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Volume:114 No.98, APRIL 11th, 2017

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WOMAN: CAREY LEADING THE WAY TO WORLD RELAYS

Davis: PLP will win 30 seats

BUTLER-TURNER SAYS JOBS BEING GIVEN FOR VOTES

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

LONG Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner yesterday blasted the Christie administration over the reported launch of a jobs programme in her constituency, claiming 28 people were handpicked for new employment as an election approaches.

SEE PAGE SIX

Deputy PM predicts current govt will increase its majority

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis yesterday predicted that the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) will win 30 seats in the upcoming general election and the Free National Movement (FNM) will win nine.

In an interview on “Darold Miller Live”, Mr Davis told the radio show’s host the Bahamian people know it is too “risky” to put the country in the hands of the FNM and its leader Dr Hubert Minnis - who he described as incompetent.

Mr Davis also questioned

whether Dr Minnis would remain leader of the FNM if he were to become successful in becoming the nation’s leader.

“I see no reason why we shouldn’t take 30 seats,” Mr Davis said.

“We will hold all we have plus St Barnabas, that is my assessment. When you wake up the sleeping giant called the PLP and this machinery and when we get our message out, I think the Bahamian people will listen to us and see what we have done and appreciate it is too risky to interrupt where we are headed as a country and put it in the hands of who?

SEE PAGE SIX

ROBERTS REJECTS CLAIM OF CASH INSIDE PLP FLAG

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Chairman Bradley Roberts yesterday denied that the organisation has attempted to entice voters by attaching money to PLP paraphernalia.

Mr Roberts told The Tribune any assertion that suggests otherwise is “political mischief”.

“That is absolute stu-

pidity,” Mr Roberts said.

“People claim Jesus Christ is coming back tomorrow also. I wish we had money to give around (otherwise) we would keep it for ourselves.”

Mr Roberts was contacted by The Tribune after a photograph of a PLP flag with a $100 bill attached to it went viral on social media and messaging platform WhatsApp. SEE PAGE SIX

PEOPLE queuing at the Parliamentary Registration Department yesterday, the last day for voter registration for the 2017 general election.

Photo: Kristaan Ingraham/BIS

MILLER ANGRY AT REGISTRATION WORKERS

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

TALL Pines MP Leslie Miller yesterday railed against officials at various voter registration centres and accused them of encouraging voter apathy, charging that Bahamians are not registering to vote because they are being “frustrated” by workers who “don’t have the slightest damn idea what the hell they’re doing”.

He claimed some people were being turned away from the Mall at Marathon’s voter registration centre, while one man was

given the run around at a western post office location.

He called on the Christie administration to “put a stop to these people”.

Mr Miller also criticised those “typical Bahamians” who waited until “the last damn day” to register to vote and subsequently complained of the lengthy wait times involved in the process.

His comments came as scores of Bahamians queued at registration centres. A number of persons present at the Parliamentary Registration Department’s Farrington Road building complained of having waited for hours to register to vote, with some

HALL PROMISES CLEAN REGISTER

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

PARLIAMENTARY Commissioner Sherlyn Hall yesterday pledged that his department “has the ability” to produce a clean voter’s register, but said that can only happen if Bahamians do not “contaminate” it by registering telling The Tribune they were present at the complex from 9am, and that shortly after noon, they had yet to be ushered inside.

Mr Miller made his com-

more than once.

Mr Hall said that the honest “participation of all citizens” would be the determining factor in the department’s production of a clean register, adding that things would go a lot smoother if people “tell us the truth” about their registration history.

SEE PAGE TWO

ments to reporters while trying to assist members of his constituency in the registration process.

SEE PAGE TWO

CONCERNS OVER TRINIDAD FIRM’S INVOLVEMENT IN NHI

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THE selection of Trinidadian firm Teleios Systems to be the IT system provider for the National Health Insurance scheme has ignited security concerns over the disclosure of personal data.

Minister of Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville confirmed yesterday that the government had “executed an agreement” with Teleios, but could not provide the date or cost of the contract at the time.

The revelation has incensed a former employee of the National Insurance

Board (NIB), who has raised alarm over the implications of changes to the Data Protection Act that were embedded in NHI legislation.

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records for the implementation of the scheme by adding a clause to the list of exceptions that would allow for the disclosure of personal data.

The amendment states that it is “required for the purposes of the SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Tuesday, April 11, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Miller angry at registration workers

from page one

“The department has a good array of staff in here,” Mr Miller told reporters when questioned on the long queues. “Remember, these people wait until the last damn day. They had what, six months? Typical Bahamians, you know?

They wait late for everything. That’s why they frustrated today. They got to just go in line and wait. “(Officials) say everybody who is there they will register. This place was opened until 1 o’clock on Friday when I came here - 1am. So if they on the line they will (be) registered, they just got to wait, that’s all. That’s what happens when you

LESLIE Miller at the Parliamentary registration office on Farrington Road yesterday. come the last minute.”

Mr Miller told reporters that despite the long lines and wait times, he had

brought some of his constituents along so that they can “hurry up and register to vote.” However, Mr Miller claimed his efforts were being thwarted by the actions of officials stationed at the various registration centres.

“The problem we have is they went to the mall - the mall people telling Bahamians they ain’t registering people no more,” he said.

“I don’t know where the hell they get that authority from. Another gentlemen I took out, we went out west by the post office. He has his passport, a valid passport that is expired. She tell him he got to go get an affidavit.

“Some of these people don’t know what the hell they doing you know, and the minister them got to put a stop to these people,” he continued. “Of course it’s too late now after to-

CROWDS gathered at the Parliamentry Office on Farrington Road and the Carmichael Road Post Office yesterday on the last day to register to vote.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff day, but that’s what’s been est damn idea what the hell not specify yesterday what happening in this country. they doing. Not the slight- would happen to those perThat’s why a lot of Baha- est.” sons who did not join the Voter registration for the lines to register by the legal mians are not registering, because they’re being frus- impending election official- closing time, only stating: trated by the people who ly ended at 5pm yesterday.

“We have police here who Parliamentary Commis- will assist us with crowd set up these vote stations, who don’t have the slight- sioner Sherlyn Hall would control.”

HALL PROMISES CLEAN REGISTER from page one

Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis also weighed in on the matter yesterday, and called on Bahamians to “assist” Mr Hall in producing a clean register, saying, “the correctness of the register is not the sole responsibility of the parliamentary commissioner or his offices.”

Mr Davis, while a guest on talk show “Darold Miller Live” with host Darold Miller, said while the “buck stops” with the Parliamentary Registration Department, the participants in the electoral process have a duty to assist officials in having the correct register.

Mr Hall was responding to The Tribune’s questions over issues raised by Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis over the weekend, when Dr Minnis said he is “doubtful” that the Christie administration could produce a “clean” register before the electorate heads to the polls.

Last Thursday, FNM Chairman Sidney Collie also raised “grave concerns” regarding the election register, pointing to the discovery of 72 pages of duplicate registrations, names printed of persons born over 200 years ago and some who were born in 2017.

Mr Collie described this as “negligence” and “ineptitude”, saying there are other “irregularities” that have come to light pointing to persons who were reportedly issued citizenship and voter’s cards on the same day.

In response, however, Mr Hall said “the register is only as clean as the cooperation we receive from the voters.”

“The clean register depends on the participation of all citizens,” Mr Hall said when questioned in the matter. “If citizens come and tell us whether you registered before or not, that helps us keep a clean register. Once we pick them up we’ll do our best to delete their names off the regis-

ter. Because each voter is entitled to have one voter’s card. So if a person registered before and they do not tell us the truth, you contaminate the register.

“We (at the department) have the ability, sir. We’ve always had challenges in previous elections. The former prime minister said it correctly. Going way back to 2002, 2007, 2012, we’ve always had challenges. It’s a manual system, and people will not always speak the truth,” Mr Hall continued.

Meanwhile, Mr Davis said Bahamians should “appreciate” the fact that “we have humans dealing with the register.”

“We are prone to make mistakes,” Mr Davis added.

“The correctness of the register is not the sole responsibility of the parliamentary commissioner or his office.

“Yes at the end of the day the buck stops with them, but we who are participants in the electoral process have a duty as well to assist in them having the correct register.”

Mr Davis used the example of somebody registering in Cat Island, subsequently moving to San Salvador, forgetting that they registered in Cat Island and consequently “registered again to their own misunderstanding.”

“I could bring that to the attention of (Mr Hall) and say ‘X’ person registered and they misunderstood and registered again in San Salvador,” he said. “I bring that to the attention of the commissioner and then he could eliminate one. So we do have that responsibility.”

Voter registration for the impending election officially ended at 5pm yesterday.

Mr Hall and his department now have 14 to 15 days to clean up the hundreds of reported errors presently on the register. There were currently around 167,000 voters on the register as of the weekend and to date Prime Minister Perry Christie has not announced the date when Bahamians can expect to head to the polls.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 11, 2017, PAGE 3

CHRISTIE’S HAND GESTURE ON LIST OF REGRETTABLE ACTIONS PRIME Minister Perry Christie’s obscene hand gesture that rocked the country last month has resurfaced in a viral video featuring instantly regrettable actions.

It was published to video sharing platform YouTube, by user channel TheRichest, on April 7. The user boasts 7.3 million subscribers, and the video had more than 270,000 views up to press time.

With the section entitled “Flip the Bird”, the video’s voiceover said: “Using the middle finger is something that we have all one in our lives at some point. But if we get caught using it in public by colleagues or family, we might regret our timing of it all.”

It continues: “When you’re a 73-year-old politician, however, the standards are held higher. Unfortunately, for Bahamian Prime Minister Perry Christie, he

was caught flipping the bird at a public event as a response to unsubstantiated accusations. He later (expressed regret) saying that he caused not only an embarrassment to his nation, but also his family.”

The 30-second spot featured a slideshow of news photos of Mr Christie flipping the bird, and his subsequent statement of regret days later in the House of Assembly.

Mr Christie was subject of much ridicule and criticism after he ‘flipped the bird’ during a PLP event on February 27. Mr Christie made the gesture during an explanation of his response to allegations that he owned condominiums appropriated from his position of power.

In the House of Assembly two days later, he expressed “regret” for sticking up his middle finger, and stated in hindsight he would not have

made the offensive gesture.

For its video description, TheRichest wrote: “In this video, you will meet ten people who made a regretful decision. From foolish mistakes while drinking to carelessness from being in a crowd, these ten people probably wish they could take back their decision.

But hopefully, they learned a lot from the experience and won’t do it again in the future.”

PRIME Minister Perry Christie making an offensive gesture.

Fitzgerald gets mixed reviews in Marathon Rashad Rolle takes the political temperature in Marathon and finds mixed reviews for sitting MP Jerome Fitzgerald LIKE the economic backgrounds of people who live in Marathon, views of incumbent MP Jerome Fitzgerald vary widely in the constituency, ranging from those elated with his performance as a first-time representative to those determined to make him a casualty of the Christie administration.

The Tribune canvassed Marathon yesterday as part of a series of constituency visits in anticipation of the election.

Mr Fitzgerald, seen by some as a potential heir to Prime Minister Perry Christie in the Progressive Liberal Party PLP), proved a polarising figure, attracting criticism for the controversial nolle prosequi he issued during his brief stint as Acting Attorney General in 2012 and for being a part of an administration that has hosted unpopular referendums and introduced Value-Added Tax (VAT).

Even among some residents who like him, he suffers from his association with Mr Christie.

“To me he’s a good person,” said Janice Adderley, 54, “but because of their leader, he needs to go.”

Odessa Johnson, a 20-year-old who registered to vote last month but is unenthusiastic about voting in her first election, moved into the Marathon constituency in October. Although she is undecided about who she will vote for, she knows it won’t be the PLP. “I don’t mind Fitzgerald but I don’t support their leader,” she said. “I won’t use my vote to put the PLP back in Parliament. By all means they must go.”

In interviews with The Tribune, residents in the middle-class Marathon Estates area where lawns are lush and fences surround several homes, were likelier to express dissatisfaction with the current government, even though this did not always translate into support for the Free National Movement (FNM).

A retired couple, a 75-year-old man and a 72-year-old woman who have been married for 53 years, equated life under the PLP to slavery and spoke at length about their grievances with the governing party, including its use of VAT money for reasons not restricted to deficitreduction and for allowing web shops to proliferate around the country despite the results of the 2013 gaming referendum.

Though they did not say for whom they will vote,

they appeared open to supporting the FNM and dismissed concerns about party infighting as “propaganda”.

Praise The Tribune also encountered people in the constituency who offered fulsome praise of Mr Fitzgerald, describing him as having maintained an active presence in the area and as being responsive to their concerns.

Residents in poorer areas off Wulff Road, such as near Claridge Primary School where The Tribune visited, seemed particularly likely to say they support the PLP. Shay Goodman, a resident The Tribune found sitting with her newborn baby on her porch, said 20 voting age adults live in her house - and all of them are registered to vote and will be voting for the PLP. She said Mr Fitzgerald has helped get some of her family members jobs in the Ministry of Education and in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.

She even spoke of his assistance once when one of her now deceased brothers was arrested.

Her fellow constituent, Stephanie Andrews, lives several houses down and she told The Tribune nine adults of voting age live in her house and they are also all voting for Mr Fitzgerald.

Her neighbour, Tenea Bellot, is supporting Mr Fitzgerald as well.

“I witnessed him help my sister by fixing her damaged windows and he helped my neighbours with jobs so, yes, I’ll definitely support him,” said Ms Bellot.

She moved in the area eight months ago and has had several interactions with Mr Fitzgerald since then.

Several years ago Mr Fitzgerald faced a firestorm of criticism for his role in the controversial Rubis underground fuel leak. Some residents accused him of being silent as they asked for answers about the fuel leak. It was also revealed this term that a government commissioned report on the leak was not made public for more than a year.

His supporters in Marathon, however, said yesterday that they don’t fault him for his actions.

They described him as having operated with an appropriate degree of transparency and concern.

“He met those problems when he came,” said Ms Andrews.

CORRECTION - PLP RALLY IN MARATHON THE photographs of taken at a mini-rally in the Perry Christie address- Marathon constituency on ing Progressive Liberal Saturday night and not in party supportersTuesday, in The Grand Bahama on Friday 11th April 2017 Tribune yesterday were as stated.

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A VOTE Fitzgerald sign in the Marathon Constituency yesterday.

Janet Adderley, a 74-year- mires Mr Fitzgerald deold woman who supported spite her background as an the FNM’s candidate in FNM supporter, Ms Ad2012, Heather Hunt, but derley said: “He would tell will vote for Mr Fitzgerald you, ‘if I could do it, I will this year, said: “I think he do it. If I can’t help you, I can’t help you.’ That’s what acted perfectly.”

“People, when it comes I want. Don’t keep turning to money, they do many me around like I am some things. Nobody had can- fool.”

The FNM’s candidate in cer before that oil spill but when they heard about this the constituency, Romauld Rubis thing, everybody had Ferreira, is not as polarit after that. They too like ising among Marathon money. He was very good. residents as Mr Fitzgerald.

He spoke to plenty people But he faces his own sigabout it. He even went to nificant challenge: a lack of familiarity among resitown meetings.”

Explaining why she ad- dents.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff Many described him as A PLP supporter, Mian absentee politician who chelle Brown Storr, said has yet to begin the gritty the Education Minister has ground campaign they de- had a near weekly presence mand and expect. in her neighbourhood and “He’s only been around rotates the areas in his cononce,” said the younger Ms stituency that he visits each Adderley, a disgruntled but week. traditional FNM supporter “I was living here for who is undecided. more than 30 years and I Her view that Mr Ferreira have seen the FNM candihas not been active enough dates in that time but Mr in the area was echoed by Romi, I have not seen him,” many. she said.

“After the hurricane, A resident identified as the PLP came around to Ms Goodman said: “I don’t see if everyone was okay,” even know what the FNM she said. “The FNM never candidate in this area looks came.” like.”

PAGE 4, Tuesday, April 11, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

jrolle@tribunemedia.net

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

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Where is the anger over the missing $191m?

BAHAMIANS have an incredible tolerance for official villainy.

The same people who honk their horn a split second after the light turns green become pushovers when officials announce that $25m is missing from Urban Renewal.

The same people who push ahead in a line because they don’t have time to waste become patient nationalists when they read that $48m may be missing from Road Traffic.

The very people who cry foul at the slightest outage by Cable Bahamas because they can’t get the basketball game they want to watch sit quietly by when $23.8m can’t be accounted for by the Mortgage Relief Fund.

What about the $85m unaccounted for on BAMSI and a missing $10m from Social Services?

Bahamians have a right to be angry over missing funds. Bahamians have a right to pound their fists on the table and demand answers and accountability when government officials themselves, right up to the level of the Prime Minister, admit to $191m they cannot account for.

Excuses like “it’s easy to piss away money” do not explain, nor do they justify the behaviour that seems all too acceptable to all too many people who want to trust their government.

Wanting to trust government is understandable. When we do not trust the people we have elected to lead us, we question ourselves. What is wrong with our judgment? And if we got it wrong, what can we do about it? Should we refuse to pay what government wants us to pay in Customs duties, driver’s licence or business licence fees and Value-Added Tax? On a practical basis, what lines of resistance are open to us?

It is a fair question because a state of anger implies that action can and should be taken to resolve its cause. Ignoring it and carrying on as if nothing were wrong, even if $191m is missing or unaccounted for, makes us feel ashamed. Not doing anything is like leaving an itch unscratched - except far more grave.

We believe that Bahamians are angry but that anger has been buried for so long that it has almost become a condition that we live with instead of acting on. We also believe that the anger that lies beneath the surface is beginning to boil. As elec-

tions draw near, that anger, the people’s anger, will find a voice. Fear of victimisation will be replaced by a courage that we have not seen before.

All over the world, prisons are populated with officials who violated the trust that was placed in them when they were elected. Being held accountable is nothing new. It has been happening since the first financial scandal that historians now trace back to 300 BC. In modern times, scandals have rocked governments from Europe to Africa and throughout South America. In Panama, the entire government toppled over trying to cover up millions lost by investors in the Panama Canal, paying bribes to keep the Panama Affair quiet rather than launching an investigation or commission of inquiry.

In 2015 in Connecticut, a Democratic state senator Ernie Newton was sentenced to six months in prison on three counts of illegal practices in connection with state campaign financing. Several years earlier, he served four years on federal charges of accepting a $5,000 bribe and related charges. In 2016, while still appealing the state conviction, the disgraced former senator showed up as senior vice president of a firm bidding for a garbage contract. In the ‘Teapot Dome’ scandal, a former Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall was jailed for taking bribes to lease government property to Mammoth Oil Co. And who can forget the look of horror on faces across America when New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, the man who marshalled all forces to bring evil banks to justice for the abuses that led to the great recession of 2008, himself was found to be morally wanting?

The difference between all those cases and the Bahamas is that people in other places demanded better. Those who failed them were shamed. Those who violated their trust were punished.

Not being able to account for $191m is not a jokey thing that can be explained away with an offhand, off-colour remark.

If Bahamians find the courage of their anger, they will demand a proper explanation or they will expect better of the new administration they elect.

Tolerance has its place. Tolerance of wrongdoing does not. That is not tolerance, it is apathy and its cost is higher than Bahamians should be willing to pay.

Boomerangs for Bradley Roberts EDITOR, The Tribune.

WHILE Bradley Roberts is busy lobbing stones to smear the reputations of Opposition candidates, he should be on his guard that one doesn’t hit him in the back of his bald head. He would certainly deserve it.

Just who is he to pass judgment on the reputations of “bad and unfit” election candidates?

Mr Roberts, PLP party chairman, announced at an election rally that after smearing one FNM candidate he plans to “drop some

more bombshells” on other candidates who decide to nominate for election.

Well, as Mr Roberts has declared open season on a person’s character, it’s about time the spy glass turned on him. How about going back to his UBP days, and wasn’t there a whisper of a lady who threatened to make something public, only to suddenly go quiet?

What was that all about?

Now that Mr Roberts is dropping “bombshells”, he should be careful that some of them don’t land on him.

Remember what Jesus

said in the Bible about him “that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her”?

In the Bible, the woman’s accusers had a change of heart. They thought better of it and walked away from the challenge.

However, Mr Roberts foolishly cast the first stone.

He should not now be surprised that that stone doesn’t turn like a boomerang and hit him where it hurts.

THE BOOMERANG Nassau, April 10, 2017.

A cashflow solution EDITOR, The Tribune.

WEB shop owners, their money, and cash (over flow) • It is practically common knowledge, that, web shop(s) owners have a “cash flow problem” ... Yes, as in too much cash flowing most of which goes to the owners.

• The other part of this ‘‘cash flow dilemma” is the fact that the cash is flowing so fast, “receptive” banking institutions have had, and are having a difficult time accommodating the volume of

business transactions, hence one may conclude/postulate that any given day, there’s a huge amount of cash out there looking for a home.

• I believe there’s a simple solution to their “cash flow problem” but first let me give much deserved kudos to those web shop(s) owners that have been consistent in their support of, and to our communities throughout The Bahamas. I won’t belabour the details, because we all know, that “money always has a captive market!”

• Anyway, on to “simple solution”: the objective of which is to have the “cash overflow” benefit the maximum amount of people by: 1 - Increase all web shop(s) employees salary by fifty (50%) per cent 2 Increase payouts on winnings by fifty (50%) per cent – Part II late Please register to vote and vote!!

A A McKINNEY, MD Nassau, March, 2017.

Leave our tourists alone EDITOR, The Tribune.

ON March 16, 2017, the United States Embassy in Nassau sent out another warning to the American public.

Despite the fact that 2017 is still young, the US Embassy has already issued three warnings for the year.

What does this say about our country? Tourism is our number one industry.

When tourists come to The Bahamas, as Bahamians, we should want for them to enjoy themselves.

Tourists should never have to worry about the possibility of becoming a victim of a crime. Without tourists, many households would not be able to put food on their tables, many people would be without jobs.

Therefore, we cannot afford to have criminals targeting tourists. We do not want them to go back home and spread the word to their families and friends that The Bahamas is not a safe place to vacation.

If such horrible news is spread far enough it could possibly destroy our country. Something has to be done now to prevent this problem from getting worse.

The US Embassy warned Americans about a scam called the “good Samaritan theft scam”. An individual would tamper with a vehicle in advance. Once the driver attempts to fix the vehicle, a nearby “good Samaritan” (possibly the same person who is the cause of the damage), offers assistance.

Since the driver is distracted, another individual uses the opportunity to steal the property from inside the car.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net The US Embassy warned Americans to be extremely careful while driving in The Bahamas.

It is such a disgrace that vicious criminals are targeting innocent tourists. When people are on vacation, the last thing they think about is the possibility of becoming a victim of a crime.

They are carefree and they put their guards down.

However, this also makes it easier for offenders to attack them. The best time for an offender to strike is when a person’s guard is down, because that person has little protection.

The fact that offenders are taking advantage of tourists is sickening. Tourists should not have to keep their guards up while on vacation. They should not have to worry and be on the lookout for potential offenders.

One of the main reasons people go on vacation is to escape from their worries, not to run into more. It’s sad that offenders are now using the fact that tourists are carefree to their advantage, and are not taking into consideration the long-term effects their actions can have on our country.

It breaks my heart that offenders are so desperate for victims that they are eager to put innocent vulnerable tourists in harm’s way.

The fact that offenders are taking advantage of the vulnerability of tourists is upsetting, but that is not the most upsetting part of the story.

The most upsetting part is that when Chief Superin-

tendent Clayton Fernander, the officer in charge of the Central Detective Unit, was told about the “good Samaritan theft scam” he claimed that he was “unaware” of it and “would have to look into it”.

What a disgrace! How does this make our country look? The US Embassy is aware, but the officer in charge of the Central Detective Unit of The Bahamas is not?

Even if he was unaware, he should not have claimed that he was!

How can the Chief Superintendent be unaware of the crimes going on in his country?

Then he responds by saying he “will look into it”.

Well when does he plan on doing that? Next year?

Time is of the essence.

As if the scam itself wasn’t shameful enough, his response was double the embarrassment.

Our country should be striving to reduce the crime rate, and having a Chief Superintendent who is unaware of the crimes going on in the country does not do us any justice.

Offenders are looking for new victims and they are delighted to find out that tourists are an easy target.

This scam must be stopped immediately, before it spirals out of control and ends up harming our country. Tourists should be able to enjoy their stay in The Bahamas without having to worry about becoming a victim. For the sake of our country, offenders need to look elsewhere for new victims.

TYLAH MURRAY Nassau, April 10, 2017.

NHI omissions EDITOR, The Tribune Re: NHI ACT COMES INTO FORCE TO ALLOW HIRING. The Tribune, April 7, 2017.

WE are now being offi-

cially forewarned that portions of NHI primary care services could be “omitted”.

We are also being told that relatively few doctors have registered as primary care physicians to date.

Is it possible that one of

the Christie care services to be “omitted” may be the likelihood of some patients ever actually getting to see a doctor?

KEN W KNOWLES, MD Nassau, April 9, 2017.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 11, 2017, PAGE 5

Commissions of Inquiry planned under DNA govt

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net THE Democratic National Alliance will hold commissions of inquiry into Baha Mar, the Bank of The Bahamas and value added tax disbursements within its first year in office if elected, DNA Leader Branville McCartney announced yesterday.

He made the promise as the DNA released its 70page Vision 2017 policy document.

Speaking to reporters at the DNA’s East Street South headquarters, the former Bamboo Town MP insisted that his party was not interested in forming a “political dynasty,” rather holding itself to the view that “if we can’t deliver in our first five years then we don’t belong in government.”

Mr McCartney said the Vision 2017 document outlines the “finer points” of his party’s platform.

“We will show you how we’re going to change this country. Unlike the FNM and PLP who have released similar manifestos, and failed to deliver for us, this is not just campaign talk – this is what we will accomplish,” he said.

Mr McCartney said “day one” initiatives of a DNA administration would consist primarily of changes to many of the country’s legislative frameworks, allowing

the party immediate relief to systemic issues plaguing the country.

“First, and foremost, we must focus on decreasing crime, growing the economy, and ending corruption,” he stated.

“At the end of the first year of a DNA administration, we will have commissions of inquiry on matters pertaining to Baha Mar, the Bank of The Bahamas, and VAT disbursements. If it is determined that there was wrong-doing, people will go to jail – everyone must be equal under the law, especially our government.”

Mr McCartney said his party will aim to properly liberalise exchange controls, enact Marco’s Law, implement anti-corruption legislation, move toward a national lottery and seek to enforce capital punishment.

The DNA is also expected to privatise Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival and redirect its funding to Junkanoo and other cultural festivals.

Additionally, the party said it will revise the National Health Insurance Act to allow for more insurance company participation, and reduce penalties for the possession of small quantities of marijuana, as well as initiate the pilot programme for town councils for New Providence, as well as meet other first-year goals.

Long-term plans of the party include expanded op-

portunities in the financial services sector and a diversified tourism product.

The DNA will also look to add a one per cent of GDP surplus to the country’s annual budget, reduce unemployment to eight per cent, create new industries in technology, restructure the Immigration Department and cut wait times for permits and visas in half.

The third party also has plans to completely decriminalise marijuana by the end of its first term in office.

Moreover, the party will look to create universal coverage in public healthcare, increase the amount of public prosecutions and convictions in public fraud and embezzlement cases, increase the GDP by five per cent with projections to grow by another 10 per cent within the next five years and put in place a comprehensive mortgage relief and distressed property programme for consumers.

Mr McCartney also noted that DNA will create an average savings of 33 per cent on the cost of energy per consumer, increase the number of mobile service providers, increase the number of broadband service providers, create more sustainable jobs in banking and in tourism, and more.

The DNA is holding a forum this evening for persons interested in discussing the document with party members this evening at the BCPOU Hall at 6.30pm.

LEADER of the DNA Branville McCartney.

PARTY LAYS OUT PLANS ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AND ECONOMY

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE Democratic National Alliance has presented its plans to address crime should the party win the next election, noting in its Vision 2017 policy document the intent to legislatively define the “worst of the worst” as it looks carry out capital punishment.

Defining the nation’s ongoing issues with crime as a result of not enforcing laws, slowed prosecution and systematic economic issues, the DNA contended that agencies responsible for administering justice and punishment must be given the latitude to carry out their duties without interference and with the backing of policy that support their efforts.

The document was released on the DNA’s website, mydnaparty.org.

The party’s national security policies aim to find the “right balance” between infractions being committed and the national resources being invested to combat them.

The DNA’s document promotes bringing order back to the streets and empowering the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF).

Among points of note, the DNA said it will enforce capital punishment by defining the “worst of the worst” through new legislation. This refers to the parametres the Privy Council, this country’s highest court of appeal, has set out as criteria for the death penalty.

Moreover, the party said it will strengthen the regulations of the Civilian Complaint Board to ensure that its efforts are not infringed upon; ensure that there is no political interference with the police commissioner and the RBPF; increase the number of officers on foot patrol and by extension increase saturation patrols and build a state of the art DNA forensic laboratory.

Additionally, the DNA plans to build a new corrections facility for maximum security offenders on a Family Island; earmark money to go towards successful correctional programmes; increase witness

protection programme efforts and enter into agreements with international partners on a mutual witness protection programme; review the programme for low risk offenders entered into the work-release schedule; implement a parole system and pass legislation that allows for a probationary system.

According to Vision 2017, the DNA will also increase cyber-security surveillance and partner with international policing agencies to remain on the cutting edge of cyber-threats and various forms of cyber-crime and cyber-fraud.

The DNA also plans to increase border protection in terms of manpower and equipment; increase the level of domestic surveillance through CCTV and employ the use of new technology, inclusive of drones and gunshot detection equipment; amend the Police Force Act so that all field officers, regardless of their branch, have the ability to keep their firearms with them at all times and ensure that police officers

VINCENT PEET TO RUN AS INDEPENDENT VINCENT Peet, a former Progressive Liberal Party Cabinet minister, has launched an independent campaign for the North Andros and Berry Islands constituency, saying residents have urged him to return to politics.

He also challenged incumbent PLP MP Dr Perry Gomez, who, he said, was given time to “find his footing”, but area residents feel that they have no representation.

Mr Peet represented the area from 2002-2012, but did not run in the last election. The PLP has ratified Dr Gomez, the current minister of health, to run for the constituency in the upcoming election.

Despite not representing the area for the past five years, Mr Peet told residents at his campaign launch on Saturday that he never left them.

“I have never left you because I am a part of you and will always feel your pain,” he said. “When you cry, I cry and when you laugh, I laugh.

North Andros has always demanded strong, but caring leadership. North Andros has always had a loud determined and forceful voice in Parliament highlighting the needs and concerns of my people and pushing for the

VINCENT PEET advancements of this island and the Berry Islands. We all watched for the past several years and gave the present MP the opportunity and the time to find his footing.

But at last most North Androsians and Berry Islanders feel that they have had no representation and that North Andros and the Berry Islands deserve more.

“It is because of the outcry and demand of so many of my people that I felt compelled to offer myself again to bring back that proven and committed representation that North Andros and The Berry Islands have become accustomed to. No one is perfect and no one should profess to be perfect but once you elect someone that person should at least make the effort to get to know those persons who elected him.

“We must decide in this election that we work for the people and therefore the boss is the people. Anyone who is elected

by the people is accountable to the people and therefore must answer to the people.”

In spite of his decision, Mr Peet expressed his longstanding loyalty to the PLP. “For many many years I have served my country and my party faithfully and so I did not take offering as an Independent candidate lightly.

After much prayer and consultation with family, friends and supporters I decided that because of my deep love for Andros and the Berry Islands and because of the need for my people to have a choice in this election I would offer myself as that choice.

“I therefore want to say this and say this loud and clearly so that all can hear and understand - my campaign is not anti-PLP campaign nor is it an anti FNM campaign. My campaign is a pro-Andros campaign it’s a pro-Andros and the Berry Islands campaign.”

He also said it is “wrong for any government to have a policy or a practice where only the select few or a couple families get all the contracts” while the masses suffer.

Mr Peet did not run in the last election after a controversy occurred involving $180,000 in client funds.

have full health and life insurance.

During a press conference Monday to launch the 70-page document, DNA Leader Branville McCartney said that he was of the view that reducing crime would take a multifaceted approach.

“We must enforce the law and focus police efforts on prosecuting dangerous criminals. We must also realise that crime is an economic problem - if people had more opportunities for work they would not be forced into petty crime.”

He continued: “That’s why we’re proposing a $500m economic stimulus and liberalising our energy sector which will create more direct jobs but will also encourage economic growth creating thousands of residual jobs. And for those Bahamians who have always dreamed of starting a business of their own, we will reduce the Central Bank’s lending rate by two basis points, making that dream a reality.”

The DNA has also outlined several initiatives to

address immigration and the economy.

On the fiscal side, the party, in its document, asserted that successive administrations have created unsustainable debt, high unemployment, rising deficits and higher taxes.

The DNA, noting estimates by the Inter-American Development Bank, indicated that The Bahamas loses more than $250m due to inefficiency, corruption and leakage from the annual budget.

The party said this estimation should be viewed as a recipe for economic disaster, and in response proposed what it termed as a new way of thinking that raises the quality of the country’s economic offerings.

Outlining its macro-economic objectives, the party said it intends to reduce the Central Bank of The Bahamas discount rate by two basis points within oneyear; reduce the public debt to 70 per cent of GDP within three years and 65 per cent in five years; increase investments by 30 per cent

of GDP within three years; reduce unemployment to eight per cent within four years and increase foreign reserves by a “firm” 30 per cent within four years.

Additionally, the party has presented plans to increase the pool of professional certified persons in all sectors by 30 per cent within five years; work toward relaxing and liberalising the process of exchange control within five years and pass a Fiscal Accountability Act. The party will also look to thoroughly review the VAT system in an effort to reduce its impact on the cost of living in The Bahamas; implement performance-based budgeting practices which would cut funding to underperforming wasteful and unnecessary projects as part of efforts to right-size the government portfolio; implement a flat-rate business license scheme; undertake an audit of the national debt and introduce a national lottery and use some of the revenue to finance new education, healthcare, sports and culture initiatives.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, April 11, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

DEPUTY Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis.

Davis: PLP will win 30 seats from page one

“Because I don’t know and I don’t know whether you can tell us, who are these FNMs who will be running the country if the FNM were to be elected?

“Dr Minnis himself has said that if he wins he will not take a portfolio so what does that mean in the scheme of governance? He was unable to keep his party together since becoming a leader;

his group, the people who know him best don’t think he is capable of leading, they think he is incompetent and they said that if he is elected the country will be a disaster under his leadership.

“Think about it, if he were elected, do you know whether he will remain the Prime Minister? Do you know that? He is leader of the FNM but not the leader of the (Official) Opposition. How did that occur?

“The issue is whether,

if elected, could Dr Minnis maintain his position as the Prime Minister with regard to the challenges he has been having in his own party and having regard to what persons have said about him in his own party.

They are lurking and waiting.”

Mr Davis urged undecided voters to attend the PLP’s upcoming rallies to give the government an opportunity to explain to them why voting for the governing party is the best

decision.

He has been highly critical of Dr Minnis during this election cycle. Last week, he scolded Dr Minnis for being unable to “speak in Parliament” and chastised the Killarney MP for “hiding behind his Facebook page” out of fear that the public will know “Dr Minnis has no idea what he is talking about”.

He said Dr Minnis did “nothing” while he was Cabinet minister in the last administration, “noth-

ing” while he was in the Official Opposition and will continue to do nothing if he is elected to lead the country.

The PLP won 29 seats in the 2012 general election while the FNM won nine.

The Democratic National Alliance, a third party, did not win any seats but captured about 10 per cent of the vote.

Three members of the PLP left the party during this term, with two - Bamboo Town MP Renward

Wells and Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins joining the FNM. Marco City MP Greg Moss also quit the PLP this term but remained an Independent before forming his own party.

The North Abaco seat, won by former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham in 2012, went to PLP MP Renardo Curry in a by-election later that year.

Thirty-nine seats are up for grabs in the upcoming election.

BUTLER-TURNER SAYS JOBS BEING GIVEN FOR VOTES from page one

Describing this as “ridiculous” and “reprehensible”, the Independent candidate further accused her Progressive Liberal Party rival, attorney Glendon Rolle, of making promises to get support as he campaigned on the island.

While Mr Rolle could not be reached yesterday, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts said he had no knowledge of a newly-launched jobs programme in Long Island.

In a Facebook post yesterday, Mrs Butler-Turner raised concern over the re-

ported “pre-election hires”, adding that no guidelines or advertising had been done for the jobs.

She also questioned where the government was finding the money to pay the new employees.

This comes as government officials have still not answered questions regarding the reasoning for a quadrupled budget for the Office of the Prime Minister.

Details of the government’s mid-year fiscal performance revealed the $62.532m increase. The increase came under the heading “grants, fixed charges and special transactions.”

“The Prime Minister’s Office has directed the Long Island administrator’s office to implement a job programme with immediate effect,” Mrs Butler-Turner said in a Facebook post.

“Already 28 persons have been identified for these pre-election hires.

No guidelines or advertising has been done for such jobs. These persons are being hand picked by the PLP and their Long Island candidate.

“This is not hearsay. This is confirmed using the people’s tax dollars, the very same thing they accused the previous (Ingraham) administration of.”

Days after the PLP defeated the Free National Movement in a landslide victory in the 2012 general election, Prime Minister Perry Christie said his gov-

ernment would seek to prevent future governments from awarding contracts ahead of and after the dissolution of Parliament. He described these as “bribes”, adding that he was concerned about contracts awarded under the former government just prior to the election. However the government did not implement any law or policy prohibiting this and instead has been accused of issuing contracts over the past several weeks to gain favour with voters.

Mrs Butler-Turner, the former Deputy Leader of the FNM, continued: “I cry shame on Perry G Christie. Long Islanders take the jobs. You need them. But catch the wave. Do not vote for these people that have not looked at you since last election.

Death Notice

Jerry Henry Bowe, 78 of Graham Acres, Nassau, The Bahamas, died peacefully at his residence, on Saturday, 8th April, 2017.

Mr. Bowe is survived by his wife, Paulena Bowe (née Armaly); children, Ricky and his wife Donna, Rhonda and her husband Brent; grandchildren, Richard and April, Brent II and Rebekah; brother, Jack and his wife Nelda; sisters, Betty, Joyce and her husband; John; sisters-in-law, Virginia (Leslie), Victoria (Gregory), Maria (Nick), Wanda; brothers-in-law, Gabriel and many other nephews and nieces.

Special thanks to Dr. Clyde Munnings, Dr. Christine Chin, Nurse Mae Ferguson and her team numerous family and friends for their prayers and support during his illness.

Arrangements Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited.

“They are running scared. Team LBT and the ‘Blue Wave’ is moving to keep you updated of the tricks they are playing on people.”

In a later interview with The Tribune, Mrs ButlerTurner said she found it “unfathomable” that there were people in Long Island that have not been paid for contracts since last year, but yet the PLP was giving away jobs.

“They are all hurting (because) I had the biggest crowd out on Saturday night. Every candidate had an event so they are feeling it. PLPs came to my event to look for food (and) they brought two buses of people to look for food.

“The (PLP) candidate is up and down making these promises and now Christie has given him the validation

to hire these people,” she claimed. “Where were they when the people needed help after the hurricane?”

The budget for the Office of the Prime Minister, approved as $17.069m last year, has expanded to $79.947m.

In an interview with The Tribune earlier this month, FNM Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest said this increase was “absolutely crazy”.

Last June, the Office of the Prime Minister’s budget increased from $9.8m in 2014-2015 to $17,069,450 in 2016-2017. That increase was attributable to funding increases for several highprofile projects that came under the Office of the Prime Minister.

This included the National Health Insurance Secretariat, which received $2.5m in last June’s budget.

ROBERTS REJECTS CLAIM OF CASH INSIDE PLP FLAG from page one

This comes as campaign finance concerns are likely to be a mainstay for the 2017 election campaign cycle, with Cabinet minister and Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell warning Bahamians to “follow the money trail” in reference to opposition candidates.

Mr Mitchell underscored the critical impact campaign financing had on the political independence and integrity of a candidate during a mini-rally at Claridge Park on Saturday.

As he raised speculation over the campaign of a Freeport candidate, the Fox Hill MP identified five sources for political contributions, and warned supporters to be critical of candidates that accepted large sums of money from unknown sources.

“I want you all to follow the money trail,” Mr Mitchell said during the event.

“There is a candidate in Freeport who is spending money like it’s going out of style. When people spend

money, there has got to be some visible means of support. Where is the money coming from?

“In this country, there are only a couple of sources for political contributions - the white rich Bahamian, the people in Lyford Cay, the numbers boys, or your own money, or someone is contributing from outside the country, that’s the last thing. So the question is when you start spending large sums of money and it doesn’t come from one of those sources, you have to ask yourself where is it coming from?”

Mr Mitchell said: “And if it’s coming from someone we don’t know, the question is who will you be working for if you get elected to office? Next time I come on this stage, I’ll finish this story but I tell them, I tell you and I leave it to you to follow the money trail.

“When or if you happen to get into the office, who will you be working for?

The Bahamian people or the people paying for the tune?”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 11, 2017, PAGE 7

Bell: Give us a chance to finish the job on crime

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

MINISTER of State for National Security Keith Bell yesterday said more can be done in the fight against crime but defended the Christie administration’s initiatives this term, saying the government has made “significant investments” to counteract the problem.

He urged citizens to give the Progressive Liberal Party another chance to “finish the job” the party started.

“Reducing crime is all about education and awareness,” Senator Bell said yesterday. “The government has made significant investments. Can we do more?

Yes, we can and yes, we will.”

His comments came while he was a guest on “The Real Deal” with host Ortland Bodie.

Senator Bell said the PLP found the issue of crime to be a “challenge” once in office and has had to “adjust their strategy” to address the issue.

He said the PLP’s focus, if given another term, would be to deal with “prolific offenders” who are wreaking havoc in the country.

According to The Tribune’s records, there have been more than 600 homicides in The Bahamas since May 2012, when the PLP assumed office.

Before the 2012 general election, the PLP posted billboards throughout New Providence - in areas heavily trafficked by tourists and locals - which said there had been more than 490 killings under the fiveyear Ingraham administration.

The PLP, then in opposition, campaigned that it had the answer to violent crime while the Ingraham administration did not. It promised that if elected it would get crime under control.

“The reality is, yes, we did a number of things.

Would we do it differently?

Perhaps so but let’s not look at the past, let’s look towards the future,” Senator Bell said yesterday.

“The reality is we can say

STATE National Security Minister Keith Bell. the glass is half empty but I would submit to you that the glass is half full in the efforts we have made against crime...We came into office knowing it would be a challenge, knowing we had to do a number of things. We had to deal with a number of issues, including limited resources. We had to find money to ensure we finance our crime strategies. We have to focus on prolific offenders. This small group of persons. These persons have cases before the courts and this has been a constant cry of the commissioner of police, they arrest these people, they are charged and then they are back out on bail. It has been a challenge but we have adjusted our strategy to meet the challenge.”

Senator Bell said the PLP is in the process of “fulfill-

ing the aspirations of Bahamians” and will continue to build a “safer Bahamas for everyone.”

“We have done a lot but we have plenty more to do,” Mr Bell said.

“We have made some promises, we have made some commitments. We have made some sacrifices and we have had some achievements. We are human beings, we are here to serve. We may not have achieved all but when you look at us and see what we have done and what we are capable of doing and when you compare us to that other party, the scrap gang as Mr (Bradley) Roberts called them, we are still the best for the Bahamian people. There is humility in admitting we are not perfect people. We are not a perfect

JURY HEARS STATEMENT OF WITNESS IN COURT DURING ARMED ROBBERY CASE

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net A JURY heard yesterday that a man accused of being involved in a gunpoint robbery that turned fatal had told people he knew what had transpired.

The evidence of Renaldo Middleton was read into the record in the case of 29-year-old Henley Claridge through an application made by the prosecution.

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

It is claimed that he robbed Tonika Laroda and Darius Adderley of two Samsung cellular phones together valued at $600. He is further accused of intentionally killing Adderley by means of unlawful harm.

Claridge, when formally arraigned in the Supreme Court on July 4, 2014, pleaded not guilty to all three charges. He maintained that plea at the start of on March 21.

He has retained Jiaram Mangra to represent him while Desiree Ferguson and Cassie Bethel are prosecuting for the Crown.

Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs had allowed the request for the unavailable witness’ statement into the record as an amendment to

the Evidence Act in 2012 gave judges the discretion to allow the statements of witnesses who are dead, cannot be found, or are too sick to testify into evidence.

Mr Middleton told police that around 9pm that day, he had caught a ride to Quarry Mission Road in Chippingham to hang out with acquaintances of his, “Bounty” and “Andrea”.

Middleton had purchased a Backwoods cigar and a Guinness which he consumed during the gathering.

Mr Middleton said 20 minutes later, he heard what sounded like a single gunshot nearby.

He asked “Bounty” if she had heard it and she said no. However “Andrea” told him she had heard the shot.

Mr Middleton said a minute after the shot went off, he saw Henley coming in their direction and appeared shaken, frightened and breathing heavily.

The man told police that Claridge, who was clad in a long sleeve black or navy sweater and jeans, told them he had tried to rob a man but ended up shooting him when he tried to take his gun.

Claridge then asked for lime juice to wash off his hands before going upstairs.

Mr Middleton said he followed and heard the alarm from Henley’s electronic

monitoring device go off.

Mr Middleton said not long afterwards, police arrived and arrested Claridge, who had already changed his clothing.

However, he told police he did not see Claridge with any gun.

On March 21, Ms Laroda testified that she and Adderley were sitting in his 2003 Dodge Town and Country van when a masked man with a handgun robbed them.

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

Claridge was arrested shortly after the incident and reportedly told police that he acted as a lookout while a friend with the street name “K-Dog” carried out the crime.

However, a check by police revealed that “K-Dog” was actually in prison at the time of the crime, the jury was told by Sgt 774 Deleveaux.

Claridge is expected to indicate to Senior Justice Isaacs today whether he would remain silent at his trial or elect to give testimony under oath concerning the incident.

party, so just bear with us as we continue to work for you.”

In January, Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade said serious crimes in the country declined by 26 per cent in 2016, the most significant year-to-year drop since 2004.

According to police, the overall decrease in serious crimes was influenced by

double digit decreases in almost every category of crime, he said.

This included a 24 per cent drop in murders, falling from a record 146 in 2015 to 111 in 2016, according to police statistics.

The murder total last year was the lowest since 2012.

However, there was a spate of murders in the first

few months of 2017, with 41 recorded up to press time while violent crime continues to be a concern for residents.

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PAGE 8, Tuesday, April 11, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

This government can’t see through the smoke J

UST over a month ago, our New Providence landfill, aka our national dumpsite, a veritable national monument, caught afire like it never has before.

So intense were the flames, so intense was the smoke, that people living in communities near to the dump, far too near to the dump, had to literally flee for their lives and their health and their safety, while totally in doubt of the safety of their homes. Some

By NICOLE BURROWS

even stayed and breathed in toxic fumes out of fear they would return to find they had no home because it went up in flames.

And since that time, our find-a-scapegoat government has decided - and so politely informed us - that

You can now watch and listen to Nicole Burrows talking through this article and her thoughts on the arrest of Omar Archer, the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival on-off saga, Toggie and Bobo and political editorials in newspapers on her new PolitiCole TV Facebook page.

it wasn’t just the typical methane gas emissions internal to the landfill causing the reignition, which typically becomes worse in the dry season, that caused this deep, wide torrent of flames that almost incinerated homes and people near to it.

But, they say, the fire at the dump site was more likely the result of some selfish people in the nearby area who were melting wires for copper and in-

advertently created a fire expertise and independent that jumped to the nearby analyses, in spite of any wooded area then jumped signatures to the report over to the dump, causing being unavailable weeks the inferno that kept the ago. landfill content burning Frankly, if the report was for weeks and smoke ema- so sensitive that it couldn’t nating in every direction, be released without the choking New Providence right names attached to residents throughout the it, maybe it should conday and at night as they cern us more. But, in any slept. We don’t know, no- case, there must have been body knows, how accurate somebody high-ranking that story is ... that the fire enough who could overwas caused by would-be ride the delay and sign the copper smelters. No evi- report to make it official, dence has been provided especially in an emergenthat that has really been cy. That has not been the the case. case, and it is Still, in the ‘The response disheartening. meantime, no This is an urprovided after all-clear has gent situation. been provided the worst dump This always to the resi- fire we have was an urgent dents of Jubilee situation. But Gardens and probably ever all so-called nearby commu- seen has been experts and nities to return insufficient, emergency serto their homes vice workers post the March unresponsive, seem to have 5 inferno. It has void of ignored the been more than professional fact that this is a month since an urgent situthe actual blaze approach, void ation. started but it’s of urgency Because almost been a and wholly there’s been no month since the release of an ofDepartment of disrespectful.’ ficial report, an Environmental official all-clear Health Services (DEHS) has not been given to resiwas said to have gone into dents of Jubilee Gardens the area of the dump site and nearby areas to return and residences close to it to to their homes. Nevertheconduct an official analy- less, most of these people sis of the air quality out- have already returned to side and inside the nearby their homes, because, rehomes. ally, where else are they goWe have yet to see - or ing to go? hear - the results of that What is especially curireport. And the reason for ous is the fact that PAHO this delay, as was provided is going to conduct its asa couple of weeks ago, was sessment in the absence that this official report was of disclosure of the DEHS still waiting for a signature, report. Is the DEHS waitone signature, to be added ing to corroborate the to it, presumably to make it findings, or to nullify the official. findings? Is DEHS waitUp to yesterday, there ing to polish off its own has been no official no- justifications for the delays tice of such a report is- in providing its report, by sued by either the DEHS saying it needed someone or the National Emergen- else to evaluate it? Are cy Management Agency the results of the DEHS (NEMA). So the report in tests so bad that it cannot question has still not yet release them? Is it waitbeen signed off. What is ing for PAHO to evaluate quite curious about this the situation and provide is that, in addition to the a report that is in conflict fact that the DEHS has with the DEHS report, in not provided its own re- the event PAHO’s report port as yet on a month- looks better? old national calamity, we Is PAHO going to come are now being told by our in long after the fact and do Ministry of Environment an assessment on an envithat representatives of the ronment that is four weeks Pan-American Health Or- post intensity - fire diminganisation (PAHO) will ished, smoke diminished come to New Providence to find that the level of con(or have already arrived in taminants or pollution at New Providence?) to be- the time of PAHO’s testing gin their own independent are nothing like they were work (in conjunction with when DEHS supposedly the Ministry of Health, made its first evaluations? the Water and Sewerage And if that were the case, Corporation, DEHS and DEHS could then say to NEMA) in assessing the the residents, and all Bahaair quality at and near to mians in general, okay, you the dump site. have the all-clear, residents The Ministry of Envi- can officially return to their ronment says PAHO will homes even though they al“assess”, “advise” and “re- ready have, because there’s port”. It really makes you nothing wrong ... look, wonder, does it not - and PAHO said so, it’s very safe I always have questions ... to go back. you should have them, too At this point, who are - why it is that DEHS can- we Bahamians supposed to not release the first report believe? Whose assessment that they have, the one will be more accurate? Who that they produced them- are we supposed to trust to selves, based on their own give us the truth? Is this

emergency situation going to go the same way the Rubis fuel leak did, where the Black and Veatch report was withheld by the government until long after the leak first occurred, allowing the problem enough time to dissipate on its own?

Because DEHS and NEMA have chosen to not handle this situation with the urgency that they should, they have disrespected the residents who live near the dump site, and they have disrespected Bahamians overall. Again.

This incident and its management has once again demonstrated for us Bahamians the lack of care and concern, or even interest, that our government has for/in us, even in the face of an emergency.

If PAHO can come in at all a month later, why couldn’t emergency management officials enlist the help of another organisation, private or public, local or international, to evaluate the situation, and to assess the level of contaminants sooner than now?

Conducting an assessment of air (and water) quality four weeks out from the most intense occurrence of fire and smoke in the area will surely not provide the same results as having done it immediately after the event occurred.

And wouldn’t that have made/make the most sense?

No - because we don’t conduct important business in this country with sense.

And we don’t react to emergencies with urgency ... to the extent that the public analyst at DEHS keeps telling us these things take time. Emergencies take time then?

That is usually the excuse given by people who can’t handle the job they are given.

In the end, what is NEMA for? What are emergency services in the Bahamas for, if not to provide immediate aid and ongoing support and transparent reporting in an emergency?

The response provided after the worst dump fire we have probably ever seen has been insufficient, unresponsive, void of professional approach, void of urgency and wholly disrespectful.

Bahamians cannot trust their emergency management agency to be there in their time of emergency.

Bahamians cannot trust their department of environmental health services to safeguard their environmental health. So why do these entities even exist?

Ask yourself that question before you visit your polling station in a few weeks to vote for your next government, especially since this dump fire problem - let alone the official DEHS report - is unlikely to be resolved before the upcoming general election.

• Comments and responses to nburrows@tribunemedia.net

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 11, 2017, PAGE 9

FRED MITCHELL, Fox Hill MP.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Mitchell threatens action over Chinese funds rumour

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

FOX Hill MP Fred Mitchell yesterday lashed out at allegations that the Fox Hill Community Centre was paid for by “the Chinese,” calling the rumours racist and defamatory.

In a statement yesterday, Mr Mitchell singled out his opponent, Democratic National Alliance candidate for Fox Hill Kendal Smith, whom he alleged was associated with the allegations circulating “in various chat groups”.

Mr Mitchell called the rumour a “falsehood” that was also “libelous and defamatory” adding that the appropriate action will be taken.

Mr Mitchell added that he had previously warned Mr Smith that the political hopeful did not have to “make up stories” in his desperation to win.

“The plain and simple story is that this centre is built by contributions from ordinary Fox Hillians, public private partnerships with Bahamian businesses and the Bahamas government.”

The Tribune tried to con-

tact Mr Smith but did not receive a response up to press time.

In yesterday’s press statement, Mr Mitchell referred to his remarks at the opening of the centre on April 1, which charted the history of the project that began in 1990.

The corporation Fox Hill Community Centre is a licensed non-profit, Mr Mitchell said, with a board of directors with representatives from area churches, the Original Congoes Junkanoo Group and the Fox Hill Festival Committee.

The land was conveyed

by late Minister for Housing George Mackey; however, the Cabinet minister’s committee only managed to build a foundation before Mr Mackey left office in 1997. No further action would be taken until 2002, according to Mr Mitchell, who noted that he took up the project when he came to office.

“New plans for a building were drawn by Sheldon Maycock, a Fox Hillian and construction began,” he said.

“I must recognise Ashley Glinton of Woslee Dominion and his sub-contractor

Lawrence Hepburn who brought the structure of the auditorium and first floor to the point where we could begin to use the building for various functions following the laying of the cornerstone in 2007 by then Governor General Arthur D Hanna.”

Mr Mitchell continued: “The structure remained that way when we lost office in 2007 and we pecked away until the year 2012 when we returned with the promise to finish the building. I must give credit to Warren Davis, aka ‘Dancer,’ for his pushing to get it finished

and he is the project manager on this last phase.”

Mr Mitchell said the project was brought to completion after the Ministry of National Security facilitated access to funding from the Inter-American Development Bank as part of the Citizen Security Initiative loan.

IDB funding also will be responsible for the management of the building and its programmes, Mr Mitchell added.

The remaining shortfall was covered by the government of The Bahamas, he said.

CONCERNS OVER TRINIDAD FIRM’S INVOLVEMENT IN NHI from page one

implementation and management of National Health Insurance and the determining of eligibility and benefits thereunder.”

The NHI Act (NHIA) came into force on April 6.

The former employee said: “The process of implementing NHI requires the use of the NIB data base – as evidenced by the introduction of the NIB smart card which is used as

the basis for registering for NHI. “The National Health Insurance Bill 2016, the foundation of the new National Health Insurance Act, repeals the National Health Insurance Act 2007.”

The employee continued: “The new cleverly inserted amendment in the fourth schedule of the National Health Insurance Bill, amends the Data Protection Act, and allows NHI to request sensitive NIB data and subsequently provide this

data to any party outside of The Bahamas even though this data would not ordinarily be provided to any party within The Bahamas, without your authorisation or without the order of a court.

“NIB holds all of your sensitive data, your NIB medical claim data, your employment history, your children’s information, your grandchildren’s information, your parents’ information, your sisters’ and brothers’ information, your telephone

PLP NOT PERFECT? READERS RESPOND AFTER Prime Minister Perry Christie said his government “never claimed to be perfect” readers gave their reaction on tribune242.com.

Realfreethinker asked: “Don’t these people realise that the country is suffering from Perry and PLP fatigue?”

Well_mudda_take_sic thought the Prime Minister valued “loyalty over all else”: “Christie’s single greatest weakness as a politician has always been the valuing of loyalty to the exclusion of all else including competency, honesty, integrity, and work ethic.

Pindling and Ingraham each had an initial five-year term as PM (although some would argue an initial ten years in the case of Pindling) without succumbing to this most serious weakness of valuing loyalty above all else.”

John said: “Perry Christie, never in his wildest dreams imagined that there would be such a massive shift from him and the PLP as has happened in the past few weeks. He never thought Hubert Minnis could ever organise and polarise his party with so much cohesion. But that is not the end of the story.

A lot of people are wearing their PLP shirts and attending PLP rallies and pretending to be supporters only to get election goodies and to cover their backsides should the PLP win and they don’t plan to be left out in the cold.”

Greentea had this to say: “Dear PM, Bahamians never asked or expected a perfect government, but we asked for and deserve a competent one. You have not been able to provide either. At this point, the greatest public service that you and your seemingly loyal four blind mice can do for the political life of this country is to bow out of frontline politics, step aside and go away.

Principal of RE/MAX Luxury Properties Bahamas Arlington Capron’s bid to entice retirement village developers to Freeport was discussed by readers of Tribune Business.

Rqd2 asked: “A ‘retirement village’ with homes

priced around $2M? Good luck with that. Retirement village homes would need to be priced quite a bit lower and many spending $2M+ for homes are looking for privacy, not a ‘retirement village’ concept. If you want to attract Florida retirees to Freeport, create a pensioner visa programme and add direct air service to Orlando and Tampa.”

The_Oracle said: “Not the first time this has been suggested, and it has potential save the fact that many already foreign second home owners here are leaving! Medical facilities are not first rate, but better than out islands, not quite as good as Nassau. Third rate food stores. As for a conference, I think GB is conferenced out. Much talk, no action.”

Banker agreed with the comments: “Both posters of the above are absolutely correct. Pensioners have a fixed income and cannot afford the high cost of real estate, and poor medical facilities. We cannot compete with Florida, in any way whatsoever. Life is too small and the basic amenities are not first world.”

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

contacts, your physical address, your email address,” the former employee said, “all of this sensitive data will be in the hands of foreigners once this (NHI) Act becomes effective.

“Progress is good, but consider Bahamians first.”

The Tribune was unable to reach the Office of the Data Commissioner yesterday.

When asked about the concerns, Minister of Labour Shane Gibson did not address the amendments but contended that NHI did not require detailed or sensitive information. He pointed out that only basic information, like name, age, and to confirm registration, would be used.

Enrolment in NHI is expected to begin later this

month.

The Tribune understands that although no official press statement has been released, the Christie administration has already selected a public insurer that is preparing for the launch of NHI. Last week, the NHI Secretariat announced that more than 60 doctors have registered as primary care providers so far.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, April 11, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

INTERACT CLUBS IN DEBATE BATTLE THE Rotary Club Of Lucaya held its annual debate competition last week between the four Interact school clubs on the island it supports: St George’s, Sir Jack Hayward, Sunland Baptist Academy and Mary Star Of The Sea Catholic Academy.

These students range from 12-18 and are involved in the youth arm of Rotary International’s service club for young people.

The debate finals were held

between Sunland Baptist Academy and Sir Jack Hayward High School on the government’s proposed Interception of Communications Bill.

The competition was fierce and Sunland Baptist Academy was declared the overall winner with Mickayla Kemp from Sir Jack Hayward declared the best debater.

Major sponsor BTC gave each finalist a smart mobile device.

FROM left, Rotarian and BTC representative Tahaji Smith, along with students Mickayla Kemp (SJHHS), Theron Bain( SJHHS), Jayshan Lundy (SJHHS),Hydeia Knowles (SBA) Blayke Hanna(SBA) and President of Rotary Club of Lucaya Carol Rolle and the Club’s Past President Clifford Bowe.

Couple going back to school after 34 years of marriage IMAGINE being 62 and returning to the classroom for the first time since graduating high school.

Errol Haughton has done just that, proving that you are never too old to learn.

But what’s more is that his 54-year-old wife has joined him in his quest for further education.

Married for 34 years, Errol and Patricia Haughton are both unemployed.

They are veteran hoteliers, having worked in the industry from back in the days when the Emerald Beach Hotel existed, before being destroyed by fire. The pair never got the chance to retire, as they both were laid off from Baha Mar. Instead of bemoaning their status, the Haughtons decided to reinvent themselves by first furthering their education at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI).

Mr Haughton is studying towards a certificate in heating ventilation and air conditioning, while his wife is studying in the office assistant programme.

The parents of two children and five grandchildren are also taking English and math courses. And while Mr Haughton is enrolled in an introduction to computers class, his wife is in a microcomputer applications class.

“My neighbour informed me I could go to BTVI. I said, ‘You sure? They only accept young people,’” recalled Mrs Haughton, who received a 3.57 grade point average (GPA) in her first semester back in the Fall of 2016.

Now in her second semester, she continues to excel, while assisting her husband to do the same.

Mr Haughton admitted being in the classroom is challenging.

“I haven’t been in the classroom since high school, having to write all these essays. I like to read, but I don’t like to write.

And some of the math is new to me, but I’m hanging in there, trying my best,” said the soft-spoken former hotel worker.

“I even do better than some of the young people, possibly because of my focus,” he added. Questioned as to whether they intentionally got two of the same classes that are in the same sections, the answer was practical.

“There is only one vehicle and by doing so, we cut down on gas. We are also able to help each other with the work,” said Mrs Haughton.

Her husband quickly chimed in, “She is better at math than I am.”

ERROL and Patricia Haughton, who are studying at BTVI. Reflecting on the time room in order to achieve spent thus far at BTVI, Mrs my academic endeavours,” Haughton encouraged the she said. “No matter how younger generation to pur- old you are, follow your dreams. The instructors at sue their goals.

“I thank God for the BTVI have a plethora of mind-set that he has given knowledge. They respect us me to return to the class- and help us, as they would

all the others. I would recommend anyone to come to BTVI.” Her husband agreed, stating the importance of never giving up.

“I like the fact that BTVI give people at our age an op-

Photo: Shantique Longley portunity. Age ain’ nothin’ but a number. You’re never too old to learn,” he said.

At BTVI’s New Providence campus, there are 1,476 students registered for the 2017 spring semester, with 16 over the age of 50.

WESLEY CLARKE, physics teacher at St Augustine’s College and the school’s Build-A-Bridge Challenge Coach, celebrates victory with his team while Nick Dean, Founder of IBS Build-A-Bridge Challenge and Principal at Integrated Building Services (third right), and Anissa Adderley, ALIV Marketing Executive (right), look on.

ALIV SUPPORTS YOUTH ENTRENEURSHIP SCHEME AS PART of its commitment to empowering young people throughout the Bahamas, ALIV, the country’s newest telecommunications company, is assisting Project Social, a programme geared at driving youth en-

trepreneurship and reducing youth unemployment.

Tanya McFall created the Project Social programme, which has a foreign language training component, for junior and senior high school students.

“Project Social is a youthoriented project that will spark social entrepreneurial innovation and increase multiculturalism while spurring foreign language training,” she said. “Our aim is to create a more multicultural Bahamas while encouraging our youth to develop socially inclusive ventures that embraces foreign languages for a better, more sustainable Bahamas.

While we will only be in three islands, in the near future, we intend to establish this initiative in other Bahamian islands to expose residents to the opportunities available to citizens of the free world.

Project Social began in Grand Bahama, Cat Island and Eleuthera on March 30 and ended on April 7. One of its goals is to expose attendees to the importance of multiculturalism in the

ANISSA ADDERLEY, ALIV Marketing Executive, and Tanya McFall, founder of Project Social.

Bahamas. It also aims to fidence to bring their ideas encourage community lead- to life. The event was a treers to provide greater op- mendous success and we portunities to travel around look forward to a long-term the world, using their expe- partnership,” Franklyn rience to make socio-eco- Butler, Chairman of ALIV, nomic improvements in the said. country.

ALIV also partnered ALIV supplied the pro- with Integrated Building gramme with merchandise Services (IBS) in sponsorincluding water bottles, ing their annual Build-Ahats, t-shirts, drawstring Bridge Challenge on April bags and umbrellas. “ALIV 7. ALIV was a gold sponis fully committed to corpo- sor for the event, held at rate diversity. Events like Mario’s Bowling, and also Project Social provides a donated free cellphones to forum for students to share the students of the winning ideas, build professional team from St Augustine’s networks and find the con- College.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 11, 2017 , PAGE 11

ENRICO GARZAROLI, owner of the historic and world-renowned Graycliff receives the Clement T Maynard Lifetime Achievement Award at the Cacique Awards at Baha Mar Convention Centre on Saturday.

Pictured (from left) are Cherell Williamson, Miss Universe Bahamas; Jamal Rolle, The Celebrity Artist, who produced the image of Mr Garzaroli; Joy Jibrilu, director general of Tourism; Enrico Garzaroli; and presenters.

Photos: Kemuel Stubbs/BIS

Cacique Awards honours Graycliff owner with prize ENRICO Garzaroli, owner of the historic and world-renowned Graycliff, has been recognised with a lifetime achievement award at the 2017 Cacique Awards Celebrating “The Business of Tourism,” and recognising those who have made Bahamas tourism a special experience, the 17th annual ceremonies rewarded creativity, initiative and hard work at a black-tie gala at Baha Mar Convention Centre on Saturday.

Mr Garzaroli, a veteran in the industry, was presented with the Clement T Maynard Lifetime Achievement Award. He migrated to the Bahamas from Italy in 1972 and transformed the historic property on West Hill Street into Graycliff Hotel and five-star restaurant. He later developed Graycliff

Cigar Company, Graycliff Chocolatier and the Heritage Village at Graycliff.

The purpose of the Cacique Awards, initiated in 1995, is to recognise the roles played by those individuals and organisations whose performance or products have consistently made a positive impact on the quality and the growth of tourism in the Bahamas. Partners include the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association, Bahamas Hotel and Restaurants Employers’ Association, and Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board. The industry garnered ticket sales amounting to $96,000 for a University of The Bahamas Cacique Scholarship Fund.

Guests saw Bahamian culture on full display, taking them back to Sponga

Money performed by a group of youngsters clad in colourful Bahamian print shirts; pulsating rhythmic performance of Hurricane Drummers presented by Howard Bethel and the Cacique Drummers; an Island Church Tribute featuring the Ministry of Tourism Choir and Cacique Dancers; and Hip Hop Dance performance backed by an infusion of Bahamian music and American Hip Hop

by DJ Ampero. Jonathan Farrington and Karrington McKenzie sang a soul-stirring duet backed by the Cacique Female Dancers.

The first Bahamians, the Lucayans, called their leader ‘Cacique’ and the seat of power is the Duho, which is presented as the award that sits atop the trophies given to the winners.

The 2017 winners • Sustainable Tourism Shawn Ingraham, founder, One Eleuthera Foundation • Handicraft - Roganna Wilchcombe and Vernetta Frith, proprietors of Strawtacular Designs, West End, Grand Bahama • Travel Writer of the Year (International Category) Julie Ring-Hansen, Journalist, Denmark • Chef of the Year - Cheryl McKenzie, Executive Sous Chef, British Colonial Hilton • Local Airlines and Tour Operators - Leisure Travel and Tours, ground transportation business over 22 years • International Award: Cruise - Norwegian Cruise Lines, the Bahamas’s longest serving cruise line, uninterrupted service for 50 years • Supervisor of the Year - Jerome Sears, Senior Banquet Captain, British

Colonial Hilton • Cecil Rose Sports and Leisure - Olympian Chris Brown for Chris Brown Invitational • International Tour Operator - Karin Bauhaus, of Canusa Touristik Gmbh & Co. • Human Resources Development - Evelyn PinderDames, educator at Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy who coaches in Tourism studies • Manager of the Year - Monique Taylor, Executive Housekeeper, Comfort Suites • Willie Love Hospitality Award - Wilfred Knowles, Grand Bahama • Creative Arts - Junkanoo Commandos • Cacique Scholarship - University of The Bahamas • Blue Ribbon Panel Award Winner - Phil Stubbs, Song Writer/Story Teller, Grand Bahama • Sales Executive of the

Year - Deryn Prabhu, Catering Sales Manager, British Colonial Hilton • Transportation - Milton Strachan, taxi driver in Exuma since the 1960s • Special Events - Island Roots Heritage Festival, Green Turtle Cay, Abaco • International Award: Airline of the Year - Bahamasair, established 1973 • Employee of the Year: Front of House - Dicienzo Storr, Bartender at Melia Nassau Beach Resort • Employee of the Year: Heart of the House - Kendal Deveaux, Technical Security Engineer, Atlantis • Hotelier of the Year: Dean Spychalla - Valentine’s Residences, Resort and Marina, Harbour Island • Minister’s Award for Hospitality - Wilfred Solomon, Grand Bahama • People’s Choice Secular Music - FanShawn TaylorEvans, lead vocalist Sky Juice Band

WILFRED Solomon was presented with the Minister’s Award for Hospitality by Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchombe.

T) (INCL. VA

9 PIECE CHICKEN

1 Keel 2 Ribs • 2 Wings • 2 Thighs • 2 Legs • •