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COVIDIOTS WITH fears growing that we could be on the brink of a third wave of COVID infections this was the scene at Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island on Sunday evening.

Hundreds of youngsters had packed the eastern end of the beach all day. Few, if any, wore a mask and social distancing guidelines were blatantly ignored.

For over a year we have been warned to stick to the rules - avoid super spreader events and we can beat this pandemic. Now, with Easter just days away all pretence of playing safe seems to have been abandoned.

The government has been watching the recent uptick in cases and has been urged by some to turn the clock back and reimpose an earlier curfew and possible weekend lockdown. Economically this would be a disaster but if we’re to keep our beaches open and outdoor dining allowed we’ve got to be sensible.

Much more of scenes such as this and we’ll be back indoors. See pages four and five for more on the rising number of COVID cases.

Photo: Racardo Thomas

POLICE SEIZE $3M OF COCAINE

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

POLICE found $3.1m worth of suspected cocaine during a drug bust in Eleuthera yesterday.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Solomon Cash told reporters he believes the drugs are the products of a transnational crime, saying it was “(as) transhipment outside of the

SOME of the drugs being unloaded yesterday.

Photo: Racardo Thomas jurisdiction of The Bahamas into The Bahamas”.

He said that on Sunday, police received intelligence concerning an aircraft inbound to the country with suspected cocaine on board.

Local law enforcement — assisted by the US Coast Guard, US Customs and Border Protection and the US Drug Enforcement Administration — launched a comprehensive investigation.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE TWO

CARGO SHIP NOT FIRST TO FIND SUEZ TROUBLE

SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Tuesday, March 30, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

POLICE SEIZE $3M OF COCAINE

POLICE unload the $3.1m worth of cocaine found in Eleuthera. from page one “Shortly after 12 noon yesterday (Sunday) this aircraft landed at (the) Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera airstrip. As a result, our international partners along with our

local law enforcement officers commenced surveillance exercises of the aircraft and the airstrip. “Observed leaving the aircraft (were) two individuals,” ACP Cash said.

He was not certain about their nationalities, but police said last night that

Photo: Racardo Thomas

the suspects were aged 28 and 37.

“They were searched, however, nothing (was) found in their possession.

That operation continued on into the night. As the surveillance team and a search team continued their operation at the airstrip,

sometime this morning after 9am, that surveillance team and the operational search team recovered from the airstrip some six multi-coloured bags each containing a large quantity of suspected cocaine. I can tell you when we completed the count it was 155

packages with the street value of $3.1m.”

Although nothing was found in the two individuals’ possession, ACP Cash said police have reasonable cause to suspect they are responsible for the drugs.

“What we’re saying to those two individuals that

disembarked the aircraft (is) that they should surrender to the police. I can tell you and I can assure you that we are following very significant leads as to who they are, and they are being sought at this time.”

Police suspect the two are still in Eleuthera.

CUBAN SAIL BOAT STOPPED SEVERAL Cuban nationals are being detained at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre after they were picked up in the Southern Bahamas by members of the United States Coast Guard.

USCG Cutter Charles Sexton apprehended the Cuban migrants onboard a small wooden sail vessel approximately 14 nautical miles west of Dog Rocks, in the Cay Sal banks.

The migrants were handed over to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force patrol craft, Her Majesty’s Bahamian Ship Leon Livingstone Smith shortly after 7am on Sunday, March 28. They were brought into the capital early yesterday morning.

The Cuban Embassy in The Bahamas has since been notified of the incident.

According to the RBDF, this is the third group of

Cuban nationals who were apprehended this month.

On Wednesday, March 3, six individuals were taken aboard a US Coast Guard cutter after they were found on Anguilla Cay. The following day, HMBS Durward Knowles spotted a capsized vessel in waters approximately three nautical miles south of Cay Sal and retrieved 13 Cuban nationals, including a deceased male.

ONE of the Cubans being detained.

Photo: RBDF Petty Officer Al Rahming

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 30, 2021, PAGE 3

DNA ‘open to discussions’ with independent parties

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net DEMOCRATIC National Alliance leader Arinthia Komolafe revealed yesterday that her party is “open to having discussions with independent parties” and viable independent candidates who share the same ideology and philosophy as the DNA. Her comments came after the Coalition of Independents, headed by Lincoln Bain, issued a release calling for “third parties to put aside differences and unite for the sake of our nation”.

When asked if the

DNA will unify with those independents to form a coalition, Mrs Komolafe expressed the party’s willingness to work with others.

She said at a press conference: “Well I’m on the record speaking on behalf of the leadership of the DNA that we are open to having discussions with independent parties and viable independent candidates who share the same ideology and philosophy that we do, so that we can have a strong force in the next general election.

“And so the DNA has committed to putting forward a full slate of candidates, whether that is a full slate of DNA standard

bearers or that is a coalition of persons who are prepared to work with the DNA.” Mr Bain previously called for unity among third parties and expressed his willingness to even step down as leader of the independent group in order to achieve this as well.

“With that in mind, I call for third parties to put aside differences and unite for the sake of our nation – to come to the table and hold hands to lead us into new Bahamas,” he said in a press release issued last week. “The reservation for many third parties has always been who will lead and what will we name it.

To this end I hereby express my willingness to step down as a leader in order to save our nation. This would allow the people to choose who should lead the unified body.

“It is time for all leaders to put personal ambitions aside to humble ourselves and put (the) country first.

We further call for the members of these organisations to speak to your leaders and encourage them to come to the table and join forces in an effort to defeat the FNM and PLP and restore our nation.”

The DNA recently announced the ratification of 19 candidates for the next general election.

DNA leader Arintha Komolafe.

Photo: Racardo Thomas

THE EQUINOR facility after Hurricane Dorian.

EQUINOR SITE ‘FAR FROM BEING CLEANED UP’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A GRAND Bahama environmentalist is strongly refuting a recent update

by Equinor of the oil spill clean-up in the affected pine forest in East Grand Bahama, saying that “it is far from being cleaned up.”

Joseph Darville, chairman of Save the Bays, was responding to a press statement issued about Equinor on Sunday, which reported that there has been almost complete rehabilitation of the land and forestry after the spill in 2019.

When contacted on yesterday, Mr Darville claims that is not the case.

“The area in my estimation is far from being cleaned up,” he said. “That is totally incorrect. There are areas still unclean that would take them, based upon the time they have spent up until now, another year before the cleanup is complete.

“For what they have done so far, I would like to commend my fellow Bahamians who have done a valiant and conscientious job trying to clean up the area inch by inch,” Mr Darville said.

The activist said when he visited the forest area about two week days ago with the parliamentary committee appointed to deal with natural resources, he found

areas still saturated with oil.

“I took them into all the areas, including the wetlands. Because this is the dry season the wetland is basically kind of dried up, but if you lift up some of the pads of dried mud there is oil still saturating the area under those kind of muddy pads,” he said.

He also said a privateowned company is in litigation over the oil spill which also affected thousands of tons of aggregate in that area.

Mr Darville indicated that mounds of aggregate about 55ft to 60ft high, including the machinery, are still saturated with oil.

“So, I can’t see how they can say, ‘well, it is nearly cleaned up.’ It is far from being nearly cleaned up,” he stated.

“If you pass by the company and have a casual look, you may think so. But, you got to go deep into that forest and examine all the areas that were saturated with oil on the ground.”

In terms of the company’s plans to recap the tanks, Mr Darville said that the caps were initially made to withstand 140-knot winds.

He stated that the 140knot wind that decapitated the tanks came from the south and blew the oil into the north and saturated the forest area, about one mile by three miles.

He said if the caps had

MAN KILLED IN ABACO CRASH A TRAFFIC fatality in Abaco left one man dead and another with minor injuries on Sunday.

Police said shortly after 6pm, officers at the Marsh Harbour Police Station were called to a traffic accident on S C Bootle Highway in the area of Calypso Hill.

Once on the scene, officers discovered a red GMC vehicle that was overturned some 15ft from the driver’s body.

Initial investigations revealed that the GMC vehicle was travelling eastbound on the highway at a high rate of speed when the

driver lost control and the vehicle flipped over repeatedly, resulting in the driver being ejected. The driver died at the scene.

The male passenger was taken to the Marsh Harbour Community Clinic with minor injuries.

This comes after two people were killed in separate traffic accidents on Andros and New Providence on the weekend.

Police are sending out a “stern warning to the motoring public” to adhere to the speed limit, to be attentive and be reminded that driving with an electronic device is prohibited.

been blown off when the north wind, which came as tornado activity between 180 and 200mph of winds, the oil spill would have affected the ocean.

“If this had happened… then our ocean would have been an incredible disaster.

But, on the other hand it has devastated thousands of acres of our pristine forests, and so all this has to be taken into consideration.”

Mr Darville stressed that if Equinor is going to recap those tanks, “they must have the common sense to know they must be made to withstand over 200 mph winds for those caps to

remain on, if they are going to continue to utilise that facility as a transshipment of crude oil.”

Equinor has said the tanks will be constructed to withstand this level of wind.

The 55,000 barrels of crude oil was spilled in September 2019 during Hurricane Dorian.

Equinor leaders paid a courtesy call on Attorney General Carl Bethel and Minister of the Environment and Housing Romauld Ferriera on March 18.

Mr Darville said company officials have many issues left to address.

“I have not seen any, not

one of the top environmental people in that area,” Mr Darville said. “I been out there dozens of times, and so for them to simply concentrate on or indicate how much millions were spent or whatever they are going to spend on cleaning up, is irrelevant.

“If they have to spend $400m that’s their expense, but what has happened to the compensation that has to be made to our people for the catastrophic damage of our environment and our forest? That is the thing they should have addressed.”

A statement from

Bahamas Information Services on Sunday said Equinor has invested more than $200 million and trained Grand Bahama residents to clean up the affected area, adding that “over the past year, there has been almost complete rehabilitation of such land and forestry.”

The statement said Equinor plans to reconstruct fuel storage tanks in full compliance with Bahamian environment laws and regulations to withstand hurricane winds of more than 200 mph. The release said 150 to 300 workers will be engaged during the reconstruction.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, March 30, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

HEALTH UNIONS URGE GOVT - ACT NOW

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Nurses Union President Amancha Williams has said the government must act now before it’s too late to avoid a potential third wave of COVID-19.

Her comments came after an additional 15 cases were confirmed on Sunday, pushing the nation’s total count to 9,091. The day before saw 42 new cases, bringing last week’s total to 167.

Yesterday, the BNU president said the union would not be against tighter restrictions as she labelled the uptick in cases as “concerning”. She warned about the likelihood of a third COVID wave if Bahamians become relaxed about the current health rules and let their guards down.

An official from the Consultant Physicians Staff Association also raised alarm to The Tribune yesterday about the increasing figures.

Pointing to a number of recent large gatherings, Ms Williams said: “You still have some people who are not following the rules and regulations because you still have some parties going on and people are not being cautious, you know.

“You can’t have (a) party and can’t still want to be campaigning and you’re trying to vaccinate everybody, so you still have to use precaution. If you’re vaccinated, you still have to use precaution until there is

AMANCHA WILLIAMS a percentage of our people vaccinated.”

Ms Williams said the situation is particularly worrisome because the union has also seen cases of re-infection among some nurses.

She said: “It is a great concern not only for the government but also for the healthcare system. We’ve seen a number of our nurses being re-infected and we’re still here battling with complications that happened with particular nurses that contracted COVID during the time of the pandemic, so we still have nurses out with several complications so that raises a concern. “…In Abaco, you had six nurses who were on quarantine and so the clinic was exposed and so we’ve had six nurses out and then we had to bring these nurses from Nassau to compensate for that shortage to also ensure that healthcare services are still being offered you know.”

Asked if the uptick in cases and hospitalisations is starting to place a strain on the healthcare system, Ms Williams replied: “I wouldn’t say it’s a strain but it’s something to look at and

MARINES GET JABS

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

EIGHTY people were vaccinated during the three days the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s Coral Harbour base was open as a COVID-19 inoculation site.

The Tribune was told there was some hesitation among members about getting the shot.

Force medical officer, Lieutenant Commander Dr Derwin Johnson explained the 80 people vaccinated does not only include marines but also consists of retirees and groups. Although he did not have the information at hand at the time, he estimated more than 85-90 percent of marines made up that figure.

Dr Johnson explained that the force’s base opened as a site on March 22, but the Ministry of Health suspended the location because it wanted to concentrate efforts more centrally and a lot of people who were getting vaccinated at that site were finding it difficult to get that far southwest.

“Not marines but I’m speaking to other persons because we were responsible for not only marines. We were responsible for immigration, customs, and possibly a portion of the police force at this location,” he told The Tribune.

A statement from a RBDF spokesperson yesterday indicated that vaccination turnout was low due to some hesitation about the shot.

The statement read: “Organisational members generally are still apprehensive about the potential long term side-effects and insurance coverage payouts if one faces an adverse reaction and likely dies. As a result, the turnout for the vaccine has been low and comprised of the senior officers predominantly.”

When asked if he noticed the apprehension about the potential long term side-effects, Dr Johnson said: “No I wouldn’t say

start planning against. It’s giving you a heads up that something is going on and this is evidence that this COVID is still here.”

Health officials said they have observed a “marked increase” on several islands since January, particularly New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco.

The Tribune understands the rise in virus-related cases and hospitalisations has also sparked discussions among government officials over whether certain islands may now need tighter restrictions.

Asked whether the BNU would support tighter restrictions for certain communities, Ms Williams said the group will not oppose the idea so long as it safeguards the country against the COVID-19 threat.

However, she said the government must also learn to strike an economic and health balance.

“I don’t have a problem with that if it that is securing the healthcare of this nation and the economy of this nation because when you look at it, we (are going to have) more COVID than we have tourists so that is what the union is saying,” she said.

“What we don’t want to instill is at the end of the day, not to open up the economy because we really have to live with this and think about what we’re doing to ensure that we live with this in a safe manner until we get most people vaccinated.

“So, the government needs to strike a balance

that’s something I’ve noticed.

I know some marines (have) asked if the vaccine is safe which I would’ve replied yes.”

He also pointed to the fact that a lot of marines are actually stationed on other islands.

“A little more than 1,500 marines in total - that’s all we have in terms of the entire Defense Force compliment,” Dr Johnson explained. “When you factor in the Family Island element and most of our vessels were out to sea during the time that the vaccination (was taking place at) Coral Harbour.

“You (are) looking at about roughly 800 of those marines that were not even in place at the time as well as we have a lot of marines that are assigned to outposts. So we’re looking at the Defense Force base complement itself, the base only has about maybe 200 persons on the actual base at any given time. “…We can’t really say, ‘okay we had such a low number’ when the majority of the marines were actually out.

Yes, the numbers were actually low in terms of actual figures, but in terms of availability at the time, a lot of the marines were not present.”

But the marines on other islands will have an opportunity to be vaccinated.

“The plan is, and this is what was worked out with (Ministry of) Health, as the vaccine is rolled out on the other islands, as it was done in Freeport—we have marines in Freeport as well and those marines in Freeport were able to be vaccinated as the vaccine rollout in Grand Bahama.

“Also likewise for those marines who are stationed on our other outposts – Bimini, Abaco, Exuma, Ragged Island, and Iguana. They too will be a part of the Family Island rollout – that specific island rollout. So they will be counted in the numbers that are done by (Ministry of) Health.”

and how do we do that to prevent the third wave?

We have to act now and be proactive because this is a key that we could get into a third wave and so now, we have to be proactive.”

For his part, CPSA vice president, Dr John Dillett said the union would need more details on what sort of restrictions are being considered at this time before lending their support or making a final decision on the matter.

He said the group has yet to be consulted by the government on the way forward or any other related COVID-19 issues.

“Last year, when we were in the throes of the crisis, we had regular meetings with the prime minister and the minister of health regarding the strategy moving forward and how to deal with the pandemic,” he told this newspaper.

“That has since fallen by the wayside. I’m not as sure as to why that has stopped but now, we see potential of a third wave starting and again we have had no direct consultation or communication with those entities determining a way forward and a plan forward.”

The country is still awaiting results from some 52 COVID test samples sent abroad earlier this year to determine if any of the new virus strains are presently in country.

Yesterday, Dr Dillett said it’s a matter officials are continuing to closely monitor and await word on.

“I don’t want to say that

TOTAL CASES TOTAL DEATHS

9,091 188

NEWLY CONFIRMED CASES SUNDAY 15 CASES NEW PROVIDENCE 9 ELEUTHERA 2 GRAND BAHAMA 1 BIMINI & CAT CAY 1 BERRY ISLANDS 1 EXUMA 1

TOTAL TESTS

75,619

HOSPITALISED

31

we are experiencing a third wave but what we do know, however, is that many jurisdictions are presently going through a third and fourth wave. Certainly, the uptick in cases is concerning,” he said.

“We need to know exactly how many people we’re testing. Are we able to test for variants before we know for sure if we are in the third wave, but certainly it’s a concern that cases are moving upwards.”

He added: “Persons are

BISHOP Delton Fernander receives his COVID-19 vaccine at Loyola Hall.

CASES IN ICU

2

RECOVERED

8,563

travelling to many parts of the world and returning.

We’re having lots of visitors from various parts of the world coming in as well and because we don’t have the means to test effectively, it’s difficult to say for sure what we’re experiencing.

“But absolutely, the CPSA remains concerned about the general well-being of the public regarding the pandemic and the possibility of variants coming in from various parts of the world.”

Photos: Racardo Thomas

RELIGIOUS LEADERS TAKE VACCINES BAHAMAS Christian Council President Bishop Delton Fernander and BCC member Pastor Mario Moxey received COVID-19 vaccinations at Loyola Hall yesterday.

They were vaccinated a day after the BCC’s COVID Vaccine Investigative Committee released its report

on coronavirus vaccinations, saying experts agree that the benefits of getting the shot far outweigh any disadvantages.

“We are comfortable now in making this decision for us and our family,” Bishop Fernander said yesterday at the vaccine site.

However, the BCC committee recommended that all churches make their own determination in advising their flock about taking the vaccine, adding that whether or not a person decides to get vaccinated is a personal choice. Pastor Moxey chaired the BCC’s vaccine committee.

PASTOR Mario Moxey receives his COVID-19 vaccine yesterday.

GROCERIES DISTRIBUTED TO HELP GRAND BAHAMIANS

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

COST Right partnered with the Grand Bahama Food Taskforce to distribute more than 300 bags of groceries over the weekend on Grand Bahama.

The distribution was held on Saturday at Cost Right, where 350 bags were given out to those in need.

Minister of State for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson commended AML Foods for its continued support of the task force.

He said the government is committed to continuing the food programme to assist as many families as it can.

Mr Thompson said there is still a great need in Grand Bahama.

“Today, we are very pleased to be continuing the partnership with AML Foods. They have been a great partner for us in Grand Bahama,” he said.

“We started the Grand Bahama food programme as a result of COVID-19.

The prime minister mandated that we do all we

can to ensure we feed as many as we can in Grand Bahama. But the model of the food programme was to also partner with other persons who provide food, other NGOs, and businesses. And this really is the culmination of that initiative and being able to partner with AML Foods,” said Mr Thompson.

“We are very pleased and we understand that there is still a great need in Grand Bahama and there is still need for the food programme to continue. And

the government is committed to continuing the food programme at least until we can.”

He indicated that to date in the last eight months, the food programme has issued over 80,000 vouchers on the island.

“We are going to continue so the numbers will continue to rise,” he said.

Melissa Major, senior business development manager at AML Foods, said they are pleased to continue its partnership with food taskforce.

The bags contained dry

goods, canned goods, fresh bread, water, as well as essential items such as toothpaste, deodorant, and soap.

“The bags basically are enough to feed a family, and there are also essential items in there because we realise it was very necessary,” Mrs Major said.

“We had originally partnered with them when we did our Feed 5,000 programme and we understand that the COVID pandemic is still very real and a lot of people are affected, and we wanted to give back to

the community of Grand Bahama,” she said.

Ms Major said the Rotary and Rotaract Clubs have also assisted them in the distribution.

Othniel Pinder, president of Rotary Club of Freeport, said the group was happy to help.

“It is always awesome to be able to give back to the community. The one thing about Rotary is ‘service above self’ and when we got the call from Cost Right to assist in their initiative we were on board right away,” he said.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 30, 2021, PAGE 5

Forbes: We are on the brink of a third wave

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net THE country’s top infectious disease expert believes The Bahamas is on the brink of a third COVID19 wave, as health officials remain on high alert over a sustained uptick in positive cases in recent weeks.

Dr Nikkiah Forbes, director of the National HIV/ AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme at the Ministry of Health, told The Tribune yesterday it was “fully possible” that cases could skyrocket following the Easter holiday weekend with increased social interaction.

Much of the new cases have been travel related, she said.

“There is a sustained uptick in the number of cases and that is very concerning and there could be an increase in cases after the holiday weekend if we are not following the health instructions,” Dr Forbes said. “(It) is fully possible.”

This comes as health officials confirmed 15 positive cases on Sunday, 42 on Saturday and 34 on Friday for a total of 91 cases in just three days. The country has seen 9,091 cases to date.

Fourteen cases were recorded on Thursday, 33 on Wednesday, 18 on Tuesday, 12 on Monday and 14 last Sunday for a total of 167 last week. Thirty-one people are currently in the hospital.

Health officials confirmed 160 cases the previous week.

IT’s 5.01pm, and the beach is packed in this photograph posted to social media.

The Tribune understands that COVID-19 numbers have concerned the government, sparking discussions at the Cabinet level over whether certain islands

may now need tighter restrictions.

Asked if she was of the view that certain islands that have seen cases increase should be subject

to tighter restrictions, Dr Forbes said this will depend on how people conduct themselves in the coming days.

“Well, we are at risk for

having a third wave,” she said. “We could be on the brink of a third wave, but we’re not quite there yet nationwide. What happens in the next week or two depends on what we do now.

“We always want to prevent COVID-19. We know what works by now and that is following the public health instructions.

“If we’re all doing that well, we’ll keep the curve flattened. Health officials never want to put in place restrictive measures that are difficult to live with, that are bad for the economy and socialisation.

“Countries that have had to put strict measures in place were not able to bring their third and fourth waves under control. In fact they were growing and they were in situations where health capacity was beyond the level that the health system could manage and lots of people were dying.

“So, we have to balance all of that as we are on high alert about the number of new cases that we’re seeing.

“As you can see there have not been any immediate emergency restrictions put into place. Of course that all depends on what will happen with the curves and this current outbreak.”

Officials are expected to receive 33,600 more doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine tomorrow.

The expected batch of vaccines from the World Health Organisation’s COVAX Facility represents

the first tranche of 100,800 doses earmarked for The Bahamas and pre-paid through the PAHO Revolving Fund.

Dr Forbes said this is exciting news, but acknowledged that vaccine hesitancy is a major issue.

“We know vaccine hesitancy is a global phenomenon that happens worldwide especially with COVID-19 vaccines for various reasons.

“We know why it happens and we’re doing our best to keep the facts out there about these vaccines.

They’re safe and effective and they can prevent COVID-19 across the board.

“All of these vaccines prevent getting severe COVID-19 hospitalisations and deaths. It’s very good that COVID-19 can be vaccinated against.”

On Sunday, the Office of the Prime Minister said around 63 percent of people who have received the vaccine are age 60 and older.

Forty-two percent of people who received the vaccine were male and 58 percent are female.

The statement said vaccinations will now take place in Eleuthera this week.

Grand Bahama’s vaccine programme will also resume after appointments were cancelled on Saturday due to oversubscription.

The country received its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines on March 10 — which were 20,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine donated by the government of India.

ELEUTHERA RESIDENTS GET THEIR TURN FOR VACCINES

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

COVID-19 vaccinations are set to officially begin on Eleuthera today, with community officials expecting a good turnout and smooth process.

This marks the first Family Island to administer the Oxford-AstraZeneca doses since the country received the shots earlier this month.

It is not clear how many doses have been sent to the island. However yesterday, The Tribune spoke to several community officials to get an update on the preparation efforts.

Lynton Pinder,

designated administrator for Spanish Wells, Harbour Island and North Eleuthera, said vaccination centres have already been identified for residents in those respective communities.

However, he added they will not be rolled out simultaneously.

“There’s one site for Spanish Wells. That’s the Methodist Hall,” he said.

“At the Bluff on mainland that’s going to take care of North Eleuthera mainland, that will be at the Methodist Hall in the Bluff and then in Harbour Island, that will be at the local clinic. “(Today) the vaccinations will begin in Spanish Wells at 10.30 am, Wednesday it will begin in the Bluff at 9

o’clock and Thursday, it is in Harbour Island at 9 o’clock.”

Mr Pinder could not give a figure on each centre’s capacity for vaccinations with the current health protocols in place.

According to community officials, Spanish Wells and Harbour Island are estimated to have a combined population of over 3,000 people.

Asked yesterday if officials are expecting a good turn out, he replied: “I think so. I think we’re going to have more persons come than we expect. I think people are just going to come in their vehicles and remain in their vehicles until they go in and get the vaccine and leave.

“I think it’s also going to be smooth. Our people are very calm, cool and collected. They don’t cause a ruckus so if they get there and feel like it’s a bit much, they’ll go and check back later because the community is small so we’re expecting a good process.”

Meanwhile, the island’s chief councillor, Robert Roberts added: “It seems like some of them have warmed up to it but there’s a couple (who don’t want to take it) because they’re saying over 60 (are eligible) but I actually think it’s going to be a pretty good turnout but I think there is some wariness because of what’s being reported on the media.”

As it relates to Central and South Eleuthera, some four vaccination sites have been identified there, including Wemyss Bight Clinic, Hatchet’s Bay Clinic and Palmetto Clinic, etc.

An official told The Tribune yesterday that operations at those respective centres are expected to begin sometime between 10.30 am and noon. However, the official said eligible locals will be notified of the official vaccination centre locations and times in advance.

Those eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines on the island in the first phase will include healthcare workers, residents over the age of 60, and staff of the uniformed

branches, beginning Tuesday through Thursday.

To date, more than 7,000 people in New Providence and Grand Bahama have received the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine since the country’s national campaign was launched, with officials expecting 33,600 more doses from World Health Organisation’s COVAX Facility sometime around 10.30 am today.

According to the Office of The Prime Minister, the national vaccination programme will continue on New Providence and Grand Bahama until Wednesday; Eleuthera until Thursday, but will resume following the Easter holidays.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, March 30, 2021

The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

THE TRIBUNE

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Don’t close the beaches, police them THE scene pictured on our front page ought to annoy everyone who has been doing everything they can to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

It is a slap in the face for those who have been staying at home, wearing masks when they go out, and keeping their distance when they do meet others.

Rather than doing that, we see crowded beaches, people pressed together on the staircase to the beach – a breeding ground for the virus.

If the severity of our situation needs reinforced, we need only listen to the experts.

Infectious disease expert Dr Nikkiah Forbes warns in today’s Tribune that we are on the brink of a third wave of COVID-19, with a sustained rise in positive cases in recent weeks.

“There is a sustained uptick in the number of cases and that is very concerning,” she said, before warning, “and there could be an increase in cases after the holiday weekend if we are not following the health instructions.”

Looking farther afield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US used even starker language, saying that she was “scared” and warning of “impending doom”.

This isn’t over. And it could be about to get worse.

So do we close the beaches? It might seem an answer – but why not be a bit more imaginative?

The beaches don’t need to be closed – they just need to be policed.

When our photographer arrived at Cabbage Beach to take the picture of people crowding together there, it was no secret. The streets were packed with cars – no one was hiding here. So why not have the police there to warn people not to pack together? Where are those COVID ambassadors whose cars we sometimes see roaming around? How about hiring some of the many unemployed people right now to serve as beach wardens?

Still more – why not put down some beach poles to mark out the distance people should be staying apart so that

everyone can see right away, and be reminded to take care.

The fresh air of the beach and the chance to swim in the sea is good for people – as long as we don’t put ourselves at risk when we get there. It’ll also be a nail in the tourism coffin again – announcing beach closures will stop the flow of money that is just starting to return.

There is talk of tightening restrictions in the air – but let’s not close the beaches, let’s be smarter than that.

Oil spill The oil spill that hit Grand Bahama from the Equinor facility there was one of many horror stories during Hurricane Dorian.

So what is the situation now?

Equinor themselves put out their own statement about the clean-up – and now activist Joseph Darville has given his own assessment.

He talks of mounds of aggregate still saturated with oil, and says “it is far from being cleaned up”.

At a casual glance, it may look improved, he says, but deep in the forest he says there are still areas saturated with oil.

Of course, what should happen is that there is a thorough and independent investigation by government inspectors. Given how slow the government has been in investigating damage to the seabed from cruise ships, we should perhaps not be surprised that instead it comes down to the company saying one thing and an environmentalist saying another.

The damage caused by the oil spill is damage caused to our nation, and the damage should be clearly assessed and catalogued by officials. How else are we to truly know the state of the recovery?

It would seem far more work is needed to complete the clean-up – but for goodness’ sake, let’s have a full accounting.

Praise for Bowleg EDITOR, The Tribune.

NOT very often do we find people who are unselfishly dedicated.

We have to look near and far for people who sacrifice much, continuing to go far beyond the call of duty to help others. We are hardpressed to find genuine people who are not hustling for a payday for their efforts. Some who have reaped from the country have an insatiable greed for more.

But when the name Mario Bowleg is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is a humble man who exemplifies the epitome of dedication and sacrifice, out of the goodness of his heart.

His life has been one of discipline, integrity, and service. He is respected by

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all! Countless youths have benefited from his mentorship through basketball, his church, and the community of Garden Hills. He has succeeded in building characters.

Mario needs no introduction to the Garden Hills Community because all of the people there have seen him grow up in the community, and therefore know him. A humble man, who pulled himself by his bootstraps, Mario decided that he would educate himself, while from the lowly position of a security guard to a messenger, then a delinquent officer to the manager of a bank.

This proves that through his resilience and determination, he has excelled.

Mario’s name is legendary in Basketball, having risen through the ranks to National Coach, having taken the country’s best to tournaments worldwide, with many successes. His peers have every confidence in him, therefore he has been elected President of the Bahamas Basketball Federation, the governing body for basketball in the entire Bahamas.

Many have excelled,

going on to higher learning through scholarships from his influences and relationships worldwide. He has planned and organised many basketball programmes which attracted many college teams. He does not need any public relations pampering and enjoys the full appreciation that his work will speak for him.

Above and beyond his professional life as a banker, he tirelessly is responsible for the Finances of All AME Zion Churches and Sunday School and also dabbles in beating the drums in church every Sunday.

What manner of man is this, who continues to give his time for the benefit of others who would eventually make their contribution to a better Bahamas.

Garden Hills are overwhelmed to have one of their own and will not be fooled with slick hired hands to deceive them.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

IVOINE W INGRAHAM Nassau, March 26, 2021.

Third party vendors EDITOR, The Tribune.

PLEASE permit me to comment on what appears to be an aggressive and intentional initiative by the government to transition its various agencies to cashless operations. Part and parcel of this initiative is the requirement that persons who wish to use cash to receive government services are made to utilise selected participating private third party vendors.

While I fully support the government digitization initiatives and its aim to encourage the use of electronic and debit or credit card payment as the preferred means of paying for government services, I am, however, opposed to any policy that eliminates “cash payment” at government agencies, especially for a service that is exclusively offered by the government and one that the government is statutorily mandated to provide to the public. Government is fully aware that this policy to eliminate the use of cash at its agencies will further marginalise or disadvantage the less economically capable among us.

Digitisation does not have to be at the expense of marginalising this segment of our society. Pursuing full digitisation and the acceptance of cash can co-exist.

These individuals are equally entitled to have efficient access to government services regardless of their method of payment.

After all it is the government that prints “cash”, for public use, but yet it does not want to embrace its use.

If the aim is to eliminate revenue leakage or reduce fraud, directing all cash paying customers to private third party vendors is not the cure for eliminating revenue leakage or reducing fraud. As a matter of fact, it could prove to be just the opposite.

History is replete with examples where revenue collected by third party entities for onward delivery to government never made it to the government account. As for fraud, digitisation is also not the cure all.

Revenue doesn’t leak or disappear simply because it comes in the form of cash.

Revenue leaks or disappears because the proper internal controls are either not in place or are not enforced or wrongdoers are not punished. This is where public administrators ought to turn their attention.

A major area where revenue leaks and which I would like to see addressed, is the rental of buildings by the government at excessive rent rates and which are not put to their maximum use or allowed to sit

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net unoccupied. I don’t see any effort being made to address revenue leakage in these cases. This and many other areas which results in revenue wastage could use some attention by public officials.

Public administrators must ensure that the policies and initiatives they devise and employ are reasonable and do not unduly burden or exclude any segment of the public.

Any policy, which results in the denial of service to a member of the public, for reason only that he or she is only able to pay in cash, is unreasonable and falls outside the intent and spirit of their statutory mandate.

Disqualifying cash paying patrons who are seeking government services is not reasonable nor proportionate to the issue which requires addressing.

As much as I detest government interference, at some point the government will have to address this matter through legislation, before it is widely adopted by private enterprises. The consequences will be far reaching and unpleasant for a large segment of our population.

Administrators ought to be about finding ways to expand the availability and access to government services through means that do not lead to the banishing individuals for the reason being only, that they are unable to pay by a particular method. There is no reason why cash cannot be an option among other forms of payment.

If the aim is to reduce revenue leakage or fraud, there are more commercially established and accountable measures available to public administrators to address revenue leakage and/or fraud.

There is absolutely no need to disturb or inconvenience the public to address a problem that can and ought to be addressed through internal vigilance, control and monitoring by management.

Individuals ought to have the option to determine the payment method that is most convenient for them and if cash is their only or preferred means, then cash ought to be accepted at the location where the service is to be dispensed. Personal cheques are the only reasonable exception if it could be demonstrated that an individual has been abusive in their use.

The use of third party vendors.

I am also alive to and concern by this strong push to

channel business to a select group of private third party vendors by way of requiring members of the public to visit their establishment or utilise their platform to pay for government services.

Is it really necessary for government to utilise third party private vendors to accommodate cash paying customers when it has the resources and means to do so? As I have said, the problem is not taking cash payment, but more a function of delinquent supervision.

I am also concern about the lack of transparency in the selection of these private third party vendors.

Perhaps the relevant minister or public official may want to share with the public the following:1. How were these participating third party vendors selected and who are the beneficial owners? Are any of them employed in the civil service or are consultants to the government?

2. How much are these third party vendors being paid or what percentage of money (cash) collected on behalf of the government is retained by them as commission or otherwise?

3. When moneys are paid through their facility, how long are they allowed to retain it before remitting or depositing it to the government account?

4. If revenue is held for any period of time and accrues interest, who does the interest belong to? Are reconciliations being carried out and if so, how often and by whom?

Pursuing digitisation is unquestionably a noble objective, and one that I fully embrace, but it does not necessarily require the elimination of cash as a means of payment at government agencies.

Also, we (the public) ought not to allow ourselves to be intentionally distracted, by what is termed “reducing revenue leakage and fraud”, to the point that we allow sound procurement practices to be circumvented by those responsible for selecting these “participating third party vendors”, who will be facilitating those members of the public whom the government have determine that their “payment in cash” is not welcome.

In closing I leave with a quote by Franklyn Roosevelt which I beg the government to embrace: “To test our progress it is not whether we add more to those who have much, but whether we provide enough for those who have little.”

CLAUDE B HANNA Nassau, March 28, 2021.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 30, 2021, PAGE 7

APPEAL COURT UPHOLDS REVENGE PORN SENTENCE

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

THE Court of Appeal yesterday confirmed the nine month sentence of a man who last year defrauded his ex-girlfriend of over $1,000 before hacking her social media accounts to expose nude photos of her online.

In May 2020, Malik Wright appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney charged with fraud by false pretences, causing damage and unauthorised access to computer material. According to a judgement posted on the

Crown’s website, on May 9, 2020, Wright smashed his ex-girlfriend’s phone during an argument.

About two days later, the woman was informed that nude photos of her were circulating on social media. When she checked her Scotiabank account, she also discovered Wright had made several unauthorised purchases using funds from her account. After she reported the incident to police, they launched an investigation into the matter. It was later revealed that the data from the woman’s cellphone, inclusive of her photos and banking information, had been

downloaded to and shared from Wright’s laptop.

At the time, he pleaded guilty to the offences and was sentenced to nine months in prison and ordered to compensate his ex-girlfriend for her damaged and stolen property.

A few weeks after the sentence was passed, Wright filed a notice of appeal arguing that the magistrate erred in law when he allowed the prosecution to proceed with the matter despite the fact that they did not provide a charge sheet or police interview statements to his counsel.

In September 2020, he also filed a supplemental

notice of appeal on the grounds the magistrate also erred in fact and law when he failed to consider his interview statement which indicated that he was initially questioned about stealing and never questioned in regards to fraud.

Most recently, Wright applied for an extension of time within which to appeal his convictions and sentences.

However yesterday, Justices Jon Isaacs, Roy Jones and Carolita Bethell denied his application and affirmed his sentence and conviction after ruling the prospects of him successfully appealing his conviction was “nil”.

In their judgement, delivered by Justice Isaacs, the panel noted Wright was out of time by over three months and there was no explanation given to justify the period of delay.

“Regarding his prospects of success, pursuant to Section 233 of the Criminal Procedure Code, an intended appellant who pleaded guilty is barred from appealing their conviction, unless it can be demonstrated that their guilty plea was equivocal,” they noted.

“As that is not the case in this intended appeal, the intended appellant’s prospects of successfully

appealing his convictions are nil. Relative to the intended appellant’s prospects of success on appealing his sentences, save for the sentence imposed relative to the offence of unauthorised access to a computer, the prospects of success are also nil.

“Despite its glimmer of success on count three, I am satisfied that this EoT (extension of time) application ought to be denied pursuant to the proviso to Section 13(2) of the Court of Appeal Act. The EoT application is refused. The intended appellant’s convictions and sentences are affirmed.”

Nine charged for fake COVID tests

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

NINE people, including a 17-year-old girl, were yesterday charged with possessing and uttering forged documents after they attempted to travel domestically using falsified COVID-19 test results.

In the first case, Scott Davis, 40, appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes after he presented a fake Doctors Hospital health system negative COVID-19 RT PCR test to an official at Lynden Pindling International Airport on March 26.

The Andros man admitted trying to use the fake COVID-19 test to travel back to his settlement in the southern part of the island.

The court was told that Davis, who was travelling to South Andros, presented the fraudulent test to the chair of the COVID ambassador centre at the travel checkpoint at the airport around 7.45am that day. The prosecution said when the woman examined the negative test, she became suspicious and summoned a police officer.

After they conducted a

RODESHA MUNNINGS

JANAE JOLLY

PATRICE ROLLE

SCOTT DAVIS

REQUILA SMITH

SAMUEL COLEBROOKE

KEVIN TAYLOR

EDROY ROLLE

preliminary inquiry, Davis was arrested and cautioned.

During an interview with police at a nearby station, he owned up to the offence.

Yesterday, the Bluff native was represented by attorney Devard Francis. He told the magistrate his client was a fisherman by trade who was contrite for his actions.

He also said Davis committed the offence because he

was about to take his oneyear old toddler to see his other children in Andros.

Noting the charges brought against the defendant had “no hallmarks of violence or egregious criminality,” he urged the magistrate to temper justice with mercy.

In response, Magistrate Forbes said if a person purposely provided fraudulent documents to travel, it

meant that they intended to jeopardise everybody they came in contact with on the flight as well as their own lives. Stating the offence was “nothing that could be taken lightly,” he adjourned the matter to April 7 to consider a suitable punishment.

Davis was released on $2,000 bail in the interim.

Yesterday, Requlla Smith, 41, who comes from George

Town, Exuma, appeared before Magistrate Forbes for the same offence.

She was arraigned minutes before Kevin Taylor, 23, Patrice Rolle, 37, and Rodesha Munnings, 24 — all residents of New Providence — who were also accused of using fake COVID tests to leave the capital on March 26 and 27.

All denied the allegations

MAN ‘GRABBED COP TO PROTECT HIM FROM DOGS’

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 34-YEAR-OLD who claimed he assaulted a police officer because he was trying to protect him from being attacked by the dogs in his yard was yesterday placed on probation for six months.

John Knowles was arrested after he assaulted Police Corporal 2500 Davis when the officer came to his residence to inform him of his eviction on March 26.

He admitted the offence during his hearing before

Senior Magistrate Derence Rolle Davis.

The court was told Knowles’ landlord asked Cpl Davis to come to the residence to evict Knowles.

The prosecution said when Cpl Davis was about to serve the summons on the accused, he grabbed hold of the officer’s shirt and sleeve.

Although he was warned to let go, Knowles continued to hold onto the officer’s uniform. He was subsequently arrested and charged.

Yesterday, he told the magistrate he only held officer Davis by his shirt as he was leaving because there were a lot of dogs in his yard and

he was trying to prevent him from walking in the front yard and getting attacked by the animals. He stated that he knew the officer after coming in and out of the court system and insisted he never intended to hurt him.

In response, Magistrate Rolle Davis said the officer would not have known what was going on in Knowles’ mind. As a result, he accepted his guilty plea and placed him on six months’ probation.

He warned Knowles if he failed to be of good behaviour within that time frame, he would be sentenced to one month behind bars.

and their cases were adjourned to July 28 for trial. Smith, Taylor, Rolle and Munnings were each granted $2,000 bail.

Yesterday, two more Andros residents and a Nassau man appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt to answer to the fake COVID test charges.

Samuel Colebrooke, 24, a 17-year-old girl, and Edroy Rolle, 30, pleaded guilty and their cases were adjourned to April 1 for the presentation of the prosecution’s facts and sentencing. They were all released on bail.

Yesterday, they were arraigned alongside Janae Jolly, 25, who denied the allegations. Her case was also adjourned to April 1 to determine bail. Jolly was remanded into custody.

Two more Nassauvians appeared before the chief magistrate; however, witnesses were not listed on the court dockets and the magistrate said as the accused “were not properly before the court” she would not have them enter pleas.

They return to court on April 15 to be formally charged. Both were granted $3,500 bail.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, March 30, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Moya lit a fire in me and others which has never gone out

W

HEN I was a youngster attending Temple Christian Primary School, I had an art teacher that sparked an interest and creativity in me that has stuck with me throughout life.

Because of the foundation that Moya Strachan laid with her students in art, many of them still use their creativity in some way, no matter what professional field they engage in. She made you see art as a natural extension of yourself; something that everyone can do. I have created arts and crafts throughout my life, and I have had the opportunity to display and sell my pieces through the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) and the Ministry of Tourism.

Recently, I took up a six week art course with Moya Strachan and Pauline Baker. As I reconnected with my childhood teacher, she shared her great desire to see Bahamian art and culture elevated and expanded nationally.

“I would like to see the creation of a Bahamas National Arts Center, one that promotes the art and the culture of our people,” she shared.

“The Bahamas National Arts Center would have, of course, a theatre, an fine arts museum, and dance, music, drama, writing, film, culinary and visual arts schools.

“Dance studios, music studios and art studios will be housed. Students training in high school and university students, including those returning from abroad would be able to put on performances for Bahamian and international audiences. I would also like to see more cultural performances and bands back in the hotels, as well as more Bahamian produced movies and programmes on television.”

She remembers venues and events that actively promoted Bahamian culture such as the Drum Beat Club, The King

ABOVE: Moya displaying her artwork at the Bahamas National Trust Wine and Art Festival.

LEFT: Moya depicts the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band opening the National Family Island Regatta in this painting.

and Knights Club, Goombay Festival, Jumbey Village, The Drop Off, Count Bernadino’s club, The Family Island Lounge, The Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts. There were many places to enjoy a Bahamian live band and artists, such as Blind Blake, The Falcons, Kenny and the Beach Boys, Ronnie Butler and the Ramblers, Tony Seymour, Ezra and the Polka Dots, the Deep Changer, The Soulful Groovers, KB and the Sweet Sensations, Jay Mitchell, Bahamen, Visage and Ambassah. Junkanoo, she added, is one of our biggest outward, traditional, artistic expressions of Bahamian culture in music, dance, art and performance which must be cherished and preserved.

There were days when Bahamian pride was strong and the culture was prized but now, as a teacher, Moya finds that students often ask her, ‘What exactly is Bahamian

culture?’

“I would then have to explain that culture is the way we live, our music, our art, the way we speak, how we dress, our religious beliefs, what we eat and what we do generally as a people,” she told me.

“As an art educator for over three decades, it has been my mandate to promote Bahamian culture to my students. I shared stories of my life and Bahamian history. I believe in empowering students with the skills needed to become innovative creators themselves. One of the first things I have them realize is that God is the greatest Artist and He has blessed them with such an awesome creative mind and environment so they could become an artist too.”

Over the course of 35 years, she has taught at Temple Christian Schools, Xavier’s Lower School, LN

Private Memorial Service For Samuel Alphon Francis, 60

of Carmichael Road who died on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 will be held on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, 11:00 am at The Lutheran Church of Nassau, John F. Kennedy Drive.

Officiating will be Rev. Samuel Boodle. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road.

Left to cherish his fond memories are his beloved mother, Trained Clinical Nurse Marianna Francis; children, Anastasia, O’neil and Renaldo Francis; siblings, Dr. Lorraine Lambert, Ivan Francis, Sheral Barr, Gaylene Johnson, Marcus and Deno Francis; special friend, Carmy Ingraham; granduncle, Melvin Symonette; uncles, Retired Police Inspector Rudley Hudson, Milton and Vitalien TimotheeFrancis Beaugane Timothee and Rosenbart Menard; aunts, Iris Hudson, Idalia Timothee-Menard and Grace McPhee; brother-in-law, Ibriham Mugahid; sisters-in-law, Tami Culmer-Francis and Dr. Krista Walkes-Francis; nieces and nephews, Garnell Storr, Ivaneccia Smith, Tammara Francis, Jana Stubbs, Devon Francis, Yahminah and Munirah Mugahid and Diamond Demeritte; cousins, Dr. Ethel Moss, Derek, Nicola, Quincy, Maxwell and Valencia Hudson, Petra Koltz, Alecia Dean, Eddie Hanna, Lorraine and Nattie Francis, Jestina Harris, Ismae Bain-Francis, Medonne Saint Louis, Turenne Jean Pierre, Christina Sanon, Bodelet Timothee, Sophia Hilaire, Sonja Accius, Christine Bullard, Ingrid Delva, Troy Hall, Veronica Bain, Lynette Albury, Wenzel Cooper, Sandra Gojkovic, Monique Bain-Sylvester, Petique, Michelle, Ricardo and Lincoln Bain, Livingston, Tommy, Tirell, Gary and Derek Timothy, Dr. Deborah Nixon Symonette, Marvelette Cox, Ophilia Parker, Ellis and Mario Moxey; other relatives and friends: Vernita Gardiner, Freddie Armbrister, Earl Forbes, Vivia Symonette, Rev Vernice Bain and Family, Kendall Rahming, Kevin Jolly, Demetrius Kemp, Leonard, Frederick and Marva Smith, Eugene and Steve Collie, Donn Thompson & Family, Graylon Marshall Keith Richards, Roland Goffe, Joycelyn Moss, Thomas Minns and Family, Gregory Baker, Stanford and Carlos Sturrup, Roy, Charles and Kenny Harris, Ruth Moss and Family, Maybelline Hemmings and Family, The Johnson and Rolle Families, Cathleen Rahming and Family, Roland McPhee, The Hamiltons, Cornelius and Gerald Gray, Ellie Johnson and Family, Leroy Brooks and the Ministry of Education Security Staff, Ruthellen Bowleg, Urvan Moxey, Kaylana Bouier, Alice Bonaby, Deon Cox, Big Apple Academy, Port International Ltd., Moore Avenue Clan, Zee Bandits, Valley Boys and the Golden Gates Community. Special Thanks: Reverend Samuel Boodle and the Lutheran Church of Nassau, Rev Dr. Stanley Ferguson and the Free Community Ministries, Pastor Jay Simms and The Family of Christian Life Church.

Viewing will be held in the Legacy Suite of Vaughn O. Jones Memorial Center, Mt. Royal Avenue and Talbot Street on (TODAY) Tuesday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.

Coakley High School, DW Davis, CI Gibson High School. She is currently teaching at Queen’s College. She notes that the country is filled with “truly super-talented, creative, innovative, and artistic students. However, support from the parents, Bahamian public, and the government to promote our culture is minimal, she said.

Moya has hosted art exhibitions for her students where the parents hardly came out to see their own child’s work. As the coordinator of the National Family Island Regatta Art Exhibition one year, she recalls approaching a government official with an invitation to come and view the work on display by the kids all over Exuma, and the invitation was refused.

“Moving forward as a nation, we have to make a commitment to preserve our culture and instill in our kids the importance of understanding what truly makes us Bahamian,” she advised.

“Tell the children the stories of our past. Share with them the skills and knowledge that our ancestors have passed on. Let them not be made ashamed of what we eat, our music, our ways, our speech and the glorious beauty of our islands. We are truly blessed!”

Moya told me of childhood days that were times that helped to shape children in national pride and Bahamian identity. She grew up in the Farrington Road area. As I interview people who were raised in this area, as well as Chippingham, Nassau Street, and Bain and Grants Towns, I often hear them recall their childhood days fondly, with similar activities that brought children together as they spent more time outside than inside.

She was the fourth child of Joyce and Fred Strachan (her father is deceased). She grew up in their home on Farrington Road directly behind Carol’s Food Store with her siblings Gail, Gregory, Janey and Huey.

“Farrington Road had many happy childhood memories for me, playing with my friends, listening to music, and dancing and making and inventing stuff were always my childhood joys,” she recalled.

“I played rounders in the streets and I loved to climb the big dilly tree in our front yard. I played hopscotch, ring play, and I loved to shoot marbles in the dirt. I played jacks and sevens, and making paper dolls were some of my favorite pastimes. I was always imaginative and creative. In our spare time I was never bored. We ate fruits from the neighbourhood as they came into season, like guinep, tamarind, juju, coconut, sugar apple, soursop, hog plum, seagrapes, coco plum, cherries and more. I constructed houses out of old boxes to play in, and crocheted and knitted doll clothes out of socks and pieces of cloth. My friends on my street were a huge part of all the excitement of living in Farrington Road. They were always fun and innovative.

The boys made cars from old wheels and discarded pieces of wood, and they used a rim and a wire hanger to make a rolling toy to race in the street. We all skated and rode bikes. We also made nets and caught tadpoles and went fishing. We were a real example of a typical “Bahamian community”. When our car moved out the yard to go we as kids, we always saw to it that our friends went, too.

The same went for going to the beach with Mrs Johnson.

She had to fill her car with the neighbours’ kids too. We had lots of happy times... and

then there were some solemn, tragic events that are very memorable to this day.

“One of the biggest events in Farrington Road as a community back then was the fire at Carol’s Foodstore. We were happy that our home was not burned because we lived so close. Despite the fact that the burning of Carol’s Foodstore was tragic, as a community it united us too. There, we collected Coca Cola covers to go to the movies together, walked through Big Pond to go to Jumbey Village as a group, woke up in the very early morning to march with my cousins to take costumes to Junkanoo and then rushed all the way back home with them. I also remember walking to church on Sunday mornings to St Joseph’s Catholic Church; it was also a time to greet and walk with another set of friends and family that shared our faith.”

She attended the Cathedral School Downtown, Nassau, which later became St John’s Preparatory School. By the time

“MAMA” - Moya’s painting of Vera Maud Bethel of High Rock, Andros from a photo from Kelly Bethel-Moss. she was ten years old, Moya and her family moved to a new homestead in Joan’s Heights, South Beach. When it was time for high school, Moya was able to go to her ‘dream school’ St Augustine’s College, where her elder siblings had gone.

“The great SAC... I had finally got an opportunity to be a student at such a great institution,” she mused.

“Yes, it was everything a high school should be! There in the 8th grade, I decided I wanted to be an art teacher.

In grade 8 I painted two horses that my art teacher, Mrs Pauline Barker, thought was so great, it was placed on display for the school’s anniversary on Paradise Island.

At St Augustine’s College, I choreographed skits and performed them, I played netball, field hockey, volleyball and participated in various clubs.

Every day at school was exciting. We had awesome teachers and a super principal, Mr Leviticus Adderley, who spent some evenings dropping home students in his car after a game. A man I would always admire, kind, stern, caring and a person who leads by being an example.”

Another male authority figure in her life became her mentor that helped to shape her character: “Deacon Peter Rahming of the Church of the Resurrection was a real mentor to me. He exemplified the example of a Godly man. As for churches, South Beach gave me the opportunity to visit and attend many other churches, Baptist Bible, Church of God of Prophecy with the Musgroves, Calvary Bible with Jack and Audrey Adams, missionaries from Joy Bible and many others, too many to mention. In Joan’s Heights we became close friends with a lot of our neighbours. Joy Bible Mission played a crucial role in my life. At Joy Bible I was a Camp Counselor and Sunday

School Teacher. Audrey and Jack Adams had a great influence on my Christian growth with the many Bible studies that were held at camp. I became a Christian at age 11 at Baptist Bible. I went up for a few altar calls then I finally came to the realization that I was truly saved. I acquired that faith in believing that once you were in the palms of God’s hands, no power on Earth could possibly take you out, not even me myself.”

After graduating from St. Augustine’s, Moya attended Abilene Christian University where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts.

Years later, she would also achieve her Diploma in Education from the College of The Bahamas. In addition to teaching, Moya was involved in many other facets of art and culture. She was makeup consultant with Aloette, and the Director of Model Management Modelling Agency, founded by Byron Coley and Florence Angole.

She travelled with models to various Family Islands to put on fashion shows.

As an agency they modelled weekly Androsia at The British Colonial Hotel, The Grand Hotel, The Ambassador Beach Hotel, The Ministry of Tourism Tea Parties at Government House, The Ocean Club and The Balmoral Hotel.

She was Chairman of Exuma Junkanoo Committee, A Member of the National Family Island Regatta Committee, Player/Coach of the Exuma Netball Team for the Bahamas Games, President of Yuma Arts Exuma, President of the Art Educators of the Bahamas and organizer of the Art Educator’s Exhibition “Kaleidoscope”.

She has also worked with some of the top fashion designers of the Bahamas such as Jeffery Taylor, Shane Rolle, Bryan Sherman, Jeffery St John, Brynda Knowles, Rachel Garcia, Hal Taylor, Sabrina Francis, Percy Wallace, Judy Deleveaux and many others with the Quality Fabrics Designer of the year show.

As an artist, Moya creates paintings of the natural beauty of the Bahamian environment – the flora and fauna, the vast animal life of our sea, air and land and aspects of the culture of our Bahamian people. Her work has been on display in many art exhibitions over the years. The two annual exhibitions she was always a part of include the Wine and Art Festival at the Bahamas National Trust in the fall and the Art and Wine event that was held at the Poop Deck West in the spring. The Art and Wine event was discontinued, unfortunately, but she still exhibits with the National Trust.

“Transforming Spaces is a fantastic, successful annual event where many of our artists participate, which gives them a stage to showcase Bahamian art - not just locally but also globally,” she said.

“As an artist and art educator, I am still at the view that our Bahamian art could be even more visible. The Central Bank of the Bahamas, The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, RBC Finco, and numerous liquor stores have supported the arts in the Bahamas in many ways over the years. I am always happy to see the many other galleries that have been promoting the visual arts in the Bahamas.”

With the establishment of a Bahamas National Arts Centre, she said, Bahamians could make an even greater impact around the world, as we see them doing, once given the opportunity, in so many other aspects of life.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 30, 2021, PAGE 9

A giant cargo ship isn’t the first to find trouble in the Suez

VACCINES AND VIGILANCE HAVING written last week about the coronavirus vaccines, I hesitate to return to the subject today. But the rollout of a vaccination programme is such an important issue that I think it is worth drawing attention again to the success of the programme so far here in The Bahamas.

From all I hear - and, as I mentioned last time, from personal experience of receiving the first dose - the rollout has been well organised by the Ministry of Health with the assistance and effective participation of Rotary and is being carried out with impressive efficiency.

After an unnecessarily slow start in procuring vaccines, The Bahamas is bound to be behind some other countries in the region in organising its own programme. But clearly there has been good progress already and everybody must hope the momentum will build up as the programme continues in the coming weeks.

I reported last time about the similar success of the vaccine rollout in Britain.

Having begun there in early December, there has been good progress and the latest figures show that 30 million have received a first dose.

Even though there is a long way to go in vaccinating as many people as are willing to take the vaccine here in The Bahamas - and there has been a worrying increase of COVID-19 cases in the past week - it might nonetheless be interesting to look at Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s most recent pronouncements about plans for easing COVID-19 restrictions in case there are any lessons to be learnt from experience there which we might be able to use here at home.

He said at the weekend that he could see nothing in the latest data to dissuade him from continuing along the route of the government’s so-called ‘road map’ in an effort to remove all local limits on social contact and unlock the UK economy. The official guidance is COVID-19 remains a serious threat across the country and social distancing measures should remain

in force as necessary. One in three people who have the virus have no symptoms so there is a danger of their spreading it unwittingly. But new data shows vaccines have prevented thousands of deaths in older adults.

Generally, restrictions are easing across the UK. But the government’s strong advice is everyone should remain vigilant in case of a new spiral, though the difference this time is that any rise should - in the Prime Minister’s own words - be “sufficiently mitigated” by the successful vaccine rollout. Nonetheless, with the emergence of new strains and more cases in other countries like Germany, the legal curbs on non-essential travel will remain so that people will not be allowed to leave the UK without a valid reason.

On present plans, there should be no more restrictions in Britain after June 21 when all legal limits on social contact will be removed. Meanwhile, schools were reopened on March 8, and yesterday the stay-at-home rules were ended so that people can meet outside and outdoor sports facilities can be reopened – and this is now being called the ‘first day of freedom’!

On April 12, non-essential retailers will be allowed to reopen - as will, for example, libraries and museums, gyms and spas.

Furthermore, pubs and restaurants will be permitted to open out-of- doors and then,

by May 17, indoors as well when theatres and cinemas can also reopen. The government has said, however, that all of this will depend on the vaccination programme going according to plan and infection rates remaining low.

Perhaps this last condition about the rollout of vaccines is the key one for us here in The Bahamas as well. So the next few weeks of the vaccination programme will be critical, with the speed of the rollout a major factor. We surely ought to bear in mind, too, that evidence of having been vaccinated will almost certainly be required for those who wish to travel outside the country.

PRIDE RESTORED IN THE SOUTHERN SEAS A QUARTER of a century after the Suez disaster, another British military adventure - but one which ended in triumph - was the successful campaign directed by a Conservative government led by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to retake the Falkland Islands after Argentina invaded and occupied them on April 2, 1982. These remote islands, with a population of under 3,000, had been administered by Britain for some 150 years.

On the anniversary this week of these momentous events, it might be interesting to take a brief look at what happened in a conflict which for many is now long forgotten.

Britain reacted forcefully to the attack on its sovereign territory. The Islanders were fiercely opposed to any Argentine interference in their lives, but bilateral talks with Argentina about the future of the Falklands were taking place, and this made the invasion all the more unexpected. A naval task force was quickly sent and British armed forces landed on the islands on May 21.

After fierce fighting, the

Argentines surrendered on June 14. But the price paid was high in terms of casualties. During a conflict lasting seventy-four days, six British warships were sunk, 255 British and 649 Argentine military personnel were killed and many on both sides were wounded.

Among numbers of Argentine aircraft and ships lost, the cruiser, the General Belgrano, was sunk, with heavy loss of life, by a British nuclear-powered submarine.

Three Islanders also died during the hostilities.

Despite Argentina’s longstanding claim to what it calls the Malvinas - situated some 320 miles from its southern coast - as I understand it, the British government remains clear about the status of the Falklands as a legitimate overseas territory.

I am, of course, not privy to current policy in London, but I am certain Britain continues to support the principle of self-determination contained in the United Nations Charter and accepts its obligation to respect and protect the interests of the Islanders, who, in a referendum in

2013, voted by an overwhelming majority (99.8 per cent) to maintain the status quo and remain under British rule.

Working in the then Foreign and Commonwealth Office on policy in relation to the reconstruction and redevelopment of the Falklands after the conflict, I was fortunate to have been able to make a familiarisation visit there in 1986. It was a fascinating but sobering experience which left a sense of pride that one’s own country was prepared to stand up to international aggression in the way it did in order to protect so few.

The government in Buenos Aires has made it clear that its claim to the Falklands remains as strong as ever, though it seeks to pursue this by peaceful means. However, there can be no certainty that force will not be tried again. But, if there were another invasion, it is now reported that, with continuing cuts in UK defence spending, there are doubts whether it would be possible to take back the Islands once more.

THE extended images over the past days of a giant container ship run aground in the Suez Canal has captured international attention amid disbelief that such a thing could happen. But this new focus on the most important shipping lane in the world will also be a reminder that mention of the word ‘Suez’ means to historians, in the first instance, the crisis of 1956 when Britain, France and Israel conspired to invade Egypt following its nationalisation of the canal.

For the past week, the Japanese-owned and Panama-flagged 200,000-ton and 1,300-foot-long vessel, Ever Given, which is carrying hundreds of containers, has been blocking one of the world’s busiest waterways that is the shortest link between Asia and Europe. About 50 vessels pass through the canal daily with some 12 percent of global trade traffic. At the time of writing, there is news that the vessel has been successfully pulled free and is slowly being towed through the canal.

To the man in the street, the navigational hazard of taking one of the largest container ships in the world through the Suez Canal looks to be daunting. The owners claim it was blown off course by high winds and became wedged across the canal. But what is hard to realize is the extent of the knock-on effect of the log jam of hundreds of other ships now stuck at both ends of the waterway and the delays created.

This has been sufficiently serious for commentators to describe the blockage as a ‘major macroeconomic shock for Europe’ as some international trade could come to a standstill. The delays will have disrupted global supply chains for everything from oil and grain to cars and a range of manufactured goods. Reportedly, suppliers and manufacturers rely on ‘just-in-time’ deliveries in order to avoid stock piling parts, so finelytuned supply chains have been affected by the delays

The Peter Young column as have scheduled manufacturing lines. If the blockage had been prolonged, carriers would have been forced to divert vessels around the Cape of Good Hope despite extra costs and fresh delays.

In the midst of all this, some people may be unaware of the history of the Suez Canal as a symbol of Egyptian sovereignty and nationalism as well as being a major source of revenue and foreign currency. In 1956, a crisis developed with the Anglo-French invasion in reaction to Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser’s nationalisation of the canal which up to then had been largely controlled by Britain and France. He claimed to have done this in order to charge tolls to pay for the construction of the Aswan Dam on the River Nile; and historians generally agree that the Suez crisis - also known as the Second ArabIsraeli war - was precipitated in part by America’s and Britain’s earlier decision not to finance this.

In describing the crisis in his memoirs, former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan wrote that rarely in Britain’s affairs did disputes arise that were so fundamental that they produced serious rifts and divisions within the nation. But two examples have been the appeasement policies of Neville Chamberlain in the

1930s and the Suez conflict.

What caused so much controversy over Suez was that it became known that Britain and France had been plotting military action to regain control of the canal and, if possible, to depose Nasser.

They had secretly connived with Israel which attacked Sinai, giving Anglo-French forces a pretext to bomb Egyptian bases and to attack Port Said on the dubious grounds that they were separating the combatants (Israel and Egypt).

The US, whom Britain had failed to consult in advance, strongly opposed this action - apparently on the grounds that it was an unjustified post-colonial show of force - and even teamed up with the USSR to lead international condemnation and a demand for a ceasefire and immediate withdrawal of all the forces engaged.

The result was that within weeks Britain and France had no option but to withdraw. Amid accusations of collusion and the misuse of military power in attacking Egypt, the British Prime Minister, Anthony Eden, was forced to resign and there was a serious breach in Anglo-American relations.

In Britain itself, many considered the attack had been an illegitimate use of force, not least because of the duplicity of the Eden government in secretly plotting with France and Israel. But others saw it as the right response to Egypt’s hostile action in nationalising the canal with support from the Soviet Union which was increasing its influence in the Middle East. In his retirement from public life, Winston Churchill issued at the time a statement of support for the invasion but later declared it to have been ‘illconceived and ill-executed’ and that the Americans should have been consulted.

As it was, Eden had profoundly underestimated the strength of US opposition.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, March 30, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Memorial Service For

Leonard John Dames, Sr, MBE, 92 affectionately called “Skeeter”

of No.50 Fifth Street, Coconut Grove will be held on Thursday, 1st April, 2021, 11:00 a.m. at No. 63 Mission Baptist Church, Hay & East Streets. Officiating will be Reverend Doctor Rueben E. Cooper, Jr. assisted by other Ministers of the Gospel. Interment will be held at Western Cemetery, Nassau Street Family and Friends may pay their last respects at No. 63 Mission Baptist Church, Hay and East Streets on Wednesday, 31st March, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

You are invited to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Elder Leonard Dames Homegoing Service Time: Apr 1, 2021 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Meeting ID: 814 0159 6454 Passcode: 002914 Precious memories will linger in the hearts of his devoted and dedicated wife of 64 years: Mother Dorothy Dames; children: Franklyn Dames, Unajane Allen, Cyprianna Saunders, Leonard Jr., Donald, and Amos Sr. Dames, Crystal Roach and Randolph Dames; grandchildren: Dhalia, Dayna and Dmitri Dames, Dr. Lonelle and Uri Butler, Larissa Delancy, Daniel Clarke, Schivano and Schrone Saunders, Gianno Clarke, Jonathan, Javano, Jaden, Josiah and Leonard III Dames, Indera Major, Joshua, Justin, Daniella, Amos Jr., and Amon Dames and Evette Roach; great grandchildren: Loneal Butler, Gabriel Delancy, D’Mari Saunders, Jayla and Aziza Dames; daughter-In-law: Tamara Dames; sons-inlaw: James Allen, Leroy Saunders and Everette Roach; adopted sons: Reverend Dr. James Rahming and Reverend Dr. Hubert Fowler; adopted daughters: Almetta Culmer, Monique Curry and Violet Gray; sisters: Zilla Rolle and Marjorie “Dolly” Saunders; brothers-inlaw: Charles Butler and Maxwell Johnson; sisters-in-law: Mary and Ruthmae Dames, Edna Rolle, Kathleen Demeritte, Rosetta Johnson, Coralee and Virginia Butler.

Nephews (Dames’ Genealogy): Arthur, Benjamin Jr. Ulysses and Ludwig Rolle, Pastor Greg Bullard, Huel, Alvin and Leslie Dames, Clifford and Brian Strachan Gregory, Arthur, Ernie and Michael Dames, Kenneth Jr., Cecil, Marvin, Clevon and Devard Dames, Minister Lamont, Ethan and Jenson Saunders, David Johnson, Clifford, Perry, Greg and Billy Dames; Nephews (Butler Genealogy): James, Michael and Edward Demeritte, Julian and Dereck Butler, Cardinal, Yorick, Don, Antonio and Angelo Butler, Van Dyke and Tito Butler and Echendu Nwanodi.

Nieces (Dames Genealogy): Melita Bullard, Valeria Major, Shirlene Rolle, Queenie Stubbs, Gretchen and Joanne Rolle, Heather Humes, Wendy Lee, Minister Pearl Dames, Cheryl Johnson, Carol Hardemon, Cleora Ferguson, Rosemary Wildgoose, Karen Dames, Jenevy Coppe, Marilyn Dames, Pamela Gorte, Lerice Moss, Eleanor Strachan, Patrice Curtis, Shenna Ferguson, Ernestine Young, Beth, Audrey, Carlette and Lavon Dames, Pearl Rolle, Denovia Sears and Renata Dames, Denise Whitfield, Keva Newbold and Deborah Saunders, Sabrina Dames, Carolyn Nixon, Roslyn McGillis, Dorothy Miller and Willamae Rolle.

Nieces (Butler Genealogy): Una Elaine Butler, Patricia Bethell, Albertha Hall, Azuka Huyler, Donna Demeritte, Carles Williams, Kayla Brown, Virginia Thurston, Aubrianna, Suzanne, Sherry, and Donell Butler, Una Maria Bain, Madia and Bernadette Butler, Valerie Gibson, Janet DeBarros, Amaranna Maycock, Alicia Johnson, Melanie Butler and Tammy Burton, Valencia Swain, TerryJo Deveaux, Charmaine Greene, Tanya and Desiree Johnson, Lisa, Lydia and Jennice Johnson Other Relatives and Special Friends: Georgette Dames, Ingrid McKenzie, Shantell Dames, Judymae Hanna, Eulean Sands, Lorraine Rolle, Rodney and Charlene Davis, Glenn and Valarie Miller, Attorney Nathaniel Cooper, Minister Sonia Marshall, Reno Dean, Patsy Ferguson, Ena Mackey, Family of the Late Benjamin Franklyn Rolle, Family of the Late Annuella Bullard, Family of the Late Nancy Butler, and Family of the Late Marietta Thompson Dedicated Caregivers: Ruby Manalo and Shaun Wynter We express our gratitude to: Dr. Dionne Dames Rahming and Team, Dr. Sharmaine Butler, Dr. Joyous Pickstock and the staff of Faith Dental Centre, Dr. Lynwood Brown, Dr. Nicole Adderley, Dr. Kezia Dillet, Physicians and Nurses of Accident and Emergency, and Physicians and Nurses of the Private Medical Ward Princess Margaret Hospital.

Church Families: Pastor Rueben E Jr. and Mrs. Daphne Cooper, Reverend Dr Charles E. Saunders, Dr. Rubyann Cooper Darling and the Mission Baptist Church Family, Bishop Neil C. and Lady Patrice Ellis, Minister Chisholm and the Evangelism Team and Mt. Tabor Church Family, Rev. Dr. William and Reverend Betty Thompson and Faith United Missionary Baptist Church Family, Reverend Dr. Charles E. and Reverend Laverne Rolle and Mt Nebo Union Baptist Church Family, Rev. Dr. Timothy and Mrs. Sharon Stewart, Rev. Kendal and Attorney Ruby Nottage, Pastor and Mrs. Franklyn McKenzie and the Remnant Hope of Churches in Exuma, Rev. Dr. John S. and Mrs. Betty Rolle and Mt. Olive Baptist Church Family Hartswell, Exuma, Bishop Arnold and Minister Vernita Josey and Commonwealth Baptist Church family, Pastor Alonzo Jr and Minister Monique Hinsey and the Golden Gates Native Baptist Church, Reverend Ivan and Minister Ruthann Rolle and Comfort House Ministries family, Reverend James and Minister Williamae Curry and Family, Elder Nazel Johnson and Family, Elder Barbara Rolle and Family, Rev. Enos Musgrove Sr. and St. Matthew’s Union Baptist Church Family, Reverend Joseph Zonicle and the New Providence Baptist Church family, Bishop Ian Brathwaite and Prophetess Braithwaite and Holy Dove Baptist Church Family, Reverend Arlington and Karen Rahming, and the Christian Discipleship Ministries International Family, and the Churches of the Bahamas Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention.

Extended Family: Calvin and Kenva Adderley and Family, Aaron and Marion Rolle and Family, Wilfred and Justina Rolle and Family, Family of the Late Rev. George and Leah Strachan, Family of the Late Rev. Cephas and Esterlene Rolle, Family of the Late Isaiah and Keva Rolle, Family of the Late Alfred Bullard, Family of the Late Samuel and Leanna Rolle, Family of the Late Ruben and Jersua Rolle, Family of the Late Clarence and Rowena Rolle, Family of the Late Wilmore and Silvia Rolle, Family of the Late Haram Rolle, Family of the Late Gean and Carmetta Rolle, Family of the Late Rev. Elijah Rolle, Family of the Late Florence Rolle, Family of the Late Beatrice Thompson, Family of the Late Cleomi Rolle, Family of the Late Zephaniah Bullard, Family of the Late Horace and Hester Rolle, and the entire Rolle Town, Hartswell, Exuma communities and Cays and The Exuma Taxi Association.

Other Relatives and Friends: Ruth Hamilton and Family, Barbara Rolle and Family, Yvonne McKenzie and Family, Heather Armbrister and Family, Jacqueline Dean and Family, Rosemary Coakley and Family, Families of the Late Cleophas and Rosmond Tucker and Families of the late Harcourt and Florestina Gibson, Families of the Late Bertram Bullard and Family, Timeko Campbell, Gregory and Nathan Hanna, Ruthmae Davis and Family, Lillian Perry and Family, Ingrid and Wayne Finley, Dame Marguerite Pindling and Family, Hon. Arthur D. Hanna, Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham, Hon. Perry G. Christie, Rev. Dr. Cynthia “Mother” Pratt, Hon. Phillip “Brave” Davis, Chester Cooper M.P., Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin, M.P., and Michael Halkitis Sporting Community: Cyril “Peepsight” Johnson, Alpheaus “Hawk” Finlayson, Mike Sands, Shervin Stuart, Fred Sturrup, The Bahamas Athletic Association, and the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture Tourism and Hospitality Partners: Oswald Marshall, Hazel Chipman, Prescola Allen, Family of the Late Charles Knowles, Family of the Late Bartholomew Bastian, Family of the Late Joseph Blyden, Family of the Late Melvin Forbes, Staff of the Former Sheraton British Colonial Hotel #1 Bay Street and Staff of the Former Thatch Hut Restaurant Paradise Island Bahamas Taxi Cab Union Partners: Oswald Nixon, Leon Griffin, Louise Grant, Philip Watkins, Arthur Brennen, James and Evangeline Lewis, Family of the Late Benjamin and Christine Humes, Family of the Late Oralee Butler.

Coconut Grove Community Family: Ms. Myrtis Beneby and Family, Ms. Myrtle Murphy and Family, Franklyn and Orlean Ferguson and Family, Mrs. Emma Pickstock and Family, Bishop Albert Hepburn and Family, Gary and Sherry Hamilton and Family, Tony and Marsha Mitchell and Family, The Morley Family, The Minns Family, Randolph Curtis and Family, The Ingraham Family, Dr. Zelrona Mackey and Family, The Coleby Families, The Ferguson Family, The Dean Family, The Bodie Family, The Davis Family, Randolph and Jerry Ferguson and Family, The Lloyd Family, The Cooper Family, The Farquharson Family, The Strachan Family, The Cargill Family, The Family of the Late Zac Curry, The Family of the Late Ormond Butler, The Family of the Late Cecil and Clarice Rose, The Family of the Late Olive Butler, The Family of the Late Melvin and Natalie Hutchinson, The Family of the Late Elder Marie McSweeney, The Family of the Late Octavius and Sister Daisy Brennen, The Family of the Late Solomon Campbell, The Family of the Late Leroy Glass, The Family of the Late Harold and Jean King and the entire Coconut Grove community especially the Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth and Street Families. There are many other survivors and friends too numerous to mention.

May His Soul Rest In Peace!

IN this photo released by Suez Canal Authority, the Ever Given, a Panama-flagged cargo ship, is accompanied by Suez Canal tugboats as it moves in the Suez Canal, Egypt, yesterday.

CANAL REOPENS AFTER CARGO SHIP FREED SUEZ, Egypt Associated Press

SALVAGE teams yesterday finally freed the colossal container ship stuck for nearly a week in the Suez Canal, ending a crisis that had clogged one of the world’s most vital waterways and halted billions of dollars a day in maritime commerce.

A flotilla of tugboats, helped by the tides, wrenched the bulbous bow of the skyscraper-sized Ever Given from the canal’s sandy bank, where it had been firmly lodged since March 23.

The tugs blared their horns in jubilation as they guided the Ever Given through the water after days of futility that had captivated the world, drawing

scrutiny and social media ridicule.

“We pulled it off!” said Peter Berdowski, CEO of Boskalis, the salvage firm hired to extract the Ever Given.

Navigation in the canal resumed at 6pm, said Lt Gen Osama Rabei, head of the Suez Canal Authority, adding that the first ships that were moving carried livestock.

CDC chief ‘scared’ of ‘impending doom’ from virus WASHINGTON Associated Press PRESIDENT Joe Biden and a top health official warned yesterday that too many Americans are declaring virus victory too quickly, appealing for mask requirements and other restrictions to be maintained or restored to stave off a “fourth surge” of COVID-19. The head of the CDC said she had a feeling of “impending doom” if people keep easing off.

The double dose of warnings came even as Biden laid out hopeful new steps to expand coronavirus vaccinations, with all adults to become eligible over the next five weeks.

Biden announced plans to expand the number of retail pharmacies that are administering vaccines, and investments to help Americans get to vaccination sites. But the optimism was tempered by stark warnings about the potential for another wave of cases.

“This is deadly serious,” Biden said, urging governors to reinstate mask mandates and other restrictions that some states have been easing.

Hours earlier, during a virtual White House health briefing, Dr Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, grew emotional as she reflected on her experience treating COVID-19 patients who are alone at the end of their lives.

“We have so much to look forward to, so much promise and potential of where we are and so much reason for hope,” she said.

“But right now, I’m scared.”

“I’m going to lose the script, and I’m going to reflect on the recurring feeling I have of impending doom.”

Cases of the virus are up about ten percent over the past week from the previous week, to about 60,000 cases per day, with both hospitalisations and deaths ticking up as well, Walensky said. She warned that without immediate action the US could follow European countries into another spike in cases and suffer needless deaths.

“I have to share the truth, and I have to hope and trust you will listen,” she said.

Later, Biden addressed the nation from the White House, declaring, “If we let our guard down now, we can see the virus getting worse, not better. People are letting up on precautions, which is a very bad thing.”

Biden delivered a direct appeal to governors, state and local leaders to reinstate mask-wearing requirements if they have lifted them, and said he encouraged leaders to pause plans to further ease virus-related restrictions.

“Please, this is not politics, reinstate the mandate if you let it down,” he said.

Biden announced that by April 19 at least 90 percent of the adult US population would be eligible for vaccination — and would have access to a vaccination site within five miles of home.

Quick vaccination would still depend on supply.

Biden had previously directed that all states make all adults eligible for vaccination by May 1, but many have moved to lift eligibility requirements sooner

in anticipation of supply increases.

Meanwhile, the White House is moving to double the number of pharmacies participating in the federal retail pharmacy programme — which has emerged as among the most efficient avenues for administering vaccines — and increase the number of doses for them to deliver. Retail pharmacies are located relatively close to most Americans and have experience delivering vaccines like flu shots.

Biden announced that the US is expecting delivery of 33 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine this week — including 11 million of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot.

More than one in five adults and nearly 50 percent of senior American are fully vaccinated, according to data from the CDC. On Thursday, the US set new single-day record for shots in arms: more than 3.2 million.

“Now is not the time to let down,” Biden said.

“Now’s not the time to celebrate. It is time to do what we do best as a country: our duty, our jobs, take care of one another.”

“Fight to the finish,” he added. “Don’t let up now.”

Walensky and Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert. appealed to elected officials, community leaders and everyday Americans to maintain social distancing measures and mask wearing.

“We are doing things prematurely,” Fauci said, referring to moves to ease up on restrictions. Walensky appealed to Americans, “Just please hold on a little while longer.”

OBAMA’S STEP-GRANDMOTHER DIES, AGED 99 SARAH Obama, the matriarch of former US President Barack Obama’s Kenyan family has died, relatives and officials confirmed yesterday. She was at least 99 years old.

Mama Sarah was the step-grandmother of the former US president was fondly. She died while being treated at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral hospital in Kisumu.

“She died this morning. We are devastated,” Onyango said.

President Barack Obama said: “We will miss her dearly, but we’ll celebrate with gratitude her long and remarkable life.”

She will be buried today.

THEN US Senator Barack Obama, right, pictured in 2006 with his grandmother Sarah Obama in Kogelo village, western Kenya.

Photo: Sayyid Azim/AP