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SPORTS: HIELD MATCHES NBA THREE-POINT RECORD PAGES SANDS: WE NEED $500M TO FIX OUR HOSPITALS

Child abductions: Two women held

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

TWO women are in police custody in relation to four incidents of child abduction, Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash said yesterday.

The main suspect - a 29-year-old woman who police suspect is allegedly responsible for four of the abductions - was arrested late on Saturday at an address in eastern New Providence.

The second suspect, a 35-year-old woman, is believed to have been an accomplice in one of the abductions. She was arrested in Eleuthera.

CSP Cash told The Tribune the women are Bahamian nationals “as far as (police) know”. He

added police are not currently looking for any other suspects in relation to these matters.

These arrests came in the wake of an alleged abduction attempt of an 11-year-old boy last Tuesday.

The boy’s mother, who spoke to The Tribune on the condition of anonymity, said her son was making his way home from school when he was approached by a woman in a silver coloured car parked at a Shell gas station. The woman beckoned to the child, and reportedly asked him if he wanted a pair of sunglasses.

Fortunately, her son was able to escape the woman’s clutches.

CSP Cash did not confirm that particular matter to

SUPER VALUE BOSS: IT’S A NO FROM ME ON WTO

SEE PAGE THREE

THE government will now consider whether to launch a forensic audit into the National Sports Authority for legal basis to recover funds, Finance Minister K Peter Turnquest said yesterday.

His comments come as former Sports Minister Dr Danny Johnson defended the ministry’s accomplishments in a letter to the editor, stating he took “full and unmitigated” responsibility for the conduct of affairs, administration and

protocols of the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture during his tenure.

Dr Johnson underscored his pride in his ministry’s creation and development of a “Sports in Paradise” brand that staged over 17 international events locally, and made reference to a “petty, jaundiced, unprincipled, evil and destructive agenda”.

“We are proud of the long walk we took to the further development of this economic tier in sports and entertainment,” Dr Johnson wrote.

SEE PAGE EIGHT

THE Bahamas can only turn to private-public partnerships (PPP) to help finance its “$500m or more” public healthcare infrastructure needs if there is “a sustainable way” to pay for them.

Dr Duane Sands, minister of health, revealing that unfunded renovation/new build commitments alone totalled around $80m, said the new Fiscal Responsibility Act together with the government’s financial realities meant the era of “spending money blindly” is over.

He added The Bahamas needed to also “change the balance of trade in health” by repatriating a large portion of the $300m-$400m that Bahamians currently spend annually with south Florida healthcare facilities.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

SPORTS AUDIT - NOW RECOVER THE MONEY

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE EYES HAVE IT FOUR-year-old Khamyah Poitier enjoys all the fun of the Red Cross fair at Clifford Park yesterday. More pictures - Page 2 Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

SUPER Value’s owner says he is opposed to joining the WTO and will never change his mind even if studies determine “it’s the greatest thing for The Bahamas”.

Rupert Roberts fears full World Trade Organisation membership “doesn’t fit” the Bahamian economy, especially given its minimal physical goods exports, and that it will result in “a free for all” overwhelming both local businesses and consumers. And he warned the government will face “a big, big push back” from Bahamian voters if it pushed forward with the WTO accession process.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

POLICE HANDED WATER ‘SABOTAGE’ FILM

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

THE Water and Sewerage Corporation has handed video footage to police relating to the spate of water supply shut offs in New Providence last week along with a list of all staff who were in possession of valve keys.

Yesterday, a reliable source confirmed to The Tribune the footage depicts both vehicles and certain

DWAYNE WOODS suspected WSC personnel who “might be known to the public” engaging in

“questionable activity”.

The recordings are WSC video footage as well as CCTV footage from buildings in areas that were impacted. The footage shows a truck “known to the corporation”, as well as other vehicles, the source said.

In a statement released on Friday, WSC also said it would be “giving the police a list of all persons who were in possession of

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FIVE

INSIGHT FRED SMITH: WE HAVE STRUCK DEAL WITH THE DEVIL

SEE PAGE TEN

PAGE 2, Monday, April 8, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR

SCENES from the 78th Annual Red Cross fair which took place at the weekend.

Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, April 8, 2019, PAGE 3

from page one The Tribune yesterday as he underscored a need to protect the integrity of the investigation as well as the identity of their sources.

Speaking generally, he noted CCTV is a part of police strategy when it came to investigations.

However, CSP Cash provided more information on the arrests during a press conference held on Sunday.

New Providence residents were terrorised by a spate of peculiar abduction incidents primarily targeting young boys that began February 16.

Police suspect the individuals in custody can help their investigations into all but two of the abductions — one of which was a domestic matter and has since been closed. The other, involving a young girl in Culmersville, is still under investigation.

“Let me say that since these incidents have started to occur we were committed to our investigations,” CSP Cash said during the press conference.

“We had opened a major incident room which is compromised of various resources from within the police force, including our technical and intelligence resources.

“With that we were able to launch a full-scale investigation which led us to the point today that we can be conclusive in saying that we suspect that both individuals we have in custody are responsible for these incidences,” he alleged.

The principal suspect is being questioned by police in connection with four matters. The second woman is being questioned in connection with an incident that occurred on February 16.

He added at this time, officers are not looking for any additional suspects.

When asked about a possible motive, CSP Cash said based on police intelligence, “These persons or these kids were just left unattended to and the suspect, based on our information, just took them away from their place of comfort, with no intent of harming them.”

Regarding the principal suspect’s mental state, CSP Cash said: “I cannot speak to the mental state, but I can say that we have no record of the individual being involved or admitted to any mental institutions.”

Neither suspect was known to police.

Officers also have the younger suspect’s silver coloured Nissan Tilda in custody, which is currently being processed “in an effort to identify any physical evidence.”

While CSP Cash declined to disclose whether any of the victims identified the suspect, he did note they assisted with the investigation.

“Of course…they were able to provide us with the composite of this particular individual and I can conclude the composite is

Child abductions: Two women held similar in characteristic to the individual we have in custody, the 29 year old.”

On Tuesday, the mother who alleged that her child was nearly taken said her son was approached by a woman in a silver coloured car.

“When he said she was in a silver car,” the mother told The Tribune, “I say Lord this woman out there kidnapping children in a silver car.

“He’s 11 but looks like an eight or nine year old,” she continued.

“Me and my husband decided starting in January that we would let him start to catch the bus because he’s going in grade 7. On Tuesday after school he came home, and I usually train them not to take anything from strangers and not to speak to strangers.

“He came home and said a lady give this to me, and it was a sunglasses. He said a lady was in the parking lot

by Shell and she call me and give it to me.

“He said there was a lady in the car who said ‘come here lil man’, so he said he went to the car but didn’t go close. And when he went to the car she ask him if he want the sunglasses, but he told her no. “. . .He was still a little hesitant I guess and she drop the sunglasses on the floor and told him to pick it up. He eventually picked up the glasses and he walked away.”

The mother said: “When

MAN ARRESTED WITH MARIJUANA WORTH $30,000 A MAN was arrested on Friday after police allegedly found more than $30,000 worth of marijuana in a home.

Shortly after 7am, Drug Enforcement Unit officers, assisted by the K-9 Unit, executed a search warrant on a home and recovered a large quantity of marijuana, police said.

A man was taken into custody and is expected to be formally charged in Magistrate’s Court. The drugs have an estimated street value of $32,500.

Several other people were arrested on the weekend in New Providence for marijuana possession, police said.

In the first incident, shortly after 7pm on Friday, DEU officers, executed a search warrant on a home and discovered a quantity of marijuana worth $7,000.

Two men were taken into custody.

In the second incident, shortly after 1pm on Saturday, officers from the South Central Division executed a search warrant on a home where they uncovered a quantity of marijuana. Six adult males were arrested and taken into custody.

The drugs in that incident weighed five pounds and were worth $5,000.

Police are also looking for the man who robbed a woman at gunpoint outside a home on Sunday morning.

Police were told that shortly after 2am, a woman was standing in the front of a home on Student Avenue in Marathon Estates when she was approached by a man, armed with a firearm, who robbed her of cash, before running away.

Investigations are ongoing.

he came home and told me what she said, I shout. It was too weird, a complete stranger calling a child.”

The mother said she reported the incident at the Carmichael Road police station on Tuesday, but felt so disturbed that she called CDU to directly report what her child had said.

She said an officer called her back around 2am on Wednesday, and a car was sent to pick up her and her son from their home around 5.30am to go to CDU. “She just need to come off the streets, I pray it’s her that they caught because that’s so scary,” the mother said.

CSP Cash also thanked the public for their assistance in this matter while continuing to admonish parents to “supervise kids at all times.”

(My son) said there was a lady in the car who said ‘come here lil man’, so he said he went to the car but didn’t go close. And when he went to the car she ask him if he want the sunglasses, but he told her no.

CSP Cash added that officers have already consulted with the Department of Public Prosecutions on this matter and are hopeful they will be able to say “whether and what charges will be levied against these

CHIEF Superintendent Solomon Cash yesterday.

Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

persons at the end of the week.”

On March 29, shortly after 9pm, an eight-yearold boy was lured from his home on Fox Hill Road south into a silver coloured car and later dropped off near the New Providence Landfill.

According to police, the woman also tried to lure a 10-year-old boy as well, but the second child walked away.

On March 7, shortly before 4pm, three boys were taken: two eight-yearolds and a ten-year-old. The boys were walking on Kool Acres Road in eastern New Providence when “they were picked up by a female who was the lone occupant” of a dark coloured vehicle, police said.

The two eight-year-olds were initially dropped off by a Haitian village in the vicinity of Seabreeze and Joe Farrington Road.

The ten-year-old was

dropped off later by the city dump.

The day before, March 6, eight-year-old Tyvon Deveaux was abducted by a lone female driver in a silver-coloured Japanesemodel vehicle. He was later dropped off by the entrance to the dump on Tonique Williams Darling Highway.

On February 16, threeyear-old Shavar Bain was abducted from outside his home and then left frightened and alone outside a Fox Hill washhouse several hours later, sparking a manhunt for two women believed to be the abductors.

On March 3, an eightyear-old girl was abducted from her home by an alleged male perpetrator.

She was discovered walking in the area of Woodlawn Gardens a short time after the abduction by a passerby and taken to the Wulff Road Police Station.

PAGE 4, Monday, April 8, 2019

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,

jamaaltheartist@gmail.com

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

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Turning dreams into reality IT was the words – as well as the art – of Keith Thompson that caught the attention yesterday.

The young artist was taking part in the annual Transforming Spaces art tour yesterday – in which members of the public travel to art studios and galleries by bus to catch a glimpse of some of the work being produced by the Bahamian community.

Mr Thompson was one of the artists at the D’Aguilar Art Foundation’s site, but his work and his words were as much from the streets of the inner city as the airs and graces of the art gallery.

His paintings showed a man being arrested and taken away in a police car – and he spoke of how much of a risk this is to so many in our society. Being in the wrong place or the wrong time, he said, can change people’s lives completely. He talked of the fear of being in a car stopped by police who found that someone in the car had an illegal weapon or drugs – and suddenly everyone in the car finds their futures put at risk. Or worse, he said, being there when a hit is put on someone, and a stray bullet can bring that future to an end completely.

Artists hold up a mirror to our society – and sometimes that mirror is an ugly one, showing the parts we haven’t yet fixed, or the parts we don’t know how to fix. At the same time, however, art can offer a message, it can offer hope, and yesterday’s art tour showed us a glimpse of that.

Elsewhere on the tour, there was a stop at the Lewis Street mural project.

All the way back in 1958, Dr Martin Luther King stayed in a house on Lewis Street when he met Sir Randol Fawkes, READERS have been posting their views on the stories making the news on tribune242.com.

Minister of Education Jeffrey Lloyd defended the increase to the University of the Bahamas’ tuition and fee schedule, saying it will offset the institution’s “significant deficit.”

DDK had this response: “IT’S THE PEOPLE’S TIME! Heap the burden on The People to pay government bills while these damn politicians keep spending

and a mural has now been created there in the heart of the community.

It’s eyecatching – stretching along for some distance, and created by both professional artists and local public high school students. It’s art in a place you don’t normally expect to find art, created with those in the community and offering a voice to those whose voice might not normally be heard.

Further on again, at Hillside House, Antonius Roberts was showcasing the work of local children – handprints and artwork all under the title of ‘I have a dream, I am the dream, we are the dream”, echoing the words of Dr Martin Luther King’s most famous speech.

As we continue to grapple with the problems that afflict our society – especially in inner-city communities that struggle with poverty, violence and drugs – too often the voices we hear are the same ones, the politicians and the businessmen. It is important then to hear from the community themselves, given a helping hand by artists or expressed by artists rising from within their midst.

In dealing with crime, do we remember what happens to those who are in “the wrong place at the wrong time” as Mr Thompson said, or are they casualties in the battle against the statistics of crime? In tackling poverty, do we give young people the opportunity to rise up beyond the limitations of their environment – or do we tar them with the reputation of the area they come from?

“We are the dream,” say the children of those communities. If you take a trip to Lewis Street, and drive past the mural there, bear those words in mind, and let’s all try to turn their own dreams into reality.

like drunken sailors and giving away the assets of The Bahamas. They just don’t get it, or get it and just don’t care.”

Sheeprunner12 said: “Check every US college or university . . . their alumni give millions in endowments to help fund their growth and

development of their specific alma mater.

“Sadly, our people take, but do not give back.

Imagine if every COB/UB alumnus would pledge to give a $1,000 or $10,000 or a $100,000 (based on their pockets) each year to UB? “Bahamian parents expect the Government to FULLY fund qualifying students’ tuition to the University of The Bahamas in Fall 2019 . . . Lloyd said it in 2018 Budget, so now live with it.”

Why are we still waiting for this transparency?

EDITOR, The Tribune IF THE Governments’ scheme to attract Bahamians who have been professionally successful outside of The Bahamas then internally after they have been recruited whatever - whichever institution or organisation they are assigned to must operate daily - hourly under the disciplined parameters that that person was used to… anything different you will find frustrations - annoyance and eventually the final decision - why did I come home for this mess?

Corruption or whispers of are not accepted.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net The loss of the BP&L COO is catastrophic not because someone can’t be found to do the job but from all accounts the good lady had exceptionally good business psyche and relations with the established BP&L employee… in a short time mucking in with the line-employees she got respect and support.

If we are to believe the social media certainly

the OPM-PM Minnis’s Office has no alternative now after announcing he would investigate BP&L on the RFP 80MW temporary generators to know investigate and make public the findings of a by-partisan Committee within three-weeks to advise in this case of Ms Alston what went wrong and why she found herself so compromised that she had to resign?

Prime Minister you promised transparency expect it now!

ABRAHAM MOSS Nassau, April 3, 2019.

Proud of my time at ministry EDITOR, The Tribune

I TAKE full and unmitigated responsibility for the conduct of affairs, administration and protocols of the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture during my tenure as Minister.

I again congratulate and sing the praises of my full team at the ministry and its components for the great work we achieved as TEAM BAHAMAS. They performed yeomen’s work with limited resources, manpower and against a political culture which seeks to demonise any purposeful goodness in this country.

Together we remained and were unprecedented in creating, developing and exporting the SPORTS IN PARADISE brand to the world. Then were successful in bringing it home for all Bahamians to see, hear and feel the roar of the crowd as the world watched the manner of our bearing. On all occasions it made us Proud to be Bahamian!

The RBPF noted calm on the crime front during these events, so we worked tirelessly to train, mentor and provide the youth of the nation with guidance, training and exposure to the business model behind the Wide World of Sports.

With one of the smallest

budgets in the ministerial portfolio the team I led at the ministry has every right to be proud of what we achieved. And I am humbled by the cracks, crannies and islets that were not reached or touched by us to mutual satisfaction.

Let me remind the Bahamian people that we staged over 17 international events here on our soil. We created new National Stadia: Beach Soccer, Baseball , Moore’s Island Sports Academy (almost complete). These facilities were brilliantly tabled by all Bahamian design, engineering and construction firms. All necessary measures were taken to meet international standards. World governing sport bodies gave them their highest rating. So while our competition have discovered the value of sun sand and sea, we now added Sport!

We thrilled the world with the IAAF World Relays. Got the nod for us to be The One and Only place in the world where you could ever see this stunning mega event.

We hosted the only NCAA Football Bowl held outside the USA with ESPN co-branding.

We hosted Sir Austin Sealey at five Carifta games where for the first time he saw his dream

of Judo, Polo, Swim and Track championships concurrently.

We hosted CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championships. Then went on to stun the world with FIFA WORLD CUP BEACH SOCCER. We created Legends Walk at the National Stadium. Opened “Sweetbells” drive. People came to see what the Buzz was all about.

We refurbished the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium. New Mondo track, new FIFA certified infield. We upgraded everything at the old TAR stadium. We saw the new Drag racing strip, all new tennis courts at the National TENNIS centre, a rugby field added to the brand new University Commons.

We arrived at these high points as we pursued the vision of SPORTS IN PARADISE as an international Bahamian brand designed to give our country and countrymen all of the benefits and derivatives of an international multi-billion dollar sports and entertainment industry.

We were cognizant of the proximity of our country to the world’s largest economy and the desire and possibilities of major sporting and entertainment events seeking out our country as an adopted home.

To this end we contracted the most prestigious sports and entertainment company in North America to assist in the Bahamas realizing this goal post and the establishment of this major economic tier.

Out of this relationship SPORTS IN PARADISE is today a celebrated brand exclusive to the Bahamian people and the Bahamian nation.

Doors were opened for us to sit and talk and negotiate with the leaders of major international sporting bodies, including the PGA, NFL, MLB and the NBA. SPORTS IN PARADISE was formatted, presented and introduced to these organizations and appetites were whetted and prepared for this new industry in The Bahamas.

Through all of this TEAM BAHAMAS was also very much cognizant of the need for young Bahamians to access and develop their skills and training from the protocols developed by these international sporting bodies.

We are proud of the long walk we took to the further development of this economic tier in Sports and Entertainment.

Sadly, their exists in our country a petty, jaundiced, unprincipled, evil and destructive agenda of some who feel it is their political

duty to use school book typesets and Student Companion questions to muddy the water and make what is good and noble and wholesome seem untoward.

For my own part I am not surprised or daunted by the recent back jumping exercise of others to pay homage and obedience to their political masters.

I will continue to operate and subscribe to Julius Caesar’s rhetorical question: “Is anything too good for a soldier of Rome?”

Let’s give young Bahamians a sporting chance to be the best.

The Bahamas cannot cut itself off from the rest of the world and expect fame, fortune and peace.

Governments and public officers must be prepared to think and operate at international best practice level.

Such personalized commentary drawn from novices and political operatives as occasioned recently does not elevate the country or protect our brand or our national character.

Let’s pray we decide to continue to protect and prosper this blessed Bahamas. It’s has been great honour to serve you all. Until then…I remain your humble servant.

Dr Danny Johnson DPM

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, April 8, 2019, PAGE 5

BNU CHIEF: WE NEED CONSISTENT OVERTIME PAYMENTS

By RIEL MAJOR BAHAMAS Nurses Union president Amancha Williams on Friday repeated her appeal to the Public Hospitals Authority for the consistent and timely payment of overtime each month.

Her comments come as the PHA has started payments owed overtime to the staff for the month of February.

Mrs Williams said she was very appreciative of the PHA’s show of goodwill to its staff.

The BNU president said: “The problem that we have in PHA is that we have a shortage of manpower. Changing shifts would not make a difference but working in from page one valve keys to assist in their investigations.”

“Going forward, the use of valve keys will be more strictly controlled and monitored,” it said, adding additional security measures are being implemented including the hiring of private security for its major pumping stations and the use of “concealed cameras and other technologies” to bolster the current alarm system.

When contacted by The Tribune yesterday, Bahamas Utilities Services and Allied Workers Union (BUSAWU) president Dwayne Woods said the union must stand with its membership but reiterated his earlier sentiments that the union does not “condone wrongdoing”.

Mr Woods could not confirm how many employees have valve keys, adding this falls outside his portfolio.

However, he noted: “The majority of the employees are union members.

And they either belong to my union or the manager’s union. And then some of them could be agency shop — a very minute amount.

“The union has to stand by its membership and my first statement would be, the union don’t condone wrongdoing,” Mr Woods said. “And I’ve already made the statement that should anybody be caught in that position or any culprits, we support the culprits being brought to justice. But we don’t subscribe to the philosophy that the chairman is saying, you know, is alleging.”

Tensions between WSC and its two trade unions, BUSAWU and Water & Sewerage Management Union’s (WSMU), exploded last week as an industrial dispute escalated into allegations of sabotage and threats of lawsuits.

On April 2, both unions demonstrated outside WSC’s headquarters in what was termed a “withdrawal of enthusiasm”.

overtime until the manpower is fulfilled will make a difference in PHA. “Yes, you will incur overtime due to the crisis in the hospital, nurses are leaving every month so you’re creating overtime.

Until we have that manpower this is going to happen, but we ask PHA to continue in the goodwill by paying the overtime every month. When you do that you’re providing your clients with quality service. If you don’t do that, you’re not providing your clients with quality service.”

Mrs Williams said moving forward the overtime payments need to be properly managed.

She continued: “In the midst of

all of that, you created a problem and you created more overtime because then what happened was you had to hire the accountants to facilitate a need to produce up to 700 cheques which requires manpower and overtime to be generated in a different area which you never had.”

She added: “I would rather pay bit by bit rather than not to pay none at all. We have to really look at where we are going in the future because we have never been at this state ever. Underneath Hubert Ingraham, underneath Perry Christie we have never had this experience.”

The BNU president said they

don’t want the nurses to be discouraged.

She said: “It’s not good for your workers, you want your workers to come out and work when you’re in a crisis. What happened we saw the disadvantage when you told the worker you were not going to pay them for overtime.

There was nobody in the hospital working…you have 60 patients to four registered nurses. Come on…when those persons could have come in and work the over time.”

Last month, Dr Sands said as PHA has found itself saddled with high overtime bills - at one time climbing to $750,000 in just one month - the controversial

Police given water ‘sabotage’ pictures SOME of the photographs the Water and Sewerage Corporation has handed to police The two groups openly decried what they suggested was the unfair suspension of an employee on April 1 for five days without pay due to an “unwritten and unknown policy”.

According to Mr Woods, the issue was that the union member purchased a vehicle from abroad and parked it in WSC’s lot the previous Friday. Because the car’s battery died, the employee was forced to leave in the lot over the weekend — which “resulted in a fiveday suspension without pay”.

Mr Woods also called for the removal of WSC executive chairman Adrian Gibson. The action was followed later that evening by an extensive shutdown of water supply across the capital.

Mr Gibson pinned blame for the shutdown on the union, suggesting the act

was deliberate and in-line with actions to “sabotage” the efforts of WSC. However, at the time Mr Woods said his union does not condone sabotage and would assist with any investigation into the matter.

WSC directly addressed both the suspension and sabotage issue in Friday’s statement.

“The suspension arose from the use of the corporation’s plant (per the industrial agreement and corporation policy) without permission and from a determination that the account relayed to the GM - when contrasted to CCTV recordings and reports by security officers - was less than honest,” it says. It also noted the chairman was not present during that meeting.

“Upon consultation with the board, the chairman directed the GM to reduce

the earlier suspension by two days. This was thereafter communicated to the Department of Labour.”

Regarding the sabotage, the statement says: “WSC is the sole local manufacturer of the valve keys. The valve keys are made on site at WSC and can only be accessed by WSC personnel. We have directed the GM to request all staff in possession of valve keys to turn them in.

“Moreover, the corporation will be giving the police a list of all persons who were in possession of valve keys to assist in their investigations. Going forward, the use of valve keys will be more strictly controlled and monitored.

“The corporation’s sewer stations/lift stations were also tampered with and fuses were removed from control panels, which prohibited the start-up of

TEENAGER COLLAPSES AND DIES AT PLAZA POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a teenage boy who collapsed at a shopping plaza on Saturday.

Police were called to the plaza on Carmichael Road shortly after 3pm after receiving reports a 15-yearold boy had collapsed. The boy was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. While police do not

suspect foul play, an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.

Police are also investigating the circumstances surrounding a suspected drowning that occurred in western New Providence on Friday afternoon.

According to reports, shortly before 3pm, an elderly Caucasian man was

MOTORISTS FACING TEN DAYS OF DELAYS

THE Ministry of Public Works/Bahamix has scheduled milling and paving works for Gibbs and Ross Corners from 9pm to 2pm, Monday through Friday, beginning today for 10 working days.

The resurfacing of Gibbs and Ross Corners will be carried out sequentially, beginning with Gibbs Corner. The road works will incorporate the surface area of roadway between West Avenue and East Street.

There will be a full road closure implemented for the duration of the works due to the fact that the road narrows at the East Street end.

All east bound traffic from East Street will be detoured to Toote Shop Corner and onto West Avenue. All westbound traffic will be diverted from

shift system for nurses has been a vexing issue.

Giving nurses what they want is not easy, he said at the time, as paying money owed to them is tied to the civil service which has restrictions on how much the government can offer or how quickly this happens.

However, he said officials have been looking at how they could possibly change the compensation for nurses.

While stressing another strike would not serve the interests of Bahamians, the minister said the government was committed to finding a real solution to the issues raised by the Bahamas Nurses Union.

West Avenue and detoured to McCullough Corner and directed on to Saxon Way and on to Mason’s Addition for access to East Street.

The road works for Ross Corner will incorporate the surface area of asphalt between Market and East Streets. Bahamix will also implement a half road closure traffic management scheme for the duration of the works.

All east bound traffic from Market Street will be detoured onto Lilly of The Valley Corner and onto East Street. All west bound traffic will be diverted from Ross Corner and East Street junction to Taylor Street for access to Market Street Provisions for access will be made for residents where necessary.

on a diving expedition when he lost consciousness in the water. He was rescued, taken to a nearby dive facility and transported to hospital by paramedics where he was pronounced dead.

Foul play is also not suspected in this incident however police said an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.

pumps and thereby resulted in sewerage overflows.

“Additional controls/policies are being implemented relative to the control room; the hiring and assignment of private security to the major pumping stations; and heightened monitoring of valves including the use of concealed cameras and other technologies, which would complement the current system of alarms.”

The statement also addressed concerns regarding employees.

“Much like previous issues, the corporation does not make baseless accusations against employees to instill discipline upon them. Any disciplinary action usually follows a period of internal and/or external investigation and deliberation.

President Woods cannot honestly state otherwise.

“In the wake of the

forensic audit, we are (making and have made) various staff adjustments and transfers and will be addressing additional issues in short course. We will speak more on these changes in the coming weeks.

“We have also implement new policies and strategies relative to corruption, procurement, disclosures and any other business dealings with WSC.” The statement added: “There are no major grievances that either union has with WSC. The only matters currently on record related to Mr Woods in his personal capacity and concern him not coming to work and enjoying salary and benefits of approximately $60,000 per annum.

The salary was not paid last month as the board determined to end the discretionary administrative leave.

“Mr Woods, as of January, determined to file suit in the Supreme Court. We await the court hearing date on May 3. Notably, both unions have a five-step grievance process included in their industrial agreements. Neither party should breach these agreements, though we note repeated breaches of the industrial agreements and what are overt efforts to engage in the chairman and executive management in a public forum.

“The corporation has resultantly filed several trade disputes, which will also be a topic of discussion on Monday (today).”

PAGE 6, Monday, April 8, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

ACTIVISTS TO HAVE AUDIENCE WITH INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

HUMAN rights group Rights Bahamas will go back before the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) next month to bring reports of abuses against migrants under the international spotlight.

It will be the second time the local group, in a joint request with the Washington-based Robert F Kennedy Human

Rights, is granted a hearing before the independent human rights arm of the Organization of American States. The hearing will take place in Kingston, Jamaica on May 10.

“The request,” noted an RB statement, “calls for an examination of the treatment of migrants in The Bahamas in light of the many reports of human rights abuses, illegal detention and deportation exercises, the implementation of racist and xenophobic policies, the targeting of persons

of Haitian descent born in The Bahamas, denial of the right to school to children of migrants and the ongoing inhumane and unsanitary conditions at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre.

“Also under scrutiny will be the government’s plan to forcibly and illegally evict residents and demolish homes in communities of predominantly Haitian descent.”

In its application, RB said it outlined the general anti-migrant sentiment, the harassment and discrimination that migrants and their

descendants experience on an everyday basis, as well the practice of profiling people based on appearance, name, accent, etc and the illegal practice of demanding that individuals produce papers confirming their status.

The group further stated a special emphasis was placed on the November 2014 policy, and admissions by the government that it had deported at least five people to Haiti who were born in the Bahamas, and had a constitutional right to apply for citizenship.

“We understand that the government has also been invited to respond to the allegations of abuse and provide information on its efforts to reform the process of immigration enforcement,” the RB statement continued.

“The Minnis administration is reminded that the world will be watching as the hearings are broadcast live around the globe. It is our hope this hearing will mark the beginning of a process leading to the adoption of a more enlightened,

humane and lawful immigration policy in the future.”

Rights Bahamas had an audience before IACHR in 2015 in Washington, DC on matters concerning raids, deportations and the related due process; and allegations of physical and verbal abuse, among other issues. Government representatives also attended the hearing and called the allegations about its immigration policy—introduced by the Christie administration—”bizarre and outlandish”.

Rethink policy outlawing dual citizenship - Mitchell

By AVA TURNQUEST and RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporters FORMER Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell is calling on the government to rethink policy outlawing dual citizenship as it pursues law reform.

Mr Mitchell noted “hostility” towards dual citizenship was a remnant of British rule and common among former colonies; however, he stressed it placed an unreasonable strain on families and did not encourage the retention of skilled Bahamian labour.

“I believe that if you acquire (citizenship) at birth without any action on your own, if your mother or father have citizenship that is passed on to you automatically, then I don’t think that should be an issue at all.”

Mr Mitchell added: “It becomes very complicated, because let’s take Sir Sidney Poitier or even my brother Matthew, both were born outside The Bahamas in the US. They are citizens of The Bahamas because their father was citizen of a UK colony at time of independence, so Bahamian citizenship was passed to them.

“But if their children are born outside The Bahamas, they don’t get citizenship. I

think that’s wrong and if we can rectify that, I think we should.”

The Nationality, Immigration, and Asylum Bill 2018 was prepared by the Law Reform and Revision Commission, which is chaired by Dame Anita Allen, and was released for public consultation last month.

In an internal presentation, Dame Allen highlighted the decision of whether to offer citizenship to children born outside the country to Bahamian fathers who were born overseas before independence as a “salient” issue.

Those men would have obtained citizenship under Article 3(2), and as such, are unable to pass on their citizenship to children born outside the country.

Dame Anita said the commission believed people in this category have a “substantial connection” to the country; however, she noted it was not included in the initial draft bill.

Mr Mitchell said: “I don’t think that people should be put in that dilemma to have to choose. In a small country you need the talent.”

However, he noted: “That’s what the framers decided. I don’t think you can get any consensus to amend the constitution any further on any matter.

You can’t even agree that

FORMER Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell women are equal, it’s crazy.

I think you have to use the statute law to rectify these matters. Particularly where Bahamian parents deliberately choose to have their kids born in the US to offer them the advantages of both citizenships.”

Meanwhile, reactions to the draft bill continue as it makes its rounds for public consultation.

For his part, human rights lawyer Fred Smith is opposed to a provision in the bill that would prevent people born in The Bahamas to non-Bahamians from becoming citizens if they are 19 and older.

The draft bill seeks to clarify the status of people whose acquisition of citizenship has been deferred under articles 7 and 9 of

the constitution. People in this category are those born in The Bahamas to foreign parents, and those born overseas to married Bahamian women with foreign husbands, and the bill provides them a “right to abode” via a resident belonger permit, allowing them to reside and work until they can apply and while their citizenship application is being considered.

Those who miss the constitutionally mandated time to apply for citizenship, by age 19 or 21, and did not apply for a resident belonger permit in the interim or some other form of status - will be up for deportation; those who have already missed the deadline will have six months to apply for status once the bill is passed before their residency in the country is considered unlawful.

Mr Smith said: “I am encouraged that the government has engaged with the Law Reform Commission to propose a completely new Immigration Act, that is sensible. I have not yet had an opportunity to review it at all because it is quite large and detailed.

“However, there is a provision in the Act which seeks to treat people born in the Bahamas but who did not register between 18 and 19 as aliens and liable to be deported after that time. This is unadulterated savagery of people’s birthrights.

Mr Smith said: “I urge the government in its consultative process to rethink this provision and remove it and instead pass a simple section in the Act which would make it simple for everyone in the country: if you are born in the Bahamas, you are automatically Bahamian, your birth certificate is your identification as a Bahamian citizen, just as it is for an American citizen in the United States.”

“We should stop fooling around with people who consider themselves Bahamians,” Mr Smith continued, “who have always lived in the Bahamas and until Fred Mitchell started his nonsense in 2014 were never bothered with.”

Mr Smith suggested this change would destabilise alleged corruption in the Immigration Department, and dramatically reduce the cost of immigration.

“It would ensure people can live and work and be constructive contributors to society without looking over their shoulders in terror and fear about being picked up and deported all the time, or having to pay bribes to keep their freedom,” Mr Smith said.

“Born in The Bahamas, automatically Bahamian, very simple. Just like Bahamians love to go over to Florida to have babies and they walk away with an American birth certificate and their kids have dual nationalities, people born in The Bahamas should automatically be Bahamian.

“That would be the humane, sensible and modern and rationale thing to do,” he added.

“We need to stop building internal walls, discriminating between people born in The Bahamas. We don’t need immigration walls in The Bahamas. I urge the government to rethink and embrace Bahamian born and bred.”

Your heart will be broken the more you mourn, or the more you weep.

But a broken heart can be mended with love and compassion.

~Betty Taylor ~ Original Author

For more original and inspirational quotes, please get a copy of the book “Hold On To Life and Love”at Logos Bookstore, located in the Harbour Bay Shopping Centre.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, April 8, 2019, PAGE 7

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A NEW $4.8 million seawall and road repaving project in Smith’s Point was officially opened by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis on Friday, after a long delay due to construction and storm challenges that set completion of the project back almost two years.

The seawall, which spans over 1,900ft, is equipped with galvanised rails, and ends many years of coastal erosion in the quaint seaside community of Smith’s Point, which is well-known for its weekly Fish Fry. In addition, a ramp for the disabled and steps were installed to provide access to the

PM opens seawall in Smith’s Point beach. Road repaving works and land clearing for parking in the area were also a part of the project.

Dr Minnis said his government is committed to investing in sound infrastructure which not only safeguards communities and settlements, but which also supports economic growth.

He said: “The design of the seawall should lessen the vulnerability of hurricanes in this community. Sea-surges,

flooding, structural and other waterbased damage have proven to be commonplace in this area. This seawall has passed the two litmus tests of its structural integrity and sustainability having gone through Hurricanes Matthew and Irma during the construction period.”

The project has also created business and employment opportunities, Dr Minnis said.

JUDGE TOURS PRISON TO CHECK ON CONDITIONS

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A SUPREME Court judge on Friday toured the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services as part of a prominent attorney’s bid to prove that a magistrate’s inability to grant bail is unconstitutional and results in “hundreds” of people having to endure an “inhumane” and “degrading” experience on remand.

Justice Cheryl GrantThompson toured some 13 sections of the Fox Hill facility to personally observe the conditions Fred Smith, QC, claims many “ordinary” people, including his clients Maria Daxon and Omar Archer, were forced to endure because they weren’t granted bail “at the first available opportunity.”

The Tribune, as well as a reporter from ZNS, were both denied the opportunity to accompany the group during the tour of the facility.

However, The Tribune understands the group toured the facility’s reception area, super maximum security, B-Block, C-block, F-block, the newly renovated G-block, N-block, H-block, the remand centre, central intake, male and female medical labs, the sick bay and the female prison quarters.

The visit is part of ongoing proceedings emanating from Ms Daxon’s and Mr Archer’s constitutional challenge to their denial of bail after being arraigned on criminal libel offences.

According to Mr Smith, Mr Archer was on remand for some 18 days, while Ms Daxon was remanded for two days until she was granted bail.

“But they shouldn’t have been in prison for a minute, because you are presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Mr Smith asserted.

The 2016 amendment to the Bail Act made charges of intentional libel, assault, stealing and a number of other previously bailable offences non-bailable in Magistrate’s Court. It resulted in an increase in the number of people being remanded to BDCS and having to apply for a bond in the Supreme Court.

The amendment did not return the power of magistrates to grant bail for the offences of drug possession with intent to supply, certain firearms matters, rape, housebreaking, attempted murder and threats of death.

“And what’s happened is that many people who would ordinarily get bail, such as Ms Daxon or Mr Archer when they were charged, they are unfortunately kept in prison,” Mr Smith told reporters outside the Fox Hill facility.

“So you have hundreds and hundreds of people every year who are kept in prison, who would normally have bail.

“And then they have to go through the extra expense of getting a lawyer, or some of them can’t afford a lawyer and they stay in the prison until their trial. This is a really big disgrace. And so this case is challenging this abuse of people’s right to freedom.

In addition, the conditions in Fox Hill are often inhuman and degrading. And so part of the case, that we’re challenging the Bail Act, we’re also seeking damages for the conditions to which (Ms Daxon and Mr Archer) were subjected whilst having to wait for bail.”

Mr Smith added: “There are more and more voices that are calling for the government to repeal that section of the Bail Act that is depriving people of the opportunity to get bail at the first available opportunity. I mean, how perverse is it that a magistrate that

can send someone to jail for one, two, three, four, five years can’t give that same person bail when the person appears before that person to plead guilty or not guilty?

“So this is a real abuse, and I call on the government to stop it. Hopefully we will be able to persuade the court that it’s unconstitutional in the meantime.

But the government is exposing itself to hundreds of cases of people suing for damages for inhuman and degrading treatment under article 17 of the constitution.”

Mr Smith also noted that his legal team has also launched a separate constitutional challenge to the criminal libel offences his clients were previously charged with that ultimately led to them being remanded.

“If people are accused of defamation, let them take it to the civil courts and get damages for it,” he said.

“But you can’t be putting people in jail for speaking their minds, whether it’s justified or not. And that can be used—as it was in Mr Archer’s case and Ms Daxon’s—it was a politically motivated prosecution under the old, archaic criminal libel laws.”

Ms Daxon’s and Mr Archer’s constitutional challenge to their denial of bail is a part of former Cabinet minister Shane Gibson’s application for constitutional relief concerning multiple counts of bribery with which he was charged in 2017.

In September of that year, while appearing before Justice Grant-Thompson during a mention hearing in connection with Gibson’s charges, attorney Wayne Munroe, QC sought to add several people to Gibson’s initial notice of motion for constitutional relief.

Those people, Mr Munroe said at the time,

CORRECTIONS OFFICER DENIES TAPING MARIJUANA TO HIS BODY

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A 39-YEAR-OLD corrections officer denied allegations on Friday that he was caught with $1,000 worth of marijuana taped to his body while at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services last week.

Vernard Antwan Hinsey pleaded not guilty to claims that police officers and other corrections officers caught him with six packages of marijuana that he planned to distribute to unknown persons.

He was charged with a single count of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply when arraigned before Acting

Deputy Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain on Friday. According to reports, shortly before 2pm on the date in question, Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) officers and BDCS officers conducted a search of a male prison officer and discovered six packages of marijuana taped to his body.

According to police, the drugs weighed one pound and 11 ounces and are worth $1,000.

Given his not guilty plea, the senior magistrate adjourned the matter to June 27 for trial. He was ordered to be remanded to the BDCS in the interim.

At last check, however, Hinsey’s attorney Ramona Farquharson-Seymour was trying to apply to the Supreme Court for bail on his behalf.

would have been remanded for different periods of time and would not have had the luxury of having such an application filed on their behalf like Gibson, who was granted $40,000 bail by Justice Grant-Thompson in August of that year.

Nonetheless, Mr Munroe said at the time that should the application prove successful, it could result in a “substantial liability of the state” that could potentially

cause the government to pay “millions of dollars” in damages to those persons affected.

Gibson is not seeking any relief from the application, however, he remains on the application essentially as a respondent due to him being the original applicant.

Meanwhile, Director of Public Prosecutions Garvin Gaskin, representing the Crown in the matter, has submitted the basic

principle of constitutional law is that every piece of legislation passed by Parliament is presumed to be constitutional, and there is consequently a “heavy” burden to “dislodge” that presumption.

Mr Gaskin further submitted Parliament did not act unconstitutionally when in 2011, it passed amendments to the law which led to changes in a magistrate’s ability to grant bail.

PAGE 8, Monday, April 8, 2019 from page one “Sadly, there exists in our country a petty, jaundiced, unprincipled, evil and destructive agenda of some who feel it is their political duty to use school book typesets and student companion questions to muddy the water and make what is good and noble and wholesome seem untoward.”

The former sports

THE TRIBUNE

SPORTS AUDIT - NOW RECOVER THE MONEY

minister added he was not surprised by the “recent back jumping exercise of others to pay homage and obedience to their political masters,” and appealed for young Bahamians to be given a change to be the best in the sporting industry.

Meanwhile, Mr Turnquest said the deliberation was being undertaken in consultation with the internal audit department, financial experts and the Office of the Attorney General.

It follows the tabling of Auditor General Terrance

Bastian’s NSA audit, which covered the operations of the authority from July 2011 to December 2017 and revealed the authority’s financial allocation increased by more than $3.3m during the election fiscal year. Mr Bastian

highlighted irregularities in the payment of employees, an “unusual” handling of petty cash, and stated the organisation’s accounting practices had apparent weaknesses and did not fully comply with regulations and the weaknesses.

“The report on the NSA highlights a number of concerns and weaknesses in internal controls and operational procedures under the last administration and the former NSA board of directors,” Mr Turnquest said.

“In conjunction with our internal audit department, financial experts and the Office of the Attorney General, this administration will now have to consider those procedures necessary to strengthen the weaknesses noted and to consider the evidential support for a forensic audit to determine if a legal basis exists to seek recovery of payments made for works not completed or services not delivered.”

The findings were rebuffed by Progressive Liberal Party Chairman and Senator Fred Mitchell, who in response to a statement by the governing party suggested political collusion.

Reflecting on the NSA report in a statement last week, Free National Movement Chairman Carl Culmer said the Christie administration’s “negligence” was still making headlines two years since they were voted out of office.

Mr Culmer further claimed subsequent audit reports have shown the opposition party’s “corruption stretched to nearly every aspect of government.”

Mr Mitchell accused Mr Culmer of playing “team tag” with Mr Bastian, adding that the auditor general’s reports commissioned by the FNM were “never what it seems”.

“The public should not hold their breaths to find the truth on these matters from the FNM. The PLP does not control the files,” Mr Mitchell said.

The PLP chairman also referenced the government’s cancellation of its hosting agreement for the IAAF World Relays, which he said was “the opportunity of a life time for The Bahamas.”

“Like the entire FNM, the FNM chairman is visionless and hopelessly out of touch with modern realities,” Mr Mitchell continued. “We simply say in response to the audit that an audit can only speak to what the auditor found on the day he showed up.

The PLP knows from other examples of this auditor’s work that the evidence to support the expenditure was probably right there in plain sight but either was not revealed or some reason went south on the day the audits took place.

“The government of the day, the FNM must say what happened to the records. They are masters of convenient amnesia and lost files. Just remember the Oban missing file,” Mr Mitchell added.

For his part, Mr Turnquest called the PLP chairman’s comments an “unwarranted and unsubstantiated” attack on the integrity of Mr Bastian, whom he noted held a constitutional protected position. “The public must question what (the PLP) seeks to hide and whether there are other similar situations that need to be investigated,” Mr Turnquest added.

However, advocates for reform have contended the only way to deliver “real change” was the passage of legislation that held senior civil servants and public sector managers truly accountable for the loss of taxpayer dollars.

Robert Myers, principal with the Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG), said the scenario outlined at the NSA was bound to be repeated time and time again unless the government “gets out ahead of it” through legal measures that are actually enforced.

PAGE 10 MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

Now our frightened society has struck a T deal with the Devil

By FREDERICK R M SMITH, QC

HE dark culture of police brutality is perhaps the most open of the many sordid secrets which define the modern Bahamas. The routine practice of beating, terrorising and torturing suspects in an effort to extract confessions is so well established that its features have become staples of our national lexicon.

Most Bahamians, regardless of whether they’ve ever faced arrest, can recount with an air of authority the most frequently-used methods, name a few notorious uniformed abusers and even describe in detail a certain dank cell in the bowels of most jails at police stations throughout The Bahamas where horrors take place.

Whenever the Royal Bahamas Police Force command feels compelled to deny such blatant realities, or claim all complaints are investigated objectively, no one really takes them seriously.

When those notorious officers come to court to swear, hand on the Bible, that they have been wrongly accused, nobody really believes them.

According to their own statistics, there were 245 complaints against the police last year – a shocking number in such a small country. Perhaps the RBPF might want to reveal how many officers were found guilty and disciplined as a result. I suspect very few.

There is a shocking double standard in this society: if a civilian beats, suffocates, tortures an individual, they go to prison. If a police officer does it, nothing happens.

We are all well acquainted with these ugly truths, but the vast majority act as if they are blissfully unaware. Most pretend to believe the suspect happened to fall suddenly ill while in custody, that he or she had those bruises prior to arrest, that it is just a coincidence when dozens of accused people sign confessions while in a cell, only to plead innocence later in court. We act as if we believe the police can be trusted, that the government would never allow such injustice, that our society isn’t really like that.

Bahamians take part in this depraved and hypocritical pantomime because deep down, we have come to believe police brutality serves our collective interests, that a tough stance by the authorities is the only way to curb the scourge of violent crime. That you must break a few eggs to make an omelette and the end justifies the means.

Believing itself to be under siege, our frightened society has struck a deal with the Devil in the hopes of protecting itself from further predation.

Hay

TAMARA MERSON, centre, with her lawyers Fred Smith and Pleasant Bridgewater. Ms Merson was awarded $280,000 damages in 1987 for false imprisonment and the abuse she suffered at the hands of Bahamian police officers.

Thirty years later the same issues continue to haunt the Bahamas police.

But the responses begot by fear are always irrational and ill-advised; intolerant, reactionary and ultimately counterproductive.

The fact is, few things are more harmful to the safety of citizens and the overall health of a community than a scenario in which the powerful are allowed to brutalise and intimidate the weak with impunity, regardless of the supposed justification. Just look at the well known immigration abuses and excesses!

First of all, the approach simply doesn’t work in removing criminals from the streets.

Extensive research has clearly demonstrated that coerced confessions are worth less than the paper they are written on. Innocent people frequently confess while under duress, just to escape further pain and fear, all the while believing their innocence will come out and be believed eventually.

Coerced or not, confessions are rarely the best arbiter of guilt and innocence without accompanying physical or eyewitness evidence. According to the Innocence Project, a non-profit committed to exonerating the wrongly convicted through DNA testing, around a quarter of convicted criminals ultimately exonerated had, in

fact, confessed to the crime.

By locking up the wrong people after beating confessions out of them, the police are not making society safer. Quite the opposite in fact – what they are actually doing is clearing the way for criminals to continue to prey on society while remaining anonymous and unfettered, their past crimes having been pinned on innocent scapegoats.

Inevitably, those innocents who are wrongfully convicted and incarcerated - and even those who are simply beaten and released - will be emotionally and psychologically traumatised, deeply scarred by the experience. Their outlook will be forever hardened against the police and authority in general, while many will feel society has betrayed and abandoned them, and there is very little to be gained by following its rules.

It is truly terrible to consider – during even my 43 years at the Bar - how many thousands of otherwise docile young people have been driven to a life of crime and violence through wanton abuse by the police.

It is even more horrifying to contemplate how the rest of us aided and abetted in this process over the years.

Consider also the damage we have done to the rule of law, to respect for the fundamental rights enshrined

50th Anniveary To this lovely couple

From your Children, Grandchildren, and entire Family

in The Bahamas Constitution – these cornerstones of our democracy and prerequisites for the kind of civilised and progressive society which so many Bahamians aspire to, but which continues to elude us.

Of course, the victims of police beatings are almost always poor working class people, those who cannot afford lawyers to protect their rights. This is a small country and the victimisation of an entire sector of society in this way cannot continue without consequences. For how long can the police – and for that matter Immigration in its interaction with Bahamians of Haitian descent – continue to act like thugs and outlaws without sparking a large-scale backlash? If Bahamians think they have it bad now in terms of serious crime, they should pause and consider what widespread and violent civil unrest on our streets would look like. This is not fantasy or alarmist rhetoric – abuse by the authorities has led to riots and worse in many developing countries, several in this very region.

In the last 50 years alone, our mighty neighbour to the north had endured dozens of major, city-wide riots, some bordering on minirevolutions, over the issue of police brutality. Bahamians would do well to shake ourselves from the sleep of complacency and appreciate the grave danger we are flirting with in continuing down this path.

Quite aside from the effect on society as a

whole is the devastating consequences for the victims themselves.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is reported to be the most common psychological detriment resulting from of beatings, torture and other coercive interrogation tactics.

The consequences include frequent and extremely distressing flashbacks and dreams, decreased neural function and persistent and irrational fear. Many sufferers cannot hold down a job and their personal lives soon come unravelled. The lives of countless innocent Bahamians and their families have been ruined by a run-in with the Royal Bahamian Police Force, often for no other reason than having had the bad luck of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Those who do break the pact of silence around police brutality tend to focus blame on the offending officers themselves.

However, we cannot lose sight of the larger dynamic at work here. It is an unfortunate fact that in a small society such as ours, crime is always a political issue. And in a system of governance in which law enforcement is answerable to the political executive, this is a recipe for disaster.

The Minister of National Security, as an MP and member of the Cabinet, has a vested interest in seeing the government do well and hold on to office come the next election. If crime is high, it is natural for this minister to place

pressure on the Commissioner of Police, who effectively serves at the pleasure of the Executive and is likely to be replaced if government changes in any case. The commissioner of course feels induced, by sheer force of self-preservation, to place equivalent pressure on his Division Commanders, and likewise they on the Station Chiefs, and so on down the ranks in a constant chain of compulsion, until all of that compounded pressure from above comes to rest on the shoulders of lowly constables. This officer is of course, also the one who witnesses the gruesome results of violent crime on a daily basis, whose days are haunted by the cries of the bereaved and whose dreams are invaded by the faces of newly orphaned children. Is it any wonder, under the circumstances, that these officers have come to feel it is their job, not just to prevent or detect crimes, but to intervene forcefully and ‘fix’ the violent tendencies in society?

And just as the problem originates at the top, so must the solution. Sadly, over the years FNM administrations have attracted a reputation for harsh policing tactics and an almost military approach to law enforcement. The present incarnation is no exception, with brutality claims and police involved killings skyrocketing in the past few years. If there is to be a necessary change in attitudes, history does not suggest the current government will be its source.

It is up to the Minnis administration to prove me wrong. All that is needed is a little courage and the political will to intervene and make the eradication of police and immigration brutality an urgent priority for its remaining three years in office. In addition, public prosecutors and judges must stop turning a deaf ear to the hundreds of accused, from diverse backgrounds, different neighbourhoods and even islands, who come before the courts telling tales of brutality and violence that are uncannily similar in even the smallest details. These claims must be taken seriously and investigated, rather than ignored or dismisses as falsehoods.

Finally, PM Minnis and Ministers Dames and Symonette must urgently create, by law, an independent police and immigration complaint commission and provide training in civil rights, sensitivity and psychological evaluation of officers. My FNM government, please do not forget to finally make good in this term, on the regular pre-election broken promises by past FNM and PLP administrations of a Human Rights Ombudsman!

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019 PAGE 9

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net “AT THIS moment it’s not possible for us to go into the Bahamas,” conceded Dr Timothy Hsiang, Secretary General of Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF).

He was addressing a visiting press contingent from eight European countries, the US and a single journalist from The Bahamas.

The invitation represents the country’s tireless commitment to maintaining and steadily increasing its international profile - despite having lost more than a dozen allies this term due to Beijing’s strategic and aggressive tightening of its One China policy. In earlier years Taiwan and The Bahamas had a formal relationship, but that no longer exists.

Earlier this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the mainland will strive to achieve peaceful “reunification” but reserved the right to use force to bring Taiwan under its control.

For its part, Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen has not backed down on her pledge to promote the country internationally in the face of China flexing its political and military prowess.

Despite this aim, however, last year, the Dominican Republic, Burkina Faso and El Salvador all dropped Taiwan for diplomatic relations with mainland China - a move Dr Hsiang attributed to China’s promises of economic support, something Taiwan cannot match.

While it is a minnow on the international stage, the ICDF does have 60 ongoing projects in 20 countries across sectors of agriculture, education and public health.

“I don’t think China will be happy to see us do projects in those countries (that have diplomatic relations with Beijing),” said Dr Hsiang.

“As a development agency we like to join with any countries...but we need an MOU. Our public health projects go through government channels to make the project possible.”

Larger countries, like the United States, have historically been able to nurture informal relationships with Taiwan in tandem with formal diplomatic relations with the mainland. However, the issue of Taiwan features prominently in the current US-China trade dispute.

Last week, Time reported the sale of 60 jet fighters to Taiwan has been sidelined until the United States seals a trade deal with China. The sale of the jets represents the Americans’ long-standing statutory obligation to help Taiwan defend itself in its standoff with mainland China.

It plays out against increasing cross-strait tensions with reports of “reckless and provocative” flights by two Chinese fighter jets into Taiwan’s airspace last week.

Last month’s press trip took journalists on a weeklong tour through Taiwan as government officials spun their narrative on the critical nature of Taiwan’s exclusion from the international stage - most importantly the United Nations and the World Health Assembly - where it is desperately trying to regain access through observer status.

Paired with breathtaking excursions featuring rich Chinese culture, as well as

A PHARMACY counter at China Medical University Hospital. Clinical trials for cancer therapy in partnership with the University of Illinois have shown a 31 percent mortality rate in cancer patients opting for integrated treatment combining Chinese herbal medicine and Western medicine.

Photo: Ava Turnquest

An old ally, stuck in the wilderness, looking for friends medical health advancements, officials painted a picture of a tiny island’s struggle to maintain its selfgovernance and recognition of its efforts to meet and surpass international development goals.

An interesting feature of their health system was the widespread standardisation of traditional Chinese medicine - its hospitals boast international partnerships for clinical trails that have netted remarkable results in the integrated treatment of cancer and chronic diseases.

It could prove to be a useful model and encouragement for the Caribbean’s pursuit of mainstreaming its own plant-based natural “bush” medicine.

Taiwan’s cause was at one time championed by The Bahamas during an eightyear diplomatic relationship that ended unceremoniously following the opening an $80 million container port in Freeport, partly owned by a subsidiary of Hutchinson Whampoa Ltd. The investment dwarfed the economic value of Taiwan’s efforts in the country over the course of diplomatic relations, according to pundits.

The policy shift was awkward to say the least, as the Bahamas had just eight months earlier lent its support for the establishment of a special committee to review Taiwan’s appeal for inclusion at the United Nations.

The Republic of China (ROC) on Taiwan joined the United Nations as a founding member on October 24, 1945, and served as a charter member and one of five permanent members of the Security Council until 1971. That year, the international body voted to admit the People’s Republic of China and expel the ROC. The Bahamas’s eight-year connection with Taiwan was filled with sizeable

charitable donations to local non-profit organisations, technical cooperation in agriculture inclusive of the establishment of a training programme to support a conch jewellery industry and a $10 million loan.

By 1995, more than 50 Bahamians had participated in training courses in Taiwan from various professions.

A joint communique marking the establishment of diplomatic relations between mainland China, run by the PRC, and The Bahamas was signed on May 23, 1997.

The move was also harshly criticised by House Speaker Halson Moultrie, then leader of the Bahamian Freedom Alliance.

In a letter to the editor, dated May 24, 1997, Mr Moultrie called the FNM administration’s handling of the split with Taiwan “a travesty of diplomacy”.

Insisting the best interest of the country would have been to recognize mainland China while maintaining a friendship with Taiwan, Mr Moultrie said instead it appeared the government was “selling favours” by opting to “squash the ant to please the elephant”.

Mr Moultrie declined comment when asked by The Tribune for his current position on the One China policy due to his neutral position in parliament, but underscored his position on the Ingraham-led administration’s handling of the matter was unchanged.

In his 1997 letter, Mr Moultrie pointed to Taiwan’s technical assistance and contributions and questioned the strength of diplomatic ties with other small countries like Haiti and Cuba “when our allies and friends can be so flippantly discarded”.

However, when addressing opposition criticism in parliament the following month, then-Prime Minister

Hubert Ingraham accused Taiwan of threatening the country over its decision to sever ties.

Mr Ingraham said the Taiwanese government, in an interview with the Financial Times of London, had said they would “teach the Bahamas a lesson”.

During a fiery exchange with then-opposition leader Perry Christie, Mr Ingraham rebuked criticism the Bahamas had not found a way to allow the Taiwanese government to “save face” as shameful.

Mr Christie clarified his criticism was not a defence of Taiwan but an observation that the split could have been done “more diplomatically”.

Mr Ingraham insisted Taiwan chose the time of the severance, and also when it was made public in an attempt to cast a better light on themselves over the Bahamas.

Mr Ingraham stated the country fully appreciated the friendship extended by Taiwan over the previous eight years and that there was also an appreciation of the Bahamas’ assistance, but furthered only a small minority of people - consumed by that friendship - were disappointed over the split.

He also expressed a willingness for continued economic and cultural relationship; however, he underscored it should not be understated that mainland China and Taiwan “considered themselves no more than estranged family members working to reconcile their differences”.

When contacted by The Tribune, Mr Ingraham was out of country on a Commonwealth electoral observer mission in Belize but said his position was on record.

Foreign Affairs minister Darren Henfield did not respond to calls or messages placed up to press time.

“When it comes to JOURNALISTS paid visits to technology centres and cultural sites during their trip to Taiwan.

identity, almost 90 percent of the Taiwanese consider being Taiwanese as part of their identity,” said Ketty Chen, Vice President of the governAVA with ICDF Secretary ment-funded General Dr Timothy Hsiang Taiwan Foundation for be secure Democracy. online.

PLP “Whether they con- Senator and former Forsider themselves as solely eign Affairs minister Fred Taiwanese or culturally Mitchell told The Tribune Chinese but Taiwanese. re-establishing formal talks “In our survey we con- with Taiwan would be “too sider youth population difficult a needle to thread” as 39 and under, and the considering its current relamajority of Taiwanese tionship with mainland youth also consider them- China. selves as Taiwanese and He said cross-strait relasupport for democracy tions was something that among Taiwanese in gen- should be left up to the two eral is very high.” government’s to sort out Ms Chen said survey par- domestically. ticipants were asked for the “No, there’s no room,” first time this year whether Mr Mitchell said. “We’ve they were willing to defend agreed on a One China Taiwan’s democratic way policy and Taiwan, as far of life, to which nearly as we are concerned, is 70 percent responded a domestic issue. Unforpositively. More than 50 tunately I can’t have a percent stated they would personal position, the do so in the face of main- policy is what it is. We land China’s military threat; signed diplomatic relations however Ms Chen noted with the People’s Republic the survey did not ask par- of China (PRC), and that’s ticipants by what means what we committed ourthey were willing to defend selves too. It’s the policy their democracy. of the PLP to support that Despite challenges with position and there cannot forging and maintaining be any change.” international partnerships, Mr Mitchell noted there Ms Chen pointed to the were attempts made by establishment of the Asia Taiwan to establish a Democracy Network as a visa abolition agreement major breakthrough for the for Taiwanese citizens; TFD. however, he said the govShe said one the biggest ernment ultimately took challenges was finding solu- the position that such an tions to counter fake news agreement was unnecesthat did not encroach upon sary because their travel press freedoms and the would be covered under country’s open democratic the existing agreement with culture. mainland China.

Characterising disinfor“The Pindling governmation like a zombie, Ms ment supported Taiwan Chen said local studies at the start,” Mr Mitchell have estimated the life span said, “but that changed of fake news is around 435 under the Ingraham admindays. istration. I always thought “What we discover is (diplomatic ties with when you see a piece of Taiwan) was awkward and information that’s disin- we should be aligned with formation,” Ms Chen said, the government that had “that targets your emo- the majority of the population you click forward but tion - if you’re going to talk later when you find out about who is going to repyou share something that resent Chinese in the ethnic is untrue, well most people sense.” that share disinformation “Some countries have are less likely to share the gone the route of trade misclarification.” sions, and at one point we The government has were exploring the possibilforged partnerships with ity but that did not go very hacker groups like Open far.

Culture to write pro“Our view was that it’s grammes that can identify too difficult a needle to fake news and provide fact- thread and we wanted to checked resources, as well maintain the relationships as to hold workshops for we have. They were workhuman rights and democ- ing well for us and there’s racy defenders on how to no need to deviate.”

PAGE 12 MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019

N

ARROW party-political ambitions frequently thwart the wider national interest in practically every country.

The world is watching this play-out now as a public spectacle in Britain where the Brexit question continues to be deeply immersed in both personal political purposes and a struggle for the supremacy of one political party over another. At the end of it, Britain will be a much-diminished nation economically. It will also have little clout in the international community.

But it is not in Britain alone that this tragedy of political ambition over wider national interest is being displayed. On April 3, seven days before a referendum is scheduled to be held in Belize to determine if the country should take its border dispute with Guatemala for final arbitration to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the opposition political party, the People’s Unity Party (PUP), obtained an injunction from the Chief Justice, Kenneth Benjamin, to stay it.

This commentary is less concerned with the legal technicalities of the judgment, important though they are, and more concerned with the increasing tendency to eschew agreement among political parties that serve the national interest, and, instead to pursue political advantage even though it may be short-term and harmful to the national cause.

Of course, the politicians and political parties that pursue these advantages will reject the idea that they are doing so. They will wrap their arguments in the colours of the national flag and claim they are marching to the drums of the national anthem. They will proclaim

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

Belize: Put the national interest first it is the people’s interest they are protecting. The same will be done by the governing political parties.

But it is the very people, on whose behalf they claim to act, who will be sidelined in the party-political argument.

The referendum scheduled for April 10 (this Wednesday) was precisely to give the people a say in determining how the Belizean nation should deal with the claim to all of its territory by Guatemala – a claim that has manacled the country hand and foot, retarding its economic and social advancement even prior to its independence from Britain in 1981.

The decision to hold a referendum did not materialise out of thin air, nor was it the brainchild of

the governing United Democratic Party (UDP).

Significantly, most of the work to hold a referendum was done by the very PUP that sought the April 3 injunction to stop it.

After years of incursions by Guatemalans – both civilian and military — into Belizean territory and an absolute refusal by successive Guatemalan governments to end the claim to all Belizean territory, the governments of the two countries agreed in 2012 to hold separate referenda to allow their people to decide whether or not the all-consuming dispute would be sent to the ICJ for settlement.

After much foot-dragging and postponements over the six following years, the Guatemala government

held its referendum on April 15 last year. The result, albeit with a low turn-out, was a mandate by more than 90 percent of the voters for the Guatemalan government to take the dispute to the ICJ. In the face of this history and the remarkable step by the Guatemalans to hold the referendum, the voice of the Belizean people had to be heard.

Therefore, the date for the referendum was set, and the government launched a public programme to educate the population about all that was at stake.

Unfortunately, no referendum is easy, and the political campaigning surrounding it never sticks to the question people are being asked to answer. The dissonance, distortions and disinformation - which permeate the political wars that are launched - were evident in the run-up to the vote in Britain over Brexit and in referenda held in Caribbean countries concerning replacing the Judicial Committee of the British Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as the apex court in Caribbean

CHIEF Justice Kenneth Benjamin Community (CARICOM) countries.

Perhaps it was naive to think the Belizean referendum would have been free of mischief, misinformation and jockeying for political advantage. However, given it was the opposition PUP that had done most of the very hard work to advance it while in government, and that the ruling UDP had taken up the mantle, it was a reasonable expectation the parties would have united to provide national leadership on the matter.

The question for the

Belizean electorate in the referendum is: “Do you agree that any legal claim of Guatemala against Belize relating to land and insular territories and to any maritime areas pertaining to these territories should be submitted to the International Court of Justice for final settlement and that it determines finally the boundaries of the respective territories and areas of the parties?”

Straight forward though the question is, the answer has been distorted by those who have played on the fears of the Belizean people that they could lose their country if the ICJ finds for Guatemala.

Guatemala would have been bemused, if not delighted, by the actions that have caused the stay in the referendum. It has sent a wrong signal from Belize.

Fortunately, the stay cannot long stand and, one way or the other, either by judicial appeal or by rectification of any encumbering law, the referendum will be held.

This dispute with Guatemala cannot be solved by negotiation – it would be in Guatemala’s interest to prolong it and so maintain the present claim. It also cannot be solved by conflict. The ICJ is Belize‘s best route. Both political parties – when in government - supported that view.

They should jointly continue to embrace it and give the people of Belize the guidance and sense of confidence they are due.

The writer is Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organisation of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com

KEEP IT SIMPLE AND STAY SAFE ON THE ROAD BE RESPONSIBLE while driving and walking.

For your safety and the safety of others, you must follow these rules.

Never Drink and Drive Alcohol causes a number of impairments that lead to car accidents. The consumption of alcohol while driving causes blurred vision and loss of consciousness. Drinking and driving is an offence and is punishable by law.

Always Wear a Seat Belt Wearing a seatbelt can save your life and it reduces

the risk of serious injury during an accident. There is a greater chance of surviving when wearing a seatbelt.

Avoid distractions while driving Distracted driving is any activity that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your mind off

your primary task of driving safely Pedestrian Safety We all are pedestrians from time to time, so it is important to pay attention to what is going on around us. To stay safe walking, follow these rules.

Walk Facing Traffic When Walking on the Side of the Road If there is no sidewalk and you must walk on the side of the road, choose the side where you are facing oncoming traffic. This gives you the best chance to see traffic approaching closest to you.

Cross Safely Look both ways before crossing any street. Make

eye contact with any drivers who may be turning. Give them a wave. Make sure they see you.

Walk Single File When Not Separated from the Road Unless you are on a sidewalk separated from the road or you are in a wide pedestrian lane, you should walk in single file.

This is especially important on a road with curves and where traffic has only a split second chance of seeing you before hitting you.

Be Visible Wear bright colours when walking in daytime. When walking at night, wear light-coloured clothing and reflective clothing or a reflective vest to be visible. Drivers are often not expecting walkers to be out after dark, and you need to give them every chance to see you. Be just as cautious at dawn or twilight, as drivers still have limited visibility or may even have the setting or rising sun directly in their eyes.

Be Predictable Make a practice of staying on one side of the path while walking rather than weaving randomly from side to side. Watch your arm motions, or you may end up giving a black eye to a silently passing walker, runner, or biker.

Keep the Volume Down Don’t drown out your environment when listening to your headphones. Keep the volume at a level where you can still hear warnings from other walkers, bikers and runners.

Hang Up and Eyes Up Chatting, texting, or playing games on a mobile device while you walk is as dangerous as doing those things while driving. You are distracted and not as aware of your environment.

You are less likely to recognize traffic danger, passing joggers and bikers or tripping hazards. Potential criminals see you as a distracted easy target. Adopt habits that can keep your phone in your pocket, or at least stop in a safe place to complete your phone tasks before moving on.

Know When to Stop Walking Heat sickness, dehydration, heart attack or stroke can strike walkers of any age.

Learn the symptoms of medical emergencies and carry a cell phone to dial 919 or 911 Be Aware of Stranger Danger Choose your walking route for paths frequented by other walkers, joggers, and bikers. If you see someone suspicious, be prepared to alter your course or go into a store or public building to avoid them. Acting alert and aware can convince bad guys to choose an easier target.

Let us create safer communities Please visit the Royal Bahamas Police Force website at www.royalbahamaspolice.org or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ rbpforce for Latest News, Daily Crime Reports and additional Crime Prevention Tips

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THE TRIBUNE

Monday, April 8, 2019, PAGE 13

NIB TO INVESTIGATE NON-PAYMENT CLAIMS

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

MINISTER of the Public Service and National Insurance Brensil Rolle has promised investigations will be conducted into claims some Freeport employers have deducted but failed to pay to NIB contributions on behalf of their employees.

This was one of the many concerns raised by residents attending a Marco City town meeting on National Insurance and public service matters hosted by area MP Michael Pintard at the Bahamas Union of Teachers Hall on Thursday evening.

“Your (NIB) inspectors are falling on the job,” one resident complained to Mr Rolle and senior managers.

The individual also alleged that

when employees make complaints against their employers about matters in confidence, NIB staff would secretly inform employers of the complainant’s name.

Some other issues included claims of discrepancies in NIB benefits such as monthly pension, sickness benefit and survivor benefit.

Mr Rolle stated that NIB would be taking steps to verify claims about employers’ non-payment of employee contributions. “They (the residents) gave us some names of some individuals in the community collecting contributions but not forwarding those onto NIB, and it is our duty now to investigate that to make sure that it is so and to put inspectors on the streets in the community…” he told The Tribune.

He stressed paying contributions is critical to NIB and employees

because whatever contributions are put in, that is what employees will get out. “If there is no record of individuals who are honest and put in contributions, and sometimes contributions are deducted from those individuals, at the end of the day NIB cannot offer them the benefits. That is critical, and that’s why we are trying to get this message out,” he stated.

“We will inspect, and we made the whole issue of ensuring we collect from revenues and wages of workers. Our goal is to provide service to individuals, and the critical point is what you put in, you get out. “ When asked about complaints regarding lack of confidentiality by NIB staff, Mr Rolle stated that maintaining confidentiality is very important. “It is related to our whole mission on training and development. Persons have

to begin to realise how important it is to work in confidence. We made a commitment tonight, and we will take it on the road, and we will make sure that all individuals of all the islands are aware of these kinds of issues,” he said.

Mr Rolle said traveling to Freeport to hear from residents was an excellent opportunity for NIB to answer questions directly. “We heard about issues relating to claims and benefits, and we were able to put the word out on contributions. This was an awesome exercise where people had to the ability to express themselves clearly, and we gave our commitment to provide them with answers to their questions,” he said.

For his part, Mr Pintard said that he decided to hold the town meeting because of the many issues that were recorded following his meetings with constituents

each month. “Each time we talk and meet with constituents we create a template the issues they have, and we forward those to each of the ministers or government departments,” he explained.

“So because of the amount of National Insurance and public personnel issues we thought it was critical to have Mr Brensil Rolle, and senior managers form NIB and public personnel come to address specific questions that hundreds of residents have in GB,” he said.

Mr Pintard, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, intends to hold similar town meetings with other ministers in his constituency.

Frankie Campbell, Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, was present but will return on another occasion to address matters about his ministry.

Two operations cancelled after machines fail

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

TWO procedures at Princess Margaret Hospital had to be cancelled last week when the hospital’s two functioning autoclave machines temporarily ceased to function, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said on Friday.

However, Dr Sands said both machines, which are used to sterilise equipment, were repaired within 24 hours. He added all other cases were carried out with the assistance of machines from Doctors Hospital.

Dr Sands was contacted

by The Tribune on Friday

and asked to respond to reports that the autoclave machines were down.

The health minister explained the hospital has three, one of which has been in disrepair for a while. The other two, which are located in the Critical Care Block, were working until midweek. One had a leakage issue while another was not heating optimally due to “damage from recent power outages,” Dr Sands added. Both machines were back on line by Thursday.

“The problem was detected day (Wednesday),” Dr Sands said. “So there’s one machine that has been down for a long time. Not sure whether that

is even repairable. You have two that were basically providing all the service. And then they lost one and then another in very short order.

So overnight – going from two days ago into yesterday (Thursday), they would have had a problem.

“The problem was rectified by early afternoon yesterday, and then the second machine was brought on line later in the afternoon. So by (Thursday) afternoon at about 24-hours you had full capacity restored.”

Regarding the impact from these machines being down, Dr Sands said: “You had several cases that were postponed because certain

PRINCESS Margaret Hospital instruments could not be sterilised on time. But these were unexpected failures.

These are mechanical devices that can fail. Once they do fail then you get them back up and that’s what was done.”

When asked if he would describe the impact as negligible, Dr Sands replied, “I don’t ever make the comment that anything that interferes with patient care is negligible, but in the interim period we had the supportive assistance of Doctors Hospital to sterilise instruments and so

cases continued. And now our local capacity at PMH has been fully restored. So two cases were cancelled as a result. All other cases proceeded.”

The health minister could not confirm the nature of the two cancelled procedures.

“At 2.50 (Thursday) I got a note that one of the sterilisers was now functional, it passed the verification test and one load was sterilised successfully. And then at 5.11 the second machine was brought back on line.

“One of the machines went

down on Wednesday…The one that was fully functioning began leaking on fittings on the boiler. The second was heating but not optimally due to damage from recent power outages and was being repaired. And that information we would have gotten at 11.41 (Thursday).

“So on Wednesday when one machine went down, we had one. By the following day the final machine that was functioning on Wednesday started leaking.

But by Thursday afternoon both of those machines were repaired.”

PAGE 14, Monday, April 8, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

US PULLS FORCES FROM LIBYA AS FIGHTING APPROACHES CAPITAL BENGHAZI, Libya Associated Press THE United States has temporarily withdrawn some of its forces from Libya due to “security conditions on the ground,” a top military official said yesterday as a Libyan commander’s forces advanced toward the capital of Tripoli and clashed with rival militias.

A small contingent of American troops has been in Libya in recent years, helping local forces combat Islamic State and al-Qaida militants, as well as protecting diplomatic facilities.

“The security realities on the ground in Libya are growing increasingly complex and unpredictable,” said Marine Corps Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, the head of US Africa Command. “Even with an adjustment of the force, we will continue to remain agile in support of existing U.S. strategy.”

He did not provide details on the number of US troops that have been withdrawn or how many remain in the country.

Footage circulating online showed two apparent US Navy transport craft maneuvering off a beach in Janzour, east of Tripoli, sending up plumes of spray as American forces were ferried from the shore.

India also evacuated a small contingent of peacekeepers. The Indian foreign minister, Sushma Swaraj, said the country’s 15 Central Reserve Police Force peacekeepers were evacuated Saturday from Tripoli because the “situation in Libya has suddenly worsened” and fighting has moved into the capital city.

The self-styled Libyan National Army, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter, launched a surprise offensive against the capital last week, a move that could potentially drag the country back into civil war. Libya has been gripped by unrest since the 2011 uprising that overthrew and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

In recent years, the country has been governed by rival authorities in the east and in Tripoli, in the west, each backed by various

US amphibious hovercraft departs west of Tripoli, Libya yesterday. armed groups. Fayez Sarraj, head of government in Tripoli, accused Hifter of “betraying” him.

“We have extended our hands towards peace, but after the aggression that has taken place on the part of forces belonging to Hifter and his declaration of war

against our cities and our capital ... he will find nothing but strength and firmness,” al-Sarraj said Saturday in televised comments.

Sarraj and Hifter held talks in Abu Dhabi in late February, their first confirmed meeting since November 2018, when they agreed

that national elections were necessary, according to the UN. Hifter is seeking to capture the capital and seize military control of the whole country before UNsponsored talks due to start next week that were designed to set a time frame for possible elections in the oil-rich country. The UN envoy for Libya, Ghassan Salame, said the UN is determined to hold the planned conference.

The two sides reported that at least 35 people, including civilians, had been killed since Thursday.

The Health Ministry of the Tripoli-based government said in a statement that at least 21 people, including a physician, were killed and at least 27 wounded. Ahmed al-Mesmari, a spokesman for Hifter’s forces, said on Saturday that 14 troops had been killed since the offensive began.

The fighting has displaced hundreds of people, the UN migration agency said. The UN mission to Libya called for a twohour cease-fire yesterday in parts of Tripoli to evacuate civilians and the wounded.

CUBA ALLOWS MARCH BY ANIMAL ACTIVISTS

RWANDA HAS A NEW LIGHT, SAYS LEADER KIGALI, Rwanda Associated Press TWENTY-FIVE years after the start of a genocide that killed some 800,000 people, Rwanda is rebuilding with hope and shines with a new light, President Paul Kagame said at commemoration services yesterday “Our bodies and minds bear amputations and scars, but none of us is alone,” Kagame said. “We Rwandans have granted ourselves a new beginning. We exist in a state of permanent commemoration, every day, in all that we do ... Today, light radiates from this place.”

Those attending included the leaders of Chad, Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Niger, Belgium, Canada, Ethiopia, as well as the EU.

HAVANA Associated Press

RWANDANS hold candles as part of a vigil during the memorial service held in the capital Kigali yesterday.

Homeland Security boss Nielsen quits WASHINGTON Associated Press

HOMELAND Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen resigned yesterday amid the administration’s growing frustration and bitterness over the number of Central American families crossing the southern border, two people familiar with the decision said.

President Donald Trump thanked her for her work in a tweet and announced US Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan would be taking over as acting head of the department. McAleenan is a longtime border official who is wellrespected by members of Congress and within the administration. The decision to name an immigration officer to the post reflects Trump’s priority for a sprawling department founded to combat terrorism

KIRSTJEN Nielsen following the September 11 attacks.

Though Trump aides were eyeing a staff shake-up at Homeland Security and had already withdrawn the nomination for another key immigration post, the development was unexpected.

Nielsen traveled to the US-Mexico border on Friday with Trump

to participate in a roundtable with border officers and local law enforcement. There she echoed Trump’s comments on the situation at the border, though she ducked out of the room without explanation for some time while Trump spoke. As they toured a section of newly rebuilt barriers, Nielsen was at Trump’s side, introducing him to local officials. She returned to Washington afterward on a Coast Guard Gulfstream, as Trump continued on a fundraising trip to California and Nevada.

But privately, she had grown increasingly frustrated by what she saw as a lack of support from other departments and increased meddling by Trump aides, the people said. She went into a meeting with Trump at the White House in Sunday not knowing whether she’d be fired or would resign, and she ended up resigning, they said.

• DEMOCRATS will “never” see President Donald Trump’s tax returns, said White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, as a new front opened in the confrontation between the administration and Congress. Mulvaney accused Democrats of engaging in a “political stunt” and wanting “attention” after the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Richard Neal, asked the IRS to provide six years of Trump’s personal tax returns.

“That is not going to happen and they know it,” Mulvaney told “Fox News Sunday.” Asked whether he believe Democrats would ever view the president’s returns, Mulvaney replied: “Oh no, never. Nor should they.”

Last week, Neal requested Trump’s personal and business returns in a letter to IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig.

MORE than 400 animallovers peacefully marched more than a mile through Havana yesterday, shouting slogans and waving signs calling for an end to animal cruelty in Cuba.

Short, seemingly simple, the march wrote a small but significant line in the history of modern Cuba.

The socialist government had explicitly permitted a public march unassociated with any part of the allencompassing Communist state, a move that participants and historians call highly unusual and perhaps unprecedented since the first years of the revolution.

“I think it’s very intelligent that they approved the demonstration, or, rather, march,” said singer Silvio Rodriguez, an establishment figure who has criticised official cultural rigidity and who participated in the event.

“It makes us feel optimistic.

Now we have to see if the same thing will happen with other causes.”

There is no indication Cuba is moving toward unfettered freedom of assembly: The state still clamps down on unapproved political speech with swift and massive police mobilisations, waves of arrests and temporary detentions. So a march by independent civil society groups seeking government action was a remarkable sight in a country where, for nearly 60 years, virtually every aspect of life was part of a single chain of command ending in a supreme leader named Castro.

“It’s unprecedented,” said Alberto Gonzalez, an organizer of the march and publisher of The Ark, an online Cuban animal-lovers magazine. “This is going to mark a before and an after.”

The animal-rights march was monitored by what appeared to at least a couple of dozen plain-clothes state security agents, who watched participants closely but did not interfere.

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THE TRIBUNE

INGRAHAM IN BELIZE TO OVERSEE REFERENDUM FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham is now in Belize where he heads a 10-member Commonwealth Observer Group for Wednesday’s referendum to decide the territorial claims between Belize and Guatemala. Former cabinet minister Orville “Tommy” Turnquest, also a member of the group, is with him.

The Commonwealth Observer Group was appointed by Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland.

The question of the referendum is: “Do you agree that any legal claim of Guatemala against Belize relating to land and insular territories and to any maritime areas pertaining to these territories should be submitted to the International Court of Justice for final settlement and that it determine finally the boundaries of the respective territories and areas of the parties?”

The group, under the leadership of Mr Ingraham, is composed of specialists from across the Commonwealth with backgrounds in election management, law, gender, civil society, media and politics.

Both the group and the Commonwealth Secretariat have taken note of the ruling by Belize’s chief justice on April 3, granting a temporary

FORMER PM Hubert Ingraham injunction until the Supreme Court further deliberates on the matter, and also notes the appeal lodged by the government to the Court of Appeal.

The group will meet a range of stakeholders in this context, including senior politicians, NGOs, trade unions, representatives from the private sector, the Referendum Commission, the Referendum Unit and other observers.

Members of the Commonwealth Observer Group, under Mr Ingraham’s leadership are Ms Lorna Simon, Supervisor of Elections in Antigua and Barbuda, Mr Tommy Turnquest, former cabinet minister of the Bahamas, Mrs Wyvolyn Patterson, journalist from Jamaica, Professor Luis Franceschi, founding Dean of Strathmore University Law School, International lawyer and government advisor in Kenya, Professor Rwekaza Mukandala, Mwalimu JK Nyerere professor of Pan African Studies, Tanzania, Mark Ramkerrysingh, chairman Elections and Boundaries Commission, Trinidad and Tobago, Hon Irene Ovonji-Odida, Independent Commissioner, ICRICT, former member East African Legislative Assembly and AU/ECA High level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows, Uganda, Baroness Denise Kingsmill, member of House of Lords, United Kingdom, and His Hon David Radford, retired judge of the United Kingdom.

The Observer Group is supported by a four-person Secretariat support team led by Martin Kasirye. * See Sir Ronald Sander’s column in Insight - Page 12 - for more on this referendum.

Monday, April 8, 2019, PAGE 15

PAGE 16, Monday, April 8, 2019

ROTARY CLUBS WELCOME DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AT AWARDS CEREMONY DEPUTY Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest addressed youth leaders at Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas annual awards on Saturday.

The event welcomed over 100 students from schools such as: Columbus Primary, Doris Johnson, St Andrews, R. M. Bailey High School, Lyford Cay, Christian Heritage, St Anne’s, BTVI, Government High School and C.V. Bethel School. Mr Turnquest addressed the audience on the topic, Rotary Experience, Benefits of Earlyact, Interact & Rotaract Clubs.

THE TRIBUNE