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The Tribune Weekend

Volume: 118 No.85, MARCH 26, 2021

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Smith accuses Govt of racist plan to wipe out Haitian communities

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net THE attorney representing shanty town residents in a judicial review centred on the demolition of unregulated communities yesterday accused the government of embarking on a “dictatorial” policy to completely eliminate ethnically Haitian-Bahamian communities.

Fred Smith, QC, the lawyer representing Respect Our Homes Ltd and 177 residents and occupants of shanty towns, made the assertions as he challenged

SEE PAGE EIGHT

5,000 HAVE NOW HAD VACCINE

the government’s alleged plans to use section four of the Building Regulations Act to take possession of property to which, he insisted, they were not entitled.

The trial, which commenced before Supreme Court Justice Cheryl GrantThompson, began just two weeks after Mr Smith’s firm filed an urgent appeal asking the court to consider extending the injunction barring the government from evicting shanty town residents and disconnecting services in their communities.

SEE PAGE THREE

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

ABOUT 5,000 people have received their first shots of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine since the country began its vaccination programme last week.

The figure was provided by deputy chair of the National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee, Ed Fields.

CRUISE PORT TARGETS $100 RISE IN SPENDING

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

NASSAU Cruise Port’s top executive yesterday said it is targeting a $400m increase in annual passenger spending after data revealed more than 40 percent spent less than $50 in the capital pre-COVID. Michael Maura told Tribune Business that the additional $400m, which will be generated by increasing average cruise passenger spend by $100 per head, would not go solely to the cruise port and its shareholders but instead

will be “disbursed” among all merchants and vendors that rely upon the sector for their livelihoods.

He spoke out after Ministry of Tourism data for 2019, the last full year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, revealed that 43 percent of cruise passengers who disembarked in Nassau/Paradise Island - more than four out of ten - spent less than $50 during their visit to the destination.

And, 18 percent, or almost one-fifth of such visitors, ended up spending less than $20 after leaving the ship.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

‘LOCK HER UP’ BECOMES OUR REALITY

SEE PAGE FOUR

‘TIME TO DELIVER ON FOI PLEDGE’

JUSTICE AT LAST IT has taken 12 years, but Rod Bethel, who cleared his name in 2017 after being accused of rape without evidence, has this week been awarded $767,000 in the Supreme Court after a long legal battle. Diane Phillips takes a close look at the full story on page nine.

ROMI ON BPC - I’M NOT SYMPATHETIC

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A CABINET minister yesterday said he would “not be very sympathetic” if Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) seeks to renew its oil exploration licences but the decision is not solely his to take.

Romauld Ferreira, minister of the environment and housing, told Tribune Business he was unable

THE STENA Icemax drill ship. to give a definitive government position on the matter as his ministry was still checking to verify whether the oil explorer

had formally submitted a renewal application.

However Mr Ferreira, who has ultimate ministerial responsibility for regulating BPC’s exploration activities under the Petroleum Act and accompanying regulations, said he had yet to receive confirmation such an application had been made. BPC has confirmed it plans to renew its four exploration licences.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

SENATOR Ranard Henfield yesterday criticised the government for failing to appoint a Freedom of Information Commissioner.

Speaking in the Senate yesterday, Mr Henfield said the government should not let the end of the month pass without appointing someone to the post.

SEE PAGE FIVE

SPORTS HIELD HITS 16 IN WIN OVER WARRIORS

SEE SPORTS SECTION

PAGE 2, Friday, March 26, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Vendors hope for summer return to Straw Market

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net WITH a major cruise line set to return to The Bahamas this June, some straw vendors say they feel hopeful the Straw Market will be able to finally resume operations by this summer.

Straw Vendors Advancement Association president Celestine Eneas told The Tribune yesterday it’s a matter vendors are anxiously waiting to hear from officials about since this month marks a year since the market was ordered closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With no steady income for over a year, Ms Eneas said workers have been left struggling to make ends meet and are now anxious to get back to work.

“The Straw Market Authority has not reached out to us since early April of last year,” she said.

“I am hopeful they will soon say something to us because we need to know something. We are struggling and after hearing such good news from Royal Caribbean because that means you have people staying over and then go on the ship.

“So, that’s good news for the locals so the market needs to open. People have been out of a job for one year. I have people calling every day saying when is the market going to open? Tourists on Bay Street asking for the market to be open but there’s no opening.

“Bay Street is on a standstill and you’re not going to see anything happen on Bay Street until the market opens. The market is the life of the party. Tourists want to see the market

STALLS at the Straw Market, which remains closed. and so all of the tourists who are coming right now, they are very disappointed that when they come, the market isn’t open.”

Last week, Royal Caribbean International announced its plans to set sail this June with cruise packages for The Bahamas and Mexico, marking the company’s return to the Caribbean since the COVID-19 pandemic halted the industry last year.

The global cruise line will set sail from its new homeport in Nassau as a part of its summer package consisting of seven-night cruises on board Adventure of the Seas.

Yesterday, Ms Eneas described the move as a

“good news,” saying it will help visitors return to Bahamian shores and revive the country’s ailing tourism economy.

However, there are some vendors who are concerned that RCI’s decision on making Nassau its newest homeport will not be as beneficial to operators, saying visitors might not want to frequent the market as they will be to occupied with preparing for their cruise trip.

Asked about her thoughts on the matter, Ms Eneas did not share the same concern yesterday.

She said: “Anytime you have a cruise ship is embarking from your port, that means your island is

getting extra (tourists). It’s not like they’re coming for one or two hour and then coming to go. People are coming to the hotels and they’re waiting until the cruise ship comes so that they can go and board the ship.”

RCI has said it is taking a “measured and safe return to cruising the world once again” and will only accept bookings from adult guests who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and those under the age of 18 with negative test results.

In an effort to better assist the country’s economic recovery for COVID-19, officials have also called tourism industry workers to be prioritised

for COVID-19 vaccinations. The Bahamas began its national vaccination campaign last week.

Asked if vendors are willing to take the vaccine, Ms Eneas said she could not speak for everyone, but noted she has already received her first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

She also encouraged other vendors to do the same.

“I already got my first dose and I’m waiting on my second dose because knowing that you have to interact with tourists, that’s the way to go,” she told this newspaper. “The cruise is saying you cannot come on the ship unless

you’re vaccinated so that speaks volumes. They’re not going to want to come a country that is not vaccinated so we need to get with it.”

Last month, Works Minister Desmond Bannister – who also has responsibility for the Straw Market Authority — suggested there could be new health and safety protocols implemented at the downtown facility when it re-opens to safeguard vendors and visitors from contracting COVID-19.

However, Ms Eneas said vendors want to be consulted in advance on potential new entry guidelines before any final decisions are made.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 26, 2021, PAGE 3

MITCHELL AND BETHEL TRADE JIBES IN SENATE DEBATE

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

A HEATED row erupted in the upper chamber yesterday between Attorney General Carl Bethel and Senator Fred Mitchell as the government passed the Airport Authority Amendment Bill, 2021.

The war of words at one point climaxed with Mr Bethel urging Senate President Mildred Hall Watson to protect him from “pusillanimous behaviour”, sparking anger and an outburst from Senator Mitchell who shot back that “the last thing I am is a bloody coward”.

The legislation makes provisions for the Grand

PLP chairman Fred Mitchell, left, and Attorney General Carl Bethel.

Bahama International Airport to be purchased from Hutchison Whampoa by the government. The facility is being purchased at a cost of one dollar, and the government is also assuming employee related costs

that are not expected to exceed $1m.

State Finance Minister Kwasi Thompson said yesterday $1.5m will further be spent on repairs.

As he castigated the opposition’s conduct as

being less than interested in the future of Grand Bahamians, Mr Bethel noted that its members abstained from voting on the Bill when it passed in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.

Mr Mitchell said this was a false assertion.

While the men continued to argue, Mr Bethel referred to Mr Mitchell’s age, adding: “I don’t want you to pop any gaskets around here with your contention.”

Now irate, Mr Mitchell said: “You want to get personal now? You want to go down that road? Do you want to go down that road?

“Because I could match you, you know. I could match you right now. Every nasty word you throw I’ll

cut you down if you want to go down that road. So, get that nasty, personal stuff out of here. It doesn’t belong in here.”

Mr Bethel returned a threat that he too would cut Mr Mitchell down, before reiterating that he was of the view the PLP had nothing good in mind for Grand Bahamians.

Responding, Mr Mitchell shouted that the government had failed to ensure hospital infrastructure for women needing surgeries.

However, Mrs Hall Watson instructed him to sit as he was not recognised to speak.

After several minutes more of arguing, with Mr Mitchell heckling, Mr Bethel said: “Madam

President, I am asking for your protection from the pusillanimous behaviour.

Google it, pusillanimous.”

“You calling me a coward?” Mr Mitchell retorted. “The last thing I am is a bloody coward now, don’t go there. I keep telling you to stop it. Now, look, you are impugning my personal integrity, you attack me personally about age, get out of here.”

As he wrapped up his contribution to the Bill, Mr Bethel argued that if left to the PLP, everything would be decimated in Grand Bahama.

He urged Grand Bahamians to “love who love you”, as they decide who will be their representatives for another term in office.

Smith accuses Govt of racist plan to wipe out Haitian communities from page one During the virtual proceedings yesterday, Mr Smith said the decision to eradicate the shanty towns did not respect any of the provisions of the constitution which he said made the policy “dictatorial, overreached and overarching in its nature.”

“The executive branch of government we submit, cannot act indiscriminately and arbitrarily to abuse the rights of any person in The Bahamas whether (they are a) Bahamian citizen or not,” he stated. “...What is being attempted here is that the respondents have created a policy dictatorially giving vast powers to Minister (of Labour Dion) Foulkes and his committee purporting to use section four of the Building Regulations Act to achieve something which it never contemplated; that is, to take possession and to demolish people’s homes.”

Mr Smith said such a move would impact nearly 20,000 people, the majority of whom reside in New Providence.

He also compared the nature of the policy with the Stalin regime, but said he would “tone down his hyperbole” after an objection from the Crown.

Still, Mr Smith insisted if the government did not want to be compared to Stalin, they “shouldn’t seek to destroy the homes of 20,000 people overnight”.

He said if the respondents were not too fond of the previous analogy, he would refer to what Mao Zedong did in the cultural revolution in China, “when he destroyed the homes of 20 million people” in the country.

“The essence of the complaint is that The Bahamas government embarked upon a policy to eradicate ethnically Haitian-Bahamian communities and to eliminate them 100 percent,” he stated.

“Perhaps I exaggerated in

FRED Smith QC pictured with shanty town residents previously. saying overnight, I believe they gave them a 30-day notice, (but) after 30 days, they intended to destroy and to eliminate communities that have existed in the Bahamas for decades and decades on ethnically discriminatory grounds.”

Mr Smith said “in relative terms”, such a move was an “extraordinarily terrible, inhumane and degrading thing” for a government to have “conceived of in its secret Cabinet meetings.”

He said although the respondents denied that a policy to eradicate shanty towns existed, they established a Shanty Town Action Task Force whose mandate was to “eliminate shanty towns in New Providence and the Family Islands.”

He said the minutes from one of the task force’s meetings, which was obtained during the discovery phase, revealed that the “Cabinet had ordered the demolition of all shanty towns in The Bahamas and Minister

Dion Foulkes and the Ministry of Labour were chosen to organise and execute the colossal task.”

Mr Smith said that according to a preliminary report from the task force, the initial assessment was to have been completed

by January 31, 2018 and an “official notice to vacate,” as far as New Providence was concerned, was to be issued by March 1, 2018.

“I submit that there is no question that the intent and the purpose behind the policy was to take possession of the land in question, evict all of those who were previously occupying it and make sure that they do not return,” he insisted. “...And that, according to the affidavit of (one of the applicants) in Abaco, is precisely what happened to the thousands of residents that suffered under Dorian at the Mudd and Pigeon Pea.” Mr Smith noted the action plan of the task force stated that it aimed to integrate Bahamians of Haitian

descent into “mainstream Bahamian society,” deport immigrants with no legal status and demolish all of the shanty towns in The Bahamas.

He said he did not know why the government had to create a task force to carry out these tasks as the Immigration Act made provisions for the arrest, prosecution and deportation of persons with no legal status in the country.

“If there is to be some kind of cultural integration what (good) does it do, in my submission, by destroying the homes of 20,000 people?

“This is really a racist and discriminatory policy…this reveals that the policy is expressly motivated by the race, ethnicity or immigration status of the residents in the shanty towns.”

Mr Smith said the task force’s plan aimed to demolish shanty towns and “direct the inhabitants towards better living

conditions”. He noted the preliminary report stated the government “hoped” the residents would relocate to family and friends in the “short term before they found more permanent housing solutions”. He also noted that they had made plans to open shelters to accommodate the displaced inhabitants in the event that it was needed.

“The government was plotting to remove so many people from their homes that they were contemplating setting up shelters as if the aftermath of a disastrous hurricane,” he said. “...It’s (unbelievable) that a government could conceive of creating a humanitarian crisis of this order.”

Mr Smith said the fact that the communities were being referred to as shanty towns instead of “settlements or organic communities” suggested the government purposely used a “derogatory” label to make the public feel as if there was “some kind of infection” that needed to be eradicated. He insisted people eradicate vermin like “fleas, ticks, lice and rats” from their home – not human beings.

“In January 2018, Minister Foulkes disclosed that preliminary findings show all shanty towns in The Bahamas are either owned

by Bahamians or exist in circumstances where Bahamians have the lease approval to oversee those properties,” he said. “The Crown has no immediate right to possession of any of the land in question.”

Mr Smith said in April 2018, the Ministry of Labour issued a press release announcing that the government would be conducting a survey in all shanty towns in the capital to find out the demographics of the communities.

He argued that particular announcement was “at best incomplete and at worst seriously misleading,” as it gave no indication that the survey would “later be used

to justify the demolition of the communities”.

He said after the enumeration exercise, a building assessment report revealed that “up to 60 percent” of the structures in the various shanty towns were reported as “code worthy”.

He insisted “all of the talk” about “social reform and integration” was never about respecting building code regulations but was instead an initiative to “achieve the involuntary movement of thousands of people from their homes”.

“It is nothing short of ethnic cleansing of Haitian-ethnic communities in The Bahamas...that was what the policy was. This is purely and simply a policy of ethnic cleansing of Bahamians and other people of Haitian-ethnic origin from these communities. There was nothing illegal about these communities who on the evidence available were on the land with the consent of the owners or lease holders.”

Mr Smith also questioned why the government did not seek to address its concerns with the shanty town communities in the same way they approached their Over-the-Hill initiative.

He said while both groups had similar conditions, the policy as it related to the Haitian ethnic groups was “discriminatorily different”.

“The government has no overarching power just to demolish wholesale communities that they don’t even own the land to,” Mr Smith said. “If a minister was to make the decision, it wasn’t Minister Foulkes.

It was to be Minister (Desmond) Bannister as he was the minister for public works and therefore the relevant minister for the purposes of section two of the BRA...Parliament has vested the discretion in Minister Bannister not some committee that Cabinet creates. Minister Bannister was, however, not even a member of the task force.”

The case continues today.

‘HOUSING PLAN A NOBLE ONE - BUT IT NEEDS TO BE WIDER’

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A TOP banker yesterday described the government’s recently announced housing programme for young Bahamian professionals as a “noble” initiative but said there needs to be a wider “comprehensive plan” for promoting land redevelopment in the country.

Gowon Bowe, Fidelity Bank Bahamas’ chief financial officer, told The Tribune officials must ensure the plan is feasible and does not add to existing economic issues being experienced in the country.

His comments came after Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis gave notice in the House of Assembly on Wednesday night that a resolution to develop an affordable “upscale” community for young people in the western area of New

Providence will be debated at Parliament’s next sitting.

Mr Bowe said the announcement was a “very surface level communication” that provided no details on how officials plan to execute such an initiative.

He said: “I think the initiative is certainly one that is noble and is commendable thought process in terms of what ideally would like to be done because it is looking at ‘how do I grant land ownership to young professionals,’ but I think we should have a much wider land policy or redevelopment policy.

“Because when we use Crown land, it then will negate their ability to use that land for other purposes.

Secondly, there needs to be a very balanced empirical study to say will persons be able to — while they may be able to qualify to purchase the homes — will they qualify to be able

to build in two years and if not, is there a recourse?

“And will this then revert to the government and if they commence borrowing, when they run into difficulties is the government providing a recourse or guarantee behind them in order to provide some assurance?

“So, there needs to be a comprehensive plan and ultimately, we have to be more deliberate in the initiatives and the programmes we want to implement.”

Before officials move to execute such an ambitious programme, Mr Bowe said the government also needs to address some of “the broader structural deficiencies” long spoken of by the banking industry.

He said: “What I mean by that is the Bahamian economy, in particular New Providence, has a tremendous amount of distressed properties that have borrowers and tenants that are

unable to meet their commitments and if you will, I’m going to say clogging the banking system.

“Because ultimately, when I have a portfolio of distressed loans where payments are not being made and then it means that I’ve not freed up those loans by being able to sell them and so certainly, in a recommendation I made directly to the Prime Minister himself and the Mortgage Corporation and others has been to why not consider the funds that are available to government in the form of being able to acquire these distressed properties?

“There naturally would be an ability to negotiate a price because with the liquidity in the market, the financial institution that you yourself would see it by all the distressed properties that are listed, we’re not seeing active movement because people are not qualified which is a

vicious cycle so, if you find that you’re able to start clearing some of that backlog, it has several positive contributors.”

He said one such benefit is that it will “clear up the legacy loans”.

He said the move could also help boost economic activity in the construction industry.

“I would encourage the government to look at having a very confined programme that looks at redevelopment which will mean that a lot of these properties, because they’ve been in this current state for a while, have started to (become) dilapidated and you would be able to reinvigorate the construction industry and being able to start pumping money into it,” he added.

Asked if the commercial banking industry will support the housing programme if the resolution is passed, Mr Bowe replied:

“I can’t speak across all of the banking industry but…

All banks have significant portfolio of non-performing mortgage loans. We see it at the Central Bank’s monthly reporting and so when you have a significant amount of non-performing loans, remember or more important, be aware of what that means.

“That means there is a significant amount of money that has been lent but has not been collected so that is cash resources that are now not available to do other things and so while that bottleneck continues to exist, then it has nothing to do with a willingness to lend into this particular initiative. It boils down to the where does the capital or the money going to come from?”

Dr Minnis has promised more benefits and details of the plan will be discussed during the debate in April.

PAGE 4, Friday, March 26, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

5,000 have now had vaccine

from page one

Mr Fields spoke to The Tribune after it was revealed that walk-up vaccine appointments at one of the government’s vaccination facilities – the Church of God of Prophecy — have been filled for the next three days.

The local church, which begins vaccine operations today, is also serving as an appointment centre for residents without access to the internet or an electronic device to book their vaccine appointments.

“The public will be notified as more walkup appointments become available following the Easter holiday,” the

government said in a statement yesterday.

The East Street site is one of several vaccination centres that was scheduled to go live this week.

According to Mr Fields, the facility has the capacity to vaccinate “close to about 250 people” a day.

Committee officials announced on Sunday that a record of vaccinations administered would be published each Wednesday.

However, an official statement on the matter was not released up to press time.

Yesterday, Mr Fields told The Tribune: “We’re still trying to compile all the necessary information but it’s probably just about over 5,000 vaccines issued so far.”

Those eligible to receive

TOTAL CASES

COVID-19 vaccines in the first phase include healthcare workers, residents and staff of eldercare homes, people age 60 and older and staff of the uniformed branches, etc.

Meanwhile, the country awaits the arrival of some 33,600 doses — out of 100,000 ordered — of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine from the Pan Health Organisation’s COVAX facility.

PAHO has said all countries in the region, including The Bahamas, should get their first deployment of the shots by early April. The shots which are currently being administered are part of the 20,000 doses the country received as a gift from India.

TOTAL DEATHS

8,986 188 NEWLY CONFIRMED CASES THURSDAY 33 CASES NEW PROVIDENCE 21 GRAND BAHAMA 8 ABACO 2 ELEUTHERA 1 EXUMA 1

PEOPLE lining up for their vaccinations yesterday.

TOTAL TESTS

74,429

HOSPITALISED

31

CASES IN ICU

1

PAHO: BAHAMAS WILL NOT 7,816 RECEIVE SHIPMENT THIS WEEK

RECOVERED

CONCERN OVER RISE IN CASES SINCE JANUARY THE Ministry of Health said the “marked increase” in COVID-19 positive cases and hospitalisations since January is “disconcerting”.

In a statement issued yesterday, health officials said they have been closely monitoring the figures and the increase on the islands of New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco is concerning.

This comes as 33 new cases were confirmed on Thursday.

Of those cases, 21 are in New Providence, eight are in Grand Bahama, two are in Abaco while there is one new case each in Eleuthera and Exuma.

These cases brought the country’s case

Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

total to 8,986 for the year.

At last report, 31 people were in hospital with COVID-19.

Health officials are urging people to adhere to specified health protocols to minimise infection chances.

“The Ministry of Health encourages the general public to continually adhere to the health precautions – avoid social gatherings, maintain adequate social distancing, wash hands frequently, and wear a mask,” officials said.

“The public is reminded that COVID-19 vaccinations are now available in-country for those who wish to exercise the option to be vaccinated.”

THE Pan American Health Organisation has clarified that contrary to an earlier report, The Bahamas was not specified as a country that is scheduled to receive its shipment of the COVAX COVID-19 vaccines by the end of this week.

However, PAHO has said all countries in the region should get their first deployment of the shots by early April.

At a virtual press conference on Tuesday, PAHO/ World Health Organisation Director Dr Carissa Etienne said in response to questions from regional journalists: “I want to assure you that PAHO is

doing all that it can to accelerate access to vaccines in our region.

“Following PAHO’s negotiations with the COVAX partners, we have ensured that 21 countries in the Americas will receive their first deployment of vaccines by the end of this week. And in early April, all countries in our region will be able to receive their first deployment of vaccine.

This is good news.”

In a clarification sent on Thursday, PAHO noted that The Bahamas was not specified as a recipient of the vaccines scheduled for the end of the week.

PAHO/WHO said it understands the urgent

need for vaccines as part of the response to the COVID19 pandemic and will continue to provide safe, effective vaccines through the COVAX facility.

The Minnis administration has made a downpayment for about 100,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine through COVAX. The government has previously said the first batch of these vaccines should arrive by the end of this month, with the remainder expected in May. The country’s vaccination programme began last week, however these vaccines were donated by the government of India.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 26, 2021, PAGE 5

They’re back - guests return as Lighthouse Pointe reopens

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net LIGHTHOUSE Pointe at Grand Lucayan Resort welcomed its first guests yesterday afternoon as it reopened one year on from the COVID-19 shutdown.

Tennessee couple Bobby and Amy Smith, who booked their trip through Pat and Diane Tours, arrived at the hotel shortly before 2pm.

This is their first trip to The Bahamas. The couple came over on the Balearia Fast Ferry.

“It is very exciting (to be first guests); we were not expecting that,” said Mr Smith. “We are from Nashville, Tennessee; we have not been to The Bahamas before – it’s our first time.”

Mr Smith said they are looking forward to their stay on Grand Bahama.

“We want to play in the ocean, hang on the beach and have some fun,” he said.

Mrs Smith said that she felt very safe travelling on the Balearia because of the COVID-19 health protocols and guidelines they have in place.

“We came over on the ferry and it was very safe; it was a great trip over,” she said.

Caleb and Ashley Bresnahan, of Atlanta, Georgia, with their sons, Toshawn, six, and Ethan, 12, arrived shortly afterwards.

The couple are excited to be back in Grand Bahama for the first time since the pandemic.

“We are happy to be here and very excited. We are from Georgia and we have been here many times. So, this is our first time back since the pandemic,” Mr Bresnahan said.

Mrs Bresnahan said: “We are here until Sunday. I am excited to see what is open.

I love this island and it is my home so I am happy to be back.”

She was very surprised about how smooth the

entire process went once they arrived on the island.

The Bresnahans also arrived by ferry.

“We came over on Balearia and I felt really secure. They checked our COVID test multiple times during the journey and they made sure there are hand sanitizers available.

“And when we got here, Immigration had the ambassadors and we gave the ambassadors our paperwork and looked over our COVID test again, and it was a smooth process.

“I thought with all the new regulations and travel visa, that it would be hectic and really crazy but you guys have a lot of people running it so it went really smooth.”

The couple said they were happy to be among the first guests at the resort.

They said their eldest son is looking forward to snorkelling, and the little one loves making sandcastles.

Anitha Cooper, front office manager, is happy to welcome their guests. She said they have three families reserved and booked at the resort.

“Today, there were also some walk-ins and we welcomed that and we were excited about that,” she added. Everyone is settled in and enjoying the amenities.”

“The word is getting out and we want to continue to spread the word that we are open and ready for business.”

Ms Cooper said domestic travellers are also welcomed. “We also want to welcome our domestic travellers from Abaco, Exuma and Nassau,” she said.

She said the resort offers an all-inclusive package, which includes room, food and beverage, and also other amenities. “You can’t beat it, we have a wonderful rate that includes accommodation, breakfast, lunch dinner and also snacks and alcoholic beverages.”

She emphasized that they

THE ​FIRST guests arrive at Lighthouse Point at Grand Lucayan yesterday.

Photos: Denise Maycock/Tribune Staff

are strictly enforcing all COVID protocols.

“We have hand sanitizers and thermometer

temperature check as well in place as you enter the lobby area and throughout the property,” she said.

Face masks are to be worn throughout the property and they are encouraging everyone to practice social

distancing as well.

There are 37 hotel workers employed at the 197-room all-inclusive resort on Lucayan Beach.

Two restaurants, golf course, spa, and other amenities are available.

A bellman said he was happy to be working at the hotel.

“It is good to be here again, I was formerly some 20 years at the resort. I am so happy this hotel is opened,” he said.

Pat Kemp, of Pat and Diane Tours,said: “It is a pleasure for us because we have not been doing any bus transfers since COVID started and during Dorian, and it is good to bring the first guests to the Grand Lucayan; I feel great about that and hopefully, it is a continuous thing.”

Mr Kemp said it has been very challenging over the past year after the hotel closed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“For the past year, with the bus just sitting there we still had to do maintenance on it to keep it in good condition so when the tourists do come back, and the challenge has been finding the funds to do that, he explained.

Pat and Diane Tours has been in the tour business for 25 years on Grand Bahama. They lost their snorkelling boat, one of the largest on the island, with a double decker with water slide and rock climbing wall during Matthew. Hurricane Dorian and the COVID pandemic has significantly affected the company.

Mr Kemp said they started bringing regular guests to the island about three weeks ago on the Balearia. He expects business will get better. “The number has been going up ever since Balaera started running from Florida and we pray for this trend to continue,” he said.

SENATOR HENFIELD: TIME TO DELIVER ON FOI PLEDGE from page one

He said by failing to do so, the government stood the chance of eroding public support.

“Today is March 25, civil society has asked repeatedly for a Freedom of Information Commissioner and it’s past time,” Mr Henfield said as he contributed to the Airport Authority Amendment Bill, 2021 which was passed in

the Senate yesterday.

“Nothing, absolutely nothing, is worse than when the people that supported you feel as if you have not come through on the things for which they supported you to do.

“March 31 ought not pass without a selection and announcement of a Freedom of Information Commissioner.

“Let us not erode public support and support of civil society by dangling the

carrot any longer.”

He continued: “Additionally it is time that civil society be granted a parcel of land for it to construct a complex for use by all of the NGOs that have to come to people’s aid in times of hardship and crisis. No government can do it alone.”

The senator said every government will require the assistance of NGOs and it was time to fortify the groups so that they were in a position to render

assistance as needed in a pandemic or any crisis.

He also noted that the Centre for the Deaf was having difficulties and needed a permanent home.

In January, Organisation for Responsible Governance renewed calls for full implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, insisting all available resources be committed to its enactment.

Matt Aubry, ORG’s executive director, told

The Tribune at the time it was imperative the legislation advanced as the government has shown it can prioritise when needed.

Section 47 of the Freedom of Information Act 2017 (FOIA), which outlines protections for whistleblowers, was brought into force in 2018.

The previous Ingraham administration passed a FOIA shortly before the 2012 general election, however there was no date for

enactment. The last Christie administration then overhauled the legislation, and conducted an extensive public consultation process.

The Christie administration passed a FOIA in Parliament in February 2018. However, aside from the whistleblower’s protection, only part one and sections of part five and eight of the legislation have been enacted, allowing for the appointment of an information commissioner

FERREIRA BRIEFS MEDIA ON LAW TO PROTECT RESOURCES ENVIRONMENT and Housing Minister Romauld Ferreira hosted a virtual meeting for the media to discuss the recently passed Biological Resources and Traditional Knowledge Protection and Sustainable Use Act, 2020.

The new law protects the country’s natural resources, and will ensure that Bahamian natural assets will no longer be exploited by foreign interests.

Mr Ferreira said that the Act was a vital piece of legislation in order to ensure that Bahamians would not be disenfranchised by people who would, as has happened in the past, exploited the country’s natural resources under the guise of research and other reasons.

“For too long, our country’s resources have been exploited and we can no longer allow that to happen.

We are aware that this undertaking will involve ‘buy in’ from everyone in Bahamian society, as a cross-section of society will need to partner together to ensure its success. That is why we thought that it was of utmost importance to engage the media to ensure

that just and fair information is disseminated to the public.”

The Biological Resources and Traditional Knowledge Protection and Sustainable Use Act, 2020 ushers in a new management regime of the country’s natural resources.

This new Act will ensure that biodiversity-rich countries obtain a fair share of benefits arising from use of their genetic resources.

New protocols have also been established to ensure that the objectives of the Act are met.

Director of Environmental Planning and Protection Rochelle Newbold gave an overview of the Act itself, explaining that it is targeted at foreign interests who use several means to take advantage of the country’s resources, then go on to substantially benefit from their research, never sharing those benefits with the country. She cautioned Bahamians to be vigilant, especially when they are conducting tours with researchers, who claim to be “visitors.”

“We have to be good stewards of our country’s resources and not allow

others to take advantage of us,” she said. “Even though you may have a

boat and are taking the researcher around to conduct their study, you must

pay attention and report any suspicious activity that you see. This is our country

and we need to protect it for ourselves, and for future generations.”

PAGE 6, Friday, March 26, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

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In the shadow of Stalin and Chairman Mao? FRED Smith, QC, certainly knows how to catch attention. In his latest collision with the government over shanty towns, he compares government policy to that of Stalin. Asked to tone it down by the court, he offered an alternative of Mao Zedong in China, whose cultural revolution “destroyed the homes of 20 million people”.

It’s not 20 million here in The Bahamas, but 20,000 that Mr Smith says are at risk – and he insists the government is not entitled to take possession of property as it plans under section four of the Building Regulations Act. Whether his words are hyperbole or not, Mr Smith has a long track record of winning his cases – and he raises a number of very good points in his case.

For example, he asks why there is talk of the need to deal with buildings that are not built to code when surveys have found that up to 60 percent of shanty towns are “code worthy”. Indeed, if it’s just about making sure buildings are fit for purpose, why is it that only shanty towns are being targeted and not communities in, say, the Over-the-Hill area where buildings might not be up to scratch too?

As for who is being targeted, back in 2018 Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes revealed findings that showed shanty towns are either owned by Bahamians or that Bahamians have lease approval to oversee properties there. So why is the government looking to take land away from Bahamians?

Mr Smith notes that the action plan of the Shanty Town Action Task Force is to integrate Bahamians of Haitian descent into “mainstream Bahamian society”, deport immigrants with no legal status and demolish all the shanty towns.

It seems likelier to alienate someone rather than integrate them if they have legal status to a residence and the government comes along and knocks it down. How forgiving would you be if the government knocked down your home that you’re entitled to be in?

As Mr Smith says, “If there is to be some kind of cultural integration, what (good) does it do, in my submission, by destroying the homes of 20,000 people?”

He continues: “This is really a racist and discriminatory policy… this reveals that the policy is expressly motivated by the race, ethnicity or immigration status of the residents in the shanty towns.”

If this is a policy about building codes, then it would need to be applied universally, shanty town or any street. If it is a policy that targets specific parts of our population, it does indeed open the door to being called discriminatory.

There are already laws to deal with the arrest and deportation of people who have no legal status – so that can be applied already.

But for those who do have a right to be here – either being Bahamians or having legal status – why should they be targeted?

Mr Smith puts it clearly: “The government has no overarching power just to demolish wholesale communities that they don’t even own the land to.”

Nor should they.

There absolutely are issues surrounding shanty towns, but is this literally taking a sledgehammer to the matter rather than finding a better solution?

The case continues, and we shall watch with interest. As, we imagine, will every Bahamian whose rightful home is being put at risk.

Christian Council EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Bahamas Christian Council’s (BCC) COVID Vaccine Investigative Committee’s pending report on the various COVID-19 vaccines should be thoroughly examined by the entire Christian community, as a way of separating fact from fiction and wheat from chaff. The BCC is well within its rights to chime in on this national health issue, despite the pushback from the secular community and The Tribune atheist ghost writer who calls him/ herself The Realist, who appears to loathes Christianity. By chiming in on the COVID-19 vaccine, Pastor Mario Moxey and the BCC are continuing the church’s tradition of taking an active role in medical science, as modern science was birthed in the Catholic monasteries of Europe during the medieval period that The Realist spoke condescendingly of in his latest broadside on the church. For his information, the first hospital in the Western world was built by a wealthy Christian woman named Fabiola in A D 400 in Rome.

The oldest hospital in the world today is the Hotel Dieu in Paris, France. Dieu is the French word for God. Interestingly, during the French Revolution the hospital system had collapsed, due to the atheists’ attacks on the church. Another irony is that half the hospitals in China during the 1930s were operated by

Christian missionaries. The church was repaid by the Chinese government with a brutal suppression with the advent of the Communist Revolution in 1949.

Like The Realist, the Chinese government holds to atheism. Moreover, the Jesus of Nazareth Hospital in Mexico is the oldest hospital in the Western Hemisphere. Unbeknownst to The Realist, at the Council of Nicea in AD 325, it was decreed that hospitals were to be established wherever the church was established. According to the late Dr D James Kennedy in his What if Jesus had Never been Born? it was St Basil of Caesaria who founded the very first non-ambulatory hospital.

The first nursing society, called the Daughters of Charity, was founded

by Catholics St Vincent de Paul and St Louise de Marrilac. The first nursing school was established by a Lutheran named Theodor Fliedner. The first almshouse, which served as a forerunner to hospitals, was established by a Quaker named William Penn, in 1783 in Philadelphia. Florence Nightingale opened her Nightingale School for Training Nurses at the St Thomas Hospital in London in 1860, which is the beginning of modern nursing, as per Kennedy.

And who can forget Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross, the greatest humanitarian agency in the world? The Red Cross

has saved millions of lives.

Dunant was motivated by his Christian faith.

And it would be remiss of me not to mention the greatest biologist of all times, Dr Louis Pasteur, whose research into bacteriology led to pasteurisation, sterilisation and the development of vaccines against rabies, anthrax and diphtheria, as per Kennedy. Like the BCC today, Pasteur’s staunchest opponents were atheists who heaped scorn and ridicule on his Christian faith and belief in creationism, unlike the atheist Darwinists.

Had it not been for Pasteur, scientists today might have never developed the Oxford AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson vaccines.

Modern science has simply built on the foundation laid by Pasteur, who as a devout Christian viewed his scientific profession as an extension of his ministry.

Consequently, the Christian community and the BCC have every right to have a say on the matter of the COVID-19 vaccine, as it is Christianity that gave rise to modern medicine.

Atheists like Lawrence Krauss and Richard Dawkins have hijacked science and are using it as a proxy for religion. The BCC must ignore the hateful rhetoric of The Realist and other self-professing atheists.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama March 25, 2021.

Failures at Corrections EDITOR, The Tribune.

COULD it be that the reason that so many people are writing and speaking out about the disgusting situation at the Prison is because so many people have friends and loved ones who have been personally and negatively effected by their time there. Yes, they may be convicted criminals, but they are also first and foremost human beings - Bahamians who deserve to be treated decently, humanely and shown a better way.

I am also a former inmate who lived in the Maximum Security front dorm for many years. I lived with and listened to the late Andrew ‘Yogi’ Davis complain day after day to senior officers about his health and the poor food he received.

The former Commissioner granted Yogi permission to have his family deliver the special foods that his doctor recommended. The current Commissioner brought

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net that to an end and we all watched Yogi’s health deteriorate until his recent end.

It hurt and angered inmates and many officers because it did not have to be. It’s my opinion that a little compassion could have saved that man’s life.

I watched men work from 7:30am to 4pm daily and only receive a plate of cold white rice and corned beef as compensation. Not even as little as $5 to buy a pouch of sweet milk would be given by this cold-hearted leadership. It is inmates that built and are running the prison. Inmates cook all of the food; even in the officers cafeteria. Inmates perform the plumbing, electrical, sanitary work, etc.

Why not give them a little compensation as a way to encourage honest work and demonstrate an alternative to crime? Why not give

these men a sense of value and the hope for a meaningful place in society?

Worth as human beings.

Instead the Commissioner operates like a modern day Pharaoh. But we will never hear their association president, Mr Culmer, complain about the treatment of inmates. We will never hear him come out and say that the cats on the compound are treated better than our fellow Bahamians.

In closing I will remind the public that several years ago a small group of inmates were granted Clemency. After months of waiting they discovered that the prison sat on their release papers and stalled the release. I pray that these men and women who showed reform and deserve a second chance are not now victims of prison leadership disregard or political timing.

MR MOSS Nassau, March 24, 2021.

Thank you, Minister EDITOR, The Tribune.

I AM writing to commend Mr Dames and The Prerogative Board of Mercy for the progressive steps they have taken to give deserving offenders a second chance. There are so many countries that have moved away from this “lock them up and throw away the key” way of handling inmates which we

have sadly embraced for decades.

So thank you, Minister, for giving those deserving men and women a second chance and for giving families the joy of being reunited with their loved ones.

Many struggling wives and mothers, like myself, are eagerly looking forward to having our spouse back at home, especially during

this difficult period in our country.

The Bahamian people are not stupid and recognise when our elected officials are trying to do good and move the country forward. Your efforts are appreciated.

VALERIE Nassau, March 24, 2021.

On the front line EDITOR, The Tribune.

Amid this dark and gloom that circles our world– a world that has spun through so many circles of night out into the sun – a curtain is being pulled up slowly, by an army of faceless, first responders, so that most of mankind will see the sun again.

As this gallant army fights on relentlessly, day and night, its fallen soldiers move on to join hundreds of thousands of their fellow-men, who too were felled by this invisible, deadly enemy, without holding a loved one’s hand; gone without saying “Goodbye”; Gone!....All alone!

The fallen soldiers are being replaced by an ever-flowing stream of new recruits – like a mighty river being filled up by its tributaries – knowing quite well that some of them too will die so that others may live to see a new day; a new normal; a new world!

And when the new day dawns, and the sun comes over the horizon, and history writes the history of COVID-19, the story will be that, that army of first responders was indeed, an army for The Ages!

JEROME CARTWRIGHT Nassau, March 23, 2020.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 26, 2021, PAGE 7

SUSPECT ACCUSED OF KILLING ONE, TRYING TO KILL ANOTHER

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 26-YEAR-OLD man was brought to court on a murder charge yesterday.

Sean Higgs appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt after he was accused of causing the death of Kendrik Ferguson on February 8.

During the hearing, the prosecution also alleged the accused attempted to kill another man a little over a month later on March 14.

Higgs was also said to be in possession of a firearm which he was accused of using to endanger the lives of three other men, two of which were said to be witnesses, on March 7.

Due to the nature of the charges, he was not required to enter a plea and the matter was adjourned to June 18 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

In the meantime, Higgs was denied bail and remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. He has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.

Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

14-year-old accused over marijuana snacks in school

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net A 14-YEAR-OLD student from SC McPherson is in police custody after he allegedly brought marijuana laced snacks to the school and sold them to students.

Police said the incident took place on Wednesday.

The boy in question allegedly sold marijuana infused Rice Krispie treats to the students, four of whom fell ill at school and had to be

taken to hospital by ambulance for medical attention.

Later in the day, three more students complained to their parents about not feeling well.

Police said they also admitted to eating the marijuana infused cereal and were taken to hospital for treatment.

The student who was arrested is expected to face court charges today.

When contacted for comment, Bahamas Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson said the

union did not have the full details about the incident.

However she called the matter troubling and said she is praying for a speedy recovery of the affected students.

“The incident allegedly happened yesterday,” Mrs Wilson said. She spoke to this newspaper before police released a statement about the situation.

“I was informed by Vernon Rodgers, area vice president of the New Providence district, of the incident. I immediately

DIGITAL PAYMENT LAUNCHED

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

THE Minnis administration rolled out its DigiPay platform for cashless transactions and collection of revenue across all government agencies, including the judiciary.

The Ministry of Finance, along with the Office of the Chief Justice, held a press conference yesterday where details of the platform were given. “Today I am pleased to announce and celebrate the monumental step taken by this government in developing an electronic payment platform for cashless transactions across all government agencies,” said Kwasi Thompson, Minister of State for Finance. “The government’s official DigiPay platform allows for real time integration into The Treasury Financial Management System and ease of balancing at an agency level.

“The DigiPay platform has allowed for collection of government revenue by debit and credit card in agencies and online. As the Central Bank rolls out the country’s first digital currency, the DigiPay platform will allow for acceptance of Sand Dollars across the government for payment of government revenue.”

The platform, built by contractual employee Kristie Powell, is said to be consistent with such platforms commonly used in the 21st century.

“As the government streamlines its financial processes, DigiPay’s ability to record revenue in real time into the Treasury Financial Management System increases accountability and transparency in reporting of government revenue,” Mr Thompson continued. “DigiPay’s ability to record transactions in the accounting ledger of The Bahamas government facilitates ease of reporting and reconciliation to align government revenue streams with best practices.

“However most

importantly, for the public and Bahamian citizens, the DigiPay payment platform facilitates ease of doing business where clients have three options of payment for government services. Online payments, payments in agency or payment at a third party vendor. Long lines for obtaining government services are being eliminated

by DigiPay’s flexibility with payment options. It seeks to make doing business with the government faster and easier.

“The DigiPay platform is owned by the government and was designed and developed by a young Bahamian technologist, Kristie Powell. Her success in implementing this breakthrough technology is a testament to the homegrown Bahamian brilliance that exists in this country. The government will be showcasing her talents on a large scale throughout numerous agencies.”

According to Mr Thompson, in the very near future, DigiPay will be available to the Port Department, the Department of Inland Revenue for real property tax collection, the Customs Department, the Road Traffic Department, the Registrar General Department, the Department of Labour and the Royal Bahamas Police Force. And, he said, as part of the government’s ongoing digitisation efforts, the digital transformation unit will release an additional three services on the online portal mypilotservices.gov.bs on Monday.

These include: the application for a police character reference, renewal of gun licenses and the renewal of the ePassport.

Chief Justice Sir Brian Moree gave details of how the system will be used in the judicial system. He said although the payment platform pushes The Bahamas into the 21st century’s way of doing business, it will not replace any employee in the judicial system which is already understaffed.

“The DigiPay platform will be available in New Providence in the Magistrates Courts, the Supreme

Court and the Court of Appeal. Now, lawyers and court users will no longer have to provide cheques or cash when filing documents in those courts and members of the public will not have to carry large amounts of cash when paying fines,” he said.

However Nicholas Rees, chairman and co-founder of Kanoo, another digital payment entity, was not happy about the announcement, saying his company was not given the opportunity to bid on that project.

Mr Rees said, “In Kanoo we have nine young Bahamians involved and our blood, sweat and tears have gone into over four years of work. We have, hands down, the best product and the best technical solution, period. In this country we have a regulation called the Payment Regulations Act which we fall under.

“In order to offer retail payment services, (an entity) must have a license issued by the Central Bank.

DigiPay nor SAG, which it operates under, has a license issued by the Central Bank so why are they even given the opportunity to offer those services?”

Mr Rees said every contract that Kanoo was awarded by the government had to go through a competitive bidding process under a request for proposals (RFP) process. He is questioning why this did not happen before DigiPay was created.

Asked about it, Marlon Johnson, acting financial secretary, said Ms Powell was an employee and acting on behalf of her employer, the Ministry of Finance.

“Ms Powell was a contracted employee of the Ministry of Finance when she constructed the platform,” Mr Johnson said.

“It was constructed by a member of staff of the ministry. It is our platform so (no) need for a RFP. It is only a payment platform, it is not a financial services provider. It is not required to take in any transaction; it only facilitates the payment.”

requested that the permanent secretary advise me of the status of this matter. Thus far, I have not received any information from the Ministry of Education. At this time the details are sketchy. I will continue to investigate this matter.”

She added: “This is very troubling. I pray for the speedy recovery of the students who have been impacted and hope that once they have medically recovered that they will receive counseling. I

want to remind teachers to remain vigilant and I thank the administration, teachers and staff of S C McPherson for their quick action.”

Mrs Wilson said teachers need additional training to detect new drug trends.

“The Ministry of Education must train the security officer and provide training opportunities for teachers in various safety techniques that will help to detect these new trends. If, it is true, as alleged, that these edibles were purchased in

the community then I call upon the police to investigate this matter and bring the culprit to swift justice and punished by the full extent of the law.”

This incident comes a few weeks after Chief Superintendent Roberto Goodman of the Drug Enforcement Unit revealed police have been observing over the past three years the increase of marijuana infused in food items.

He said the edibles were being consumed by young people.

PAGE 8, Friday, March 26, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Why did we lock her up?

THIS week, ‘‘lock her up’’ became our reality.

LOCK HER UP

Yes, apparently, we did lock her up! The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) leader, Arinthia Komolafe – along with top members of her party— was taken into custody by the Royal Bahamas Police Force for several hours on Monday.

To say this was a shocking turn of events is an understatement.

When we first heard Trump and his band of merry-men chant those famous words at rally after rally back in the day, we laughed. Surely a mature democracy like the United States would never stand for political vengeance to be wrought (unjustifiably) on a political opponent, right? That’s the stuff of banana republics.

It turns out we are that banana republic. We did what even Donald Trump, in all his lunacy, dared not do.

According to Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle, he was the person behind Arinthia Komolafe and other DNA members being ‘‘invited’’ by police to assist in their investigation of an unlawful assembly outside parliament on March 3rd. The Commissioner, who insisted that he does

A Comic’s View

By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA

not take ‘instructions from politicians,’ held a press conference the day of the detentions to assure the public the arrests were not political.

Then the minister of national security – a politician – spoke.

According to Marvin Dames, what “had happened was” the DNA tried to stage a “Capitol Riots”-like insurrection to take over the Parliament of The Bahamas.

Officers were ‘‘injured,”’ he said. The media was complicit in not covering these events, he insisted.

Except, according to all public records available, no such thing ever happened.

The minister, who gave an impassioned (read: angry) briefing to the press, seemed genuinely perplexed that Bahamians were up in arms about a line crossed in politics. Mr. Dames, during his statements, tried to deflect towards legitimate crimes Bahamians should be upset about, not realising that the public is genuinely mad about those things too.

THE MAN DOTH PROTEST TOO MUCH

He (and Attorney General Carl Bethel) failed to acknowledge that in arresting Mrs Komolafe and her team, our country crossed a line that had not previously been crossed; the arrest of a government opposition party on frivolous charges.

I say frivolous only because Mr Dames’ intervention in speaking on the matter reeks of political manure. The Prime Minister, Dr Hubert Minnis, has stayed quiet on the subject, probably because he was surprised, too.

Imagine being a Prime Minister who made your bones and was swept to a historical electoral victory on the backs of the ‘‘marchers’’ and ‘‘protesters”. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that he would know, politically speaking, that arresting an opposition party on ‘‘unlawful assembly’’ charges is a no-go.

After all, he did not have to answer questions for

ARINTHA Komolafe speaking to the media after leaving the police station. doing the exact same things a protest against the same (and more) that his hand- minister a day before being selected COP now insists called to answer questions is investigatable. This is on an event that happened Usually, I reserve spewhy I find the typical talk- three weeks prior. cial shoutouts for my The prison officers got ing points of ‘‘Doc’’ being involved in Mrs Komolafe’s their cars towed during radio show. I have to say, the protest; the DNA got though, that I was pararrest unbelievable. ticularly impressed by the What has elevated this locked up a few days later.

Social media, that great speed at which Progressive unfortunate situation is the minister of national security bastion of Bahamian free Liberal Party MP Glenys ratcheting up the event’s speech, has concluded that Hanna-Martin and former rhetoric. He has painted a ‘tight pants’ Marvin Dames Free National Movement opposition leader Loretta picture of insurrection and is behind the deception.

Butler-Turner were on the I’m still on the fence. sedition but has failed (so What I do know is that scene to show support for far) to provide evidence.

My fellow Bahamians (in the words of Ricky Mrs Komolafe.

It’s not often you see this and residents, we are past Ricardo) someone has got kind of “coming together” ‘‘some esplaining’’ to do. the Rubicon.

Why was our govern- of political opponents. This Now, Bahamians wait (with bated breath) to see ment’s political opponent week, it was needed. This the Commissioner and detained over something week, it happened.

Hopefully, as we national security minister’s our prime minister (through past actions) condones, continue to battle this panevidence.

Which officers were and why has this become a demic, more of the same grim chapter in our (banana occurs. injured?

As we try to grow as a republic) reality? If Minister How were they injured?

Why, if this really hap- Dames is unable to prove country, let’s remember pened, were the DNA not his claims, the very least the words of philosopher he can do is apologise. It’s Albert Camus: “Democracy arrested on the spot?

In the backdrop, we know one thing to be wrong, and is not the law of the majorthat the DNA stood with another thing altogether to ity, but the protection of the prison officers who staged be strong and wrong. minority”.

A SPECIAL SHOUTOUT

FUN EVENT HELD FOR WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY IN acknowledgement of World Down Syndrome Day, Family Guardian and its general insurance arm, FG Insurance Agents & Brokers (FGIAB), hosted 20 children from the Down Syndrome Centre to a day of fun and treats.

The event, which took place on the grounds of the centre on March 19, featured character performances, balloon animals, food, games and treats.

Alicia Culmer, senior manager FGIAB and mortgages, said “World Down Syndrome Day may be a little different this year due to the pandemic, but there are still lots of fun ways to celebrate. Our aim was to host a COVID-safe event with enjoyable activities for the children as we put into practice this year’s theme for World Down Syndrome Day – CONNECT.”

MEMBERS of the Family Guardian team with the Easter Bunny during the fun day.

READERS SPEAK UP ON ISSUES IN THE NEWS AFTER Minister of Tourism and Aviation Dionisio D’Aguilar admitted Harbour Island’s tourism industry “has made a compelling case” for why it should not become a cruise destination, readers posted their responses on tribune242.com.

Junkanoo had this to say: “Exuma doesn’t want them for the very same reasons as Harbour Island. It appears to be a recurring problem since March 2020 that the Minister of Tourism makes bold announcements for future opportunities for tourism in The Bahamas, without having discussed the plans with all the stakeholders. Put simply his department comes up with hair brained ideas, but doesn’t ask the locals what we think before going public.”

Dawes said: “The idea

of cruises to the islands is a great one. However the size of the vessel is very important. If they do 100 people cruises that would be a great trip to take and won’t overload the island. If you go with over 1,000 people or more then not such a good idea.”

Tribune Business reported that the BISX All-Share Index suffered a more than 100-point drop in 11 days last month – a period coinciding with the failed CIBC FirstCaribbean deal.

That prompted this reaction from Realitycheck242: “Cable Bahamas established a policy last month where the company buys its own shares on BISX to boost share prices. Commonwealth Bank can do likewise. The reduction in share prices is due to the fact that the smaller retail investors are offloading and liquidating shares due to financial demands caused by the pandemic.”

To which DonAnthony replied with: “That is a part of it. Most companies have lower revenues, and net incomes during the pandemic, hence lower valuations and share prices.

Quite surprising share prices have held up as well as they have with large segments of economy closed.”

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

THE TRIBUNE

Twelve years fighting a lie destroyed his life - now justice is finally served

By Diane Phillips YOU may rememOver the next decade ber Rod Bethel. He was as the case Bethel and his the nice-looking, neatly- attorney have said should groomed manager at never have been filed City Market in Harbour made its way through the Bay Centre back in the courts, the former role 1990s. Kids and their folks model-turned-public pariah crammed his little aquar- protested the charges ium filled with fish, asking and swore his innocence questions.

He always over and over. The girl’s took time to answer or family, he says, had ties to personally find an item senior police officers. Even a customer just couldn’t the investigating officer, locate.

ASP Hamilton-Sands, Bethel earned $75,000 testified that she did not a year at that job. He was believe Bethel had sexual good at it. He had family, intercourse with the comfriends, a home and a plainant. She did not snazzy car. recommend that he be Then one night all that charged. There was never changed. It was November any DNA evidence that a 14, 2009. rape had been committed, Bethel and a friend, let alone connecting Bethel police sergeant Sean to it.

Gibson, went to a party.

Bethel admits there was Sometime after midnight, one charge he could have Bethel and Gibson were been accused of - a lapse in sent for more cranberry judgement. juice. As they were pulling It was a lapse that cost away, a young woman they him his job, his home, the both knew, the daughter of life he knew before he an acquaintance, stumbled attended that party. It cost over to the car and begged him his snazzy car, but to ride with them. She most importantly, the trust looked stoned or drunk and and love of his family who they were reluctant. She shunned him as he dogpleaded, said she needed gedly fought for justice with something from near where his attorney former Senathey were going and they tor and two-term Bahamas gave in. They Chamber of told her to get ‘No amount Commerce into the rear president Tanya of money can seat.

Wright by his When they ever give Bethel side.

Neither stopped, she back the years ever gave up stumbled out hope. and became ill, of life he lost, On April 6, vomiting and, the hugs he did 2017, Justice at some point, not get from Gregory Hilton “messing herstated in his self”, according his daughter or ruling: “With to court testi- granddaughter, regard to the mony. She fell the right to accused Rod in the dirt, dirtyBethel, I find ing her clothes live on his there is no sufeven more, own property ficient evidence and Bethel and which was held to connect him Gibson lifted to this charge her, resting her for surety.’ of rape. There now vomit and was no evidence mud-streaked body against whatsoever of any common the hood of the car, kick- design as it relates to Rape ing themselves mentally for of (party)…”. By declaring allowing her to ride with that Bethel had no case to them. Once they got her answer, Justice Hilton never safely back in the car, she forwarded the case to the passed out, allegedly from a jury. combination of alcohol and Four months later, marijuana.

Bethel sued the ComThey returned to the missioner of Police for party which had lost its unlawful arrest. He also appeal and headed their filed a suit against the separate ways home.

Attorney General for maliAt 5am that day, a team cious prosecution. And still of six uniformed officers the legal battles dragged swarmed Bethel’s home. on with Bethel’s life on Two vans, doors swung hold. back, revealed another 20 Finally, this week, on officers, dressed in army March 19, after 11 years, fatigues and armed with four months and four high-powered weapons, days, Supreme Court Jussealed off the property, tice Diane Stewart found, guarding against poten- once again, in his favour. tial escape. Bethel was The court awarded Rod stunned.

Andrew Bethel $767,000.

The officers claimed to No amount of money be acting on a complaint can ever give Bethel back of rape filed not by the the years of life he lost, the young girl, who had not hugs he did not get from his filed a complaint, but by her daughter or granddaughter, mother, who was nowhere the right to live on his own near the scene of last night’s property which was held for events. surety.

Bethel was held for 72 He is not the man who hours though the alleged happily answered a wide“victim” did not file a eyed child’s question about complaint until long after the fish in the tank at City he was arrested. His car Market. It seems a lifetime was impounded to search and a world ago. for evidence. He had to Here is what senior put up his property to post counsel Tanya Wright has bail. to say: “What this case

highlights is the high cost of pursuing law enforcement at the expense of due process.

“Not all crimes are created equal.

“Apart from assaulting a minor, I can think of no greater charge to be falsely and maliciously accused of than rape. When a man dies, you take his soul and he is gone from the earth.

When a person is raped, can you imagine feeling as though you have lost your soul and still have to live life in this earth?

“My client is a father of a daughter and a grandfather of a granddaughter who he would give his life for. He is very cognizant of how a false and malicious accusation of rape could have exposed him to serious harm from family members of the alleged victim. This matter is not about compensation. No amount can really do that. But sadly, it is unlikely to bring about the rehabilitation of the mindset of law enforcement predisposed to this ‘you lock up’ mentality with regard to due process.

“We have to do better.”

The Crown has 21 days to appeal.

Friday, March 26, 2021, PAGE 9

PAGE 10, Friday, March 26, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

UN criticises Haiti and urges elections UNITED NATIONS Associated Press

THE UN Security Council criticised “the protracted political, constitutional, humanitarian and security crises in Haiti” and again urged the government to hold long-delayed legislative elections and prepare for presidential elections this year.

A council statement approved by all 15 members stressed that “the democratic will of the Haitian people must be respected” and underscored the need

to address election-related security, transparency and logistical issues so voting can take place.

“The Security Council urges all political stakeholders in Haiti to set aside their differences in the interest of the people of Haiti, to engage constructively to enable the organization of upcoming elections and to ensure elections take place in a peaceful environment, and calls on the international community to support Haiti in this endeavor,” the statement said.

Haiti has faced more than a year of opposition protests calling for the resignation of President Jovenel Moïse over corruption charges which he refused to do. Opposition leaders and supporters claimed his five-year term ended on Feb. 7 and he should step down then.

But on that day, Moïse announced that authorities had arrested 23 people accused of plotting an alleged coup to kill him and overthrow his government including a high-ranking police official

and a Supreme Court judge favored by the opposition as a potential transitional president.

The Security Council adopted the presidential statement before a Haitian appeals court on Wednesday ordered the release of more than a dozen people accused of plotting the coup against Moïse, a decision that opposition leaders celebrated.

Moïse has insisted his term ends in February 2022 since he wasn’t sworn in until 2017. Prior to that, a provisional president ruled

Haiti for one year following chaotic elections marred by allegations of fraud.

Moise has repeatedly said he will step down in February 2022 and has called for legislative and presidential elections to be held Sept.

19, with a runoff scheduled for November 21.

Critics accuse Moïse of amassing more power in recent months, noting that he already had been ruling by presidential decree ever since he dissolved the majority of Parliament in January 2020 after failing to hold legislative elections in

2019 amid political gridlock.

The Security Council expressed concern at human rights violations and abuses, “including those involving the alleged use of deadly force against protesters, as well as reported arbitrary arrests and detentions”.

It stressed the importance of an independent judiciary, underscored the need to strengthen the rule of law, and urged the government “to step up its efforts against corruption and to ensure accountability and transparency in connection with these efforts”.

HUNDREDS ARRESTED IN BELARUS ‘FREEDOM DAY’ PROTEST

PEOPLE carry a giant historical flag of Belarus in Vilnius, Lithuania, yesterday.

KYIV, Ukraine Associated Press PROTESTERS calling for the resignation of Belarus’ authoritarian president marched in small groups Thursday throughout the capital of Minsk, the first sizable turnout of demonstrators since weeks of

protest rocked the country last year.

The groups marched through courtyards and streets in a tactic aimed at avoiding widescale arrests like those during the massive protest gatherings of 2020, some of which approached 200,000 people.

Riot police set up a heavy presence in the center of Minsk yesterday and deployed water cannon.

Videos on social media showed police arresting people holding the redand-white flags that are an emblem of the opposition to President Alexander Lukashenko.

Photo: Mindaugas Kulbis/AP Interior Ministry spokeswoman Olga Chemodanova said more than 200 people were detained in connection with unauthorised gatherings throughout the country.

Lukashenko, frequently characterised as Europe’s last dictator, has strongly

repressed opposition and independent news media during 26 years as president.

The protests that broke out in August after a disputed election which gave him a sixth term in office were the largest and most persistent show of opposition the former Soviet

republic has seen.

Protests dwindled markedly in recent months as freezing winter weather gripped the country and opposition morale flagged amid harsh arrests.

More than 33,000 people were arrested during last year’s protests, many of them beaten by police.

CALIFORNIA TO VACCINATE ANYONE 16 AND OLDER IN THREE WEEKS SANTA ANA, California Associated Press

CALIFORNIA will start vaccinating anyone 16 and over against the coronavirus starting in three weeks, expanding eligibility to the shots along with a host of other states as a longawaited boost in vaccine supplies is in sight.

Gov Gavin Newsom announced yesterday that the nation’s most populous state would start vaccinating anyone 50 and over in a week and the population more broadly — except those under 16, for whom vaccines have not yet been authorised — on April 15.

The decision comes as California, which was initially slow to roll out the vaccines and has ramped up inoculations in recent weeks, expects to receive 2.5 million doses a week in the first half of the month and more than three million a week in the second — a big jump from the roughly 1.8 million doses a week the state currently gets.

“In just a few weeks, there’ll be no rules, no limitations, as it relates to the ability to get a vaccine administered,” Newsom said at a news conference in Orange County. “This state is going to come roaring back.”

The move comes as some California counties have veered away from

the state’s vaccine eligibility criteria by opening up the shots for people with a broader range of medical conditions than those required in most places, and in some cases, at younger ages. It also comes as governors across the country have expanded eligibility for the vaccine as supplies have increased. Florida said Thursday it will open eligibility to anyone 18 and older on April 5, while New York has expanded eligibility to anyone 50 and up.

Californians have already been seeing a patchwork of eligibility requirements with some areas letting more people get vaccinated than the state criteria allow.

In some counties, people 50 and up could already sign up for the shots, while San Diego County has expanded the range of qualifying health conditions to include moderate to severe asthma, being overweight and having Type 1 diabetes.

California has administered more than 15 million coronavirus vaccines.

Initially, more affluent residents who could afford to spend hours scouring complicated web portals were snagging more appointment slots, prompting public health officials to take measures aimed at getting more of the doses to underserved communities where the virus has hit the hardest.

The state of 40 million people has seen coronavirus

infections plummet in recent weeks following a winter surge. That has paved the way for more businesses to reopen and more schools to bring back in-person instruction.

State public health officials have said more activity can resume as vaccinations continue to rise in the poorest communities. But they have not said how many shots will need to be administered to push beyond its color-coded system guiding business reopenings.

Newsom said yesterday the state will continue to target underserved communities by working with labor groups to reach essential workers and letting health providers target vaccinations by ZIP code.

Even with the expansion, the Newsom administration said it will still take several months for willing Californians to be vaccinated.

Jose Arballo, a spokesman for Riverside County’s health agency, said the county is ready to ramp up vaccinations. Supplies have increased in recent weeks, there are more appointments available, and the county opened up 30,000 appointments this week, he said — far above previous weeks when slots hovered in the low 20,000s.

“Any time we can vaccinate more people, that’s a good thing,” Arballo said.

“We believe we’ll have the supply needed to handle any increase in eligibility.”