enforced or are in the process of formulating bans on selected plastic and Styrofoam products.

At the current rate of plastic pollution, the Bahamas Plastic Movement estimates that it could cost the country up to $8.5 million in tourism losses annually.

Biodegradable alternatives to plastic bags and Styrofoam containers such as reusable bags, paper, and plant-based food containers have already been introduced to the local market by hotels, restaurants, and suppliers.

PAGE 12, Tuesday, March 19, 2019

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net THE Minnis administration is currently in the process of bringing solar power to Ragged Island – an initiative which will make steps toward fulfilling the government’s long-awaited promise of making that island the first fully “green” island in the region.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis made this announcement yesterday, also saying the government is embarking on a series of initiatives to bring renewable energy projects to benefit various government schools and the Office of the Prime Minister.

Dr Minnis made these comments while delivering remarks during the official opening ceremony of the solar car park at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

The $4m, 925 kilowatt solar array is the largest solar car park facility in The Bahamas, made possible through a grant from the government of the United Arab Emirates.

The canopy will “displace an estimated 310,000 litres of diesel per year, saving the Bahamian government around US$350,000 and offsetting 856 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.

The project also sets a new resilience benchmark, designed to withstand extreme weather conditions and winds of up to 160 miles per hour,” according to a press release from Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company.

“The vision of the Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund is very much in line with our vision for renewable energy in The Bahamas,” Dr Minnis said.

“The energy generated from these solar panels will feed into our national grid, and as I understand it, will offset some of the electricity usage of neighbouring schools.

“The government of The Bahamas owns and operates rooftops, parking lots and green spaces ripe for multi-purpose usages such

THE TRIBUNE

$4m solar car park opens at stadium THE OFFICIAL opening ceremony of the Solar Car Park at The Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

as the introduction of solar technology.

“Last month, the Ministry of the Environment and Housing engaged Woslee Construction to begin the roof-mounted installation at the Anatol Rodgers High School.

“The project is now in the procurement stage. Construction is set to begin in the coming weeks.

“Just this morning, the request for qualifications for the installation of roof mounted solar at the T G Glover Primary School and

the ground mounted solar at the Office of the Prime Minister went up on The Bahamas government website,” he said.

Dr Minnis also addressed Ragged Island, which was devastated by Hurricane Irma in 2017.

“We are making progress in our efforts to incorporate solar power generation into the Ragged Island electricity grid. This will make Ragged Island the first green-smart island in The Bahamas.

“A techno-economic modeling for the island’s electric grid has been

conducted,” Dr Minnis continued. “The proposed solar array and battery storage system is projected to provide 95 percent of the island’s electrical needs.

The necessary energy audits of government schools and buildings will commence in short order.”

When asked by reporters for more information on the matter, Dr Minnis replied: “That’s an ongoing process.

I cannot give you details at this particular time, but we are progressing.”

Dr Minnis also said the government will be continuing its engagement with

the Carbon War Room/ Rocky Mountain Institute to stabilise the cost of electricity, increase the resiliency of distribution grids, diversify the local job market, and provide capacity building opportunities for Bahamians interested in getting into the green energy sector.

“We are working diligently to find other suitable grants and partners. We will continue our partnership with the UAE and Masdar in order to expand the use of renewable energy throughout our Commonwealth,” he added.

MOBILE

APP

Take us with you Everywhere you go!