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The Tribune

Volume:114 No.91, MARCH 31ST, 2017

Weekend

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Burning wires are thought to have sparked dump blaze

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

AFTER more than three weeks of battling toxic smoke in the aftermath of the New Providence Landfill fire, Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett revealed yesterday that the massive blaze earlier this month was the result of thieves burning wires in search of copper.

Mr Dorsett told The Tribune yesterday that while a formal assessment has not been completed, government officials discovered wires in the area where they

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HANNA MARTIN ACCUSES AUDITOR OF GUESSWORK ON ROAD TRAFFIC

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

TRANSPORT and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin yesterday accused Auditor General Terrence Bastian of “guesstimating” while conducting his most recent audit of the Road Traffic Department (RTD), claiming that the department’s current proceeds “do not correlate” with its estimated annual revenue losses in Mr Bastian’s report.

SEE PAGE SIX

MINNIS: GOVT WASTED OUR VAT MONEY

believe the fire began, behind Epic Battery on Fire Trail Road.

He said based on what was found in that area, officials believe the culprits were burning the wires to extract copper. However, he said officials still have no leads on who was responsible for starting the blaze.

“There hasn’t been a formal assessment but the team went in the area where we know that the fire started,” he told The Tribune.

“They found wires basically from what we could see in the area where it started.

SEE PAGE FIVE

MONTANO AND GARLIN TO HEADLINE CUT-PRICE CARNIVAL

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rolle@tribunemedia.net

MACHEL Montano and Bunji Garlin, the Trinidadian singing stars, will headline this year’s Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, officials of the Bahamas National Festival Commission (BNFC) revealed yesterday.

BNFC CEO Roscoe Dames also said the event will be streamlined compared to past years because of financial constraints.

The government will re-

duce its subsidy to the festival by as much as 50 per cent.

Last year, taxpayers contributed about $8 million to the festival, which brought in $578,342 in revenue, costing more than $9.8m overall.

In 2015, the government spent $11.3m on the inaugural festival, going over its initial budget of $9m, with the rest covered by sponsors.

The first Junkanoo Carnival cost $12.9m overall.

SEE PAGE FIVE

FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis taking to the stage last night to speak at the candidate launch held on Arawak Cay. See page three for more.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net FREE National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr Hubert Minnis last night blasted Prime Minister Perry Christie’s explanation on

how his administration handled the $1.14bn in value added tax (VAT) revenue accumulated during 2015 and 2016, accusing the government of having a “pile of money” and wasting it.

Dr Minnis also pledged to introduce a “rent to own”

housing policy to help aspiring homeowners achieve their dreams, committed to putting air quality monitors in place and deal with oil slicks in waters off western New Providence, among other promises if elected to office.

He also poked fun at Mr Christie for appearing to recently fall asleep at a public event, saying: “How can we have a prime minister that when he speaks to investors, he falls asleep?”

SEE PAGE THREE

INMATES TO START MAKING SLOP BUCKETS STILL BEING LICENCE PLATES IN MAY USED AT FOX HILL PRISON

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE manufacturing of vehicle licence plates by inmates at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) is likely to begin by the first week in May, Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin announced yesterday.

Several inmates at the Fox Hill Road facility have already been identified as suitable candidates to participate and be paid for participating in the programme, according to officials, with 15 to 20 inmates expected to man the operation in its initial stages.

Particulars such as the wage scale for inmates, as SEE PAGE SIX

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE inhumane practice of “slopping” is still alive in the over-crowded maximum security block at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS), Fox Hill, according to Commissioner of Corrections Patrick Wright.

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told The Tribune yesterday that the practice of manually removing human waste from prison cells by bucket would continue indefinitely until there is a new maximum security facility. He responded to questions during a site visit to the Road Traffic Licence Plate Production Facility at the (BDCS).

SEE PAGE SIX

PAGE 2, Friday, March 31, 2017

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Friday, March 31, 2017, PAGE 3

THE SCENE on Arawak Cay last night as the FNM held its regional candidates launch for Vaughan Miller (Golden Isles), Frankie Campbell (Southern Shores), Marvin Dames (Mount Moriah) and Mark Humes (Fort Charlotte).

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

Minnis: Govt wasted our VAT money from page one Addressing a massive crowd of supporters gathered at Arawak Cay for the party’s western New Providence candidates launch, Dr Minnis warned that the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) had now resorted using “false stories” to discredit him in an effort to shift the public’s focus away from its inefficiencies in governance.

The Killarney MP told the exuberant crowd: “I see Christie saying he can account for the VAT money.

Well, let me say this. They collected about $1.4b in VAT money. They borrowed over $1.8b.

“So, I have to ask again: Where the VAT money gone? The PLP didn’t build a single school. Where the VAT money gone? They haven’t finished hospitals in the Family Islands. Where the VAT money gone?

“The PLP built no major infrastructure. Where the VAT money gone? They abandoned Grand Bahama and the Family Islands.

Where the VAT money gone? They did not double the national investment in education as they promised.

Where the VAT money gone? Roads across this island are filled with potholes and are in disrepair. Where the VAT money gone? If they get five more years, they will waste billions

more.”

He continued: “The PLP is so desperate that they’re lying about me. You see that untruthful ad on TV. It was the PLP who commenced a contract for office space for a company I owned.

Maybe the PLP should run an ad on PLPs like Allyson Maynard-Gibson and her conflicts-of-interests at Baha Mar. “Can you imagine that the very person who Christie is relying on to get a new deal at Baha Mar, had family business interests at the resort? This is the same PLP who gave contracts for construction at BAMSI to people who didn’t even legally qualify for these contracts.”

In addition to addressing the Christie administration handling of national revenue, Dr Minnis used a large section of his 20-minute address to detail the journey of his life from a Bain Town paper boy to one of the country’s prominent physicians, asserting that unlike Prime Minister Christie, who he branded as “entitled,” he understands the struggles and the stories of those striving for a better life.

Dr Minnis went on to label the senior members of the PLP as “arrogant elitists” who operate with a sense of entitlement.

“They think that only certain people from certain backgrounds can aspire to

SOME of those attending the FNM event at Arawak Cay last night. lead our Bahamas. They Mr Humes and Mr Campthink they are better than bell all addressed the qualme and you. They don’t ity of life in the communithink you and me should ties they hope to represent. even have certain dreams.

The candidates all They believe that only cer- launched poignant attacks tain well-connected people at their respective opposhould have access to cer- nents in the upcoming gentain opportunities,” he said. eral election, with Mr HuThursday’s mass rally of- mes calling return of former ficially launched the candi- Attorney General Alfred dacies of Southern Shores Sears in the Fort Charlotte candidate Frankie Camp- constituency a “tale of a vibell, Fort Charlotte candi- sionless leader wanting andate Mark Humes, Golden other shot at glory.”

Isles candidate Vaughn Meanwhile, Mr CampMiller, Mount Moriah can- bell took current Environdidate Marvin Dames and ment Minister Kenred DorDr Minnis’ bid in Killarney. sett to task over his inability For their parts, Mr Miller, to improve environmental

conditions of those he represented, going as far as insinuate that Mr Dorsett has spent the last five years only aiding residents when the opportunity offered some form of political notoriety.

Mr Miller, in spirited address, called on the residents of Golden Isles to walk with him on a journey that he said, would result in them having their “voices maximised” in the House of Assembly.

Presented as the party’s “heavy hitter” of the night, Mr Dames used his address to “hold the government to its record” while in office,

arguing that the Christie administration was unable to meet the promises it set for itself prior to 2012 general election.

The retired deputy commissioner of police said voters ought not to mistake the party’s recent “rush to get something done” as true governance, but should viewed as call for the nation to demand more.

Mr Dames laid the blame for country crime statistics and financial woes at the feet of the PLP, urging voters to see that party for what it is and “vote them out”.

TURNQUEST SAYS VAT EXPLANATION IS ‘SMOKE AND MIRRORS’

By SANCHESKA DORSETT collections are automaticalTribune Staff Reporter ly sent to the Consolidated sdorsett@tribunemedia.net Fund, where revenue is “in distinguishable” and not FREE National Move- earmarked for any one purment Deputy Leader Peter pose, it goes toward three Turnquest said yesterday categories of reduction. that Prime Minister Perry These include tax reducChristie’s explanation of tion, funding of expendi“where the VAT money ture and deficit and debt regone” was nothing more ductions being the residual than “smoke and mirrors outcome. He was adamant and word play”. that the government had Mr Turnquest told The been “crystal clear” from Tribune the Prime Minister the onset that the adminis“brought nothing new or tration’s programme for tax earth moving” to the ongo- reform had manifold objecing discussion of regarding tives.

Value-Added Tax (VAT) In summary, Mr Christie collections. said 40 per of the VAT revIn fact, the East Grand enue went towards reducBahama member of Parlia- ing the deficit, 30 per cent ment said with over $2 bil- replaced revenue foregone lion added to the national from tax reductions and the debt with no appreciable remaining 30 per cent went increase in productivity or towards general expendieconomic growth, the gov- tures. ernment should be “embarMr Turnquest said the rassed” to make misleading only thing Prime Minister statements on the effective- revealed during his 45-minness of VAT. ute speech on VAT, was that While addressing parlia- the government spent more mentarians in the House of than the House of AssemAssembly on Wednesday, bly approved and borrowed Friday, 31st March 2017 Mr Christie said while VAT more than was projected.

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“We borrowed for Bahamas Resolve, Bahamasair, etc all without the approval of the House of Assembly. We spent millions on BAMSI, junkets with friends, family and lovers,” Mr Turnquest told The Tribune.

“The PM’s promised report on VAT was nothing more than smoke and mirrors and word play having promised in his 2014/2015 budget communication to ‘arrest the growth in the government debt burden and move it onto a steady downward path to more sustainable levels,’ he failed to do even that.

“With over $2bn added to the national debt with no appreciable increase in productivity or economic growth, this government should be embarrassed to make the patently misleading statements on the effectiveness of VAT. “Bahamians still want to know where the VAT money has gone. They want to know that stimulus programmes promoted to encourage private sector growth are well planned and executed so that $20m does not get frittered away with no accountability or transparency. They want to know that their VAT money

given to Urban Renewal 2.0 is allocated fairly and efficiently. We expected a more detailed analysis of where the VAT money gone.”

Mr Turnquest said Mr Christie’s VAT report, like this current administration, “has been found wanting”.

“Why is it that our debtto-GDP continues to increase? Why is it that NIB’s unemployment benefits claims as well as Social Services claims benefits continue to soar? Why is it that crime continues reach new record highs? Why is it that no new schools or hospitals have been built?” Mr Turnquest asked.

“Mr Christie, your VAT report, like your administration has been found wanting. Our tax-to-GDP continues to rise notwithstanding our contracting economy and your flowery words. The fact is that the fiscal deficit has not decreased substantially over the last five years as outlined in the Central Bank reports. The Prime Minister’s claim of an average deficit of $250m on average is further debunked by the facts on the ground in the unemployment numbers and mortgage arrears coupled by the increased drain on social programmes,” Mr Turnquest said.

PAGE 4, Friday, March 31, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

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

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A moment of history for Europe and Britain ON WEDNESDAY, nine months after the United Kingdom’s (UK) ‘Brexit’ referendum, the British government finally triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty to start the two-year legal process of withdrawing from the European Union (EU).

As a formal indication of the government’s intention to leave after 44 years of membership, a letter from Prime Minister Theresa May to the President of the EU Council was hand delivered by Britain’s ambassador in Brussels. In the words of Mrs May, this puts in to effect the democratic will of the British people following last year’s referendum and it is an historic moment from which there can be no turning back.

In a parliamentary statement about this enormously significant decision, the Prime Minister went out of her way to stress that Britain hoped to maintain a ‘deep and special’ bond with her old partners in an EU which the nation wanted to succeed and prosper and, in standing up for European values, she remained committed to co-operation with her friends and allies across the continent.

Mrs May pointed out that, while restoring the UK’s national self-determination by withdrawing from the institutions of the EU, her government wanted nevertheless to continue collaboration in many areas like trade and investment and security, policing, counter terrorism and defence - for example, continuing membership of NATO and co-operation with the European Arrest Warrant and Europol - as well as in issues like technology, education, transport and climate change. So, it was in everyone’s interests for the UK to remain part of Europe even if it was leaving the EU itself.

This was a turning point for the nation which was proud of its history but now looked forward to building a new stronger, fairer and brighter future - not just for the privileged few but for all - concentrating more on the wider world and, in particular, the new vibrant economies of the Commonwealth.

Thus, what have been described as the most important negotiations of modern times are set to begin. Among the myriad issues, some of the most contentious seem to be securing a new trade deal outside the single market, since uncontrolled immigration was no longer ac-

ceptable, and the timing of the ending of free movement, including imposition of restrictions on new EU migrants as well as a deal on reciprocal rights for the 3.2 million EU citizens living and working in Britain and, vice versa, for Britons in EU countries.

On this side of the Atlantic, people are often uninformed about the background problems and current issues affecting the EU, which nonetheless are likely to have repercussions for us, so it is interesting to reflect on the reasons for ‘Brexit’.

Despite the hullabaloo by the ‘Remainers’ about the UK leaving the EU single market, it is widely expected that the volume of trade will continue at similar levels even though the terms of a bilateral agreement will have to be negotiated. The real concerns of the ‘Leavers’ seem to be the restoration of UK parliamentary sovereignty in a newlyindependent state together with control over its borders and an ending of the supremacy of EU law. Moreover, since Britain declined to join the eurozone or the Schengen agreement abolishing international borders within the EU, it is perhaps unsurprising that as a nation she should no longer wish to stay in a bloc which is still planning ever-closer political union leading to a European superstate so that the earlier idea of a ‘Europe of Nations’ remains a myth.

The burning question now appears to be whether Britain’s divorce from the EU will be acrimonious or result in a satisfactory outcome for both sides. If the latter, could it herald a renaissance for the country, freed from the constraints and shackles of EU membership, in a post-‘Brexit’ golden age or might it all turn sour with a bitter EU determined to make the departure of this major player as painful and difficult as possible in order to avoid a domino effect of other disenchanted member states leaving as well?

Arguably, the EU is facing one of the most serious challenges of its 60-year history. The rest of the world can only look on and hope, for the sake of international political and economic stability, that the transition will be as smooth as possible towards an agreement acceptable to all parties. The stakes are high - and not just for Europe itself.

Hiding behind anonymity EDITOR, The Tribune THE present, highly-publicsed controversy about the proposed casino licence for Baha Mar, with full-page advertisements and letter to the Editor, is being played out on a slanted stage that should not be provided by an eminent publication like The Tribune.

Today’s “Open Letter to Gaming Board” raises serious issues about the licence applicant Sky Warriors Bahamas Limited and its parent Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, owners of Baha Mar. This paid advertisment cannot be traced to any identifiable organisation or individuals, only to “Bahamians who want a better Bahamas”. A similar Letter to the Editor today titled “Baha Mar Concerns” is signed only “Watching and Waiting”.

To be blunt, these are communications by writers hiding behind the cowardly shield of anonymity. By contrast, today’s response

by Baha Mar is signed by its named President, Graeme Davis.

I take no position as to

the factual accuracy behind the claims made by either side in this dispute, or how our Gaming Board should react.

But I strongly object to one side of this significant national issue being allowed to argue anonymously, and I view The Tribune as having abandoned reputable journalistic principles in providing the platform.

I have long objected to the paper’s acceptance of letters signed only “The Graduate” or “The Whistleblower”.

Although they are often interesting and well-reasoned, what reader can have any respect for opinions too cautious to provide their name?

I have been told that, in this small country, The Tribune would lose these writers if forced to unveil themselves, for fear of being “victimised”. So what?

I point out that the distinguished Tribune owner and editorialist Eileen Carron could often claim to have been “victimised” over the years, but that has never stopped her from coura-

geously writing the truth as she sees it.

Why should these modern opinion mavens be given a free ride to write without taking personal responsibility?

The departure of anonymous writers is never a great loss to the public discourse, and would restore The Tribune’s journalistic integrity to the level of The New York Times.

We have plenty of controversial letter writers and columnists who can take their place while providing full personal disclosure.

Baha Mar is and will inevitably remain a controversial subject. Debate should be vigorous, but must be conducted on an open stage without hiding behind opaque screens suggesting hidden agendas.

The transparency of Freedom of Information is not only for Government, it must also apply to any private party wishing to appear in the public forum.

RICHARD COULSON Nassau March 29, 2017

Can these dry bones live again?

EDITOR, The Tribune IT IS written in Ezekiel 37:1-3 ‘The hand of The Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of The Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones ... and caused me to pass by them round about; and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry, and He said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God thou knowest ...’

As it is written, so shall it be done right here in the Bahamas.

I do not compare the governing Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) as a bag of dry bones, politically speaking, as some of our more unkind detractors have done. It might, however, appear that way to many, even some of our core supporters. The prophet Ezekiel was sent to the ancient house of Israel to bring them out of the stupor and hopelessness they ‘perceived’ themselves to be in way back then. As it was deemed necessary then, so I submit it is today.

I have been ‘sent’ to read the Riot Act to my beloved party and leadership.

The PLP made a spectacular attempt in 2012 to embrace what was then termed ‘bridges to the future’. It is sad to admit that 90 per cent of those flimsy ‘bridges’ have collapsed under the weight of arrogant behaviour, impatience and egotistical masturbation.

Rollins crashed early in this term. Wells was close behind. Moss, doomed to ‘fail’ from the get go, soon himself crashed and burned.

We have embraced a few more and I hope that in our next term in office, we PLPs, the real ones, do not live to rue the day. Wolves come dressed in all sorts of guise and practice deception as a tool to advance.

The PLP, as is to be expected of any individual or organisation, may have grown too comfortable in the past year or two. We have to urgently arrest and eradicate this notion and even accept that there is much more work to be done

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net and many more ‘promises’ to fulfil before we prostrate ourselves before the electorate. I have been called many things and branded by others as things that are unprintable. I am not, however, an ostrich and I will never bury my political head in the sand.

The PLP administration is on the ropes and is not looking too good to many Bahamians. It is what it is.

Some will seek to ‘blame’ the PM and our team for the unaccepted spike in crime. Some will blame us for ‘unemployment’. Many more, alas, will ‘blame’ us for teenage delinquency and pregnancies. The rest of the ‘unwashed’ masses and their handlers will ‘blame’ us for the inordinate delay in rolling out the National Health Initiative (NHI) and National Youth Service.

Unless and until we PLPs, with whom I am proud to align myself, despite the deficiencies, especially the glaring ones like the landfill debacle, go into a private internal conclave and consult and be advised by people like me, it may be ‘fatal’ going back to the electorate on the schedule that is the PM’s head. Yes, even if my beloved PGC does not ‘know’ the date in his own head, I ‘know’ it.

The opposition forces and appendages are of no real value when you see and witness the soap opera and phantom-like characters as they come onto the political stage or engage in the spectator and blood sport of politics. It will become even more messy than it is now, if that is possible.

When I was a youth I vividly recall the celebrated comedy series: ‘The Three Stooges’: Larry, Moe and, of course, Curly Joe. They were bumblers of the highest order but, at least, just like today, we are being ‘entertained’ by their antics and theatrics. We have on centre stage Dr Minnis, Loretta and Bran. Who is Larry? Who is Moe and who

is Curly Joe? Some suggest that the erstwhile PGC is ‘Charlie Chaplin’ lite. I beg to differ. On his ‘worst’ day or night, Brother Christie, despite how I sometimes rake him over the coals, is ‘better’, politically, than all of these players.

Some people, allegedly, are toting illegal fire arms and playing crazy. Others engage in serious and potentially fatal arguments over mundane politics and partisan groupings. My Lord, can these dry bones live again? Brother Christie is the ‘glue’ that, for these elections, will hold the PLP together. We are fully united behind his leadership as we prepare for the mother of all political battles ever waged in our wonderful nation. He is, indeed, charismatic, experienced, focused and, more importantly, compassionate towards all, especially his detractors and haters.

The PM has the opportunity to invoke supernatural and ever present forces to ensure the re-election of the PLP, as government and he, himself, as Prime Minister, for the third and final time. He would have served the party and the country well, despite the detractors and those who ‘hate’ him and his leadership without substantive cause, much less reason.

Can these dry bones live again? Yes, fellow PLPs and those right thinking Bahamians who will support and vote for our return to office in the tens of thousands, in short order, not only will we be re-energised but we will bring to fruition a stable, prosperous and focused administration, this time around. If we did not do all that we could have and should have done, I, for one plead mea culpa and ask for your ‘forgiveness’ and continued ‘forbearance’.

Can these dry bones live again? The answer is yes and they will live more than abundantly than ever before.

To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H BODIE JR Nassau March 28, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 31, 2017, PAGE 5

MONTANO AND GARLIN TO HEADLINE CUT-PRICE CARNIVAL from page one

Because of the financial constraints, the event this year will take place in the cultural village at Arawak Cay only. “Clifford Park is no more,” Mr Dames confirmed. Despite the financial cutback, Mr Dames vowed that production

quality will not be diminished.

The events in Nassau will take place May 4-6. General admission will be $25 per night or $60 for the weekend package. VIP tickets will go for $75, with a $180 weekend package. Skyboxes, which can hold 20 persons, will cost $10,000.

Tickets can be purchased

online from Cash & Go, which also has 14 physical locations. The tickets have not yet gone live for sale.

The Grand Bahama events, which will take place on April 28 and 29, cost $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. The two-night package costs $40.

Block parties will be held in the coming weeks to

raise anticipation for Junkanoo Carnival. They will take place downtown in the square next to Pirates of Nassau on April 6, 13, 20 and 27.

Junkanoo Carnival was introduced by the Christie administration two years ago with the promise that it would attract many tourists to the Bahamas, expanding

on the tourism product. So far, however, the festival has mainly attracted Bahamians.

Mr Dames could not yet reveal the commission’s projections and targets for tourist arrivals and attendance yesterday, he said, as the matter is still being assessed.

Officials have also said

the festival has succeeded as a stimulant for small and medium businesses, 278 such businesses and 696 people benefitting directly from the expenditure related to last year’s festival, officials said.

Some 39,700 people attended the festival in Nassau last year and 21,000 in Grand Bahama.

Copper thieves blamed for fire CODERO SMITH

DELANO TAYLOR

VILNER DESIR

TRIO WANTED

BURNED wiring that was found that has led investigators to believe that the dump fire was started by copper thieves. contacted The Tribune yes- to politicians has to be at- the Flamingo Gardens from page one terday expressing concern tached to those who set the clinic had to stay open until about the proliferation of fires,” the Southern Shores 9pm to help residents suf“The guys must have dumping there. Some resi- MP said. “The same kind of fering from smoke inhalabeen burning wire to get dents are also worried that passion that we feel about tion as the Princess Margato the copper and so all the the Spikenard Road site wanting to correct prob- ret Hospital Accident and remnants of what was burnt will attract scavengers and lems, we need to put that Emergency Department was right behind Epic (Bat- arsonists, leading to a fire same passion behind en- was said to be “overflowtery) and so clearly it was in their area. suring that the culprits who ing”. human intervention and On March 13, Mr Dorsett However Mr Dorsett told ultimately set the fires are from there it then jumped The Tribune that the New held accountable for what said GelTech Solutions, a onto the forest and into the Providence Landfill is not they do because it is an il- company that specialises in landfill. fighting fires while protectready to accept construc- legal offence to do this.

“Whatever they were do- tion and demolition waste, “Sadly there is no evi- ing the environment, had ing it got out of control very which are being placed at dence to determine who been contracted by the govquickly and so (we believe) the Spikenard Road site in it was - at least the police ernment to assist in extinscavengers on the site is the interim. haven’t been able to find guishing the massive blaze. who got the wire,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a vid- that out. But setting these Mr Dorsett also ad- eo posted to the Raising fires is a criminal offence.” dressed concerns about a Awareness about the BaJubilee Gardens resitemporary dump site on hamas Landfill Facebook dents were evacuated from Spikenard Road, which the page, Mr Dorsett said yes- their homes after a massive government set up for de- terday that Bahamians need blaze broke out on March bris collection in the wake to direct the same anger 5 at the city dump, sending of Hurricane Matthew. He they have for politicians over plumes of choking smoke stressed that this site is not matters like these to the per- billowing over parts of New expected to collect trash petrators of illegal fires.

Providence. indefinitely, saying it was a As a result emergency “At some point in time as short-term solution. a country, as a community, services tackled the fire A resident of the area the vitriol that we attach from early afternoon and

MINISTER WARNS OF LEGAL PENALTIES AS COWPEN ROAD FARMLAND CATCHES FIRE

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

A LARGE plot of farmland off Cowpen Road caught fire yesterday, sending plumes of smoke into the air and affecting residents in nearby areas, leading Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett to warn that setting fires is punishable by law.

However, Mr Dorsett, who was at the scene of the blaze yesterday morning, said given the purpose of the site it was likely the fire grew out of control during “slash and burn” activities.

He said the matter has been turned over to police, who have been instructed to prosecute to the full extent of the law if a suspect is arrested.

Fire Chief Superintendent Walter Evans said two fire trucks were dispatched to contain the fire, but few details were available.

“It’s farmland and I have asked the police to conduct investigations to determine whether any person may have been burning,” Mr Dorsett told The Tribune.

“You know how they slash and burn and then I think it got out of control.

“So I would leave it to police to investigate. But from what I can see and knowing that it is farmland and hearing the anecdotal information from people who were there, apparently they tend to set these little small fires from time-to-time.

“But in the dry season this is not the type of thing to do. These fires can get out of control in a short pe-

riod of time and cause the chaos that we now see.”

While none of the six homes in the immediate area were damaged, he said those in the area would have been subject to a lot of smoke that reached housing subdivisions on the north side of Cowpen Road.

“Sadly there is no evi-

dence to determine who it was who set this blaze; at least the police haven’t been able to find that out.

But setting these fires is a criminal offence and if we find the culprit in this instance I am going to ask the police to prosecute them to the highest extent of the law,” Mr Dorsett said.

He told The Tribune the US-based company, along with Fletcher Air, began dropping FireIce - a firefighting gel - on the sites at the landfill the day before that were either too dangerous or unreachable by firefighters.

More than 1,200 people received some form of assistance from the Ministry of Social Services in the wake of fire at the city dump.

Smoke continues to affect residents in surrounding areas.

THREE men are wanted in New Providence for breach of their Supreme Court bail conditions.

Police are looking for Codero Smith, 22, of Halifax Street in Stapledon Gardens; Delano Taylor, 21, of St Alban’s Drive; and Vilner Desir, 21, of St Alban’s Drives.

Smith and Taylor are both described as being dark brown skinned with a slim build, who are 5ft 10in.

Desir is a dark brown male, with a slim build, who is 6ft.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to contact police at 919 or the Crime Stoppers hotline at 328-TIPS in New Providence and 242-3008476 in the Family Islands.

PAGE 6, Friday, March 31, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Hanna Martin accuses auditor of guesswork on road traffic from page one

Mrs Hanna Martin said Mr Bastian’s “guesstimations” over the department’s previous revenue losses, a “reported average” of $26m annually from 2012 to 2015, do not match what officials are seeing with RTD’s new automated system.

The minister said although she was “not sure” of what the department’s earnings are to date, department officials are “seeing monthly trends, more or less the same numbers, and they’re not correlating with the numbers that were estimated” by Mr Bastian.

Mrs Hanna Martin, in acknowledging her and the department’s “respect” for Mr Bastian’s “constitutional independence” and duty to oversee government agencies, emphasised that the Auditor General was working in a “difficult” and “non-automated environment,” leading him to make his observations.

Last year, Mr Bastian found that the RTD may be collecting as little as 36 per cent of due vehicle licensing revenues in New Providence. At the time, he found that based on the 374,000 vehicle licence plates issued in New Providence, the department should be collecting at least $73m in annual government revenues.

Yet the audit, which assessed the RTD’s accounts for the three years to endJune 2015, found it was collecting a “reported average” of $26m annually.

That amounts to a potential $47m discrepancy

GLENYS HANNA MARTIN, Minister of Transport and Aviation. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff Yet just $512,982 was reaccording to The Tribune’s recorded by a minimum of corded by the RTD. calculations, even with Mr $10m”.

The Auditor General “The Auditor General, Bastian and his team applying the lowest annual licens- also found that the RTD whose duty it is constituing fee to all 374,00 plates - had under-reported rev- tionally to oversee agencies, regardless of whether some enue generated from new and we welcome that and motor vehicles should at- vehicle licence plate sales we respect his constitutionby $234,000 for the three al independence, he was tract the higher rates.

Mr Bastian and his team years assessed. With 49,800 working in a difficult enviwere unwilling to conclude plates produced over the ronment in a non-automatthat the RTD was collect- 2012-2015 period for all ve- ed environment because he ing just over $1 out of every hicle categories combined, was estimating and guessti$3 for vehicle licensing due Mr Bastian said some mating,” Mrs Hanna Marin New Providence, instead $747,000 in revenue should tin said of the report. “And finding that this revenue have been generated at $15 he made ‘guesstimations’ and based on those ‘guessstream was being “under per plate.

timations’ he said revenue was not received. That has translated in the public domain as people (stealing).

“That’s not what he actually said. He said ‘you should have licensed this amount of vehicles and therefore you should have gotten this revenue, you’ve not gotten this revenue so you have a shortfall in revenue’.

“Now why you don’t have that revenue he didn’t say, so people concluded one thing or another. The numbers we’re seeing now as of October are not correlating with the estimations or the ‘guesstimations’.

But we have to wait, and I don’t want to say anything to undermine the Auditor General because I know he was working in a difficult, manual environment. But I trust that as we get beyond 12 months, because his estimation was based on a 12-month thing, we are seeing a monthly trends, more or less the same numbers, and they’re not correlating with the numbers that were estimated.

“But at the end of the year I’m trusting that the Auditor General can look at the numbers and see what findings he will make based on that first report working in a difficult, manual environment where it’s just very difficult. And the Auditor General, he has collaborated with the Road Traffic Controller and he has come as a matter of courtesy and he has seen the system.

And so he will have to audit again.

“So in terms of the revenue I think that the revenue has increased from previous years, but not along the

lines that the Auditor General projected, which talked about a shortfall of I think $10m annually.”

Mrs Hanna Martin went on to argue that Mr Bastian’s report was one based on an estimation of how many cars “should” have been licensed as opposed to how many were actually licensed. She suggested that was the result of “working in a manual environment” and not having irrefutable data such as could be provided by the department’s new automated system.

“And so we’re working with the Auditor General, so we hope at the end of this when he audits we’ll know what the facts are,” she said. “But I know thus far because the question has been asked, thus far the numbers that were projected in terms of vehicle registration (since October) do not correlate, unless in the latter half we have some incredible surge. But we are seeing trends monthly, more or less.”

Last year, Mrs Hanna Martin blamed the RTD’s reliance on “antiquated” manual processes for leaving it susceptible to fraud, corruption and waste. At the time, she pledged “zero tolerance for acts of malfeasance, particularly as it relates to public monies”.

Mrs Hanna Martin said the $8.3m initiative to modernise the RTD’s systems and processes, and $800,000-$1m outsourcing of licence plate production, would cut down on the opportunity for fraud and waste. She added that it would also improve the customer experience.

a temporary basis” until such time as the BDCS can transition into being able to manage “full production” of the plates.

The decision to allow inmates to manufacture vehicle licence plates, similar to the US prison system, is a key element of the government’s strategy to equip inmates with marketable skills during their sentences, thus improving their prospects for obtaining a job or starting their own businesses when they are released back into society.

Yesterday, Mrs Hanna

Martin, supported by Road Traffic Department (RTD) Controller Ross Smith and National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage, moved to assure observers that the BCDS “is about as secure as it gets,” and that it will have “added security features to make it more secure.”

She also lauded yesterday’s announcement as a step in the right direction for the RTD. “We are a department that was antiquated, that had vulnerabilities, that has been controversial. It is also one of the chief rev-

enue earners for the Public Treasury and these (steps) are building the integrity of the system, interfacing with other agencies, so it’s cutting off avenues that may have previously existed for irregularities,” she said. “So this is a critical second step of the modernisation of the Road Traffic Department.

“Out of this we expect that we will no longer have shortages and other unusual occurrences with licence plates, and this will be very helpful. Because regular licence plates are sometimes attached to strange things

and horrible things in our country, and also car theft, etc.”

She added: “These tightened security systems, the integrated electronic nature of it and the interfacing, will make the RTD secure in a way that is totally unprecedented and takes our people forward.”

Mrs Hanna Martin also highlighted the programme’s significance with regards to reducing inmate recidivism, something she said also compliments the government’s plans to introduce a parole system.

“A lot of people don’t understand why the language being used towards offenders is being used, because we tend to have a sort of retributive type of mentality towards offenders, which is natural I think,” she said. “But what we’ve learned though, that if you bring someone into an environment like this, and you don’t make efforts to turn that person around ... and they come in here and they go back worse, you are actually unleashing on our people, your neighbours, communities, someone that is a menace.”

cilities. All of the other (facilities) have built-in toilets.

It’s maximum security that doesn’t have toilets. So until there is a new max security facility we will have slopping.”

When pressed on fu-

ture plans, Commissioner Wright said: “Once we build a new max security - it (the old block) still has its use - it could be gutted out and put in the proper infrastructure. And we have done so to show the govern-

ment, and the government worked with us. We have put some toilets in already to show that it can be done.”

Yesterday, Retired Anglican Archbishop Drexel Gomez confirmed that the Parole and Re-entry Steering Committee addressed the practice of “slopping” in its recommendations that were submitted to the government in September, 2016.

In February, Minister of National Security Dr

Bernard Nottage said the recommendations were approved, and has maintained that he will table the report before the House of Assembly is dissolved before the general election.

The Parole and Re-entry Steering Committee, appointed in May, 2016, was chaired by Paul Farquharson, the former Commissioner of Police and Bahamas High Commissioner to London. Archbishop Gomez and Rev-

erend Patrick Paul, a past president of the Bahamas Christian Council, were also named to the Steering Committee.

“It’s one of the recommendations, that whole system has to be totally replaced,” Archbishop Gomez said. “We are still are in the difficult position in that the thing (report) hasn’t gone to Parliament.

I haven’t asked any questions, I’ve been so busy with Lent. I’ve spoken to the authorities about it, not just in writing. They are aware of it. It’s just a question of being willing to spend the money to pay for it. It’s something that has received wide comment.

“My fear is the average Bahamian feels like when you go to jail your life should be as miserable as possible. It’s a very unChristian attitude. So I don’t think they will be too concerned unless their own family is (incarcerated).”

The Parole and Re-entry Steering committee is part of the government’s overarching strategy to address the challenges of crime in the Bahamas through its Citizens Security and Justice Programme, financed by a $20 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank.

The Ministry of National Security projects that 95 per cent of incarcerated criminals are expected to re-enter society over the next ten years, with statistics indicating that 45 per cent of persons housed at the BDCS are on remand.

INMATES TO START MAKING LICENCE PLATES IN MAY from page one

well as policies to govern the operation, are still being discussed by government officials, according to BDCS Commissioner Patrick Wright.

Additionally, Mrs Hanna Martin said the Fox Hill Road compound does not yet have all of the necessary equipment to start the manufacturing process, and as such, US company John R Wald Inc, which has 92 years experience in the business, will continue to produce plates “on

SLOP BUCKETS STILL BEING USED AT FOX HILL PRISON from page one

“Slopping still is alive,” he said. “Maximum security was built with no toilets, and that is where the overcrowding is in our fa-

THE TRIBUNE

Court hears questions on monitoring

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net AN issue was raised yesterday during a murder and armed robbery trial as to whether an employee of a company responsible for monitoring offenders put in the Electronic Monitoring Programme by the courts could speak to a report that was not signed by her supervisor.

Dashinique Moss was called to the witness stand to speak about her role at ICS Security Concepts in the trial of 29-year-old Henley Claridge.

Claridge faces two counts of armed robbery and a single charge of murder, alleged to have been committed on March 4, 2014.

It is claimed that he robbed Tonika Laroda and Darius Adderley of two Samsung cellular phones together valued at $600. He

is further accused of intentionally killing Adderley by means of unlawful harm.

Ms Moss told the jury that she assists the chief financial officer with his duties. She was asked by prosecutor Cassie Bethel if she was familiar with Gari Gonzalez.

The witness said she worked together with Gari Gonazalez in the monitoring centre at ICS; however she could not speak to the former ICS manager’s current whereabouts.

The prosecutor asked the court for permission for the witness to be shown a document. However attorney Jiaram Mangra, upon inspection, objected on the basis that Ms Moss would be giving hearsay evidence given that the author of the report had not placed their signature on it.

Following brief legal discussions between Crown and defence counsel in the

STATUS HEARING IN SHOOTING CASE

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net TWO men accused of having a role in a fatal shooting last summer appeared in the Supreme Court for a status hearing yesterday.

Jahmaro Edgecombe, 22, and Daran Neely, 28, are scheduled to be tried before Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs concerning the killing of Kenyari Lightbourne on June 21, 2016.

Lightbourne was shot multiple times while walking through his neighbourhood of Woods Alley, off Market Street. He died at the scene.

At an arraignment in August, 2016, Edgecombe was

charged with Lightbourne’s murder. Two months later, Neely and Edgecombe were charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

Both men, however, maintain their innocence of any involvement in relation to the incident.

Wednesday’s status hearing before Senior Justice Isaacs concerned whether the Crown was ready to proceed with trial on August 28.

A further status hearing was set for July 19, when the Crown would indicate if it is ready to proceed with the case.

David Cash, associate of attorney Ian Cargill, appeared for the pair. Erica Duncombe appeared for the Crown.

Funeral Service For

Michael Anthony Leslie Roker, 54 affectionately called

“Roker Boat”

of Forbes Street, Nassau Village, who died March 21st, 2017, at The Princess Hospital will be held Saturday, April 1st, 2017 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s Baptist Church Meeting Street.

Bishop Carlton Stuart assisted by Other Ministers of The Gospel will officiate.

Cremation will follow.

Predecease by his father the late Rev. John A. T. Roker; Step-mother: Leila Roker.

Left to cherish his memory are his mother: Mrs. Luella Roker Mackey; Step Father: Mr. George Mackey; 5 Daughters: Mckell (George) Pinder, Shonell Roker Brennen, Michaela Roker, Lannika Melissa Ingraham and Minell Roker; 3 Sons: Michael Roker II, Antonio Roker and Terrance Flowers; 11 Grandchildren: Jason Taylor, Elvon, Chante and Chandera Pinder, Mika Roker, Sherrell Brennen, Shonea and Brendon Goodman, Julius Knowles, Jaheim and Jamarrie; 3 Brothers: Christopher (Elizabeth) Roker (Atlanta Georgia), John Glen and Carlton Roker; 8 Sisters: Sharon (Grantley) Layne, Janet Roker, Brenda (Samuel) Watson, Bernadette Deborah Roker, Rosemary Roker Cooper, Nursing Sister Darnell Roker, Clarice Forbes, and Sonia Ferguson (New Jersey); Nieces and Nephews: Monique Jones ( Miami Fl), Shonia (Xavier) Ferrier ( Hollywood Fl), Bishop D.J.(Erica) Roker (Memphis Tenn), Daron (Estelle) Major, Dorminic Major, Dario (Shiva) Outten, Yvon (Wanda) Deal, Christla, Khofe’and Kwame’ Roker (Atlanta Georgia), Anthony (Jennifer) Stevenson, Iyeasha (Teiko) Williams, Jadia (Aaron) Morley Sr., Carla and Carlton Roker Jr., Keila and Kaillie Forbes, Jordan Ferguson ( New Jersey); Numerous grand nieces and grand nephews including: Ryan and Mekia Roker (Memphis Tenn), Aaliyah McKenzie (Miami Fl), Angel Ferrier (Hollywood Fl), Otassia Adderley, Dakario and Drew Outten, Breanna, Antez and Cairo Deal, Aaron Morley Jr., Teiko Williams Jr., Raino and Traino Stevenson; 2 Uncles: Albert and James Miller; Special Friends Including: Brenda Flowers Paul, Antoinette Ford, Alisa Ingraham, Eunice Grant, Trenell Dean and Mrs. Sylvia Wilmore; Numerous Cousins & close friends including: Renae and Eva Bullard, Godfrey (gully) Jennifer Darling, Jestina Kerr, Brad Smith, The Flowers of Soldier Road, the Soldier Road and Taylor Street Families, Doctors and Nurses of the Male Medical Ward #2 at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Relatives and friends may pay their last respects at THE NEW COMMONWEALTH FUNERAL HOME INDEPENDENCE DRIVE Friday from 11:00-6:00 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to service time.

absence of the jury, the 12-member panel was told that Ms Moss’ evidence would be stood down.

Claridge, when formally arraigned in the Supreme Court on July 4, 2014, pleaded not guilty to all three charges. He maintained that plea at the start of trial last week.

Shortly before 9pm, Adderley was sitting in his 2003 Dodge Town and Country van on Roseland Street with his girlfriend when a masked manwith a handgun robbed them.

Before fleeing in the direction of the graveyard, the suspect shot at the vehicle, hitting Adderley in the back. The woman was unharmed during the robbery. Adderley was taken to hospital by ambulance, but died of his injuries shortly after his arrival.

The case resumes today before Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs.

Friday, March 31, 2017, PAGE 7

‘The Bahamas’ own street philosopher’

PAGE 10, Friday, March 31, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

QUESTIONS, questions. Bahamians want to know from their Prime Minister why his government has failed to deliver on promises over BAMSI, crime, Baha Mar and a $1m festival.

Don’t tax our intelligence and take us for dummies, Mr PM A

FTER two years and two months, our Prime Minister has finally delivered a thorough accounting in response to the question of the decade, ‘Where da VAT money gone?’

Well, sort of.

Okay, not really.

What we did get, however, is a mild dressing down from His Imperial Highness, a single page website (aka VAT for Dummies) and (if you’re like me) a sad feeling in the pit of the stomach.

The Devil is in the details I was excited - really excited - when Perry Christie began his address in Parliament this week to explain how the lucrative and elusive Value-Added Tax (VAT) money had been spent. After promising a detailed accounting of the billion dollars plus taken in by the government, I pulled out my pencil, pad and calculator, ready to go to work.

Instead, Bahamians everywhere got an earful about how not one dollar of the VAT money was wasted.

We (the people) were also told that anyone trying to ‘”dumb down the discussion and discourse” was basically unpatriotic. Because only a traitor would ask a simple question like, ‘Where da

A Comic’s View

years and all we have is a GDP-to debt ratio that is worse than ever and a series of downgrades to show for it. In other words, we’ve gone from a category 2 to a category 4 hurricane with no eye in sight.

By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA Judging by his address in the House of Assembly, VAT money gone?’ about how finance works, I think the PM misses the So, after riddling off a our self-appointed Minis- point that the very simple few line items like the hir- ter of Finance must have question of the VAT money ing of more teachers, police forgotten the high hopes and its whereabouts is actuand defence force officers, he and his Junior Finance ally representative of the and a long drawl about the Minister Michael Halkitis many questions Bahamians have about promises his adoriginal perception that promised back in the day. ministration VAT would be paid down In his New has made and on the debt being a “mis- Year’s re- ‘Well, fast forward failed to live conception”, we were di- marks in two years and up to. rected to a website called 2015, a day afDuring that understandingvat.org (aka ter VAT came all we have is a same speech VAT for Dummies). into effect, GDP-to debt ratio 2015, the Anxious to get to the de- the PM said, that is worse than in PM also said, tails (though somewhat per- “VAT is going “The prosturbed at the Prime Minis- to expand the ever and a series pects for ter’s tone), I pulled out my revenue base of downgrades economic diiPad and tapped away only in a way that to show for it. versification to arrive at a webpage with will enable In other words, in 2015 are even less information than government exceptionally our PM had grudgingly to better meet we’ve gone from promising as given. social and ina category 2 to well. No betAlas, foiled again! frastructural ter example needs of the a category 4 Back to the future Bahamian hurricane with no of this can be found than No doubt the PM is per- people.” He eye in sight.’

BAMSI in turbed, maybe even an- said, “VAT, Andros.” gry, that Bahamians have therefore, is Now I know this may a “misconception” of what a necessary improvement his administration planned and one that is destined, sound simple, but if BAMfor VAT. I am convinced, to bring SI, at a cost of $100 million Though his recent com- brighter skies and clearer and not much to show for it, ments on the subject seem days for our country and its was supposed to be our best example, what on earth is to suggest Bahamians have finances.” the wrong idea (or no idea) Well, fast forward two the worst?

In 2015 the PM said about crime, “it would obviously not be politic for me to go into sensitive matters in this forum. After all, we do not want to tip our hand to the criminal elements!”

I wonder, sincerely, if it would be ‘politic’ to ask if we could maybe try some’ hand-tipping’, because with a new murder record (and hundreds of senseless deaths) it appears secret measures aren’t working.

The Prime Minister also said, back in 2015, “Baha Mar - the largest of its kind in the entire region - will come on stream, beginning at the end of March. This is going to create no fewer than 5,000 jobs for thousands of Bahamians.”

I know it may sound ‘dumb’ for me to suggest that a leader who cannot foresee the collapse of a major project (built mostly under his watch) then only six months away probably doesn’t make the best fortune teller. So, all I’ll say is Nostradamus is probably spinning in his grave right now.

I’m reliving these past predictions by Prime Minister Christie only to point out that many of the big ‘promises’ made in the past (both implicit and explicit) have not yet come to fruition. The insatiable thirst

for information and details about how our VAT money is being ‘consolidated’ and disbursed is a function of that thirst. And I’m sorry, you’ll have to do better than a basic website with a vague 30/40/30 breakdown on general expenses (aka the website VAT for Dummies) to quench it.

By the way, do you remember when Prime Minister Christie, during his 2013/2014 budget communication, said “$1m will be spent on developing a ‘Mardi Gras’ style cultural festival for the Bahamas to take place each Lent”?

Me too.

Too bad that never happened. A big-time festival for only a million dollars sounded so promising. I wonder what predictions (and dreams) our leader has to offer this go around?

• Inigo ‘Naughty’ Zenicazelaya is the resident standup comic at Jokers Wild Comedy Club at the Atlantis, Paradise Island, resort and presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday, and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm on KISS FM 96.1. He also writes a sports column in The Tribune on Tuesday. Comments and questions to naughty@ tribunemedia.net

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 31, 2017, PAGE 11

GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS WATER & SEWERAGE CORPORATION WATER SUPPLY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION OF WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS – CAT ISLAND

INVITATION FOR BIDS The Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas (GOCB) has received financing from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in an amount equivalent to US$28.5 million towards the cost of the Water Supply Improvement Project (the Project) and intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under this contract. Payment by CDB will be made only at the request of GOCB and upon approval by CDB, and will be subject, in all respects, to the terms and conditions of the Financing Agreement. The Financing Agreement prohibits withdrawal from the financing account for the purpose of any payment to persons or entities, or for any import of goods, if such payment or import, to the knowledge of CDB, is prohibited by a decision of the United Nations Security Council taken under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. No party other than the GOCB shall derive any rights from the Financing Agreement or have any claim to the proceeds of the Financing.

The Project is being implemented by the Water & Sewerage Corporation (WSC).

WSC now invites sealed bids from eligible bidders for the design and construction of the water supply infrastructure upgrade for Cat Island. The works include the installation of water mains; the supply and installation of water storage tanks; site preparation for the installation of Reverse Osmosis (RO) water treatment plants; and the construction of pumping stations and disinfection systems. Provision is to be made for connections to the WSC’s existing and potential customers. The distribution system is to include side streets in between the start and end point as indicated on the drawings. Site preparation for the RO plants is to include pavement design and construction, inclusive of provision for all utilities and photovoltaic lighting. Bidders may bid for any individual Lots or for both Lots, as follows: LOT NO. 1: North Cat Island Lot from Bain Town Settlement to The Bluff Settlement The design and construction of approximately 106,794 feet (32,551 m) of transmission and distribution mains and approximately 460 water service laterals; site preparation for an RO plant to be located at Bennett’s Harbour.

LOT NO. 2: South Cat Island Lot from Smith's Bay Settlement to Old Bight Settlement The design and construction of approximately 95,512 feet (29,112 m) of transmission and distribution mains and approximately 430 water service laterals; site preparation for an RO plant to be located at New Bight.

MARIAH SHERMAN, from Cat Island, is crowned Miss St George’s High 2017.

Photo: Brooke Sherman Network

FROM TOMBOY TO QUEEN OF THE TIARAS FOR PAGEANT WINNER

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

WHEN Mariah Sherman reluctantly entered the Miss St George’s High Pageant in Grand Bahama, she did not take part with the intention of winning the title. But that is exactly what she did.

Miss Sherman - a tomboy who was not into wearing dresses, heels and makeup - walked away with the crown and pageant title as Miss St George’s High 2017 last Saturday.

“I can’t believe that I made it. I am Miss St George’s High 2017,” said the teen. “In my mind I wasn’t there to win, I was just there to get better, to find myself and that might have been the formula to success.”

Miss Sherman, from Cat Island, was one of six contestants, representing the islands of Andros, Exuma, San Salvador, Great Inagua and Long Island.

In addition to the title, she also won other awards including the preliminary speech competition and judges interview.

The pageant is in its sixth year and Pageant Chair-

man Lenor Woodside said the purpose is “to groom young ladies into becoming strong, independent” young women. It is open to 10th and 11th grade students.

Ms Woodside said it was amazing to see how Miss Sherman, who initially had issues walking in heels, was able to grow and transform from a tomboy to become pageant queen.

The first-time pageant contestant was not sure about her decision to enter.

“At first I was sceptical because I was not interested in wearing dresses and makeup, but with the support and encouragement that I received I was able to follow through,” she said.

She said that he enjoyed pre-pageant events and sessions, including sleepover and fun day. She especially enjoyed the makeup and etiquette sessions.

The new queen wants young girls considering pageants to know that its takes a lot of preparation, determination and work to make it to the final night.

The pageant was held under the theme ‘Gems of the Bahamas’ and was held at the St George’s Gymnasium.

POLICE SEEK TEENAGER OVER ARMED ROBBERY IN FREEPORT

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama police are searching for a Freeport teen they believe can help with an investigation into an armed robbery incident.

Police want to speak to Michael Nero Pritchard, 18, of Independence Drive, Heritage Subdivision in

Freeport and Seagrape in Eight Mile Rock.

Pritchard is about 5ft 9in, 160lbs, of medium brown complexion and average build.

Anyone with information concerning Mr Pritchard’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Central Detective Unit at 242-350-3107 through 12, 919, 911, or call the nearest police station.

LOT NO. 3: South Cat Island Lot from Knowles’ Settlement to Smith’s Bay Settlement.

The design and construction of approximately 16,835 feet (5,131 m) of transmission and distribution mains and approximately 80 water service laterals.

Consideration will be limited to firms or joint ventures of firms, which are legally incorporated or otherwise organised in, and have their principal place of business in an eligible country and are either: (a) more than 50% beneficially owned by a citizen or citizens and/or a bona fide resident or residents of an eligible country, or by a body corporate or bodies corporate meeting these requirements; or (b) owned or controlled by the Government of an eligible country provided that it is legally and financially autonomous and operated under the commercial law of an eligible country and otherwise meets the eligibility requirements of the CDB Guidelines for Procurement (2006).

All countries are eligible.

Eligible bidders will be required to submit full qualification information with their bids establishing their eligibility to bid and qualifications to perform the contract. Bid and qualification information are to be submitted in the English Language on the prescribed forms inserted in the Bid Documents. Submissions that do not provide the information required, or do not demonstrate the prospective contractor’s ability to perform satisfactorily, will not qualify and will not be considered for further evaluation.

Qualification requirements in respect of each individual Lot include, inter alia: (a) an average annual construction turnover (defined as certified payments received for works in progress or completed) within the last 5 years of at least One Million Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (USD1.8M) for Lots 1&2 and One Million United States Dollars (USD$1Mn) for Lot 3. (b) an average annual design of works turnover (defined as certified payments received for works in progress or completed) within the last 5 years of at least One Quarter Million United States Dollars (USD$0.25M) for Lots 1, 2 & 3. (c) a demonstrable cash flow (including access to credit) of Three Hundred Thousand United States dollars (USD300,000) for Lots 1 and 2 and Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (USD$200,00) for Lot 3. (d) experience as a contractor/sub-contractor in the construction of at least two (2) assignments of a nature, scope and complexity comparable to the proposed project activity within the last ten (10) years (to comply with this requirement, works quoted should be at least 80 percent complete). (e) experience as a designer of at least two (2) assignments of a nature, scope and complexity comparable to the proposed project activity within the last ten (10) years (to comply with this requirement, works quoted should be at least 80 percent complete).

Bidding Documents may be obtained by eligible bidders from the first address below, as of Monday April 3, 2017 at 10:00 hrs Bahamas time, for a non-refundable fee equivalent to Fifty United States Dollars for each Lot. Requests may be made by written application including email. Written applications must be clearly marked: “Request for Bidding Documents for the Design & Construction of Water Supply Systems – Cat Island” along with the relevant Lot Number(s). Written requests must also include the name, address and contact information of the bidder for which Bidding Documents are being requested. Payment should be by wire transfer, bank draft or bank guaranteed cheque made payable to: Water & Sewerage Corporation.

Information to pay by wire transfer can be obtained from the first address below.

Applicants who request that documents be forwarded to them must submit an account number from a local courier agent that accepts freight collect charges. Documents will be promptly dispatched, but under no circumstance will GOCB or WSC or their authorised agent be held responsible for late delivery or loss of the documents so transmitted.

Submissions in sealed envelopes clearly marked “Bid for the Design & Construction of Water Supply Systems – Cat Island” along with the relevant Lot Number(s) and must be received at the second address below not later than 16:00 hrs Bahamas time on the 8th May, 2017. Bid opening will take place immediately after the deadline for submission at the second address below in the presence of bidders representatives who choose to attend. Qualification information only must be simultaneously submitted to the third address below. All bids must be accompanied by a completed Form of Bid Securing Declaration.

GOCB/WSC reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, and to annul the process and reject all bids, at any time prior to award of contract, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected prospective bidder(s) or any obligation to inform the affected prospective bidder(s) of the grounds for GOCB/WSC action. GOCB/WSC will not defray any costs incurred by any bidder in the preparation of bids.

Address for Correspondence

Address for Bid Submission and Bid Opening

Address for Completed Qualification Information Only

The Project Coordinator Water Supply Improvement Project Water & Sewerage Corporation #87 Thompson Blvd Nassau, New Providence COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS

The Office of the General Manager Attn: Internal Control and Compliance Division Water Supply Improvement Project Water & Sewerage Corporation #87 Thompson Blvd Nassau, New Providence

Procurement Officer Caribbean Development Bank P.O. Box 408, Wildey St. Michael BARBADOS, W.I., BB 11000

Tel: Fax: E-mail: CC: CC: CC:

(242) 302-5548 (242) 302-5547 wccdbproject@wsc.com.bs wcleslie@wsc.com.bs dnairn@acojvbahamas.com mvbastian@acojvbahamas.com

COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS

Tel: Fax: Email:

(246) 431-1600 (246) 426-7269 procurement@caribank.org

PAGE 12, Friday, March 31, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

‘Four-hour botched surgery left me close to death’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

VALERIE Smith’s routine hysterectomy and fibroid removal operation was supposed take an hour and a half, but instead took four hours after a doctor allegedly botched the surgery that left her “butchered and gravely ill” and nearly dead.

Mrs Smith’s family had her airlifted to a Florida hospital, where she later learned that her bowels had allegedly been clipped during a surgical procedure in The Bahamas, and that her surgical incisions had not been sutured by the doctor performing the operation.

She wanted to share her ordeal to save other women from the trauma she said she and others have allegedly suffered at the hands of one doctor, who is still practicing in the public health system and in private practice.

On November 9, 2015, Mrs Smith underwent surgery at a private medical facility in Freeport. She was told that the surgical procedure was a routine operation.

“The doctor told me the surgery would take about one hour and a half, but it took four hours,” she told The Tribune.

After the surgery, Mrs Smith said she was told by her doctor that she should expect a bowel movement within a day or so, but that did not happen and her abdomen was swollen.

“The swelling kept getting bigger and I was throwing up a lot,” she said.

Mrs Smith was admitted to the Rand Memorial Hospital for emergency surgery on November 13 but her condition did not improve and her abdomen was still severely swollen.

She said the doctor told her that she needed to have further surgery but her family wanted to fly to her to

sion in the Bahamas and in the Caribbean. The doctors will not testify against a fellow doctor in the brotherhood,” she claimed.

“I have three daughters and three granddaughters and this could happen to them. The doctor told me I had a hernia when, in fact, he clipped my bowels,” she alleged.

VALERIE SMITH, who says her routine hysterectomy left her ‘butchered’.

At Broward Memorial, ised for several weeks in the US. “The doctor begged me Mrs Smith said she knew the US. When she returned not to let my family air- she was in a bad state. “I home, she had to be cared lift me,” Mrs Smith told will never forget the reac- for by private nurse.

The Tribune. “He told me tion on the faces of the She is still in need of surI had a hernia and that he nurse, my husband, and gery but is afraid to go back could sort it out, but that he daughter when my band- under the knife. She said needed to perform a third ages were removed,” she that her incisions were fulsaid. surgery.” ly healed in August, 2016, “My husband bent his nine months after the fateMrs Smith, who has private health insurance, said head down and tears rolled ful surgery. that her family opted to down his face,” Mrs Smith Mrs Smith said she will have her airlifted instead, said. “I was on a lot of mor- never fully recover both but was faced with an ob- phine and the nurse said emotionally and physically. stacle when the doctor al- that I was butchered.”

“I have not heard from Doctors at Broward Me- my doctor since November, legedly refused to sign the morial described her inci- 2015, and I have not been authorisation documents.

Finally, after her family’s sions as something you see able to go back to my job in perseverance, another jun- in the war, she told The banking where I have been ior doctor signed the docu- Tribune. employed for 30 years.”

“The surgical cuts made ments, and Mrs Smith was Mrs Smith recently airlifted to Broward Memo- by the doctor in Freeport learned that her cousin and rial Hospital on November had been not been sutured a neighbour also had allegand I started to rot,” Mrs edly their bowels clipped 18.

Smith said. during the same surgical US doctors told her that procedure performed by she was gravely ill with a the same doctor. severe tissue infection and “Other people have been severe bacterial infection affected, and it is hard to in her abdomen because of prove medical negligence a clipped bowel during the against doctors here besurgical procedure in the cause they are protected by Bahamas. a sort of ‘brotherhood’ or Mrs Smith was hospital- lodge in the medical profes-

Funeral Service

Bonnie Dorothea Hazlewood (née Thompson)

second child of Roscoe and Dorothea Thompson was born on 24th October, 1946 in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Bonnie attended Queen’s College in Nassau, Mount St. Vincent in New York and Merry Mount College in Florida.

Bonnie and Fred Hazlewood married on 14th June, 1968. In 1970 they welcomed their son Rick and in 1974 their daughter Marnie.

Bonnie was blessed with four beautiful grandchildren, Olivia, Whit, Matthew and Sofia.

She loved being in Abaco on the water, diving conch, preparing meals and surrounded by family and friends.

Bonnie will always be remembered for making life special with her strength, her beauty and her generosity.

She is survived by her husband, Frederick Asa Hazlewood Sr.; her son, Rick Asa Hazlewood Jr.; her daughter, Marnie Hazlewood-Reid; grandsons, Whit Hazlewood and Matthew Reid; granddaughters, Olivia Hazlewood and Sofia Reid; daughterin-law, Catherine Hazlewood; son-in-law, Ryan Reid; sisters-in-law, Annair Hazlewood Chambers and Janie Thompson and many other relatives and members of the Thompson, Hazlewood, Newbold, Pritchard, Pyfrom, Hearns and Reid families.

A funeral service for Mrs. Hazlewood, will be held at Trinity Methodist Church, Trinity Place and Frederick Street, Nassau, on Monday, 3rd April, 2017 at 12:00 Noon.

Reverend Bill Higgs will officiate.

In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be sent to the Cancer Society of The Bahamas, P.O. Box S.S. 6539, Nassau in memory of Mrs. Bonnie Dorothea Hazlewood.

THE FAMILY REQUEST THAT ALL THOSE ATTENDING TO PLEASE WEAR SOMETHING BLUE, AS IT WAS BONNIE’S FAVOURITE COLOUR. Arrangements Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited.

Denial The Tribune contacted the doctor in question, who refuted the claims. His name has been withheld.

The physician said he is aware of Mrs Smith and admitted that he did perform a hysterectomy on her some time ago. He said after surgery, she developed complications of bowel obstruction and was taken to the Rand Memorial Hospital for surgery to resolve the obstruction.

He denied cutting her bowels.

The doctor said Mrs Smith’s daughter wanted to have her airlifted to the US and he facilitated by providing all her medical notes and sent her on her way.

“She went to the States and there are two sets of American doctors,” the doctor said. “Some will tell you if you did not come by today you would have been dead by tomorrow. They tell them all sorts of things and they are not very professional. They did something to her; they opened her back up and I heard they were doing CT scans and trying to put her bowels back together.

“There is this thing called bowel adhesion which is very a tricky situation because the more surgeries you do, the more scarring and healing will happen,” the doctor explained.

He said Mrs Smith did not come back to him for follow up after returning from the US. “I was calling her daughter and asking her how is she doing because I was interested in her because I know her and had been seeing her for years,” he said.

“She fell off the radar, and I have never seen her since. If she feels I harmed her, she should get a lawyer to sue me.

“This happened about

a year or two years ago. I did everything that a reasonable doctor would do to solve her problem. I heard all kinds of things that I went in and cut her bowels.

We never cut her bowels, that never happened,” he insisted.

The doctor said bowel adhesion can sometimes occur if a patient has had operations before and they have scars inside their abdomen.

“Sometimes what can trigger it is, when you get another surgery, those bands of adhesions because you have reopened in 24 hours and when you start healing again, you get those loops of bowels that get entangled into those bands in the stomach and you get obstruction,” he explained.

“The doctor (at the Rand) went in and did a very good job of cleaning up her tummy and sewing her back up, but they said they wanted her to go to the US. She would have healed very fine in the ICU and went home after about three or four days. I said if you want to go, certainly, and I gave them her notes and sent her on her way.

“I did everything a doctor would do when there are any complications or any issue, but I did not cut that woman’s bowels. I have her records, and she is putting herself at risk of getting sued for defamation,” the doctor said.

He told The Tribune that he performs hysterectomies every week.

“I have done thousands of hysterectomies in Grand Bahama. It is very sad; you never know what is the motive behind these people.

But when they go to America and the doctors there mess them up, they say nothing,” he said.

Meanwhile, with the impending implementation of National Health Insurance, Mrs Smith said it is important that that doctors here are competent.

“We need to make the medical system better and doctors must be held to a duty of care to their patients,” she said.

Mrs Smith encouraging other women who have experienced something similar and need support to contact her at 242-812-6116.

CRAWFISH SEASON CLOSES TOMORROW UNTIL JULY 31 THE Department of Marine Resources has advised that the 2017 closed season for the capturing of crawfish starts on April 1 and runs to July 31.

During this period the department said it is an offence for persons to “take, capture or have in possession, kill or offer for sale any fresh or live crawfish”.

A statement from the

department said: “Persons possessing crawfish trapping permits, crawfish exporter’s licenses, and permits authorising the use of air compressors are reminded that these all expire on March 31, 2017.

“After March 31, 2017, all crawfish traps must be stored on land and all crawfish processors must file a report to the Department

of Marine Resources stating the quantity of crawfish on hand as of April 1, 2017.

“Crawfish Processors wishing to export any crawfish during the closed season are reminded that they must first obtain a special permit from the Department of Marine Resources to do so.

“The utilisation of an air compressor during the period April 1, 2017 to July 31,

2017 to aid in any fishing in The Bahamas is prohibited.

Fisheries Inspectors will be on alert to ensure compliance with the regulations during the closed season and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

“The Department of Marine Resources requests the full co-operation of all persons concerned.”

READERS DOUBT PM OVER EXPLANATION OF WHERE VAT REVENUE HAS GONE PRIME Minister Perry Christie’s explanation of how his administration handled the $1.14bn in VAT revenue accumulated during 2015 and 2016 did not convince readers on tribune242.com.

Sickened questioned the Prime Minister’s numbers: “Sorry Perry but the numbers still don’t add up to a figure that’s even close to $700 million in more than expected revenue. And ... that’s not even counting the additional borrowing during the period. Can we please hire some experienced accountants and not bookkeepers?”

Economist asked: “Then why not set out what you have done with the money?

If you know that, there must be records that you have referred to in order to make such a statement.

Show us!”

Well_mudda_take_sic had this to say: “At the time they introduced VAT, Christie and Halkitis assured us that these tax dollars would be applied

(earmarked) solely for the purpose of reducing the then existing levels of our annual deficit and national debt. Now Christie and Halkitis readily admit that they outrightly lied to the Bahamian people.

They foolishly tell us we should be happy VAT was introduced otherwise our ballooning annual deficits and national debt would be even higher than the current exorbitant and unsustainable levels. They also have no shame in telling us they have even used our VAT dollars to grow the government. It’s clear Christie and Halkitis think we are all fools!

We all know that millions and millions of our tax dollars have been flushed down the proverbial toilet

as a result of waste, fraud, corruption and outright instances of theft that have occurred under the watchful eyes of both Christie and Halkitis. These despots know no shame!”

Cobalt was another reader sceptical of the Mr Christie’s figures: “Every time Perry Christie opens his mouth he initiates another vote for the FNM. If he keeps talking, Hubert Minnis won’t even have to campaign. This man continuously insults the intelligence of right-thinking Bahamian citizens by talking utter rubbuish. Mr Christie, if it’s one thing that we the Bahamian public DO know is that our tax dollars have been misappropriated and mismanaged.

“You and your government have yet to provide the Bahamian public with the proper financial reports and transcripts of how our tax dollars have been used. There is supposed to be a nonpartisan committee delegated to evaluat-

ing and observing how the government spends money.

This committee is then obligated to report their findings each year. That how all first world nations operate! In the US, the use of tax dollars are transparent not only to the government but the citizens as well. But here in the Bahamas you and your government can just spend money without any accountability or transparency then demand that your citizens simply take your word for it! Only donkeys listen to nonsense!

For God’s sake ... just hurry up and call elections please. We’re tired of listening to your foolishness.”

And Realfreethinker said: “He would have been better not making that report. He did the PLP no favors here. There is an old saying ‘It’s better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt’”.

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

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 31, 2017, PAGE 13

Gibson: More labour reforms ahead under PLP

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net MINISTER of Labour and National Insurance Shane Gibson yesterday called the passage of the labour amendments by Parliament this week “a great place to start”, implying that if re-elected the Christie administration would expand on its labour reform actions.

On the sidelines of a commissioning ceremony for the National Insurance Board’s (NIB) new Carmichael Road full-service office, Mr Gibson lamented the government’s inability to complete its full slate of labour reforms as promised before the 2012 general election.

The Golden Gates MP, likening the proposals presented by the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in the past to an apple, asserted that some situations mandate “small bites” - saying the party avoided “choking” with a view to return and continue its effort.

“You have to take small bites of the apple,” Mr Gibson said. “If you try to take too large of a bite at one time, you have to avoid choking.

“Since coming to office in 2012, we have done a lot about trying to make the labour laws more relevant to what is happening in the country now.

“So, from the renaming of the Sir Randol Fawkes Labour Day parade, to moving the clause that allows for employers to revoke recognition (of unions and representatives), to allowing industrial agreements to be registered by the Registrar of Tribunals which created a bottleneck, to these amendments here which will help to better protect workers and to allow for more communication between employers and their workers or their work-

ers’ representative.”

The labour minister said the Christie administration has spent much of its waning months in office working to prevent ad-hoc terminations from becoming the norm, insisting that Bahamian workers needed a level of protection not provided in earlier legislation.

To that end, Mr Gibson said the changes provided for in the revised Employment Act and Industrial Relations Act reforms will guard against, primarily, “persons waking up one morning to find out that they were made redundant and being forced to decide whether they should take redundancy pay or take gratuity.”

Mr Gibson maintained that his current stint as minister of labour has yielded positive results for Bahamian workers.

“It is good for workers of the country and hopefully when we take another bite at it, we can do some more things to further empower the workers of the country.”

Initially, the government sought to address redundancy pay to employees; options for rehiring in times of redundancies; and the implementation of provisions that protect employees in the event of being made redundant.

Additionally, the government aimed to implement a new 32-week cap for line staff employed up to 12 years with an employer.

The amendment would have required the ‘cap’ to be increased to 32 weeks (16 years) immediately upon enactment of the reforms. And, ultimately, the ‘cap’ for line staff redundancy pay would have been increased to 40 weeks some two years after the amendments are passed.

As for managerial staff, redundancy pay would have gone from the existing 48 weeks/12 months entitlement to 60 weeks, effective immediately, and then to 80

weeks two years after enactment.

Meanwhile, as it related to the Industrial Relations Act, the government was looking to improve issues related to industrial agreements, union relations and matters dealing with the resolution of disputes between unions and employers.

Those proposals resulted to serious push back by private sector employers.

Ultimately, the government relented on its attempt to alter the redundancy ‘cap’, leaving it as originally stated due to uproar.

Addressing that push back yesterday, Mr Gibson said he expected everything that came with the process and was prepared for every possible outcome.

He said: “You will always have push back. The thing is, why we have a Tripartite Council is because we always want to have an avenue where all the stakeholders and all the social partners have an opportunity to sit down and discuss these things.”

Mr Gibson added: “Nobody ever gets what they want and so you will find that workers want more and employers want to give less.”

“You will always have employers threatening to downsize and terminate or do whatever they have to do to get their point across, but the idea is to always allow them the opportunity to get feedback from them and keep the dialogue going.”

Many of the issues addressed in these amendments are issues contested by unionists for much of the last decade.

Several observers have suggested that these moves by the government came in response to the mass redundancy carried out by Sandal Royal Bahamian last year, when 600 persons lost their jobs.

ACCREDITATION FOR CANCER CENTRE THE Cancer Centre Bahamas has been accredited for a further three years by the American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO).

Since 1995, ACRO Accreditation has offered a voluntary accreditation programme to radiation oncology practices interested in a professional peer review process to ensure the highest quality of care.

The objective of ACRO Accreditation is to ascertain that the equipment, staff, policies, procedures and treatment programmes of the practice meet accepted standards of modern day radiation therapy delivered in the United States.

The survey and data analysis are conducted by a board-certified Radiation Oncologists, Radiation Physicists and Radiation Oncology Administrators active in the ACRO Accreditation process. Each practice is examined for

THE CLINICAL, Medical and Paediatric Oncology team in front of the Linear Accelerator at The Cancer Centre Bahamas. quality and efficiency of an administrative surveyor. patient care, as well as ap“We were awarded our propriateness of radiation fourth consecutive, full therapy equipment, pro- accreditation by ACRO fessional performance and which expires May 31st, staffing levels. Accredita- 2019,” a press release from tion is awarded to practices the Centre said. “This is meeting these performance also our first renewal under standards. the leadership of Dr Tom According to the Cancer McGowan, our Medical Centre “ACRO carried out Director. The Cancer Cenan in-depth review of our tre Bahamas underwent practice consisting of an on- this process because we are line case review by disease committed to ensuring the site specific team members highest standard of care for as well as an onsite review our patients. Receiving this by a medical physicist and comprehensive overview

US WARNING TO AVOID POLITICAL PROTESTS IN ELECTION SEASON

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE United States Embassy in Nassau has again warned its staff, citizens and US visitors in the capital and Paradise Island to avoid political demonstrations, advising that The Bahamas’ election season has started.

In a security message yesterday, the Nassau embassy noted that a demonstration would take place this Sunday from the parking lot at Scotiabank Cable Beach Branch and proceeding to the Prime Minister’s Office.

The notice underscored that the route was near hotels - the Melia Nassau Beach Resort and Super-

Clubs Breezes - and Goodman’s Bay Park.

Sunday’s demonstration is being jointly hosted by activist groups We March Bahamas and RABL (Raising Awareness about the Bahamas Landfill).

The security message read: “Election season has started in The Bahamas.

Demonstrations and/or protests may occur more frequently. Keep in contact with your hotel or tour operator for the latest information on political demonstrations that could affect you.

“Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate to violence,” it continued.

“Review your personal security plans, remain

aware of your surroundings, including local events, and monitor local news stations for updates. Be vigilant and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.

“US Embassy personnel have been advised to avoid demonstrations, and to exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests or demonstrations.

The embassy recommends that private US citizens do the same,” the statement continued.

Organisers have said the march is being held to protest for clean air and water, transparency over ValueAdded Tax expenditure and punishment for corrupt politicians, among other issues.

FROM left, Paula LaPlant, vice-president of the Exuma branch of the Cancer Society, Sophia HartRolle, senior manager for BTC Exuma, and Magnolia Morley, president of the Exuma branch of the Cancer Society.

BTC GIVES ITS SUPPORT TO EXUMA CANCER SOCIETY BALL BTC was recently a sponsor for the Exuma Cancer Society’s annual ball, continuing its years of donating to the branch to further the island’s events and awareness activities.

Sophia Hart-Rolle, senior manager for Exuma, said: “We have supported the

Exuma branch of the Cancer Society for many years.

Prevention and awareness are of paramount importance and we are always willing to lend and be a partner with the community wherever we can.”

Last October, BTC made a contribution of $5,000 to

the nation’s leading organisations supporting the fight against breast cancer. The company also gave over 100 free mammograms to customers in support of Breast Cancer Month. BTC has actively participated in the breast cancer fight for more than a decade.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 31, 2017, PAGE 15

Chow Tai Fook Enterprises: If You Don’t Tell the Truth about Your Owners, How Can We Trust You about Baha Mar CTFE ran an ad to try to deny the various court documents, regulatory reports, corporate filings and media coverage regarding CTFE’s owner, the Cheng family, and international organized crime.

Was CTFE being truthful? Let’s consult the public record: • CTFE says: “It does not operate casinos in Macau.”

• The facts are: Last December, Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe said to the Tribune, “We’re going to take a look at their operations that they do now in Macau”. If CTFE has no involvement in Macau, why did the government focus on “their operations…in Macau?” If the Government was not looking at CTFE, was it looking at CTFE’s owners, the Chengs? Is CTFE calling the Government liars?

• CTFE says: “A related entity is a minor and passive shareholder in a Macau company, STDM.” • The facts are: The Cheng family, which owns and controls CTFE, was one of the largest shareholders of STDM, the patriarch of the family was Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, and the Chengs potentially received tainted profits from a business with ties to criminal elements.

• CTFE says: It “does not have any oversight, control, direct or indirect influence in SJM casinos.”

• The facts are: SJM is the reincorporated STDM. The Cheng family, which owns and controls CTFE, owns a significant stake in SJM Holdings, has been an investor in SJM since its founding, and has at least one member of the family on SJM’s Board of Directors.

• CTFE says: “Holding a gaming license is a privilege which requires complete transparency and integrity [including that of]…the Cheng family.”

• The facts are: The Cheng family, which owns and controls CTFE, has not been transparent whatsoever. We have not even heard from The Chengs. The public database lays out a vast record of involvement of criminal and organized crime in businesses and investments associated with the Chengs.

Can we really believe Chow Tai Fook about its owners, the Chengs?

Can we really believe Chow Tai Fook about Baha Mar? The truth is in plain sight for not only the Gaming Board, but for all of us.

The hearing will be held today, Friday, March 31st, at 10 a.m. at The Victoria Ballroom, The British Colonial Hilton Hotel.

Paid for by Bahamians who want a better Bahamas

PAGE 16, Friday, March 31, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

The lessons of the deadly Westminster attack

A random act of terrorism in London last week has brought the issues around multicultural Britain into sharp focus again, Peter Young says LAST week’s shocking ing planned. act of terror in the heart Reportedly, in just 82 of London has attracted seconds the deranged monmassive publicity, not only ster killed four people and because of the randomness injured more than 50 othof the loss of life and of the ers, using his rented SUV to serious injuries inflicted but mow down pedestrians on also due to the particular the pavement of the foursense of outrage that the lane Westminster Bridge Westminster Parliament, across the Thames river and the home of democracy, then stabbing to death a pohad been attacked. liceman inside the grounds Clearly, many people of Parliament before himwere deeply shaken by the self being shot dead by realisation that, if the secu- armed police. rity system had not worked Knowing this bridge well by stopping the crazed as I do after having walked killer in his tracks after across it so many times he entered the grounds of when working at the nearthe Houses of Parliament, by Foreign and Commonthe catastrophe could have wealth Office makes it all been even worse. the more shocking on a perThe attack has also been sonal basis to imagine the splashed across the me- sheer, unspeakable horror dia because of the justified of a vehicle being driven defear, after recent serious liberately and at speed into incidents in Europe (Paris, people walking normally, Brussels, Nice and Ber- peacefully and unsuspectlin), of both ingly along the the threat and ‘Khalid Masood pavement of deadly effects a main thorof interna- was not an oughfare in tional terror- immigrant but the nation’s ism inspired a homegrown capital.

by ISIS. But The official Scotland Yard terrorist and response to has already this made him, this attack was concluded that arguably, more led by Prime the perpetraMinister Thetor, 52-year- dangerous.’ resa May who, old Khalid as a long-servMasood, who was a British ing Home Secretary (Mincitizen with a violent crimi- ister of Interior equivanal record living in south- lent), has had considerable east England, had acted experience of dealing with alone in his murderous terrorism. The continuing rampage and there was no severe threat of this may be intelligence or other infor- one of the most challengmation to show that further ing issues of her leadership. attacks by others were be- She was seen to have taken

CONSERVATIVE Member of Parliament Tobias Ellwood, centre, helps emergency services attend to an injured person outside the Houses of Parliament, London, after the terror attack.

Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP charge from the outset and she spoke compellingly on television the same evening.

At the sitting of the House of Commons the following day she gave a commanding performance which drew praise from all sides.

Choosing a consensual tone and exactly the right words, she stressed the importance of defending, in the face of terrorism, Britain’s values of democracy, openness, free speech, tolerance, liberty and the rule of law; and she made it clear that these would always prevail in the end while the govern-

ment’s resolve would never weaken. Her informed and measured responses to the many subsequent expressions of grief, sympathy and solidarity by members of parliament were also widely praised.

All this was right and proper and also admirable, in particular Mrs May’s glowing tribute to the fallen police officer and to the emergency and security services, the latter reported to have successfully thwarted numerous possible acts of terrorism in the recent past.

But, inevitably, the debate about the causes of the scourge of terrorism and how governments should deal with it has been reignited.

To many, the first step is to recognise and label radical Islamic terrorism for what it is - a global terror movement intent on destroying the West - while accepting that this constitutes a perversion of Islam. As Muslim leaders in Britain stated soon after the Westminster attack, it was a violation of everything Islam stands for and all acts of terrorism should be condemned.

However, although ISIS has hailed him as a hero, it is not clear whether Masood had any formal connection to it and his motive will never be determined for sure even though, as well as being known to the police as a vicious thug, it seems that he had been radicalised to the extent that he was marked by the security services as a potentially active extremist after working for a period in Saudi Arabia.

On the broader front,

there is growing criticism that the official reaction has been exaggerated and has bordered on the hysterical, with overwhelming press coverage and people almost competing with one another over the intensity of their outrage. Some say that an isolated incident like this is a tragedy but should be treated as a crime rather than glorified as a threat to democracy. Terrorists not only seek to instill widespread fear but also want martyrdom in destroying the so-called non-believer and they want publicity for their horrendous actions.

In a free society bad news should not be suppressed, but there has to be a sense of proportion in denying the terrorist the oxygen of excessive attention and publicity.

Masood was not an immigrant but a homegrown terrorist and this made him, arguably, more dangerous.

Although he was not seen

by MI5 as an immediate threat, there are said to be up to 3,000 people at any one time on its watch list of homegrown fanatics.

Critics point to the political class’ reckless fostering of the conditions which have allowed Islamist fundamentalism to flourish in Britain through the now discredited doctrine of multiculturalism and its related excessive respect for diversity.

In the 1990s, the Blair government opened the floodgates to mass immigration. This turned out to be an unwise and flawed policy for a small country like Britain, which was al-

ready overcrowded with increasing pressure on its schools, hospitals and public services. But what made a difficult situation worse was that the government did not encourage, through positive measures, the integration into local communities of newcomers who should have been required to respect British values in return for being granted residency or citizenship. Some say that this has resulted in the creation of mono-cultural Muslim ghettoes and the proliferation of hate preachers permitted to spread their ideas of violence and division so that many young Muslims, influenced by what is taught in some mosques, grow up hating their own country.

In an open democracy there can no guarantee of absolute security for its citizens. So, despite the success of the security services in preventing terrorist attacks, actions by criminal misfits, as in the Westminster atrocity, cannot be predicted.

Most people, however, do not want Britain’s public buildings to be turned into fortresses, and a balance has to be struck between the security and protection of the public and the need to maintain the exercise of those freedoms in an open society which the terrorist is trying to destroy. But perhaps this latest horror will be a wake-up call to the politicians at least to try to stop the hate preachers.

• Peter Young is a retired British diplomat living in Nassau. From 1996 to 2000 he was British High Commissioner to The Bahamas.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 31, 2017, PAGE 17 THE ROTARY Bahamas Road to Peace Committee in conjunction with the Rotary Bahamas Scholarship Committee has afforded two residents of Bain and Grants Town the opportunity to pursue a professional development course at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI). From left, standing: past assistant governor and committee co-chair Stan Charlton; past president Jamaal Davis; committee member and BTVI’s associate vice-president of fund development Alicia Thompson; committee member Mike Russell and assistant governor Tim Ingraham (seated) scholarship recipient Yasmine Williams; BTVI president Dr Robert W Robertson and scholarship recipient Lerenzo Charles.

Cycling Club Bahamas Cycling Club Bahamas. The club would like to support the Kiwanis Club of Nassau on this Saturday’s ride (April 1st). We would like to meet at Harbour Bay at 5:15am and leave at 5:30am to congregate at Goodman’s Bay for a 6am start. We will start at Goodman’s Bay (6am) and complete our regular 40 mile ride and return to Goodman’s Bay to finish. The entry fee is $12. Please bring a completed form.

Weekend rides - Sundays leaving 6am sharp from Harbour Bay Shopping Centre in front of First Caribbean Bank (Starbuck’s) 40-50 miles headed east. P/I Bridges optional at the end.

The pace will range from 17–20+mph, 3-3.5 hours.

Weekday rides, east morning, Tuesday & Thursday leaving 5am sharp from Sea Grapes Shopping Centre, East Prince Charles Drive. This ride is a 17-mile loop to the Northbound Paradise Island Bridge and back again (both bridges are sometimes incorporated depending on available time). Open to riders capable of 18 mph + for 1 hour.

Lights are essential.

Weekday rides, west morning, Wednesdays & Fridays leaving 4:45am sharp from Fidelity Bank Parking Lot (opposite Cable Beach Police Station), West Bay St. This ride is a 20-mile loop. The route is varied. Open to riders capable of 18 mph + for 1 hr.

Lights are essential. Contact Shantell 557-3635 to confirm your attendance.

Mid-day ride, weekdays - leaving 11am from Cable Beach Police Station (near Baha Mar). The ride distance varies (23 miles). The speed varies (10-15mph).

Contact Dwight to confirm your attendance 426-6119.

Afternoon, Tuesdays & Thursdays, leaving 5:30pm sharp from Old Fort Shopping Center east of Solomon’s Fresh Market. Intermediate riders 17-22mph

JOIN THE CLUB OUR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers.

To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@ tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line.

For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 5022373 or 447-3565.

- see Spyda This ride is 18miles. Faster group leaves North Side Lyford Cay roundabout. Recommended for Strong Riders capable of 20mph+ for 1-1.5hrs.

(23 miles) .

April 2nd - The Potcakeman Triathlon at Jaws Beach, 7am.

April 16 - NPCA Road Race/Individual Time Trial start/finish Baha Mar Blvd.

April 30 - NPCA Road Race start/finish Coral Harbour Shopping Centre 42 miles.

The Management of UBS Trustees (Bahamas) Ltd., is pleased to announce its

2017 Promotions Director

Rotary Bahamas Rotary Bahamas. - A recent Rotary sponsored peace initiative in Bain and Grants Town has reaped rewards for two residents of the area, landing them scholarships to The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI).

Lerenzo Charles and Yasmine Williams are presently in BTVI’s face care and makeup application I course, thanks to the Rotary Bahamas Road to Peace Committee in consultation with the Rotary Bahamas Scholarship Committee, led

by Chairman Philip Cumming. The scholarships, which include tuition and supplies, are to help them launch their own small businesses in the area.

Yasmin expressed her elation over learning she was a recipient of the scholarship and how she intends to capitalise on the five-week program. “I knew I did not have the money to sign up for it, and it was a great opportunity at the time so I was excited. It will help me to get my certificate, and then open my business or work for myself until I can open the business and expand,” said Yasmin.

Lerenzo is also grateful, stating that the course is a stepping stone to his vision of entrepreneurship.

“I find a great liking in seeing others look clean and sharp and being able to make one’s appearance stand out from others. I want to take beautification to a whole new level!” he exclaimed.

BTVI president Dr Robert W Robertson also praised Rotary Bahamas, noting that he strongly believes education is one of the keys to improving one’s socio-economic conditions, thus putting a dent in the crime problem.

“We were pleased to have our team on the ground of the peace event. It was an excellent avenue to get the word out there that BTVI offers affordable excellence,” he said.

Shavonne Davis

Associate Director

Deangelo Rolle

Latisa Burnside

Authorized Officer

Clarissa Hanna

We would also like to thank those employees with service anniversaries in 2016 15 Years

Hervisa Bain Jamaine Basden Deborah Rahming Diego Turnquest

10 Years

Claudia Rolle

5 Years

Clarissa Hanna