PM: BACK M E AND I
M AY CUT VAT AGA IN
Davis hints at further tax decreases ahead of April 1 reduction
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter
jrussell@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Philip
“Brave” Davis suggested yesterday that additional value added tax cuts could happen if Bahamians continue to support his government. He made these comments amid the expected
reduction of the valueadded tax (VAT) rate from ten percent to five percent on certain unprepared food items starting April 1. When asked by a reporter if there would be further VAT decreases with the general election approaching, Mr Davis replied: “We don’t know. It depends on
PINTARD BLAMES DAVIS GOVT OVER $7M WASTED BY BPL
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor
nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE Opposition’s leader yesterday blamed the Davis administration for squandering $7m of the Bahamian people’s money by failing to complete the land purchase for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal. Michael Pintard, confirming that the deal was for the Clifton Pier-based LNG regasification terminal proposed under the Minnis administration’s energy reforms, told Tribune Business that the failure to either close the acquisition or recover the funds paid-out “lies at the feet” of the current government.
Forest blaze threatens homes
BY LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
protect
LOBSTER fishermen work to protect traps and a boat stored near a bush fire on Carmichael Rd near the Coral Harbour roundabout yesterday.
Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
Davis: We’re trying to diversify - as he highlights small stores
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
AS the cost of food continues to rise, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis visited several convenience stores and small businesses in the Fox Hill area yesterday to discuss a trade diversification programme aimed at helping small grocers make bulk purchases from new trade centres.
Patrice Williams, owner of the convenience store
“A Little Bit of Everything”, said it has become increasingly difficult to purchase supplies for her store as prices have doubled on nearly every item. Ms Williams noted that many business owners have been forced to close because they can no longer afford to import goods while also covering the costs of utilities, such as electricity and rent.
She hopes that the diversification programme will enable her to offer more affordable prices on canned goods, vegetables, and other food supplies.
Mr Davis told reporters that for too long, the cost of food has been a heavy burden on the Bahamian people. He explained that his visit to the stores was intended to listen to their concerns and help reduce the cost of goods for the public. He added that officials had discovered the food supply chain for convenience stores is heavily influenced by a “monopoly”.
“The merchants they buy from, the ship that brings the food in, the port it lands at, are all in the same conglomerate and this in our view is a monopoly,” Mr Davis said.
The government has launched the Trade Diversification Programme for Affordable Food, which encourages convenience
stores to collaborate and make bulk purchases from new trade centres. He gave an example of sourcing products from Latin America and bringing them directly to The Bahamas.
Mr Davis said officials are already receiving the programme’s first shipment within the next three weeks and will assess the programme’s impact and new sourcing markets.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump launched a trade war against America’s three largest trading partners, prompting immediate retaliation from Mexico, Canada, and China. President Trump also increased tariffs on steel and aluminium imports to 25 percent, challenging US allies and vowing to take back wealth “stolen” by other countries.
When asked if the programme was a response to the trade war, Mr Davis said it was not, but the trade war had heightened the government’s urgency to implement the programme. He explained that the programme had been in development for the past year and a half to determine why food costs are so high in The Bahamas.
“We are attempting to diversify that product by going into new markets and obtaining new transportations.”
“There’s no reason why a pilot from Miami to Nassau to cost about $300 and that same pilot to Barbados will only cost $150 something seems wrong about that.”
Meanwhile, Anthony Wallace, a chef at Nishmars convenience store, expressed some doubt about the programme. He emphasised that while the concept is promising, the real challenge lies in ensuring the programme materialises in a way that benefits the public.
BIG DEAL
PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis speaks to a shop owner during a tour of several neighbourhood convenience stores in Fox Hill on March 27, 2025.
Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
PM: Back me and I may cut VAT again
our fiscal standing. The Bahamian people have been working with me in a more, an extraordinary way, and the reward for that work is my ability to cut VAT on food by five percent.”
“If we continue to work as we have been working together, likely cuts will be imminent.”
Hs also said that a robust inspection programme, led by Randy Rolle, head of the Consumer Protection Commission, has been visiting stores for several months and monitoring prices. The programme, he said, will ensure that Bahamians benefit from the reduced VAT on food items.
The VAT reduction was first announced in Mr Davis’s New Year’s address at the University of The Bahamas. He explained that the measure was intended to provide immediate relief to families struggling with rising prices.
The VAT cut applies to all food sold in food stores, including fresh produce, frozen items, baby food, and snacks, but excludes prepared foods in deli sections. The reduction also covers the importation of these goods. Free National Movement (FNM) leader Michael Pintard criticised the VAT reduction, calling it insufficient relief for Bahamians.
In a statement, Mr Pintard pledged to resume efforts to exempt VAT on healthy foods if the FNM returns to power. He also reiterated the party’s long-standing calls to remove VAT from breadbasket items, medicines, and feminine hygiene products. from page one
“If we continue to work as we have been working together, likely cuts will be imminent.”
Prime
Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis
Davis denies he was overlooked after he was not invited to Rubio’s meeting in Jamaica
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis confirmed that he was not invited to high-level talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the American official’s recent visit to Jamaica, but rejected the notion that The Trump administration is overlooking The Bahamas.
Mr Davis said he expects to meet with US officials “when it’s convenient for them” and noted that The Bahamas remains open to bilateral discussions.
The meetings in Jamaica, which took place from March 26–27, were part of Mr Rubio’s wider Caribbean tour and included separate sitdowns with key regional leaders such as Jamaican
Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, and Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Stuart Young.
The talks came amid threats from the Trump administration to revoke US visas for government officials in countries that participate in Cuba’s medical worker programme, which the US has labelled as “forced labour.”
Mr Davis said he had not been briefed on what was discussed during the meetings in Jamaica, but expected to be updated in due course. He pointed out that Mrs Mottley, as current CARICOM chair, was in attendance, and that Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell recently met with a US State Department representative in
Washington.
Mr Rubio’s tour, which includes Guyana and Suriname, reflects the Trump administration’s growing emphasis on regional relations in the Western Hemisphere.
During his meeting with Mrs Mottley, the two reportedly discussed a range of issues, including the potential expansion of a US travel ban to include four Eastern Caribbean countries with Citizenship by Investment programmes. According to the Miami Herald, those nations are among 43 being considered for inclusion in the ban, though they could avoid such measures if they address US concerns.
Mr Rubio reportedly expressed willingness to meet with those countries in the spring.
The US has also praised
CARICOM’s efforts to stabilise Haiti amid worsening gang violence and political unrest. According to the US Department of State, Mr Rubio commended Mrs Mottley’s
leadership on the matter and expressed interest in further collaboration.
At a joint press conference with Mr Holness in Jamaica, Mr Rubio said the State Department would review travel advisories for Jamaica and other Caribbean nations to ensure they reflect current realities on the ground.
While tensions have
flared over some of the Trump administration’s new policies, The Bahamas has long maintained strong bilateral ties with the US, particularly in areas such as trade, security, tourism, and cultural exchange. In June 2023, then US Vice President Kamala Harris visited The Bahamas for a summit with CARICOM leaders.
Private island and business owners form coalition to oppose $200m ultra-luxury resort in Exuma
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
A COALITION of prominent private island owners and local businesses has formed to oppose a proposed $200m ultra-luxury resort in the Exuma Cays, warning that the project’s current design would cause irreversible environmental harm and jeopardise key tourist attractions.
The group, operating under the name Save Exuma Alliance (SEA), is pushing back against the Rosewood Exuma resort, proposed by the littleknown Yntegra Group for development on Big Sampson Cay. The alliance includes owners of Hattie Cay, Over Yonder Cay, and Wild Tamarind Cay, as well as the Staniel Cay Yacht Club and charter service company Makers Air. In a statement on its
website, SEA criticised the project’s plan to dredge seagrass beds and recreational sandbars to build two marinas and a commercial dock. The group warned that supply vessels carrying fuel and garbage would cut through popular areas used for snorkelling, diving, and kayaking.
“The Yntegra project estimates generating one ton of solid waste per day,” the statement reads. “The supply ships delivering fuel and supplies then hauling away their garbage will travel through recreational snorkeling, diving and kayaking areas directly in front of two resort beaches – creating a truly unsafe environment for anyone in the Exuma community interested in exploring this beautiful underwater environment.”
Bob Coughlin, SEA member and developer of the nearby Turtlegrass
Position Overview:
Position Available:
Resort and Island Club, has repeatedly raised concerns with the government about the use of Crown land for the project.
Staniel Cay Yacht Club president David Hocher told The Tribune he has spoken with government officials and some Yntegra representatives, but said key details remain unclear — especially regarding the scope of dredging required.
“I would hate to see that amount of disruption — or any disruption — in a place like the Exuma Cays,” he said. “Development can and should happen, but not at the cost of environmental degradation.”
He said the areas around Big Sampson Cay are vital for local businesses that depend on water-based tourism. “I can’t get behind a project that proposes to eliminate some of the very critical areas near Staniel Cay that have become so
The Property Manager is responsible for ensuring that cost-effective, environmentally sound and sustainable operation of the Bahamas Property Fund Buildings. This is both a technical oversight and relationship management role for the self-motivated individual who also performs administrative tasks as necessary or assigned.
The areas of responsibility include all equipment and materials involved with lighting, ventilation, air-conditioning, electrical distribution, water supply, plumbing, sanitation, public health, fre protection, safety systems, elevators and the aesthetic upkeep of the building. To facilitate these procedures, a maintenance program needs to be established and maintained.
This position is a highly visible one that is responsible for the total upkeep of the premises, ensuring all areas of the facilities function as they were designed and all services are available as required.
Key Responsibilities:
Building Management
• Plan and schedule all routine maintenance in order of priority
Maintain all time and cost records for service procedures
Conduct monthly inspection of all maintenance and system processes.
• Diagnose all problems and initiate all necessary action
Direct all work order requests to be performed by independent contractors
• Maintain all materials and equipment inventories
Supervises all routine painting assignments and secure quotes for larger projects
• Recommend replacement of expired or expiring systems
Performs inspections of all restroom facilities as required several times daily
• Ensure that safety regulations are adhered to and liaise with Government bodies to verify compliance
• Conduct Vendor performance review and submit recommendations
Manage the budget to ensure that value is received for money invested and that all work is completed in a timely manner
Vendor Relations
• Assists in the negotiation and development of all service contracts with service providers under the direction of the management company
Establish and maintain a system that tracks invoices and payments
• Conduct due diligence check and signoffs on completed work
Report inconsistencies and potential concerns to Senior Management
Interfacing with Clients
Establish and maintain communication and effective working relationships with all tenants and the general public
• Triage, address and escalate client concerns and complaints as necessary
Review, update and maintain Client Agreement records
• Conduct routine client check-ins
Provide support when necessary in leasing negotiations and activities.
Administration
Complete and submit monthly report on lease payments and related billings
• Supervises all building employees employed by the Bahamas Property Fund and conduct payroll reporting
• Complete parking ticket reconciliation and submit report Responsible for any additional duties assigned by Management
Qualifcations and Skills:
A Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Property Management , Business Administration or a related feld preferred
• Property management certifcation such as Certifed Property Manager (CPM) is a strong asset.
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At least 3-5 years proven experience in property management, preferably at commercial real estate property, hotel or property management frm. Familiarity with different property types (offce buildings, retail spaces, storage facilities)
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Please apply online at: https://www.rfgroup.com/careers Deadline to Apply is Friday, 11th April, 2025
popular with our guests,” he added.
Mr Hocher said the proposal includes dredging near a recreational sandbar and in North Bay, an ecologically rich area full of seagrass and marine life. He noted that a cove used by guests and tour operators could be affected by plans for one of the marinas.
He also raised concerns about a lack of detail in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) released in July 2024, which outlined how many cubic yards would be excavated from inland ponds — but, he argued, failed to specify how much dredging would occur in the surrounding ocean.
“Nowhere talks about what controlling depth they need to dredge to … into the commercial dock … or into the South or the North Marina, as they call
it,” he said. Mr Hocher said he believes the project could be viable on a larger island, but not on Big Sampson Cay. “It would be fine on Great Exuma, or Guana Cay, but not in this small area where boating and recreation are so important.”
Hattie Cay owner Hubert Baudoin called the proposal “totally unacceptable” and a “complete disregard” for the surrounding environment, claiming the planned dredging would destroy coral reef.
“I have nothing to gain financially,” he said. “Just if they could respect my neighbourhood like I respect it — that’s the only thing. You’re not going to stop development, but at least the so-called developer could show a little bit of common sense.”
Mr Baudoin said more
people are joining the alliance, frustrated by what they see as a rushed process. “This has been happening so fast that it took everybody by surprise,” he said. He recalled first hearing about the development as a rumour. Once he reviewed the plans, it became clear to him that “the island was very close to a very sad reality.”
“I don’t think it’s in the best interest of future generations of Bahamians to just go and destroy their land like that,” he said.
“This was Crown land. If you keep giving away Crown land right and left, what’s going to be left for the Bahamian people?” The alliance previously submitted a formal petition urging the government to halt the approval process until a more comprehensive environmental review is conducted.
UK and Bahamas govt in early talks to expand multipurpose hurricane shelters on Family Islands
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
THE UK and Bahamian governments are in early discussions about expanding multipurpose hurricane shelters across the Family Islands, building on the model recently implemented in South Andros.
British High Commissioner Tom Hartley told The Tribune the talks followed a meeting held Wednesday with Leon Lundy, Minister of State responsible for the Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRM). He described the initiative as being in its “early stages,” but said both sides were approaching it with “mutual enthusiasm and urgency.”
The proposal, according to DRM Managing Director Aaron Sargent, is part of a broader effort to address national shelter capacity shortfalls and strengthen disaster resilience throughout the country.
Mr Hartley said the initiative is being explored in collaboration with the UK High Commission, UK Export Finance, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). He explained that while no formal commitments have been made yet, officials are looking to replicate the South Andros shelter model across multiple islands.
“What we’ve been talking to them about is, I understand the hurricane shelter in South Andros cost about $8 million, supported by the community,” Mr Hartley said. “And they’re looking, they recognize that across the South and the East and the North they’ve got about probably ten or 12 islands that need support like that. But how many, how quickly, how much is a complete decision for the Bahamas to make.”
The shelter in South Andros, which functions as both a gymnasium and a storm-ready refuge, took nearly a decade to complete and was officially opened last year. Mr Hartley said the facility has become a “proof of concept” for the
government’s broader disaster preparedness strategy.
“Last year, I was very pleased to go with Leon Lundy to unveil a hurricane shelter in South Andros,” he said. “It is a basketball court and a community centre, but also built to withstand hurricanes as needed as well.”
Mr Hartley said the potential plan would involve financing from UK Export Finance to cover design and construction, leveraging British expertise while ensuring Bahamian oversight and employment.
“We have been working with DRMA in order to see whether we can help replicate that model across other islands as well,” he said. “On a design and build cost financed by UK Export Finance, with British expertise, Bahamian leadership, Bahamian builders, in order to provide those community
rescue centres that are busy all year round.”
He noted that proposed shelters could take the form of dual-purpose buildings such as schools, churches, or gyms — serving communities during normal times and acting as shelters in emergencies.
Though no timeline has been set, Mr Hartley expressed optimism about the partnership, pointing to the 2022 enactment of the Disaster Risk Management Act as a sign of the government’s commitment.
“With the law change last year, the government has committed itself to doing something in this space,” he said. “The UK, as a longterm partner, would be proud to see this happen.”
He added: “We’re really excited to work together and collaborate on it. Everyone recognises the essential nature of this.”
YNTEGRA Group Founder & CEO Felipe MacLean speaks to reporters off of Sampson Cay during a press trip hosted by Yntegra Group to Exuma on March 14, 2025.
Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
Assistant Property Manager
‘Gambling addiction quietly taking root among Bahamian students’
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
GAMBLING addic-
tion is silently taking hold among Bahamian students, with many engaging in betting games without understanding the risks or recognising they may already be addicted, according to Paulette Dean, chairperson of the Gambling Addiction Awareness Programme at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre (SRC).
Speaking at an addiction awareness symposium, Ms Dean said students often present at SRC with issues such as anxiety or depression — and, in some cases, suspected substance use — only for gambling problems to emerge over time.
“We see a lot come with addictions, but they do not admit that they have a gambling problem. So they’ll come with depression, they’ll come with anxiety problems. They come with a substance use problem. But when you get to the root of some of these issues, you’ll find out after a period of time that some gambling was involved, and definitely substance use played a huge factor,” she said.
By the time these behaviours are uncovered, she said, the addiction is often deeply rooted, and students may be hiding it from their families or grappling with shame.
“A lot of people are suffering, suffering alone, and they are afraid to come forward, because people look at them as failures, as lousy or they could have known better. They should have done better,” she said.
She noted that teachers have raised concerns as
well, particularly about students gambling on school grounds.
“Speaking to some teachers, definitely the children are throwing dice. That’s a biggie in the schools, and they know there’s a lot of gaming going around. And, of course, vaping is huge, because remember, now we’re not just focusing today on gambling, but of course, substance use,” she said.
Ms Dean cited international research showing that around 60 percent of people who use alcohol
or drugs also engage in gambling. She said students often view activities like drinking and betting as harmless fun but fail to realise how such habits can spiral into addiction.
“We know that these, what they call entry drugs, particularly alcohol, that they see as harmless, are what really causes them to engage in those activities. And it only gets worse after that,” she said.
She warned that the issue isn’t only the gambling itself, but the early exposure that normalises
addictive behaviour and shapes decision-making well into adulthood.
“We want to encourage students to refrain, at least until they are after the age of 24 and when they’re responsible, at least when their brain is more developed and they can make responsible decisions and be able to deal with the consequences. But right now, they are at a disadvantage,” she said.
Ms Dean said peer pressure, social influences, and the widespread normalisation of gambling make it
harder for students to step away. Many, she noted, may not even realise they are developing a problem. She acknowledged that support is available through centres like SRC but said young people often fail to seek help — either because they don’t recognise the addiction or because they are too ashamed to speak up.
“The Gambling Addiction Awareness Programme is a starting point,” she said. “Our role is to bring awareness, and we have been doing that, and we
try to reach out, not just in Nassau, but in the Family Islands, about the growing need for persons to really understand what’s happening.”
She warned that the wider impact of student gambling is already being felt.
“It’s really disrupting a lot of lives, and it’s causing more expense, financial issues with the country at large because when one person is affected, the family is affected, then the country is affected,” she said.
Largest HBCU college fair to be held today in Grand Bahama
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THE largest HBCU college fair will be held in Grand Bahama and New Providence this week, awarding millions in scholarships to Bahamian students. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Eta Psi Omega and Pi Upsilon Omega Chapters, along with the Bahamas Alphas Educational and Leadership Foundation, is holding its fourth annual ‘Think College, Think HBCU’ college fair. The event will be held in
Grand Bahama on March 28 in the St George’s High School Auditorium from 10am to 3pm. In New Providence, it will take place on March 29 at the Children’s Chapel at the Church of God of Prophecy on East Street during the same hours. About ten HBCUs in the United States will be present, awarding scholarships to Bahamian students. The deadline for student application is March 31. The institutions that will be represented are Benedict College, Claflin University, Huston-Tillotson University, Langston
University, Morris Brown College, Paine College, Stillman College, Southern University and A&M College, Texas Southern University, and Virginia Union University.
Sasha Sutherland-Rolle, president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated’s Pi Upsilon Omega Chapter, in Freeport, said this is the first time the fair will be held in Grand Bahama.
She said the fair is open to all 12th-grade students in The Bahamas, attending public, private, or homebased schools. Students who have already applied to college
but are still exploring scholarship options are also encouraged to attend. Participants will be able to meet HBCU representatives, explore academic programs, and gain valuable insight into the admissions and scholarship process. Since its inception in 2019, the Think HBCU Fair has grown to become the largest HBCU
college fair outside the continental United States, awarding millions of dollars in scholarships to Bahamian students.
It was initially launched as a president’s college fair where university presidents personally selected students for scholarships.
The event has evolved, and today, admissions and scholarship teams from HBCUs confidently offer on-the-spot scholarships. Students, parents, and educators can register for the event at www.eventbrite.com under the 2025 Bahamas HBCU college fair. To streamline the application process, students should complete the Black College Common Application at https:// commonblackcollegeapp. com before attending the fair.
Position Available:
ELEVATOR CONSULTANT
Limited.
Key Responsibilities:
• Perform extensive hardware and software modifcations of both the elevator signal and speed control systems to accommodate new safety code required updates.
Replace the existing geared traction machines on each elevator with new geared traction machines to include new code required secondary rope grippers and disk brakes for enhanced safety.
Totally run diagnostics on the three (3) MCE VFMC Series controllers to identify any signal or speed control malfunctions and perform any corrective activities as required.
• Make any speed control changes required to interface the new geared traction machines with the existing controllers, especially related to the new encoded interface.
• Perform full load full speed safety tests on each elevator, after machine replacement
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The role of the Elevator Consultant is responsible for Identifying areas where elevator malfunctions are evident and arranging repairs for the elevators located at FINCEN
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“Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”
LEON E. H. DUPUCH
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Dangling promises and an imminent election
IT must be election season. The promises are beginning.
On the eve of the VAT rate on unprepared food items being cut from ten percent to five percent, starting from April 1, Prime Minister Philip Davis is suggesting there is more to come. But there’s a catch.
Mr Davis was asked yesterday if there would be further VAT decreases with the general election approaching, to which he said that if the Bahamian people work with him as they have been, “likely cuts will be imminent”.
He did preface the suggestion by saying that it depends on the country’s fiscal standing, but it certainly seems like Mr Davis is dangling a promise.
Quite how “imminent” that may be we do not know – perhaps something to look forward to for Budget day?
And quite how “imminent” that may make an election call is another matter.
There have been suggestions circulating that an early election might be on the table – but nothing from government itself to back those rumours up.
In the meantime, we have this first VAT cut coming our way.
FNM leader Michael Pintard has a valid point in calling for the removal of VAT on some items. Medicines and feminine hygiene products are both good examples of areas where costs should be cut if possible. These are things people need.
In yesterday’s Tribune, we reported that the government had put in place the prospect of increasing taxes on unhealthy foods.
While Minister of Health Dr Michael Darville said there were no plans to actually impose such taxes – a curious way of doing business, by the way, to lay down rules to tax people without intending to do so – perhaps that is where the
balance should lie. Tax the unhealthy products to cut the tax on the essential ones.
Still, that too might be part of a preelection consideration. No government wants to be raising any taxes ahead of election day if they can help it.
What you can be sure of is that there will be a lot more of these kinds of hints – from both parties – as we draw nearer to whatever date is selected for the eventual election.
This week, we reported on a tugboat and barge that have been grounded on a reef for more than a year.
In today’s Tribune, you can read about the silence from government officials on the issue.
Frankly, it is not the delay in responding to The Tribune’s questions anyone should be frustrated about, it is that officials have taken so long in dealing with the matter that the questions were necessary at all.
This is our own backyard, and we are letting a rusted, broken-up vessel cause damage to the coral reef in what is designated a protected national park. Protected how exactly?
One volunteer diver noted: “Every time the tug shifts in heavy swells, it scrapes away more of the reef. We’ll dive back down and find broken coral colonies, half-buried gorgonians and fresh rubble.”
The diver called it “heartbreaking”.
If we are serious about environmental protection, this sort of thing needs to be sorted out as quickly as possible –not taking more than a year and still no answers.
Or are the government’s words about caring for our environment just that – words? Judge them by their actions. Let’s see how quickly they act now.
Hoping US Ambassador is declined
EDITOR, The Tribune.
PICTURE OF THE DAY
Clock is running on promises
EDITOR, The Tribune.
IN this space we call Earth, all of us are confined by time. Time governs life, decisions, progress—and, importantly, governance. Whether measured by clocks, calendars, or constitutions, time determines what leaders can and should do with the mandate they’ve been given.
Time is impartial. It offers every government the same opportunity: to plan, to act, and to transform. And yet, in The Bahamas, successive administrations — regardless of party — have not made the most of this gift. Be it the Free National Movement or the Progressive Liberal Party, each has received a five-year mandate from the people. Each has presented grand visions through manifestos, charters, and blueprints. And each, time and again, has fallen short of fulfilling the promises made.
the House of Assembly (HOA).
Over 3.5 years, that equals roughly 518 days—a generous amount of time to debate, draft, and deliver.
But here lies the concern: what has truly been done in those 518 days?
For over two decades, Bahamians have consistently called for a series of reforms that transcend party lines and election cycles. These include:
1. Term Limits for Prime Ministers
2. Establishing a National Ombudsman
3. Full implementation of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
4. Campaign Finance Reform
define progress. It is estimated that a major legislative reform— such as those listed—would take:
draft pass
That’s 65 days per item. With 518 days already available, governments could have passed at least eight meaningful laws. And if the promises were truly ready from “Day One,” then: 17 items × 5 debate days = only 85 legislative days required. In other words, the time has been there. The will, perhaps, has not.
5. Strengthening the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
NOMINATION of ex-NFL player Herschel Walker as Ambassador to the Bahamas by The US. One thing is for sure since Independence the US sent some extraordinary personalities as Ambassadors...all top quality and brought a lot to the relations between the two countries.
Senate Foreign Service Committee will decline this nomination.
I Googled Herschel Walker...there has to be some unseen reason that President Trump is nominating Mr Walker - least said but Google, you will I think come away with the same feeling. My honest hope is the
We have not had an Ambassador for some sixeight years, last one the beautiful HE Nicole Avant.
SARAH FORBES Nassau, March 27, 2025.
Most recently, on March 24, the Progressive Liberal Party, the government of the day, announced to its supporters that it would launch its re-election campaign on Labour Day, June 6, 2025—just 72 days from now. The intent is to reintroduce their vision, reconnect with the electorate, and offer reasons for a second term.
This is no subtle gesture. It is a strategic and calculated move, coming 560 days before the full expiration of the current constitutional mandate, which began with the first sitting of Parliament on October 6, 2021, and is set to expire on October 6, 2026.
To understand whether governments have used their time wisely, we must first measure how much time they truly have to legislate and lead.
A parliamentary calendar includes: days holidays
This leaves approximately 148 functional working days per year in
6. Proper resourcing for the Auditor General’s
Office
7. Mandatory yearly financial disclosures for MPs and Ministers
8. A Recall Mechanism for underperforming representatives
9. A reliable and affordable solution to BPL & Renewable Energy
10. A structured plan to reduce the national debt
11. Full transparency in natural resource management
12. Creation of a Sovereign Wealth Fund
13. Resolving the issue of Shanty Towns and immigration enforcement
14. Reducing work permits in sectors Bahamians are qualified for
15. Clear guidelines on capital punishment and sentencing
16. Expanded opportunities for Bahamians to do business internationally
17. A real pathway to increase Bahamian participation in the economy
No government—past or present—has completed this list. And yet, these are the issues that matter most to the average Bahamian. These are the items that
Governance Is Not a Campaign — It’s a Commitment As the current administration gears up for what appears to be the beginning of an early campaign cycle, we, the Bahamian people, must ask: far been used wisely? truly shifted—regardless of party label?
be different, or will it simply be more of the same? a normal campaign rampup—or a quiet setup for an early election?
This is not an attack on any party. It is a call for accountability. For awareness. For us all to recognise that time is not infinite, and political capital must be spent wisely.
Whether red or gold, new day or new vision, the responsibility of governance remains the same: to serve the people within the time given.
Bahamians are not just voters. We are citizens, thinkers, and stewards of national memory. We remember what was promised. We track what was done. And when the time comes again—we will decide.
Because in the end, the maths don’t lie.
HOWARD R GRANT
The Foundation Nassau, March 27, 2025.
Have a cool, fun, interesting, amazing photo? Have it featured here in The Tribune’s picture of the day! Email your high quality image to pictureoftheday@tribunemedia.net
Photo: Richard Carey
Pathologist testifies that Wilkinson died from single gunshot to head in police-involved killing
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A PATHOLOGIST tes-
tified yesterday that Deron Okoye Wilkinson died from a single gunshot wound to the head after being fatally shot by police in his car on Independence Highway in 2018.
Wilkinson, 27, was killed on March 19, 2018, following what police described as an encounter in which he allegedly pulled a weapon on officers. His family disputes this, claiming he was unarmed and had only been waving his phone when he was shot. Officers said the stop was initiated due to the vehicle’s dark-tinted rear windows.
Dr Caryn Sands said the bullet entered the left side of Wilkinson’s head just
above the ear and travelled downward, fracturing his skull and causing brain bleeding. Using a photograph of Wilkinson’s body at the morgue, she pointed out the entry wound to the jury.
She said a deformed bullet was recovered from the right side of his head.
Responding to questions from attorney Maria Daxon, who represents Wilkinson’s estate, Dr Sands said the absence of discharge marks indicated the shooter was more than two feet away when the shot was fired. However, she said she could not determine Wilkinson’s position — whether he was sitting or otherwise — at the time he was shot.
Conflicting testimony has been presented regarding why Wilkinson was found
$500 FINE IMPOSED FOR PULLING SWITCHBLADE KNIFE ON MAN
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was ordered yesterday to compensate someone he pulled a switchblade on in the area of Yamacraw Beach Drive last week.
Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans arraigned 23-year-old Antonio Rolle Jr on a charge of assault with a dangerous instrument.
Rolle assaulted Basil Saunders with a multicoloured switchblade knife on Barry Avenue on March 22.
He pleaded guilty to the charge and apologised for his actions.
After scolding him for the seriousness of the offence, Magistrate VogtEvans ordered Rolle to pay the complainant $500 or face three months in prison. He was also bound to keep the peace for one year. If he breaches that order, he will face a three-month prison term.
Rolle is expected to return to court on March 31 to make the payment.
Assistant Superintendent of Police S Coakley served as the prosecutor.
M AN GETS T WO-YEAR SENTENCE FOR POSSESSION OF LOADED GUN
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was sentenced to two years in prison yesterday after admitting to possession of a loaded gun in Yellow Elder earlier this week.
Magistrate Lennox Coleby arraigned 31-yearold Kenneth Brown on charges of possession of an unlicenced firearm and possession of ammunition.
Police reportedly stopped Brown in the area of Major Road on the afternoon of March 25 after he exhibited suspicious behaviour. A search of his person
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN awaiting trial for armed robbery was fined after admitting to breaching his bail conditions three times while in Harbour Island.
Senior Magistrate Anishka Isaacs arraigned 25-year-old Cameron Bannister on three counts of violating bail conditions.
Bannister is on Supreme Court bail for armed
uncovered a black and silver Smith & Wesson .40 pistol and eight rounds of ammunition. Brown pleaded guilty to both charges. He was sentenced to two years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services for the firearm offence. He was fined $5,000 for the ammunition charge or faced an additional 12 months in prison.
Brown was advised of his right to appeal the sentence. Levan Johnson represented the accused.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Lincoln McKenzie served as the prosecutor.
robbery and rape charges. While on release, he failed to sign in at his local police station on three occasions between December 16, 2024, and March 19. He pleaded guilty to the offences.
Bannister was fined $4,900 or face four months in prison. Bryan Bastian represented the accused.
Assistant Superintendent of Police K Bould served as the prosecutor.
in a reclined seat. An EMT who first examined the body said she did not move the seat, contradicting earlier claims by police.
Although Dr Sands said Wilkinson was approximately 5ft 7in, she could not speak to the height or position of the shooter.
She testified that the shot caused the loss of consciousness due to its concussive force, but it would not have been immediately fatal, likely taking minutes to result in death.
Aside from the gunshot wound, Dr Sands described Wilkinson as a relatively healthy 27-year-old, noting that the rest of his body appeared “normal”.
Detective Corporal 3789 Antoinette Fox of the police forensic lab testified that she received Police Constable 3620 Lee
Dormeus’s police-issued Sig Sauer P226 9mm pistol, along with 29 unfired rounds and two magazines. She also received a fired bullet and bullet fragment recovered from Wilkinson’s body, and a black .45 pistol with two rounds that was found in Wilkinson’s car. DC Fox said she tested both weapons in February of this year and confirmed they were capable of being fired. She added that the fired bullet could have come from a weapon similar to the police 9mm but could not conclusively say it was fired from that specific gun. She told evidence marshal Angelo Whitfield that she could not recall how often she receives suspect weapons with intact serial numbers. The firearm recovered from Wilkinson’s
vehicle had a visible serial number. When questioned by Ms Daxon, DC Fox said she could not confirm whether fingerprints were taken from the weapon recovered from Wilkinson’s car, as that would fall under the purview of the Crime Records Office (CRO). She also said she could not say whether the blood found on the weapon was tested. By the time she received it, the gun was partially covered in dirt.
Inspector Denrea Johnson, of the Firearm Licencing Unit, testified that Wilkinson was not registered to possess any firearm or ammunition. She also confirmed that the black .45 pistol, bearing serial number 61DMN06481, was not in their records and therefore
unlicenced.
Inspector Christoph Greenslade, a police trainer, explained that officers are trained to use firearms only as a last resort and to try non-lethal tactics to deescalate situations. However, he said officers are permitted to use deadly force when confronted with an armed threat.
“They are taught to fire until the threat to themselves and the public is neutralised,” he said. He added that officers are trained to match the force used by a suspect and to issue verbal commands instructing them to drop their weapon. He also explained that when an officer shouts “gun,” it is a warning to fellow officers — not an order to fire, but a signal to be alert to a potential threat.
Annual Agri Expo returns - with more than 80 percent vendors taking part
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
THE Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources is set to host its annual Agri Expo to promote Bahamian agriculture and strengthen food security.
Under the theme, “Food Security is Our Priority,” Agri Expo 2025 will take place from April 4 to 6 at the Gladstone Road Agriculture Centre from 10am to 10pm daily.
The event will feature over 80 food and artisan vendors, exhibits from local farms, fisheries, and agribusinesses, and live demonstrations on modern farming techniques, aquaponics, and sustainable fishing practices.
Panel discussions will cover climate-smart agriculture, food processing, and
agribusiness development, while hands-on workshops will focus on backyard farming, soil health, and pest management. The Youth in Agriculture segment will highlight young Bahamians’ contributions to the industry. Family-friendly activities will include a free kiddie corner, cooking demonstrations, and the Battle of the Islands culinary competition, featuring locally grown and harvested food.
Thirteen schools with agricultural programmes are expected to display their produce, and participating farmers from across the country — including from Grand Bahama, North Eleuthera, Abaco, Cat Island, Exuma and Long Island — will showcase their agricultural products.
At a press conference, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources
Jomo Campbell reaffirmed the government’s commitment to boosting local food production.
“Our administration is dedicated to strengthening food security through direct investment in Bahamian farmers and fishers, promoting backyard farming, and leveraging technology to expand agriculture and aquaculture industries,” he said. “We are working tirelessly to create an environment where agriculture is seen as a viable career option, and we want to ensure that Bahamians have access to fresh, affordable, and locally grown food.”
To tackle food security challenges, the government is diversifying trade and establishing new trade routes. Mr Campbell pointed to the recent reduction in grocery prices at Super Value, the country’s largest grocery
chain, made possible by sourcing products from a wider range of suppliers.
“This is just the beginning. We will continue to seek innovative solutions to lower food costs and increase food production within our own borders,” he said.
Mr Campbell stressed that the expo is more than just an event — it is a movement toward a self-sufficient and sustainable Bahamas. “We are committed to building a resilient food system for future generations. Whether you are a farmer, fisher, entrepreneur, student, or simply someone who cares about our nation’s food future, Agri Expo 2025 has something for you,” he said. “This is an opportunity for us to come together, learn from one another, and celebrate the incredible work being done in our agricultural sector.”
Come run see Jerusalem
The sinking of the Pretoria in the 1929 hurricane
FOLKLORE and fact intersect with a song named Run Come See Jerusalem, first sung in Andros in 1929, with witnesses and crew writing and performing the music.
To this day, the September 26-28, 1929, hurricane is considered among the nation’s worst. Winds over 140mph churned over Andros for more than 48 hours, causing flood waters of 12-18 feet and connected the east and west of Andros.
By Eric Wiberg
Witnesses say the crowded mailboat Pretoria, the subject of the song, sailed west from Nassau completely unaware of the massive storm approaching. District Commissioner Forsyth said it was “the most destructive hurricane in the history of [Mangrove Cay]”. The annual report declared “all crops and most fruit trees, livestock, and poultry on Andros Island perished”. No word was received from Andros as the radio towers were knocked down. Pretoria was a woodhulled 43ft schooner built in
1900 for the local sponging and cargo trade by Jeremiah Duncan Lowe Sr of Marsh Harbour. At 22 tons, it had no engine, and was owned by George F Christie of Nassau. She “sank at the entrance to the Fresh Creek Harbour Channel, killing 35 people with only three surviving”.
Wayne Neely interviewed residents who told him that the three men who survived did so by holding the tail of a terrified hog purchased in Nassau for breeding purposes. Without refrigeration, locals would assemble on certain Sundays and divide up fresh pork. The latest hog pulled the men ashore. Until the swimming pigs of Exuma, Neely didn’t believe the story.
If Pretoria is central to the tragedy, then John Roberts of Blanket Sound is central to the song. He was crew on Pretoria; he sang and recorded it, at Fresh Creek on August 10, 1958, 29 years later. John remembered that the Pytoria sank on Wednesday, and on Sunday morning ‘...I had my song ready’. Robert’s claim to creating the song has more credibility than that of ‘Blind’ Blake Higgs (1915-1986), who is from Inagua and was 14 and not on Andros at the time. Run, Come See Jerusalem has been performed by Blake, Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie and copyrighted by Blake in 1952.
Jerusalem appears at first blush to refer to a vessel, but it really refers to processing the deadly effects of many vessels sunk in a storm. Jerusalem becomes a
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Friday, 11th April, 2025
dreadful reckoning; a place of judgement where lives are extracted and fates decided, and to come see it is to stare into a horrifying abyss. The three-day grind of the 1929 Hurricane sewed a grim harvest of death where friends and family were drowned in a tempest at their very doorstep and in front of shocked family members. Survivors were saved by beasts like pigs, panic-paddling through the water, and helping hands. Others were lost in sinking boats and flooded homes. In short, Jerusalem is not a hull, but hell.
Raymond Pinder and Joseph Spence witnessed many of the events described in the song including the wreckage of the Pretoria. Spence described what the song depicts: how smaller vessels took refuge in the little channels near his home in Small Hope, Andros. But the Pretoria, a two-masted schooner, was too big. He recalls: “…I was in the field, and where my house is up on the hill I could look right out to sea and see every boat comin’ from Nassau. And I saw these three boats comin’. He went in Love Hill Channel, and saw the Myrtle and the Pretoria went down for Staniard Creek Channel. The Pretoria, the schooner, he turned back from Staniard Creek, come up for Fresh Creek. When she come up behind the Cays, the cay is called Goat Cay, I ain’t see it no more.” Spence and Pinder went down the hill to see what had happened. On the beach, they
found the dead and their belongings.
Spence recorded the song in Andros with Sam Charteris and in New York with Spiegel for Smithsonian in 1965, and was the subject of a special illustrated feature in the New Yorker in 2018. His sister often sang chorus, “took it to heart, since the succor he had provided trying to save the mariners and retrieving the dead had made such an impression on him in 1929”. The song is also named Pytoria, and A Great Storm Pass Over, by Tappy Toe, a local sponger, in 1935. Sung by McQueen and McPhee and recorded “in McPhee’s living room,” the lyrics are:
“Three sail leaving from the harbor (run come see, run come see)
It was the Myrtle, the Result, and the Pretoria It was a blessed Sunday morning
Them boat bearin’ down now for Andros…..
….The Result reach in now to Staniard Creek
The Myrtle did go … The wind kept Pretoria on the ocean
Lord he say that he go on the reef now
Oh lord they run ahead on the bottom
They had 34 souls on board there… But of them only one get saved now
I had a cousin on board her by the name of Johnny Little Wheeler …I had a cousin on board her …I had a Uncle on board her
By the name of Rev Jolly Brown …I had a Auntie on
board her by name of Etta
Hope God made peace with his soul I hope he gone home to heaven
Lord, I hope he gone home to heaven …. Run Come See Jerusalem”
The refrain is always “run come see, run come see” and “Jerusalem” doesn’t come into in until the final word of the song. Other Andos performers have included H Brown, bass, and Charles Wallace, treble.
New York musician and recording artist Charlie Baum relates how “since the 1920s the great Andros singers have composed ballads about their lives and experiences, in the ballad style”. Many recollect sadnesses such as the songs Harcourt Drowned, Cedric Gone in the Time of the Storm, and Curry Camp Burned Down by Frederick McQueen and Bullard. In July of 1958, “pervasive poverty had caused residents to feel ‘sensitive and dissatisfied’. Many split for Nassau, where work was more plentiful. The ones who stayed found solace in song. ‘Music is the only creative expression of the island’s people, and religious singing and instrumental music have become an intensely important part of their lives’.”
The British tanker Potomac, broke into two on Andros “after documenting the lowest pressure associated with the hurricane”. The steamer Scania was sunk and on October 1, and a British steamer west of Andros observed several schooner masts sticking out of the Gulf Stream, with a vessel attached out of sight but no people.
Pretoria’s final loss remains a challenge to pin down. The Palm Beach Post reported that the mailboat Isle of June saved 20 passengers and 17 drowned when the 35-foot sponging sloop Pretoria, which was trying to seek shelter from a storm in Abaco on 17 February, 1930, sank. It was a sponge boat and all who perished were black Bahamian. We may never know: the records just aren’t as clear as John Spence’s plaintive, haunting voice with strums of guitar and wailing in the background as he beseeches to run come see, run come see ….Jerusalem.
FLOODING of the Montague Hotel after the 1929 Hurricane.
Photo: Atkins’ Imaging
MAP of the 1929 Hurricane from Wayne Neely’s book on the subject.
JOSEPH Spence guitarist and vocalist, helped collect dead from Pretoria, sang Run Come See. From The New Yorker, The Guitar Playing of Joseph Spence, Amanda Petrusich, 2018.
Whose ocean is it anyway?
Is there really an individual or company set up to reap benefits from The Bahamas blue carbon credits?
THE waters of The Bahamas belong to all of us, or in the vernacular, allawee. We take so much pride in our waters you’d think we had given birth to them. Like those who live near dense forests or grow up against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, we develop a rapport with our surroundings. We feel grounded by their very presence. They become part of our psyche as much as the neighbourhood we live in, the space we worship in, place where we work or play.
As rapport with surroundings go, the relationship between the people of The Bahamas and the waters of The Bahamas is about as tight as a relationship between people and place can get. Beyond our fascination with the neverending fluctuation of their colours, we take sustenance from them. For more than 500 years, our forefathers, our ancestors and our own families have depended upon the waters for our fish, conch and crawfish. Unlike those in other places who respect their surroundings, we eat from the vast wonderland we gaze at in awe. Those turquoise waters, the shades of pale greens and yellows, the defined lines of barely beige in shallows and sandbanks are the seafood breadbasket of The Bahamas.
Despite that personal attachment, we understand the premise of sharing a bit of our wonder. We grant seabed leases to certain entities for an extraordinarily low fee, supposedly because the business they generate benefits allawee. We’ve grown accustomed to knowing that what lies under us as we swim or snorkel or tie up a boat at a marina may be out on loan to a private entity, understanding that development - a resort or marina or combination thereof or accessibility to a private island or excursion destination – comes with a price. Most of the time we don’t even think about seabed leases. They are as far from our daily lives as caviar for a lunchbox snack. But when something whips up the waters like a few recent events, we stir, lift our protective shoulders and become proud, possessive parents of our waters, embracing them as we would a young child in danger.
We all saw what happened when a seabed lease for a large chunk of The Bahamas in an area with the country’s most beautiful waters was granted without
By Diane Phillips
public consultation. The reaction was immediate, as fever-pitched as anything that has happened in years and still has legs nearly a month later. But that is not the focus of this column. Others have written about it with far more knowledge of fact or what they could discern without freedom of information than I will ever gather and personal attachments also cause me to want to leave that for the better informed. I only mention it to show how much the generally apathetic public cares – like the dead coming back to life - when it comes to the waters of The Bahamas and any private business that benefits from that which belongs to allawee. Now, two more issues arise, one that of a developer who has proposed a resort and residential project on Big Sampson Cay in Exuma and apparently believes it is acceptable to dredge and destroy conch hatcheries, displace endangered sea turtles and wipe out wetlands. More than 1,200 people have signed a petition urging that the proposed project be halted until it can be re-designed without irrevocable environmental damage.
The lone voice who cried wolf to alert others to the environmental hazards when the project was first proposed is no longer a lone voice. In recent days, more and more of the Central Exuma community has added its voice and formed the Save Exuma Alliance or SEA. Now nearby private island operators and owners, Staniel Cay businesspeople and others are urging a halt to the development until it can be designed for environmental compatibility. No one is saying don’t build. They are merely saying build with safety to users and with respect to the treasures of the land and sea, the resources of the waters of The Bahamas. Their voices deserve to be heard.
The second issue is even more compelling. There are now rumblings in the market that the vast Bahamas seabed is being granted to an entity with interests in trading for carbon credits. There is no indication of it being a government-held institution with benefits to
all as in a sovereign wealth fund but if it is, an explanation is welcome because at this very moment, rumours of private ownership are flying as fast as SpaceX debris in descent.
Here, in the words of Prime Minister Philip Davis, during his contribution to the Carbon Trading Bill 2022, he lauded the country’s position as a pioneer. “We are making history and positioning our country as the first country that will sell Blue Carbon Credits, as it relates to sea grass, on the Carbon Market,” the PM said on July 18, 2022. “The Bahamas will be the first country to put all the pieces together in terms of getting our marine resources valued as carbon sinks and monetising that value in the carbon markets. No other country can lay claim to that feat. Our greatness is on display for the world.”
The PM assured the Bahamian people the development could be worth billions of dollars that would benefit the Bahamian people.
“We are talking about a high-growth global market that is still in its infancy but is projected globally to be worth possibly a few hundred billion by 2050,” he pointed out. “The Bahamian government had a duty to ensure that it does not miss out on this opportunity for revenue generation and that we claim our piece of the pie.
“In fact, we ensured that we got in early to maximize our revenue- earning potential – we will be first in line when it comes to Blue Carbon Credits.”
If all that the PM said holds true, the potential of blue carbon credits to The Bahamas is beyond anything we have ever seen in measurable, tangible benefits to the Bahamian people from our waters. If all that the PM said... meaning that no seabed lease that would allow for dredging should be entertained if we are to protect our carbon sink for the Bahamian people. If all the PM said is so, and I would like to think it is true, it would mean that the waters belong to allawee and not to a private concern, entity or individual to gain from carbon credits.
“We are making history and positioning our country as the first country that will sell Blue Carbon Credits, as it relates to sea grass, on the Carbon Market.”
- PM Philip ‘Brave’ Davis
GBPA gives govt over 80 acres of land to develop aquatics centre
SCOTIABANK HELD LEADERSHIP LUNCHEON FOR HEAD GIRL S FROM PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOL S
SCOTIABANK
Bahamas celebrated International Women’s Month by hosting a leadership luncheon for Head Girls and Deputy Head Girls from public and private schools across New Providence, offering mentorship and financial literacy training to inspire the next generation of women leaders.
The event, held under the theme “Empowering Future Leaders: Breaking Barriers & Building Opportunities for Women in Finance,” brought together top female executives from the bank with high school student leaders to share career insights and tools for personal and professional development.
A highlight of the luncheon was a panel discussion moderated by Nakera Symonette, Scotiabank’s director of business support. Panelists included Andia Delancy, senior manager, non-branch sales force, and Raquel Wilson, senior manager, legal,
corporate governance and security, who offered candid reflections on navigating leadership roles and building financial independence.
In breakout mentorship sessions, students engaged directly with Scotiabank executives, including Naamah Barker, director of retail banking, and Nadia Stubbs, director of human resources, to discuss leadership, goal-setting, and financial empowerment.
“As a leader of today, it was truly inspiring to engage with the female student leaders from across New Providence, who represent the leaders of tomorrow,” said Ms Stubbs in a press release from Scotiabank. “They are full of potential and passion, and I am hopeful not only for their individual futures, but for the future of women in leadership.”
Ms Delancy described the experience as “incredible,” adding that the hands-on budgeting activity gave students practical tools to
develop good money habits early in life. “The budgeting exercise provided them with great insights to develop good financial habits at a young age, creating the freedom to pursue their dreams and achieve important goals,” she said.
Scotiabank’s VP and managing director, Roger Archer, also attended the event and praised the bank’s female leaders for championing mentorship.
“At Scotiabank, I am proud to say that we are deeply committed to empowering and inspiring the next generation of female leaders,” he said. “Through initiatives like this, we aim to provide young women with the knowledge, confidence, and support they need to pursue leadership roles and make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.”
Scotiabank says it remains committed to fostering opportunities for women at all stages of life, especially through education and mentorship.
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THE government officially received over 80 acres of land on Thursday — valued at over $6 million — to develop a new aquatics centre at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex.
The land, donated by the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), will be used to construct a modern swimming pool and aquatic facility to advance sports on the island and position Grand Bahama as a hub for national and international competitions.
The donation was formalised during a signing ceremony attended by Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, GBPA officials, and other stakeholders. The event marked a major step forward in strengthening public-private partnerships to boost youth development and sports tourism in Grand Bahama.
Mr Bowleg described the land transfer as continuing long-overdue plans to expand the sports complex. He said the
signing formalised the government’s control of the land and reaffirmed its commitment to working with the GBPA and the Grand Bahama community to enhance local sports. GBPA President Ian Rolle said the donation symbolised hope for young Bahamians and acknowledged the transformative power of sports.
He noted that the 80 acres, with an estimated value of $6 million, reflected the Port Authority’s gratitude and its responsibility to give back to the country. Mr Rolle also praised the government for placing passionate leaders in roles focused on youth and sports advancement.
Reflecting on the social impact of sports, Mr Rolle said many Bahamians — including himself — have risen from modest beginnings, and that athletics has opened doors for countless young people facing economic challenges. He called Bahamians naturally talented people whose potential continues to shine on the global stage.
GBPA Chairman Sarah St George welcomed the renewed focus on sports
in Grand Bahama and highlighted the island’s ability to produce elite athletes despite limited infrastructure. She pointed to swimmer Marvin Johnson, who earned a scholarship to the University of Florida after a standout performance at the 2023 Carifta Games, as an example of emerging talent. St George also mentioned Olympian Lamar Taylor, who is currently training for the next Games, and said the new aquatics centre would help nurture more champions in the years ahead. As a swimmer herself, she expressed hope that Grand Bahama’s swimming facilities could one day rival those in Nassau. She also recalled the accomplishments of Grand Bahama natives Demetrius Pinder and Michael Matthieu, members of the Olympic gold-medal-winning 4x400 relay team, as proof of the island’s athletic pedigree. St George reaffirmed GBPA’s support for future development at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex and encouraged embracing sports as a lifelong pursuit for all Bahamians.
Officials silent over tug and barge stranded on reef at Fowl Cay
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
MORE than a year after a tugboat and barge ran aground on a fragile reef in the protected Fowl Cays National Park, government officials remain silent on the stalled removal effort — despite repeated requests for answers.
Acting Port Controller Lieutenant Commander Berne Wright initially responded to an inquiry, but failed to follow up, while calls and texts to Environment Minister Vaughn Miller and Environmental Protection Director Dr Rhianna Neely-Murphy went unanswered.
State Environment Minister of State Zane Lightbourne told The Tribune he would refer the matter to Mr Miller because it came under his portfolio.
The vessels ran aground in late March 2024, causing significant damage to the coral reef in the marine park, which is managed by the Bahamas National Trust (BNT). Despite multiple attempts to remove the wrecks, the vessels continue to shift during storms, further destroying critically endangered coral and frustrating conservationists and locals. The wreck site has been plagued by debris, including twisted metal,
broken coral, and spilled cargo such as pea rock and sand, burying essential reef-building species.
Dr Charlotte Dunn, a volunteer diver with the Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation, described the ongoing damage in a recent statement, saying: “Every time the tug shifts in heavy swells, it scrapes away more of the reef. We’ll dive back down and find broken coral colonies, half-buried gorgonians, and fresh rubble. It’s heartbreaking to watch the corals get pounded over and over.”
David Knowles, chief park warden for BNT, confirmed that the repeated groundings have intensified the damage.
In a joint statement released earlier last week by Bahamas National Trust (BNT), the Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS), the Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation (BMMRO), and Friends of the Environment (FRIENDS) called for urgent action and expressed frustration at the lack of progress. Environmental groups have raised concerns about the lack of enforcement and accountability, citing existing laws that empower authorities to act. Denise Mizell, the PIMS Abaco programme manager, highlighted the legal and financial challenges, pointing out that
non-profit organisations are struggling to mitigate the damage without cooperation from the vessel owner’s insurance.
Olivia PattersonMaura, executive director of Friends of the Environment, expressed frustration over the slow response, stating: “This is a national treasure, and it’s in all our interests to remove the wreck before more damage occurs.”
Last April, Dr NeelyMurphy said the owners would likely face penalties. However, she declined to provide details and said bad weather and other obstacles had delayed the recovery effort.
Environmental groups say stronger enforcement is possible under existing laws. They cited international conventions such as the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks and The Bahamas’ own Environmental Planning and Protection Act, 2019, both of which empower the government to act when vessel owners fail to do so.
“Owners must carry wreck removal insurance and face stiff penalties if they fail to remove a grounded vessel,” the groups said. “The Port Department can also coordinate with other agencies to order salvage operations or, in some cases, remove the vessel itself and bill the owner.”
A TUG and barge stuck on reef at Fowl Cay since March 2024.
MINISTER OF YOUTH SPORTS AND CULTURE MARIO BOWLEG
GROUP photo of Scotiabank female executives/mentors, chaperones from the high school guidance departments & head & deputy head girls.
CANCER SOCIETY OF THE BAHAMAS
The Cancer Society of The Bahamas received a grant in the amount of $6,500 from the MDRT Foundation, the charitable arm of MDRT (Million Dollar Round Table), The Premier Association of Financial Professionals.
The MDRT Foundation gives to charitable organisations worldwide.
Anthony Longley, who is a Life Member of MDRT and a Gold Knight level donor to the MDRT Foundation. submitted the grant endorsement in support of the Bahamas Cancer Society.
Mr Longley said: “I am inspired to support the Cancer Society of The Bahamas because of the prevalence of cancer in The Bahamas generally, and in my family in particular.
My Bahamian MDRT colleagues and I are elated that a Bahamian charity was selected among the 2025 Global Grant recipients.”
Several MDRT members from Colina Insurance and BAF Financial, who are also regular donors to the MDRT Foundation, joined Mr Longley for the presentation.
Acknowledging the donation on behalf of the Cancer Society of The Bahamas was its administrator, Errin Storr. “This donation will go toward the expansion project. We are adding an additional ten rooms to the Cancer Caring Centre, which will enhance our capacity to provide temporary accommodations to a greater number of patients, not only from the Family Islands, who travel to New Providence to undergo active cancer treatment, but also our longtime goal to provide hospice care.”
Ms Storr said the existing block of the Cancer Caring Centre which was completed in August, 2004, provides safe, comfortable and temporary accommodation free to persons requiring such assistance. The Cancer Caring Centre also caters to their social and emotional needs in a peaceful, secure and supportive environment.
“I extend heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the Cancer Society to the MDRT Foundation for their kind consideration, and to Mr Longley for his endorsement, and to his associates who are here today to show their support,” said Ms Storr.
KIWANIS CLUB OF OVER-THE-HILL
On Friday, March 21, a group of 13 members from the Kiwanis Club of OverThe-Hill led by president Jovon Woodside, travelle to North Andros to participate in second quarter Division Council meetings of the Kiwanis Clubs of The Bahamas.
During the visit, many of the visiting clubs participated in chartiable donations to the community.
The Kiwanis Club of Over The Hill, provided a hemoglobin tester and a glucometer along with the necessary strips to assist the nurse with dealing with diabetic and hypertension patients.
The Kiwanis Club of Over-The-Hill was organised on September 24, 1975, and is celebrating its 50th Anniversary under the theme of “50 Years of Unselfish Service”.
To celebrate, it will be hosting a luncheon banquet on Sunday, May 4, at the Paul Farquharson Convention Centre at 2pm. Immediately preceding the luncheon, the club will worship at Historic Mission Baptist Church at the 11am service. This is the first church attended by
the newly formed OverThe-Hill Club on February 22nd, 1976, where its first president, David Bullard, was a member.
KIWANIS CLUB OF THE RISING SUN
The Kiwanis Club of the Rising Sun continues to make a meaningful impact in the community through its Feed the 500 initiative, bringing warmth and nourishment to students in need. On Friday, March 14, the club provided lunch to students at Uriah McPhee Primary School and CI Gibson Senior High School, reinforcing its commitment to provide service and support for young learners. Under the leadership of president Chermeka
Colebrooke, the club remains dedicated to its theme: “From Hands to Hearts…Creating Smiles while Changing Lives.”
Through initiatives like this, members are not only addressing immediate needs but also fostering a spirit of care and generosity among the next generation.
Ms Weir, a school administrator at Uriah McPhee Primary, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the club’s support, noting the positive impact on the students. “Acts of kindness like this remind our children that they are valued and cared for. We are truly grateful to the Kiwanis Club of the Rising Sun for their generosity,” she said. With each meal served, the Kiwanis Club of the Rising Sun continues to be a beacon of hope, ensuring that no child goes hungry while also instilling a sense
of community and compassion. The club remains committed to expanding its outreach and making a lasting difference in the lives of those it serves. For more information on how to support or get involved with the Kiwanis Club of the Rising Sun’s initiatives, check out its social media pages.
ROTARY CLUB OF EAST NASSAU
It is with deep respect and profound sadness that we pay tribute to Mike Russell, a beloved member of the Rotary Club of East Nassau, and a dedicated volunteer with Rotary Bahamas Disaster Relief and Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas Road to Peace. Mike’s passing leaves a void in the hearts of those who
knew him, but his legacy of service, compassion, and integrity will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to work with him. Mike was not only a committed Rotarian but also a tireless advocate for those in need. His unwavering dedication to disaster relief efforts brought hope and healing to individuals in the aftermath of natural disasters. Whether organizing response teams, raising funds for relief efforts, or providing direct support to those affected by catastrophe, Mike was there, ready to give of himself selflessly and without hesitation. His deep sense of integrity, compassion, and professionalism guided his work, ensuring that every action taken was for the betterment of those facing the greatest challenges. His humility, generosity,
and kindness defined his approach to life, and these qualities made him a pillar of the Rotary Club of East Nassau, Rotary Bahamas Disaster Relief, and Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas Road to Peace.
Mike’s commitment to service was not bound by the boundaries of a single cause. He understood that true leadership meant showing up for others, whether in moments of disaster or in everyday acts of kindness. His example of dedication, resilience, and quiet strength will live on in the lives he touched and in the continuing efforts of those he inspired.
On behalf of Rotary Bahamas Disaster Relief, we extend our deepest condolences to Mike’s family, friends, and all those who had the honour of working with him. He will be remembered not only for his hard work and dedication but for the character and kindness that made him a true model of service to others.
Rest in peace, Mike. Your legacy will endure.
THE CANCER Society of The Bahamas received a grant from the MDRT Foundation. From left, seated, Deveral Ferguson, Alfreda Knowles abd Tony Longley, Life Members - MDRT, (Colina); Errin Storr, Cancer Society of The Bahamas; Hughann Tai and Oman Forbes MDRT, (BAF); standing, Othneil Duncombe, MDRT, (BAF); Bridgette Sands, MDRT, (Colina); Eric Sawyer, MDRT, (BAF); Shakira Dean & Latarsha Cleare, MDRT (Colina).
MEMBERS of the Kiwanis Club of the Rising Sun.
KIWANIS Club of Over-The-Hill members. From left, distinguished president Juan Gibson, past president Marcian Dorsett, prospective Korey Turnquest, diamond secretary Kevin Hanna, chair Stanford Burrows, clinic administraor Sabrina Moss, nurse in charge Lucy Martin, president Jovon Woodside, past president Berry Sweeting, secretary Heath Campbell, president elect Kenny Carroll, past president Solomon Gibson and chair Tino Cash. Missing but present on the trip was fundraising chair Quintin Percentie.
MIKE RUSSELL
Forest fire threatens properties near
Coral Harbour and Carmichael Road
really concerned because I thought the fire was like all the way in the back until my daughter who lives in Florida, she called me and she said ‘what’s up with the fire’. I said ‘what fire, I see some smoke’, but when I came closer, there was this big load of smoke.”
She said it was the worst fire she had seen in the area in recent years, far more intense than the one that occurred last year.
According to Superintendent Demeris Armbrister, the Royal Bahamas Police
Force’s chief fire officer, authorities were alerted to the fire east of the Coral Harbour roundabout shortly after 11am. Firefighters responded quickly, but strong winds helped the flames spread into the nearby wellfields, making it difficult to reach the blaze. “At this point, it’s hundreds of feet into the wellfields. It’s at a point where we’re unable to reach it at this time,” Supt Armbrister said. He added that crews would remain on the scene until the fire was fully contained. When The Tribune
visited the scene, some residents were seen moving pets to safety, while others used garden hoses to wet their fences and clear debris. Among them was Pastor Ryan Bethel of Family Life Kingdom Centre, who has dealt with similar fires in the past.
“The last one, our fence which is attached to the building caught on fire where it was so close and what we did this time was make sure we got our backhoes and so this time, it’s on the other side which is further away from the
building but still, fire is very trick as it can jump,” Pastor Bethel said.
The fire prompted road closures near the Carmichael Road area, causing heavy traffic across western New Providence. Some residents considered evacuation as a precaution.
“Evacuation as this time is not necessary,” he said.
“However, we had to close the roads earlier today due to low visibility but at
“If the smoke go out of control, we’ll have to leave,” said resident Orthnell McKenzie, who had just finished helping two neighbours extinguish fires near their homes. “You could get the sinus problem and you could get the flu problem and all the rest of that.” Mr McKenzie said about eight neighbours banded together with buckets of water to control the spread of the fire. He said the community faces this challenge too often and blamed the recurring fires on squatters in the area. While fire officials could not confirm the cause of the blaze, Supt Armbrister said there was no need for evacuations at this time.
this time, we have mobile units.” Keith Carroll, president of the National Fishing Association, said local fishermen monitored the fire closely to ensure their traps and supplies were safe. He said they were fortunate this time.
“God was on our side because the fire just passed about ten feet to the south of our traps and just gone straight down,” he said. Supt Armbrister said firefighting teams would continue working through the night to bring the fire under control.
LOBSTER fishermen work to protect traps and a boat stored near a bush fire on Carmichael Rd near the Coral Harbour roundabout yesterday.
Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff from page one