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Carnival U-turn Festival back to its original dates after complaints

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net AFTER enraging festival stakeholders and participants with an impromptu date change, the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival (BJC) is back on for its original date of May 4 to 6 in Nassau with an April kick off in Grand Bahama after an “intervention” by Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe.

Despite the news, band owners are still predicting big losses as a result of the confusion.

After two days of widespread backlash over a last-minute delay to the controversial festival and the cancellation of the Grand Bahama events, Mr Wilchcombe yesterday announced that the original dates were reinstated, along

TOGGIE AND BOBO AT PLP EVENT

with the Grand Bahama component.

However, Bahamas Carnival Band Owners Association (BCBOA) President Dario Tirelli told The Tribune the event’s brand reputability and the 2017 festival have been dealt a major blow. He said bands have indicated that nearly 3,000 participants or “revellers” were expected to take part in the festival.

In a statement yesterday, it was explained that Mr Wilchcombe’s intervention was made after consultation with Prime Minister Perry Christie, and took into consideration the overwhelming cries of disadvantaged stakeholders and guests.

The statement indicated that the Ministry of Tourism plans to work closely SEE PAGE NINE

D’AGUILAR TELLS PLPS TO STOP MAKING CAREER OUT OF POLITICS

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement (FNM) Free Town candidate Dionisio D’Aguilar yesterday called on long-serving Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) parliamentarians to quit “making a career” out of politics.

He said all of the “pomp and pageantry” associated with public office has “gone to their heads”, to the point where some do not know when to step aside.

Mr D’Aguilar, while a guest on Island Luck TV show “The Real Deal” with host Ortland Bodie Jr,

called on PLP parliamentarians, especially those who have served “for three and four terms”, to stop serving and “go back to (their) real job” as he suggested that their lust for power and the grandeur associated with it is the reason many MPs do not want to retire.

The longest serving elected parliamentarian alive is Prime Minister Perry Christie, who, at 73, has invested more than 40 years of his life to public office, and has been the PLP’s leader for roughly two decades.

SEE PAGE FIVE

WISLER ‘Bobo’ Davilma, left, pictured alongside Minister of National Security Dr Bernard Nottage on Tuesday night.

WHILE PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts has repeatedly attempted to implicate Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr Hubert Minnis as being connected to “Toggie” and “Bobo,” the men at the heart of an alleged murder plot against billionaire Louis Bacon and lawyer Fred Smith, QC - the self proclaimed “gang members” were seen among governing party supporters on Tuesday night, The Tribune can confirm.

Wisler “Bobo” Davilma and Livingston “Toggie” Bullard, the two men who were allegedly hired by Ca-

nadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard to engage in criminal activities, attended the PLP’s joint constituency meeting at the T G Glover Primary School.

Earlier this year, Mr Roberts castigated Dr Minnis over his “silence” regarding FNM candidate for Marco City Michael Pintard, who resigned as chairman of the FNM and from the Senate over his involvement in the lawsuit against Mr Nygard on March 21, 2016. His resignation, he insisted, was not an admission of guilt.

On the same day that Mr

Pintard stepped down from the posts, Dr Minnis admitted to The Tribune that he had met Bullard at his home.

Dr Minnis said Bullard, his constituent in Killarney whom he said he met three times, contacted him to pass on a warning to Mr Pintard that he was about to be allegedly “set up” by a high ranking member of government and others.

Dr Minnis was adamant that the they never discussed Mr Nygard, adding that he did not hear of the alleged murder-for-hire plot until The Tribune

published claims in an affidavit filed on March 9, 2016 by directors of Save the Bays.

“The now ratified FNM candidate for Marco City Michael Pintard was forced to resign from his Senate seat and also as chairman of the Free National Movement at the behest of their leader Dr Hubert Minnis when he was caught on tape negotiating a murder plot scam and scandal with known criminals,” Mr Roberts said in a press statement in February.

SEE PAGE SIX

HALL: WE’LL GET IT RIGHT FNM: SERIOUS CONCERNS ON CLEANING UP REGISTER AT VOTER DISCREPANCIES

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

PARLIAMENTARY Commissioner Sherlyn Hall yesterday vowed that his department will clean up the voter register and “get it right” for the country’s general election after a report revealed that hundreds of names have been duplicated across multiple constituencies.

Mr Hall emphasised that

the register was a manual system, and as such, most of the discrepancies were due to human error at the dataentry level.

Insisting that “no typo” will jeopardise the election, he advised that his department took responsibility for the mistakes and noted they have 14 to 15 days to clean up the register once it is closed.

SEE PAGE SIX

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement (FNM) Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest said the party has “serious concerns” at the number of discrepancies on the voter register and will be doing its own checks to ensure the upcoming general election is fair.

Mr Turnquest told The

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

Tribune that while it is impossible to detect every case of voter fraud, the FNM will ensure that once the register is closed, there will be little to no inconsistencies.

His comments came a day after it was revealed that hundreds of names on the current voter register were duplicated and some perople registered in multiple constituencies.

SEE PAGE SIX

PAGE 2, Thursday, April 6, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

THE VIEW in Centreville yesterday during a walkabout

by Tribune reporters as they spoke to residents about the past five years under the PLP and the future ahead.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/ Tribune Staff

TROY NIXON, an artist, with one of his sculptures, pictured during the Centreville walkabout.

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THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, Thursday, April April 6, 2017, 6, 2017, PAGE PAGE 3 3

Centreville residents give their verdict on five years of the PLP Has Perry Christie done enough for his Centreville constituents to warrant another re-election? Rashad Rolle takes to the street to find out if the Prime Minister’s time might be coming to a close.

CRAIGNESHA Nottage is voting for Prime Minister Perry Christie in Centreville because her entire family supports the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and because Mr Christie has personally helped many of them get jobs, she told The Tribune yesterday.

She was one of many residents who spoke with this newspaper as it canvassed the Centreville constituency yesterday. While some expressed ardent support for Mr Christie, others were fed up with the slow pace of progress in the area.

“Two of my family members are by his office right now getting interviewed and two of them started working today as I speak,” she said yesterday. “He helped them. My auntie, she’s a big PLP and she have position. She working on getting something for me to do now. All my cousins by his office.”

As she prepares to cast her vote in an election for the first time, Ms Nottage is hoping Mr Christie will provide her with a job as well.

“He’s always promising,” she said. “He always tell me to come see him. I just saw him last night (at a PLP branch meeting). So far, he came through on two of his promises for me but the most important thing is that I get a job because I ain’t working.”

Troy Nixon, an artist, is also voting for the PLP, although he wishes the people connected to Mr Christie would travel through the constituency more often and create constructive activities for the young in the area to engage in.

Like others who spoke to The Tribune yesterday, he expects Mr Christie to maintain his stranglehold on the constituency he has won eight consecutive times.

“He’s well loved around here because he’s from here,” he said. “That’s probably the number one reason why we vote for him.”

Signs of dissatisfaction abound in an area that bears numerous signs of economic hardship despite the many businesses that encircle residential.

An 89-year-old woman who declined to disclose her name, for instance, said though she voted for Mr Christie five years ago she will give the Free National Movement (FNM) her vote this time.

“I think (Mr Christie) needs a rest now,” she said.

“Give somebody else a chance. There’s not been enough progress in Centreville. Things should have been so much better.

I thought it would be better the last time, which is why I voted for them, but I’m disappointed.”

The woman wants the constituency to move past the era where outside toilets exist and government water pumps are frequently used.

“The place is not fixed up,” she said.

Criticisms of FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis don’t faze her, she said. “Let’s give him a chance,” she said. “He’s a good man.”

Another woman, Elizabeth Scantlebury, 65, will not vote for either of the major parties, choosing the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) instead.

“I got bite from the red

CRAIGNEESHA NOTTAGE, speaking to Tribune reporter Rashad Rolle in Centreville.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

ELIZABETH SCANTLEBURY, pictured during the Centreville walkabout. dog and the yellow dog,” she said. “It ain’ make no sense going through that again.”

Like the 89-year-old, Ms Scantlebury is concerned with basic quality-of-life issues: better roads, fewer outside toilets, “proper facilities for people”.

Despite expectations of a victory for Mr Christie, the diehard FNM supporters in the area, like 72-year-old Doreen Lightbourne, are vocal in their dissatisfaction with Mr Christie’s representation.

ABOVE and below, scenes in Centreville yesterday.

“Everybody wants Perry Christie out,” she said, a line she repeated over and over when told of Mr Christie’s decades-long popularity among Centreville residents.

“He talking about five more years, why? To mess up this country more than what it is now? I never vote for the PLP. Ain’t nobody in here voting the PLP. We want him out. You see how that man has this country all messed up?”

Aside from diehard party supporters, it was difficult to discern enthusiasm among Bahamians in the area for the upcoming election.

“I ain’t voting for any of them. I voting for Jesus,” one 24-year-old man said.

“Think about the future of the youth growing up in this island and you think I gon’ waste my time voting for any of them? I ain’ worrying about them. To show you how Perry don’t play, he stick up his middle finger in public bro. Things don’t make no sense and don’t have these men them sell you any dreams.”

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PAGE 4, Thursday, April 6, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

jrolle@tribunemedia.net

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914 Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

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EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972-

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A country crying out for political change WITH THIS week’s announcement of the dissolution of Parliament on April 11 and a general election just around the corner, there is already a palpable growing sense of relief that political change is imminent.

The ruling Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) will finally be held to account for its failings and reprehensible practice in so many areas during the last five years.

From what we are hearing, many Bahamians are deeply concerned and believe that something has to be done to stop the nation spiralling out of control. While the main opposition Free National Movement (FNM) is far from perfect under its uninspiring leadership, change is essential if our nation is to survive and then begin to prosper again in the coming years.

The PLP’s disastrous handling of the nation’s affairs has been well documented recently in these columns and does not bear reiteration. People are well aware of the wrongdoing and corruption involving nepotism, cronyism, victimisation and disrespect for the law and our democratic practices against a background of ineptitude, poor governance and mismanagement at every level.

All this has produced predictable results - numerous scandals and disasters as well as increased crime and unemployment together with an unprecedented level of debt - and the people have simply lost confidence in the current government.

This newspaper has no quarrel with the PLP on ideological grounds. But we seek to expose wrongdoing and the corrupt practices of politicians who have shown themselves to be primarily concerned about their own interests rather than those of the public whom they were elected to serve. All too often, for their own selfish purposes, they also exercise their power by ruling over the people rather than representing their interests.

Since we go back a long time and can legitimately indulge in historical perspective, we are able to see how those who worked so assiduously to secure the end of racial discrimination and the establishment of majority rule in this country soon lapsed in to doubtful ways after achieving political power.

None can deny the achievements of the PLP and the beneficial role it played at first, guided as it was by its original noble vision. But, sadly, this promis-

ing beginning did not last, and in more recent times the politicians slipped all too easily in to damaging habits and tendencies which are still in evidence today.

Following the FNM’s victory in the 1992 general election, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham successfully stopped the rot by ending racial divisiveness, stopping corruption and restoring the nation’s reputation after the drug smuggling years.

For The Bahamas, that now looks like a golden age of good governance and decency and integrity in public life which led to increased prosperity. But under subsequent PLP governments - most recently, the current administration which won the 2012 election after the small Democratic National Alliance party split the FNM’s vote there has been a reversion to the bad old ways by the same erstwhile representatives who had earlier transgressed in political life but were nonetheless reappointed by a Prime Minister who, throughout his tenure, has never been able to display the sort of leadership skills appropriate to his exalted position.

We believe that next month’s election is a watershed for our beloved Bahamaland. The country is at a low ebb. At the risk of hyperbole, it is surprising that it is functioning at all in the face of such poor management by a deeply flawed government.

Recently, we have been urging the opposition parties to unite in order to prevent another split vote. Today, we repeat that clarion call to all those concerned in an effort to persuade them to act for the good of the nation rather than their own narrow interests.

Despite the FNM’s demonstrable inadequacies, including a leader who appears to lack the qualities required of a Prime Minister, we are encouraged by signs that, if elected, it would restore true democratic values and honesty, integrity and purpose to the business of governance in the reported words of the candidate for St Anne’s, former Cabinet minister Brent Symonette, a return to level-headedness and a sense of reason.

For the sake of the whole country, there must be change. Without it, we shall slip further in to that downward spiral which so many people now fear.

Edison Key is no true member EDITOR, The Tribune A METRONOME is a mechanical device that marks time by swinging back and forth.

Oddly, that definition would appear to make Edison Key a political metronome.

The old timers playing dominoes at Chester’s Bar in Acklins will tell you that Key changes his party affiliation more times than a new mother changes diapers or more colourfully, “more times than the parson change he frock”.

And so there was no great surprise when Key showed up at the PLP mini-convention in January and nary a man batted an eye when Key swooned with Perry Christie at a campaign stop the other day.

The adjective that best describes the 78-year-old Mr Key is “irrelevant”. Nobody cares what he stands for because we know he will fall for anything.

He fell out of favour with Sir Lynden Pindling.

He bolted for the door when Hubert Ingraham stopped listening to him.

He found Perry Christie 1.0 too difficult to swallow. Then he didn’t like the prescription Hubert Minnis gave him for bellyaching all the time. Now he is back in love with Perry Christie 2.0.

I have no doubt that in his mind, every vacillation was a principled move. It just seems that his political principles and convictions shift as often as his politics.

Now, as he ends his political career we can soundly state that we know who he stood with over the years but we honestly don’t know what Edison Key stood for over the years.

Looking back over his career, there are countless instances where his actions were all to the good and glory of himself. This farmer and former Minister of Agriculture bows out of the political arena but like sand fly he just won’t leave us alone.

The historians will scratch their heads when they try to write about the contributions that this man has made to our national life. Trouble is, you just can’t pin him down on anything.

He loves being a member of political parties - no special one in particular. But his politics has always only been about him. Ask the FNM caucus who stormed out of Parliament when the then leader of the opposition Hubert Minnis refused to withdraw statements he made on the floor of the House.

Key put glue on his seat because he didn’t move a muscle.

He further frustrated the caucus on other occasions and only when it was convenient to him that he piled on for what he and others thought would have been the political castration of Minnis. They all learned however that a Bain Town bull is hard to geld.

My late grandmother had a phrase she used to warn about people who would never mean you any good.

“He ain’t no true-true member,” she would warn.

Who knew she was talking about Edison Key all those years ago.

THE GRADUATE Nassau April 5, 2017

Voter fraud arrest concerns EDITOR, The Tribune WHEN one picked up The Tribune and The Nassau Guardian on March 30, you were greeted with frontpage headlines, “Father of Four Denies Voter Fraud” and “Harbour Island Man Gets Bail in Voter Fraud Case”.

Looking closer at the photographs which accompanied the stories and watching the local news on television, the immediate question which anyone would have to ask is, “Is it really necessary to have five burly policemen accompany the individual to court and have his hands handcuffed behind his back and a chain on his ankles? What has this man been charged with?”

Someone charged with murder or some other serious crime doesn’t receive this kind of treatment!

Indeed, is it appropriate to have a police plane fly to North Eleuthera with armed policemen on board to apprehend the individual and escort him to Nassau?

The alleged fraud results from the fact that the name of the individual charged, Andrew Johnson, appears twice on the Register for Harbour Island. One does not, however, have to look very hard at the Register for Harbour Island to notice that the name of the Administrator for North

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Eleuthera, Jolton Johnson, also appears twice on the same Register: once as Jolton L Johnson and the other as Jolton Livingstone Johnson, who both share the same birth date. So why is it that Mr Andrew Johnson, a well-respected community leader, is charged with voter fraud, put in handcuffs and ankle chains, and dragged before the courts with a large police escort while the Administrator for North Eleuthera remains on the island attending to his official duties? Something is clearly wrong with this picture.

If, as a consequence of this incident, the Government or the Parliamentary Registration Department sought to use the incident as evidence that the Registration Department is well organised and diligently ensuring that persons were not abusing the system, the reverse has happened.

The Registration Department is left with egg all over its face; in fact, all over its body. The fact that you have charged a community leader and not the Island Administrator in what appears to be an identical situation forces one to question the integrity of the entire regis-

Time for a fixed date for election EDITOR, The Tribune AS a Bahamian, two issues that I would like to see come to fruition under the next government is a fixed election date and a term limit for Prime Ministers.

It is patently obvious that a fixed election date would provide all sorts of benefits to Bahamians, one of them being the ability to properly

plan events.

Secondly, I think Prime Ministers should only be allowed to serve a maximum of two terms.

We should not run the risk again of having washed up leaders vying for a third term in office.

DEHAVILLAND MOSS Nassau, April 5, 2017

tration process and indeed the judicial system. It also leaves most fair-minded persons with anger that you are prepared to embarrass and abuse the small man, while the big man is let off scot-free.

It is, however, also understood that there are a number of other persons not only in North Eleuthera, but throughout the Bahamas, who appear on the Register twice and this fact raises very serious concerns as to whether the Parliamentary Registration Department is equipped to handle the registration and raises concerns as to possible abuse.

Everything would seem to point to the probability that mistakes were made in the Parliamentary Registration Department in issuing two voters cards in the same polling division to the same person; and if that is acknowledged, then charges should immediately be dropped against Mr Johnson and apologies made.

But if the Parliamentary Registration office is unable to acknowledge their mistake, then clearly the Island Administrator should be charged before the courts with the same offence.

RICHARD LIGHTBOURN, MP Montagu Constituency April 5, 2017

Master orator

EDITOR, The Tribune

Re: PM: It is easy to ‘piss away’ public funds (The Tribune, April 4).

SUCH eloquence makes it easy to see where a reputation for oratorical skills comes from!

First ‘the finger’ and now a “rich” reference to a lower part of the human body.

So what’s next? Could it be an even richer allusion to the rear of our anatomy?

KEN W KNOWLES, MD Nassau, April 4, 2017.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, April 6, 2017, PAGE 5

More than 60 doctors registered for NHI primary care provision

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net MORE than 60 doctors in the private sector have registered as a primary care provider in the government’s National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, the NHI Secretariat said yesterday.

The identities of the doctors were not disclosed in the statement, but the Secretariat said their participation will be augmented by primary care providers in the public sector such as those who work under the Department of Public Health and the Public Hospitals Authority.

The registered doctors include general practitioners, family doctors, internists, obstetricians and gynaecologists, and paediatricians.

Provider registration will continue even though the first wave of registration ended on March 31, but the Secretariat is preparing to move into the next phase of its scheme, enrolment.

The Tribune understands this phase will begin in the second half of this month.

During that phase, Bahamians will be able to select their primary healthcare provider.

“We are pleased with the positive response from the provider community during the first round of primary care provider registration for NHI Bahamas and are looking forward to starting enrolment soon, so

DR PERRY GOMEZ, Minister of Health.

Bahamians can start selecting their preferred doctor,” said Peter Deveaux-Isaacs, permanent secretary of the NHI Secretariat.

In an interview with The Tribune on Tuesday, Health Minister Dr Perry Gomez admitted that portions of the government’s primary healthcare services will not be available by the end of this month.

Prime Minister Perry

Christie had previously said the NHI services would be launched in the first week of April. The scheme was first set to be launched in April, 2016.

Communications between the government and doctors have generally improved since NHI discussions were first initiated, but some doctors continue to have concerns about the scheme.

Dr Locksley Munroe, the president of the Consultant Physician Staff Association, has told The Tribune that key details of the scheme relating to doctor compensation, for instance, have not been finalised, making it difficult to know what agreements have been reached between the NHI Secretariat and the doctors who have registered as providers.

TURNQUEST CALLS FOR ‘POLITICAL PRISONERS’ TO BE FREED

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

IT IS time for “political prisoners” to be freed, according to Free National Movement (FNM) Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest, who told party supporters that the government will protect every citizen’s right to free speech.

Addressing scores of people at a joint branch meeting in Golden Gates on Tuesday night, Mr Turnquest said “this is not the time to be quiet” and urged FNM supporters to “speak up” and not be silenced.

“It is time for this country to free all political prisoners. It is time to have the right and the ability to speak our minds whether it is uncomfortable or not,” Mr Turnquest said.

“We have a responsibly to ensure that democracy lives in our country, this is no time to be quiet. Speak FNMs, speak.”

While Mr Turnquest did not name anyone in particular, many in the crowd and on social media speculated that he was referring to Omar Archer Sr, an ardent FNM supporter.

When contacted yesterday, Mr Turnquest said he had no further comment.

On Tuesday, Archer Sr was remanded to prison for failing to appear in court four months ago for his criminal libel case after an arrest warrant had been issued. He was arrested last Friday, a week after police issued a wanted bulletin for him; however, the bulletin was for possession of an unlicensed firearm.

The week before, Archer Sr posted a photo to his Facebook page that depicted him holding a shotgun with a text overlay that read “Minnis messenger paid for by the Free National Movement.”

In the comment section,

he explained that the edited photo was “the work of desperate PLPs trying to discredit me in any way possible”.

Archer Sr is a former Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) member and one time chairman of the now defunct third party, the Bahamas Democratic Movement (BDM).

An outspoken and controversial figure, Archer Sr has often clashed with members and supporters of opposing parties due to his confrontational style of campaigning.

He ran unsuccessfully for the Kennedy subdivision in 2007 on the BDM’s ticket.

D’AGUILAR TELLS PLPS TO STOP MAKING CAREER OUT OF POLITICS from page one Other PLP parliamentarians that have had lengthy spells in public office include National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage, who served in the Cabinet of the late former Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling, and Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, who has served as the member of Parliament for the Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador constituency for three non-consecutive terms.

“All of the same are the same,” Mr D’Aguilar said yesterday. “Maybe (Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald) hasn’t been in there that long, but the rest of them been there for three and four terms now. Come on now, stop making a career out of this. Go back to your real job. You’ve done your time, you’ve served your country, you’ve done well - well we hope you have, now go back.

“They have been in government too long. They have been enjoying the trappings and the pomp and pageantry and it’s gone to their head. First thing you’ve got to recognise when you go into politics everything is ‘oh yes minister’ and ‘right honourable’ this … come on man. I’m a Bahamian you’re a Bahamian.”

When presented with the suggestion that should the FNM win the next election, he too may succumb to the very same “pomp and

pageantry” he claims has “possessed” long-serving PLP parliamentarians, Mr D’Aguilar said: “Call me D’Aguilar, man. ‘D’Aguilar come up here and speak.’

All this pomp and pageantry, that’s what goes to their heads and then they don’t want to go home …They love it. That’s why they always renominate, they don’t come up with a new team.”

Last year, Mr Christie stirred controversy when he announced that he will continue leading the PLP into the next general election and the foreseeable future “because young members of his government have urged him to do so”.

At the time, Mr Christie suggested that instability would arise in the party if he were no longer leader, similar to what had previously occurred in the Official Opposition.

Despite his stance, however, Mr Christie received harsh criticism for his refusal to step away from the reins of leadership, most notably from former PLP MP Philip Galanis, who said Mr Christie’s claims were at the “height of nonsense” and bordered on “delusional”.

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PAGE 6, Thursday, April 6, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Hall: we’ll get it right on cleaning up register from page one

As for duplicate registrants, he maintained that the onus was on each applicant not to commit perjury by registering more than once.

Mr Hall said: “The system is manual. When you appear before the revising officer, he asks, ‘did you register before or after October 2015?’ The person has a responsibility to speak the truth, plus we give each person a receipt.

“I could remember when I registered, certainly you can remember when you registered, so the onus is on you to speak the truth so that you do not register again.”

Pressed further for an explanation on the discrepancies, Mr Hall said: “Yeah, most of them (are human error), the typos yeah, the duplicates are people.

Whether they did it deliberately or not some say I forgot I registered, so I go to the revising officer because the question that was asked to you is if you registered before and once you sign that second logbook and you registered before, you’re committing perjury by saying no I didn’t register.”

Mr Hall added: “We will do the best job to clean up the register; the law gives us 14 to 15 days, we’ll get it right. We’re going to get the register cleaned up. No typo

will jeopardise the election, the name of the person is in the right polling station, in the right constituency.”

The discrepancies were published by The Nassau Guardian yesterday, in an article that stated the register is “in a mess,” and also noted discrepancies concerning birth dates that were from previous centuries.

In one published example, the birthdate of a man registered in Killarney polling division number five is listed as October 3, 1764.

The Tribune requested a copy of the register yesterday, but was advised that there would be none available until Friday.

Yesterday, Mr Hall took

issue with the newspaper’s characterisation, stating: “I would not say it’s in a mess.

There have been some mistakes, typos and we are doing those corrections as we speak.”

He continued: “In any organisation you have secretaries who are typing stuff, they make mistakes because they’re humans, and when we find the mistakes made we do the necessary corrections.

“With respect to some duplicate persons whose name appears twice,” he said, “the onus is on the applicant to speak the truth and nothing but the truth.”

Last month, a Harbour Island man faced the charge of making a false declaration, contrary to the Parliamentary Elections Act. Andrew Johnson, 57, and a long serving Water and

Sewerage Corporation employee, denied the charge before Magistrate Samuel McKinney and his trial is set for April 25.

Mr Johnson’s arrest followed an announcement

by Mr Hall that several persons had attempted to register twice at different locations for the same constituency, adding that the irregularity was picked up by the Parliamentary Registration Department’s computer database.

At a Free National Movement (FNM) rally in Cat Island the previous week, party Leader Dr Hubert Minnis claimed that the Parliamentary Registration Department’s computer system crashed and erased the names of registered voters.

Dr Minnis did not offer evidence of this, but claimed that the govern-

ment was trying to “steal” the 2017 general election.

Mr Hall denied those claims.

At that time, National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage defended the integrity of the system against what he described as recurring accusations levelled at the Parliamentary Registration Department. He charged that attempts to discredit those tasked with handling the electoral process was “shameful”, pointing to the country’s record for hosting democratic elections.

The Parliamentary Registration Department has been under intense scrutiny in recent months, as critics across the political divide have raised concerns over the department’s capacity to conduct the elections in light of its handling of the two referenda this term.

FNM: SERIOUS CONCERNS AT VOTER DISCREPANCIES from page one The report in a local daily newspaper also alleged that dates of birth were incorrectly entered in the system, with some birth dates listed as being in the 1700s and the 1800s.

“Generally speaking we have some serious concerns,” Mr Turnquest said.

“The number of instances with double registrations and persons registering in constituencies they do not reside in is concerning.

There are also reports of theft at the Parliamentary Registration Department.

“All of these things raise concerns as to whether there is potential for an unfair election. We believe we will have a clean register once the registration closes.

The Parliamentary Department will have the opportunity to scrub the register once it closes and we are sure they will do their checks.”

Mr Turnquest also said the FNM will be monitoring the situation to ensure “nothing slips through the cracks”.

“We will do our own checks, we will continue to do our own checks and see if we are able to identify the voters on the register. We will have our own analytics check the register and cross

DEPUTY Leader of the FNM Peter Turnquest. reference the names and missioner Sherlyn Hall reconstituencies,” he said. vealed that some people “When something ques- had registered twice at diftionable comes up, we will ferent sites for the same highlight it and ensure the constituency, an irregularParliamentary Registrar ity that he said was picked fixes it. It is impossible to up by the Parliamentary detect each and every case; Registration Department’s however, statistically speak- computer database. ing, we will be able to get Mr Hall said the departa fair register at the end of ment noticed cases like the day.” these from voters in New Last month, police arrest- Providence, Grand Bahama ed a man from Eleuthera and and some Family Islands, charged him in connection adding that at least one case with a “voter fraud” inves- had been turned over to potigation. At the time, Assis- lice. tant Commissioner of Police In the midst of these conStephen Dean warned the cerns, the government republic that the Royal Baha- cently announced that it has mas Police Force will take a received confirmation from “no tolerance” approach to two of four international orsuch matters. ganisations invited to send The arrest came a day electoral observers for the after Parliamentary Com- upcoming general election.

TOGGIE AND BOBO AT PLP EVENT from page one

“Recently Pintard has re-emerged in the media claiming that his involvement in the alleged murder plot will not have any ‘significant impact’ on his election bid. However, I beg to differ. This amounts to conveniently sweeping this scandal under the proverbial carpet.

“The reasons behind Pintard’s resignation still exist today as it did back then and no amount of fluff or deflec-

tion from FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis or Michael Pintard himself can change that; both men bury their heads in the proverbial sand to their own peril and that of the FNM.” Mr Roberts continued: “Minnis remains suspiciously silent on the resignation and ratification of this embattled individual.

Without explanation to his party or the public at large Dr Minnis has brought trouble into his camps once again and now seeks to have the good people of Marco City caught up in the fiasco.

“For a man who proposes anti-corruption legislation if he becomes Prime Minister, Dr Minnis is a joke, is duplicitous and cannot be trusted.”

Mr Pintard was mired in controversy since he was named in the lawsuit filed last year against Mr Nygard and his lawyer, Keod Smith, by four Save The Bays (STB) directors - Joseph Darville, Romauld Ferreira, Fred Smith and Mr Bacon - and Reverend CB Moss, who is not a part of STB. The lawsuit alleges that Mr Nygard engaged in a murder-for-hire scheme with Bullard and Davilma, and paid them to stage several hate rallies and commit such criminal acts as arson and harassment. It was revealed that the criminals were tracked down with the help of Mr Pintard.

Bullard and Davilma were compensated for their “evidence”; however, the

men later alleged in documents filed in court by Mr Nygard they were paid for false testimony and that Mr Pintard negotiated the payoff.

When The Tribune asked Mr Pintard last year if he was compensated for his role in the lawsuit, he said he would address that in a later press release.

However a subsequent affidavit filed in the Supreme Court by a US investigator on behalf of STB in late march 2016 alleged that the “gang members” gave “false” evidence to Mr Nygard’s Canadian lawyers because they feared losing government contracts controlled by Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis.

These combined “lucrative” contracts with the Ministry of Works are worth $132,000 per year, according to the affidavit

by John Joseph DiPaolo, a Florida based investigator.

It is also alleged that the men were paid “$40,000”

by Mr Nygard to give this evidence in Canada last year.

As of January, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade said investigations into the matter were not going anywhere.

While the allegations were contained in the hundreds of pages of affidavits filed by directors of STB last March, those making the claims never made an official complaint with the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the police chief has said.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, April 6, 2017, PAGE 7

Court upholds 20-year sentence for sex attack on eight-year-old

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net THE Court of Appeal has affirmed the conviction and 20-year sentence of a man who sexually assaulted an eight-year-old boy.

Navardo Johnson, 37, stood trial before Justice Indra Charles on unnatural sexual intercourse charges that were alleged to have occurred in January, 2013.

He was unanimously convicted by a jury in December, 2014, who rejected his claim that he did not commit the offence against the child and in 2015 was sentenced to 20 years at the Department of Correctional Services.

Johnson challenged the conviction and sentence on the argument that the judge was duty-bound to address the issue of good character at the trial and that the prosecution failed to produce important medical evidence, therefore failing to prove an essential element of the alleged offence.

He also claimed that his defence lawyer failed to make a no-case submission at the close of the prosecution’s case, and that prejudicial evidence of bad character was introduced to the jury, which rendered the verdict unsafe.

The 20-year-sentence, he said, was unduly severe.

The appellate court, in a 2-1 majority decision handed down on Monday, dismissed the appellant’s challenge to both conviction and sentence with Justices Dame Anita Allen and Roy Jones rejecting his arguments.

“Contrary to the appellant’s complaint that the verdict is unreasonable and cannot be supported by the evidence as a result of the major inconsistencies and contradictions in the evidence, the jury no doubt

DAME ANITA ALLEN, who along with Justice Roy Jones, rejected the arguments at appeal. followed the judge’s clear that the omission of a good instructions and properly character direction is alfound the inconsistencies ways fatal to the fairness and discrepancies com- of the trial or to the safety plained about to be minor of a conviction. That deand such that they did not pends on whether, given weaken or destroy the evi- the nature of the issues, the dence of the complainant strength of the evidence in or that of his father that the the case and the likely imappellant committed the of- pact of a good character difence,” Dame Anita said. rection on those issues and “Penetration is not an evidence, the lack of a good essential element of the of- character direction would fence of which the appel- have affected the jury’s verlant was convicted. Indeed, dict and the safety of the sexual intercourse includes conviction,” Dame Anita any degree of penetration noted. or stimulation of the anus of “In this case, it cannot any person, by or with any be gainsaid that the appelpart of the body of another lant was entitled to a good person. character direction, but in “As to the issue of the our view, the omission was appellant not being given a not fatal to the fairness of good direction, precedent the trial or the safety of the indicates that it is the duty conviction. The evidence of counsel to raise the issue against the appellant was of good character because overwhelming as the boy’s only counsel knows the in- complaint of sexual interstructions of his client. That course was corroborated by notwithstanding, judges the evidence of the father, would be well advised to who gave evidence that he ask counsel whether they caught the appellant in the intend to put character of act of having sexual interthe accused in issue so as course with his son,” the to clarify the situation, in appellate president added. as much the failure to do so On the issue of bad charmay render the verdict un- acter causing prejudice, safe.

Dame Anita said the judge “It is clear that it is not had warned the jury to disbe automatically assumed regard the question posed

MURDER TRIAL DELAYED UNTIL LATE 2018

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN accused of committing a murder more than three years ago will stand trial in late 2018, a Supreme Court judge told him yesterday.

Karron Collie appeared before Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs for a fixture hearing concerning the fatal shooting of Tavon Williams.

Collie had failed to appear before Senior Justice Isaacs on March 13, which resulted in a warrant of

arrest being issued for him.

However, three days later, the warrant was cancelled once he appeared before the judge and apologised for his non-attendance. He explained that he had mistakenly appeared before wrong the judge concerning the matter.

He also said he had retained a new lawyer, Murrio Ducille, to represent him against the allegation.

His initial lawyer on record, Glendon Rolle, also was not present in court when the matter was called on March 13.

In yesterday’s fixture hearing, attorney Carissma Romer appeared on Mr Ducille’s behalf and a new date of November 26, 2018, was fixed for trial.

Collie, who is on bail, is accused of the murder of Williams, who was shot in the head on December 16, 2013, on Leeward Drive and died in hospital four months later.

Collie was formally arraigned in the Supreme Court in June, 2014, when he denied the allegation.

Erica Duncombe appeared for the Crown in yesterday’s fixture hearing.

by Johnson’s own defence counsel at trial because it was not relevant to the case in question.

“We have no lurking doubt about the safety of the conviction. The evidence against the appellant is cogent and overwhelming,” the ruling said.

On the issue of the sentence, the affirming judges stressed that the maximum tariff for the offence Johnson was convicted of was life imprisonment.

“After a review of the circumstances of the offence and of the offender before the judge at sentencing, we were unable to say that she erred,” Dame Anita said in affirming the 20-year penalty.

In her dissent, Justice Stella Crane-Scott said that a good character direction is always relevant in cases where credibility is crucial to the outcome of the trial.

“In cases where credibility is paramount and the jury is faced with a choice between deciding whether they could accept the evidence of the prosecution witnesses or rejected the appellant’s denial as untrue, there is a marked reluctance, even in the face of overwhelming evidence, to accept that the application of the proviso is appropriate since credibility is the very issue on which a direction on credibility and propensity based on good character might have some effect.

“The appellant having had no previous convictions was therefore a person of good character and was entitled to the benefit of a good character direction because ‘it is evidence of probative significance’ and ‘capable of having some effect in every case in which it is appropriate for such a direction to be given’,” Justice Crane-Scott said Johnson was deprived of

the direction because of defence counsel’s failure to raise the matter directly in the trial.

“One aspect of the prosecution’s case which, may have had a bearing on the credibility of the prosecution and which, together with a proper good character direction, could equally have weighed in the appellant’s favour was the inconclusive nature of the medical evidence.

“In this case, it was clearly a feature of the evidence which combined with a proper direction as to the

relevance of the appellant’s good character, could have weighed in the appellant’s favour,” Justice CraneScott concluded.

Roger Gomez Jr represented Johnson at the trial while Darnell Dorsette and Aaron Johnson prosecuted the case.

The appellant appeared argued his own appeal and Vernal Collie responded for the Crown.

The appellate court’s full judgment rendered on Monday and published yesterday, is available on the appellate court website.

PAGE 8, Thursday, April 6, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

McCartney says PLP notorious for trying to ‘steal elections’

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

DEMOCRATIC National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney yesterday alleged that the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) was aiming to benefit from discrepancies highlighted in the current voter register, claiming that the party was notorious for its attempts to “steal elections” in the past.

Mr McCartney’s comments came after a local newspaper reported hundreds of discrepancies in the current voter register.

The report noted that there were voters who

BRANVILLE MCCARTNEY, leader of the DNA. were permitted to register eral election, which will be multiple times and several held in early May. cases of voters registered When questioned about with dates of birth from this, Mr McCartney althe 1700s and 1800s. Par- leged: “The PLP is known liamentary Commissioner to steal or try to steal elecSherlyn Hall has said some tions. We know that as fact. of these discrepancies are The PLP, they have realised due to human error and that they are losing this pledged to have the register race. They are coming third corrected before the gen- as we speak.”

Mr McCartney warned that public must remain vigilant on the matter. He said his party has already encountered similar discrepancies over the course of its campaign.

“Just (Tuesday) night, we had persons in one house living in different polling divisions. This ain’t no street in between; same house, not couple of houses in the yard; same house, same bed. It is a mess.

“So we need to be very vigilant. We need to ensure that when we go door-todoor that we check, and any discrepancies, we must make it known. The PLP, they are known to try and

steal elections, and they are good at it.”

Mr McCartney said the issues now being uncovered were matters he and DNA Deputy Leader Chris Mortimer pointed out in 2015.

He said he and Mr Mortimer raised these concerns years ago with Parliamentary Registration Department officials.

“The newspapers, for whatever reason, decided to put it on page seven. This is what you get now,” he said.

Mr McCartney maintained that if elected, his party would implement fixed election dates, fixed constituencies and campaign finance laws.

Additionally, Mr McCa-

rtney predicted that “undecided, youth voters between the ages 18 to 35” would be the deciding voting bloc in the upcoming general election.He said the DNA was winning over this demographic as the campaign continues.

“More persons are undecided than supporting the different parties and many of them are the youth,” said Mr McCartney. “We’ve been campaigning recently, over the last few months, and have been attracting the youths. They want change.”

Mr McCartney was speaking at a press conference called to present his party’s shadow Cabinet.

didates and the reason for that is, they are desperate.

This race is between the DNA and the FNM, period. The PLP finished. The FNM and the DNA. “This is what the polls are saying ... on the ground the DNA is winning. The FNM realises that and that is why Dr Minnis and his crew want to try to come after the members of the DNA.” He said Dr Minnis should “concentrate on his scripts that he has to read” and focus on the Killarney constituency because the DNA’s candidate for the area, Arinthia Komolafe, is gaining traction.

This is not the first time Mr McCartney has alleged that the FNM was attempting to poach members of the DNA. Last month, Mr McCartney accused his former party of targeting several of the DNA’s candidates, specifically Deputy Leader Chris Mortimer and Golden Isles candidate Stephen Greenslade.

The claim came days after the FNM’s Golden Isles

that before. We have said that from 2011. Such as term limits for the Prime Minister, you have never heard them say that before.

“I will tell you what it tells (us). They can talk all they want, they can say everything under the sun in relations to the DNA, but in reality and on the ground they know that people are sick and tired of both the FNM and the PLP.” He continued: “This election is do or die. You would be voting, by not voting, for the status quo.

Mr McCartney said the collective qualifications and experience of the DNA’s extensive shadow roster brings to an end the debate over whether the third party could form a quality administration if successful during the upcoming general election.

If the DNA is elected next month, the positions of Attorney General and Minister of Foreign Affairs would be by filled by qualified candidates not associated with the party.

Further to that, Mr McCartney himself will take on the portfolio of national security and immigration.

Mr McCartney would be assisted in this capacity by Mr Greenslade, a former police officer and long-time security specialist, whose emphasis will be on the eradication of corruption within government, according to the party Mr Mortimer will serve as the shadow Minister of Works and Energy.

To date, the DNA has ratified 34 candidates to contest the next general election.

There are 39 seats being contested.

lafe and Brenda Harris • Environment & Housing Candace Weatherford • Education - Dr Leon Higgs • Information & Technology - Samuel Strachan • Youth & Sports - Gerrino Saunders • Culture - Emily Williams and Celi Moss • Small Business Development & Innovation - Lincoln Bain and Claire Basden • Labour - Leslie Lightbourne • Public Service - Ruth Flowers • Transport & Aviation Buscheme Armbrister and Randy Butler • Tourism - Cindy Knowles and Stephanie Lightbourne • Agriculture & Fisheries - Kendal Smith and Derek Smith • Health - Madeline Sawyer • Local government - Rudolph Dean • Grand Bahama - Nevar Smith • Social Services, Family & Gender Affairs - Prodesta Moore and Charlis Robins

DNA ‘WOULD HAVE 13-MEMBER CABINET’ IF ELECTED

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE Democratic National Alliance (DNA) intends to assemble a 13-member Cabinet if elected, according to party Leader Branville McCartney.

The plan was revealed on the sidelines of the party’s announcement of its 27-member shadow Cabinet, which was presented as a means for the party to address specific matters over the course of 2017 election cycle.

The former Bamboo Town MP also claimed Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr Hubert Minnis was still orchestrating moves to coerce members of the DNA with incentives to abandon their posts to give the impression that the DNA “is faltering as a party.”

Mr McCartney claimed: “The FNM (wants) some members to withdraw their candidacy from the DNA ... They are meeting can-

candidate Kenyatta Gibson withdrew his candidacy for the constituency.

Mr McCartney yesterday urged voters, specifically long-time supporters of the FNM, to see through the “gimmicks and pumped up efforts” of the party’s election machinery, further alleging that the FNM was using many of the DNA’s long-held position strategies as a part of its 2017 campaign portfolio.

“Persons from other parties are out there speaking but are not saying how they are going to move this country forward,” said the DNA leader.

Mr McCartney added that much of what was being said by the FNM was simply the “same old, same old,” suggesting that the new concepts being used were variations to plans shared by the DNA. “FNM are echoing the sentiments of the DNA. Positions that we have put forth since 2011, such as a fixed date for election, you have never heard them say

DNA Shadow Cabinet • National Security & Immigration - Branville McCartney and Stephen Greenslade • Works & Energy - Chris Mortimer • Finance - Youri Kemp • Financial Services, Trade & Industry & National Insurance - Arinthia Komo-

THE TRIBUNE

D’AGUILAR: CASINO HEARING AT GAMING BOARD WAS A SHAM

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement (FNM) Free Town candidate Dionisio D’Aguilar yesterday hit out at the “sham” of last week’s Gaming Board mandated public hearing over Baha Mar’s casino licence application, claiming that the whole thing was “predetermined” given the mega resort’s importance to the country.

Mr D’Aguilar, while a guest on the Island Luck TV show “The Real Deal” with host Ortland Bodie Jr, slammed the “backwards” process that led to Baha Mar receiving a casino licence, suggesting that given Baha Mar’s reported importing of casino equipment before the hearing and subsequent approval begs the question: “Did you for one minute think that they weren’t going to get it?”

On Friday, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises (CTFE) subsidiary Sky Warrior Bahamas Ltd, trading as Baha Mar, presented its case to Gaming Board officials as to why it should be granted a gaming licence to operate the project’s 100,000 square foot casino, the largest in the Caribbean.

The presentation, made

by CTFE (Bahamas) President Graeme Davis, came during a public hearing at the British Colonial Hilton before Gaming Board Secretary Verdant Scott, where public concerns and inquiries were levelled at Mr Davis.

Three days later, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe confirmed that Baha Mar had received government approvals for its gaming licence, clearing the way for its casino operations in time for its soft launch in three weeks.

Mr Wilchcombe said the approvals for a gaming licence and associated certificates of suitability were granted after a comprehensive probity investigation, and on the recommendation of the Gaming Board.

He noted that there were no written comments or objections from the public within the designated 21-day period after the application was advertised, in compliance with requirements of the Gaming Act 2014.

DIONISIO D’AGUILAR, FNM candidate for Montagu.

However, weeks before it had obtained its casino licence, the resort’s casino floor was reportedly stocked with millions of dollars worth of casino equipment, such as gambling tables and slot machines. In addition, Baha Mar had reportedly already begun training casino staff.

“Did you for one minute think that they weren’t going to get it?” Mr D’Aguilar said when prodded on the matter yesterday by Mr Bodie. “They did that so backward - I won’t say what the word is that you’ve got to put in backward. They had the machines in … and then they say ‘oh well, let’s apply for the licence’. So do you really think they weren’t going to get it?”

Last week, on the sidelines of the public hearing, Mr Davis expressed confidence that Sky Warrior would receive a casino operator licence from the Gaming Board, claiming that it has “provided and will provide any documentation or any request from the Gaming Board to ensure that the Gaming Board is comfortable with us being the operator of the Baha Mar casino”.

That same week, Mr Davis also pushed back at “baseless” and “untrue” allegations contained in an open letter to the Gaming Board, which accused the resort’s buyer of being allegedly associated with “international crime” organisations through its link to a Macau gaming group.

Mr Davis also hit back at FNM claims that the soft opening was a “sham,” pledging that it will not repeat the mistakes of previous developer, Sarkis Izmirlian.

Thursday, April 6, 2017, PAGE 9

Carnival U-turn from page one

with the Bahamas National Festival Commission (BNFC) as it ramps up marketing and promotion in New Providence and Grand Bahama.

“The Minister of Tourism said whilst he understands the thinking that led to the decision made by the Carnival Commission that resulted in the change of dates for the annual event,” the statement read, “the minister is satisfied that after full consideration of all matters pertaining to this year’s carnival an intervention was necessary.”

The statement continued: “The intervention was predicated by the voices of the local stakeholders and in consideration of the many guests who have made preparations to travel to the Bahamas for this year’s carnival on the original dates.”

Mr Tirelli said the ban-

downers would try to salvage the battered reputation of the event. “We’re all excited,” he said. “We’re meeting now to start planning and looking at countdown from today, and to coin our press release respectively to go to the world. We are going to try to make a concerted effort to turn this around, but we have lost.

“This is still a big financial loss, some people just ain’t coming. Persons have already cancelled their tickets, tried to get refunds, messed up their plans.”

Mr Tirelli also noted that bands will not be able to request any financial assistance from the government ahead of the festival to counterbalance the misstep, as Parliament will be dissolved on Tuesday.

“Even if we ask for refund by Tuesday the House (of Assembly) is dissolved.

We presented them with a figure and we’re trying to

be optimistic. We will try to see if we can salvage the reputability of carnival,” he added.

The complete turnaround comes two days after Mr Christie confirmed that the event had been postponed until after the general election.

In a press statement on Tuesday, the BNFC explained that it made the “difficult decision” to postpone the event to May 18 to 20, due to conflicts with the general election timetable.

At that time, it announced that the Grand Bahama celebrations were cancelled altogether with the event downsized to just one island on one weekend.

Minister of National Security Dr Bernard Nottage has said the general election will be held in early May, but a specific date has not yet been announced.

In the wake of the earlier delay, scores of persons expressed shock and disgust

that an event of its magnitude could be arbitrarily set aside, with many accusing organisers of sabotaging the fledgling event and negatively impacting the culture of the popular showpiece.

The BNFC and key stakeholders met on Tuesday over how best they could mitigate the local and international fallout from the impromptu date change for the third annual event, with insiders projecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses.

Last night, Mr Tirelli said he hopes that the debacle will sensitise the commission and the government on the importance of consultation with band owners. He noted that the BCBOA did not have any representation on the BNFC, despite their request.

Junkanoo Carnival will launch in Grand Bahama April 28 and 29 when the Music Masters semi-finals competition will be held.

DESTRA getting into the mood during last year’s Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival.

READERS: GOVT WAS WRONG TO POSTPONE EVENT THE U-TURN on the decision to postpone Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival will please the majority of those voting in The Tribune’s latest online poll.

Fifty-eight per cent of voters said they did not think the government was right to postpone the event, with 42 per cent backing the original decision.

Readers on tribune242. com also gave their response to the news that Baha Mar had received government approvals for its gaming licence.

DDK asked: “Amazing how quickly they can do things when they want to, simply amazing! So is the pink/peach elephant to ‘open’ the day before the General Election?”

Banker wondered: “How can a non-owner hold a licence and operate a casino?

This is a circus!”

Alex_Charles had this to say: “They got a gaming license in days, we wait 4-9 months for a business license?”

Kellyrum said: “And still the foreign creditors and expats are left swinging in the wind with zero communication from the committee as it relates to the monies owed to them.”

But John thought it was

time for the resort to open: “At this point I would say let them do what is ‘reasonable’ to get Bah Mar open.

It is serving no purpose sitting there idle. The maintenance costs are astronomical and so is depreciation.

And considering what is going on with properties in Freeport they may need a slow start up to control costs. Some feel Freeport’s problems are due to a softening tourist market. Others think it’s due to lack of marketing and promotion.

Hopefully the government will see wisdom and not allow construction of another hotel project of this size again, at least not to be done as a one shot deal.

Several small hotels seem better than one huge one.

Avoid the case of having all your eggs in one basket.”

Cmiller asked: “Who gets a gambling license? The hotel isn’t sold yet, right? This whole thing is so confusing.”

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

PAGE 10, Thursday, April 6, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Collie criticises Christie for vulgarity on spending

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement (FNM) Chairman Sidney Collie yesterday said Prime Minister Perry Christie’s “vulgar” description of government spending this week shows that there are “dangers” attached to allowing him to hold on to power.

Mr Collie said Mr Christie’s words were telling because the Christie administration has “pissed away” billions of dollars, leading to an increase of the national debt.

He was referring to Mr Christie’s admission on Monday to those at the University of The Bahamas for a street renaming ceremony that it could be easy to “piss away” public funds as he suggested that the government had not wasted tax revenue.

This comes weeks after the Prime Minister stuck up his middle while on stage at a Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) political event.

“In a rare moment of candour our embattled Prime Minister got to the heart of

his party’s inept leadership.

Speaking to an audience at the University of The Bahamas earlier this week, Prime Minister Christie acknowledged ‘how easy it is to piss away money’,” Mr Collie said in a press statement yesterday. “His words not mine.

“But very telling because during his disastrous fiveyear rule, this PLP government has pissed away billions of dollars running up our national debt by a projected $2bn. This astounding sum of recklessness comes even after the embattled Prime Minister imposed a 7.5 per cent VAT on the people. How easy it is indeed, but how costly it is for the Bahamian people.

“From flipping the bird at a speech in front of seniors, women and children, to now using vulgar terms to describe his mismanagement of your tax dollars, our embattled Prime Minister is demonstrating every day the dangers allowing him to continue to hold onto power.

“Besides validating the obvious concerns than he is losing his mind, the absurd nature by which he man-

ages our finances for these last five years after making such lofty promises in his campaign shows our country can’t afford five more years of the PLP’s failed, inept leadership.”

Mr Collie said regardless of what triggered Mr Christie’s latest round of “offensive gestures”, it is astonishing that he would joke about wasting tax dollars while Bahamians struggle to provide for their families.

“Since he’s finally admitting his government is mishandling the taxpayers’ money by pissing it away, will he rebuke his comrade, Minister of (State for) Finance Michael Halkitis, for his role in the PLP’s profound financial negligence?

“It would be much harder for this government to waste money if we had true transparency and accountability. That would force this government, that forced the Value-Added Tax on us and promised to tackle our debt and deficits, to acknowledge the reality of their failures.

Bahamians are long past being on the receiving end of another long-winded lecture from their inept Prime

Minister on economics as so many struggle to get by.

“Bahamians are asking for a government that focuses on their needs, not leaders like Perry Christie, who keep an unexplained office budget slush fund of $2m while unemployment rises, tourism declines, education fails our students and crime plagues our streets.”

Mr Collie questioned when the Christie “nightmare” would end, saying soon the people would have their chance to end a term of “disastrous” leadership.

“We as Bahamians must come together and make sure that this tyrannical government, that jokes about its own financial irresponsibility, will not have another five years to spread their incompetence around The Bahamas.

“The FNM will respect and pursue the interest of all constituencies. We will ensure that by the end of the next five years, families can enjoy more opportunity, better education and safer communities that they have been waiting for their government to deliver,” Mr Collie said.

FNM chairman Sidney Collie.

SCOTT JOINS FNM CAMPAIGN DESPITE CRITICISM OF MINNIS DESPITE once saying Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr Hubert Minnis did not have the political electricity “to electrocute a mosquito”, former party executive and attorney Michael Scott has decided to participate in the FNM’s election campaign.

“The FNM is pleased to announce attorney Michael Scott’s decision to participate in a number of areas in the party’s general election campaign,” a party press re-

lease last night noted.

“Mr Scott is a longstanding FNM and former candidate. He has served as a party executive and on the Central Council. Mr Scott is also the former chairman of the Hotel Corporation of the Bahamas.”

According to the release, Dr Minnis welcomed Mr Scott’s involvement. “We welcome Michael’s renewed participation and full integration into the general election campaign,” Dr

Minnis said. “He is a man of many talents, especially in legal affairs. He will be a valuable member of our FNM team. I look forward to his involvement.”

According to the release, Mr Scott explained his reasons for symbolically joining hands with the man he has frequently lambasted.

“We are at a crossroads, poised between a Bahamas ready to face the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century and a Bahamas

on the cusp of economic collapse and decline under Prime Minister Perry Christie and the PLP,” Mr Scott said.

“Now more than ever we need a revival of those seminal FNM founding principles of democracy, transparency, accountability and promotion of the rule of law. I look forward to serving the party and assisting Dr Minnis as he leads our party back to office and ushers in a new era

of reform and modernisation.”

The press release also noted that Mr Scott had “confidence” in Dr Minnis was is “proud to work” with him.

However it has not always been smooth sailing between the two men. While a guest on a radio show in February, 2016, Mr Scott called Dr Minnis’ plans for tax relief in the Over-theHill community a “joke” and “nonsense”.

In October, 2015, while on another radio programme, Mr Scott said Dr Minnis did not have political electricity and said he did not think the FNM could win an election with the Killarney MP at the helm. “Minnis does not generate the kind of political electricity to electrocute a mosquito,” Mr Scott said on 107.5 FM talk show “Hard Copy”.

He has also bashed Dr Minnis periodically on social media.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, April 6, 2017, PAGE 11

Six reasons not to ‘Roc wit Doc’

Your Say

By ANDREW ALLEN

1 That awful slogan In a country where basic grammar and literacy are in such short supply, there is nothing cute, charming or amusing about the elevation of rank inarticulacy into the lexicon of a major political party.

It is not a stretch to imagine that there are many Bahamians who could not point out what is wrong with the Free National Movement (FNM) slogan, since it is utterly consistent with what they would deem normal pronunciation of the word “with”. That is sad, not funny.

When it is coupled with Dr Minnis’ constant claim to represent some maligned, dispossessed masses against an ‘elite’ (presumably to be found somewhere other than among multimillionaires like himself), it begins to look like the dangerous ghetto populism with which the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) flirted in the 1980s and 1990s.

It is divisive, patronising and politically self-indulgent and it is not a helpful approach to any country’s politics. But it is, alas, the first refuge of empty, power hungry and unprincipled politicians the world over.

2 Renward Wells Whatever the merits of Renward Wells as an individual or his potential as a politician, he has become symbolic of his leader’s hypocritical, disingenuous and unprincipled approach to politics.

Having been at the centre of the government’s embarrassing ‘Letter of Intent’ (LOI) scandal, Mr Wells has never acceded to Dr Minnis’ erstwhile (and retrospectively insincere) demands for a full explanation of his actions.

Instead, having been fired by the PLP for his apparent transgression, he now sits comfortably in the senior ranks of Dr Minnis’ shadow

DR HUBERT MINNIS, leader of the FNM. cabinet. Thanks to Doc, a discordant note with the LOI scandal is now the many of the most principled FNM’s and not the PLP’s to and intelligent members of his party. That alone is explain. troubling, but not conclusive. When added to all of 3 Who he has alienated While Dr Minnis’ early the other factors in his dissidelining of FNM luminar- favour, it paints an ominous ies like Hubert Ingraham picture of a possible stint in and Brent Symonette ap- actual political power. pears to have been buried 4 ‘Bobo’ and ‘Toggie’ for the nakedly expedient While he loudly deplores sake of pre-election party unity, the list of younger the government’s delay in FNM colleagues he has al- passing Freedom of Inienated is far more depress- formation legislation and ing, in that it represents a asks where the VAT money hollowing out of the party’s went, Dr Minnis has sunk intellectual ranks in favour his party to shameful levels of politically tribalist lack- of secrecy and shadiness.

At times the Minnis-led eys.

Zhivargo Laing, Darron FNM has been so indistinCash, Phenton Neymour guishable from the private and countless others are interests of groups like Save noticeably absent from the The Bays and the supportFNM’s senior ranks these ers of Sarkis Izmirlian, that days. Their replacements it is unclear where the one are all too often united in begins and the other ends.

Shady, anonymous (but one singular qualifying atclearly expensive) newspatribute: loyalty to Doc. Long before he wore out per advertisements appear the patience of those who these days, full of scandalhad to work most closely ous innuendo aimed at such with him, Dr Minnis struck nebulous foes as “the Chi-

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff nese”, and usually bearing up the well-founded suspithe markers of personal or cion that he says such foolcommercial grievance. ish and ill-judged things so The crowning event of often for no reason other this new, backroom style than that they are the genuwas the revelation that the ine products of his mind. leader of the FNM had met The threat to take back privately (unbeknown even or cancel the arrangement to his parliamentary col- with Chow Tai Fook Enleagues) with two men al- terprises and to ‘sell’ Baha legedly involved in a murder Mar to someone else infor hire scandal and that, stead (as foolish, ignorant instead of passing what he and dangerous a statement knew on to police, had in- as was ever made in Bastead used the situation to hamian politics), far from build political capital. being an ad hoc and unThat anyone would con- reasoned comment, was sider voting for a party led actually backed up by what by him after this revelation passes for reasoning in Dr demonstrates how politics Minnis’ mind. bests not only sense but He apparently stands by sanity among so many oth- such absurd statements, erwise balanced Bahami- however determinedly his ans. apologists try to gloss the lips that uttered them.

5 Your own eyes and ears ... and his mouth 6 Occam’s Razor Despite whatever his The medieval English more sensible colleagues cleric William Occam ofsay in their embarrassed at- fered a timeless and usetempts to explain away their ful mechanism for solving leader’s constant stream of problems. Using the metaverbal asininities, sensible phor of a razor (as if cutting Bahamians will never give away the detritus of over

thought), he held that, when faced with a choice of competing explanations, one should select the one that relies on the least assumptions. Said another way, it means that the simplest and most obvious explanation is usually the correct one.

With Dr Minnis, we are told constantly by his supporters that the broadly evident examples of secrecy, hypocrisy, bad judgment and insincerity do not tell the true story and can all be explained away as verbal flippancy, not being a good public communicator, being misunderstood or just ‘not being a politician’.

But these explanations require far too much faith in untested assumptions.

It would be foolish to deny that outward characteristics are often a distraction from deeper qualities in a leader.

Leadership has emerged in the most unlikely of political specimens throughout history. The crucial matter, though, is that, when it does emerge, it generally does so as a triumph of substance over style or image, with “substance” signifying at the very least some commitment to enduring principles, rather than merely another convenient narrative, like the rags-to-riches tale the FNM’s image-makers are now furiously spinning.

All of our political leaders since 1964, from Symmonette to Christie, have come from relative poverty.

So have many in our wider region. Abroad, examples abound of those who, despite image, presentation and background, have shown themselves worthy of national leadership.

But that is a far cry from a politician who offers nothing apart from the fact of an uncouth and shady exterior as proof that some redeeming qualities must lie hidden within.

• Andrew Allen is a lawyer and son of Sir William Allen, former Minister of Finance in the Free National Movement government

PAGE 12, Thursday, April 6, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

NEW LIMO BUSINESS TAKES TO THE ROAD

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A NEW limousine bus service is now a reality for two young Grand Bahama entrepreneurs who overcame challenges, trials and mistakes in starting a new business in Freeport.

Custom Made Tours (CMT) opened its doors on March 4, with the potential to provide direct and indirect employment opportunities for over 15 Grand Bahamians during its first phase.

Co-owners of CMT, Nevar Smith and Justan Campbell, invested thousands of dollars acquiring the bus and refurbishing it.

They plan to expand over the coming months and years.

“Custom Made Tours will become the most fun and exciting company on the island of Grand Bahama. We have provided the coolest, most tricked out limo bus that this island has ever seen and it can be used for birthday parties, weddings, proms, funerals, church groups just to name a few,” said Mr Smith.

He got the idea for the limo bus service five years ago after going on a limo bus for the first time in New Providence.

“I decided to bring a similar service to Grand Bahama. At the time there were

no such buses on the island as far as I was aware and I figured that such a product could do very well here once managed properly,” he said.

Mr Smith got to work on developing a business plan and attracting the resources needed to make it happen.

He thought the best approach was getting a few partners together to get the ball rolling, and reached out to his good friend, Mr Campbell about partnering with him.

Mr Smith, 28, said it was one of the best decisions he has made.

“He saw the potential in the idea and said ‘yes’ without much hesitation. I was very happy he agreed to take the plunge with me,” he recalled.

That was in 2012, and Mr Smith said that from then to now their journey has been very trying and rewarding all at the same time.

“Being new entrepreneurs we definitely made our fair share of mistakes and had to learn many hard lessons. At one point we were almost scammed out of $10,000, then we had to endure the pain of being broke; we had to also endure the pain of watching our competitors bring in similar buses like the one we were dreaming of, and see them ride up and down past us every day.

We thought that it was very

interesting that limo buses and party buses started popping up all around the island shortly after we starting work on trying to get our limo bus on the road from since 2012,” he said.

The young men were not deterred and continued to press on, despite their challenges.

He said that he has been criticised by many in his family and the wider community during the initial stages.

“They wondered ‘why isn’t Nevar working and holding down a job. His parents would have sacrificed much to educate him and it seems like he is just wasting his life and being lazy’,” he said.

Mr Smith said that while it would have appeared that way to outsiders, he was actually working “my butt off over the years to build my dream and do it my way.”

He thanked God and his parents, Lionel and Clarice Smith, for their continued support during the tough process.

“Even though the hard work must now continue in order to stay in business, I have to say that defeating the odds is really a sweet feeling,” he said.

Mr Smith commended the young team of talented Grand Bahamians that have joined him in this venture.

BELOW-NORMAL HURRICANE SEASON PREDICTED A LEADING US weather forecasting service is predicting a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season this year, citing a potential El Niño limiting the development of storms.

AccuWeather meteorologists are predicting ten named storms, five of which are projected to become hurricanes and three of which may become major hurricanes.

The 2017 season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, follows the deadliest in over 10 years for the Atlantic basin. Last season spawned 15 named storms, seven of which were hurricanes, including Matthew in October which devastated parts of The Bahamas. It was also the costliest Atlantic hurricane season since 2012.

“The big factor is going to

be the fact that we now believe El Niño will come on board some time during the summer and will continue all the way through the rest of the hurricane season,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Dan Kottlowski said yesterday.

El Niño is characterised by warmer-than-normal ocean water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean near the equator. It typically causes episodes of strong westerly winds in the tropical Atlantic, which inhibit the development of storms.

“That’s the number one reason we’re going with just below normal,” Mr Kottlowski said.

Though the transition is likely, it is too soon to tell how quickly El Niño will develop and how strong it will become. If the El Niño pattern becomes moderate in the late summer and fall

- meaning episodes of these winds are more frequent, the season could end early, according to AccuWeather.

Despite these uncertainties, two to four tropical impacts are forecast for the United States. A close eye is being kept on coastal sections of the northern Gulf of Mexico, including Florida, and the southeast coast for development, Mr Kottlowski said. Analogue years, or years in which the climatic pattern was similar to the current pattern, suggest these regions may be particularly vulnerable to impacts.

Deep, warm water and high sea surface temperatures over the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean also threaten to support at least one high impact hurricane similar to Joaquin, in 2015, and Matthew, in 2016.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, April 6, 2017, PAGE 13

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

A 50LB Mahi Mahi onboard Gusto Charters near Abaco.

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

KEEP checking the Bahamas Sport Fishing Network (BSFN) expert page for fishing reports throughout the Bahamas: this will be helpful in tracking the “hot spots” and providing advice on gear and fishing methods being used.

For a sample of the spectacular fishing to be had in The Bahamas, expert

advice, tournament dates and results, informative features and photo galleries visit the BSFN page at tribune242.com or www.bsfn. biz or on Facebook - Bahamas Sport Fishing Network.

BSFN slideshows can be found on USA Today’s website in the Travel section at experience.usatoday.com.

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.

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.

TEAM Seclusion and Gusto Charters under Captain Travis on the Yellowfin Tuna around Abaco.

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).

THE BOYS in Spanish Wells are still herding ‘Zebras’ with Tweedie Deep Sea Fishing and Guide.

(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).

ANOTHER large Yellowfin Tuna caught by Tweedie Deep Sea Fishing and Guide.

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.

SCOTT Thompson and the Nassau boys on the fish.

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:

THE WAHOO bite has been ‘lit’ this past week, according to Spanish Wells Fishing.

E-mail: CC: CC: CC:

SUCCESS for Captain Deek.

(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 14, Thursday, April 6, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

THE WINNING team of NGM Major High School’s India Wells and Chrysanthea Fox with (from left) Advisor Arlieth Adderley, Chief Judge Marilyn Zonicle and Eugene Newry, Deputy Permanent Secretary.

Long Island team triumphs in model United Nations debate NGM Major High School of Buckleys, Long Island, has won this year’s Model United Nations Simulation (MUNS), a competition in which students from a cross-section of public and private schools competed in a ‘Diplomat-for the-Day’ event sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas on Friday

at Holy Trinity Activity Centre.

NGM’s winning team of India Wells and Chrysanthea Fox, representing Canada in their simulation, will travel to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, as members of the delegation of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in order to view a session and to sit in the audience

RUNNERS-up Kyan Outten and Gabriele Josephs, of Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy, with Chief Judge Marilyn Zonicle and Eugene Newry, Deputy Permanent Secretary.

as the Bahamas gives its National Statement to the General Assembly.

The MUNS gives students the opportunity to assume the role of diplomat and address current global issues in line with the policies, ideals and cultures of the countries they represent. This year’s simulation required debate of the topic, ‘Migration: Should Gov-

ernments Consider Large Movements of Migrants a Human Rights Issue or a Security Threat?’

The session provides students with a better understanding of the inner workings of the United Nations and provides a forum to sharpen skills in diplomacy, critical thinking, compromise, negotiation, public speaking, writing and re-

THE BEST Debater award went to Julia Tychoniewicz and Lauren Ritchie, of Lucaya International School. They are pictured with Eugene Newry, Deputy Permanent Secretary, and Chervez Brown,

search. This year marks MUNS’s 20th anniversary.

The runners-up, Gabriele Josephs and Kyan Outten of Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy of Grand Bahama, representing the Dominican Republic, were awarded laptops with printers, courtesy of the Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas.

Third place went to Lucaya International School

of Grand Bahama (Lauren Ritchie and Julia Tychoniewicz), who represented Haiti. They also won the “Best Debater Award” given by the President of the Toastmasters Club 1600.

The “Crisis Moment Award/Minister’s Cup” went to Serenity Hanna and Celeisha Elebute, of St Augustine’s College, who represented Germany.

CRISIS Moment Award/Minister’s Cup winners Serenity Hanna and Celeisha Elebute, St Augustine’s College, receive their prize from Eugene Newry, Deputy Permanent Secretary, and DeAndra Cartwright, MUN2017 Co-ordinator.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, April 6, 2017, PAGE 15

SHEILA HAILEY DIES AT HER LYFORD CAY HOME, AGED 89 SHEILA Hailey, a longtime permanent resident of The Bahamas and wife of bestselling author, Arthur Hailey, died in her home in Lyford Cay yesterday. She was 89.

Mrs Hailey (nee Dunlop) was born in London, England, on December 5, 1927, the youngest of four sisters. She was 11 when World War II broke out and experienced the horrors first hand. “Every day for the whole week before war was declared I said goodbye to my family and went to school, not knowing if I would be back,” she wrote.

“I carried a lunch and, over my shoulder, suspended by a string, my gas mask in its cardboard case.”

In 1939, she - like millions of other English children -

SHEILA HAILEY was evacuated to rural England. For three years, she lived in six different homes, away from her family and the London bombings.

In 1949, Mrs Hailey, always hungry for adventure, bought a one-way ticket aboard a passenger ship

and sailed to Canada. She eventually landed in Toronto, where she met Arthur Hailey over a Dictaphone machine. Both worked at Maclean-Hunter magazine.

They were married in 1951.

Mrs Hailey initially worked as a stenographer and eventually landed her own television show, “Dear Sheila.”

With the publication and success of Arthur Hailey’s novel, ‘Hotel’, the Haileys and their children moved to the Napa Valley in California, where they were reunited with Arthur’s three sons from his first marriage. In 1969, following the publication of ‘Airport’, the family moved to The Bahamas and built their home in Lyford Cay. In 1978, Mrs Hailey gained notoriety in her own right for her successful mem-

oir, ‘I Married A Bestseller’, an affectionate and humorously candid account of her life with Arthur Hailey. In it, she wrote: “To stay happily married to anyone for 25 years is an achievement.

To stay happily married to a writer is a miracle.”

Their loving marriage, in fact, lasted 53 years. Mr Hailey predeceased his wife in 2004.

The Haileys loved The Bahamas and became actively involved in community service. Mrs Hailey served as Co-Chair of the Gifts and Grants Committee of the Lyford Cay Foundations until 1979 and remained a board director until she retired in 2001, becoming an honorary director. Neither Arthur nor Sheila Hailey had the opportunity to attend college and

were therefore passionate about supporting Bahamian students’ access to higher education.

Mrs Hailey was also an active member of the Bahamian chapter of the International Women’s Forum. In addition, she is fondly remembered for coordinating the annual food drive and overseeing the Christmas party at the Persis Rodgers Home for the Aged. In 2013, Mrs Hailey endowed the permanent Arthur Hailey Exhibition at The University of The Bahamas, which houses his novels and plays, foreign translations and a career of memorabilia.

Mrs Hailey is survived by her children - Jane, Steven and Diane Hailey; her stepsons - John and Mark

Hailey; their spouses - Robert Miranda, Susan Hailey, Ross Brown, Barbara Hailey and Laurie Hailey; six grandchildren - Chris, Ryan, Charlotte, Brooke, Emma and Paul Hailey; and two great grandchildren Sadie and Audrey Gregory.

Her eldest stepson, Roger Hailey, and her granddaughter, Angela Hailey Gregory, predeceased her.

Sheila Hailey possessed a rare combination of elegance, authenticity and a wonderful sense of fun. As a close friend wrote shortly before her death, “I will endeavour to channel her wit, charm and mischievousness in the days ahead, as my best way to honour her.” To her last day, embodied the spirit and grace she exhibited all her life.

Celebrating 20 years by helping those most in need of food EVERY night in The Bahamas, one in eight people go to bed hungry.

AS PART of their 20th anniversary celebrations, Colina Financial Advisors Ltd (CFAL) is giving back to the community by donating time and funds to the Bahamas Feeding Network (BFN).

On Sunday, a team of close to 40 CFAL staff members descended on two locations in Nassau to help distribute hot food to those in need. CFAL also presented BFN with a cheque to assist the essential network in continuing to run its programmes that help feed victims of hunger. Every night in The Bahamas, one in eight people go to bed hungry.

“Thank you to CFAL and its incredible team of staff member volunteers,” said Philip Smith, BFN Executive Director. “With extra help on hand, we were able to feed an additional

COLINA Financial Advisors Limited (CFAL) employees celebrate their 20th anniversary by serving up hot meals with the Bahamas National Feeding Network at Mosseff House in Fox Hill.

200 people who would have dessert. Teams were in “This is a great way for normally gone without a place to give out food at staff to give back and help the Network’s Fox Hill cen- others in their community,” meal on Sunday.”

In total, BFN and CFAL tre, Mosseff House, and in Mr Smith said. “Poverty volunteers distributed 1,400 a temporary tent set up in levels are on the rise in our plates of chicken, peas ‘n Retirement Park on Mack- country, 12 per cent of Barice, salad and a special ey and East Bay Streets. hamians live on or below

the poverty line established at $11.64 a day. More than 46,000 people in The Bahamas experience hunger.”

The BFN supports feeding centres in churches, soup kitchens and other feeding outlets. That quiet behind-the-scenes work impressed CFAL as it attempted to identify worthy organisations to assist as part of its own 20th anniversary celebrations.

“As we at CFAL celebrate two decades of transformation, financial empowerment and growth, we want to reach out to show appreciation for those who regularly assist the community in meaningful ways,” said Anthony Ferguson, CFAL President.

“The Bahamas Feeding Network, which serves as a lifeline to so many, is deserving of our financial support and we hope others in corporate Bahamas will join us in supporting this valuable organisation.”

CFAL staff members who helped plate the food at Mosseff House were touched by the dedication of volunteers and by the appreciation of recipients.

“I brought my daughters along to experience the realities of hunger in our society and to make a difference in the lives of others,” said CFAL’s Manager of Settlements, Tamara Evans. “It was a very rewarding experience for us all; one we won’t soon forget.”

Bahamas Feeding Network began in 2013 as an organisation of 54 partners that united to feed the less fortunate. It has now grown to a network of 120 partners across the Bahamas, 80 of which are in New Providence, the island with the highest concentration of poverty. To date, the programme has contributed more than $450,000, in addition to food donations, to its partners.

PAGE 16, Thursday, April 6, 2017

AUTISM ONE OF ‘FASTEST GROWING DISABILITES’

THE TRIBUNE

GLENDA WHYLLY, senior manager, managing director’s office, CIBC FirstCaribbean presents Marcia Newball, executive director, REACH, and Tamika Collie, REACH volunteer, with a cheque donation along with Llakell Pratt, administrative co-ordinator, CIBC FirstCaribbean Harbour Bay Branch.

AUTISM appears to be one of the “fastest growing” developmental disabilities affecting Bahamian children, according to Marcia Newball, executive director of REACH, an autism awareness charity.

“We currently guess (at the size of the issue) based on the number of parents that we see here at REACH, but we don’t know for sure. However, we believe that autism is the fastest-growing serious development disability in The Bahamas,” Mrs Newball said at a recent cheque presentation ceremony to the charity to assist with its public education programmes.

Recognising the importance of the Autism Awareness Programme organised and managed

by REACH Bahamas, CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank donated $5,000 to help advance the efforts of the local autismawareness non-profit organisation.

Managing director at CIBC FirstCaribbean, Marie Rodland-Allen, said the bank recognises the increased prevalence of autism in the Bahamian community and made the donation to help REACH in its ongoing efforts to assist families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

“We understand that it is very important to educate parents and the community on how to manage this condition and help parents by supporting an organisation that makes life easier for their children and their families.”

REACH has promoted awareness and education about autism for the past 18 years, while providing free services and re-

sources for families with affected children. It also provides parents with comprehensive knowledge and tools in all areas of autism, a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person’s lifetime.

Mrs Newball expressed her appreciation for the bank’s support. “We were thrilled when we found out that CIBC FirstCaribbean would provide us with this donation. The services and resources we offer autistic families are costly. Our organisation and the parents that we assist need all the support we can get.”

According to the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, ASD affects one in every 68 children. Mrs Newball said that statistics for people diagnosed with autism in The Bahamas are not available with any degree of certainty, although the Commission for Disabilities has started to track autism as a separate category, as have some schools.

Llakel Pratt, administrative co-ordinator at CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Harbour Bay Branch, is the parent of an autistic child and a volunteer at REACH. “Many of our kids can’t express themselves in a typical way and as a result, don’t have a voice,” he said.

“I was overwhelmed by the bank’s donation because as a parent of a 17-year-old son with autism, I know how hard it is for our kids to fit in and I see and feel the difference that REACH is making in our community. It feels good to work for a company that is showing us that it cares.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, April 6, 2017, PAGE 17

SUPERINTENDENT at the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys Darrol Hall (far left) shows Minister of Social Services and Community Development Melanie Griffin, Minister of Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Alfred Gray, and Undersecretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Cephas Cooper (far right) the area of the backyard farm where chickens are kept for eggs. Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS

Farming in the backyard MINISTER of Agriculture and Marine Resources V Alfred Gray and Minister of Social Services and Community Development Melanie Griffin toured the Backyard Farming Initiative at the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys and the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for

Girls on Tuesday.

According to the Superintendent at the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys Darrol Hall, there are two main aims of the initiative, which started in January 2015.

First, it gives residents agricultural training. Second,

it creates self-sufficiency in regard to the produce and organic eggs used to feed them at the centres.

This year, there has been a surplus in production of onions, bok choy, purple cabbage, green cabbage, beets, carrots, thyme and goat pepper.

WORK

NOTICE

Coral Harbour, Bacardi Road, Gladstone Road, Dignity Gardens and Rolling Heights Subdivision The Water and Sewerage Corporation advises the public and its

customers of Coral Harbour, Bacardi Road, Gladstone Road,

Dignity Gardens and Rolling Heights Subdivision that the Corporation will commence improvement works on Thursday, 6th April, 2017.

During this period there may be an interruption in the water supply between the hours of 10:30pm and 4:00am.

The Corporation apologizes for any inconvenience and appreciates

your support as we work to improve our level of service.

Tel: (242) 302-5599 or Toll Free (242) 300-0150 Find out more on

or our website www.wsc.com.bs

PAGE 18, Thursday, April 6, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

VOLUNTEERS from seven to 75, including these youngsters from Save The Bays Youth Environmental Ambassadors, helped scoop, pack and haul 1,160 pounds of debris from the beach and mangroves at West End, Grand Bahama.

VOLUNTEERS HAUL AWAY 1,160LBS OF DEBRIS IN GRAND BAHAMA VOLUNTEERS from Save The Bays, West End Eco-Fishing Camp Association (WEEFCA) and 4Ocean stooped, scooped, piled, packed and hauled away 1,160 pounds of debris from the beaches and mangroves of West End, Grand Bahama on Saturday.

That far exceeded their projected amount of 1,000 pounds, and when they were done, they said it would take 10 more days just like that to restore the area to the pristine nature it once enjoyed.

“The West End cleanup was rewarding and sad at the same time,” said Joe Darville, chairman of the environmental advocacy group Save The Bays, which organised the event.

“It was rewarding to know that so many people who cared came together for a worthy cause and that, together, young and old from seven to 75, we were able to pull out so much trash. But it was sad to see how many thousands of plastic bags and how much other debris remains.”

Nearly 70 people, including three from Floridabased 4Ocean, participated in the clean-up.

“We saw clothing, shoes, kitchen and household

USING a truck to haul away the trash. goods, all sorts of things them. They were on every that had been swept away branch, every tree. Peoduring the hurricane,” said ple just do not realise how Waterkeeper Bahamas they hurt the mangroves. If Director Rashema Ingra- mangroves could talk, they ham. “But it was the plastic would be pleading with bags that were most dis- people to take more care. heartening, thousands of They are being strangled by plastic.”

One young volunteer from the Save The Bays Youth Environmental Ambassador programme said he pulled out at least 40 bags and when Ms Ingraham asked him how many more he thought were there, Isn’t Your Health Worth It? he answered without hesitation “a million”.

Clean-up volunteers Keith and Linda Cooper, WEEFCA Directors, know too well what hurricanes and careless behaviour can do to the mangroves they show visitors daily.

“The Coopers have “Looking for a GREAT place to work in Healthcare?” Then join the DH team! opened the eyes of so many people to the importance of POSITION SUMMARY mangroves as nurseries for This position is a senior position within the organization and young conch, crawfish, fish is expected to provide leadership to all areas within the and other marine species,” portfolio. It assists the Vice President of Nursing with planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating all nursing sersaid Mr Darville. “In addivices. The position has direct responsibility for Emergency tion, they provide a natuTransport Services, nurse recruiting, and bed control: ral barrier helping to keep • Leads a team of nursing professionals and provides those on shore safer during direct coaching and mentorship a storm. They also act as a • Assists in the development of the strategic direction of filter and the soil they capthe nursing practice; collaborates on the implementation ture over time can form a of strategies cay or island.”

• Promotes and facilitates a multidisciplinary approach to Save The Bays presented patient care and ensures that patient delivery models the Coopers with a trophy and nursing practice standards are consistent and of a and an award as part of the high quality mangrove awareness and • Plans, implements, and evaluates clinical programs and clean-up campaign. services and determines the impact on patient care and “We are so grateful to determine strategies to fill any gaps have caring people like the • Develops strategies to promote recruitment, retention, Coopers who despite havand recognition of excellence in nursing ing lost nearly everything • Leads performance improvement initiatives themselves during Hurri• Ensures compliance with all regulatory agencies such as cane Matthew, went out and JCI and MOH helped others whose homes • Manages and monitors clinical and environmental audits and businesses were devastated by the brutal storm,” PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES said Mr Darville. “And • Strong leadership skills then on a daily basis, they • Superior analytical and problem solving skills open the eyes of visitors to the fragile ecology of West • Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills End, once the lifeblood and • Ability t o work independently and under pressure to heartbeat of Grand Bameet stringent deadlines hama, now more often and • Strong budgeting skills more accurately referred • Ability to influence and lead change to as quaint, which is to say quiet. The Coopers have helped keep West End alive QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION • Graduate Degree in Nursing Administration preferred or in the hearts and minds of Bachelors Degree in Nursing all Bahamians.”

• Five years experience in a nursing leadership or senior role The weekend clean-up was one of many of Save • Registration with the Nursing Council of The Bahamas The Bays education and • Key certifications required: BLS, ACLS, & PALS awareness efforts. The or• Proficiency with MS Office Suite ganisation has nearly 7,000 signatures on its petition Application deadline: Friday, April 14th, 2017 Email resume to hr@doctorshosp.com with subject line: Assistant VP Patient Care calling for comprehensive environmental protection legislation, an end to unPlease submit resume to: The Human Resources Department Doctors Hospital I P.O. Box N-3018 I Nassau, Bahamas regulated development, a Fax us at: (242) 302-4738 I Email: hr@doctorshosp.com strong Freedom of InformaWebsite: www.doctorshosp.com tion Act and other environmental measures.

Career Opportunity

ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT, PATIENT CARE

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, April 6, 2017, PAGE 19

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