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VOLUME:115 No.95, APRIL 10TH, 2018

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WOMAN: HELP ON THE WAY FOR TEENAGE PARENTS

Euro blacklisting to end this week?

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas could be removed from the European Union’s (EU) ‘blacklist’ as early as this Thursday, with the Government hoping to at least get “an indication” of delisting progress.

K P Turnquest, Deputy Prime Minister, told Tribune Business that the Government was yesterday “following up” with EU officials on the 28-nation’s ‘Code of Conduct Group’ to determine whether the Bahamas removal will happen on April 12.

He revealed that the Government at least hoped to “satisfy” the demands of the EU’s technocrats at Thursday’s meeting, an achievement that would mean the Bahamas’ delisting was a relative “formality” when the bloc’s finance ministers meet on May 25.

“That is our hope,” Mr Turnquest said of the April 12 meeting. “They [EU officials] had indicated when we were over there they would have a meeting on the Friday following our meeting, and they were hoping to put our issue on the agenda.

SHAUNAE EASES INTO SEMIFINAL

ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel sought to allay fears of “ordinary Bahamians” concerning due diligence involving the controversial $5.5bn Oban Energies deal, saying if the government decides the project cannot be done in an environmentally safe way, additional safeguards can be proposed.

And if the developer does not feel that the government’s mandates to better protect the environment are “commercially reasonable” the developer has the option to “abandon

A MAN has died in hospital after a shooting on Homestead Street last night.

Reports say the man was taken to hospital with gunshot wounds at around 8pm but he later died of his injuries.

According to The Tribune’s records this is the 25th murder of 2018.

AG SEEKS TO REINFORCE POWERS FOR DEPORTATION

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel revealed upcoming amendments to the country’s immigration laws which will strengthen the detention powers of the Department of Immigration and “make it clear” the minister of immigration has the right to order the SEE PAGE FIVE

SEE BUSINESS SECTION

OBAN PROJECT NOT SET IN STONE

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

MAN DIES IN HOSPITAL AFTER LATEST SHOOTING

CHINA: OUR HELP IS A ‘WIN WIN’

the project,” he said.

His comments and earlier statements from Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest prompted Progressive Liberal Party Deputy Leader Chester Cooper to question if the Minnis administration “has lost confidence” in Oban.

Mr Cooper said if the government plans on ending the “badly conceived deal,” it should say so and do it through the proper channels.

Mr Bethel’s comments came days after Mr Turnquest shot down as “nonsense” speculation the government was “locked”

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter in BEIJING rwells@tribunemedia.net

BEIJING – The intense opposition to Chinesebacked investments throughout Latin America, the Caribbean and the Bahamas was yesterday dismissed by a senior official in China, who maintained that all such operations are sanctioned on the premise SEE PAGE NINE

SEE PAGE SIX BAHAMIAN sprinter Shaunae Miller-Uibo is all smiles after she cruised into the 200m semifinals at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia. Miller-Uibo won her heat with a time of 22.95. See Sports Section.

URCA CALLS IN POLICE TO SHUT SPORTS RADIO

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE broadcaster at the centre of Sebas Bastian’s radio licence controversy yesterday pledged to “attack” its police-enforced shut down, arguing: “The injustice needs to stop.”

Navette Broadcasting’s principals slammed

the seizure of ZSR Sports Radio’s broadcasting equipment, at the behest of communications industry regulators, arguing that their case has yet to receive a full hearing in the Bahamian courts.

Van Ferguson and Cheryl Braynon told Tribune Business that the action, instigated by the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA),

was “just another rung on the ladder” in the long-running dispute over the 103.5 FM frequency.

Disclosing that the duo remained confident in the merits of their case, Mr Ferguson said there was “no way” URCA’s original decision against them will stand if the matter gets to court.

SEE BUSINESS SECTION

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

FACE TO FACE: FROM SHIRLEY STREET TO MIAMI ICON

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Tuesday, April 10, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

BAHAMAS POWER & LIGHT THEFT CASE ADJOURNED

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE case involving five men charged in connection with a multi-million dollar theft at Bahamas Power & Light was adjourned to today after counsel raised issues with the matter being transferred to a particular magistrate.

Reno Bethel, Orvano Symonette, Anthony Strachan, James Ruben Dean and Che Campbell Chase had appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann FergusonPratt for a mention hearing to determine the way forward for their impending trial.

The matter was previously adjourned to yesterday after Deputy Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain recused herself and consequently transferred the matter to the chief magistrate on March 26, citing a potential conflict of interest.

During yesterday’s proceedings, Chief Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt indicated that Magistrate Ambrose Armbrister, who was not too long ago called up from the Attorney General’s Office to serve on the bench, usually deals with matters of this nature.

The chief magistrate also indicated yesterday that Magistrate Armbrister has an academic background in accounting, hence suggesting that he would be the ideal magistrate to preside over the matter.

However, Crown prosecutor Kenrah Newry indicated that transferring the matter to Magistrate Armbrister for adjudication may pose a problem.

Ms Newry suggested that as Magistrate Armbrister was called up from the AG’s Office not too long ago, he may have come into contact with the case file in some way during his time as a prosecutor.

Additionally, attorney Roberto Reckley, holding brief for Tai Pinder-Mackey who represents Strachan and Chase, indicated that there would be an issue with Mrs Pinder-Mackey appearing before that magistrate.

After noting those and brief submissions from Wayne Munroe, QC, one of the attorneys on record for the accused, the chief magistrate said it would be “prudent” to allow her to have an opportunity

to “intelligently” make a decision on the matter.

She adjourned the matter to today at 10am.

In August last year, Bethel, a former employee of FirstCaribbean International Bank, was arraigned on 47 fraud-related charges stemming from a BPL investigation.

He faced 23 counts of fraud by false pretences, 23 counts of receiving and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretences. Approximately two months later, Bethel was arraigned for nearly 100 additional fraud-related charges.

Bethel pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.

Shortly after that, Dean, a former BPL employee, and Chase, an attorney, were arraigned over allegations they collectively defrauded the electricity provider of close to $2m over a four-month span last year.

Dean, a former fixed assets officer at BPL, was charged before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt with 42 counts of fraud by false pretences, 11 counts of falsification of accounts, and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud.

Chase was charged with seven counts of fraud by false pretences and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud.

Both Dean and Chase pleaded not guilty.

Strachan was charged with seven counts of fraud by false pretences and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretences.

It is alleged he defrauded BPL of $214,086.25.

Symonette was charged with defrauding the company of $317,652.50. It is also alleged he attempted to fraudulently obtain $109,147.40 from FCIB on May 4, 2017.

Symonette also faced four counts of possession of forged cheques drawn on BEC’s bank account and made payable to Bahamas Industrial Equip Sales and Re, BN Backhoe Trucking and Island Site Development and presenting those forged cheques.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 10, 2018, PAGE 3

BREADBASKET LIST OVERHAUL ‘WELCOMED’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

WHILE the government’s proposed overhaul of the national breadbasket list is expected to negatively impact revenue intake for retailers, it is a move welcomed by grocers, Philip Beneby Sr, president of the Bahamas Retailers Association told The Tribune yesterday.

However, Mr Beneby urged the government to consult with retailers on the move to avoid a “fight with each other.”

Last week, during a town hall meeting at the TG Glover Primary School, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said adjustments will likely be made to the pricecontrolled breadbasket list in the next fiscal year in a bid to strengthen the fight against non-communicable diseases.

Impact The shift, he said at the time, would impact the cost of current items on the list like corned beef and canned soups and new items to be added like almond milk and oatmeal, however the changes await final approval from Cabinet.

“The government is trying to get the Bahamian population to eat healthier, so it is something that we would welcome,” Mr Beneby, who has been in the grocery business for the last 30 years, said. “As a matter of fact, with the price control even at the inception of it we were not too happy with the markup that they gave,

but that’s what it is so its just something that the food store operators will have to work with.”

He also said: “In terms of the new items, the markup on those items would be reduced and of course it would have some negative effect on the bottom line. Some of the items would be reduced, but then again some of them would go back to the regular markup, (these are) the ones that they take out of the breadbasket.

“They are trying to kind of, I don’t know if I should say, find their way with all of these items and all of the various agencies involved and I am sure at some point the minister would sit with the retailers to go through the items and dialogue with us and have consultation with us so that we can all be on page and not have a fight with each other. That is what we are trying to avoid.”

To give an example of how retailers’ revenue would be affected, Mr Beneby said they would have no control over the market price of items like almond milk as the Bahamas is not a producer of this product, so businesses would have to deal with whatever the market price is.

The items likely to be removed from the breadbasket list are margarine, mayonnaise, corned beef, canned meats, canned soups, broths, condensed milk and sugar.

The items likely to be included are beans and peas, raw almonds, raw cashews, fresh oranges, fresh apples, root crops, oatmeal, as well as tuna, sardines and mackerel canned in water.

Julia Lee, a registered dietitian/nutritionist in the Doctors Hospital Health System, said overhauling the breadbasket makeup is a good move to lighten the burden of families, but it should go further.

“I think if the diet is going to help reduce the overall grocery bill that’s good, but it would have a better impact than picking winners or losers in food,” Ms Lee told The Tribune.

cookie or something and not gain a bunch of weight or have corned beef from time to time. What’s more important is the overall dietary pattern that somebody has.

So does a person always drink sweet drinks whenever they have lunch? Do

Vegetables “For instance all fruits and vegetables, not just apples and oranges whether they are canned, frozen or fresh, all of those can be a part of a healthy diet, dried and canned beans, all canned fish. I think it would be helpful to expand it or liberalise or not get too specific as to what food would be considered helpful.”

She added that food items in themselves are not what are causing the issue of obesity and non-communicable diseases.

“Somebody can eat an occasional chocolate chip

MINISTER of Health Dr Duane Sands. they have water or do they always grab soda when they eat or do they skip lunch and grab some cookies instead? So it’s the overall dietary pattern.

“I wouldn’t blame any one food item for the problem and likewise adding

something good to your diet is not going to make a bad diet good.

“So what I see is people with issues with their diet is usually their habitual dietary routine and there is some disagreement on what is actually a healthy diet.

“Most health professionals would talk about a plant-based diet being what is a healthy diet.

“So more vegetables, fruits, grains and less on the animal foods that would be the diet that we would promote more than saying eat more salmon or don’t ever eat canned soup for instance.”

The Ministry of Health, following recommendations from experts, will also separately recommend to Cabinet that a consumption tax be imposed on the fastfood industry, although Dr Sands stressed in an interview with The Tribune that this is a very long way from becoming policy.

“It is a bit of of a push for the Ministry of Health to be dictating fiscal policy to the Ministry of Finance,” he said last week. “It is a suggestion at this point.”

Taxing the fast-food industry was recommended by experts who participated in a government-organised breadbasket forum last year.

Dr Sands previously told reporters his ministry will recommend to Cabinet that a “sin” tax be levied to pay for National Health Insurance (NHI).

The national breadbasket became law in 1971; it became illegal to sell the featured items above a maximum allowed price.

It is illegal for wholesalers to increase prices on the items more than 18 per cent and for retailers to markup prices more than 23 per cent, according to Dr Sands.

Breaking the law carries a fine of no more than $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than a year.

Some experts believe the initiative made staple foods affordable but placed too much focus on food energy supply rather than nutritional value.

The Minnis administration intends to remove VAT from breadbasket items in the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, fulfilling a long-held promise of Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.

MIGRANTS APPREHENDED AND RETURNED TO HAITI

The sloop then “entered

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Cuban territorial waters Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net where it was intercepted by FIFTY Haitian migrants were apprehended in the southern Bahamas and returned to Haiti over the weekend.

The operation was a joint effort between the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the United States Coast Guard, according to a statement from the RBDF released yesterday.

The 60-foot Haitian sloop was spotted in the southern Bahamas by a USCG aircraft on Friday.

The RBDF vessel HMBS Kamalamee was deployed to investigate along with the USCG cutter Reliance.

The Reliance ultimately intercepted the sloop approximately 50 miles west of Inagua and retrieved all 50 migrants.

Cuban authorities.”

The Reliance repatriated all 50 migrants to Haiti.

On March 28, the RBDF arrested 89 migrants who were discovered in a sloop 16 nautical miles southwest of Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera.

In a press release later that day, the RBDF announced that the immigrants would be processed for repatriation to Haiti after they had been handed over to Immigration authorities in Eleuthera.

Up to March 28, 281 migrants had been apprehended for the year, according to the RBDF’s records.

These include the arrests of 69 Haitian migrants off Long Island in January and the apprehension of 188 others off southern Inagua in March.

SIX MORE CUBANS INTERCEPTED AT SEA

By DENSIE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

SIX more Cubans were intercepted in waters off Anguilla Cay in the Cay Sal Bank on Friday, bringing the total number of migrants captured at sea in the past two weeks to 32.

This latest group was spotted at 5pm on April 7 in a rustic vessel constructed of wood and foam and was at sea for four days before being picked up by the US Coast Guard Cutter William Flores. They were brought to Grand Bahama and handed over to Bahamian authorities.

Immigration officer Napthali Cooper said the migrants – all males – told officials they left Cuba on April 3 and were trying to get to Miami, Florida.

On March 30, thirteen Cuban migrants were interdicted at Cay Sal Bank after five days at sea on a vessel made of wooden pallets, and on April 2, another 13 were caught in waters off Anguilla Cay on a wooden sailboat. All of the migrants were trying to get to Florida.

The six migrants will be flown to New Providence where they will be detained at the Detention Centre to await repatriation.

THE three men accused of the double murder and armed robbery – Kevin Dames, Devaughn Hall and Paul Belizaire – at an earlier court appearance.

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

ARMED ROBBERY AND DOUBLE MURDER TRIAL TO RESUME

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net LAWYERS representing three men charged with the armed robbery and double murder of a Grand Bahama couple are expected to present their cases before the jury when the trial resumes on Wednesday in the Supreme Court.

During brief court proceedings on Monday, Justice Estelle Gray-Evans informed the accused men that under Section 117 of Criminal Procedure Code, there are two options for those on trial: they can either give evidence under oath or remain silent, but can call witnesses to testify.

Co-accused Paul Belizaire and Devaughn Hall represented by Geoffrey

Farquharson and Jethlyn Burrows, respectively, decided to remain silent and to call witnesses.

The third co-accused Kevin Dames, represented by Carlson Shurland, has decided to give evidence under oath in the witness stand, where he can be questioned by prosecutors.

The men are accused of the murders of Barry and Sheena Johnson, who were shot to death at their triplex apartment in Deadman’s Reef, Grand Bahama, on September 12, 2015. Their bodies were discovered by a tenant early the next morning.

The Johnsons were robbed of their GMC truck and a set of keys. The truck was later discovered by police abandoned on the road side near the container port, near the Eight Mile Rock settlement.

The case opened last October and the prosecution called more than 20 witnesses during the course of the trial.

Video surveillance footage of the murders captured on a camera and showing four masked men with guns at the couple’s residence on the night in question was entered as evidence before the court.

Mr Johnson was employed as a supervisor at the Freeport Container Port, and his wife, Sheena, was a teacher at the Eight Mile Rock High School.

Two other accused men – Alan Alcime and Virgill Hall – accepted a plea deal and testified as witnesses for the prosecution. Murder charges were withdrawn against the pair, who pleaded guilty to the armed robbery and are serving time in prison.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, April 10, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

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

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Playing chicken with China is a risky game After the American election of 2016, most observers were simply stunned.

Very few national commentators actually believed a candidate so obviously flawed as Donald Trump could win the presidency. Given his campaign’s unprecedented unpreparedness for assuming office, it’s clear Trump himself was surprised by his victory. And, almost immediately after he won, red flags went up.

One of the biggest concerns of both Republicans and Democrats after Trump’s victory was that he would actually believe he was elected to cater only to the ignorant whims of his “base”, which consisted principally of uneducated, disaffected white men. This is the base that has remained steadfastly behind Trump even as he blunders on, leading one of the most profoundly inept and corrupt administrations in anyone’s memory. This base represents about one-third of the U.S. electorate, is mostly Republican and scares the pants off that party’s elected officials as they try to figure out how to get re-elected without turning off almost everyone outside Trump’s base.

To inspire his supporters, Trump promised to roll back many of the free trade principles Republicans had supported for generations. He has long ranted about the evils of NAFTA and how China and other nations were fleecing naïve American leaders. Now, one of those post election red flags has been hoisted for all to see. Trump has begun a tariff-raising game of chicken with China, the single nation on earth one would think the U.S. should not trifle with. No one knows how or when this tit-for-tat will conclude, but very few serious economists see it ending well for the U.S. Even the venerable, conservative National Review has joined the chorus of criticism of Trump’s tariffs.

It is worth noting that despite Trump’s characteristic bluster about $50 billion and even $100 billion tariffs, none has yet gone into effect. There are reports of behind the scenes talks with Beijing, so some hope persists that a greater crisis will be averted. Trump’s continuing misadventures nonetheless make many yearn for his departure.

While this was going on, another of Trump’s cabinet appointees may be

headed for the exit door. This confirms for many observers the initial concern that Trump would be unable to assemble a cadre of competent cabinet members and other senior officials to act as stewards of the public interest during his administration.

Scott Pruitt made his political reputation as Attorney General of Oklahoma by frequently suing the federal Environmental Protection Agency, mostly to protect the interests of the oil and gas industry whose business significantly underwrites the economy of Oklahoma.

Now, as Pruitt officiates as EPA administrator in Washington, he is blithely continuing the same habits, while adding a patina of careless corruption that sets him apart even from his cabinet colleagues.

In a lead editorial over the weekend, The Washington Post itemized his misdeeds, under the headline “Mr. Pruitt is Unfit to Serve”. The paper listed several of his disqualifying actions: He lived for several months in an apartment on Capitol Hill owned by the wife of a prominent lobbyist whose clients reportedly received favourable EPA decisions.

Pruitt apparently paid $50 per night for staying there, but only for those nights he actually used the place. One might normally expect to pay five to ten times that price for such accommodations.

Pruitt, like former health and human services secretary Tom Price, also seems to like first-class commercial and private jet travel. He even proposed that EPA entertain a $100,000 per month air charter agreement to facilitate such travel.

The agency officials who opposed this were demoted, along with several other senior personnel who resisted his zany and self-serving ideas.

As if that were not enough, Pruitt and the EPA may be about to engage in a costly and corrosive legal battle with the largest American state over fuel emissions standards for new automobiles.

California is set to defy the EPA if it tries to compel a roll back of some environmentally friendly regulations. Pruitt could soon be put out of his job.

So the U.S. is in an active trade war it cannot win and another cabinet member is heading for the door in disgrace.

What will Donald Trump come up with next?

Rumour of a vote of no confidence in PM EDITOR, The Tribune.

A short while ago it was said that I was starting and spreading rumours about Hubert Ingraham being a part of a coup to challenge Dr. Hubert Minnis for leadership.

For Hubert Ingraham to believe that, he must be living in a fool’s world, and suffering from delusions of grandeur to think that I would have the time or interest in starting any rumours about him.

I was merely commenting on a rumour about a possible vote of no confidence in Dr. Minnis and him being replaced as Prime Minister.

It all started when someone phoned me to say that there was soon to be a vote of no confidence in the present Prime Minister and he was to be replaced by someone else.

I said at the time I thought it was stupid and impossible.

I further said that the present government should stop the backbiting, act like grownups and start governing, and watching out for this country rather than themselves.

I was later asked to appear on the Steve McKinney show when a possible vote of no confidence in Dr. Minnis was discussed. I was asked why I thought a vote of no confidence would not work. I explained that if a vote were taken, Dr. Minnis would have several days to either step down or call another election. It is obvious that the present members would not want an election.

Then we turn to the Bahamas Constitution, which says that the LEADER of the Party THAT has the majority of seats in the House becomes the Prime Minister.

So Dr. Minnis would have to be replaced as Leader of the Party at a convention.

So in order to replace him at a convention a potential leader would have to be chosen from the Members of the House. Which Member of the present House can beat Dr. Minnis at a convention? I would say none.

So that means that a person outside the House who could possibly beat him at a convention would have to be found. It was suggested on several occasions to both Mr. McKinney and myself that Hubert Ingraham was the man. Although I did not believe that Ingraham could win, I agreed he would have a better chance than anyone else at being successful.

So that presents another problem. Hubert Ingraham is not a member of the House. The only way to solve that problem would be for somebody to resign.

And now that brings up another question. Which seat would guarantee the FNM a win in a bye-election? The answer to that is obvious, St. Anne’s. That means Brent Symonette would have to resign.

Now having won a bye-election, a convention could be forced and if Dr. Minnis loses then the new leader of the FNM would be Prime Minister.

Frankly, I think the whole thing is foolhardy and stupid. It is time that the Members of the House ... all of them ... remember that the people put them there to serve the country, not themselves.

My advice to all of them is to smarten up and fly right, the Bahamian people are not as foolish as some may think.

PIERRE DUPUCH Former MP Nassau, April 9, 2018.

Reece Chipman is a loose cannon EDITOR, The Tribune.

the MP was no more than the normal cut and thrust The FNM tried to erect of political jousting, not a wall of protection around defamation. letters@tribunemedia.net Reece Chipman, the MP Chipman should further for Centreville, but it is vet his case studies if they Undeterred, Chipman looking pointless because is taking legal advice on are to inform his decision he is a loose cannon who whether to sue the Prime to sue Dr. Minnis. keeps lobbing cheap shots Minister for defamation! The same Antiguan MP across the Prime Minister’s He faces an uphill battle cited by Chipman was prebow. were he to pursue this viously forced to deny that There is such a thing as reckless course of action. he was the owner of a strip party unity. Perhaps Mr. Defamation is a legal club in Antigua before said Chipman has heard of it. rocky road. club was destroyed by fire.

There is also the matter He claimed at the time The minutia of Chipof deference due to the man’s allegation won’t be that there was a clear leader of your party. discussed here but suffice distinction between the Apparently, Mr. Chip- it to say that any alleged business he owned and the man is still smarting over inference of defamation image for ill-repute that the fact that the PM asked shifts to the accuser the surrounded it. for his resignation as burden of proving that Nine years ago, that chairman of a public cor- the defendant intended or same MP was forced to poration. These positions knew that damaging infer- resign as deputy prime are the gift of a Prime Min- ence could be drawn. minister of Antigua amid ister and it is his right to Context matters. How allegations of corrupbestow and recall. did the PM communicate tion. Even his own party’s Apparently Chipman this alleged defamation? Prime Minister refused to had something in his craw (In an on-the-fly exchange back him. and no PM/party leader with the press).

It is intentionally hard was going to put him off for defamation litigation to Did the PM study how his mission. readers and viewers would succeed.

In his mind, political col- take his press tete-a-tete?

In this case, Chipman leagues, civil servants and Probably not. would be opening himself all and sundry are against In fact, it could be up to a powerful rebuthim justifying his crusade argued that given what he tal onslaught by the PM’s to prove that everyone must know the PM showed team, legal and political. except him is singing off considerable It is a safe bet that most restraint key in Hubert Minnis’ and respect for his par- people think Chipman’s choir. liamentary colleague by claims are much to do Being hauled onto the painstakingly avoiding the about nothing. carpet by the Prime Min- salacious soundbites that And crucially, while ister is bad enough for any the press was hoping for.

Chipman exercises his appointee to contemplate.

There is an old saying in freedom of speech, he By refusing to acquiesce the southern United States forgets that Minnis enjoys to the courtesy extended of which Chipman ought the same right and even by the PM to allow him to take note. though for now he has to resign gracefully, Chip“Sometimes you gotta turned the other cheek, the man appeared belligerent dance with the one that PM can and probably will, and spoiled, leaving the brung ya to the prom.” eventually punch back.

PM with a clear threat to But even if Chipman Chipman is wasting his authority and with no resources and goodwill sues and wins, he will still other option than to fire retaining lawyers to look end up the loser. him from the corporation. up cases far and wide He will lose his political His seat in parliament is where disgruntled politi- career, such as it is. safe.

He will be seen as a crycians are suing leaders For now. baby and whiner and not with whom they had fallen Whatever the merits of out of favour. as a team player. his argument, there is a The summation of ChipHe cited an on-going time, a place and a method matter in Australia where man’s case would be thus: for airing differences in a a former (not sitting) MP Judge, I am suing this political party. is taking a whack at the politician for having the None of these were to his Prime Minister. temerity to play politics. liking so Chipman instincThe courts should offer Closer to home, in Antitively chose the wrong gua, it is an opposition MP no redress for people in time, the wrong place and who is suing the Prime the political arena who get the wrong process. their feelings hurt.

Minister.

The Prime Minister Chipman would be well There the Prime Minshowed restraint in declin- ister took it all in stride advised to quit digging his ing press invitations to say even challenging the MP political grave, quietly ride what the specific trans- to bring it on. the back bench and “sit gressions were that got Mr. Chipman should small until his name call”.

Chipman fired. note that a group of promiSometimes sleeping dogs nent Caribbean lawyers THE GRADUATE must be left alone.

Nassau, concluded that the tit-forApril 9, 2018 tat between the PM and

LETTERS

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 10, 2018, PAGE 5

AG SEEKING TO REINFORCE POWERS FOR DEPORTATION FROM PAGE ONE

deportation of “illegal aliens” without first obtaining a court order.

In addition, irregular migrants intercepted at sea will get “swift justice” if a new maritime law empowering immigration officers to execute mass deportations without a mandatory court order is passed.

Mr Bethel told the Senate yesterday the Law Reform Commission was working on a supplementary bill to the Immigration Act called The Unlawful Maritime Entry Bill.

Powers The attorney general suggested the Court of Appeal’s ruling in the high-profile Takitota case appeared to be based on a “mistaken interpretation” of the minister’s deportation powers.

Mr Bethel said: “The Immigration Act itself will be amended to make it clear that the minister has a right to order the deportation of any illegal alien on the basis that their continued presence is undesirable without the need to first obtain a court order.

“Similarly,” he continued, “the power of the Immigration Department to detain an undocumented person pending a deportation order for up to two months without a court order, under Section 26 of the Act, will be strengthened by removing

its present tie-in to Section 25, which speaks of a similar power in relation to persons who ‘land’ at an air or sea port, who may be detained for up to two months for the purpose of placing them

“The Immigration Act itself will be amended to make it clear that the minister has a right to order the deportation of any illegal alien on the basis that their continued presence is undesirable without the need to first obtain a court order.”

Attorney General Carl Bethel back on the same aircraft or ship in which they arrived.”

The legality of such detentions will be supported by the proposed assignment of a magistrate at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre, an initiative proposed in tandem with new regulations for the facility.

Noting the Immigration Act was “entirely ill-suited” for mass immigration events, he explained the legislation was predicated on the conviction that the country has an absolute sovereign right to

control and regulate its borders.

“This (new) bill will place a specific legal duty upon any immigration officer, meaning the department,” he said, “to apprehend and to remove from the Bahamas the occupants of any maritime vessel or boat of any kind who have entered Bahamian waters without having first landed and checked-in at a port of entry as required by law, and whose purpose is to smuggle illegal migrants into the Bahamas or any other country.

Status “No court proceedings of any kind will be required, except in cases where political refugee status can reasonably be claimed by any particular individual. Persons of foreign nationality who are found in the vicinity of an illegally landed sloop or vessel who cannot show any kind of documentary evidence of legal status or entitlement to be in the Bahamas will be liable to arrest and summary removal from the Bahamas.”

Mr Bethel flagged the formulation of a draft bill during his contribution to the mid-year budget debate in the Senate.

He said legislation will be based on similar provisions found in Australian law.

Up to March 28, 281 migrants had been apprehended for the year, according to the Royal

CARL BETHEL TELLS PARLIAMENTARIANS AMENDMENT TO SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT NOW BEFORE GOVERNMENT

Senator Progressive Liberal Party Chairman and Senator Fred Mitchell yesterday rose to clarify that his presence at the Grand Bahama forum was not an indication of his party’s support for the government’s proposed amendments.

Mr Mitchell later told The Tribune a formal position had not yet been put to the Official Opposition’s shadow Cabinet.

Bahamas Christian Council president Delton Fernander yesterday maintained the organisation’s decision to withhold its position until the bill was finalised and formally

position given in Mr Jean-Charle’s ruling, which is that detention or arrest with a view to deportation without being taken before a court is not permissible.

Yesterday, Mr Bethel said while he did not share the opposition’s view of a potential overloading of the court system if apprehended migrants plead not guilty to illegal entry, because of the economic impetus for migrants, he noted the government must prepare for the worst.

He added: “These reforms will hopefully make it very clear that persons who unlawfully enter or remains in the Bahamas will truly find ‘swift justice.’”

‘BROAD PUBLIC CONSENSUS’ FOR MARITAL RAPE LAW

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel yesterday said there was broad public consensus for the drafted amendment to the Sexual Offences Act intended to criminalise marital rape, telling parliamentarians yesterday the matter was now before the government.

However, Mr Bethel said there has been no approval by Cabinet as he highlighted a recent town hall forum held in Freeport.

“There is broad national consensus,” he said, “that we are able without any serious opposition to now move to criminalise aspects of sexual violence within the bounds of marriage.

I would hope - with the broad consensus with the Christian community with the non-denominational churches with the established orthodox churches, with civil society, and with the broader society - we can move in that direction.

“It will be a matter for the government to determine,” he added.

ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel.

Bahamas Defence Force’s records.

These include the arrests of 69 Haitian migrants off Long Island in January and the apprehension of 188 migrants off southern Inagua in March.

In each case, the government has taken migrants before the courts for due process as mandated by law –a shift from standard operating procedures before the advent of the landmark Jean Rony Jean-Charles case.

The case of Japanese national Atain Takitota, who was unlawfully imprisoned here for eight years between 1992 and 2000, was used to affirm the legal

released.

Yesterday Mr Bethel also provided a status update on the status of proposed amendments and other pieces of legislation in various stages of completion, like land reform efforts and the Freedom of Informa-

“There is broad national consensus that we are able without any serious opposition to now move to criminalise aspects of sexual violence within the bounds of marriage.”

Attorney General Carl Bethel tion Act (FOIA), during his contribution to the midyear budget debate in the Senate.

He also confirmed the appointment of former Court of Appeal President Dame Anita Allen to lead the Law Reform and Revision Commission.

Speaking to land reform, he said, “Sometimes, as in South Eleuthera, these ancestral claims to generation lands are being

severely challenged by powerful interests who rely upon old documentary titles, which may or may not be found to have been grounded in any good root of title, but which have purported to pass the property from one documentary title owner to the next.

“Further, the fact that title is recorded based not on the land itself, but based on the name of the buyer, poses great problems in proving whether or not a seller of land can prove a clear title.

Title “There is no registry where charges or judgments which can run with the land and adversely affect the ability of the seller to pass a clear or unencumbered title, can be found.

“The state of the physical books which record all legal actions and the results and orders made by the courts, called the cause list, remain deplorable and in many cases unreadable or unreliable.

“The commissioner will have responsibility not only for bringing the laws further up to date, hopefully to the end of 2017,” he said, “but will also be

the judicial hand which, with the assistance of the excellent draftspersons managed by the director of the Law Reform Commission, will steer the course of law reform; inclusive of the proposed reforms of all the Laws of Property and the creation of the land registry.”

Mr Bethel said land bills will be updated, and a white paper drafted to form the basis for reforms to the law of property, the creation of a land registry, and “the formation of a Land Commission to travel to each and every major island to document, mark and cause all generational lands claimed.”

On FOIA, Mr Bethel said his ministry has staged a series of meetings for the end of the month with a top Jamaican official who was instrumental to the implementation of that country’s Access to Information Act. Damian Cox, the director of access to information in the Ministry of Labour & Social Security of Jamaica, will conduct three meetings, Mr Bethel said, firstly to Cabinet ministers, MPs, senators, parliamentary secretaries and permanent secretaries; secondly to senior public officials from the level of under

secretaries to first assistant secretaries; and thirdly to a special meeting with civil society groups.

He said draftspersons in the Office of the Attorney General are working to complete two bills ahead of the main budget debate in June; one to establish Overthe-Hill economic zones, and a bill to allow the finance minister to designate subdivisions for vacant

“service lots” to be sold to first time homeowners.

Mr Bethel also flagged upcoming legislative initiatives to be tabled in the House of Assembly: an Anti-Terrorism Act; new Proceeds of Crime Act and Financial Transactions Reporting Act, and the companion Financial and Corporate Services Providers Bill.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, April 10, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

OBAN PROJECT NOT SET IN STONE

PRIME Minister Hubert Minnis looks on as Oban Energies’ nonexecutive chairman Peter Krieger signs the heads of agreement.

Krieger has since resigned from the company following public scrutiny. Photo: Yontalay Bowe/OPM Media Services.

FROM PAGE ONE

into the project because a heads of agreement with the developer has been signed. He said as a sovereign nation, the Bahamas has the right to terminate

any agreement, adding just because the document has been signed it does not automatically mean a licence to operate will be issued.

Still Mr Turnquest defended the project last

week, saying the “noise” has distracted from the potential good of the development.

Speaking in the Senate yesterday about Oban and the issue of Crown land, Mr Bethel insisted the

land was being leased to developers, not granted, for $1,700 per acre with no intention or agreement to sell it.

Mr Bethel noted the previous administration signed a heads of

AG: ONLY TWO DECADES TO CONSIDER OIL PRODUCTION

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE prospect of oil production was thrust back into the spotlight

by Attorney General Carl Bethel yesterday during his contribution to the mid-year budget debate, with him telling parliamentarians the country only had another two decades to consider development before the energy source was no longer profitable.

Mr Bethel teased the idea during his Senate contribution, underscoring the need for economic diversification because the country’s second economic pillar, financial services, is under savage attack.

Extension Bahamas Petroleum Company’s licence gives it until the end of this month to spud its first exploratory well in waters south-west of Andros. In January, the company was still engaged in a joint venture partner search, and was thought to likely apply for another extension as they did under the Christie administration.

Mr Bethel yesterday suggested the matter could soon make its way to Cabinet.

“Where will we find future foreign currency earnings to make up

for the losses being incurred in our second economic pillar?

“Can tourism alone bring in the kinds of foreign currency inflows needed in an economy which has to

“With the rapid development of renewable alternative energy sources, we may have no more than a 15-25 year window in which to profitably extract any such resources.”

Attorney General Carl Bethel import the vast majority of its most basic needs, and to pay for such necessities in US dollars?

“Well, we know that we have to make a decision sometime in the near future on the Bahamas Petroleum Company and its proposal to drill for oil in the area just off the southernmost part of the Great Bahama Bank.

“The hard decision may have to be taken,” he said.

“With the rapid development of renewable alternative energy sources, we may have no more than a 15-25 year window in which to profitably extract any such resources.”

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Mr Bethel underscored the potential foreign currency from oil production and sales could help to stabilise and strengthen the country’s foreign exchange balances, with Sovereign Wealth Fund revenue from oil production bolstering stated goals like national health care, free tertiary education, and funding for social and business development.

However, he made clear his suggestions did not represent a Cabinet position or his own personal view.

Controversy Mr Bethel added: “These are hard decisions which will always provoke controversy and, from some, implacable animosity and opposition.

“Yet, governments are elected to make decisions and to follow them through.”

In the upper chamber yesterday, the attorney general mused on the inevitable impact of mankind on its environment, telling the Senate efforts must be focused on striking the “correct balance” between the need for economic diversification and development, and the need for environmental safeguards.

agreement for the Carnival Port in the months before the general election, which leased “vast areas” of seabed Crown land for $1,000 per acre.

He acknowledged the practices and procedures of the Investment Authority were antiquated, and had been demonstrably deficient since the mid1990s, but made clear he was not seeking to ascribe blame for the government’s admitted missteps. Mr Bethel noted that operational changes flagged by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis to reform and improve due diligence practices have begun.

As for environmental concerns, Mr Bethel said allegations that the heads of agreement clauses offer no protection, and administrative fines for environmental infractions or clean-up costs were too low, are untrue.

He explained while there was a cap on administrative fines, there were no limits on the right of the government to sue for damage caused to the environment and for the cost of clean-up.

“The developer must develop an EIA for every stage of the proposed development,” Mr Bethel said.

“If at any stage the government decides that the development as proposed cannot be done in an environmentally safe and sustainable way,” he continued, “the government can propose additional safeguards for environmental protection.

“If the developer does not feel that the government’s mandates to better protect the environment are ‘commercially reasonable’ the developer has the option to abandon the project.”

He continued: “Nowhere does the HOA deal with or limit the right of the government to sue for damages caused to the environment and for the costs of clean-up of the environment, just as the United States government did after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Nowhere in the HOA is there any limitation or restriction on liability for class-action lawsuits in respect of any un-remediated personal or environmental damage.”

Yesterday, Mr Cooper released a statement questioning the motive of Mr Bethel’s and Mr Turnquest’s recent statements.

“Over the past few days, not one, but two Cabinet ministers have publicly stated without prompting that the government has a way out of the Oban Energies heads of agreement it signed with the company in February,” he said.

“Notwithstanding that these assurances come from the government essentially two months after the heads of agreement was completed and the subsequent deafening public uproar, it is remarkable to see as senior a member of Cabinet as the attorney general tell the public in Parliament that the government can essentially coerce a developer into ‘packing up’ and going ‘so long, bye-bye.’ “. . . It is clear to see that the government has no such right to exit the Oban heads of agreement based on any environmental impact assessment,” Mr Cooper added. “The deputy prime minister’s refusal to accept what appears in the government’s poorly constructed agreement is more than a little troubling.

“Where was the deputy prime minister’s voice and certainty about the government’s ability to get out of this deal when the government was grilled during the midyear budget debate in the House of Assembly about their sheer folly and clumsy handling of this important matter?

“The statements by Bethel are very serious. I cannot recall another time in history when an attorney general has openly opined on how to get out of a deal the administration they are a part of just signed with a foreign investor.

“While I do not support the Oban Energies project in its current form it is imperative that the government of the Bahamas be clear as to its intention in having numerous Cabinet ministers speak to getting out of the heads of agreement it just recently signed.

“The government must state clearly if it has lost faith in Oban and if it intends not to move forward with this project,” the Exuma and Ragged Island MP said.

FOR THE STORIES THAT MATTER

INSIGHT IN THE TRIBUNE EVERY MONDAY

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 10, 2018, PAGE 7

MAN INJURED IN RAGGED OFFICER IN FATAL BEACH SHOOTING RELEASED ISLAND STREET SHOOTING

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

POLICE are investigating a shooting incident on Monday which left a man with injuries.

Shortly after 1am, a man had just arrived at his residence on Ragged Island Street when he was approached by a male armed with a

firearm, who shot him before running away, police said. The victim was taken to hospital and is listed in stable condition.

A short time later, police took a man into custody in connection with this incident.

A SENIOR immigration official, who was questioned by police after a man was shot and killed as he fatally stabbed another man during an altercation at Xanadu Beach on Easter Monday, has been released from police custody.

The government official was released last Thursday after several days in police custody following the

incident. The Tribune has learned the matter has been forwarded to the Coroner’s Court, where an inquest will be held into the death of Nicolaus John.

John, 44, of Pinder’s Point, was shot during a violent altercation between him and a group of men at a private beach party at Xanadu Beach.

Rasheid Gibson, 31, the young man who was celebrating his birthday with family and friends, was stabbed during the altercation.

A relative of Gibson subsequently fired a gun and John was fatally wounded.

John’s sister said he had been shot in the head.

Both men were taken to the hospital. John died a short time later, but Gibson was pronounced dead on arrival.

To date, five persons have died on Grand Bahama this year, where police have reported four murders and one homicide.

MAN WHO WAS FINED AND SENT TO PRISON HAS ONE SENTENCE SET ASIDE

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A MAN, previously sentenced to four years in prison and fined $25,000 for admitting his involvement in a $1 million drug seizure in waters off Andros four years ago, has had one of his sentences set aside by the Court of Appeal.

Court of Appeal President Sir Hartman Longley, with fellow Justices Stella Crane-Scott and Sir Michael Barnett (acting), set aside a magistrate’s order for Pedro Brown to pay $25,000 for his involvement in the April 2, 2014 drug smuggling plot.

The appellate justices simultaneously substituted a four-year sentence to run concurrently with the four-year sentence he received in connection with three drug related charges he pleaded guilty to, set to run from the

date of conviction.

The decision, Sir Hartman noted in the ruling, concerned a particular “concession made by the Crown.”

In 2014, Magistrate Samuel McKinney ordered Brown to pay $25,000 or face one year in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to import dangerous drugs.

Drugs Magistrate McKinney also sentenced Brown to four years in prison each for possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply, conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs with intent to supply, and importation of dangerous drugs.

At the time, the magistrate ordered that the sentences run concurrently.

Prior to his April 3, 2014 sentencing, Brown, of Waterford, Eleuthera,

along with 40-yearold Raymond Bain of Sandy Point, Abaco, and 34-year-old Jacob Curtis of Kemp Road, appeared before Magistrate McKinney on five criminal charges: possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply, conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs with intent to supply, conspiracy to import dangerous drugs, importation of dangerous drugs and causing damage.

The last charge concerned $17,000 worth of material damage to a police Avenger Boat involved in the arrest on April 2, 2014, the day the crimes are alleged to have occurred.

On the day in question, around 5.45am, officers acted on a tip that led them to an area of water between Cargill Creek and Fresh Creek, Andros.

They saw a boat equipped with two outboard engines and on

‘Youth Outreach and Culture in the Park’

getting closer to the vessel, officers turned on their lights and sirens announcing their presence as police.

However, the boat engine was started by a person believed to be the captain, drove forward and rammed into the police boat, causing damage.

Vessel Officers intercepted the fleeing vessel and brought it to a stop where they again identified themselves as police officers before boarding the vessel and informing the three occupants, including Brown, of their suspicion that drugs were on board.

Their suspicion proved to be correct when officers discovered a number of crocus sacks containing suspected marijuana.

The occupants were cautioned, arrested and taken to Nassau with the

drugs to face charges.

Bain and Curtis pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.

Brown, however, pleaded guilty to all of the drug charges, but not the charge of causing damage.

Police prosecutor ASP Ercell Dorsett noted that according to Brown’s interview with police, Brown admitted being on the boat and knowing that drugs were on board.

He further informed the police that they had left and gone out into the ocean and collected the drugs from another vessel

and they were to carry the drugs to Andros.

Attorney Roger Gomez II, who stood in as amicus of the court for Brown, had asked the court to give Brown the mandatory minimum because he was upfront with police and the court from the outset.

However, Magistrate McKinney noted that notwithstanding his early plea of guilt, Brown had been released from prison in 2009 after serving time for the same offence, possession of dangerous drugs with intent to

THE MINISTRY of Youth, Sports and Culture held its “Youth Outreach and Culture in the Park” at the weekend in Englerston Park.

The event brought together youth, church and community leaders for a family-friendly experience featuring entertainment, games and contests.

Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin, Project Coordinator Henry Higgins, former Director of Culture and resident Linda Moxey-Brown, and Junkanoo cultural icon Percy “Vola” Francis brought remarks at the Official Opening.

BIS Photos/Eric Rose

Funeral Service For EDITH COX, 95 of Wulff Road and formerly of Salt Pond, Long Island, will be held on Wednesday, April 11th, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Baillou Hill and Wulff Roads. Officiating will be Canon Basil Tynes, assisted by Father Donald Kerr.

Cremation will follow.

He is survived by his Wife: Dyhann Munroe Clarke-Shabazz; 4 Children: Kadedra, Evica & Kassaudra Clarke & T.J Thompson; 5 Grandchildren: Cassaudra & Eli Fox, King Clarke, Arianna Matthews & Aiden Wilson; 7 Siblings: Betty, Austin, Philip, & Frank Clarke, Barbara Bethel, Andrea Carey & Karen Clarke-Dorsette; Mother-In-Law: Wilhelmia Albury-Munroe; 7 In-Laws: Yvonne Clarke, Noel, Philip & Munroe, Cecile & Robert Torrence & Donna Isa-Dora; 10 Nieces & Nephews: Charles & Austin Jr. Clarke, Lloydia Dorsette, Chantell Williams, Adrian & Sterea Johnson, L’arsenio & Kia Bethel, Longley & Samantha Clarke; And a host of other Relatives and Friends.

Her memories will forever be imprinted in the hearts of her half-sisters: Rosy and Donell Fox; nephews: Charles Fox, Bradley Fox, James Glinton, Cecil Glinton, Livingstone Knowles; nieces: Enturpie Mullings, Louis Pelecanos, Brenda Knowles, Merlene Glinton, Sylvia Simms, Eunice Cunningham, Shirley Pearson, Albertha Kemp; grandnephews: David, Socrates, Cyprian, Christopher and Valentino Cunningham, Mario, Rico and Damien Knowles, Ahora and Dino Simms, Kirkwood Williams, Kendrick Williams, Santangelo, Cody Che Dean, Michano Fox, Kumilo Fox, Canaan, Justin, Cayden, Andrew Cunningham (A.J), Valention Cunningham Jr., Sloan Pugh, Kiron; grandnieces: Shanika Simms, Shanta Fox, Junaki Major, Micahelah, Athena Cunningham, Jacqueline Pearson, Dazelle Munroe, Rochelle Rolle, Shinell Gittens, Alkietha Colebrooke, Marguritte Martin, Elizabeth Russell, Kendra Linette Williams, Chelsey Knowles, Soniqua, Daijah, Abigail, Tianna, Dicey Cunningham, Jasire, Jaidaye, Jahlani, Tamla Major; step daughter: Joyana Miller; godchild: Louise Fox; sister-in-law: Sarah Fox; nephews-in-law: Edward Cunningham, Michael Simms; nieces in law: Natasha, Teoneka and Valerie Cunningham, Gloria Knowles; and also survived by a host of other relatives and friends. Appreciation: special mention of Nurse Alkietta Colebrooke and Dr. River from the Flemming Street Clinic who came to the house to give aunt Edith medical attention when she could no longer seek it on her own. Special thanks to: nurses and doctors at A&E Hospital and Female Surgical Ward; Pall Bearers: David Cunningham, Socrates Cunningham, Cyprian Cunningham, Christopher Cunningham, Maxwell Lightbourne, Cecil Glinton; Honorary Pall Bearers: Michael Simms, Edward Cunningham, Charles Fox and Bradley Fox; and other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

#183 Baillou Hill Road & Cordeaux Avenue, P.O. Box CB-12248, Nassau, Bahamas Telephone: (242) 323-EAST (3278), 326-4209 Email: eastsunrise@batelnet.bs

Viewing will be held in the Perpetual Suite at Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Ltd., Robinson and Soldier Roads on Tuesday (TODAY) from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. until service time.

DEATH NOTICE FOR ABDULLAH ALLI CLARKE-SHABAZZ, A.K.A. Kendal Isaac Clarke “KC”, 64 of Coral East Blvd., died at his residence on Sunday, April 1st, 2018.

Hey Mr Bully, A Miami icon look at theborn boy now on Shirley Street PAGE 8, Tuesday, April 10, 2018

H

below, and w

THECleophas TRIBUNE Adde

at the Icon Awa

Face to Face

seeing all the paratroopers.

E’S been on They did not allow blacks to this planet for become paratroopers at the 99 years, has time. Any kind of restriction all his faculties and is quite always sat bad with me. funny, witty and charming.

“We then went to EngHe can hold a conversation land to fight. We went over with anyone and is so wellon the Queen Elisabeth, the read he probably knows By FELICITY INGRAHAM biggest troop ship. We went quite a bit about the subjects through Scotland because that intrigue most people. they were sinking our ships DDIS Huyler is a born. as a 41-year-old When theirman, onlywhen boy I It’s amazing - the level of successful, dynamic take photographs and people so fast we couldn’t risk was four-months-old the energy that exudes Garth C. and confident respond positively, I still see that trying to land a troop ship moved to Florida.

Reeves Sr. It seems Father Bahamian man on family awkward, insecure little boy. It’s in London’s port. It took us His father had a vision ma Time and the fountain of a mission to ensure his fellow difficult for me to connect to that six days to get from New in thestruggle.” media field, York City to Scotland. We in t - it’sstay a constant youth both blessed him, and Bahamians are recognised and to arts passion “Theyhe see had Addisa Huyler the distributed a lot of ammuhe relishes in every moment honoured for the work they which in t do to help make this country for. his nition.

Icon Henry founder. approached I still see that little that he’s alive.

Initially I was in the He has country, boy whofrom is struggling day engineering Nassau,every M. C. this advice Garth Reeves is a name a better one. He is the master- friends department especially behind the Bahamian Icon Bodie to defineand himself.”

S. A. Samson, but for later everyone well-known in Miami where mind on I moved over director of t awards, now in its sixth year, anHe was never physically Anglican Minister, who tobuttheespecially he is considered by many celebrating the dedication and abused, infantry. When the Bahamas Nation but young Bahain he hiswants idea toforpoint a as “the voice of the Afri- success of Bahamians in areas believed ended in Europe, it was A YOUNG Garth as editor of the Miami Times.Youth Choir. out the strong impact verbal war mian men: in Miami and Upon learning of t can American community”. such as sports, entrepreneurship, newspaper abuse can have on a child. His “Find a withMartin him. When the honour, Mr Adderley decid A few months ago, he was commerce, media, entertain- invested sister, Jessica is ten years way to worked started in 1923, was he had to be there in person. H recognised with a street co- ment, health, tourism and fine paper younger than him.

As ait result, bring your as project was hospitalised at the time a theup Miami Sun. he grew mostly by himself talent designation ceremony in art. He is also the CEO of the called manager and doctors allowed him only h “He went to toNew York found school be his main forth Miami on Northwest Sixth SIDDA Communications group, and to marketing an hour to attend the ceremo purchase printing equipsource of socialisation.

Because serve the Street between Second a successful marketing and public to consultant for Therefore, Addis had to shift t relations consultancy.

With all of the constant teasing and ment to start the newspaper world.

It’s BusinessLore and Third Avenues near programme around to acco going for him, you would and ostracising he experienced, only back then, it was onlyhe the Group and modate this cultural giant f the Black Archives His- this have no idea Addis found it difficult to job we have four pages,” Garth said.

Gelignite Com- whatever time he showed up. toric Lyric Theatre and the was once a gawky, ‘I really wasn’t the develop him- here. It’s not munications in “Even through theinto depresWhen Mr. Adderley came a Black Archives History & tall, lumbering kid cool kid. I was self. Like countless about graduatAtlanta, sion with paper shortages, was wheeled on to the sta Research Foundation of who dealt with bulother kids, bullying and settling into Georgia. into my classwork he gestured for Addis to com even throughing hurricanes, my GARTH Reeve’s 90th South Florida. lying throughout his birthday affects one’s a secure career to There, he closer. He whispered, “I want on keepand nerdy daddy stuff was intent He may be best known school portraityears.

by Bob Thompson. self worth. Even have that security served as stand.” Mr Adderley was help ing it going his and unique he got name, that Today, Addis like speech as The Bahamas as publisher of the Miami Deputy to his feet and stood to recei out every He to share which week. is Amharic is so famous for During the his years of the paper Times, a staple in the diet of wants National the award, beaming with pride competitions and story of being bulhad a struggle, but he stuck for “new” was once encouraging that the local community, espe- great depression, Henry left Press Just two weeks later, he pass doing well in andtohow cookie-cutter a source discomthe of time of Nassau seek he out a better with it. During Secrecially the African American lied away, leaving an indelible ma through aclass, fort; asriots, kids cirwith lifestyle in our Bahaso itthe made 1980 Miami tary for on the lives of all he touched. life, specifically better community, with a circula- pushed mian children. Don’t iteducation to find a way names the 100 was at this point that Addis re wasdifferent up as high as it difficult for me. for to his chil- culation tion of about 10,000. Aside define focus on just what himself and areweoften Black 30,000. are inteased our ised the importance of maki dren. Garth from serving the US Army set was on picked on Today, you want to do, but himself onwas a Iborn because of it.

Men of his mark on the world, being 84th year and we have never in World War II from 1942 path for success. as I grew up.’ what kind of man, husIt wasn’t until his America man, standing for somethin missed a single issue.” to 1946, the newspaper is Behind his big, latter high school band, father, employee Inc. and is the and putting his all into each a When Garth graduated the only place Garth has bright smile, Addis on the years when he or employer you want to be.

“Garth fought founding editor of every goal he aspires to.

T. Washington beganBooker to participate in track and Think of how you want to affect the Classic Insider magazine, an ever worked, beginning is a man still learning to accept from “We leave ourselves open front line for an end the world and the people around high school, he attended compliments and embrace his field that people defined him by as a teenager in the print event publication still in circula- be used by a power greater th you.

That is the key to living a good looks because of thethe teas- Florida A&MthanUniversity anything other the way he HENRY Reeves of Cat Island, centre,tion to segregation in today. by his children (l-r) Frances department. is flanked Chambers; ourselves,” he Garth, said, “And complete and meaningful he endured during his years where looked. he It was the firstatime obtained Bach- Doreen He holdsand a Bachelor of Arts that moment, I felt it; I felt t “I went to work with my ing Reeves-Young; Clarice Reeves-Littles, Hazel Reeves-Lucas-Grant. schools in Miami. life. Focus on being a degree in Interpersonal and presence of God and I und he felt recognised for of Science Degree. dad when I was 12-years- of schooling. The experience “set elor good person and Organisational the framework” for and how he was his“Igifts and talents Communica- stood that everything we h In the 1940s wanted to study jourold, attending Booker T. able to approach other difficult and he found still going on in Japan. being the We best tions from the University of been doing in six years was f nalism and be a writer, but dropped that bomb Washington school,” Garth situations on Hiro50s when blacks you can be to in his life. people started North Carolina at Chapel Hill. moments like these.” they didn’t have a journal- shima and the Japanese said. gave the people He is a former professional track “I was bullied for years; I was to relate to Despite the bullying he exp could only play ism department at the time,” aroundaltoyou and field athlete and Bahamas rienced, Addis still holds dea “I was the printing devil a kid who was always taller than him. He felt up. I spent 46 months he said. and those golf onelse, Mondays, (his job title). I learned the everyone gether in the Army stateside really skinny, big track and national team member. Cur- to memories of spending eve you love.”

He helped studied English and and overseas. I don’t big ears that stuck out from field trade from my father; he lips, think rently, he is a member of the summer during his school ye he stood up with Addis is him witharts because he anyone was happier than I United States National Associa- in Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera. H taught me and I think he the side of my head and at one mechanical doing just tion of Black Journalists. others and fought to ensure he could was that the war was I had really bad acne,” wanted self-discovmother, Vernice Smith, wou did a good job. I admired point over.” that.

He recalls, adding that in pri- develop ery, finding his father’s paper.

His love, the Bahamian Icon send him to the island along w in the Supreme him very much - he and Addis He recalls being “very specialises school they used to sing He validation Awards (www.bahamianicona- her little sister, Ginger Dames recallsand the head of the happy to be back my mother were two of the mary home” in providing wards.com), continues to grow weeks of endless enjoyment. H Courts with the “Dumbo” theme song at him English understanding department at Flor- because his father greatest people on earth, I because of his extra large ears. was getlow-cost, high the world through in popularity and has honoured recalls being free to explore t Thurgood Marshall ida A&M, J.A. Langhorne ting older andimpact market- some of the most outstanding beach and the bush, spending lo think.” needed some “I really wasn’t the cool kid. his own gifts. took him under his wing and ing programmes for achievers in the country. One summer days roasting corn, pic “Back then,” he recalls, Irepresenting help. them.and “You could become was into my classwork left a positive impact on his small towasn’t medium-sized “we used to lay out the nerdy “My father in the stuff like speech competistunted in growth and give of the turning points in his life ing native fruit and “doing all t They won, and companies. years ago, he was occurred when the Icon Awards things that kids on the island do him his best paper one character at a tions and doing well in class, so life, health Six when I returned in toencouraging the negativity andin allow the sole employee.

Today, he has andyour ability to run case resulted made it difficult for me. I was talents it to shape psyche andthe the from the army and I took It’s a part of the reason T named Cleophas Adderley time. It was like pulling itthe built a large and talented team of as recipient of the Lifetime Bahamas kept tugging at newspaper his father choices youfor make, or youone can over on as I grew up.” teeth compared with what picked to a great extent; he inHeequality on the designers, writers, project coor- Achievement Award. Mr Adder- heart to return from the b use it to go to the light and dis- became added: “It was difficult day. they do today. They just dicpublisher and staff.

I GARTH’S parents, Henry E.S. Reeves and Rachel J. Cooper dinators and production golf courses, first cover who we were born to be,” even as I grew older and started ley was a nation builder who city and come home to make Garth would only work in tate to the computer and it became publisher emeritushe Reeves.

Prior to forming SIDDA, Addis shared. department of and we had a great combinato into Florida myself. Even now the paved the way and inspired so difference. printing ingrow South can type out their words.” and the right considera- until my 99th birthday - I the newspaper for one year His father, Henry E.B.S. and throughout tion between us,” he said. before the US Government Reeves was well known Garth’s return allowed his tion when things come up think it’s time to go now, I rallied the troops for World father to have more time for change. I think we have think I overstayed,” he said in the media world in The America.”

War II: “I had a mind to go off to go deep sea fishing, done a good job and we with a chuckle.

Bahamas back then - he was The Bahamas has never to Canada and escape being a hobby he loved but could have been rewarded for our what would be considered work in the community.” left his heart, though. His drafted in the Army, but Street in his parents’ today as the layout editor By Shirley not find time for during therobbed Suana February 12.

NICO SCAVELLA John my Demeritte, of me is also of robbing He also bill of indictment.

Garth fought on the front mother brought him back mother talked outaccused houseStaff on February 12, 1919. for the Nassau Guardian. Tribune years Garth was off at colReporter Golden Gates #2, stood that individual of the same Windross of 10 GSM phone Demeritte is also accused Before being and esc line for an end to segregahome as an adolescent of it.

She didn’t want me to He is the only boy from his Garth shared that his father nscavella@tribunemedia.net lege and then cards the army. before Chief Magistrate amount belonging to the worth $50; 10 Talk of robbing Lashawn out of the courtr tion in the schools in Miami. he fell in love, and returned perceived Pratt as a same coward spoke highly of the paper’s parents’ union, which proHenry Reeves died in cards 1980 worth $50 and Rolle at gunpoint of $300 Demeritte’s attorney, Joyann be Ferguson enterprise on January It Up In property the 1940s cash and 50s when toalmost yearclaimed for many 34-YEAR-OLD she didn’t girls. Henry charged was although with 12 counts of 3. want at the age of 88, $350 in cash, the belonging Ken- every Cargill, his editor, Miriam Mosley “who Aduced four his mother blacks could tucky only play years.in He landinholdarraigned in way a armed me to for getallegedly hurt. I went It for is also allegedhaving he ofdied Monty’s Supplies Friedgolf Chicken washas punched his sto America making for robbery was meticulous” and that his manin was Rachel tenBeauty he stood in The Bahamas, butto being the perpetrator robbedinCleopatra Rolle at Rachel Store. came on Mondays,Oakes Fieldupon ings Januand back and forced training at Fort of Benning his wife, Court RachelyesterJane (nee father “took great pride in Magistrate’s years earlier. day charged with robbing a multipleGeorgia. with others and fought in would’t retire here because incidents involving gunpoint of $200 belonging It is also alleged that on ary 13, and robbing Chan certain documents wh I remember lookCooper) and his children to that job”. from a rich Bahamian legacy number of persons at gun- over $7,581.33 belonging to Super on Nassau May 20, 2017 the and Supreme Janu- Sheung gunpoint of police Courtsat with he prefers to be custody. closer toMr theC ing across the tostreet and Wash come over when Garth was as the daughter of the great point of more than $7,000 a dozen enterprises.

Street on May 19, 2017. It is ary 10, while armed with a Marshall $300 belonging claimed plastic Thurgood repre-to Peardale medical also facilities in aSouth Marshall Mitchell in cash and other items that It is alleged that on May also alleged Father that on May 28, firearm, Demeritte robbed Supermarket on January was placed over his cl senting them.

Florida. belonged to various phar- 14, 2017, while being armed 2017, whileJames armed Cooper, with a the both second Dianette Dorsette face. been good to Theyand won,17.and the case “God has GARTH he Reeves enjoying his heblack macies, restaurants and a with a firearm, Anglican in Scott the of an robbed shotgun, robbed Onette priest Corrine undeHe also allegedly robbed Mr Cargill also cla resulted in equality on the me for 99 years.

I used to say 99th birthday celebrations thisof $3,000 service station in New Prov- Jyles Carter of $655, the Dean in cash, amount of cash Jeffernique Ferguson at his client requested m Diocese ofthe Thetermined Bahamas, golf courses, first in South when I go I would beonkickidence between May 2017 property past February. of Polhemus property of Turks Bet Vegas. belonging to the Rubis Sergunpoint of $1,500, which cal attention num & Caicos. throughout ing and and February of this year.

Drugs on Boyd Road. He It is furtherGarth allegedhas thatnowvice Stationa on Florida Carmichaelandbelonged to a pharmacy on screaming occasions, asking but wasfor den created also helped to another year. on Januarygreat 3, and armed Road. allegedlyHeCarmichael Road.

The chief m legacy of his own, He and alsoAmerica. for of an endDemeritte of discrimi-was “Inot don’ttrate feel that wayMr now. with a firearm, Demeritte robbed Kenva push Huyler noted Ca is lauded in the community robbed Cepetra Demeritte an undetermined amount claims before rem nation on therequired beachesto- enter one a Iplea feeltoI may be imposing if NOTICE a human and ofcivil rights of $621.33 inascash, the propcash belonging to theblacks the were charges and the Imatter ing Demeritte to time ago, forced ask my maker for another POSITION AVAILABLE activist - a natural erty of BJ’s Convenience Sixdevelopand Four to Restaurant was adjourned Departmen go to Virginia KeyBeach,to April year,24butBahamas don’t give up on ment of Road. serving as of Store on Carmichael on editor Carmichael Road on for service of a voluntary Correctional Services. the “coloured beach”. me yet; I think I may have the newspaper.

He was married three one more to go! I want to “The Miami Times has • Ability and/or experience with cashier duties been the strongest word in times over the years, surviv- walk this last mile, put my • Knowledge of Microsoft excel for daily reports town for the African Ameri- ing all of his wives who died hand in his hand and let can community,” he said of natural causes. His eldest him show me the way - and • Ability to work on own initiative child, a son, died in his 30s, be thankful for what he has proudly.

• Ability to work in a “fast-paced” environment but Bob Thompson, vet- done for me.

“People wanttheir to know • Interpersonal skills (a people’s person)

By NICO SCAVELLA actions eran between obtaining 20th of that photographer anda Hyundai ZNS Accent He hasthe given me a month very what’s going onFebruary and get Tribune Staff Reporter Bain and Storr 15 and 24 con- worth $850 from Avis Rent• Excellent benefits offered employee considers himself good life and I must be satisthe news straightcerning from vehicles the nscavella@tribunemedia.net from Avis A-Car on February 17, and admitted to fraudu of hisHyundai great fied with obtaining whateveraitHyundai is from Rent-A-Car. another Accent source. They look to the the adopted son cousin. and Garth’s daughter, here.

THREE Miami men between Please email: worth $1,200 on February 25. tra worth $1,000 from Times to tellRegarding it like it Roberts the ages of 22 and 25 yes- Storr, both men 78, often this advice to Rent-A-Car. admitted Bain runs and theStorr He also gives mmajor@confidence-insurance.com is and that’s what we try to Rachel, terday pleaded guilty to they fraudulently paper and plans to guilty returnto the generation, The matter was obtained pleaded fraudu-younger do.

We try to give people the or hand deliver resume fraudulently obtaining a a Hyundai Accent worth lently obtaining both a mately adjourned after her recovery from a swamped in a world of technews, the right angle, number of right Hyundai vehi(and include photo if possible) to: $400 from Avis Rent-A-Car worth “This Thursday, which tim brief illness. Hyundai Accent nology: is a at great age cles from a local rental near the British Colonial $500 and a Hyundai Tucson Crown will read of the Meantime, his 27-year-old we are living in, but I wish company during the latter Hilton on February 15, and worth $600 from Avis mary of the facts and Confidence Insurance Brokers & Agents grandson, Garth Reeves Jr. people would go back to part of last month. again fraudulently obtained Rent-A-Car on February pleas in mitigation Ltd. has Accent been handed the baton reading and stop dependSean Roberts, Akeem another Hyundai 17, and also admitted to their attorney Ian Carg and “is doing a splendid ingboth on the They television.

There P.O. Box SS-6253 Storr, and Sean Bain all $900 from the same fraudulently obtaining were remande INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEEDShirley POLL Street, NOTICE is hereby given that SAMUEL GUSTAVE worth of Mermaid job”27.in running the paper nothing the written admitted to committing agency on February a Hyundai Accent isworth thelike Bahamas Depart New Providence, Bahamas is Roberts applying alsotoday. multiple fraud related The Public is hereby advised that Nassau I NICOLE pleaded $900 and a Hyundai word.”

Tucson of Correctional Servic BahamasBlvd., Golden Gates #2, offences stemming and fromCitizenship, “I have worth been theretired Heonrefers to one of his guilty forto fraudulently same amount the interim. to the Minister responsible for Nationality ANTOINETTE SHEPHERD of Silver Gates off, about 20 years now, but I favourite quotes; it comes Cowpen Road, New Providence, Bahamas, intend registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that always kept my hand in it from Edward Fitzgerald: to change my name to NICOLE ANTOINETTE any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization (the newspaper) to a certain “The moving finger writes; HUNT. If there are any objections to this change of should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement extent,” says Garth, who and having writ, moves on: name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to holds four honorary doctor- nor all your piety nor wit of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 10th day of April, 2018 the Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-792, Nassau, ates for his work. shall lure it back to cancel to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date “I started there officially half a line, nor all your tears N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas. of publication of this notice. when I was 12 and I stayed wash out a word of it.”

A

MAN ACCUSED OF STEALING $7,500 IN ARMED RAIDS

Cashier/Junior Clerk

THREE ADMIT RENTAL CAR FRAUD

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that SONY LAVENDURE of Saffron Street, Pinewood Gardens,,Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 3rd day of April, 2018 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL

The Public is hereby advised that I BERNADETTE CHRISTINE HUMES of Sea Breeze Lane, P.O.Box N9333, New Providence, Bahamas, mother of TAMAKIE ANVERNECIA CHRISTINE HUMES intend to change my child’s name to ALEXIA CHRISTINE BURROWS. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-792, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

The Public is hereby advised that I NATASHA JOHNSON of Windsor Place off Soldier Road, New Providence, Bahamas, mother of SEAN FRAZIER REYNALDO LAING JR. intend to change my child’s name to SEAN ARTHUR RUSSELL. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-792, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 10, 2018, PAGE 9

CHINA: OUR HELP IS A ‘WIN WIN’ FROM PAGE ONE of being mutually beneficial to all sides.

“Our objective is not to replace some countries or to engage in vicious competition, so I think (those) concerns are not necessary,” said Han Jing, counsellor for the Department of Latin America and Caribbean, an auxiliary office in the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Addressing a small cohort of regional reporters in Beijing for a month long programme, Mr Jing pushed back against notions China was attempting to impose its ideals and socialist philosophies onto small, developing countries it has looked to aid.

Detailing the history of China’s efforts in the region in the wake of its “Opening Up Policy,” Mr Jing insisted it was a matter of “mind-set,” calling on persons throughout the region to view trade relations between China as they are – a “win-win” for all sides.

He told reporters: “We should not and must not view our relations through the lens of competition.

Committed “China has always been committed through peaceful development and win-win results. The winwin results is the right approach and philosophy and we should look at this probably.”

In addition to developments it has authorised in the Bahamas, the Chinese government, through various subsidiaries and state-sponsored projects, has facilitated or caused the creation of dozens of major projects throughout the region.

In Trinidad and Tobago, China signed off on a major, but controversial arms sale in 2014.

The sale was met by intense opposition, as many speculated over whether sale was, in fact, essential to the development of Trinidad and Tobago.

That was followed by an

PICTURED are workers at The Pointe construction site in Downtown Nassau. agreement to purchase a long-range maritime patrol vessel facilitated by Chinese loans. At the time of the move, it was the first sale of its kind in the region.

Meanwhile, in Jamaica, Chinese workers completed a $720 million four-lane highway connecting the north and south sections of the island - the single biggest Chinese investment in the Caribbean.

According to Jamaican reports, as a return for the investment, Chinese companies were granted the right to build three luxury hotels on land granted along the road and manage the roadway’s toll pass.

The project offered little to no job opportunities for Jamaicans, who at the time of the deal were faced with unemployment rates up to 13 per cent, according to reports.

Concerns also arose after developments in Suriname, Barbados and Dominica.

Responding to the concerns being raised in the region, Mr Jing on Monday said: “China’s cooperation with other countries is based on whether or not such cooperation can bring common interest to our people and our respective countries.”

When asked directly how China benefits from

its efforts in the region, he said: “I think our benefit comes at all levels. From the political front, we have gained supportive partners on the international stage.”

He continued: “We have benefited a lot from the partnerships from an economic sense. (Latin America and Caribbean) products are favoured by our people and China’s investment, technology and projects in the Caribbean is also beneficial to (regional) countries.”

This comes on the heels of a Tribune report which delved into $200

million development of The Pointe in downtown Nassau, owned by China Construction America.

Project The report raised questions of a possible breach in the terms under which the project is to be carried out in relation to the ratio of foreign workers to Bahamian.

Dozens of Chinese construction workers pour on to the site daily but the Bahamians who should be working along with them

are virtually nowhere to be seen.

On Friday our photographers monitored who went on to the site and with the exception of three or four Bahamians and a guard at the gates of the development, everyone else appeared to be Chinese.

Under the terms of the heads of agreement signed with the project’s developers, 70 per cent of the workforce is supposed to be Bahamian and at the “peak” of construction that number should be about 200 people. Government officials have said they

will look into the matter.

In February, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said CCA was living up to the worker ratio component of the agreement.

CCA was also the general contractor for the Baha Mar resort in Cable Beach. The multi-milliondollar Thomas A Robinson National Stadium was facilitated through a gift from China and built by Chinese labourers.

Chinese assistance was also used to construct the Airport Gateway Project in Nassau and the North Abaco Port Project.

BRAZIL’S LULA PRESIDENTIAL BID TO BE REGISTERED ON DEADLINE

By MAURICIO SAVARESE, Associated Press CURITIBA, Brazil (AP) — Jailed former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will register his candidacy to return to the country’s highest office at the deadline for October’s election, his party said Monday.

The Workers’ Party announced after an eighthour meeting that da Silva remains its candidate and will have his bid registered on the final filing day, Aug. 15.

It also said the former president, who is universally known to Brazilians as Lula, is a political prisoner and victim of “a violent arrest.”

“For all these reasons, for all his history, Lula remains as our candidate for the presidency and his candidacy will be registered on Aug.15, accordingly with the electoral legislation,” the party statement said.

Current legislation allows Brazil’s electoral court to reject da Silva’s candidacy due to his conviction on corruption and money laundering charges. He could appeal that rejection, but his party would have only until

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Sep. 17 to replace him as its candidate.

Despite his conviction, da Silva leads polls on the race for the presidency, an office he held in 2003-2010.

He still has appeals available to contest his sentence of 12 years and one month in prison and the conviction for allegedly trading influence in return for the promise of a beachfront apartment.

The once hugely popular leader strongly denies any wrongdoing in that case or in seven other corruption cases that are still pending against him.

He contends he is being politically persecuted to keep him off the ballot.

About 300 metres from da Silva’s cell in the southern Brazilian city of Curitiba, more than 1,000 supporters celebrated after hearing leaders of the Workers’ Party say his presidential candidacy will be registered “under any circumstances.”

“This arrest will be reversed because higher courts will not agree with this speedy process that threw the most popular president in Brazilian history in jail,” said

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that SLAM AMONDIEU CHARLES of Palm Tree Avenue off Market Street, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 3rd day of April, 2018 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

Regina Cruz, who is camping near the federal police building where da Silva is jailed.

“We will carry him from prison to the presidency.”

Members of the Workers’ Party, however, hinted they expect their main leader to be in prison for a while. They decided to move the party headquarters to Curitiba.

Da Silva’s supporters are pushing for him to be transferred to Sao Paulo, near his residence in suburban Sao Bernardo do Campo.

Neighbours of the federal police building in Curitiba agree. Many nearby streets are crowded with protesters that pledge to camp there

PROTESTORS hold up posters reading in Portuguese “Free Lula” during a demonstration in support of Brazil’s former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Lisbon, Monday. (AP)

until Da Silva is released.

Attorney Cristiano Zanin, the only person allowed to visit da Silva for the moment, said the former president spent most of Monday reading a sociology book. Zanin also said da Silva was “very happy” after watching in his cell his favourite soccer team, Corinthians, beat archrivals Palmeiras.

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL

NOTICE

The Public is hereby advised that SIMEON ALEXANDER ROLLE of Hunter’s, Grand Bahama, Bahamas, intend to change my name to SIMEON ALEXANDER RICHARDSON. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-792, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

NOTICE is hereby given that PATRICE FREDERIQUE of Brougham Street, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 3rd day of April, 2018 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that FREDLINE FLEURY of Golden Isles Road, P.O.Box N-9405, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 10th day of April, 2018 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that EDRISS BELLAMOUR of #123 Beacon Field Avenue, Freeport, Gramd Bahama,Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 3rd day of April, 2018 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, April 10, 2018

TRUMP THREATENS SYRIA STRIKE, SUGGESTS RUSSIA SHARES BLAME WASHINGTON Associated Press PROMISING a decision within hours, President Donald Trump threatened a military strike against Syria and declared on Monday that Russia or any other nation found to share responsibility for Saturday’s apparent chemical weapons attack on civilians will “pay a price”.

The White House sharply rejected any suggestion that Trump’s own words about pulling US troops out of Syria had opened the door for the attack, which killed more than 40 people, including children.

Trump, asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin bore any responsibility, responded, “He may, yeah, he may. And if he does it’s going to be very tough, very tough.” He added, “Everybody’s gonna pay a price. He will. Everybody will.”

Amid the tough talk from the White House, the US military appeared to be in position to carry out any attack order. A Navy destroyer, the USS Donald Cook, was underway in the eastern Mediterranean after completing a port call in Cyprus.

The guided missile destroyer is armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles, the weapon of choice in a US attack one year ago on an airfield in Syria following an alleged sarin gas attack on civilians.

The Russian military, which has a presence in Syria as a key Assad ally, said its officers had visited the weekend site in a suburb of Damascus, the Syrian capital, and found no evidence to back up reports of poison gas being used.

Russia’s UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, accused Washington of deliberately stoking international tensions by threatening Russia in a tone “beyond the threshold of what is acceptable, even during the Cold War”.

Trump said there was little question that Syria was responsible for the apparent weekend attack, although the government of President Bashar Assad denied it. “To me there’s not much of a doubt, but the generals will figure it out,” Trump said.

He promised a decision on a possible military response within 24 to 48 hours, “probably by the end of today”.

THE TRIBUNE

Attorney: Federal agents seize documents from Trump lawyer WASHINGTON Associated Press FEDERAL agents on Monday raided the office of President Donald Trump’s personal attorney Michael Cohen, seising records on topics including a $130,000 payment made to a porn actress who says she had sex with Trump more than a decade ago.

The raid on Cohen’s office was done by the US Attorney’s office in Manhattan and was based at least partly on a referral from special counsel Robert Mueller, according to Cohen’s lawyer, Stephen Ryan.

“The decision by the US Attorney’s Office in New York to conduct their investigation using search warrants is completely inappropriate and unnecessary,” Ryan said in a statement.

“It resulted in the unnecessary seizure of protected attorney client communications between a lawyer and his clients.”

The raid creates a new legal headache for Trump even as he and his attorneys weigh whether to agree to an interview with Mueller’s team, which in addition to investigating potential ties between Russia and the Trump campaign is also examining whether the president’s actions constitute obstruction of justice.

PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s personal attorney Michael Cohen appears in front of members of the media after a closed door meeting with the Senate Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill, in Washington. Federal agents carrying court-authorised search warrants have seised documents from Cohen according to a statement from Cohen’s attorney, Stephen Ryan. He says that the search warrants were executed by the office of the US Attorney for Southern District of New York but they are “in part” related to special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.

Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP The law enforcement action will almost certainly amplify the public scrutiny on the payment to the actress, Stormy Daniels, which was made just days before the 2016 presidential election. Trump told

reporters last week that he did not know about the payment.

Still, the existence of a referral from Mueller’s office to the Manhattan US Attorney suggests that the matter isn’t related to Russia.

Under Justice Department regulations, Mueller is required to consult with deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein when his investigators uncover new evidence that may fall outside his original mandate.

Rosenstein then will determine whether to allow Mueller to proceed or to assign the matter to another US attorney or another part of the Justice Department.

A spokesman for Mueller’s office did not immediately return a call seeking comment. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the US attorney’s office also had no comment.

Ryan did not elaborate on the documents that were taken from Cohen’s office but said he has co-operated with investigators, including meeting last summer with lawmakers looking into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Cohen has more recently attracted attention for his acknowledgment that he paid Daniels $130,000 out of his own pocket just days before the 2016 presidential election.

Cohen has said neither the Trump Organization nor the Trump campaign was a party to the transaction with Daniels and he was not reimbursed for the payment.

Trump answered

questions about Daniels for the first time last week, saying he had no knowledge of the payment made by Cohen and he didn’t know where Cohen had gotten the money. The White House has consistently said Trump denies the affair.

Daniels has said she had sex with the president in 2006. She has been suing to invalidate the nondisclosure agreement she signed before the election and has offered to return the $130,000 she was paid in order to “set the record straight”.

Daniels argues the agreement is legally invalid because it was signed by only Daniels and Cohen, and was not signed by Trump.

Last month, Daniels’ attorney, Michael Avenatti, sent letters to the Trump Organization demanding the business preserve all of its records relating to the $130,000 transaction. The letter demanded they preserve all emails by Cohen that mention Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, as well as any emails and text messages related to the alleged relationship.

He sent similar demand letters to two banks — City National and First Republic — asking they preserve documents connected to the transaction.

ARIZONA SENDING 225 TROOPS TO MEXICO BORDER, PROMISES MORE

ARIZONA Gov Doug Ducey speaks to Arizona National Guard soldiers prior to deployment to the Mexico border at the Papago Park Military Reservation Monday, April 9, 2018, in Phoenix.

Photo: Ross D Franklin/AP PHOENIX Associated Press

Funeral Service For

Robert Alexander (Alec) Pinder, 88 of Village Green, Nassau, The Bahamas, died peacefully at Doctors Hospital, Collins Avenue, Nassau, on Sunday, 8th April, 2018.

Mr. Pinder was predeceased by his wife, Ruby Pinder.

He is survived by his son, Robin Pinder and his wife Myrtle; daughter, Sharon Culmer and her husband, Keith; grandsons, Todd Culmer, Jeremy Pinder and Avi Russell; granddaughters, Kerry Pinder and Raquez Pinder and many other relatives and close friends.

A funeral service for Robert Alexander (Alec) Pinder, will be held at Shirley Heights Gospel Chapel, Mount Royal Avenue, Nassau, on Saturday, 14th April, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.

Brother Sam Mikhael and Pastor Bradley Smith will officiate and interment will follow in Woodlawn Gardens Cemetery, Soldier Road, Nassau.

Arrangements by Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited.

ARIZONA Gov Doug Ducey said Monday that 225 members of the state’s National Guard are being sent to the US - Mexico border to support President Donald Trump’s call for troops to fight drug trafficking and illegal immigration.

More of the state’s Guard members will be deployed on Tuesday but the republican Ducey did not say how many.

The Arizona troops were being sent after Texas announced Friday it would send 250 National Guard members and helicopters took the first of them to the border.

Trump said last week he wants to send 2,000 to 4,000 National Guard members to the southwestern border.

The Arizona deployments were beginning Monday but Capt Aaron Thatcher said it was unlikely all 225 troops would be at the border by the end of Monday.

Ducey told a group of soldiers preparing to deploy from a Phoenix military base that their “mission is about providing manpower and resources to support federal, state, county, tribal and local law enforcement agencies in stopping the flow of criminals, narcotics, weapons and ammunition that is being trafficked into our state”.

He told reporters later that the deployments are needed to stop a surge of border crossings since

March and accused the US government of previously ignoring the border “for nearly a decade”.

Texas officials showed images over the weekend of guard members arriving at the border but the state’s National Guard did not respond to queries Monday about how many of the 250 troops it said would be at the border soon had arrived.

New Mexico’s republican governor, Susana Martinez, has said her state would take part in the operation but no announcement has been made on deployment. California Gov Jerry Brown, a democrat, has not said if his state’s Guard members will participate.

Ducey denied that his decision to send guard members to the border was politically motivated.

“I don’t think this is a partisan issue or an identity issue,” Ducey said. “You show me somebody who is for drug cartels or human trafficking or this ammunition that’s coming over a wide-open and unprotected border here.”

Trump has said he wants to use the military at the border until progress is made on his proposed border wall, which has mostly stalled in Congress.

Defense Secretary James Mattis last Friday approved paying for up to 4,000 National Guard personnel from the Pentagon budget through the end of September.

A Defense Department

memo said the National Guard members will not perform law enforcement functions or “interact with migrants or other persons detained” without Mattis’s approval.

It said “arming will be limited to circumstances that might require selfdefense” but did not further define that.

The head of the US Border Patrol sector that includes part of West Texas and all of New Mexico said Monday he met with leaders of the New Mexico National Guard to begin discussions about what will be required and their capabilities.

El Paso sector chief Patrol agent Aaron Hull says those troops are nowhere near deploying yet.

The New Mexico Guard members could help with air support, surveillance and infrastructure repairs, Hull said.

Hull says the troops could help with air support, surveillance and repairs of infrastructure along the border.

Brown’s spokesman, Evan Westrup, said on Monday that California is still reviewing Trump’s request for use of the state’s National Guard members.

California National Guard spokesman Lt Col Tom Keegan said last week that any request will be “promptly reviewed to determine how best we can assist our federal partners”.

THE TRIBUNE

FACEBOOK USERS STILL WAITING ON PRIVACY SCANDAL NOTICES NEW YORK Associated Press

FACEBOOK said it would begin notifying users on Monday if their data has been swept up in the Cambridge Analytica scandal, although it appears to be taking its time.

The 87 million users who might have had their data shared with Cambridge Analytica were supposed to get a detailed message on their news feeds starting on Monday. Facebook says more than 70 million of the affected users are in the US, though there are over a million each in the Philippines, Indonesia and the UK. As of 8:30 pm eastern time, however, there were no signs that any users have yet received that notification or a more general one Facebook said it would direct to everyone on its service. Associated Press reporters around the world have been surveying users, none of whom have reported seeing anything from Facebook. There appear to be no social media reports of notifications, and Facebook had no immediate comment on the matter.

Reeling from its worst privacy crisis in history — allegations that this Trump-affiliated data mining firm may have used ill-gotten user data to try to influence elections — Facebook is in full damage-control mode. CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged that he made a “huge mistake” in failing to take a broad enough view of what Facebook’s responsibility is in the world. He’s set to testify before Congress on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In prepared remarks released by a House committee, Zuckerberg said the company has notified all users affected in the scandal.

Tuesday, April 10, 2018, PAGE 11

Rights Bahamas gets new leader as Smith steps down

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net LONGSTANDING Rights Bahamas President Fred Smith has stepped down from the organisation, passing the torch to labour and migrant rights activist Stephanie St Fleur.

In a press statement yesterday, the organisation lauded Ms St Fleur, a veteran shop steward of the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers’ Union, for her uncompromising efforts on behalf of workers, and in defence of the rights of irregular migrants and Bahamians of Haitian descent.

The Rights Bahamas 2018 agenda, according to Ms St Fleur, will target: tackling the issue of violence toward women (including LGBTQIA women); developing a public education campaign about human rights; improving conditions at the prison and immigration detention centre; improving the treatment of detainees at the detention centre; and crafting a strategy to promote labour rights.

ATTORNEY FRED SMITH, QC.

“The youth get it.

They are not hung up on the fears and prejudices of many in the older generations.”

“I am deeply honoured to have been chosen to lead this tough, dedicated organisation into the future and very proud to be standing on the shoulders of giants like Fred Smith, QC, and Joseph Darville, who have sacrificed a great deal, including at times their personal safety, to defend the concept that all human beings within this jurisdiction enjoy the same basic human rights,” Ms St Fleur said.

LABOUR and migrant rights activist Stephanie St Fleur has been appointed new leader of the Rights Bahamas organisation.

“These rights include freedom of speech and movement, freedom from discrimination, freedom from arbitrary detention, the right to due process as outlined by the law and the right to a fair hearing before suffering any punishment on hindrance at the hands of the state.”

Ms St Fleur noted with the rise of social media over the past several years, the membership of Rights Bahamas has expanded greatly, in particular among younger more tech-savvy and progressive young Bahamians.

“The youth get it,” she said, “they are not hung up on the fears and prejudices

of many in the older generations and they have stepped forward in the hundred to express their support for the efforts of Rights Bahamas and other groups who are fighting for fairness and equality for all.”

Mr Smith, QC, a founder and original member of the group, said he could not

be more thrilled with the board’s choice.

“We have enjoyed a number of tremendous successes over the years and continue to do so – in terms of both court victories and growing resonance with the public,” he said. “Nevertheless, for a while we have felt that it was time for new blood, time for the group to be led by someone with the courage, fresh energy and new ideas needed to carry us into the future. I have absolutely no doubt that Stephanie is that person.”

Mr Smith will continue to serve as legal director of Rights Bahamas, and is joined on the board by programme’s director, Jasper Ward, international affairs director, Louby Georges and secretary general, Paco Nunez.

Long serving vice president, Joseph Darville, who has been reconfirmed in that role said: “The future is so bright and exciting with these young people at the helm. The cause of defending human dignity and fundamental rights is definitely secure and will prosper in their hands.

“Stephanie is a perfect choice for president,” Mr Darville said.

“She has a strength and fearlessness that is rare in this world today, an instinct for what is right and just, and a powerful vision for how to go about making her ideas a reality.”

PAGE 12, Tuesday, April 10, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

A DAY IN THE LIFE DOWNTOWN SAXOPHONIST Gawain Clarke.

AS Spring Breakers head back to the US following the Easter holiday, life goes on as usual for workers in Downtown Nassau.

CONRAD Outten sells his handmade bamboo tambourine shakes made of local beer caps.

PHOTOS: Shawn Hanna/ Tribune staff

SHANETTE Mackey of Lady Di’s Coconut Water and Skyjuice.

ARTIST Ricardo Woodside showing off his work.

STRAWMARKET vendor Shirley Johnson serves a visitor.

MS H GILBERT has been a Strawmarket vendor for 30 years.

YVETTE Brown of Feaster’s Tobacco and Cigars.

POLICE Officer Albury directing traffic.

JAMES Rolle has been a professional wood carver for 45 years.

WENDI of Downtown Dogs on Charlotte Street.

STEPHANIE St. Louis is a hostess at Athena’s Cafe.