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VOLUME:116 No.64, MARCH 26TH, 2019
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WOMAN: THE BIG QUESTION - BUY OR RENT THE WEDDING DRESS
PM promises crime crackdown and warns criminals... HIGGS WINS
WE WON’T STOP
By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has warned criminals that they will be relentlessly tracked down and brought to justice, but failed to unveil new plans that haven’t already been publicised to aid the war on crime. His announcement of a crackdown came as the efficacy of the force has been thrown into question by vacancies created in the Royal Bahamas Police Force with the exodus of several top officers in recent weeks from the organisation. Eight high-ranking officers have been ordered to take accumulated vacation time followed by retirement. However, the move has raised concerns about who will be running respective arms of the force. Nonetheless, Dr Minnis in his second national address for the year said:
“We will be relentless in preventing and fighting crime. We will relentlessly track down those who do us harm.” The war on crime will be expanded, he said, through the acquisition of 90 new vehicles for the police, adding 130 new recruits to serve in New Providence and Grand Bahama, installing 507 more closed circuit television cameras in the capital and the roll out of a drone programme. He also noted a contract was awarded in late January for the installation of 100 shotspotters in high crime areas. This technology increases the ability of police to more quickly respond to gun-related crime. Additionally, he said there are plans to enhance law enforcement’s interception capabilities by decentralising the dispatch of vessels in the southern Bahamas. SEE PAGE SIX
THE Grand Lucayan’s chairman yesterday confirmed a preferred bidder for the resort is likely to be announced this week with the board set to submit its recommendations imminently. Michael Scott said that the Grand Lucayan Board was currently finalising its submission to government as he warned time is running out for the resort’s managers to accept what he branded as a “super generous” payout offer. He argued that the Bahamas Hotel Managerial Association members and
their president, Obie Ferguson, faced a choice of taking the collective $3.2m voluntary separation package currently available from the government or walking away with much less after the Grand Lucayan is sold and they are terminated. Confirming that the Grand Lucayan’s Board met on Friday to discuss the assessment conducted on the best purchase offers by Colliers, the Canadianheadquartered real estate firm, Mr Scott said he and his fellow directors were now completing their own report and conclusions for the government.
FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN national soccer player Jared Higgs has won his appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland against the Bahamas Football Association’s four-year ban for an alleged doping violation. Last February, the BFA announced Higgs was banned for four years in accordance with the mandatory BFA Pre-Competition Testing, FIFA Anti-Doping Regulations 5 - 3 and 8, and WADA Anti-Doping Code 2015, V1.10.1 and 10.2.1.2. Higgs, who had hired lawyer Vincent WallaceWhitfield, confirmed to The Tribune last night he had won his appeal yesterday, but they were waiting until they read the decision fully to comment. SEE PAGE THREE
TWO MORE KILLED IN LATE NIGHT ACCIDENTS
DECISION IMMINENT ON LUCAYAN DEAL By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
APPEAL AGAINST DRUGS BAN
BY RIEL MAJOR
FOX HILL MURDER ACCUSED
ALVARDO Curry is alleged to have been involved in the murder of Javardo Thompson during a drive-by shooting on March 17. Full story - Page 2 Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
POLICE are investigating two separate traffic accidents that left two men dead and another man in hospital. In the first incident, shortly after 11pm on Sunday, police were called to a scene of a traffic accident on East Bay Street. According to police, the male driver of a black Honda Coupe lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a wall. The driver died on the scene and a male passenger was taken to hospital, where he is listed in stable condition. SEE PAGE 11
GB POWER DECLARES ‘BOGUS DEVICE’ AMNESTY By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net GRAND Bahama Power Company has put in place an emergency remediation programme for all customers who purchased a “fake” energy saving device which is at the centre of a police investigation into a complaint filed by the company over alleged electricity theft. Customers are also being advised if they make
WHEN the power went off in GB acceptable arrangements with the company to pay outstanding bills, no report will
be made to police. Power supply was disconnected at nine businesses in Freeport after a metre audit conducted by GBPC uncovered a series of suspected electricity diversion instances in the Freeport area. Seven of those businesses were fast food restaurants operated by the Cooper family, which said they had allegedly purchased the bogus devices from a local contractor who had
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
SEE PAGE SIX
FACE-TO-FACE A LIFE LIVED HELPING US ALL LEARN
SEE PAGE EIGHT
PAGE 2, Tuesday, March 26, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
Three face murder charges ABOVE: Pedreito Mejias; left: Alvardo Curry and, right, Ishmael Forbes. Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net POLICE claim that three men in their early twenties are the perpetrators behind two separate fatal shooting incidents in both the Fox Hill and Nassau Village communities, footage of which has since gone viral on social media. Alvardo Curry and Pedreito Mejias, both 20, are alleged to have murdered 26-year-old
Javardo Thompson and attempted to kill Antonio Morley during a brazen drive-by shooting near the Fox Hill roundabout on Sunday, March 17. Police further allege that 21-year-old Ishmael Forbes fatally shot Chinese native Xiang Song during an armed robbery at his store in Nassau Village just before midnight on the same date. He is also accused of robbing Ziming Ruan at gunpoint of $200 during that time.
However, Forbes’ attorney Christina Galanos told Acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain that her client was beaten and shocked with a Taser about the body by officers while in custody. Her claims were noted by the senior magistrate. None of the men was required to enter a plea to the charges and their matters were adjourned to May 14 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). Bail was denied and they were remanded
to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. They have a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail. Meanwhile, 26-year-old Gerrard Coakley was remanded in custody after being charged with attempting to kill Tamaine Lewis and Jermaine Thompson on March 13. He is also alleged to have caused $1,684.48 worth of damage to Lewis’ 2001 silver coloured Honda Accord that same day.
Coakley was not required to enter a plea to the charge and his matter was adjourned to May 14 for service of a VBI. Bail was denied and he was remanded into custody in the interim. He has the right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail. Haigang Yin, charge d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy, had previously told The Tribune that Song, 40, was the father of a one-year-old child and had lived in The Bahamas for several years.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, March 26, 2019, PAGE 3
FERGUSON NOT WORRIED BY PACE OF OBAN INVESTIGATION By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net COMMISSIONER of Police Anthony Ferguson yesterday took issue with those criticising the pace of his force’s near year-long investigation into the disappearance of an Oban Energies file. Addressing reporters, Commissioner Ferguson said he was amazed by the amount of questions that focused on his organisation’s effort, insisting similar investigations take time to be done right. “Let me just make it quite clear, it is amazing how people would want to question the timeframe that the police department investigates matters. If you look around the world, investigations of such
a nature are not done overnight. Some investigations take much longer than some,” he said. “… We are a professional organisation and it is unfair for somebody to want us to complete a matter in a day. These incidents or offences were not committed in one day, so why would you want it to be completed in one day?” Commissioner Ferguson said his agency has to be thorough in its investigation of the facts in the matter, contending that the public should demand the same. A Heads of Agreement was signed for a $5.5 billion Oban oil storage and refinery facility in Grand Bahama on February 19 last year. The proposed project has been dogged by controversy ever since. Last April, the Nassau
Guardian revealed police were investigating the disappearance of an Oban file from the Bahamas Environment, Science and Technology (BEST) Commission. One day after that report surfaced, press secretary Anthony Newbold said the missing file would not hinder the project’s progress, adding the government did not err by failing to disclose to the public the file had gone missing and police had been notified about a week before the matter was leaked to the press. Promoted as a multi-billion-dollar investment in Grand Bahama, Oban Energies became a lightning rod for criticism early last year when The Tribune revealed the backgrounds of some of the senior Oban officials. Peter Krieger, the company’s former non-executive
chairman, later went on to sign the Heads of Agreement on behalf of Satpal Dhunna, the former president of the company, at a public ceremony. The Tribune had revealed Mr Krieger pleaded guiltily to firstdegree felony of organised fraud in 2006. He also faced accusations of misappropriating more than $3.7m of investor monies, which he denied doing. Mr Dhunna was also dismissed by his former employer, CreditSights, in 2010 for “alleged gross misconduct”. Environment activists also pushed back against the deal, and took issue with the lack of an environmental impact assessment (EIA), and other concerns being raised over the background and qualifications of some of Oban
Energies’ representatives. An EIA has since been completed, according to officials, but it has not been made public. This fallout prompted an admission from Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis last March that there were missteps in the government process. “While our heart was in the right place, these missteps should not have happened. We must, we can and we will do better,” Dr Minnis said. The government and Oban are currently locked in negotiations to rework the Heads of Agreement signed between the two sides last year. Those talks started last week after months of delays and are expected to continue throughout this week.
Don’t be swayed by fake news, warns commissioner By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
THE Royal Bahamas Police Force is “functioning quite well,” according to Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson who yesterday downplayed preretirement leave of eight senior officers in recent weeks and speculation about his own future. “Just judge from what you see here this afternoon, and you as a citizen of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, you be the judge,” Commissioner Ferguson said on the sidelines of a ceremony held yesterday to acknowledge members of the force’s civil staff for their many years of service. When pressed on his own tenure with the force, specifically his years of service and the potential for him to be asked to take similar leave in the coming months, Commissioner Ferguson implored members of the press to not be swayed by “fake news.” Well-placed sources had suggested Commissioner Ferguson and Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Tellis Bethel were also among those persons slated for preretirement leave in the near future. “Do not be influenced by what you see in social media. If we had a meeting that required the press, we are decent enough to pick up the phone and call the press as we have already, (and) always do,” was the police chief’s response when asked about it.
“So do not, just ignore (it),” Commissioner Ferguson, who joined the force in 1980, added. In a surprise move last Thursday, Assistant Commissioners of Police Clayton Fernander, Ashton Greenslade, Ken Strachan, Theophilus Cunningham and Leamond Deleveaux all received notices to take accrued vacation leave effective immediately – joining Deputy Commissioner Emrick Seymour, Senior Assistant Commissioner Stephen Dean and Assistant Commissioner Clarence Reckley who were given letters indicating the same earlier this month. Commissioner Ferguson at several points during yesterday’s interview deferred to commentary already put out by National Security Minister Marvin Dames, telling reporters at one point that it would be “unfair” for him to publicly address anything already addressed by Mr Dames. Mr Dames last week stressed that successive governments had allowed accrued vacation — which should be capped at 15 weeks — to “run amok.” For his part yesterday, Commissioner Ferguson said: “The minister of national security was in the news and I think that is sufficient for the public to be able to understand. I am not going to comment on anything that is in the domain of the minister who has already spoken, and it is unfair for me to really have any comment or any opinion on something that my minister has (already spoken on). I have the utmost respect
HIGGS WINS APPEAL AGAINST DRUGS BAN from page one
He would only confirmed “we won”. Efforts to contact Wallace-Whitfield were not successful. BFA secretary general Fred Lunn said they have not received the report, so he could not comment. However, he said they were aware Higgs had taken his case to Switzerland. “We won’t know exactly what the ruling states until we get the report, which is normally a lengthy one,” Lunn said. “The report will indicate to us what the ruling imply. So we can’t comment until we get it.” While Higgs was banned, four other players - Ehren Hanna, Torin Ferguson, Lamar Cancino and Christopher Davis - were all
JARED HIGGS sanctioned following antidoping testing in 2017 prior to the CONCACAF Qualifiers and the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. But Wallace-Whitfield said it was a “travesty of justice where due process was not followed” because his client, Higgs, was never tested for any banned substances.
COMMISSIONER of Police Anthony Ferguson at a civilian recognition ceremony yesterday. Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
for my minister, I will not do that.” Meanwhile, when asked if the force was capable of meeting all of its mandates in the wake of the surprising exodus of top officers, Commissioner Ferguson insisted the force had never failed to do its job, stressing that the manpower and resources available ensures that law and order will be maintained. “We were working from 1940. We will be working every single day … The police force has a mandate by law — maintenance of law and order, and the prevention and detection of crime — and I am pretty sure that you see the number of vehicles that are out on the road in the evening; and that in and of itself speaks for itself.” He continued: “Just judge from what you see here this afternoon, and you as a citizen of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, you be the judge. The police force is functioning quite well.” Separate meetings with executive teams from the police and defence force were held on Wednesday, according to Mr Dames, who said discussions focused on the significant financial strain excessive accrued vacations pose for the government. However, in response to the move, the Progressive Liberal Party claimed that a “political purge” was taking place in the police force, charging that it was an attempt to eliminate PLP supporters from the public service. PLP chairman Fred Mitchell slammed the move as “evil and wicked” actions that the party condemns.
PAGE 4, Tuesday, March 26, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
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A little more substance please, Dr Minnis LAST night was the second of Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ national addresses – and while we welcome any increase in communication from the government, we do wish there was more substance to what he had to say. It’s unlikely the speech will have had tongues wagging too much in the stalls along Potter’s Cay dock or the bars in Arawak Cay or Fox Hill. “We will be relentless in preventing and fighting crime,” he said. “We will relentlessly track down those who do us harm.” Those may be nice words, but they don’t tell us much. Show us the politician who promises to be soft on crime. Is there one? No? Then don’t just tell us that you’re going to be tough on crime, tell us what you’re actually doing about it. Instead, last night’s speech told us what we already know. Dr Minnis trotted out the crime figures that have already been reported. There are welcome reductions – but we knew this when the police commissioner gave his crime report. He told us a contract was awarded for the installation of shotspotter technology – which had already been reported – without giving a date for when it would be making a difference. He talked about more CCTV cameras in the capital and the introduction of a drone programme – again without dates. The most definitive thing he could say was there were more police officers out on patrol and police were using
“geo-referenced based monitoring for the strategic deployment of police officers” – which sounds like a fancy way of saying using the kind of location services you can find on your phone to work out where officers were and where they should be. There seems no reason not to give more detail – at worst, you’re informing the public, at best you’re passing on the detail of what works in tackling crime so future generations can learn from your success. Elsewhere in today’s newspaper, Renward Wells protest the FNM knew nothing of the dire financial state the country was in when they came to power. Leaving aside that Mr Wells was part of the government that put the country in that state before he hop, skipped and jumped over to the FNM, the criticism he has is of a lack of transparency leading to a problem of continuity. The same ought to apply for the fight against crime – tell us what works so those who pick up the baton from this government in future can learn from success rather than repeat failure. We say that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us – so lend a shoulder to the next generation. And, Dr Minnis, if you’re going to hog the national airwaves and command the nation’s attention, then have something meaningful to say – and not just repeat what we already know. Otherwise, it seems more like a political advertisement rather than an urgent communication.
Laundromats deserve our support EDITOR, The Tribune THE Minister of Tourism seems hell bent on squashing every small independent laundromat on New Providence. Exactly how much is enough? Between the intersection of Blue Hill and Carmichael Roads and Gladstone Road, the minister has constructed three mega laundromats. This has brought the fate of four
small family owned laundromats to the brink of failure! While I fully recognise the minister’s right to expand his business as he sees fit, it certainly seems to run counter to his party’s theme - It’s the People’s Time! When combined with the reduction in the rate of duty from 45% to 5% for washers and dryers and parts for washers and dryers, it does not pass the
smell test for many. As a decades long resident of Carmichael I will support the small operations who’ve always been here for us even when we were just a fledgling community and avoid the conglomerates seeking to destroy them. AARON WOODSIDE Nassau March 19, 2019
An eyesore which should be removed EDITOR, The Tribune I WISH the developers and the lenders of the Fusion IMAX Theatre on the top of Gladstone Road all the luck in the world. They have tackled a huge project and taken a huge financial risk and I hope they get their just reward. That doesn’t change the fact that their building does NOT belong anywhere in The Bahamas. As I said in my November, 2018 letter to you, it would be fine in Orlando, Ft Lauderdale, or Las Vegas, but not in our islands. I’m not a lawyer, but I
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net do care about my country. In my opinion the screen which faces JFK is illegal and/or contrary to town planning regulations, and it should be turned off and covered up. Someone made the correct decision to make Leslie Miller turn off the sign near his bowling alley on Harrold Road. Why has Fusion IMAX been allowed to keep their screen on which is much worse? While I am writing
about eyesores I would like to mention the proliferation of road signs and billboards. I have nothing against small signs offering to do some tiling or someone looking for their lost dog but I am against the four foot by eight foot (and larger) billboards which are sprouting up all over the place. I hope our lawmakers don’t allow our lovely islands to become like the worst Florida roads covered in huge signs advertising everything. JOHN A WANKLYN Nassau March 18, 2019
With tourism, we’re onto something positive EDITOR, The Tribune SEVERAL exciting things have been announced in the Bahamian tourism industry and more are in the pipe line, so to speak. For generations we have relied on the now fabled banking and tourism economic model to literally drive the economy. Wherever the spirit of the late Sir Stafford L Sands might be, may God bless the same. This man, back in the day, was a mover and shaker in the allegedly defunct United Bahamian Party (UBP). In fact, he strode the Bahamian stage like the colossus that he would have been. The so-called Stafford L. Sands model served the country well and even though today portions of it might be passé it is to be kept in mind that these two pillars remain the backbone of our economic success to this very day. The time has come, however, when we must revitalize and refurbish both industries. We innovate our we ‘die’ on the vine. It is traditionally a bad move for political commentators to opine on the successes of opposing parties which they might not be known to publicly support. I do not know why this is but there are too many otherwise right thinking Bahamians who fear to do so because of perceived or even real political persecution or repercussions. I fear none of those things
as the Lord Jesus Christ is my God and Protector, point blank. The Minnis administration has gotten off to a very slow start. It is just beginning to get up off its collective knees and now starting to take baby steps in governance. There have been innumerable self inflicted political wounds. Thank God, for the sake of the unwashed masses, that only one of two of them have been, so far, near fatal. The unexpected and draconian increase in VAT caught the business community and the average Bahamian by total surprise, especially when one considers the stance taken against VAT itself long before the May, 2017 general elections.Within months of coming to office the FNM increased VAT by almost 50% without batting an eye much less feeling any weight. We were, to put it mildly, bamboozled and dished out a large dosage of shaving cream, with no hot sauce. Some protested but it was a mere seven day wonder. The appointments of party hacks (FNMs) to sensitive positions and others where they serve no real purpose other than to collect a generous monthly stipend will come back to haunt this administration. The abrupt displacement of several formerly high ranking police and other officers, while perhaps necessary from a managerial and fiscal
position, was badly and unprofessionally handled. The message sent by Minister Marvin Dames comes across as very personal and haughty. The collective morale on the Royal Bahamas Police Force must be next to zero save where senior officers who stand to directly benefit from the exodus of the former officers. People’s skills and mass communication are not fortes of this government. Major cabinet officers wear their arrogance on their shoulders and are quick to politically assault and dismiss their critics, including me. I, however, call a spade a spade. The Minister of Tourism & Aviation and his team are doing a yeoman’s job in the re-branding of our touristic industry. Relative to our economic and banking industries, the proverbial jury is still out. Minister Peter Turnquest, God bless him too, is competent but, obviously, all of the dots are not being dotted and half of the t’s are not being crossed. The one of the brighter lights in the Ministry of Finance is my good friend the brilliant Financial Secretary, Mr. Marlon Johnson. While Dames, et al, was orchastrating the retirement, by whatever name, of the former senior police officers, crime continues to trend upwards, even if it has gone down, allegedly, via statistics which are prone to
manipulation, in certain pockets such as reported rapes and housebreaking, to send knowledgeable senior officers home at this juncture will be counter productive in my view. Individuals like Clayton Fernander and Ken Strachan should be given extended terms for another year or so to ensure that their expected replacements are up to scratch. Tourism and aviation continues to radically expand under the watch of Minister D’Aguilar. There is no need to speculate on my total and absolute support for this member of the cabinet. When the PLP was in power, I did the same with my current leader, the Hon. Philip ‘Brave’ Davis when he served as Minister of Works.It is what it is. For the first time in almost ten years we are now witnessing the actual and real roll out of meaningful changes and refurbishment to the tourism industry. Global Port Holdings and its Bahamian partners are poised to bring about the massive transformation of Prince George Wharf; major portions of downtown in conjunction with the Ed Field’s led Down Town Committee, will also benefit from this. The Ghost Town says of Bay Street are fast coming to an end. The start up of developments, which were begun under the PLP, are coming on stream. The projects announced by
Carnival (Grand Bahama) and Eleuthera are God send for the industry and the nation at large. I could care less which administration rolls them out. They will benefit the entire country. In politics, the credit, rightly or wrongly, goes to the administration in power. It is as simple as that. If Dionisio is able to successfully navigate the sprouting and completion of these projects it will be his eternal legacy for generations to come. And so, with the banner year in tourism arrivals and stopover visitors, The Bahamas is rapidly rebranding our number one industry in a positive way. I am more than persuaded that Minnis and his crew, despite the massive political flaws and overt mistakes, may be on to something positive. Mind you, I am not suggesting that it will be reelected but its chances of doing so are improving. It is my sincere belief, however, that the New Deal PLP will not roll over and play dead. Brave has his job cut out for him but, there is no doubt in my mind, at least, that he is the only visible and declared leader, at this time, for my party. To God then, in all things, be the glory. ORTLAND H BODIE, JR. Nassau March 24, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, March 26, 2019, PAGE 5
WELLS COMMITS TO FNM AND TELLS PM: I GO WHERE YOU GO
By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net TRANSPORT and Local Government Minister Renward Wells yesterday reaffirmed his unwavering support for the Free National Movement and defended the party against critics by reiterating its commitment to transparency. Mr Wells noted many of the “hard and fast decisions” the Minnis administration has had to make were a result of the dire financial situation the previous administration left the country in — a situation the FNM was ignorant of while in opposition. The minister made these comments to reporters following the opening ceremony of the 2019 Local Government Workshop. Mr Wells was introduced
by the ministry’s permanent secretary, who noted his public service career has been “graced with colourful political history,” citing Mr Wells’ stints as a founding member of the now defunct National Development Party in 2008 and an elected member of the Progressive Liberal Party in 2012, before he “abandoned” the PLP for the FNM in late 2015. “For success,” Mr Wells interjected from his seat on the platform. During his remarks, Mr Wells added: “I was very pleased with the introduction of my permanent secretary. But I want to be able to put this baby to rest once and for all: I am where I am because I chose to join success. “I was in the house of (Prime Minister) Hubert Alexander Minnis speaking to him and I told him, I said,
‘your fate will be my fate. And where you go, I will go.’ And I am in the Free National Movement and there is no further movement for Renward Wells.” Following the ceremony, Mr Wells was asked by reporters about this choice and to respond to public criticism that the FNM is losing traction due to some of its decisions since coming to office in 2017. “Let me just say that… oftentimes there’s just political axiom, that from the moment you get elected you start to lose support,” Mr Wells replied. “I don’t necessarily accept that, but you know we’ve had to make some very hard and fast decisions. And really a lot of that has to do with the fact that every new government coming in, because of the way our system was,
RENWARD WELLS the system itself was not as open and transparent so that the Bahamian people would know what was the financial affairs and state of the country. “And as an opposition, we weren’t aware to the extent of the economic situation of this country until we were elected and until we were in charge of the ship and we were able to look at the books and see that which we (were)
presented with. Not everyone has agreed with the decisions we have made, but you know, it has inured to the benefit of the Bahamian people, when they look at the way economically the country is now being projected,” he continued, citing the country’s “phenomenal” growth in tourism and other sectors. Mr Wells reiterated the Minnis administration vowed the Bahamian people should have a “full picture” of the economic state of the country’s affairs. “So we went to the House of Assembly and passed a Fiscal Responsibility Act that opens up the books of government in every sphere so that no opposition would be able to come to the Bahamian people and be able to say they are unaware of the complete financial state,” he said,
adding this accountability also applies to the current government. “You would have seen that we had a debate on the Fiscal Strategy Report, which is required,” he said, challenging the public to read the Act and “the demands it makes on a government and the Ministry of Finance to always be transparent with the Bahamian people. So, no government would come in and experience what we met. “But we were very transparent with what we said we would do for the Bahamian people as an administration. And we’re moving forward with that in every sense of the word — accountability, transparency, dealing with corruption. And I think the Bahamian people ought to be proud of the work that is being done.”
as the Bail Act requires an evaluation of the strength of evidence and we will need to have the documents that the prosecution will rely on,” he said. Mr Rolle responded that disclosure is not an issue and explained that Mr Shurland is aware the documents first have to be sent to the Attorney General’s Office, which will disclose the evidence to counsel. “A young man’s and a woman’s liberty are at stake; if we don’t get disclosure right away they will be sent to Nassau,” argued Mr Shurland.
The judge instructed the prosecutor to provide the necessary documents and witness statements to counsel by today so that the accused would not have to be sent to New Providence and then returned right back to Grand Bahama. She adjourned the matter to June 20 for a preliminary inquiry. After the arraignment, a small crowd of about 30 people gathered at the rear of the courthouse to get a glimpse of the six accused. As they were led outside, the juvenile had a jacket covering his face and head. People shouted at the group as they made their way to the police van, and a woman was heard continually shouting at them “Justice for CJ”.
Six in court over murder charges FROM the left: Kivan Wilkinson, Kyle Forbes, Tanielle Whyms, Demiko Baillou and Natoris Taylor. Below: the 17-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons. Photos: Vandyke Hepburn By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net SIX people, including a woman and a teenage boy, were arraigned in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court yesterday in connection with the death of a man found last week with multiple bodily injuries in the Freeport area. Kivan Keyano Wilkinson, 20; Kyle Jamaal Forbes, 20; Natoris Deano Taylor, 23; and a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named due to his age, all of Pioneer’s Loop, Freeport, were charged with murder before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson. It is alleged that on Friday, March 15, they intentionally caused the death of Charles Rolle Jr.
Carlson Shurland represented Wilkinson and the juvenile while Wendell Smith represented Forbes and Simone Brown represented Taylor. The four accused were not required to enter a plea to the charge of murder as a preliminary inquiry will be held to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for the matter to be tried in the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Tanielle Whyms, 42, of Almond Road, Pioneer’s Loop; and Demiko Baillou, 36, of Guinep Street, Pioneer’s Loop, were both charged with abetment to commit murder in connection with Rolle Jr’s death. Tamar Moss represented Whyms, and Baillou was not represented
by an attorney. They were not required to enter a plea to the charge and a preliminary inquiry will be held in the matter. Relatives of the six accused persons packed the small courtroom for the arraignment which got underway around noon after a delay of nearly two hours. Magistrate Ferguson, who held court proceedings in the Industrial Tribunal due to construction work underway at the Garnet Levarity Justice Centre, apologised for the delay. Prosecutor Veron Rolle noted that under the Bail Act, the accused could not be granted bail from the Magistrate’s Court. Magistrate Ferguson advised the accused that they would have to make
bail applications to the Supreme Court. In addressing the court, Mr Shurland noted that with the amount of people accused there is an obvious issue of who actually committed the crime, and expressed the urgency of the need to make a bail application as he did not want his clients, particularly the juvenile, being transferred to Nassau and remanded to prison. “We need to make a bail application and we also need Rolle (the prosecutor) to ensure that witness statements of everyone is provided to us
PAGE 6, Tuesday, March 26, 2019
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PUBLIC ART PLAN TO HELP REVITALISE DOWNTOWN NASSAU By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
WITH a view to support Bahamian cultural development, the government is launching a public art and murals programme, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced last night. The initiative will facilitate the display of public art throughout the capital and is part of the revitalisation of downtown Nassau. “Completeness and happiness comes with cultural development,” Dr Minnis said in his second televised national address this year. “It is culture that makes us unique in God’s from page one The prime minister said education plays a critical role in preventing and addressing crime, but the lion’s share of the work had to be done through enhanced policing, the criminal justice system and mobilisation of cutting edge technology to better secure homes, streets and businesses. “After many years of increasing crime rates, our neighbourhoods are getting safer, and more secure. We are safer and more secure because of our comprehensive approach to policing,” Dr Minnis said during the address. “But we still have plenty work to do. We have a long way to go. But we are making strides in the fight against crime. There have been reductions in serious crimes, like murder, armed robbery and shop breaking.” He continued: “In 2018, there was a 25 percent decrease in the murder rate, an 18 percent decrease in armed robberies, and a 23 percent decrease in unlawful sexual offences. But we must do even more, to reduce crime. Today, there are more police officers patrolling the streets instead of sitting behind a desk. Our manpower audit has helped us redirect personnel in the fight against crime.” According to the prime minister, the RBPF attributed the decreased in crime to increased visibility and geo-referenced based monitoring for the strategic deployment of police officers. In 2018, 100 newly appointed police officers were deployed throughout the agency to provide additional manpower to assist with the overall
creation. It is our ability to express ourselves culturally and to celebrate our art forms that make us complete as individuals, and as a nation.” He said artists will be able to apply for small grants to support their initiatives. The grants will be administered by an independent non-political entity so no artist will need to ask a politician for help, Dr Minnis said. The government will seed the fund, but it also will be open to donations from the private sector, he added. “That is why we love Junkanoo so much. It brings together our historical memory, our ability to create stunning visual beauty, our
ability to create music, our ability to dance and celebrate our wonderful heritage. Culture is also about how we conduct ourselves, how we worship, and acknowledge the supremacy of God in our lives, how we show respect for one another, especially our parents and teachers. “So my colleagues and I are determined to support and to encourage the continued cultural development of our nation in all its positive expressions.” He continued: “This is why we are launching a public arts and murals programme, which will result in the display of public art including, in the revitalisation of downtown Nassau. One of these
murals will be created on the wall of the old jail on East Street, across the road from Mortimer’s Candy Kitchen.” The prime minister said because The Bahamas’ culture is rich and vibrant it must be preserved using diverse expressions that can be passed to future generations. “The benefits of a strong arts sector and creative economy are well known. The arts stimulate business activity and attract tourism. It has been shown to be an effective strategy for revitalising areas struggling with poverty. It helps at-risk youth, facilitates a child’s success in school and brings public spaces to life.
“To ensure that our arts sector continues to thrive and grow we are moving forward with the establishment of a million-dollar culture fund. This fund will be dedicated to supporting the development of Bahamian painters, writers, sculptors, filmmakers, artisans, playwrights, poets, musicians and performing artists, involved in projects of cultural significance.” He did not say when the mural programme is to begin. In his next report, Dr Minnis said he would address other areas such as health care, the environment, energy reform, modernisation and various infrastructure projects.
PM warns criminals as he vows to crack down on crime management of crime on New Providence. Last year also saw 1,213 officers from the RBPF, Departments of Customs and Immigration, Royal Bahamas Defence Force and Bahamas Department of Correctional Services trained and retrained. The Neighbourhood Watch Council has further sparked an overwhelming response by communities to formalise and to equip their respective watch groups with the necessary training. At the end of February, there were a total of 92 neighbourhood watch groups - 80 in New Providence and 12 in Grand Bahama – and 269 people were graduated from the National Neighbourhood Watch Council training programmes in 2018.
The country’s recidivism rate is also on the government’s radar. The prime minister said BDCS has increased the number of participants in personal development programmes, and employability opportunities, through work release programmes. So far, 124 inmates, both male and female, were graduated from BTVI concentrating in subjects such as auto mechanics, barbering, carpentry, computers, electrical work, garment making, plumbing and masonry. The government is also renovating and repairing BDCS’ maximum security unit and a new rehabilitative dormitory and kitchen are expected to be completed this year.
Recognising that education plays a role in the decision of those who resort to a life of crime, Dr Minnis noted a greater emphasis on improving the country’s educational frame work. Most of the emphasis is being placed on foundation learning. He said: “At the beginning of the 2018-2019 academic year three new pre-school classrooms were opened in New Providence, with an additional four new state-of-the-art pre-school classrooms just about completed. To date, more than 700 additional students have been enrolled in public and private pre-schools through the universal pre-primary initiative. Of these just under 400 vouchers have been paid to the Ministry
THE WAR on crime will be expanded, said Dr Minnis of Education-approved private pre-school providers through the Private Pre-school Partnership Programme. “Three and four year olds whose parents could not afford to send them to pre-school now have access to pre-primary education, to prepare them for first grade. We have launched a lower primary school literacy effort. The goal is to implement strategies to increase the percentage of students achieving A-D in Language Arts in the Grade Level Assessment Test, known as GLAT.” A pilot programme introducing tablets to preschoolers in public schools was also highlighted and 11 preschools
in New Providence, Grand Bahama, Long Island, Andros, Cat Island, and Abaco, participated in the pilot project. To support the use of tablets, Dr Minnis also noted that infrastructural upgrades have taken place at most of the pre-schools, to accommodate the increased demand for Wi-Fi and internet connectivity. The remaining schools will be upgraded by 2020, through the Smart School Initiative, he said. Anatol Rodgers High School will also host a pilot programme for the use of tablets in high schools. However, no timeline was given for this aspect. Editorial comment - Page 4
GB POWER DECLARES ‘BOGUS DEVICE’ AMNESTY FOR CUSTOMERS from page one
installed them at three Burger Kings, three KFCs and one Pollo Tropical restaurant. Power has since been
restored to those businesses after an investigation conducted by GBPC discovered the devices were fake and that the business owners were victims of fraud. The Island Seas Resort
Memorial Service For
Hurnel Wesley Mike, 67
a resident of #152 Queen’s Court, Yellow Elder Gardens and formerly of Denbigh Clarendon Jamaica, who died at the Princess Margaret Hospital on Thursday, March 21st, 2019 will be held 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 26th, 20l9 at The Central Church Of Christ, Yellow Elder Way, Yellow Elder Gardens. Evangelist Andrew Major assisted by Other Ministers will officiate. Precious memories are held by his wife: Maisie; Children: Andrew, Anna, Andrea, Marsell, Shernette, Hurnel Jr. and Jermaine; 4 step-children: Jeffrey, Darren, O’Keef and Kimann; 14 grand-children; 4 great grand-children; 6 step grand-children; 5 sisters: Olive, Pam, Lavern, Claudette and Maisie; 1 brother: Wally; and a host of other relatives and friends. Relatives and friends may pay their last respects at the church Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. Arrangements are entrusted to the NEW COMMONWEALTH FUNERAL HOME INDEPENDENCE DRIVE.
and Sav Mor Drugs were also disconnected, this newspaper understands. Power was also restored at the timeshare resort, but not at the drugstore up to press time. In a press statement issued to The Tribune, GBPC noted that during the course of a recent audit investigation it is now understood that many residents and businesses are operating under the belief that they have purchased an energy saving device from a local electrical contractor. “As GBPC revealed on March 20 these devices are
fake and a smokescreen for electricity diversion,” the company warned. “GBPC is very concerned for the safety of the public and our workforce due to the fact that customers are either connected directly to GBPC’s power system via a dangerous metre bypass, or their metre system was tampered with to under-read actual usage.” The company warned that installations to divert GBPC’s electricity supply and bypass its metering infrastructure are extremely dangerous to business owners, homeowners,
occupiers, their workers and the public at large. “These installations do not comply with the requirements of the Building Code and, based on the diversion tactics used, it is important that GBPC ensures that equipment is isolated properly to avoid serious loss or life-threatening damage,” the statement read. GBPC stated that the safety of the public and their workers is a number one priority. The company explained that in order to ensure the noncompliant installations
are rectified as soon as possible an emergency remediation programme has been developed. “We are offering this programme to all businesses impacted by our audit thus far and to the public at large in order to reduce the significant public safety risk on the island,” the company said. The company further noted that the number of non-compliant installations are unknown at this time. However, it is urging members of the public to report any and all instances of the fake boxes so “that dangerous installations and metre bypasses can be removed by qualified personnel.” GBPC indicated that in order to ensure that the safety issue is remediated within the shortest possible time, it is advising the public to report the presence of the fake boxes and associated equipment by calling 242-352-8411, or toll free at 242-300-4862, or send an email to makemesafe@gbpower.com immediately. GBPC said that it will inspect and address any immediate safety risks, but that it may require a short power outage. The company said it would also make reasonable arrangements for customers to pay for the electricity which has been used but not metered and billed. Where GBPC and the customer have reached a satisfactory resolution, the company said that no complaint will be made to law enforcement. The company reminds customers to always use the services of a licensed electrician for work on live electrical wiring.
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Tuesday, March 26, 2019, PAGE 7
FIGURES REVEAL LEVEL OF SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON CRUISE SHIPS
By RIEL MAJOR
ALLEGED sexual assault remains the most reported criminal activity on board cruise ships according to international yearend statistics. According to statistics released under the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA), there were a total of 34 reported incidents from October 1, 2018 to
December 31, 2018 —22 of which were sexual assaults. The numbers show that during the specified time period, there were two suspicious deaths; two assaults; and eight incidents of alleged theft of less than $10,000. The statistics are published on the United States’ Department of Transportation website. For the past three years, alleged incidents of sexual assault represented more than 60 percent of
criminal activity reported by vessels under the CVSSA. This trend follows for major cruise lines with routes to The Bahamas, like Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean. Up to September 30, 2018 there were 86 incidents reported – 60 of which were for sexual assault. In 2017, 76 percent of reported crimes on board Carnival vessels were for sexual assault; as was 68 percent of crime reported on
board Royal Caribbean vessels. There was the same number of sexual assault incidents reported for that time period in 2017, out of 85 incidents. There was a total of 106 incidents reported for 2017. In 2016, officials recorded 92 incidents with 62 of them for sexual assault. Criminal activity statistics for cruise ships making stops in the United States has continued to climb since reporting
‘Shockingly serious’ attack at Arawak Cay By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net POLICE are investigating the “shockingly serious” attack of a 23-year-old immigration officer attending a private music event at Arawak Cay on Sunday. According to Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash, the victim, who The Tribune understands is Juan Ritchie, was one of two persons who went to the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) with various wounds late on Sunday. CSP Cash said the man appeared in an unresponsive state with multiple suspected chop wounds to his upper body, while an unidentified female presented herself with multiple stab wounds to her body. The Tribune understands Mr Ritchie received slashes to his forehead and fingers. CSP Cash said the victims were unable to provide authorities with any information as to what had occurred or where.
ARAWAK cay where the attack happened. He said police were awaiting further updates on their condition and interviews with both victims before making any further public comments on the ordeal. “We want to be accurate with how we handle matters like this in the media,” he said yesterday. “All we’ve heard so far are the things being tossed around in social media. We are waiting to speak to those
victims. Once that is done, we will look to address the press on this shockingly serious matter. Until we speak to those persons, there is nothing that we can add at this time,” he added. Police are asking anyone with any information on this matter or any other crimes to please contact 911, 919, or the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991.
requirements were changed in 2016 – making it mandatory to include all incidents of missing persons and alleged crime. Prior to this, only incidents that were no longer under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation were compiled and released through the US Transport Department. In 2015, there was a total of 28 reported incidents - 13 of which were for sexual assault.
FOUR-MONTH DELAY FOR THEFT APPEAL By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
FORMER College of the Bahamas employee Chimeka Gibbs’ appeal of her conviction for stealing $700,000 from the tertiary institution over a sevenyear period was put off by almost four months yesterday due to an issue with the trial transcripts. The appellate tribunal of President Sir Hartman Longley and Justices Sir Michael Barnett and Milton Evans adjourned the matter to July 2 after revelations that her legal team is currently confirming whether it has received all of the trial transcripts. Gibbs, pictured right, who is serving time in prison for her actions, remains in custody until then. In April 2018, Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson sentenced the 40-year-old to 15 years in prison—nine years for the 16 counts of falsification of accounts and 15 years for the eight counts of stealing by reason of employment. The sentences relative to the separate charges are to run concurrently, making for 15 years total.
She was unanimously convicted of the “24 counts of dishonesty”, as Justice Grant-Thompson put it, in February 2018. At the time, Gibbs was also ordered to pay back the $704,580 she stole from the school within the next five years, via annual installments of $140,916. Failure to do so will result in an additional year in prison, Justice GrantThompson said. The judge also ordered that the $66,369.26 on Gibbs’ various accounts at Scotiabank, FirstCaribbean International Bank and CommonwealthBank, be forfeited to the Public Treasury. However, the judge said via that forfeiture, Gibbs would have satisfied almost half of the first installment to be repaid, making for a difference of $74,546.74. The jury was told Gibbs stole over $700,000 from COB by reason of her employment at the institution. The jurors were also told Gibbs falsified numerous COB direct deposit files, the result of which purported to show she was entitled to over $200,000 in salary payments.
PAGE 8, Tuesday, March 26, 2019
W
HY is it that all librarians are similar in personality? I am not referring to the misconception of a fussy old person who hates noise. I am talking about the trend of librarians being level-headed, helpful, resourceful, friendly people with a quiet spirit and gentle demeanour. Dorcas Bowler is the epitome of that description. When I decided to meet with the Director of Libraries, I didn’t know I was in for such a treat. This wellversed, intellectual woman was also humble with a big smile. She was happy to share a bit about her own life and love for her work as March is celebrated here as National Library Month. Dorcas has led a stable career that spans nearly four decades. She started out as a teacher, but her career blossomed into library science and she stuck with it ever since. She was born and grew up in Delectable Bay, Acklins. She was the baby of Laban and Ivy Pearson. Her six siblings were much older when she came along. The family had relatives in Crooked Island and Long Cay, and so she got to do quite a bit of travelling between the three islands growing up. Also, unlike many of the other children of Acklins at the time, she got to spend a part of her formative years in New Providence. Ivy Pearson was a midwife, and she would often accompany Acklins women to the capital to give birth if they did not deliver on the island. She also took up refresher courses in Nassau and as a result, Dorcas spent her primary school years at both Pompey Bay All Age School in Acklins as well as at St Margaret’s Primary School in Nassau. Back then, they would have to travel to Crooked Island to catch a plane to New Providence, as there was no airport on Acklins. “I remember the beautiful, clear waters in Delectable Bay, and I remember riding my bike to school,” Dorcas says of her Acklins days. “My dad was a mariner, and his father was also a captain. They had their own boat and they would bring food to the island. My father was also a carpenter and he served as the local police constable. I remember the government gave my father
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A life lived helping us all learn a freight truck to deliver food to the settlements (which was a Godsend because the roads were so poor, it was difficult for the far settlements to readily access groceries they needed). It was the biggest and only truck of its kind on the island back then. People were so thankful for him delivering groceries I could never forget the joke he told me. One woman in Morant Bay commented, ‘Mr Pearson, you are so strong! How can you drive that big truck?’ My dad said to me, ‘she must think I carry the truck on my back!’ We laughed. He was an easygoing man. He never worried about anything. I remember him saying, ‘I was born in November, got married in November, and I will die in November!’ That is exactly what happened when he was 69-years-old. “I enjoyed talking to the older people in Acklins, finding out how they did their fishing and farming and processing cascarilla bark for the making of Campari. Everyone used to get involved in it. Everyone had cascarilla trees; I remember we had several
in our backyard. My mom used to love to experiment. She would process cascarilla but she would also make a drink like the Campari with it. She also loved making candies. Other islanders made coconut cake and benny cake and she would do those too, but she would also make candies and people loved that. She lived to be 96-years-old.” Dorcas was 13-years-old when she was enrolled in LW Young High School. Thereafter, she attended the College of the Bahamas and obtained an endorsed Teacher’s Certificate – she held an Associate of Arts degree from COB and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of the West Indies. She then became a school teacher and taught for many years at schools including Willard Patton Primary School and SC McPherson. She taught many grade levels, but there was (and still is) a need for trained librarians in the country. Audrey Sherman-Dean, then principal at Willard Patton, had a vision to create a library for the school. Dorcas did a summer course in library science and when she returned, the principal declared Dorcas would open and operate the first library at the school. Teachers and administrators worked together and converted one of the school’s biggest classrooms into the new library facility, and held
a souse-out to raise funds. Then, they held a book shower, where parents and students wrapped books in gift wrapping paper and brought them to the school for a special ceremony. Ministry of Education officials were also invited, and the vision became a reality. Eventually, Nellie Brennen, former Deputy Director of Education with responsibility for libraries, heard about the great work Dorcas was doing with the students at Willard Patton, and had a vision for her to contribute to children’s literacy on a national scale. Dorcas ended up being seconded to the Learning Resources Unit and was able to work closely with the deputy director, who saw an advertisement in the newspaper for commonwealth scholarships. Dorcas ended up receiving acceptance from three universities, two in Canada and one in the United Kingdom. She had recently married and although her husband was born in the UK, he was previously living in Canada. They decided that she would take the scholarship for a university in Canada, which was a threehour direct flight from New Providence, making it an easier transition for her. For two years, Dorcas lived and studied in Canada with a government award, and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Library Science from the University of Toronto. Meanwhile, her husband, who was once a technician at Sunnybrook Hospital in Canada, had retired early but continued developing his talent as a pianist and also taught private lessons. Dorcas then returned to The Bahamas and signed a bond with government to
MAIN picture: Dorcas Bowler with children participating in reading and reflection for National Library Month. Above left: In her younger days as a teacher.
work a minimum of the same amount of years she studied, which she had every intent on doing, as she had a zeal to help bring out the best in children through reading. Brennen, she said, was happy to see her return. “She motivated me,” Dorcas said. “I worked closely with her and when she retired, I continued to do the work she was doing. Finally, in 2012 I was promoted to Director of Libraries.” Dorcas has watched the library scene change tremendously over the years: “There was much development because technology rapidly advanced. When I was at Willard Patton there was no internet. From 1998, we started working with computers in the libraries. By 2012, technology had increased even more and now we can do so much more with libraries. All 60 libraries throughout The Bahamas are now connected to the internet.” Although she became director in 2012, she was busy doing important work in libraries for many years prior. She remembers the successful opening of a community library in the Kemp Road area next to Uriah McPhee – a library for which residents openly expressed their pleasure for. In 2001, Carmichael and South Beach communities received newer, more vast facilities. In January 2004, Harbour Island opened the Sir George Roberts Library with the help of funding from winter residents there. Tourists and natives alike rely heavily on this library. In 2004, Elisabeth Estates Library officially opened, making it the easternmost public library in New Providence. Also in 2004, the Southern Public Library was renamed for a dedicated social worker and librarian of 37 years, Lillian G Weir-Coakley. “A library is very important to a community,” Dorcas pointed out. “There are still homes that do not have computers or internet. They come to the library where it’s affordable. It’s free for students and there are nominal fees for adults. Libraries are also filled with reading material and resources that are useful for studying and completing projects.” March is recognised as Library Month and a number of activities have taken place thus far. Last March, Barbara Perkins and her group, the International Black Women Public Policy group made a donation at Lillian G Weir-Coakley library and established a reading room there, in Perkins’ name. This year, they decided to host a reflection at the
Barbara Perkins reading room, while kids read books donated by her group. The phenomenal story of Perkins and her “life lessons learned around the water pump” can be found at Face to Face with Felicity on www. tribune242.com. For International Women’s Day, libraries throughout the country displayed photos and bios of phenomenal women, and showed how libraries could contribute to equal rights for women and men as around the world, institutions embraced the theme “Balance for Better”. ‘In the library system, we are looking at how we can contribute to provide information to policy makers to help create balance between the genders,” Dorcas said. “My goal this year is to attract more males into the profession. This would even encourage more young men to come into the library and make use of the library. If you are not able to travel to other countries, you can read about them, visualise and see those places. Books help you see the world even if you have never left the Family Island. Reading opens the mind and is a form of relaxation. It also sharpens the mind, helps you to grow, and helps you relate to people of all nationalities. Lillian Coakley would always say when she worked with juvenile delinquents, that you can never get in trouble with a book.” On March 17, the Libraries department participated in a church service at Bahamas Harvest Church to commemorate the month. On the 20th, International Storytelling Day, Elisabeth Estates library hosted an “outstanding presentation, where Laurenne McDonald and her reading group, as well as Tanecia Pratt and Ms Duncombe, young adults, hosted storytelling time for the children of Thelma Gibson Primary School. At Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute, coordinator Brent Kemp successfully led the reopening of that school’s library – the Student Success Learning Centre and Library, and hosted an open house. On March 21, staff members came together at the Wulff Road Public Library and shared “stories from my book” – personal stories of their experiences working in the libraries. They included workers from the school libraries, specialty libraries, public and academic libraries. On March 29, there will be a special session on “The Science of Things” for library cadets.
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Tuesday, March 26, 2019, PAGE 9
MINNIS: DISNEY HAS OUTSTANDING RECORD
By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net
DISNEY has an “outstanding environmental record” Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday, as he doubled down on his defence of the multi-milliondollar cruise facility proposed for South Eleuthera. Dr Minnis underscored this project will result in “long-term sustainable development,” as he listed a litany of Family Island tourism projects during his keynote address at yesterday’s 2019 Local Government Workshop opening ceremony. Among these projects include new airports, resorts, and ports. Dr Minnis also announced the next National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) training session will take place next month. Directly addressing the Disney deal, Dr Minnis said: “There has been talk in some quarters about By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net THE Minnis administration negotiated miserably on behalf of Bahamians, producing a “shameful” deal, Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin has said as she slammed the Disney Island Development agreement for South Eleuthera. In a statement sent to The Tribune, the MP said what shines through the Heads of Agreement is that Minnis administration officials have horribly mismanaged the interests of citizens. She minced no words when it came to the Heads of Agreement and its concessions, highlighting numerous deficiencies that, in her opinion, will work against the economic benefit of the taxpayer. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis tabled the Heads of Agreement between the government and Disney in the House of Assembly last week but the deal had been signed in a closed-door meeting almost two weeks earlier on Thursday, March 7. On March 9, while in Eleuthera, he first announced the document had been signed. Disney plans to build a $250m to $400m cruise facility at Lighthouse Point. “In light of our previous experience as a nation in these matters and the preelection pronouncements by this administration, we would have expected more and not less in protecting and promoting the economic interests of the Bahamian people,” Mrs Hanna Martin said. “A project which was chosen over a competitor with Bahamian involvement and which attracted so much controversy and which encompasses perhaps one of the most beautiful spots on earth should have been diligently negotiated to yield high performing economic opportunity for our people and contained stringent environmental provisions.” Mrs Hanna Martin said
ENGLERSTON MP GLENYS HANNA MARTIN
there was a lack of transparency. “It does not disclose the amount of Crown Land by way of seabed (is) being leased for (50) years to Disney. This is a major concern. The fee charged under the lease is the nominal sum of $1,000 per acre with no stamp duty attached. “This is essentially a giveaway to Disney. Further the reference to Oxford economics on the economic impact is misleading unless it also factors in the value of the many concessions made from the public purse to Disney, a multi-billion-dollar international corporate entity; but even on the face of it the sum of $805m
the development that are dead wrong. The land on which the development is taking place is private property. It was not Crown land. Furthermore, Disney has an outstanding environmental record. “No development will begin until an environmental impact assessment that meets the government’s requirements is done,” he reiterated. Dr Minnis added that he was “pleased” to “personally inform” the residents of South Eleuthera that the deal for the port was signed, adding it will “result in long-term sustainable development, including business opportunities and jobs.” Dr Minnis tabled the project’s heads of agreement in Parliament last week. The deal has been rife with controversy, with Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Fred Mitchell last week saying details in the HOA have raised concerns. Mr Mitchell also criticised Dr Minnis for the “arrogance” the prime minister displayed in
Parliament when he made no apologies for announcing first in Eleuthera that the deal had been agreed. This was done in a closeddoor meeting on March 7 and not announced until March 9. Yesterday, Dr Minnis said he places “a priority” on town hall meetings and “keeping Family Island residents abreast of various national developments.” He added his government will be creating and expanding offices of the prime minister in more Family Islands and also reiterated other upcoming projects. “I am pleased that during this term in office we will build new airports in North Eleuthera, Exuma and Long Island,” Dr Minnis said. “We are actively exploring the opportunity to establish a transshipment port in Mayaguana in the southern Bahamas,” he continued, adding the Bahamas Stripping Group of Companies will be developing poultry farms and processing plants in North
Andros and Eleuthera and a distribution centre on New Providence. Dr Minnis also noted the government is making an effort to incorporate solar power generation into the Ragged Island electricity grid and improving water access in Crooked Island and Long Island. Resorts and lodges are also in development for Andros, Long Island, and Abaco. The latter will include the upgrade and expansion of the Sandy Point airstrip, ferry dock, and extension of the Queen’s Highway. Regarding NEMA and hurricane preparedness, Dr Minnis said: “After being hit by category four and five hurricanes for three consecutive years, we were spared last year, but we always need to be in a state of readiness. “NEMA was given a mandate to provide training to all key stakeholders, well in advance of the hurricane season.
“NEMA has already had two, three-day training seminars in January and March with the assistance of US Northcom. Another three day training is planned for the first week of April, with the test run being done in June. Family Island administrators will be a part of this training. I urge you to make sure you are fully involved in this important exercise.” Dr Minnis addressed the status of plans to introduce local government in New Providence. “I am pleased to report that the advisory committee on the introduction of local government to New Providence has completed extensive consultations both locally and internationally. “They have compiled their findings in a report that will be presented to Cabinet in a few weeks for further discussion. The decisions that follow may enhance the quality of life in New Providence, in the first instance, and the enhancement of local government in the Family Islands.”
Shameful Deal is essentially a giveaway, slams MP Hanna Martin projected GDP impact and $357.5m in revenues over a 25 year period is far from spectacular especially when considering the concessions that are being given. “The agreement gives concessions and exemptions to Disney from real property tax for 20 years with the right to extend for multiple 10 year periods: it appears there will be no VAT payable by Disney on anything, nor on any single aspect on revenue or earnings received from its operations or its amenities and services. Further, Disney will be permanently exempt from business licence fees. It appears the agreement contemplates Disney running its own water and electricity plants. “By contrast the benefits to the Bahamian people seem peripheral and couched in vague and indeterminate language. There is no secure and firming protection of any economic benefit to the Bahamian people. This is pathetic and shameful.” The agreement secures at least 120 construction jobs but the ratio of foreign to Bahamian labour is subject to the exigencies of the project such as so-called expertise and technical demands, timely completion etc. However, she said
experience tells us what this can mean. The best example of this is the interpretation of the work ratio outlined in the Heads of Agreement for The Pointe development in downtown Nassau. Negotiated by the former Progressive Liberal Party government, of which Mrs Hanna Martin was a part, the agreement between CCA and the government states 70 percent of the workers are supposed to be Bahamian and 30 percent should be foreign. However, CCA has since maintained this ratio refers to the project upon completion, and not during construction.
Additionally, she believes the provisions for employment of Bahamians utilised language which gives considerable wiggle room to the investor to exclude Bahamians “There is no guarantee in the agreement for use of a Bahamian contractor and it seems safe to assume that a foreign contractor is contemplated. The permanent involvement by Bahamians appears to be 150 jobs - with work permits anticipated and access by Bahamian vendors of t-shirts and souvenirs and retail items etc. The number of vendors and type of merchandise is
ultimately to be at the discretion of Disney. There is no provision allowing participation in any shops and restaurants as at least one minister previously touted: this is an area reserved for Disney. The stipulation to acquire local agricultural produce at five percent is tepid at best. “Tour excursion offerings by sea and by land are stipulated for Bahamians but only subject to the determination by Disney as to quality and skill, failing which the agreement seems to contemplate non-Bahamians participating in areas which are strictly reserved for Bahamians only.”
She said this was an unprecedented departure from the norm of securing the interests of Bahamians in these industries in such agreements. She added provisions for environmental protections are not as stringent as needed. The agreement only makes the developer liable for damage caused by its “negligent” acts, she said, whereas the liability should be restricted in that any damage caused by Disney or its contractors should be the responsibility of the developer for mitigation and remediation. It would be better for the Best Commission to have the right to immediately enter and inspect for violation of the environmental management plan and not restricted to “reasonable notice” as the agreement stipulates, she suggested. The deal allows for the conveyance of 190 acres of land along the southernmost point of the property — a $6.29m value — to the government for establishment of a national park. Core elements of the proposed project, according to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, include low density development and sustainable design, public access and economic opportunities for Bahamians. Under the HOA, Disney has ensured a minimum of 120 Bahamians will be employed directly during the construction of the project. The OPM’s statement said the cruise line will also create “as many as 150 permanent, sustainable jobs with health benefits in a range of positions for Bahamians once construction is completed.” Disney also committed to aim for an overall ratio of 80 percent Bahamian workers to 20 percent nonBahamian workers during the life of the construction phase of the project. Disney has also said it will provide all employees with health benefits and that the average wage at the company’s other Bahamian property, Castaway Cay, is more than 50 percent higher than the Bahamian minimum wage.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, March 26, 2019, PAGE 11
ADORIAN WILLIAMS, left, is believed to have died in a traffic accident, pictured above, on Sunday night on East Bay Street.
Two more killed in late night accidents from page one The Tribune understands the deceased is Adorian Williams, however his identity was not released by police. In the second incident, shortly after 2am yesterday, police were called to a scene of a traffic accident on Baillou Hill and Wulff Roads. According to police, a dark blue Honda Accord and a light blue Honda Accord, each driven by a man, crashed into each other. Unfortunately, a male pedestrian was hit and died at the scene. Both matters are being investigated by traffic police. These traffic fatalities brought the count for
the year to 14, according to The Tribune’s records. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a local government workshop yesterday, Transport and Local Government Minister Renward Wells highlighted the number of deaths in 2018 due to traffic fatalities. Mr Wells said: “(In 2018) we had more deaths in the first three months of the year than we had murders in the Bahamas. More deaths by traffic fatalities. I think we have to realise that in our push for modernity and making the Bahamas more modern we created a lot more highways. “Bahamians were just use to single lane traffic for the most part in New
Providence and single lane traffic throughout the entire Family Islands with the exception of Grand Bahama.” He added: “You can get away with doing certain things when you have dual lane highways where someone can travel at 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 miles an hour...looking at the cell phone for a second (and) picking that up and drinking and being a (little) tipsy...there are a lot more issues that are possible when moving at that kind of rate of speed so we need to address it now because we no longer live in a fishing village.” According to police statistics, 69 people died in 63 traffic accidents in 2018. This represents a 28 percent increase in traffic deaths;
54 people died in 49 traffic accidents in 2017. The minister said on Wednesday he will lead the debate on the amendments to the Road Traffic Act in the House of Assembly, which are meant to make the country’s roads safer. He said: “We’re seeking just to simply…for me it’s just legislation about life and how we save lives and how we make the life and fortune of the Bahamian, how we increase the life and fortune of the Bahamian people so that’s what the road traffic amendments are going to entail.” The proposed amendments, tabled in the House of Assembly last September, will make it illegal to drive or operate a vehicle
while using a cellphone, or with an open alcoholic beverage. Failing to “immediately” produce one’s driver’s licence and insurance certificate when asked to do so by police will also become illegal as the Minnis administration seeks to eliminate provisions that gave drivers two days to produce such documents in order to escape penalties. The bill will also make it illegal to drive or operate a vehicle while using an electronic communication device, “whether by holding in ones hand or both hands or with any other part of the body or otherwise,” unless the device is attached to the vehicle or is a part of a fixture in the vehicle.
The legislation further requires “the device remain affixed while being used or operated, or is specially adapted or designed to be affixed to the person of the driver or operator as a hands-free device and is used to enable the driver or operator to use or operate the electronic communication device without holding it.” Driving instructors also will be prohibited from holding electronic devices under the bill, but the stipulation will not apply to those driving emergency vehicles or a vehicle that is lawfully parked and not impeding traffic. The penalty for contravening these provisions will be a fine not exceeding $1,000.
PAGE 12, Tuesday, March 26, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
NORWAY OPENS PROBE INTO WHY CRUISE SHIP VENTURED INTO STORM COPENHAGEN Associated Press NORWEGIAN officials have opened an investigation into why a cruise ship carrying more than 1,370 people set sail along the country’s often wild western coast despite storm warnings, forcing a major evacuation by helicopter. One person is in critical but stable condition in an intensive care ward, hospital officials said, adding that eight others were still hospitalised after the
weekend ordeal. The Viking Sky had left the northern city of Tromsoe and was headed for Stavanger in southern Norway when it had engine problems and issued a mayday call on Saturday afternoon. The ship anchored in heavy seas to avoid being dashed on the rocks in an area known for shipwrecks. Norwegian authorities then launched a daring rescue operation despite the high winds, eventually winching 479 passengers off the ship by helicopter
in an operation that went on for hours Saturday night and into Sunday morning. Dag S. Liseth of Norway’s Accident Investigations Board said “the high risk which the ship, its passengers and crew were exposed to made us decide to investigate the incident.” After about half of the ship’s passengers were taken off, the captain made the decision midday Sunday to halt the evacuation. About 900 people were still on board when the ship limped into
the port city of Molde on its own engines. Viking Ocean Cruises said Monday it had begun “an internal investigation .... to establish a complete and thorough understanding of what happened,” and welcome the official investigations which they “will fully support.” In the same statement, Viking Ocean Cruises chairman Torstein Hagen also said he “would like to personally apologise for what our guests experienced.” Liseth said investigators were
heading to Molde yesterdat and declined to speculate why the Viking Sky captain had decided to sail to Stavanger in the first place despite the weather warning. He couldn’t immediately say how long the cruise ship would remain in Molde. Yngve Skovly, of the police force in Moere and Romsdal district, where Molde sits, said there is no suspicion of a criminal offense but police have opened an investigation to find out why the ship had engine problems.
Release Mueller in full, says bullish Trump WASHINGTON Associated Press PRESIDENT Donald Trump said yesterday the release of special counsel Robert Mueller’s full report “wouldn’t bother me at all” as congressional Democrats clamored for the Justice Department to release the entire document and not just the summary from Attorney General William Barr. Trump’s remarks came as Democrats prepared to huddle behind closed doors to plot strategy for their own investigations of obstruction of justice and Russian election interference, among other matters related to the president, following the release of Barr’s summary, Barr’s four-page document said Mueller did not find that Trump’s campaign “conspired or coordinated” with the Russian government to influence the 2016 presidential election — knocking down arguments from Democrats who have claimed there was evidence of such collusion. But Mueller reached no conclusion on whether Trump obstructed justice, according to Barr’s summary, instead setting out “evidence on both sides” of the question and stating that “while this report does not conclude the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.” Absent a
PRESIDENT Donald Trump speaking in the Oval Office yesterday. recommendation from Mueller, the investigation was tainted from Barr stepped in and decided there the beginning and said it was a “terwasn’t sufficient evidence to estab- rible thing.” He even accused those responsilish that the president obstructed ble for launching it of “treasonous justice. While Democrats have said things against our country” and Barr’s letter should not be consid- said they “certainly will be looked ered the final word on what Mueller into.” Trump, asked if he’d be OK found, Trump still claimed total vindication. He said yesterday that with the release of the full report, “we can never let this happen to responded: “Up to the attorney another president again.” As he has general, but it wouldn’t bother me many times before, he suggested at all.”
• MICHAEL Avenatti, the attorney best known for representing porn actress Stormy Daniels in lawsuits against President Trump, was arrested yesterday on charges he tried to extort millions of dollars from Nike and embezzled a client’s money to pay his own expenses. Avenatti, 48, was charged with extortion and bank and wire fraud in separate cases in New York and California. He was arrested in New York. The US attorney in New York, Geoffrey S. Berman, said Avenatti engaged in “a shakedown.” “When lawyers use their law licences as weapons, as a guise to extort payments for themselves, they are no longer acting as attorneys. They are acting as criminals,” Berman said. The allegations “paint an ugly picture of lawless conduct and greed,” said Nick Hanna, the US attorney in Los Angeles. Avenatti describes himself on Twitter as an attorney and advocate, but the accusations describe “a corrupt lawyer who instead fights for his own selfish interests.” The New York case accuses Avenatti of threatening to use his ability to get publicity to harm Nike. In the California case, he allegedly misused a client’s money to pay his debts and those of his coffee business and law firm.
SINGER AND SONGWRITER SCOTT WALKER DIES, AGED 76 LONDON Associated Press
SCOTT Walker, the influential singer, songwriter and producer whose hits with the Walker Brothers in the 1960s included The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore, has died. He was 76. The record company 4AD announced the death yesterday. The company said he died on Friday afternoon in London. A cause of death wasn’t given. The Walker Brothers enjoyed a string of hits that also included Make It Easy on Yourself. Scott Walker later went on to produce numerous songs, movie scores and a number of solo albums. The Ohio-born Walker, who began his career as a session bass player, changed his name from Noel Scott Engel when he joined the Walker Brothers, also relocating to London. As a solo artist, Walker released a number of well-received albums, and joined the Walker Brothers for a final album together in the 1980s.
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