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DNA LEADER HITS OUT ON ARRESTS

Komolafe claims police were told to act despite Commissioner’s denial

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Arinthia Komolafe alleged yesterday the arrest of herself and other party leaders had been carried out on the instruction of higher ups.

She told reporters there were concerns that “political vicitimisation” could ramp up as the next general election nears.

The group was held at Central Police Station on

East Street North for several hours and questioned about the events that unfolded on March 3.

“It’s been a very long day,” Mrs Komolafe said from the steps of the Central Police Station. Her husband, DNA members and supporters flanked her as scores of other supporters spilled into the street.

Mrs Komolafe’s mother also flew in from a Family Island in a show of support for her daughter.

TOURISM Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar last week met Bay Street business and property owners to reassure them they will not “be a forgotten step child” in downtown Nassau’s redevelopment.

Mr D’Aguilar said he

SUPER Value’s principal yesterday urged Bahamians to “pull out all the stops” to help re-open the economy and become COVID-19 vaccinated with the supermarket chain’s sales “in freefall”.

Rupert Roberts said the chain’s top-line is “falling every week” as prolonged unemployment and reduced incomes inflict a toll on consumer spending.

Asserting vaccination is “100 percent key” to beating the pandemic and restoring the economy, he said the stores were booking appointments for all staff aged 65 and over to become innoculated.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-carwright@ tribunemedia.net

SEE PAGE THREE

met key stakeholders last Wednesday to address concerns over how their interests will “tie in” to the ongoing $250m transformation of Nassau’s cruise port.

Attendees, he said, were keen to understand how cruise passengers will “flow” from the redeveloped port to Woodes Rogers Walk and into Nassau.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

BAHA MAR BOOKINGS AHEAD OF EASTER ‘19

BAY STREET PLEADS: DON’T LEAVE US OUT

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

SUPER VALUE SAYS SALES IN FREEFALL

SHANNAN DOER

SHANNAN Ighodaro is the first Bahamian-born councilwoman in the city of Miami Gardens - and she spoke to The Tribune about her roots, and her journey from Junkanoo to city council. See Face to Face on page eight for the full story.

OFFICIALS at Baha Mar say things are definitely looking up for the resort as reservation numbers for Easter and spring break are exceeding those of 2019 with forward bookings for summer, fall and winter also looking good.

Baha Mar, like other resorts in The Bahamas, had to close its doors and furlough staff when COVID-19 travel restrictions came into play. It was one of the first resorts to reopen and take back staff when the country’s borders were open again to visitors.

SEE PAGE FOUR

FATHER-OF-TWO SHOT DEAD AT HOME

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A 55-YEAR-OLD man became the country’s latest murder victim after he was shot in the head and killed at his home on Wilson Track early yesterday morning.

Police have not identified the victim, but family members said he is Carlos “Bookie” Brown, a father

CARLOS BROWN of two boys, a six-yearold and 15-year-old. His death has pushed the country’s murder count to 28,

according to this newspaper’s records.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Audley Peters said shortly after 5am police received reports of a shooting incident in Wilson Track area off Wulff Road.

Upon arrival, officers were led to a single-storey home where the found a man lying in the doorway unresponsive.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

APPLAUSE - AND AN EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW

SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Tuesday, March 23, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

COMMODORE LEADS THE WAY TO GET JAB ROYAL Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Raymond King was the first in the law enforcement agency to receive the OxfordAstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine yesterday.

Conducted at the RBDF base, the inoculations were led by the force’s medical doctor, Lieutenant Commander Doctor Derwin Johnson, along with the medical facility’s professional staff. Lisa Adderley, the deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of National Security, also received the vaccination.

Being the first in the organisation to get vaccinated, Commodore King encouraged officers and marines to make the right decision.

“As a fighting force where personal readiness

is of the utmost importance, it is critical, although voluntary, to consider the implications linked to not being vaccinated, and exposed to the threats in the performance of our duties which require us to interact with other nationals at sea, where the risk is higher,” said Commodore King.

“I, therefore, encourage other organisational members to follow my lead, as I lead from the front, and accept the vaccine to ensure your readiness as a fit and healthy force.”

Yesterday marked the first day of vaccinations at the RBDF base after the process was first rolled out at other locations last week.

The RBDF said it will give further updates with numbers of personnel who have voluntarily accepted the vaccine.

COMMODORE Raymond King receives his COVID-19 vaccination.

When will we get vaccines?

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net THE Progressive Liberal Party has raised questions about when the country will receive vaccines purchased through the World Health Organisation’s COVAX facility.

At a press conference yesterday, PLP Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said the process leading up to the country’s vaccination programme has been “really mishandled”.

“We are grateful that vaccinations are now being administered,” Mr Davis, who got the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on Saturday, said.

“There is still a question as to when the second

batch of the vaccinations will arrive. They were not able to tell me when I got my vaccination and they still seem to be scrambling to determine and to access more vaccinations.”

PLP Senator Dr Michael Darville, who got his first jab on Friday, shared a similar concern. He explained his views when reporters brought up Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ comments last week suggesting the possibility of having Independence Day and Junkanoo celebrations held later this year.

The senator responded: “We keep hearing about one date, then a next date, then a next date. We’re beginning to lose confidences on the government to give us definite time

when we expect the next vaccine but we are hopeful that with the 20,000 doses that are presently in the country we would be able to administer the first jab and with the help of the Almighty we will be able to get the AstraZeneca vaccine that was purchased by the government through WHO and PAHO but time is not on our side because other Caribbean countries are far ahead of us as it relates to vaccinating our population with the size of The Bahamas, which is just under 400,000.”

Earlier this month, the government received 20,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine—a gift from India.

However the Minnis administration is still awaiting the arrival of the AstraZeneca

doses purchased through WHO, some of which are expected to arrive sometime this month. The AstraZeneca vaccine is a two-dose shot, with the second shot to be administered about 12 weeks after the first.

Last week, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis told reporters he has no intention of relaxing curfew hours for New Providence at this time as it is not the recommendation of health officials.

According to Dr Darville, the government needs to demonstrate the scientific basis for the restrictions.

He stated: “We’ve been looking at the numbers, we see a small spike in Grand Bahama, but we need to have more clarification as

(a result) of the science and we’re calling on the government to basically demonstrate and to share this science with the general public so that we can be all on the same accord because we’ve noticed in the past that some of the indications for the curfews were not scientifically based and we were concerned where some business establishments were not open while others were open at the time of curfew.

“We need more clarification and the leader is right in his last press release to call out on the government to please demonstrate to the Bahamian people what is the scientific basis for the lockdowns because of the devastating affects the

lockdowns are having on our economy. We need, rather than personal feelings, we need more scientific proof.”

While Dr Darville encouraged PLP supporters and others that it is important to take the vaccine, he highlighted there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding inoculation. He suggested having town hall meetings to alleviate the fears Bahamians may have particularly with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The senator also said the PLP is calling for legislation that moves away from “these draconian” emergency measures and put in more policies they believe would be more effective without affecting civil liberties.

Law enforcement officers are eligible to receive the vaccine during this phase of the process.

Although officials have expressed satisfaction with the interest and turnout for vaccinations, there are many Bahamians who are refusing to take it for various reasons. Some police officers make up those numbers.

Sergeant Miller spoke to The Tribune yesterday while he was on his way to be vaccinated.

“I must applaud the Commissioner of Police who came out last week and spoke on it and indicated that he is going to get it, but again he is going to leave the decision up to the officers themselves

rather than instructing or directing,” the PSA executive chairman said.

“I think it’s about 20 to 30 people (officers) that I know for sure have taken the vaccine.

“There were some officers, prior to the vaccine reaching here that I’ve heard say, ‘listen I am not taking it’. As a matter of fact there are a few executives of the Police Staff Association who made a personal decision and said, ‘Mr Chair, you can go on and take it, but we’re not taking it.’ At the end of the day we must respect their view and their reasoning behind what they are not going to do.”

Asked if he knew how many officers have taken

the vaccine so far, Mr Miller was not certain.

“I won’t have that information. Of course you know because it’s an online process,” he said. “I can tell you I have spoken to several officers who have indicated that they have been vaccinated. But I won’t be able to give you an exact number.

“I can tell you right now I am on my way to get my vaccination. I am saying to my members that this is one of those things that is entirely up to them simply because, it’s a personal decision. We don’t know people’s health or what they are allergic to; we don’t have any of that information so we really relying on them to make that personal

decision.”

Shifting gears, Mr Miller spoke to a pressing matter he wants taken care of, even though the PSA is trying to be gracious with the right timing.

“We are standing by waiting on a meeting with the Minister of Finance, which is the Prime Minister,” he continued. “We look forward to having this health insurance coverage… this new health insurance plan signed off on for our members. This will be very beneficial to us.

“Of course, we are watching the financial climate in this country which seems to be heading upwards now.

So we are going to monitor it before we make moves on getting our long overdue

salary increase.”

He made sure to acknowledge former Commissioner Anthony Ferguson and current Commissioner Paul Rolle for managing the force in such a way that officers are carrying out their duties in a less physically taxing manner.

“We must give the former Commissioner and the present Commissioner kudos for managing and leading the organisation in a way where there was no need to put our members on long shifts,” Mr Miller said.

“The members are continuing to put country above self as we navigate through these times we believe will be heading upwards very, very shortly.”

SOME POLICE SAYING THEY WON’T TAKE VACCINE

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

SONNY Miller, executive chairman of the Police Staff Association, said some police officers, including a few on his executive team, have said they will not take the COVID-19 vaccine.

Distribution of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine began last Wednesday and more than 1,500 people have been vaccinated thus far.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis and former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands are among the public figures who have already been vaccinated.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 23, 2021, PAGE 3

DNA leader hits out on arrests from page one

Supporters cheered and clapped as she emerged from the station.

“It’s just unfortunate that we have gotten to this point, but our spirit is not broken.

We’re very strong. We’re very resolute with what it is that we’re doing and pushing this message of change in the nation,” she said.

“We were brought in this morning for questioning and when we arrived we were told that we were under arrest for unlawful assembly. The matter is still pending at this time but our team, as you see, they have all been here since this morning.

“We all went through a series of questioning one behind the other and now we have been released but the matter is still pending. It will have to go to headquarters, as we have been told.”

The DNA’s chairman Omar Smith was contacted by police last Thursday, while Mrs Komolafe was contacted the following day and asked to come into the station as soon as possible for questioning.

While she told reporters she had no issues with police who were “very professional”, Mrs Komolafe asserted their arrests were ordered from “somewhere higher”.

As a result, she said they had no choice but to believe they were being politically victimised.

“Absolutely,” she said while also explaining how the arrest affected her family. “It is a very unfortunate moment because I carried the moment for them. I left my children at home. They were very upset. My daughter asked yesterday what was the purpose of this process.

“She was very concerned that I would be arrested.

They obviously don’t understand the process.

But, I thank God that he has given us the strength to be here and to bring us to this time and to bring us to this season but again

DNA leader Arintha Komolafe speaking to the media yesterday. as I said our spirits are not broken. We’re very resolute and we will continue this push for change.”

Asked about concerns the situation was connected to gender bias, she said: “I don’t know if you’ve ever heard in the history of this country where a male leader of a political party has been arrested for expressing their voice.

“This is the first in our country. We have had four Prime Ministers. They have all been male and Dr (Hubert) Minnis himself was a part of a protest in 2016 with the We March and Dr Minnis was never brought in for questioning to our knowledge. He was also a part of the protest on Paradise Island where there was actually destruction to property and to our recollection Dr Minnis was not brought in for questioning… there has to be some level of gender bias in this entire situation.”

Mrs Komolafe further asserted that Dr Minnis has sought to minimise the female voice in politics.

“We understand what the modus operandi of this current Prime minister is and this is a Prime Minister that has one female member in his Cabinet and came under

Photos: Racardo Thomas

pressure only recently to replace the one female member that resigned.

“Again, I do not run a campaign based on gender, but I do not ignore the realities that one is being faced with these challenges, one just because of gender, but also because of my youth as well as because of the message that the Democratic National Alliance and its members is carrying and has been carrying for the past ten years.”

The DNA leader said after yesterday’s events it was clear political bias

could continue.

“Many of you would have known that we applied, for example, to host a motorcade and we were denied, but at the same time the members of the Free National Movement were able to host a motorcade.

“We also understand the fact that even in movement throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas it is very challenging. It is very difficult. Some of the leverage that the Prime Minister has, some of the minority parties do not have.

“We believe that this is a

targeted attack on minority parties, but it is an attack on parties such as the DNA that is pushing a message of change outside of the status quo.”

Mrs Komolafe gained the support of Progressive Liberal Party leader Philip “Brave” Davis, Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin and former Opposition Leader Loretta ButlerTurner, among others.

For his part, Mr Davis said the situation was frightening. He called it hypocritical that Dr Minnis had participated in a large protest while in opposition, but allowed parties doing the same to face investigation.

“It is a frightening trend and pattern that this government has been engaged in,” Mr Davis said. “It started off with the victor’s justice in prosecuting opponents. The Prime Minister himself not listening. He’s clearly carrying this country down a path that will be clearly undemocratic.

“It is very sad that peaceful protests are now being turned into criminal activities.

“There is a constitutional right to assemble,” he said.

“There is a constitutional right to have freedom of

of Central who has carriage for Central invited nine persons in to the station to be interviewed in regards to the alleged breaches and I think that was the essence of what transacted.”

He continued: “They had to be interviewed. I learned that there was a media circus gathered at the Central Police Station. I wanted to find out what was going on and so I went down myself and I spoke with a few of the persons that the

officers invited in as well as to some of the attorneys and they were all aware of what was going on.

“I indicated to them as I would say to you today that when the officers have completed their investigations, the file will come to me and I will make a final decision on that at the time, which I will communicate with and to the persons concerned.”

Commissioner Rolle denied the arrest was an attempt to silence Mrs

Komolafe.

“Not at all because we have not done anything to prevent Mrs Komolafe from getting her message out and I encourage persons to get their message out,” he said.

“But, what we say is to do it right. You can’t block up the whole city and we were not aware. I want to encourage all the persons, we have persons that have gone into various areas, we have constantly said to

AMONG those showing their support were PLP MP Glenys Hanna Martin and former Opposition leader Loretta Butler-Turner.

association and she indicated that it had something to do with what they called an unlawful assembly and if they assembled and what was the purpose of that assembly to make it unlawful again it’s questionable and this is just another attempt by this government to silence the opposition.”

Mrs Hanna Martin sat with the group inside Central Station for some time yesterday.

“I am a part of her legal team, her citizenship team, her woman team. Any kinda team. I am standing with her today,” Mrs Hanna Martin said outside the station.

“We stand with them today. I think that the fact that she is a woman cannot be overlooked. It’s something that me as a woman identifies instantly. But I think there is a deeper issue here and it’s the issue in which political power is being exercised in a way that is very questionable and that I am wondering if they are trying to crush the spirits of the Bahamian people.

“I just want to let them know it ain’t gonna happen,” she said.

Mrs Butler-Turner was also adamant that this situation was not solely political.

“This appears to be about our democracy when Bahamians are not able to assemble freely and peaceably and to be offended in such a way as to be apprehended and held by the police, it makes me wonder whether or not we are now living in a military state,” the former MP said.

“And the truth of the matter is we are not a military state, we are not an authoritarian state and if in fact this gathering took place some three weeks ago and these people committed an offence they should have been arrested then.”

The group’s lead attorney, Khalil Parker. said the police’s actions yesterday were proof that policing in the country and handling of politics still has a long way to go.

persons we’re not going to stop you but you have to let us know because we have to protect you too.

“That’s the main thing that I want persons to understand. It is not about the Commissioner flaunting his authority. It is about protecting those demonstrators because we would hate to know that those persons are demonstrating and a different group pounces upon them and then we will have a bigger problem.”

COMMISSIONER DENIES POLITICAL VICTIMISATION

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Commissioner Paul Rolle yesterday pushed back against assertions that the Royal Bahamas Police Force is being used to carry out acts of political victimisation, insisting “I do not take instructions from politicians”.

In the face of allegations the police were acting on instructions from political “higher ups” to detain and arrest Democratic National Alliance Leader Arinthia Komolafe and members of her party, the Commissioner was adamant that he alone instructed the Central Police Station to act yesterday.

The DNA’s leader and other party officials were brought to the station yesterday for questioning in relation to a March 3 protest and events that occurred later that day.

They were released several hours later.

“Let me say that the Commissioner of Police answers to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” Commissioner Rolle said when asked by The Tribune to respond to claims the RBPF was being used to victimise the political party.

“I do not take instructions from politicians.”

He said he decided not to charge the DNA members on March 3, but to deal with the situation later. He said not only did the group unlawfully assemble at Rawson Square, but they “pushed on officers” in an attempted to gain entry to the House of Assembly.

Asked why it took three weeks to act on this matter, Commissioner Rolle said by law he is allowed a timeframe of one year to take action where misdemeanours are concerned.

“I have a year,” he said during a press conference at Police Headquarters after the DNA members were released. “I am saying

Parliament was still meeting and I didn’t wish to interfere with that. So, that’s really all there is to it. There is nothing political about it. I don’t see colours. So, whether it’s red, yellow or green, everybody is treated the same. I believe my record on that is straight forward.”

The group was not charged, with the Commissioner saying he had yet to make a determination as to whether anyone will be arraigned in court.

The investigation is continuing and will be wrapped up in a matter of days, he told reporters. If convicted the offences warrant fines and/or prison sentences.

“The events today (yesterday) emanating from events on the third of March during the early morning hours where groups of persons sought to assemble in various locations throughout the city, without first seeking permit for a demonstration and the gathering,” he said.

“As you are all aware persons can demonstrate.

The requirement of the law is to request a permit from the Commissioner of Police. That was not done.

“When it was brought to my attention I said to the officers at the time to speak to the persons, ask them to disperse and we will deal with them later.

“That was done and a short while later it was brought to my attention that the group of persons were at Parliament. Parliament was in session and these persons attempted to forcefully gain their way into the Parliament that was sitting at the time.

“They did not have any permission again to demonstrate as is required by law and I instructed officers at the time not to arrest anybody that we would deal with it later by way of summons where we just invite people in so as not to create a scene, an unnecessary scene, at the Parliament house.

“This morning I learned that the officer-in-charge

PAGE 4, Tuesday, March 23, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

BAHA MAR BOOKINGS AHEAD OF EASTER ‘19 from page one

The resort is now experiencing what appears to be a steady flow of guests.

“We have seen a promising increase in bookings over the last few weeks, exceeding our pace of reservations compared to the same time in 2019,” a statement from the resort said. “Spring break and Easter are the current highlights, but we

are observing increasing reservations for summer, fall and winter as well.

“We are hopeful that slowly declining cases of COVID-19 in our key markets and the rollout of the vaccine will encourage people to take a much-needed vacation and visit Baha Mar, a destination that naturally lends itself to great outdoor activities, while offering a large variety of experiences in a safe and

controlled environment.”

The statement also referred to a programme the resort started that would bring relief to its guests who contract the COVID-19 virus while here in The Bahamas.

“To stimulate bookings, Baha Mar recently launched Travel with Confidence, a programme designed to comfort guests with an initiative that remains unique within the

hospitality industry, pledging that should anyone test positive, they can quarantine in a suite on property free of charge with $150 daily dining credit, or should they be a US resident, we would be able to fly them back to the US via private air service,” the statement said.

Baha Mar reopened its SLS and Rosewood properties two weeks ago, returning some staff to work.

Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar has expressed excitement about the increase of the overall numbers of tourists visiting our shores. The reopening of the two Baha Mar properties has coincided with this uptick in overall guest arrivals.

The Ministry of Tourism is now the recipient of the coveted “Innovative Destination of the Year” award in the Caribbean Journal’s 7th annual Travel Awards

for continued flexibility throughout the pandemic and for setting a regional standard for destination entry practices.

The Minister of Tourism feels with the COVID-19 vaccine distribution occurring in The Bahamas and abroad, major resorts like Baha Mar reopening and cruise lines returning to The Bahamas, the country will soon achieve recordbreaking tourism numbers.

Christian Council report on vaccines ‘next month’ TOTAL CASES TOTAL DEATHS

8,935 188 NEWLY CONFIRMED CASES MONDAY 12 CASES NEW PROVIDENCE ELEUTHERA ABACO

5 5 2

TOTAL TESTS

HOSPITALISED

73,721

26

CASES IN ICU

3

RECOVERED

7,757

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Christian Council’s COVID Vaccine Investigative Committee hopes to complete its report on the issue of coronavirus vaccines by early next month.

Committee officials had initially planned to submit the report ahead of the vaccine’s arrival, which landed in the country earlier this month.

However, chair of the BCC’s vaccine committee, Pastor Mario Moxey said the group’s work took longer than expected because officials wanted to be as thorough as possible.

He told The Tribune: “The investigation that we did was really more involved than we initially anticipated and because of our desire to be as thorough as we possibly can, it just took us a little longer to obtain the interviews and then to evaluate those interviews, so we anticipate that

#10 Palmetto Avenue & Acklins Street P.O. Box N-3572 Nassau, Bahamas Tel: (242) 326-5773

Graveside Service for

Retired Principal Prison Officer

HAMILTON SAMUEL RILEY, 86 affectionately called “Gun”

a resident of Margaret Avenue, Millar’s Height and formerly of St. Ann’s, Jamaica, who died on Saturday 6th March 2021, will be held on Thursday 25th March 2021 at 10:00 a.m., at Western Cemetery, Nassau Street.

Officiating will be Rev. Dr. Charles E. Rolle.

Hamilton Samuel Riley is survived by his Wife: Louise Cecelia Barton-Riley; Daughters: Karen and Melissa; Grandchildren: Charlotte, Alecia, Candace, Dontae and Leila; Brothers and Sisters In-Law: Edward and Barbara Barton and family (Freeport), The late John and Pauline Munnings, Stephanie and Barry Lightbourne and family, Patrick and Esmeralda Rutherford and family, The late Louis Barton and family, Solomon and Claudia Armbrister and family, Michelle and Edward Minnis and family, Michelle and Estella Barton and family (Miami); Uncles and Aunts In-Law: The late Sam and Annie Bowe and family, The late Alfred Burke and Thomasina Bowe and family, The late Cecil Bowe and family, The late Mildred and Peter Bowe and family, Miriam Barton-Symonette and family, The late Emma Bethel and family, The late Ethel Theus Bain and family, The late Inez Gardiner-Dorestant and family; Cousins & Extended Family: The late Louis Kemp and family, Nigel Bowe and family, Henrietta Bain and family, Brenda Davis and family, The late Patsy McQuay and family, Sean Palmer and family, Denny Riley and family (Jamaica), John and Sylvia Riley and family (Jamaica),The late Roslyn Ritchie and family, The late Basil Sands, The late Beryl Simmons and family, Sonya Thompson and family (Jamaica), Janice Adderley and Cora Lee Meadows and family, The late Isadora Bastian and family, The late Nathaniel Bastian and family, Suzette Butterfield and family, Christine Clarke and family, The late Eugene Bostwick and family, The late Eldora Curry and family, Vernel, Darnell and Bernadette Curry and family, Leila Carey and family, Pastor Saunders Dunbar and family, Clement Foster and family, Phillip and Cheryl Howard and family, Raymond Julian and family, Von Marshall and family, The late Harold and Juliet Miller and family, Nicky Morley and family, Arthur and Doretha Morris and family, The late Derek and Louise Newry and family, Ethel, Myrtle, Shirley, Virginia and Frankie Mae Sands and family, The late Frederick Allardyce Sands and family, The Sears family, Sisters Alaina and Lovern and family, Irene Thompson and family, Gertrude Colebrook and family, the late Irene Turnquest and family and many other loving and well respected friends.

Relatives and friends may pay their last respects at Newbold Brothers Funeral Chapel, Palmetto Avenue & Acklins Street, off Market and East Streets on Wednesday 24th March 2021 from 10:00 a.m., until 5:00 p.m.

we should have a report before Good Friday so Thursday, the first of April would be kind of be the time when we know that will have a report done.”

The BCC has not yet taken a definite stance on COVID-19 vaccines.

Pastor Moxey said after the committee completes the report, it will be submitted to the BCC, who will then issue an official statement on the church’s position on COVID-19 vaccines.

BCC President Bishop Delton Fernander will determine whether the report should be released in public domain, Pastor Moxey added. Asked what all will be included in the report, the Bahamas Harvest Church pastor said the document will address various concerns related to the production of vaccines and its implications for the religious community.

He said committee members have also included a recommendation section on whether the church community should support the use of the jabs or not.

He said: “This (report) is based on all the media circulation, the various allegations regarding the vaccines that impact the Christian faith and so there are certain things that are of interest to us such as any type of modification of the human DNA and aborted fetus that was used in the

production of vaccines.

“Those are some of the religious issues that we wanted to look into and so our scope is very, very narrow.

It’s not a very broad scope, it’s a very narrow scope and we wanted to be able to respond to those concerns in a very satisfactory way.”

In March, ABC News reported that some COVID19 vaccine manufacturers used material “derived from human fetal tissue” during the research phase.

However there is no fetal tissue in the AstraZeneca vaccine itself, according to international reports.

On Sunday, the National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee said more than 1,500 people had received their first shots of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine since the country’s national vaccination programme was launched last Wednesday.

Grand Bahama Health Services vaccinated about 50 people after it rolled out its campaign Sunday.

The nation’s vaccine rollout comes amid concerns that the vaccine may cause blood clots after several European countries suspended use of the drug.

However there is no confirmed link between the vaccine and blood clots.

Some nations have since resumed use of the shots after vaccine experts sought to allay fears concerning

the drug, insisting it to be safe.

Data released from a new US-based study yesterday also found the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to be safe and effective.

The report said the vaccine offered 100 percent protection against severe COVID-19 symptoms and keeping people out of hospital and was also 79 percent effective for preventing COVID-19.

Some churches have gone on record, expressing support for use of the drug.

In a statement released earlier this month, Archbishop Patrick Pinder, Catholic archbishop of Nassau, said people should follow the Roman Catholic Church’s position on COVID-19 vaccines that those “who are eligible and able to receive the vaccine should do so willingly”.

The religious leader said taking the vaccine will protect the health of both recipients and individuals who come in contact with them.

Those eligible to take the vaccine in the first phase include healthcare workers, residents and staff of eldercare homes, people age 65 and over and staff of the uniformed branches, etc.

This comes as 14 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded on Sunday, bringing the nation’s total to 8,923.

OVER-60S AND CAREGIVERS ELIGIBLE FOR JAB THE following groups are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination at Loyola Hall, Gladstone Road, from today.

You must have an appointment and meet the following eligibility criteria: • Healthcare providers with a valid institution ID; • Persons 60 years of age and

over; • Caregivers accompanying the elderly. Caregivers must present a valid NIB Smart Card at the vaccination centre.

Vaccinations taking place at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre (SRC) and Doctors

Hospital are for healthcare staff only.

Members of the public should not attempt to make appointments at PMH, SRC or Doctors Hospital.

Only those with appointments who meet the above criteria will receive the COVID-19 vaccine at this time.

FROM left, Anne Edwards (assistant director), Elizabeth Mackey (administrator), Phipahtua Dames (marketing representative, Caribbean Gas), Tremmie Thompson (business manager, Caribbean Gas), and Regieta Minns (chief welfare officer), at the Nazareth Children’s Home.

GAS COMPANY GIVES A HELPING HAND TO GROUPS CARIBBEAN Gas Company has made donations to The Nazareth Children’s Home and The All Saints Camp.

The company donated Samsung tablets to the Nazaret home and Super Value food store vouchers to the All Saints Camp.

The Nazareth Home for Children provides a home for children separated from their families.

The All Saints Camp has

always opened its doors to children and adults suffering from Aids.

A spokesperson for Caribbean Gas said: “Both of these organisations deserve to be given a ‘hands up’ to assist them in maintaining their clients. We are pleased to be cheerful givers to them.

“We have therefore donated Samsung Tablets to the Nazareth Home for Children and Super

Value Food Store Vouchers to The All Saints Camp.

Hopefully these gifts will assist both groups in their efforts to provide for their clients.

“Caribbean Gas Company is here to serve our community providing our services (household/ commercial propane and refrigeration gases) and in so doing we aim to give back to those who are in need.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 23, 2021, PAGE 5

DAVIS: PM IS TRYING TO AMBUSH OPPOSITION ON ELECTION DATE

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net WITH no specific date for the next election announced, Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip Davis accused Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis of “trying to ambush the opposition”.

Dr Minnis has said previously the next election is due in May 2022, but the Free National Movement and other political parties have ratified candidates and held walkabouts in some constituencies, which some say is sending a different

message to the electorate.

The PLP and other political observers have predicted an early election.

Speaking to the media yesterday, Mr Davis said Dr Minnis is campaigning yet the PLP leader assured his party is ready “for an ambush”.

He said: “One would’ve expected by now we would’ve had legislation that would have fixed dates for election, that’s what he promised. It’s not here and if there is one thing he could’ve done without legislation he could’ve said ‘Well I didn’t have the time to or the legislative agenda

(does) not permit me the time to bring legislation for the purpose of fixing the date but I will from an administrative point of view tell you what the date is.’

“But he’s not doing that.

The reason for that is I think he’s looking for an ambush and that’s all we can say. He’s trying to ambush the opposition. Well, we are ready for an ambush and our flanks are fortified.”

Attorney General Carl Bethel said in May 2018 public consultation on bills establishing term limits for Prime Ministers and fixed dates for election would begin before

the end of that year. At the time Mr Bethel said the Law Reform Commission would “finalise two draft constitutional bills” to address such matters. It is unclear what movement has occurred in this regard.

Yesterday, the PLP leader also called this “hypocrisy” and said he is watching what the Prime Minister does.

He added: “Suffice it to say again this is hypocrisy – say one thing and do another. I will not listen to what he’s saying. I’ll just watch what he’s doing. He’s campaigning. If the election is going to be next year,

would his campaigning, his efforts be as intense as they appear to be at this time?”

Mr Davis said he was satisfied that the electorate would not want another five years of the Minnis administration.

Moreover, he is encouraged by the response the party has been getting on the ground.

Last week, former Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said politicians are damaging their credibility by campaigning and hosting political events with large gatherings while COVID-19 rules are still in place. Asked about this, Mr Davis insisted efforts are being made to social

THE GRAND Lucayan Resort. believe that announcements or further announcements will be coming shortly.”

He continued: “We are very excited about the future of Grand Lucayan and Freeport. We see this as a huge tourism attraction destination.

“We know how friendly everybody is in The Bahamas. We know that The Bahamas was, is and will always continue to be a massively popular destination particularly for the key American market and Royal Caribbean has a huge data base and relationship with America and the American consumer and I think it’s a beautiful partnership.

“So, the project

continues. We are very much committed to the project. We are very excited to make announcements in the not too distant future and the teams have been working on it literally all of this past year.

“So, to use a nautical term, full steam ahead.”

The purchaser is Holistica Destinations, a joint venture formed between RCI and the ITM Group.

Mr Bayley; Mauricio Hamui, CEO of ITM; and Robert Shamosh, CEO of Holistica Destinations also signed the agreement.

Signing on behalf of the government was Cabinet secretary, Camille Johnson.

The Grand Bahama project is Holistica’s largest

distance, but said it’s difficult to manage the crowds.

“Well, the difficulty with gatherings is that you don’t intend to have gatherings, but people are attracted to events and as much as you try to contain it it’s very difficult to contain crowds,” he explained.

“What we attempt always to do is anyone, any crowd that comes to an event we ensure that they all are wearing masks and ….we have a sort of a marshal in our groupings to ensure that they keep social distances. That’s what we are doing at this time.”

Grand Lucayan sale ‘on cusp’ of conclusion

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net TOURISM Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar yesterday described the sale of the Grand Lucayan as on the “cusp” of conclusion, more than one year after a sale and Heads of Agreement was signed between the government and purchasers.

In early March 2020, the Minnis administration along with Royal Caribbean International and ITM Group signed an agreement for a $300m investment to transform the Grand Lucayan. At the time, the move was hailed as a tool to revive Grand Bahama’s beleaguered economy.

Mr D’Aguilar said yesterday progress was slowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, adding all involved had been pressing for completion.

Meanwhile, RCI President and CEO Michael Bayley stressed the project was essential for the future

growth of not only the company, but its relationship with The Bahamas.

“It has been a challenge to bring this to conclusion just because events on the ground have changed significantly,” Mr D’Aguilar said. His comments came during a virtual press conference by RCI marking its return to Bahamian waters this June.

“You will remember in March of 2020 we signed the deal. It was all good to go and then COVID19 came and changed not only the world but changed cruising, brought it to a dead halt.

“So you know if I were to use a baseball analogy, we’re on the third base and on our way to the home plate.”

He continued: “Specific dates and times when you are in the hands of lawyers I found that it always takes a little bit longer than you think but as far as I am concerned using my business cap we’re at the cusp of getting this concluded.”

For his part, Mr Bayley was adamant RCI and ITM were moving “full steam ahead”. He said officials were “excited” about the future of the hotel.

“The pandemic delayed our plans literally. I think it delayed everybody’s plans in every country all over the world,” Mr Bayley said.

“I won’t rehash the journey that we’ve all been through but we’re all aware of how devastating this pandemic has been to everybody both personally and professionally.

“So, yes the pandemic literally pressed pause on this entire project but Royal Caribbean I would say is in the long game.We’re very much focused on the future.

“We believe that this project is essential for the future growth, not only of our company but for the relationship with The Bahamas. We are continuing with the project.

“It did get delayed, but our intention is to move ahead with the Grand Lucayan project and I

development. It comprises two major components – the Lucayan resort property and Freeport Harbour.

Mr Shamosh revealed that the hotel property will be transformed into a world-class destination, with water-based entertainment, including a massive water and adventure theme park.

Other amenities include a shopping village, that will feature a variety of activities and family entertainment, and a 40,000 sq ft convention centre.

The second component involves the redevelopment of the harbour into a new cruise facility, with three new additional berths capable of berthing the largest cruise ships in the world.

RECONSTRUCTION IN A MONTH IS HIGH ROCK CLINIC’S GOAL RECONSTRUCTION of the High Rock Community Clinic in Grand Bahama began yesterday ahead of an ambitious deadline to restore the facility in one month.

The clinic was decimated during Hurricane Dorian in early September 2019.

Build Health International in conjunction with Direct

Relief, another US-based philanthropic organisation, will undertake the project.

On March 17, seven modular units were delivered to the clinic site to prepare for the reconstruction rollout.

Joe Rodgers, of Build Health International, who oversaw the delivery of the prefabricated units

described the mission of his company: “Build Health International is a nonprofit entity whose guiding principle is to partner with organisations around the world committed to strengthening the public healthcare system so that every person, regardless of ability to pay, has access to care.”

Direct Relief has supported Grand Bahama Health Services in its restoration efforts since the passage of Hurricane Dorian. This includes a donation of a modular urgent care operating theatre attached to the Rand Memorial Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Room in an official handover

ceremony held December 2, 2020.

Grand Bahama Health Services administrator, Sharon Williams said, “We are grateful to be working with these donors in this recovery effort for the East Grand Bahama community. At the conclusion of this effort we will be blessed with a facility that

is significantly advanced beyond what we had previously. This will enable us to expand our health care programmes within this community, inclusive of a dental suite which was lacking in our previous facility.”

It is estimated that construction will be completed within four weeks after the commencement date.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, March 23, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

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

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Casting a shadow of political victimisation THE allegation that members of the Democratic National Alliance were carried out on the instruction of “someone higher” than the police are very disturbing.

Whether those allegations are true or not, however, that the situation reached a point where leaders of a political party in this country were arrested for unlawful assembly is disturbing by itself.

It looks even worse when you compare the response of the police to the gathering by the Democratic National Alliance and the lack of any response to gatherings held by the Free National Movement and the Progressive Liberal Party.

If this gathering had been led without a licence by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, would he have been arrested?

If it had been led by PLP leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, would he have been arrested? We very much suspect not.

Mr Davis was among those supporting Mrs Komolafe yesterday, along with Glenys Hanna Martin MP and former leader of the Opposition Loretta Butler-Turner.

Mr Davis compared the response to this DNA gathering with the protests that took place while the FNM were in opposition, and said Dr Minnis was “clearly carrying this country down a path that will be clearly undemocratic”.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Paul Rolle denied any kind of political victimisation, saying: “I do not take instructions from politicians.”

He said that the DNA protest on March 3 was an unlawful assembly, and that the group “pushed on officers” in an attempt to gain entry to the House of Assembly.

He said he decided not to charge the members on March 3, but to deal with the situation later. Asked why it took three weeks to decide to do so, he somewhat arrogantly said that by law he is allowed a year to take action.

Was this really the best solution, Commissioner? Was the misdemeanour so egregious that one of the challengers to become the next Prime Minister ought to be arrested?

There have been a number of other occasions where protests have been held without telling the police – is everyone going to be arrested in future?

And is the police being informed of every party’s gatherings in communities – and if not, then why are they different?

We are in the phoney war period before the election bell is rung, but everyone knows an election is coming.

Candidates are going to be taking their

message to the people across the nation.

To stop those candidates is, whether deliberate or not, to stifle democracy.

If the plan was to silence the DNA, then it’s also a terribly foolish plan. The publicity surrounding these arrests has only amplified their message.

This event took place weeks ago, and suddenly it has become a cause celebre, because someone decided arrests should be made over a protest everyone had already forgotten about.

There is no suggestion anyone was harmed, there is no suggestion it was a major disruption. Should we really be holding democracy back over petty procedure?

To return to those allegations, though – there must be a thorough probe to investigate whether there was any higher involvement. Given the failings of the police in investigating its own body in the past, we would suggest an independent investigation.

We must protect the reputation of our democracy – and a thorough investigation must be carried out to prove, or disprove, such claims.

Downtown revival Bay Street businesses want a piece of the action, it seems. Good, it’s not before time that something was done to lift the fading attractions of Downtown.

With Nassau’s cruise port undergoing a transformation, and developments such as The Pointe already putting a new face on the area, traders and property owners on Bay Street don’t want to be forgotten.

We have long argued that it is long past time for Downtown to get a fresh look. There are too many properties that are rundown, that need investment – and the very shape of Downtown itself is perhaps in need of a bold vision, with most of the businesses facing their backs to the cruise ships as they arrive and not enticing people in as they disembark.

Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar admits to a lack of consensus – too many people wanting too may different things, in other words. He met business owners last week, who wanted to know how they will benefit from the redevelopment.

A revival of Downtown has been talked about for decades – well, it’s time for action. If not, other areas are ripe for development and could leave them behind.

It’s time to find some of that consensus – and long past time for action.

Getting the vaccination EDITOR, The Tribune.

I WISH to share with your readers my experience on Friday when I received my first Covid-19 vaccine.

When I reached Loyola Hall there was adequate parking for all and the presence of our Defence

Force added to the sense of security.

The volunteers who greeted me and ushered me to the correct spot were courteous, relaxed and very efficient.

Once inside the building I was impressed by the layout which had been established to allow each step of the

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

process to have a degree of privacy. Very quickly I moved through the registration, vaccination and after the 15 minutes mandatory waiting time my certificate of COVID-19 vaccination was completed and I was free to go. All done in less than an hour.

The Bahamas is to be congratulated on this operation. Mr Fields and his team working with Rotary and other volunteers made this possible.

Thanks also to the many nurses and doctors who play such an important role in keeping us safe and well.

This also shows us when we work together for the common good we can achieve great things.

ANGELA MOREE Nassau, March 22, 2020.

Capturing government EDITOR, The Tribune.

RETAIL politics in The Bahamas is akin to riding a bucking bronco (bucking horse) or a steed (riding horse).

The watching crowds are titillated and amused by the spectacle, especially if a participant is gored or run over by one of the raging animals. It is no different here in our wonderful nation as general elections unfold. The ancient Roman Gladiators often fought to the death and the so-called best man always won. The upcoming elections will be hand-tohand combat. There will be many bodies strewn all over the arena at the close of the games.

The New PLP has now rolled out 30 ratified candidates. Of that number I predict a clear cut victory for a minimum of 24 of those announced candidates. With that number the Hon. Philip “Brave” Davis, QC (PLP-Cat Island) will be able to comfortably form the next government of The Bahamas. A government that is compassionate; that has a heart and, for sure, has a soul.

Despite what some foolish Bahamians may term my support for any given political party, I do not wish to see any party capturing more than 25 or so seats. It is to be noted that the 5 Grand Bahama

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net constituencies will return 1 incumbent FNM. The rest, inclusive of so-called independent McAlpine will be wiped out, across the board. The New PLP will capture 4 of the Grand Bahama constituencies along with Long Island and North Andros translating into a workable majority of 27 seats for Brave.

The FNM came to office in 2017 with great fanfare.

The old PLP was decimated and even brother Christie lost his long held constituency of Centreville. Whether he was so shell shocked or out of it that he made a very bad miscalculation in not challenging the four vote majority amassed by Chipman. I submit that had he gone to the Electoral Court he would have eked out a victory. In any event, it was good that he lost his constituency so as to pave the way, with palm branches, for Brave.

Brave has a date with destiny and only a badly mauled and out of touch Minnis stands in his way.

As a proponent of democracy I would not wish to see another lop-sided administration such as the one we have been inflicted

with these past four years.

Such governments tend to become autocratic and callous as is clearly the case with Minnis and his crew. They have wrecked the economy and either cannot or are unwilling to lay on the table of parliament audited statements from NEMA; the National Disaster and Recovery Committee and the beat goes on.

The competent Authority now wields near dictatorial powers for over a year now and he’s gotten so used to the supposed power and the glory that it appears that his head and mental state may now be “contaminated” big time. Minnis during a walk about in Centreville the other day, opinioned that the FNM would capture all 39 constituencies.

Whatever he was on, if anything (maybe garbage juice or the healing) I want some of that. To hear and read a big gray man uttering unadulterated shaving cream is so sad, but, in my opinion, indicative of his juvenile thought process.

The FNM will be lucky to garner 10 seats. The Egyptians you see now, you will soon see no more. To God then, in all things, be the glory.

Jr

ORTLAND H BODIE, Nassau, March 18, 2021.

Corrections in need of correcting EDITOR, The Tribune.

I AM writing to thank Mr Taylor and Davis for their courage in speaking out about their experiences in Prison. It is a national disgrace to read a public institution and its officers who are paid to help people that have lost

their way and need help are instead adding fuel to the fire.

Where is the outcry from pastors, politicians and human rights advocates?

Where are the calls for an independent investigation? If we don’t fix these issues; fix the broken leadership at the Department

of Corrections, we will only continue to slowly dig our own grave as a nation. I pray that more brave men and women will come forward and expose the raw truth to the public.

MR CLARKE Nassau, March 22, 2020.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 23, 2021, PAGE 7

Father-of-two shot dead at home

from page one “Investigations reveal that early in the morning, someone knocked at the door and as the person attempted to open the door, the door was pried open and the victim or male received a single shot to the head,” ASP Peters told reporters at the scene.

Paramedics were called, but pronounced him dead at the scene.

The victim’s wife, Carele Brown was visibly distraught when she briefly spoke to The Tribune yesterday morning.

Mrs Brown said she was sleeping at the back of the house before the incident unfolded. Their six-year-old son was also in the house at the time of the shooting.

She said her husband was killed shortly after two gunmen had knocked on their door, impersonating policemen.

Police said “the door was pried open by (Brown’s) assailant who then shot him in the head.”

Both men fled the scene after the incident, according to Mrs Brown.

Brown’s brother-in-law, Pastor Derek Feaste—who also lives in the area—said he was doing morning devotions when he heard loud gunshots.

Moments later, Pastor Feaste said he went outside only to find his brother-inlaw lying next to the door with apparent gunshot wounds.

“I live right next door and… I was having some morning devotions inside the house and then all of a sudden I heard the gunshots, came outside and

when I came outside, I saw him laying there on his back inside his house,” he said.

“So, I went in and I tried to talk to him and that’s when I saw where he took a breath and then after I saw the blood stain in his nose, I kinda like rolled him over on the side because I know that if there were any chances of him (remaining alive) you should trying to stop the suffocation from the blood in and he laid there for a while and then all of a sudden he took his last breath.”

Relatives said they do not know the motive behind the shooting, but insisted that gunmen targeted the wrong person.

“From all indication, I know this a mistaken identity because Carlos is an individual who goes to work and comes back home. He was a construction worker,” said Pastor Feaste, who described Brown as a kindhearted, peaceful man.

“He has no sweetheart, no enemies. I’m talking about whatsoever, no enemies. No involvement with the police. All he does is come home and stand on that table there. Sometimes, he will clean fish. I’m talking about he go in the house and fry a fish and everybody in the yard, he make sure everybody eat so I know it’s a mistaken identity but the only thing I could say right now is we gone grieve and then I guess God gone have to do the rest for us.”

Brown’s death came after a man was injured during a shooting incident that also occurred in Wilson Track area Sunday night.

Police said the victim was visiting his girlfriend in the community when he heard gunshots.

CARLOS and Carele Brown and, below, familly gather at the scene of the shooting.

“As a result, he ran for cover and while doing so, he received a wound to the head. The victim was transported to the hospital where is in stable condition,” police said.

Investigations into both incidents are ongoing.

Yesterday, ASP Peters appealed to members in the community who may have information on those in possession of illegal firearms to come forward.

He said: “We appeal to people who have knowledge of individuals who possess firearms, illegal firearms that is to contact the police and let us know because the next person may be you or your relative so it’s everybody’s responsibility to take an active role in policing their communities.”

They are asked to call police at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS (8477).

PAIR ACCUSED OF SEEKING TO SEXUALLY EXPLOIT TEEN GIRLS

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN and woman who denied conspiring to sexually exploit two teenage girls through human trafficking will learn Thursday whether they will be granted bail ahead of their trial.

Jamalaya Roberts, 40, and Shamika Rolle, 28, stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt yesterday, facing two counts each of conspiracy

to engage in people trafficking and transporting a person for the purpose of exploiting such a person’s prostitution.

Rolle was further charged with two additional counts of the latter offence.

According to court dockets, it is alleged the pair between February 1 and March 4, at New Providence, conspired to engage in the trafficking of two 16-year-old girls.

It is then alleged the defendants conspired to engage in the transportation

of the teens in the country “for the purpose of prostitution”.

The prosecution said Rolle also transported the young girls for the “purpose of their exploitation” within that same timeframe.

During the hearing, Roberts and Rolle denied the allegations and the matter was adjourned to March 25 for the determination of bail.

The defendants were remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until then.

TEEN ACCUSED OF INDECENT ASSAULT

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A TEENAGER was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court yesterday charged with the indecent assault of a five-year-old girl.

Police said Rahame Gardiner, 19, indecently assaulted the young child sometime this month.

Yesterday, the accused appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes to enter a plea to the charge.

He denied the allegation and his case was adjourned to June 24 for trial.

In the interim, Gardiner was granted $5,000 bail and ordered to report to the Elizabeth Estates Police Station

on Fridays on or before 6pm.

Magistrate Forbes also banned the defendant from having any indirect or direct contact with the complainant. He warned him if he failed to comply with the conditions of his release, his bail would be revoked and he would be remanded into custody until the case was completed.

‘I DIDN’T KNOW’ MARIJUANA WAS ILLEGAL

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

AN American tourist who was yesterday charged with marijuana possession said he was unaware the drug was illegal in the country as someone had sold it to him on the beach.

Police arrested Anthony Paulino, 35, after they found two grams of Indian hemp on him on March 20.

He pleaded guilty to one count of possession when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Derence Rolle Davis.

The court was told that that day, an officer on duty at Lynden Pindling

International Airport was called to the US preclearance area where an American border patrol officer pointed out the Miami resident before handing over a sealed plastic bag with $10 worth of marijuana inside. The prosecution said Paulino was then arrested and taken to the Drug Enforcement Unit. When he was questioned there, he told officers he bought the marijuana from someone while he was staying at the Atlantis resort.

Yesterday, Paulino told the magistrate he did not know the drug was banned in The Bahamas. He claimed people were “selling weed and cigars” on the

beach, so he thought smoking marijuana was legal. The accused also said he wanted to apologise for committing the “infraction” and told the magistrate he hoped his mistake would not prevent him from visiting the country in the future.

In response, Magistrate Derence Rolle Davis told Paulino the law concerning recreational marijuana had not changed in The Bahamas and reflected the rules concerning the drug in his home state of Florida. As a result, he fined Paulino $200 or 10 days in prison.

He said once the fine was paid he would discharge Paulino so he would be able to return to the country.

TRIO CHARGED WITH ARMED ROBBERY

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

THREE men were charged with armed robbery in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Police arrested Kingsley Choute, 26, Derek Hudson, 25, and Wilson Ford, 20,

after they were accused of using a handgun to rob a woman of $300 cash, which belonged to Jet Wash laundromat, on March 15.

Due to the nature of the offence, they were not required to enter a plea and the matter was adjourned to May 27 for service of a

voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

Choute, Hudson and Ford were remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until that time.

They all have a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, March 23, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

City Councilwoman Lady Shannan never forgets her roots I

T WAS Christmas night 2019 when the bass of the goatskin drums, the ringing of cowbells and the bellowing of horns reverberated straight to her soul. Adorned in a beautiful costume, she rushed on Bay Street. An unquenchable urge brought her home to Bahamian soil. This was more than a rush for fun.

This was a rush for destiny; a rush for a successful future fuelled by the spirit of the ancestors. She had prayed to God for wisdom and guidance before setting about on her campaign to become City Councilwoman for Miami Gardens. But before launching her campaign, she remembered her father’s personal charge to her, to never forget her roots.

By Boxing Day, Shannan Ighodaro (nee Hanna) was back in Florida ready to launch a campaign that would lead her to a successful win with a record 63 percent of the votes to represent the people of the illustrious Miami Gardens. Shannan, affectionately and popularly known as Lady Shannan, ran her “Progress” campaign and won the primary elections for Seat 3 in the City Council. She went on to win the general elections with over 8,000 votes and the highest percentage win on November 3, 2020.

“On Christmas Day, I watched my children open their gifts, and then I headed to Nassau for a whirlwind two-day visit,” she told me.

“I remember having a yearn and my ancestors calling me back home; I left The Bahamas at the age of 23. I was being called back to the island shores where I found peace and comfort. I got my costume made, and I ‘blinged out’ my shoes myself, and I was able to rush. I am a diehard Saxons in ya belly! But I couldn’t rush with the Saxons last minute. They don’t play dat! But I was able to rush with the Sting and I had a great time!

“My obedience was better than sacrifice and it gave me the push I needed to come back and campaign and I conquered. I believe if I didn’t place my foot on Bahamian soil... (I may not have been as successful). When I came back to Miami Gardens, I posted my photo in my Junkanoo costume and it spread across social media. It was a clarion call to Bahamians all across the United States, and I was ok to run after that.

“The sounds and the sights of the drums hit my soul and I came back fired up and ready to go. Those same Junkanoo sounds ushered in the first Bahamian elected in the City of Miami Gardens.

It started with my roots and ended with my roots.”

FIRST Bahamian-born Councilwoman in the city of Miami Gardens Lady Shannan Ighodaro.

WORKING in the community.

THE IGHODAROS - Erhabor and Lady Shannan with daughters Esosa and Idia.

Her roots sprang in 1971 when she was born on Palmetto Avenue into a large family. Her mother is Faydora Hanna nee Bullard from Forbes Hill, Exuma.

Her father, Reginald Hanna was an Acklins native, proud of his Hanna, Heastie, Tynes heritage. Shannan was the third of her mother’s six children. But her mother was married to her father who was 13 years her senior and had children prior to marriage, and so she was born into a family with many children.

“I was always exposed to a large family,” she recalls.

“It was difficult and challenging in terms of space, but those were the years that really allowed me to travail but triumph. I needed to work hard. There were financial challenges, my parents having 10 or 11 mouths to feed, but they did the best they could.”

At the age of 20, Shannan landed a job at BaTelCo working the switchboard.

A determined and assertive young lady, she worked her way up and received promotions that put her in the company of educated peers.

“This was the first time I was exposed to young women who looked like me, and a handful of them were college-educated,” she said.

“I wanted to be like them and push the envelope. It was a choice between keeping a good job and taking the risk to go to school... there is always an inherent risk. I

“I was always exposed to a large family. It was difficult and challenging in terms of space, but those were the years that really allowed me to travail but triumph.

I needed to work hard. There were financial challenges, my parents having 10 or 11 mouths to feed, but they did the best they could.”

Shannan Ighodaro calculated in my mind that if I were to be promoted to where I wanted to be, I would literally have to work there for 30 years. I could go to college and shave that time off considerably. I took the risk of the unknown.

LADY Shannan Ighodaro during her Progress Campaign.

“BaTelCo was good to me. I was awarded an unpaid leave of absence to go to the United States to study at Florida Memorial University (FMU) in Miami Gardens the only Historically Black College/ University (HBCU) in Florida.”

As Lady Shannan reflected on her life during our interview, she perceived her journey thus far as having three stages - planting, blooming and grooming.

In her planting stage, she thought about her roots - not just being an island girl, but spiritual roots having been raised in a strict Seventh Day Adventist household. During those formidable years, she was taught the virtue and value of prayer from the age of five. As she continued to grow at the homestead in Montel Heights, her mother would have her children read from the giant household Bible and from encyclopaedias that broadened her mind to a world beyond The Bahamas. This would prepare her for her grooming stage when she took a leap of faith and with two semesters’ worth of school fees saved up from her BaTelCo job, she went off to obtain a university degree.

She recalls fond memories of a young lady coming to bloom in a new country: “God placed me at a university where it wasn’t a culture shock. I was among people who I felt I could gel with.

This became a pivotal place or force of the cultivating or grooming stage of my life. The pieces I needed to stand on were put in place... the young girl at the age of ten dreaming of travelling abroad.

“Education became so important and so was mentorship. I met great female and male mentors. Among them, the late great Bahamian giant Dr Robert B Ingraham a former FMU professor, school board member and Mayor for the city of Opa Locka. I was exposed to this new culture and new way of life and having to grow up and make my own decisions.”

“During my last year at FMU, I met the man who would eventually become my husband. Being at the university, I had to learn to think of myself as a leader.

I was a little older and more mature than other freshman students. I had to trust God in the unknown... take a risk and do something new and different.”

Shannan graduated FMU as Magna Cum Laude with honours and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1998. She returned to The Bahamas to fulfil her commitment to BaTelCo where she worked for a year.

With the encouragement and support of the company and her family, Shannan returned to America and attended Nova Southeastern University where she obtained her Master’s Degree in Business Administration.

“This exposed me to a global mindset and way of thinking,” she said, “As I met young CEOs from all over the world... in their 20s and 30s.”

After graduating, Shannan spent eight years working in Corporate America, first at an engineering firm and then at one of the top African American accounting firms, Watson Rice. In 2002, she married the love of her life, Dr Erhabor Ighodaro.

He was an essential part of her grooming phase. She

LADY Shannan rushes down Bay Street during Junkanoo. considers him her spiritual soulmate and together, they have broken barriers and made history in the very city they met in. Both are immigrants - Erhabor, a Nigerian American and Shannan a Bahamian American - proud parents of two 15-year-old twin girls - Esosa and Idia.

Erharbor was the first Nigerian American to be elected in all of South Florida. He served as a Miami Gardens Councilman for eight years, and is also a former Vice Mayor. He is a pastor, professor and businessman. He left office in August and Shannan took the helm in November. Their last name, Ighodaro, means “forward way of thinking”, and lady Shannan says they are progressive and have put in a lot of work.

T

he Ighodaros are the first husband and wife to be elected consecutively in the same city in the history of south Florida - and it’s the city where they first met - the largest African American city in South Florida, Miami Gardens. They are an inspiration to many and they remain so successful and have garnered tremendous support from the residents because they know them.

They are accessible, working on the ground and in the communities to make proactive changes that people can see and feel. They extend their hearts to the people and have found ways to bring in the support they need to make a difference in their community.

Lady Shannan considers herself a public servant more than a politician. She says the community is at the heart of everything she does.

“Politics gives you access to the people, the information and the resources, and how they are to be allocated,” she explained.

“A politician may think more about resources and spending. A servant will give the people the power of the information and let the people fight for what they want. I am only a politician because the people put their trust in me.”

She is the owner of her own marketing and public relations agency, Oracle Consulting Group, LLC and she is a sought-after brand consultant. She successfully branded the United Nations’ “Think Local, Act Global” rural urban integration initiative. She also devised

the Miami Dade County Public Schools “Read to Lead” programme and the Kids CLASS programme, a national initiative to harness the talent of youth in underserved communities.

In this a beautiful blooming stage, Lady Shannan represents a quintessential woman who can be a wife, mother, entrepreneur, business owner and politician: “I have a duty to understand my worth and my brand as a wife, mother, woman of God and mentor inspiring the next generation.”

“I had to first understand who I am and find my own space, being the wife of a powerful man who is an ordained reverend. I had to not let naysayers put fear in me or force me to think less of myself. I could be a first lady in the church and still aspire to more. There were people saying to me - especially women - ‘We need a voice... you should run!’ I had to develop a strategic mindset and carefully put together the pieces of who I believe I am. In time, I did that.”

While enjoying her first year in office, Lady Shannan knows the importance of documenting it all. She is currently writing her autobiography. In 2019, she and her husband published the book Word is Enough, based on three “D principles” - discern, declare and decide. Find the book and lots of inspirational and motivational content at wordisenough.com. It was her husband’s third book and her first. Lady Shannan is enjoying her golden jubilee years as she is now 50 years old.

She mentors women from all around the world. She believes her faith in God, being obedient, and having a marriage of 18 years where they do not “compete, but complement” each other are keys to her success. The city of Miami Gardens is also 18-years-old, which means their marriage - and the city - were planted, groomed and bloomed simultaneously.

She recalls the day she put on her cobalt blue suit to honour the waters of her home in beautiful Bahamas: “I put on my City Council pin and my twin daughters were watching me get ready.

They said, ‘Mom, is that the same pin daddy used to wear as councilman?’ I said yes!

We looked at each other and burst into laughter and embraced. They understood what that meant, and now I know they understand what it takes to be all they can be.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 23, 2021, PAGE 9

POLITICAL opponents but brothers in arms? Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and PLP leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis receiving their vaccinations.

AMID speculation and It is the case, of course, criticism recently about that, in a free and demodelays in obtaining supplies cratic country, taking a of the coronavirus vaccine, vaccine has to remain a the headline in The Trib- matter of personal choice. une a couple of weeks ago But it seems to me the that the rollout would take government has been been months was both mystify- notably successful in reasing and depressing. How suring the public about the was it, people wondered, safety and effectiveness of that The Bahamas, with our the AstraZeneca vaccine relatively small population, - after doubts about it had was so far behind other earlier been raised though countries in procuring and proved baseless - and in administering the vaccine? persuading people to take a So, imagine what a pleasure vaccine at all. It appears to it is to write today about the have ensured that publicity good news that has been given a vaccination ‘Perhaps most to the views programme is effective of all in of prominent now underway public figures convincing the here at home. like the ComThe rollout doubters was the missioner of was officially photograph on Police and the started last Archthe newspapers’ Catholic Wednesday bishop who using the front pages of the have encour20,000 doses Prime Minister aged the of the Oxfordtaking of the himself being AstraZeneca vaccine, with vaccinereceived vaccinated, Archbishop recently while as well as a Patrick Pinder a further advising that 30,000 doses photograph of those ‘who are are expected the leader of the eligible and to be delivered PLP opposition, able to receive by the end the vaccine of the month Philip “Brave” should do so followed

by Davis, receiving willingly’. another ship- his shot this In addition, ment before the Governor the end of past weekend.’

General was May. Begingiven a first ning with key people like dose last week and he has health workers and care said publicly that others home staff, it is welcome should also take it. But, on news for those concerned, the basis that a picture is like my wife and myself worth a thousand words, and certain friends, that perhaps most effective of the over-65s have now also all in convincing the doubtbeen included. ers was the photograph It almost goes without on the newspapers’ front saying that, for the general pages of the Prime Minister good and for the protec- himself being vaccinated, tion of everybody, mass as well as a photograph vaccination throughout of the leader of the PLP the country is desirable on opposition, Philip “Brave” health grounds alone. But it Davis, receiving his shot is now looking increasingly this past weekend. Thus, likely that proof of vaccina- happily, it is a case of so tion will also be needed to far, so good - and surely enable people to travel, as everybody should recogearlier predictions about nise and be grateful for the the airlines and cruise ship organisational skills and companies requiring vac- sterling efforts of the many cination certificates are people who have made this becoming a reality. possible.

A deserved round of applause and perhaps an example to follow The Peter Young column The story in Britain is equally satisfactory. Government ministers there are claiming the UK vaccination programme has been a huge success with some 28 million people – or more than 50 percent of adults including Prime Minister Boris Johnson himself – now having received the first COVID dose. The latest figures show that a few days ago a record of no less than 844,285 vaccinations were administered last Saturday, and the figures for new cases and deaths have dropped substantially.

The situation in the European Union is, however, very different. Its rollout to its 27 member states has been described as nothing short of a disastrous shambles. While the UK, as a newly-independent country after leaving the EU in January 2020, appears to have moved with lightning speed to obtain supplies of the different vaccines, the EU was too slow in signing contracts.

The UK’s vaccine drive has far outpaced the EU’s efforts, with the latest figures showing only some 12 percent of adults in France, Germany and Italy having had jabs while the UK total is greater than that of those countries and Portugal combined. This can partly be explained by their temporary suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine on safety grounds because of what turned out to be a false claim that it caused blood clots.

These countries, therefore, soon reversed their policy and approved its use after the World Health Organization and both British and European regulators declared the AstraZeneca product to be both effective and safe.

But the damage had been done. Countries which suspended this vaccine are now struggling to control a surge in coronavirus cases.

Moreover, their action was deemed irresponsible since it undermined others’ confidence in it.

All this has caused a huge row because the EU’s reaction has been to threaten to ban exports of vaccines – despite the companies’ contractual obligations – until the EU’s own requirements for them have been met. This could even lead to seizure of production plants of both Pfizer and AstraZeneca in Europe. The possibility of such EU action has precipitated a fierce reaction and accusations of bullying and intimidation. In the words of Britain’s Foreign Secretary, a threat to interfere in legitimate trade in this manner is the action of a dictatorship showing contempt for international law.

Meanwhile, what a far cry this is from the efficient rollout of the vaccine in The Bahamas, which my wife and I have witnessed firsthand and which promises to continue in the coming weeks and months. All

concerned – both the officials and Rotary volunteers working so effectively in a variety of ways in support – should surely be congratulated for their efforts. What is more, in company with others I cannot help wondering whether there might be lessons to be learned from the success so far of this vaccination programme which might be applied to other parts of the government machine that are less efficient.

Although Grand Bahama has seen a recent uptick of cases, the number of new infections in The Bahamas remains low. This is presumably attributable to sound social distancing measures including the wearing of masks and lockdown measures like the nightly curfew.

So, more than a year since the start of the pandemic, is it too optimistic to think that with a full vaccination programme there is a reasonable expectation of controlling the virus – if not eradicating it, though the experts say that is unlikely – so that the country can return to at least some sort of normality? Perhaps so, but the realists suggest life will never be quite the same again!

BRITAIN SETS OUT ITS STALL FOR DEALING WITH THE WORLD IN MY column last week about China, I suggested that as far as Britain was concerned it presented, principally, a challenge as an economic competitor.

This assertion was based on up-to-date research. But I was, of course, unaware at the time of the findings of a 100-page review published later in the week by the UK government entitled ‘Global Britain in a Competitive Age’. This was the product of a year’s work of study and consultation and is defined as ‘The Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy’.

Having left the European Union, Britain has started a new chapter in its history. For years, the nation’s place in the world was defined by its membership of the EU and its relationship with the US. But it is now looking to play a global role, and the review describes the government’s vision for this new postBrexit status over the next decade. It sets out the country’s overarching national

security and international policy objectives, stressing three fundamental national interests that bind the UK together; namely, sovereignty, security and prosperity alongside the country’s values of democracy, commitment to universal human rights and the rule of law, and freedom of speech, faith and equality.

While the US will remain the UK’s most important strategic ally and partner - and NATO remains the bedrock of defence and security in the Euro-Atlantic sphere - the review contains a pledge to shift, partially, Britain’s focus towards the Indo-Pacific region, describing it as ‘increasingly the geopolitical centre of the world’ - countries such as India, China, Japan and Australia among others - which are home to a quarter of the world’s people and make up 40 percent of global GDP. What I found particularly interesting, however, was what was said about China itself in the midst

of growing internal pressure on the government - by some of Boris Johnson’s vocal backbenchers in the House of Commons - to harden its position on China over issues like persecution of the Uighur Muslims and the assault on democratic rights in Hong Kong. But the review states ‘China’s growing international stature is the most significant geopolitical factor in the world today’ and recognises that as an authoritarian state with different values it presents challenges for the UK and its allies but will contribute more to global growth than any other country. The Foreign Secretary has said Britain does not want to return to an outdated Cold War mentality but rather build on the ‘positives’ in its bilateral relations with China, in particular over trade and investment.

This is in contrast to Russia which is described in the review as an ‘acute threat to our security’ and is labelled as a hostile state.

In the words of the review,

‘until relations with its government improve, we will actively deter and defend against the full spectrum of threats emanating from Russia’. This is, of course, against a background of issues like Russia’s annexation of Crimea, its military involvement in Ukraine, its build-up of forces on the borders of the Baltic states and the recent poisoning attacks on British soil as well as its attempted assassination of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Perhaps it also partly explains President Biden’s extraordinary and unprecedented personal attack, during a recent TV interview, on Russian leader Vladimir Putin, calling him a ‘killer who will pay a price’ - hardly the stuff of careful and constructive diplomacy!

Nonetheless, this emphasis on Russia puzzles some commentators who wonder why Biden is indulging in gratuitous public criticism of Putin while apparently ignoring what some regard as the greater threat to US interests from China

which, it is claimed, seeks to dominate the US and the rest of the world economically, militarily and technologically - and, in so doing, poses the greatest threat to America and to democracy and freedom worldwide since the Second World War. While all are aware of the threat China presents with its military activity in the South China Sea and intimidation of Taiwan, what is less well known is what the FBI describes as the counterintelligence and economic espionage activity by China which employs tactics to target academia, businesses and lawmakers to seek to influence public opinion to achieve US policies that are more favourable to China. This is seen as a grave threat to the US’s economic well-being and democratic values.

Thus, Russia monopolizes the headlines as a military and security threat to the West but the threat from China constitutes an economic challenge and is broader and more insidious.

In such circumstances, the UK government’s emphasis on building on the positives of its relationship with China in terms of trade and investment - while protecting its industrial and technological secrets - seems to many observers to be the right policy. In an earlier article about the 20th anniversary of Britain’s handover of Hong Kong to China, I wrote about the revelation by the last colonial Governor, Chris Patten, in his book entitled ‘East and West’, of the blunt advice given to him by the bluff former Labour Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, James Callaghan, that the British interest was simple – to make sure their businessmen could do a lot of trade with China. After the handover in 1997, realistically Britain could not prevent the Chinese from acting any way they wanted to in Hong Kong. As I said then, this is an oversimplification perhaps, but uncomfortably close to the truth – and now on the broader front of the relationship as well.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, March 23, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

POLICE at the scene of a King Soopers grocery store where a shooting took place yesterday in Boulder, Colorado.

Photo: David Zalubowski/AP

Ten gunned down in Boulder supermarket BOULDER, Colorado Associated Press TEN people were killed in a shooting at a Colorado supermarket yesterday, including a police officer who was the first to respond to the scene.

Police arrested a suspect, but didn’t reveal his name or details about the shooting at a news conference where Boulder police Chief Maris Herold fought back tears.

Investigators didn’t have details on a motive for

the shooting at the King Soopers store in Boulder, said Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty.

“This is a tragedy and a nightmare for Boulder County,” Dougherty said.

“These were people going about their day, doing their shopping. I promise the victims and the people of the state of Colorado that we will secure justice.”

The attack was the seventh mass killing this year in the US.

The slain officer was Eric Talley, 51, who had been with Boulder police since 2010. He went to the store after a call about shots fired and someone carrying a rifle.

Identities of the other nine victims were not disclosed as police were still notifying family members.

Officers had escorted a shirtless man with blood running down his leg out of the store in handcuffs but authorities would not say if he was the suspect. They did say the suspect was

receiving medical care and was the only person injured who did not die.

Dean Schiller said he had just left the supermarket when he heard gunshots and saw three people lying face down, two in the parking lot and one near the doorway. He said he “couldn’t tell if they were breathing”.

Video posted on YouTube showed one person on the floor inside the store and two more outside on the ground. What sounds

like two gunshots are also heard.

Law enforcement vehicles and officers massed, including SWAT teams, and at least three helicopters landed on the roof.

At one point, authorities said over a loudspeaker that the building was surrounded and that “you need to surrender”.

Sarah Moonshadow said two shots rang out just after she and her son, Nicolas Edwards, finished buying strawberries. She said she

told her son to get down and then “we just ran”.

Once they got outside, she said they saw a body in the parking lot. Edwards said police were speeding into the lot and pulled up next to the body.

“I knew we couldn’t do anything for the guy,” he said. “We had to go.”

James Bentz said he was in the meat section when he heard what he thought was a misfire, then a series of pops.

“I was then at the front of a stampede,” he said.