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VOLUME:114 No.82, MARCH 20th, 2017

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INSIGHT: THE PITFALLS OF WELCOMING CHINESE INVESTMENT

Boys, 13 and 15, found executed Teenagers were shot in the head

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

TWO boys in their early teens were discovered shot to death early yesterday morning on a dirt road off Graham Drive, Yellow Elder Gardens.

Police did not identify the victims last night; however, The Tribune understands they are 13-year-old Keishon Williams and 15-yearold Davante Lindsey, of Knowles Drive, Bozine Town.

Sources close to the matter have also confirmed that the pair were found sideby-side and appear to have been shot execution style.

The bodies of the boys were found around 9am by persons who were walking in the area.

The murders brought the country’s homicide count to 36 for the first three months of this year, according to The Tribune’s records.

SEE PAGE SIX

HOURS after the bodies of two young teens were found with gunshot wounds to the head, Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday reflected on the efficacy of his government’s anti-crime

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE calls for “peace and calm” during this election season by Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts last week, the verbal jousting between parties continued over the weekend, prompting one prominent religious leader to renew calls for “level-headed political behaviour”.

Bishop Simeon Hall, pastor emeritus of New Covenant Baptist Church, cautioned major political parties over the tense nature of ongoing campaigns, insisting that violence of any kind - verbal or physical - would only offset the years of peaceful political process enjoyed in the Bahamas.

Bishop Hall said it is incumbent on all major political parties to set the tone of levelheaded political behaviour during their campaigning activities, as their actions would direct their respective bases.

SEE PAGE 13

NEW DATE FOR WE MARCH AS PROTEST MOVES UP A WEEK

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

“This is bigger than the FNM. This is bigger than the PLP. This is bigger than the DNA. This is about our country and we must not compromise in our efforts and we must let people know what we are doing to fight crime.”

WE March Bahamas yesterday confirmed that its third march will be brought forward by a week, from April 9 to April 2, with ongoing issues facing the New Providence landfill now becoming the focal point of the protest.

Lead organiser Ranard Henfield told The Tribune the decision was made after consultation with members of We March, in conjunction with members of the Raising Awareness of the Bahamas Landfill (RABL).

The group had initially intended to stage its third

SEE PAGE SIX

SEE PAGE SIX

TWO bodies of boys were found on a side road in Yellow Elder yesterday morning. The Tribune understands the victims are 13-year-old Keishon Williams and 15-year-old Davante Lindsey.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

PM: WE MUST UNITE TO STOP MADNESS GRIPPING OUR COUNTRY

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

BISHOP WANTS LEVEL-HEADED ELECTION CAMPAIGN

efforts as he restated his administration’s commitment to stopping the “madness that has seemed to grip our country”.

Mr Christie told The Tribune the increase in homicides is bigger than the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), the Free National Movement (FNM) and the

Democratic National Alliance (DNA).

He said everyone must come together to save the reputation and integrity of The Bahamas.

“You know that there is something going on and we have to take a holistic approach to it and look at the factors of crime,” Mr Chris-

tie said. “Look at housing, the environment; all that makes young boys, cynical and bitter and unemployment being the incubator for crime. All these things we look at but at the same time we have to be resolved as a people to understand that we can not allow this to continue,” Mr Christie said.

BAHA MAR SITE HANDOVER ACTIVISTS CALL FOR PROBE ‘SOONER THAN PLANNED’ INTO WITHHELD PASSPORTS

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie yesterday insisted that not only will Baha Mar open on time but the site will be turned over “sooner than planned” and more jobs will be created “much sooner than anticipated”.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Christie said when the $3.5 billion resort

opens on April 21, he hopes the Leader of the Free National Movement (FNM) Dr Hubert Minnis will walk up to the contractors and say “well done”.

Dr Minnis, in a Facebook post last week, pledged that his party will “engage and execute a real sale” of the Baha Mar resort “to a qualified and respectable purchaser who believes in SEE PAGE 11

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE Grand Bahama Human Rights Association (GBHRA) yesterday urged the Office of the Attorney General to look into claims that employers at Baha Mar withheld the passports of foreign workers as a means of controlling their movement.

Deputy Prime Minister

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

Philip ‘Brave’ Davis revealed in Parliament last week that Chinese nationals who entered the country to construct the $3.5bn Baha Mar resort had their passports and work permits withheld. Mr Davis suggested that this was done as a means to “control” the foreign labourers.

In a press statement, GBHRA officials said the SEE PAGE 11

PAGE 2, Monday, March 20, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

13 KILOS OF COCAINE SEIZED AT AIRPORT

POLICE seized 13 kilograms of cocaine in an unclaimed suitcase at the Lynden Pindling International Airport on Saturday evening.

According to reports, Drug Enforcement Unit officers along with K-9 Unit officers were conducting a routine cargo examination when they searched an unclaimed suitcase in which they discovered the large amount of drugs.

Three men were also arrested in two street drugsrelated incidents on Saturday.

Shortly before 3pm, Mobile Division officers on routine patrol saw two men acting in a suspicious manner on Crooked Island Street. The men were accosted, searched and a quantity of marijuana was found in their possession.

They were taken into custody.

Around 9.30pm, Mobile Division officers were on routine patrol on McCullough Corner when they saw a man acting suspiciously. He was searched and 70 small packages of marijuana were found in his possession. The man was arrested.

Investigations are ongoing.

84-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IS ATTACKED AT FAMILY HOME

AN Eastern Road family, who felt so secure in the location of their off-the-beaten track home in New Providence in which they had lived for two generations, learned a hard lesson on Thursday for going about their daily routine without taking safety precautions.

“We had a false sense of security,” said the homeowner, who did not want to be named.

On Thursday morning that “sense of security” was shattered when armed police spread out across the family’s property in search of a man who had opened the unlocked kitchen door, walked in and attacked the owner’s elderly mother-inlaw.

It was about 9.30am, shortly after “we had just put out the empty five gallon water bottles for Chelsea to pick up and had walked back into the house, closing the kitchen door, but not locking it,” the businessman said. “My motherin-law was walking to the bedroom with her back to the kitchen door, when an intruder opened the door, grabbed her from behind and put his hand over her mouth. She pulled his hand away and screamed and screamed.

“My 84-year-old mother hears the screams, gets up and walks towards the kitchen. The intruder sees my mother coming, pushes my mother-in-law to the ground and runs out of the door. The police came rapidly - five police cars, and a minimum of 10 police officers - they went north south, east west searching our garden. They did not find him.”

The businessman was not certain of the age of the intruder. He said his motherin-law, who is in her sixties, had her back to her attacker and so never saw him. However his mother believed he was “a young person”.

The resident told his story to advise other Eastern Road residents not to relax their guard and to secure their homes.

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Monday, March 20, 2017, PAGE 3

Collie says PM resorting to gutter politics in election race

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net FREE National Movement (FNM) Chairman Sidney Collie over the weekend branded Prime Minister Perry Christie a “show horse”, and accused the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) leader for resorting to gutter politics to capture another five years of governance.

Taking issue with recent criticism levelled at FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis, Mr Collie said Mr Christie has done nothing but fight to ensure that his friends

and allies have been taken care of over the course of this term.

The FNM Chairman called on Mr Christie to call the general election “so the people can end this farce, and send this broken down horse into retirement”.

Mr Collie was addressing Mr Christie’s vow to work “ten times as hard” to ensure that Dr Minnis doesn’t ascend to the post of Prime Minister. He countered that the PLP leader’s tactics are an attempt to offset the lack of work he and his administration has carried out since coming to office in 2012.

“It would be funny if it was not so sad that our embattled Prime Minister, Perry Christie, truly believes the words that come out of his own mouth,” Mr Collie said.

“For the Prime Minister to admit that he will work harder to hold on to his power than he has worked to serve the Bahamian people shows just where his priorities are, which are simply his own personal ambition. It is Bradley Roberts that many call ‘delusional’ but maybe it is Christie who is truly the delusional one.”

Mr Collie continued:

“Where has this new found diligence to working hard been for the past five years? The answer is simple, embattled Prime Minister Christie is a show horse, not a workhorse. Now that he sees the finish line he’s ready to ‘work hard’, if only he worked as hard to raise up the Bahamian people these last five years as he has in lavishing his friends and donors with government contracts that he controls.”

He said: “While he tries to tarnish Dr Minnis, he fails to note that it has been under his leadership that we have seen four econom-

ic down grades, rampant murder, the highest tax increase in the history of our country and no new schools built. The Prime Minister talks about leadership but has shown none in the last five years.”

Last month, Mr Christie warned Dr Minnis that the PLP was cutting him some “slack” before waging a campaign that highlights his inabilities as a leader.

Mr Christie said the PLP’s campaign would delve deep into the terrible things opposition members have said about Dr Minnis in the past.

At the time, Mr Christie

said: “They’re the people who defined him. And we are going to give him all the slack he needs right now because in his own record, what everyone of them said about him, and they really ought to know him better than us and he might as well know now we are going to publish what they said about him.

He added: “So start working my brother and try to find the explanations for why they said so many things about you and no matter how much the newspapers try to shine you up and brush you off, they said some things about you too.”

THE SCENE at the FNM rally in Grand Bahama on Friday. saying absolutely nothing. one is listening to anything His speeches are like cot- you have to say,” said Dr ton candy: big, beautiful, Minnis.

The FNM leader highcolourful, sweet but full of lighted a number of failed air and lacking substance.”

He was referring to an investments in Grand Baannouncement made by Mr hama under the PLP, inChristie about discussions cluding the massive Ginn with the prospective buyer development in West End, about plans for the Grand which he described as a Lucayan Resort, which has “total failure.” He added been on the market for some that after the loss of aptime. Two thirds of the hotels proximately 1,400 jobs Mr on the island are closed and Christie failed to deliver on hundreds of hotel workers his promise to reopen the Royal Oasis. are unemployed.

Dr Minnis also noted that “Cotton Candy Christie told you about a conference the recent closure of the call that he had with some Treasure Bay Casino and investors that promised that Memories Resort on Grand they are evaluating, con- Bahama resulted in the loss sidering and contemplating of hundreds of more jobs.

The set up of a Minisdoing some comprehensive things in Grand Bahama. try of Grand Bahama by Mr Prime Minister: Just a Mr Christie is a complete piece of advice. Your fail- failure, he said. “The PLP completely ures now speak so loudly no consistently,

and utterly failed Grand Bahama,” Dr Minnis said.

He said the promise of a new school in West Grand Bahama and a new hospital have not been delivered in the five years the PLP has been in office.

Dr Minnis stated that under an FNM administration they will bring more industry to Grand Bahama as it has done before.

He said that Grand Bahama is FNM country. “We have come to take our country back. Grand Bahama, we are taking all five! We want West End and Bimini!

We want Marco City! We want Pineridge! We want Central Grand Bahama, and we want East Grand Bahama,” Dr Minnis said.

He thanked Grand Bahamians for their continued overwhelming support

of the FNM. The hall was filled to capacity, with an overflow outside the building at the Social Affairs compound off East Sunrise Highway.

FNM candidates for the five Grand Bahama seats all addressed the crowd: Pakesia Edgecombe (West Grand Bahama and Bimini), who was bombarded

by supporters on stage; Michael Pintard (Marco City), Fred McAlpine (Pineridge), Iram Lewis (Central Grand Bahama) and sitting MP for East Grand Bahama Peter Turnquest.

Travis Robinson, the young candidate for Bain and Grants Town, also stirred the crowd earlier in the evening.

‘GRAND BAHAMA SUFFERED UNDER COTTON CANDY CHRISTIE’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREE NATIONAL Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said the Progressive Liberal Party government has consistently failed Grand Bahama, the island suffering the most job losses under Prime Minister Perry Christie’s administration.

“The PLP under Cotton Candy Christie presided over the loss of more jobs in Grand Bahama than any previous administrations,” he told a huge gathering of FNM supporters on Friday night in Freeport. “I know you in Grand Bahama are tired of the broken promises on jobs and our economy.”

Dr Minnis said that while Mr Christie brags about spending $100m in Grand Bahama, little has actually been done in terms of jobs creation.

“Imagine that, $100m and unemployment still high, the people still suffering; and businesses and hotels still closed; $100m and little to no hurricane relief. Despite all that big talk very little was actually done.”

He stressed that Grand Bahamians are tired of all the broken promises and excuses by Mr Christie and his PLP government.

Dr Minnis compared the Prime Minister’s speech at the recent Grand Bahama Business Outlook to cotton candy.

“The Prime Minister was brazen enough …in Grand Bahama to once again put together a bunch of words

COLLIE: PM USING TAXES FOR CAMPAIGN

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Chairman Sidney Collie accused Prime Minister Perry Christie and the government of using “tax payer money” to fund the Progressive Liberal Party’s campaign in the upcoming general election on Friday.

Mr Collie demanded that the PLP “stop using taxpayer dollars for their political ads and immediately repay the Bahamian people”.

In a statement Mr Collie said: “When is enough, enough? The PLP government has raided the taxpayer funds since the moment that they took office in 2012.

Five years ago they pledged to change the Bahamas, but the only thing they have done is short-changed the Bahamian people at every turn.

“And like an old habit they continue to use tax dollars this Government collects for their own political agenda. Several times this week Bahamians have all seen the BAMSI ad in several of the newspapers with the PLP logo prominently fixed on it. This is clearly a

violation of the public trust from an administration that has made corruption into an art form. Is there nothing they won’t do to keep their grip on power?”

Mr Collie also accused the government of handing out “lavish contracts” to their “friends and donors”.

“Since coming to office and imposing their onerous VAT tax, the largest tax increase in the history of our country, they have treated our tax dollars as if it were their own personal slush fund. Lavish government contracts they control handed out to friends and donors,” Mr Collie said.

“A literal $2m slush fund for the embattled Prime Minister’s office. Secret deals and give aways to their Chinese allies. And now forcing the taxpayers to foot the bill for the PLP campaign efforts. Every time we think the PLP can’t be more obvious in their corruption they prove us wrong and sink to new levels.

“The people demand that the PLP Government stop using taxpayer dollars for their political ads and immediately repay the Bahamian people.”

PAGE 4, Monday, March 20, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

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Don’t blame your foolish decisions on God IN OUR March 13 editorial we made an error that our readers – always on the ball– were quick to let us know about!

In that article, headed: ”Brent Symonette will serve for sake of country” we noted, in discussing the depth of administrative experience now needed to pull this country back from its cliff-hanging position, that DNA Leader Branville McCartney, although the only member of his party to have had any experience in government, that that experience was not only minimal, but short-lived. We then observed: “There is no question that although his DNA won no seats in parliament in the 2012 election, it was his party as spoiler that gave the government to the PLP. In that election although the FNM won the popular vote, the PLP won the majority of seats in the House.”

The FNM did not win the popular vote.

This was our error. However, although the FNM alone did not win the popular vote, the FNM and DNA together did win that vote, which was the point of the article. In fact, if there had been cooperation at that time between the two parties, this country would not have had to suffer this five-year downward spiral that is nearing an end with many unfulfilled promises.

In the 2012 election, the PLP won 75,815 (48.62%) of the votes; the FNM 66,633 (42.097%), the DNA 13,225 (8.48%); Bahamas Constitution Party 96 (0.06%) and Independent 1,177 (0.75%).

The total votes cast were 155,946, And so the error in the March 13 editorial did not change the conclusion, which was that there had to be cooperation between the two main parties to block the PLP becoming the government. And history, by the end of the month, will have repeated itself if Opposition parties fail to grasp reality and – if only for a short moment in time – decide to work together.

On this page today we publish a letter from pastor Jeremiah Duncombe, Leader of the Gatekeepers. In it he says that the Lord has led him to “endorse Branville McCartney.” Inundated with calls for an explanation of his decision, his reply was: “I was God directed.”

We respect Pastor Duncombe’s decision, but we think it almost blasphemous to drag God into such an unholy, manmade mess. After all God gave man the greatest gift of all — free will coupled with an intellect to guide it. You can pray to God to help you in your decision making, but once that decision is made you have to own it — don’t go blaming God. God gave man free will and for those interested in the burden of that freedom we suggest you read the soliloquy of the

Grand Inquisitor in Dostoevsky’s “The Brothers Karamazov”.

Will that freedom be too much for Bahamians to responsibly exercise on election day? We shall see.

But don’t forget former Transport Minister Philip Bethel, who has in recent years become a minister of the Gospel, ascending a public platform several years ago to announce to the Bahamian people that God had given this country to the PLP. And the callous dismissive comment of the late former PLP Deputy Prime Minister Sir Clement Maynard who declared that he was only “checking for PLPs”.

No one should forget the “all for me baby years that followed”.

And so come election day say your prayers for guidance, but remember the decision is yours as to what kind of a country you want for yourself and your family.

God gave you free will, he gave you an intellect to guide you intelligently and he gave you a hand to mark your “X”. If you fail to do so, or do so for a paltry bribe that will not sustain you for five years, then don’t go weeping and wailing and looking for a scapegoat to blame. Remember that minister of religion who in an unthinking moment made that shameful remark that “principles don’t put food on the table”? This is the very thinking that has killed this country — a lack of national principles, and corruption at almost every level.

The decision is yours. Make a poor judgment then you have only yourself to blame — don’t yammer about God. He had nothing to do with it, particularly as He has given you the tools with which to make an intelligent decision. ****

The pitfalls of welcoming Chinese investment We haven’t been to Freeport since it lost its glory days. Recently, however, the constant complaint of Freeporters is that Freeport’s problem is that too much land was sold to the Chinese. One Bahamian recently went so far as to say — and say with sad conviction — that he does not expect Freeport to ever recover. Hanging in the balance for him was a weighty decision — should he pack and leave?

To give our readers a better understanding of Freeport’s problems, we publish the first in a series of articles — to appear every Monday in The Tribune’s Insight section. Today’s article discuses “The pitfalls of welcoming Chinese investment”. It is written by Mr Cary Leonard, a commercial attorney in the chambers of Callenders & Co, Freeport.

Making our lives harder EDITOR, The Tribune.

SIMON Rodehn’s letter today, 17 March “Waste of time for businesses”, struck a chord with me with respect to doing business under a “trade name”, as my aunt Anne Johnstone had, only last night, recounted her Twilight Zone experience, with our own Government agency BEC, seemingly doing business as BPL. Ever since BPL landed in The Bahamas, the Government has gone to great and unusual pain, and probably spent significant money, to transfer the public’s perception of this DODO Corporation to the new and shiny Bahamas Power & Light (BPL). And, having observed all of the PR to that effect, my aunt made her cheque for her January electricity payment to guess who, Bahamas Power and Light or BPL, and had it delivered to the BEC/BPL

drop box, on 17th February.

One month ago today.

On Wednesday of this week, as she prepared to go out with friends for a relaxing lunch, the BEC disconnection guy came bouncing up her driveway. When an outside workman at the house asked the man what he wanted, he said he had come to “cut the electricity off for non-payment”. The workman laughed and told him there must be some mistake because he had known the Johnstones for many years, and they paid their bills.

This made no difference to the BEC man and so my aunt had to thereupon cancel her luncheon, to find out what had happened.

Or come back after lunch to find her generator running. To make a long story short, they had received her cheque, but as it was made payable to BPL, they could not accept it for payment. Now, you think that

someone might have called to say this, (they must have a phone number and the name is in the telephone book) or even with the lousy Bahamas Postal Service, just put it in an envelope with a brief note. Or, put a note on the computer account to return the cheque, instead of cutting off the supply. No that would all be far too simple and business like, so it seems they just stuffed it in a drawer, and left her to face the consequences.

And so, as Mr Rodehn quite rightly observes, our Government seems intent on wasting the time of, not only our business people, but also our senior citizens, and everyone else that tries to exist in this underachieving God forsaken Bahamas.

BRUCE G. RAINE Nassau, March 17, 2017.

New Lexus for the PM? EDITOR, The Tribune.

ANY emperor worth his salt is worthy of a new chariot every now and then. But when his kingdom is broke, even the mightiest emperor must lead by example and publicly demonstrate that austerity starts at home.

Our Prime Minister never got that memo and so it appears that he continues to spend like a drunken sailor even as the world’s financial police warn of dangers ahead for the Bahamas unless we stop spending money we don’t have.

When things get tight in our own family budget we immediately start to implement austerity measures.

We cut out unnecessary spending and look for ways to economize. Our old car gets a tune-up instead of replacement. We buy one less latte everyday and when we simply must travel we plan ahead to get the cheapest ticket available.

The good old folks at Fresh Creek, Andros, have a unique word for someone who has no money. They call you bruck! As a nation we are bruck, but that fact hasn’t sunk in yet with our Prime Minister.

Some Bahamians who were searching for money to buy gas for their cars were blown off the road recently by a motorcade of police outriders with blaring sirens announcing that our Prime Minister was late again and needed to hog the road.

While muttering under their breath as they sank into another off-road pothole to evade the high-

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net speed procession, they would have discovered that Christie has treated himself to a brand new vehicle. It’s a spanking new Lexus sedan that sells for $88,000 in the US and surely must be $130,000 landed here.

If fully equipped, this luxury chariot would have heated leather seats and all the accoutrements that one would expect for a prime minister who has fancy places to go and rich foreigners to see and be seen with.

Surely, the Prime Minister must also have acquired a car of equal or greater prestige for the Governor General. It would be unthinkable for the head of government to be riding around in luxurious circumstances while the head of state rides on the cheap.

But back to the Lexus.

Never mind that we are as bruck as the 10 Commandments.

And never mind that there was probably nothing wrong with the fleet of official cars available to the Prime Minister, including a top-of-the line Mercedes just five years old.

The care and maintenance of the fleet – including the PM’s cars – is handled by the Police Force, so meticulously looked after that you would hardly be able to tell that one was too old to be of service to Christie.

Lost on the Prime Minister is the fact that many of the people he leads go to Miami to look for a used car to buy, and their budget

can’t afford something as “new” as five years old.

The optics of all of this spending at this time is pretty bad for Christie who used to style himself a man of the people. The people are beginning to see where their VAT money has probably gone, and it has nothing to do with what Michael Halkitis wants us to believe.

Take one new Lexus at $130,000. Add in travel and a big bash for the British judges and their staff at a conservative $500,000.

Then there was the party and gift for Sir Sidney Poitier that he attended by video link from California at another $150,000. And let’s not forget all the showing off Christie did for the President of Guyana. That will come in around $500,000 when you consider overtime for public officers, etc.

And you know the Beach Soccer tournament and the United Nations conference must have cost us a little something, let’s say another $250,000 each.

That’s almost $2m in unnecessary spending in the space of a few weeks this year. And it’s all after we got downgraded to junk investment status meaning the money we will borrow to pay for this extravagance will now cost us more in interest.

Christie’s problem, according to the Androsians, is that he got big eye but he pocket bruck. And he doesn’t care tuppence what we think.

THE GRADUATE Nassau, March 18, 2017.

Directed by God to choose McCartney EDITOR, The Tribune.

ONE of the classic children’s songs of all times is “Only a boy named David”.

The story of David’s selection to be king of Israel is recorded in 1Samuel 16:113. The story in brief, is that the prophet Samuel intended to select the eldest son of Jessie, but God directed him to select “the boy David” instead. This truly parallels what occurred in the endorsement of Branville McCartney, as the person to lead the charge to form the next government, fol-

lowing the upcoming general election.

As leader of the Gatekeepers, following much prayer, I was impressed to endorse someone to lead the third party forces, to head the next government, but I had no intention of selecting Mr McCartney as that person, but as in the Old Testament case of Samuel, the Lord led me to endorse Branville McCartney.

Since I made that decision, I have been inundated with calls as to the basis of my decision, and my response was always, “I was

God directed”. Thankfully I am comfortable, and at peace with that decision, and I await to see how God is going to work this all out.

In the meanwhile, I am appealing to all Bahamians, to pray for God’s direction, and allow Him to impress them how they should vote.

May God bless The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

PASTOR JEREMIAH DUNCOMBE Leader of The Gatekeepers, March 19, 2017.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, March 20, 2017, PAGE 5

THREE CARS DAMAGED DURING HIT-AND-RUN INCIDENT

THE SCENE on Yamacraw Hill Road yesterday after a hit-and-run incident that left three cars damaged.

A SUNDAY afternoon hit-and-run incident has left three cars damaged and their occupants needing attention from an ambulance crew.

The crash took place on

Yamacraw Hill Road at about 3pm yesterday, not far from the entrance to Palm Cay in eastern New Providence.

Two men in a red car reportedly tried to overtake a

Jeep Grand Cherokee but struck it before veering into the opposite lane and colliding with a car coming in the other direction.

Shortly afterwards, the two men were reported to

Photo: Stephen Hunt/Tribune Staff

have run from the scene to get into another car to drive away, leaving the occupants of the other two damaged vehicles without any contact information.

The red car appeared to

have an expired vehicle licence.

An ambulance was called to the scene to check the others involved for injuries.

The police were informed of the incident.

Dames says NIA to play key part in FNM anti-crime plan

By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Deputy Commissioner of Police Marvin Dames yesterday pledged that the Free National Movement (FNM), if elected, will empower the National Intelligence Agency and “saturate crime hot spots” in order to curb the growing murder rate.

On the heels of the country’s latest double homicide, Mr Dames told The Tribune that “putting more boots on the ground” in areas like Yellow Elder Gardens is the only way to effectively reduce crime.

Mr Dames is the FNM’s candidate for Mount Moriah, and has been tapped by the party as a front runner for the post of National Security Minister.

However, Arnold Forbes, the current MP for Mount Moriah said the answer to reducing the violence in Yellow Elder Gardens is

to “re-socialise our young men.”

Since January, there have been four murders in Yellow Elder Gardens. Police found the bodies of two teenaged boys on a dirt road there early yesterday morning.

At the scene, Mr Dames said: “I was campaigning up in this area, about a week ago, and I had a conversation with a young man and he was extremely passionate and he said ‘Mr Dames you know something, since 2014 in this area we would have had some 22 young men that would have lost their lives.’ It really came home for me because as I walked into the homes of some of these persons I see memories in these homes, something I have never seen before.”

“There is no way in the world this should be happening,” Mr Dames said.

“We just had three homicides in this area in the last few weeks and now we are here observing the police

cart two more bodies away.

We need better intelligence, we need more concentration in terms of boots on the ground in hot spot areas like this. There is no way in the word we ought to have recorded so many murders in this little community.

He continued: “It should never happen. What are we doing in terms of presence and visibility? How are we drawing on our intelligence to tell us what is causing this? We will create a robust National Intelligence Agency to be proactive in determining what is causing these incidents to take place so frequently.”

However, Mr Forbes countered that police saturation patrols will not stop “a man who is hell bent on killing another man”.

“What we need to do is resocialise our people,” Mr Forbes said, “that’s the key to it, educate and re-socialise our people.”

“Police saturation has its place but is that the solution to the crime problem

in the Bahamas? That is the question and my belief is, it is not.

“What is,” Mr Forbes said, “is re-socialising our communities, we need to look at the way we bring up our children, we need to look at how we solve our disputes and how we treat each other as human beings. I believe that is what really needs to take place.

Mr Forbes said: “We need to look within ourselves as a people and look within our

homes. The sad fact is a lot of these individuals who are committing these murders have not been socialised, they do not know how to act or behave themselves with others and it is as basic as that.”

The country has recorded 36 murders for the year, according to The Tribune’s records. During the current PLP administration there have been 605 murders in the Bahamas according to The Tribune records.

BAHAMAS PAYS TRIBUTE TO POET WALCOTT

THE BAHAMAS government over the weekend issued a tribute to the life and legacy of Caribbean Nobel Prize winning poet, Dereck Alton Walcott.

Mr Walcott, also a noted playwright and painter, died peacefully at his home in Cap Estate, St Lucia on Friday.

“The Bahamas extends heartfelt condolences to his family and the Government and people of St. Lucia,”. read a press statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Walcott, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1992, was a prolific and versatile poet, whose immense body of work included the epic poem Omeros and the plays the Last Carnival and Dream on Monkey Mountain, the latter of which earned him an Obie Award.

It continued: “While his birth place was St Lucia, he identified with and took every opportunity to celebrate the Caribbean. This luminary of the Caribbean will be sorely missed and we thank him immensely for the rich body of work he has left with us. May his soul rest in peace.”

• See page 18 in section 2

TO ADVERTISE IN THE TRIBUNE, CONTACT 502-2394

PAGE 6, Monday, March 20, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

PM: WE MUST UNITE TO STOP MADNESS GRIPPING OUR COUNTRY from page one

More than 600 people have been killed since the PLP took office in May, 2012, according to The Tribune’s records.

Ahead of the 2012 general election, the PLP posted billboards throughout New Providence - in areas heavily trafficked by tourists and locals - which said there had been more than 490 killings

under the five-year Ingraham administration.

The PLP, then in opposition, campaigned that it had the answer to violent crime while the Ingraham administration did not. It promised that if elected it would get crime under control.

The latest homicides took place yesterday. According to police reports, the bodies of a 13-year-old and 15-year-old were discovered with gunshot wounds

off a dirt road in Yellow Elder Gardens. Police have no motive for the crime.

Mr Christie said: “My government has given over 300 new police officers new equipment and new technology all with a view to improving our capacity to minimise crime but I can tell you we are not afraid to admit that this is difficult and complex issue and we are continuing to deal with it aggressively because

we have to for the future of our country and the future security of our county and to the people wanting to come to our country.

“Young men with a complete disregard for their own existence and the existence of others do not have the right to compromise on the reputation and the integrity and the future of our people by what they do and we have to be able to be seen to say and mean it and

people know we will take a no-nonsense approach to it.

We have to come to grips with this madness that has seemed to grip our country.”

Speaking in the House of Assembly last month, Minister of National Security Dr Nottage said that people connected to “gangs, drugs and guns” are linked to the frequent killings.

Dr Nottage also said intelligence has suggested

that there are connections between many violent incidents on the streets of New Providence and inmates at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services and recently released prisoners.

He also maintained that, despite a cumulative murder count in this term that has surpassed the previous Ingraham administration’s, under the Christie administration the country was made safer for Bahamians.

Boys, 13 and 15, are found executed from page one

Officer in Charge of the Central Detective Unit, Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander said police have no motive for the killings and appealed to families who may not have seen “their teen relatives in a while” to come forward.

He said police will continue to saturate “hot spots” like Yellow Elder Gardens in an effort to prevent or curb homicides.

“Shortly after 9am the lifeless body of two males who appeared to be in their early teens were found shot to death,” Supt Fernander said.

“They were discovered by persons in the area. As you can see there is a number of officers on the ground and we are doing door-to-door inquires to find out exactly what happened.

He continued: “We don’t

have any motive, we don’t know who these individuals are and they appear to be two youngsters in their early teens. We continue to be in these communities, we know this is a hot spot, the Yellow Elder Gardens area. We continue to saturate these areas and we continue to check these areas.

“We are charging a number of persons, we arrested a number of persons who were found in possession of illegal weapons on the weekend, who will be going to court.

Supt Fernander said: “We are also following lines to determine if anyone went missing in the past 24 hours. So we are appealing to members of the public who may have some loved ones they have not seen in the past 24 hours to please come forward.”

Supt Fernander also questioned why no one had reported the teens missing, adding that parents need

to play a larger role in their children’s lives.

“We also want to ask where are the parents?

These appear to be young teens, at this time no one has alerted us that their loved ones are missing or did not come home overnight because it appears as though this happened less than 24 hours and no one has come forward,” Supt Fernander said.

“Where are the parents?

And we continue to say this; parents have to pay attention to your kids. Know who they are with and know where they are going or we will continue to lose our young men on both sides of the coin, deceased persons and also as accused persons.”

Anyone with information on this homicide is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328TIPS.

CHIEF Superintendent Clayton Fernander speaking to the media yesteray.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

NEW DATE FOR WE MARCH AS PROTEST MOVES UP A WEEK from page one

protest on April 9 to, among other things, demand that an election be called before

May 7 and that Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival be postponed.

In a Facebook post, the civic group mentioned the successes of its two previous protests, noting that efforts mounted by the group had averted several major events.

At the conclusion of the post, We March declared, “Now, we march again.”

However, Mr Henfield yesterday said that recent meetings with stakeholders have “resulted in some changes”.

“April 9 is Palm Sunday.

I will be in church as will so many other Bahamians, therefore it was determined that April 2 would be the better date to hold such action. So that is what we are going with. This march will be done in partnership with RABL, a group that brings with it 1,500 to 1,700 supporters; so this should be viewed as a joint effort between the two groups,” he added.

On Friday, Mr Henfield posted several images that displayed conditions in Ju-

bilee Gardens, the community most affected by the blaze which occurred more than two weeks ago.

His post read: “How does any government official carry on every day since this dump fire started? These people are being smoked to death.”

It continued: “This should have been a national emergency. For starters, that Carnival money should be paying these people’s mortgages and their rent at a safe location until this dump smoke is over with.

That carnival money should also be taking care of their laundry bills, medical visits and air filters. “(But) nobody listens to me, I just point things out and march for nothing they say. I’m still going to march on April 2 until they provide housing and cover these people’s costs incurred because of the dump fire and smoke.”

According to reports, 27 Jubilee Gardens residents were treated at the Flamingo Gardens clinic on March 5 for issues stemming from this fire, with four of those persons needing to be admitted for emergency care at the Princess Margaret Hospital.

The fire ultimately displaced residents of Jubilee Gardens for more than a week, many of whom had to take up lodging with family members and friends.

Earlier in February, We March announced that it planned to stage 12 more “events and protests” throughout The Bahamas before the next general election.

At that time, Mr Henfield, the lead organiser, said the group was still on mission and would continue to “stay focused” despite “the tactics and anger of people that want to resist change”.

insight@tribunemedia.net

C

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the stories behind the news

MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017

The blame game

First Mr Izmirlian, now Dr Minnis. Malcolm J Strachan says the PLP must take responsibility for what is happening at Baha Mar, not pin it on others

M

uch has been said and much has been written about Dr Hubert Minnis’ comments a week ago regarding the possible sale of Baha Mar. Much of what was said and written about these comments were pure distortions of Dr Minnis’ actual words and points.

Most of the diatribe against Dr Minnis was made by the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) - after all it is the political season, and the future of Baha Mar deservedly so is very much an issue for the Government and our country.

There are two points, however, in the PLP’s criticism of Dr Minnis’ remarks which are particularly unfair and frankly downright hypocritical: the false assertions that Minnis is talking about “nationalising” Baha Mar, and that his talk will chill foreign investment coming into the Bahamas. Both are manipulative distortions by the PLP to avoid accountability and responsibility for its bungling of Baha Mar to the detriment of the country.

Any fair-minded reader of Dr Minnis’ words would surely conclude that he was not suggesting nationalising Baha Mar. He was saying simply that government has a responsibility to ensure that any commercial transaction that is undertaken of this magnitude not be adverse to the interests of the Bahamas and that a transaction such as Baha Mar did deserve public

accountability given the issues that have plagued the project have had clear national implications for all of us - economically, socially and politically.

Of course, it is interesting that the PLP plays the “nationalisation” card. Is it that the Christie administration is so sensitive about enormous assets obtained and controlled here in the Bahamas by Chinese enterprises, in particular by entities that are virtual proxies for the Chinese government?

After all, Baha Mar is owned at present by the Export-Import Bank of China, which, in turn, is owned by the Government of China. The general construction contractor of Baha Mar is China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CCA), which too is owned by the Government of China. It is CCA which arguably must be held responsible for Baha Mar not already being opened - having repeatedly missed schedule deadlines it set itself and having lost, more often than not, independent arbitrations about it overcharging on the project.

It is this same CCA which also owns the massive project in downtown Nassau -The Pointe - which itself is a situation of ongoing controversy. It is CCA which has insisted on importing and using primarily Chinese labour, while taking much needed work away from the Bahamian labour market.

It is the Chinese to which the Christie administration appears to be

China crisis

Dangerous investments Doing business with the Chinese is not proving beneficial for Bahamians.

Carey Leonard points to Grand Bahama’s plight as clear evidence

Former Baha Mar owner

Sarkis Izmirlian Leader of the FNM Dr Hu

bert Minnis.

constantly bowing and doing their bidding, claiming Chinese investment - and indeed plenty of it - in the Bahamas is good for our country. But is it? Or is the Christie administration facilitating a substantial and potentially irreversible Chinese nationalisation of the Bahamas? And where will the Chinese take their profits from their Bahamian involvements? Will they be reinvested here in the Bahamas or will they be shipped off to China to these entities’ owner, the Government of China.

Nationalisation is an interesting concept - but not one put forward by Dr Minnis. Rather, the reality of what we are experiencing today is the Christie administration aiding and abetting the Chinese nationalisation of the Bahamas!

And the assertion that Dr Minnis, through his comments about reviewing the possible sale of Baha Mar to Chow Tai Fook, would, if implemented, chill foreign investment in the Bahamas is both absurd and hypocritical.

The Christie administration already has chilled

T

HE recent reports of the Memories Hotel closure debacle is a stark reminder of the financial pain suffered by Bahamians in doing business with Chinese-based companies like Hutchison, which was broken into CK Hutchison Holdings (Ports) and Cheung Kong Property (land) in 2015.

Experience of the last 20 years or more has provided strong evidence to suggest that investment in the Bahamas by Chinese-based companies is not compatible with the advancement of the Bahamian people.

The Memories closure is the end to what has to be a good example of the difference of how western-orient-

“Nationalisation is an interesting concept - but not one put forward by Dr Minnis. Rather, the reality of what we are experiencing today is the Christie administration aiding and abetting the Chinese nationalisation of the Bahamas!” foreign investment through its mishandling of Baha Mar. Its use of the Bahamian courts to sabotage the Baha Mar Chapter 11 reorganisation proceedings in the US court undercut a valid common commercial action, causing the court to be unable to proceed because its rulings would not be recognised in the Bahamas.

That sabotage, fully supported by the Chinese bank and the Chinese construction company, destroyed the ability of many of Baha Mar’s largest creditors - which are based outside the Bahamas - to

be paid from the monies they had laid out for the project or to have a viable legal remedy to pursue their claims. In fact, within the Chapter 11 proceedings, the Committee of Independent Creditors had fully supported the Chapter 11 reorganisation plan.

But the PLP won’t tell you that. They will simply continue with their worn out and tired line that they had “rescued” the resort from bankruptcy. What utter foolishness!

With that poorly thought out precedent established by the Christie administration, what foreign-based party, other than the Chinese with this PLP government, would seriously consider having investment exposure in the Bahamas?

It was Prime Minister Christie, who, on the heels of the Chapter 11 filing, made a primetime evening address to the nation asserting, in often strident tones, the Bahamas’ sovereignty was at stake because a private commercial transaction had pursued a very available and not unusual legal path without first going through what would have been a highly unusu-

ed companies react to crises such as Hurricane Matthew versus how Chinese companies react to them.

Hutchison has immense responsibilities for the community of Grand Bahama and its 60,000 residents.

Hutchison’s actions, or rather its complete failure to react at all, after Hurricane Matthew, shows that the Hong Kong management is either totally incompetent or has been negligent.

They are in charge of the Grand Bahama International Airport (GBIA) which is not just vital, it is a critically vital lifeline for the island after such events as a major hurricane. Now, it is not as if Hutchison does not have a clear under-

standing of how a hurricane can affect the GBIA. After all, Hutchison has had to deal with the airport and runway flooding and hurricane damage of Floyd in 1999, Frances and Jeanne in 2004, Wilma in 2005 and Sandy in 2012.

They know what systems are likely to be affected.

Hutchison’s Chinese management had no less than five hurricanes and 17 years to prepare for Hurricane Matthew.

Yet, GBIA was unable to open the day after the storm and night flights were not facilitated for two months.

Bahamian families suffered as a result.

All sorts of excuses were given locally such as the

al, and not legally required step of gaining the approval of the Prime Minister. This was followed virtually days later by one of his ministers challenging the right of the project’s original developer, Sarkis Izmirlian, a long-time resident of the Bahamas, to even be in the Bahamas. Why does this kind of behaviour from the government encourage any non-Bahamian party to invest in or do business in the Bahamas?

That was three years ago.

Dr Minnis’ recent comments did not cause over this time the sharp drop in foreign investment in the Bahamas.

Dr Minnis’ comments did not cause the Bahamian unemployment rate to become so dangerously high.

Dr Minnis’ comments have not caused many expatriate workers, who had been at Baha Mar, to be stiffed on monies they are owed because they made the mistake of trying to work in the Bahamas.

Dr Minnis’ comments did not cause many second home owners to sell their homes and leave this country. That, is the handiwork of the PLP. Chilling foreign investment in the Bahamas? The PLP and its Christie administration need to look no further than to their ill-conceived actions and often misleading rhetoric these past several years.

The answer on foreign investment is right there in front of them and for all to see. Under their leadership our nation’s international credit rating has sunk like a stone to an incredibly low and dangerous level.

PLP: it is you who are creating a nationalisation of our country’s assets to the Chinese and it is you who have made our country unattractive for foreign investment.

• Comments and responses to insight@tribunemedia.net Grand Bahama Power Company had not prioritised getting power to the airport. What a lame excuse for not being prepared.

How dare they try to deflect their own failure to adequately prepare for hurricanes on the company that performed magnificently in restoring power to Bahamians in a remarkably short space of time?

GB Power’s public relations department must be congratulated for keeping us, the Bahamian public, so well informed on the power restoration progress. Hutchison could learn a lot from the Canadian-owned GB Power on what is expected of a company that has a vital See pg8

PAGE 8 MONDAY, March 20, 2017

Dangerous investments From pg 7 public responsibility.

Within days, GB Power had brought in to Grand Bahama 100 vehicles and 200 persons to assist with the restoration of power.

GB Power hired, temporarily, many Bahamians to assist the many foreign teams brought in from Florida, Carolina and Nova Scotia.

Many Bahamians got badly needed employment as a result.

Surely the power lines to the lights on the runway are underground, surely they are water proof? Even if the lights get damaged, surely Hutchison must have a spare set? Surely they must have a plan for running temporary lighting if the main line is damaged as well as the power? Power or lack of lights can’t possibly have been a reason. In any event, Bahamian families suffered unnecessarily as a result.

Hutchison could easily have rented a containerised generator or generators for the airport. Other companies did. Indeed, Grand Bahama Shipyard had a ship come on the Thursday after Matthew. GB Shipyard had experienced Hurricanes Frances, Jeanne, Wilma and Sandy. Unlike Hutchison, GB Shipyard’s management, knowing what damage hurricanes could do, had a plan and they executed it. Unlike Hutchison, GB Shipyard had planned for the possibility that it may be weeks before GB Power could provide power to them. Prior to the storm they had imported sufficient generating capacity to conduct their business.

Like Hutchison, GB Shipyard is a major employer on Grand Bahama. Unlike Hutchison, GB Shipyard got a good portion of its workforce back to work, first on a clean-up and then doing what they were trained for, repairing ships.

Ask anyone, now or formerly (I say formerly because there were some

layoffs after Matthew) and other than those in management, at Freeport Container Port as to how quickly everyone was put back to work. Ask them what reasons were given right after the storm. Ask them about the power supply to power the cranes and why Bahamians were unable to go back to work.

Bahamian families suffered and continue to suffer as a result of Hutchison’s failure to have a viable plan.

You will note that whenever the name Hutchison is mentioned, the topic of power keeps coming up.

Note that other companies, like GB Shipyard, either already had a back-up system in place or imported power on a temporary basis. It is understood that GB Ship-

“There is absolutely no excuse for Hutchison not having everything in place to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew.

They had 17 years and five earlier hurricanes to educate them on what was required.” yard had two or three generators, each in its own container, which if necessary could all run together in parallel to provide enough electricity.

Buckeye, PharmaChem and other non-Chinese companies were all in fullscale recovery mode the very next morning after the storm had passed. Buckeye even supplied portable

March is

generators to many of their staff.

I will only say that the operation of Freeport Harbour, for which Hutchison is also responsible, left much to be desired as a result of Hutchison’s incompetence or negligence as many complained of a lack of sufficient power and lighting which forced daylight operation only when night operation was desperately needed. Woefully insufficient lighting posed challenges for night time operations and increased security risks.

There is absolutely no excuse for Hutchison not having everything in place to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. They had 17 years and five earlier hurricanes to educate them on what was required.

What is emerging here is a different approach to management and an approach to running a business between

Email: insight@tribunemedia.net

the Chinese firm of Hutchison and the rest of the large international companies.

The story was the same for the hotel industry.

Even though they had suffered damage, Pelican Bay Hotel continued to operate.

Castaways Resort & Suites suffered major roof damage, for all to see, and yet they continued, as best they could to operate. Hutchison’s Grand Lucayan/Our Lucaya .. it too suffered damage but, unlike everyone else, they shut down and all but a very small part of the hotel is still closed some four months later and most of the staff have been laid off.

Hundreds of Bahamian families are suffering as a result.

The last event, of Memories closing, is a direct result of Hutchison’s actions. It is rare for companies, such as the operators of Memories, to make comments as they have about Hutchison. It is clear that they have been frustrated at every turn and Hutchison has asked for more than the market, in this case Memories, could bear; with the result that it too is closed.

Bahamians, once again find themselves out of work as a result of decisions taken by a Chinese-owned company.

When hotels like the Grand Lucayan/Our Lucaya/Memories are closed, it not only causes the loss of a thousand jobs but also many hundreds more as there are less taxi rides required, less food and supplies to be imported, less shopping by tourists evidenced by the closing of a jewellery store in the Port Lucaya Market Place, and less tours taken. All this impacts Bahamian employment and Bahamian families are suffering as a result.

What is clear is that, once again, Hutchison’s way of doing business is very different from everyone else.

I submit that it is not just Hutchison - but take a good look at what has occurred at Baha Mar and what little action has occurred at The Pointe since it was completed.

It would seem that the Chinese approach to business does not include the welfare of the community or its people within which the Chinese companies operate. Quite simply put, it would appear that the Chinese do not care about the community, they don’t care about Bahamians. It is clear that Chinese investment may look good in the short term but is disastrous to the

entire Bahamian economy, and Bahamian employment in particular.

Hutchison was no doubt insured at the Grand Lucayan/Our Lucaya. They have no idea how to operate a hotel in a tourist area, they have proved this to the world in the 17 years they have operated the Grand Lucayan/Our Lucaya hotel.

They couldn’t make money, even when the world economy was good.

Perhaps they have business disruption insurance and have been able to pocket more money by having their properties shut down than if they had them open.

But no matter: whichever way you look at it, the Bahamian family suffers as a result.

For over 20 years Hutchison has been unable or unwilling to see how control of the airport, harbour, hotel and development company should be used together to promote and stimulate the Grand Bahama economy for everyone’s benefit. There are synergies between these companies that most can only dream of. The potential to make a profit is phenomenal. Hutchison’s corporate structure is not flexible and nor is their senior management.

It would appear that Hutchison’s sole intention has been to buy up as much as possible and sit on it, even if they put everyone out of work. It may very well be that Hutchison is not out to hurt Bahamians, it is just that Bahamians are not even visible to them.

We are used to American and other foreign companies who have been active in donating time and money into the communities in which they operate. Over the years we have seen and continue to see the benefit of such investments.

However, we need to give serious consideration to see if we want or wish to allow any further investment by Chinese companies.

So far it would appear that the Chinese way of doing business inflicts serious damage to the economy of the Bahamas overall and causes much suffering and hardship to Bahamian families.

To be continued on March 27

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The annual Careers and Job Fair at UB provides students with the opportunity to meet potential employers for internships and jobs within numerous fields.

Through her 33 years in the Counselling Services Department (CSD), Career and Placement Counsellor Norma Turnquest has guided thousands of students during their university journey. She not only mentors but also advises students how to land a great job and build an enjoyable career.

Here she she shares her insights on career opportunities available for students on graduation from the Univeristy of the Bahamas (UB) and the function of the Career and Job Placement Centre.

What is the purpose of UB’s Career and Job Placement Centre?

“The Career and Job

seminars and workshops we are able to assist students in defining their career of choice.

We use self-evaluation, exploration of careers, and other tools to hone and strengthen techniques necessary for entering the job market successfully.

We do our best to provide leads, enhance students’ interview skills and seek out employers to provide internship opportunities, plus part-time and full-time employment.”

Placement Centre prepares students to embark on a career path upon graduation in an area of interest or based on degree of study.

Through job readiness

How are companies paired with students seeking work?

“A Placement Counsellor will interview a student See pg9

MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 PAGE 9

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

Commonwealth Free Trade: a British straw man?

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS A COMMONWEALTH Free Trade Area (FTA) would go down in India “like a lead balloon”. That’s the opinion of Indian Member of Parliament, Shashi Tharoor, as British ministers and Empire-dreamers run around Britain trying to promote the idea that a Commonwealth FTA is a viable alternative to trade with the European Union (EU) which Britain has elected to exit.

A harsher view is expressed by Kehinde Andrews, a columnist with the British Guardian newspaper, who writes: “Rather than accept reality the (British) government has deluded itself into thinking that Britain can just install an update for empire and return to former glories on the world stage. But outside the EU and devoid of colonies, Britain will find that any nostalgic visions of empire are a mirage, providing nothing to sustain it.”

The British advocates of the Commonwealth FTA do not help their own desperate scramble for it by describing it as “Empire 2.0”.

The phrase lacks any semblance of sensitivity to the dark history of Britain’s imperial rule over Commonwealth countries - a rule that not only raped their resources to make Britain rich but also exploited and brutalised their native peoples.

Shashi Tharoor, who is a former Indian Minister of State, recalls that: “There’s no real awareness of the atrocities, of the fact that Britain financed its Industrial Revolution and its prosperity from the depredations of empire, the fact that Britain came to one of the richest countries in the world (India) in the 18th century and reduced it, after two centuries of plunder, to one of the poorest.”

Kehinde Andrews, speaking of the African experience, says: “Nations no longer ruled by force

and fear will not supplicate themselves to Britain because of misty memories of empire.” And he adds: “In order to build a prosperous future Britain needs to understand its place in the world; a small island desperately reaching out to countries it formerly ruled in order to try to maintain its relevance. No doubt the former colonies will be willing to trade with Britain. But the idea that these relations will represent anything like those in empire is laughable hubris.”

Even as British government ministers are beating the drum of a new Commonwealth Empire for trade, Britain is threatened to become smaller than it is as the leader of the Scottish National Party, Nicola BRITISH Prime Minister Theresa May, who is trying to map out a trading future for Britain in the face of the Brexit from the European Sturgeon, declares that she Union that looms ahead - but suggestions of turning to the Commonwealth for trade are not being accepted quite so easily. will seek a second referen- place the EU for Britain, they include big countries suit the Caribbean. Some the British trade minister. dum to make Scotland an which sells far more goods like Nigeria, South Africa, compensatory mechanism The Commonwealth has independent nation. When and services to the 27 mem- and Kenya in Africa, and would be necessary, and the capacity to be many the British Prime Minister, bers of the EU than it does Pakistan, Bangladesh and that means an aid and in- things, among them a forum Theresa May, indicated that to the 51 nations of the Sri Lanka in Asia. The vestment component that for showing the world how she might small countries of the Car- Britain (if it is Britain and religious and ethnic tolerCommonblock a sec- ‘In order to build a wealth.

In ibbean and the Pacific ac- not England and Wales) ance could be achieved; for ond referen2015, 44 per count for less than five per might not be able to deliver, bridging divides between dum, the de- prosperous future cent of total cent of all Commonwealth given the demands on its developed and developing bate became Britain needs to resources in a post-’Brexit’ nations to help construct UK exports exports. nasty with understand its place of goods and The Commonwealth world. pathways to a prosperous Sturgeon asThe Commonwealth has and peaceful world; for services went ceased being a trading bloc serting that in the world; a small to the EU; when Britain opted to join stayed away from trade championing global causes she “was island desperately the EU in 1973. Over the matters ever since Brit- such as climate change; and conversely elected” as reaching out to just 9.5 per four decades since then, ain joined the EU. In fact, for advancing the developFirst Minister cent went Commonwealth countries the British never wanted a ment interests of the maof Scotland countries it formerly to the Com- have developed trade links Commonwealth trade min- jority of its states which are “on a clear ruled in order to with other nations and re- isters meeting because it small and vulnerable. But, a monwealth. commitment try to maintain As for gions that are now vital to was felt that their demands trade bloc it is not; and nevmanifesto” the other them. Australia’s biggest would interfere with its er will be, however much it while May “is its relevance.’ members of trading partner, for in- common purpose with the is the straw man that British not elected by Kehinde Andrews, the Com- stance, is China; followed EU, and with the big power ‘Brexiteers’ are conjuring. anyone”. by the United States and alliances that the EU had monwealth, • Sir Ronald Sanders is columnist The frenJapan; Canada’s are the US formed with, for instance, Antigua and Barbuda’s particularly zied effort in its smaller and Mexico. For the major- the US over subsidised ag- Ambassador to the United Britain to talk-up the Com- members in Africa, the ity of Caribbean countries, riculture which disadvan- States and the Organisamonwealth as an FTA is an Caribbean and the Pacific, the US is their biggest trad- taged African and Asian tion of American States. He illusionary attempt to allay there would be no benefit in ing partner. None of these agricultural exports on the is also Senior Fellow at the fears that Britain will have a Commonwealth FTA. Six countries will unravel these world market. When a for- Institute of Commonwealth what is described as a ‘hard Commonwealth countries vital trading links for the mer Secretary-General, Studies, University of LonBrexit’ and, therefore, will dominate exports to other benefit of Britain.

Don McKinnon, tried to don and Massey College in E3SPORTS be left without favourable Commonwealth countries.

Sure, Caribbean coun- organise a working lunch the University of Toronto. terms of trade in the EU They are: Singapore 26 per tries would want to main- of Commonwealth Trade The views expressed are his Friday, September 30, 2016, PAGE 3 or any other market. The cent, India 20.37, Malay- tain their level of exports to Ministers in Mexico in 2003 own. Responses and previCommonwealth is being sia 26.14, Australia 10.9, Britain, but those exports in the margins of a World ous commentaries: www. touted as the replacement Britain 9.5 and Canada 6.7. are small in relation to their Trade Organisation minis- sironaldsanders.com for EU trade.

The other 45 countries be- imports from the UK. In terial meeting, few Com• Poetic ‘Voice of the But the reality is that the tween them account for the this connection, an FTA monwealth trade ministers Caribbean’ Derek Walcott Commonwealth cannot re- remaining 16 per cent and with Britain would hardly turned up. That included dies at 87, see page 18

with a UB degree GAIN AN EDGE A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

From pg8 seeking work, a specific internship or job. In some cases they are referred for a position through a UB faculty member or school.

Students can also register on the placement recruitment website (https:// bahamas-csm.symplicity. com), post resumes, apply for jobs, and meet employers through on-campus recruitment and job fairs.

Partners such as Deloitte & Touche, Ernst & Young, KPMG, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Family Guardian and J P Morgan hire our students on a frequent basis, usually through internship while they are still students, then keeping them on after they graduate.

RBC Bahamas, MailBoat and M&E have also just signed on to an on-going internship programme with UB. Our graduates can also be found working in most of the Government institutions.”

What are some of the careers supported by a UB education?

“In the classroom, UB students receive excellent academic instruction. We see many of our students graduate and enter careers at top firms locally and in-

ternationally.

“The list of career opportunities supported by a UB education is extensive. However, some of the more popular careers are in the fields of Psychology in Teaching or at the Clinical or School Psychologist level, Accounting, Marketing and Sales, Economist, Actuaries, Mechanical, Civil or Architectural Engineering, Marine Biologist, AgriBusiness, Laboratory or Medical Technician, Pharmacist, Secretary, Clerk, IT Technician, Computer Programmer and Attorney.

How is UB preparing students to become well rounded individuals ready for a career?

All students are mandated to take COUN 100 at UB and are urged to do so in their first year.

First Year Seminar is an interactive classroom experience that provides students with the tools needed for becoming successful college students and careerminded while still in college.

Another way of fostering career and job readiness at UB is providing seminars and workshops (includes resume writing and interviewing techniques), on-campus recruitment and the annual

GAIN AN EDGE

A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

NORMA TURNQUEST, Career and Placement Counsellor, University of The Bahamas Careers and Job Fair and Careers Symposium.

Students are also encouraged to become involved in on-campus, job-related and community activities with non-profit organisations in order to gain good transferable skills and create better work habits and competences.

It is hoped that through the classroom and other involvement our students will be academically, intellectually, physically, mentally and socially prepared for the world of work and good citizenry.

• “Gain An Edge” is a weekly collaboration of the Lyford Cay Foundations, Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute and University of The Bahamas aimed at promoting a national dialogue on higher education. To share your thoughts, email gainanedge@tribunemedia.net.

PAGE 10 MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Free National Movement Cabinet ministers at the 80th birthday celebration for Sir William Allen.

FNM reunion celebrates 80th birthday of Sir William Allen IT WAS a reunion, filled with fun and laughter as former Free National Movement cabinet ministers gathered at the Sandals Beach Resort on Tuesday to celebrate the 80th birthday of Sir William Allen, who served as a Member of Parliament and Minister of Finance in two FNM administrations between 1992 and 2002. The festive luncheon was hosted by former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.

Among the former parliamentarians attending the surprise event were a group whose national contributions are well respected.

They included two former Governors General, a former Deputy Prime Minister and the first woman to be elected to Parliament.

All had once served as ministers in the Cabinet: Dame Ivy Dumont, Zhivargo Laing, Earl Deveaux, Brent Symonette, Janet Bostwick, Theresa Moxey Ingraham, Kenneth Russell,

Anthony Rolle, Dr Ronald Knowles, C A Smith, O A T “Tommy” Turnquest, Sir Orville Turnquest, Carl Bethel, Frank Watson, David Thompson and Dion Foulkes.

Sir William thanked Mr Ingraham for the honour and said he was “delighted” and “humbled” and glad of the opportunity to spend time with former parliamentary colleagues.

Mr Ingraham made Sir William’s acquaintance when he held a ministerial position under the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in the early 1980s. With history-making election to Parliament, which ended the 25-year PLP control of the Government, Mr Ingraham appointed Sir William Minister of State for Finance.

Mr Ingraham praised Sir William’s service to the nation. “William Allen is one of the unsung heroes in terms of public service in The Bahamas, and so the thought came to me to have

Funeral Service For Mr. Lennard Egerton “Saddle” Wright, 59 a resident of 1A Valencia Drive, South Beach Estates, and formerly of St. Catherine, Jamaica, will be held at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church, Third and Fourth Streets, Coconut Grove on Thursday, 23rd March, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Officiating will be Monsignor Simeon Roberts assisted by Deacon Danny Price. Cremation follows.

He is survived by his Children: Santino Anthony Wright, Everton Leonard Wright, Lucanyelldo Owens and Lucander McIntosh; Grandchildren: Genesis and Jacuri; Siblings: Patrick Wright, Hopean Deanna Wright, Loretta Wright and Veronica Francis; 14 Nephews: Roger Eric and Christopher Wint, Rohan and Leon Reid; 11 Nieces: Jacqueline Elaine and Tameka Wint, Camille, Sharon Reid and Carlyn Sang; Neighbours: Dr. Anya Symonette and her daughters Jo-Ann and Angeleah; Elder Frank and Charlene Knowles and family; Rose Woodside and family; Carl and Vanessa Spence and family; Bernard Sidney Thompson; Mitchell Simmons; Montino Major; David Burrows; and Michael Ingraham; Other Relatives and Friends including: Roslind Hepburn, Lillian Roberts, Timothy Bethel, the Management and Staff of Bethell’s Trucking, the management and staff of Porky’s Trucking Paving & Equipment, the management and staff of Yamma’s Trucking Heavy Equipment, the management and staff of Dozer Heavy Equipment; and the communities of South Beach and Bamboo Town.

Friends may pay their last respects at Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Market Street from 12-5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, and on Thursday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until service time.

FORMER Minister of Finance and former Member of Parliament, Sir William Allen. a luncheon for him,” Mr In- the Central Bank, Mr Algraham said. len was appointed Deputy Sir William’s 32-year Governor and he continued public service career began as Research Manager of the in 1970, when he joined the Bank until 1976. He was Bahamas Monetary Au- appointed Governor of the thority as Research Manag- Bank in 1980 and served er. In 1973 he was appoint- until his retirement in 1987. ed to chair a committee When the FNM won created to establish Baha- the government in Aumasair, the national flag gust, 1992, Sir William carrier, and served as the was appointed to the Senfirst chairman of the board, ate (1992-1994) and also from 1973 to 1980. In 1974, served as Minister of State upon the establishment of in the Ministry of Finance

Funeral Service Pauline Naomi Albury of Mount Vernon, Nassau, The Bahamas, who died on Thursday, 16th March, 2017, will be held at Glad Tidings Tabernacle, Kemp Road, Nassau, on Sunday, 26th March, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.

Pastor Irene Russell officiating.

She is survived by her daughters, Joanne Kemp and Valerie Hall; her sons-in-law, Charles Kemp and Rickey Hall along with her grandsons, Loren Kemp, Kyle and Tyler Hall.

She is predeceased by her husband, the late George Basil Albury, her sister, the late Shirley Roberts, and is survived by her sisters, Yvonne Roberts and Francis Newbold.

She also leaves behind a brother-in-law, Allan Albury and a dear friend, Marilyn Moree, who was like a daughter to her, nephews, Gregory and Glen Newbold, along with other relatives and friends In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Glad Tidings Tabernacle, Building Fund, P.O. Box S.S6794, Nassau, The Bahamas in memory of Mrs. Pauline Naomi Albury.

Arrangements Kemps Funeral Home Limited.

and Planning, later taking the top post as Minister of Planning and Public Service. He was first elected to Parliament for the Montagu constituency on November 10, 1994, and subsequently appointed Minister of Finance, carrying that portfolio until May, 2002. He is currently a Director on several corporate Boards.

Former Governor General Dame Ivy Dumont said: “I was delighted to be able to come, I thought Prime Minister [Hubert Ingraham] did a wonderful thing to invite us because this is the kind of celebration we don’t have often … I think he [Sir William] is entitled to have a special day, getting together with people he had known for so long.”

Zhivargo Laing said: “To be able to celebrate his 80th birthday with him is really a marvellous treat and I’m honoured. I couldn’t imagine right now a more glorious thing for me. In almost every way that a friend and professional colleague could impact a person, Sir William Allen has impacted me. His intellectual capacity, his authenticity, his seriousness about the task and assignment and his desire to see you grow as an individual, was all the experience I had with him, as a cabinet colleague, as a parliamentary colleague, and simply as a friend.”

In further applauding his guest, however, Mr Ingraham said that today’s lack of transparency in the management of the country’s finance did not compare favourably with the admi-

rable job the latter did in overseeing the public purse as Governor of the Central Bank.

“William did a wonderful job for us and for the Bahamas, in terms of public finances, in terms of the economy,” the former Prime Minister said. Regarding the present realities, he said, “We have never had a less transparent, less accountable government in the history of the Bahamas.”

In turn, the honoree gave credit, explaining how Mr Ingraham as prime minister contributed to his success in steering national finances.

“For the Minister of Finance to do good, he has to have the full support of his Prime Minister - if it’s going to work, full support.

I’ve had that. And we’ve brought a discipline to fiscal affairs in this country that we’ve never had before,” Sir William said.

Sir William’s storied educational and professional attainments have extended beyond his homeland. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the School of Commerce, New York University and a Master’s Degree in Economics with a concentration in International Finance from Baruch College of the City University of New York.

While in New York he worked as an Internal Auditor with Stone & Webster Securities Corporation and later as Budget Supervisor at the Headquarters of the J C Penney Co until 1970, when he returned to Nassau.

THIS WEEK IN THE TRIBUNE Tuesday

Friday

• Woman and Health weekly advice on taking care of your mind and body and women making waves in The Bahamas • To mark World Down Syndrome Day, a 16-page colour guide • Plus comment from Nicole Burrows and sporting mischief and mayhem with Inigo “Naughty” Zenicazelaya

• Weekend - a 28-page section devoted to the best in arts, music, fashion, food, books, entertainment, gardening, animal matters, fitness, history and interviews • Sports - The Finish Line, a look at the local sports scene, by Brent Stubbs • Plus A Comic’s View Naughty’s unique take on the week in the Bahamas

Wednesday

Saturday

• Tribune Tech - a weekly look at what’s new in the world of technology • Plus Alicia Wallace tackles social and political issues of the moment in The Bahamas in her Culture Clash column

• The Tribune’s Top 5: a special video review of the week’s top stories by Khrisna Virgil on www.tribune242.com • Every day in The Tribune, news, business, sports, weather and Classifieds Trader - the best guide to cars for sale, real estate, help wanted and more.

Thursday • Obituaries and Religion, a weekly review • ‘On da Hook’, a weekly look at fishing in The Bahamas

Plus breaking news and updates on your mobile-friendly tribune242.com

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, March 20, 2017, PAGE 11

Baha Mar site handover ‘sooner than planned’ from page one Bahamians,” should the opposition party win the next general election.

Dr Minnis also said an FNM government would ensure that the buyer utilised only Bahamian labour to complete the beleaguered resort, adding that he doubted the project will open on time.

Yesterday, Mr Christie said he is anxious and excited to see the resort finally open, but most of all he is “happy” that thousands of Bahamians will have “sustainable, meaningful employment”.

“The government works weekly in meeting with developers towards ensuring that everything remains on point. We have had other meetings with the Ministry of Works to ensure that the deadlines are met and so we are very happy and we are pushing and we are comfortable with what exists and we are obviously leaving the bookings and what happens on the 21st to the developer and the opera-

tors,” Mr Christie said.

“I worked very, very hard with a team of people to make this happen and regardless to what criticisms exist the reality is we are now on path where thousands of Bahamians will

have meaningful, sustainable employment. It begins with at least 1,500 and some 700 or 800 are already hired. So hundreds of people are now on site and going through adjustments and orientation for the

opening and I am so happy about that and I think the country is happy about that.”

He continued: “The rating agencies will be watching it very carefully, the IMF also very carefully

because it will have exponentially a major impact on our country and as a result of it more confidence will be reposed in other islands to make viable destinations.”

Mr Christie said “everything is on track” and the developer is making a “considerable effort” to assist our country in any way they can.

“Clearly they could have waited until November and open with the winter season but we are led to believe that things are going so well that the site will be turned over, with respect to the other hotels, more sooner than planned. So therefore you will find tremendous activity leading to more jobs being created ,much sooner than we anticipated therefore we are going to see a major positive impact,” Mr Christie said.

“Everything is on track and we are anxiously awaiting the increase in the number of jobs, weekly they are bring people on staff.

Things are happening and the confidence is there.

People know that it is hap-

three to ten years. The Office of the Attorney General must do its job without fear or favour and prove that no one is above the law,” the group’s statement read.

“The public must realise how serious this is. Unbeknownst to the vast majority of Bahamians, the construction of that resort may have placed this country at the crux of one of the most vexing and dangerous problems facing the international community today.

“The ILO have just passed a landmark Forced Labour Protocol and raising awareness of the issue was the theme of the United Nations’ most recent International Day in December 2016.

“The whole world is focused on combating modern day slavery, yet somehow, The Bahamas learns this vile practice has been going on, perhaps on a massive scale, on our shores and under our very noses.

The government simply cannot allow this to pass unchallenged. They must demonstrate that the rule of law still exists in this country.

“We also call on Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell to defend our reputation abroad by announcing to the world that the government of The Bahamas will take urgent and definitive action on this issue and ensure that justice will be done,” said the GBHRA.

The group said forced labour is a form of modern day slavery that is widely condemned by the international community.

GBHRA noted that forced labour and human trafficking are key components in the practice of modern slavery that today affects almost 21 million people around the world, contending that almost 19 million of those victims are exploited by employers – just as has been claimed in the case of Baha Mar.

While debating an amendment, which is considered companion legislation to the Trafficking in Persons Act, Mr Davis said the Christie administration was “concerned” that the workers’ documents had been “held” from their possession.

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

PRIME Minister Perry Christie speaking during a town meeting held at the University of The Bahamas where questions were asked to candidates for the PLP, including Michael Halkitis, Jermone Fitzgerald and Cheryl Bazard.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

pening, it will be very good and that is why I am hoping Dr Minnis himself will go down and congratulate the contractors and say ‘well done, well done’.”

Mr Christie announced the official sale of Baha Mar to CTF BM Holdings, a subsidiary of Chow Tai Fook Enterprises last December, at the time stating the resort was set for a phased opening beginning in April, 2017, and a full completion by this fall.

It has since been revealed that the sale has not been finalised and that the opening date for the Rosewood hotel brand, owned by the Baha Mar buyer, has seemingly been delayed to Spring 2018.

In December, Mr Christie did not disclose the sale price of Baha Mar, adding that details of the deal are still sealed by the Supreme Court at the request of the Export-Import Bank of China.

The government has since announced plans to table the sealed Baha Mar documents ahead of the April soft opening.

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

As part of the Baha Mar deal, Parliament approved the issuance of 8,150 work permits for non-Bahamian construction workers, with a condition that no more than 5,000 permits would be utilised at any given time. Baha Mar’s general contractor is China Construction America.

ACTIVISTS CALL FOR PROBE INTO WITHHELD PASSPORTS from page one

notion that thousands of individuals could be victim to such a violation on Bahamian soil without action by law enforcement is unacceptable and must be “remedied immediately”.

The GBHRA called on the Office of the Attorney General to disclose the outcome of preliminary inquiries to the public and to launch a full investigation into the labour practices used during the project in question - Baha Mar. “If what DPM Davis has said is true, there have been multiple clear violations of Trafficking in Persons Act, each of which carries a possible prison sentence of

TEENAGER FACES COURT ACCUSED OF MURDER

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

MURDER and attempted murder charges were brought against a teenager in Magistrate’s Court on Friday afternoon.

Jordan Stubbs, 18, is accused of intentionally causing the death of Delanzo Cartwright on March 10.

He is further accused of attempting to kill Tia Green and Devontae Kerr on the same day.

According to police

reports, shortly before 10pm Cartwright was driving with the two women when the occupants of a Honda Odyssey pulled alongside their car and shot them before speeding off.

All three were taken to hospital. The man was seriously injured and died of his injuries the next day while the two women were treated and discharged.

Due to the nature of the allegations, Stubbs will not be required to enter a plea to the allegations until a

formal arraignment before a judge in the Supreme Court.

He is expected to return to the Magistrate’s Court on May 15 to be presented with a Voluntary Bill of Indictment, which would fast-track his case to the Supreme Court.

Stubbs will have to apply for bail in the Supreme Court if he wants pre-trial release as the lower court does not have the jurisdiction to consider it due to the nature of the charges against him.

MAN DENIES SEX ASSAULT ON 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN denied sexual assault allegations brought against him during his formal arraignment in Supreme Court on Friday.

Theotis Jerome Barr appeared before Senior Justice Bernard Turner facing two counts of unlawful sex-

ual intercourse concerning two alleged incidents with a 12-year-old girl last year on a Family Island.

It is alleged that during March, 2016, he had sex with the minor, who cannot legally give consent for sexual intercourse, and that between June 30 and July 7, 2016, he had sexual intercourse with the girl again.

Barr pleaded not guilty

to both charges, which were brought under section 10(1) (a) of the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 99. He was informed that he will have a fixture hearing before Justice Deborah Frazier on March 23 when he will be given the date of his trial.

Barr remains on $8,500 bail which was granted to him last October. He has retained attorney David Cash

PAGE 12, Monday, March 20, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Lightbourn frustrated at lack of answers to tabled questions

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net MONTAGU MP Richard Lightbourn has expressed his “total frustration” in the lack of response by the Christie administration to over 200 questions about national issues read and tabled in the House of Assembly by the Official Opposition dating back to 2012.

Mr Lightbourn, in an interview with The Tribune on Friday, accused the government of choosing to “ignore” the questions posed by various members of the Official Opposition, charging that the Christie administration “just seems to be prepared to share whatever they feel is of benefit to them and then they hush up”.

He said that while he has no “real hope or belief” that the government will respond to any of the questions the Opposition has raised, they “need to be out there so that the country

has got to understand that these people just seem to feel that they can do whatever they wish without regard for proper parliamentary etiquette and business etiquette”.

The rebel Free National Movement (FNM) MP referred to a list of 23 questions, collectively addressed to Prime Minister Perry Christie, Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, and Agriculture Minister V Alfred Gray, over a number of issues, including the exporting of Conch and Sea Cucumbers, the controversy surrounding hotelier Philip Ruffin’s unpaid casino taxes and the controversy surrounding the $650m letter of intent with Stellar Waste-to-Energy. He said those questions were tabled in the House of Assembly, and thus should be on the agenda for Monday’s sitting of Parliament.

However, he said he was not hopeful that the questions would be answered or even addressed, referring

to a myriad of questions asked by the Opposition about various national issues since the start of this Parliamentary term.

“If you look on the agenda, every time we have a new sitting they have a new agenda which lists new Bills that have been read, first second time, etc,” he said.

“So they have all the Bills listed, then they list the questions. Well, the questions go back to 2012. I think there’s over 200 questions on that thing which have not been addressed.

“Every once in a while you come forward and they would answer a couple.

From different members from the FNM. Neko Grant did a lot, (Dr Minnis) did a bunch, Loretta. Members have tabled questions, they just ignore them.

“I don’t frankly have any real hope or belief that they will respond to any of them, but I just think they need to be out there that the country has got to understand that these people just seem to feel that they can do

whatever they wish without regard for proper parliamentary etiquette and business etiquette. No wonder this country is in the state it’s in today.

“There’s a total frustration but it’s just like everything else. This government just seems to be prepared to share whatever they feel is of benefit to them and then they hush up. They need to be open with the public.”

In one of his questions to Mr Christie, Mr Lightbourn seeks to have the Prime Minister clarify whether or not “all casino taxes owed by any corporate entity controlled by Mr Ruffin have been paid to the Government”. Last year, Mr Ruffin, in a statement issued by his Bahamian attorneys, Davis & Co, vehemently denied that he owed any outstanding casino taxes to the Public Treasury.

However, that contradicted the findings of the Government’s own auditor and Ministry of Finance officials, with the former’s 2013-2014 fiscal year re-

port stating that the former Crystal Palace Casino owner still owes $7.277m.

Their findings were also backed by Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Tourism, who has responsibility for gaming.

“The story on the street is that he did pay it, that he paid it to Davis & Co,” Mr Lightbourn told The Tribune. “Whether that’s true or not, I don’t know. But certainly according to the Auditor General there’s been no evidence forthcoming that it was paid.”

Turning his attention to Mr Gray, Mr Lightbourn called on the MICAL MP to inform Parliament “to whom licences were issued authorising the export of conch from The Bahamas for each of the years 2012 to 2016 inclusive” as well as “the terms upon which such licenses were issued”.

Mr Lightbourn told The Tribune that such information is crucial because the local conch population is being “depleted”.

“When you were growing

up you could go right here in Nassau harbour and get a pile of conch,” Mr Lightbourn said. “But now you got to go down south of Acklins to get them. Why do you think that is? Because people deplete them.

And they’re getting smaller and smaller (in numbers).

But we’re going to sit here and in the next five years, ten years, suddenly your conch costs $20 a conch, and you’re going to wonder why. People are going to scream and carry on.

“You go in every restaurant that sells local stuff, conch is the main number,” Mr Lightbourn added.

“You go down to Arawak Cay, Potters Cay, conch salad all the time. But the day you can’t afford conch salad is when you’re going to start screaming. But let’s deal with it now.

“But we’re just sitting here just allowing the corruption. The failure to enforce laws is going to destroy everything that ever meant anything in this country.”

CHIEF SAYS FIREFIGHTERS ARE EQUIPPED WITH MASKS

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

FIRE Chief Superintendent Walter Evans has denied that firefighters were battling two massive fires in the capital without protective gear and masks.

Mr Evans told The Tribune each firefighter has been assigned their own “personal protection equipment” and their masks are of the higher quality tech, which is used for smoke for the environment.”

His comments came after Heather Carey, the spokeswoman for Raising Awareness about the Bahamas Landfill (RABL), said last week that firefighters do not have the proper gear to battle blazes.

“I’ve been seeing it for years,” she said. “I go out every year to cover these and I’ve seen pictures and commented that the drivers (of firefighting trucks) don’t have any gear. I’ve addressed it. I was more disappointed this time and upset because I watched them

go into the fire, not standing behind the fire line.”

Police Staff Association (PSA) Chairman, Inspector Dwight Smith, also told The Tribune that concerned officers reached out to him after seeing photographs of firefighters attempting to extinguish a blaze with no gear and no masks.

“The firefighters are equipped with oxygen tanks and each firefighter has been issued with a face mask, a personal face mask,” Supt Evans said on Thursday.

“The equipment is used when officers are working in a heavily concentrated smoke environment and a part of their personal protection equipment is an air tank on the back which is connected to a mask which stops them from breathing in any toxic fumes.

“Now the weight on that is about 45 pounds that the officers must carry on their back and must be able to work with. They have the proper equipment, they have what they need. The officers have their own personal pro-

tection equipment.”

Pictures of the men without masks battling through the conditions as ash settled on their bare heads were published by The Tribune last week.

The men carried fire hoses and other tools as they spent hours trying to contain and extinguish the fire that disrupted the lives of Jubilee Gardens residents, damaged properties and renewed questions about the state of the landfill.

Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) officers appeared to have been better equipped with protective gear than the police firefighters.

Sanigest Internacional, a leading healthcare consultancy and management company in Costa Rica, donated 20 face masks to the firefighters, delivering them to the men late last week.

The landfill fire, which began a week ago, is still burning. Firefighters are also battling another blaze off Carmichael Road on Friday which began the previous afternoon.

SUPERINTENDENT of the Fire Department Walter Evans.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

POLITICAL PARTY JOINS CRITICS OF GOVT OVER FIRES AT LANDFILL THE Bahamas National Constitution Party has joined the chorus of critics

of the Government’s handling of the burning New Providence Landfill, calling

it indecisive and insensitive in its efforts to deal with the threat to the health of nearby residents.

The party said the situation with the dump “exposed 30 years of the PLP and FNM administrations’ callous attitude towards those who they seem to regard as poor black Bahamians whose life and limbs are of no value worth and dignity. This situation speaks clearly to the level of greed, corruption and moral indifference that has become the

excepted (sic) norm.” The BNCP also called for the cost of losses suffered by residents to be subject to a law suit and for a five-year medical services plan to be put in place for those affected paid for by those it held responsible.

BNCP members stood at the entrance of Jubilee Gardens, the area most affected by the smoke and from which residents had to be evacuated, to add to the public attention on what they described as a national

issue of critical importance.

In a statement on Friday, the party criticised the decision to create the dump on Harold Road, borrow money from the Inter-American Development Bank, not to follow the agreement signed by the FNM to build a proper waste facility and account for the $35m properly.

“The PLP’s indecisiveness, insensitivities to this national (issue) and subsequent inability to confront and deal with this perplexing issue that now affects the life, safety, health and well being of all persons living in the surrounding areas is immoral,” the BNCP said. “This weekend’s explosion of the fire and wind condition finally exposed the perilous situation we as people are facing and this situation cannot be left unattended. It is too serious.”

The BNCP raised several questions, including why an Environment Impact Assessment report had not been undertaken by the original developers; why a government would permit the building of houses within 200 yards of a dump site; and why the necessary safeguards were not put in place at the beginning or at some stage to minimise the crisis. “It is our understanding that the lack of political will and indifference to the respect for the dignity of life of our black working class citizens is at the heart of this contemptible PLP and FNM behaviour,” the statement continued. “Therefore BNCP demands a quick resolution

to this vexing life threatening crisis now. The original developers and PLP and FNM must be held accountable.

“All losses experienced by the residents of this area should be borne in a class action suit against both governments and developers.

Medical service to ensure the health and safety of all residents for the next five years must be put in place to monitor our people and the cost of this must be born jointly by PLP, FNM and the developers.

“This dump issue must be addressed forthwith and it must be done in a manner that deals with the immediate threat to life, to cause remediation, and secondly it must attack the structural, systemic and fundamental issues thus creating the long term resolution of this crisis to the satisfaction of our people in a manner that is fair just and equitable. It cannot be business as usual.

“BNCP has a plan and a vision that we believe is the solution to this problem. While we are here demonstrating our support, solidarity and moral correctness, Jubilee is prophetic because it enables us to show our people that the vision of a new Bahamas where the wealth is made common and government upholds the rights and dignity of all of its citizens in a new economic arrangement that puts life and value at its core; and thus begin a new chapter moving our nation forward upward and onward.”

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, March 20, 2017, PAGE 13

ALL STARS SHINE IN DUBLIN THE BAHAMAS All Stars Marching Band joined performers dressed as colourful creatures from Irish myth and legend dancing down the chilly streets of Dublin on Friday as Ireland commemorated its national saint in a St Patrick’s Day parade witnessed by hundreds of thousands.

Throngs of tourists and Dubliners, many of them donning leprechaun costumes, braved gusty winds to pack the route for the parade as it travelled down

O’Connell Street across the River Liffey and on to St Patrick’s Cathedral.

The Bahamas All Stars were presented with the Discretionary Award for popularity and a Participation Award.

Dublin’s parade, by far the largest of dozens nationwide, forms the centrepiece of a four-day festival that marks the start of Ireland’s tourist season.

Irish President Michael D Higgins and his wife, Sabina, and other dignitaries

watched the hour-long procession from a bandstand.

The spectacle was heavy on artistic flair and worldwide connections, featuring marching bands from the Bahamas, Germany, France, Switzerland and the US states of Illinois, Indiana, Oregon and Washington. Firefighters from Berkeley, California, and Westchester, New York, also marched.

• Watch the band performing on tribune242.com

THE BAHAMAS All Stars Marching Band in Dublin, in this image captured from video footage.

Bishop wants level-headed election campaign from page one These sentiments come days after an altercation between Free National Movement (FNM) supporters and PLP campaigners that took place as both sides were canvassing in the Carmichael Road area early last week.

The incident proved to be the first in a week of contentious statements between the two organisations, with Prime Minister Perry Christie on Thursday seeming to goad FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis into a confrontation over Baha Mar. In his address at a community forum hosted by the PLP, Mr Christie took Dr Minnis to task over being absent from the House of Assembly in the wake of what he termed yet another massive error by the Killarney MP. Mr Christie went on to dare Dr Minnis to show up to Parliament, asserting that once he does, the FNM leader will have to stand up and face both him and the public on claims made.

At the forum, Mr Christie said: “Even when he decides that he is going to make these statements from long range, he’s still making mistakes, and sometimes, big mistakes. He put out some big statements about Baha Mar earlier this week, but he did not show up to

BISHOP Simeon Hall has called the election by politicians. defend those statements.

He continued: “I put some information in my back pocket, I know I had to travel for a Customs graduation in Freeport. I say just in case he comes, I wanted to see whether the Speaker would allow me through the argument of relevance to allow me to speak to him about that big mistake he made.

Mr Christie added: “But he knows, he ain’t coming to me. He will hide. But we have a couple of more meetings left, and I invite him to come out. I don’t want him to duck and hide. Tell him come to Parliament where he could bob and weave; but don’t duck and hide.

Not if he wants the people of this country to see him as a leader that they can (place) confidence in.”

The following day at a rally in Grand Bahama, Dr

for a level-headed approach to Minnis dubbed the Prime Minister “Cotton Candy Christie”, insinuating that his soft policies have contributed to the second city’s economic hardship.

“The Prime Minister was brazen enough,” Dr Minnis said, “in Grand Bahama to once again put together a bunch of words saying absolutely nothing. His speeches are like cotton candy: big, beautiful, colourful, sweet but full of air and lacking substance.”

Dr Minnis was referring to Mr Christie’s statements about a prospective buyer for the Grand Lucayan Resort, which has been on the market for some time. Twothirds of the hotels on the island are closed and hundreds of hotel workers are unemployed, he said.

“Cotton Candy Christie told you about a conference call that he had with some

RESIDENTS WARY OF FOUL ODOURS FROM BORCO PLANT

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net FOUL odours emanating from the BORCO plant continued to permeate the Pinder’s Point area of Grand Bahama this week, affecting residents and businesses along Queen’s Highway West.

The Pinder’s Point Lewis Yard Environmental Committee (PPLYEC) spoke with a Buckeye representative, who confirmed that a particular type of crude oil was the source of the odour and that efforts were being made to address it.

Last week, residents complained of nausea and vomiting and a nearby restaurant reported that the odour was very pungent for two weeks and reportedly made a number of patrons sick. “It was awful last week, but this week it is not as strong,” an employee told The Tribune. “The odour is more prevalent at night than in the day.”

PPLYEC members Shuffel Hepburn and Berthram Pinder said they were told

by Buckeye that the odour was caused by a type of crude that was very viscous, which the representative referred to as “high pour point”.

“It is very smelly and they have been trying to get the odours down but it has been difficult. And the representative said they are now trying to get rid of the oil,” said Mr Hepburn. He said that the smells are a disruption to the lives of the residents and their health. He criticised the company for not making an announcement to explain the prob-

lem, or even to apologise to the residents.

The Committee also criticised BORCO for failing to compensate homeowners who suffered damage to their homes as a result of sandblasting at the plant.

At a town meeting on Tuesday, resident Lowel Pinder said that his roof was recently stained by sandblasting particles blown into his yard, onto his car, and home. He said he informed Buckeye of the damage to his property, but the company refuses to compensate him. He plans to sue for compensation.

According to Mr Hepburn, silica particles are carcinogenic and can affect the residents’ health and encouraged others who have sustained damage to their property to also take legal action.

The PPLYEC revealed the results of a questionnaire conducted on Tuesday at the town meeting relating to their health and of family members who died of cancer.

“More than 70 per cent of the residents said they have at least a couple of illnesses identical to those in the 1989 recovered government’s epidemiological study, Mr Hepburn reported. “More than 70 per cent had family members who died of cancer, and a number of them had as many as three members in their family die of cancer,” he said, “and a number of them said they have cancer themselves.”

Mr Hepburn also shared with residents the results of an epidemiological study in 1989 commissioned by Dr Norman Gay

but never released by the government.

“The residents cried shame on the government for preventing them from taking measures to safeguard their health while living in such a toxic environment,” he said. “Residents feel that many deaths might have been avoided had the government released the results of the study to the Bahamian public, and had they followed up on the recommendations by Dr Fahrat Mahmood, Dr Eric Brown and the team that worked along with them to produce the study.”

He believes that the initial study was much more comprehensive and more professionally done than the recent 2015 Pan American Health Orgaisation/ World Heatlh Organisation health assessment.

“PAHO/WHO did not have any residents examined by medical doctors in order to arrive at their conclusion that there are ‘no health risks to the residents’,” said Mr Hepburn.

The government has implemented the two recommendations made by PAHO/WHO in its report to install E-noses in the communities to monitor air quality; and to conduct a safety assessment of communities within close proximity of the industrial plants.

Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville announced last month that the Antea Group had been contracted by government to conduct a safety assessment. The PPLYEC wants residents relocated from the affected settlements and communities.

investors that promised that they are evaluating, considering and contemplating doing some comprehensive things in Grand Bahama.

Mr Prime Minister: Just a piece of advice. Your failures now speak so loudly no one is listening to anything you have to say,” said Dr Minnis.

Referring to these incidents, Bishop Hall wrote on Saturday: “Violence of any kind - verbal or physical is a sign of immaturity and speaks volumes as to the kind of nation we wish to build. People must learn to respect the views of others and their right to have such views, even when those views differ from theirs.”

He continued: “It was immature election campaigning that birthed that bloody period in 1972 where some persons were senselessly killed and injured during heated exchanges among supporters of different political parties. Some may remember this unfortunate incident as the Perpall Tract Tragedy.

“To seek to hurt another Bahamian because they oppose you politically, is to

denigrate the democratic process which makes us what and who we are as a People. I urge all political parties to remind their supporters that such sacred democratic process should build our Bahamaland and not tear us apart.”

When contacted for comment yesterday, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts said while he is “more than okay” with the name calling associated with political campaigning, he believes that if it is unchecked it could incite a serious level of anger.

Mr Roberts, a man who has earned the name “Big Bad Brad” for his stronghanded leadership and attack-style public statements, admitted that there is a fine line between rallying a base and angering opposition forces.

Mr Roberts said: “I should note, one has to be careful with the kinds of rhetoric being used because it could incite some dormant factors in voters. It could get them riled up to a point that it could cause bigger situations. I don’t support the physical violence,

so I try to be as careful as possible with the way I use my words because when it comes together it can get the people going.

He added: “To know how to play along that line is what is key. That comes with time. I am sure to be careful with my action.

How careful are (the other parties) being?”

Campaign efforts have intensified over the last two weeks, as expectations are that a general election could be called within the next six weeks.

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

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

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

Kennel Club

PAGE 14, Monday, March 20, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Dog Show THE BAHAMAS Kennel Club annual dog show was held at Clifton Park this weekend, with events including agility exercises as well as the traditional show classes.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

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THE TRIBUNE

US ALERT ON GOOD SAMARITAN THEFT SCAM

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE United States Embassy in Nassau has warned the American public of an apparent “good Samaritan theft scam” in New Providence, in which criminals disable vehicles and then prey on unsuspecting drivers.

In a message, the Embassy warned all US citizens to be careful at all times while driving in The Bahamas.

“The US Embassy is aware of a scam involving good Samaritans offering to help drivers and passengers of disabled vehicles,” the

message issued on Thursday said. “The scam involves someone tampering with a vehicle in advance, such as deflating its tyre(s).

“When the driver attempts to make the repair, a nearby ‘good Samaritan’ offers assistance. While the driver is distracted, another individual steals property from inside the car. The US Embassy reminds all US citizens to be aware of your location at all times while driving in The Bahamas, maintain a general awareness of the condition of your car and tyres, and to contact local police to report if you fall victim to this theft scam.”

Chief Superintendent

Clayton Fernander said he was “unaware” of the scam but “would look into it”.

In January, the Embassy warned the American public of a “fraudulent call” scheme, in which people were coerced into transferring sizable funds under the guise that the money would be used to aid family members travelling in The Bahamas.

According to officials, the caller obtains information, often through social media, which confirms a relative is travelling in or residing in The Bahamas and uses that information to try to convince a victim to send money to allegedly aid the relative.

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Monday, March 20, 2017, PAGE 15