04122018 news

THURSDAY i’m lovin’ it!

The Tribune Established 1903

24/7 BREAKING NEWS ON TRIBUNE242.COM

HIGH 85ºF LOW 69ºF

Biggest And Best!

VOLUME:115 No.97, APRIL 12TH, 2018

OBITS

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER:$1

OFFICIA

CLASSIFIED TRADER: CARS, CARS, CARS & MORE CARS

INSIDE

Shock slump in Minnis’ support

Poll reveals less than half satisfied with govt record

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE Minnis administration’s popularity is waning, with fewer than 50 per cent of Bahamians generally satisfied with its performance, according to a new poll from marketing and research firm Public Domain.

The number of Bahamians generally dissatisfied with the administration has increased by 28 per cent

since last May even as the number of people generally satisfied with the administration has declined by 18 per cent.

The poll also shows a substantial per cent of people surveyed now believe the country is headed in the wrong direction.

The poll was conducted from March 15 to April 7 and relies on a random, weighed sample of

HE’S HEAD OVER HEELS WITH JOY

A CABINET Minister yesterday pledged the Bahamas will have “the most competitive energy prices in the region” through selecting Shell as Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) generation partner.

Desmond Bannister, minister of works, told Tribune Business that Shell North America’s bid offered to “significantly cut the cost of energy” for Bahamian businesses and households,

SEE BUSINESS The MinisterSECTION also

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

MORE than 200 officers across three law enforcement agencies conducted an overnight prison raid and recovered more than a dozen cell phones, deadly shanks and suspected marijuana.

While no arrests have been made, Assistant SEE PAGE THREE

SHOOTING VICTIM DIES OF INJURIES

A MAN is dead following a shooting incident on Acklins Street yesterday morning. This marks the third murder in three days in the capital.

According to police, the incident occurred shortly before 11am. The victim was standing in front of a building on Acklins Street SEE PAGE FIVE

SEE PAGE SIX

although neither he nor BPL provided any figures.

Shell will now seek to meet New Providence’s long-term energy needs by constructing a liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelled power plant at Clifton by 2021. In the interim, Mr Bannister said BPL would seek to manage shortterm generation costs by obtaining a “significantly reduced” price from Aggreko, supplied of 80 Meg Watts (MW) in shortterm generation.

200 OFFICERS IN FOX HILL CELLBLOCK SHAKEDOWN

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

FERNANDER: STOP OBAN IF IMPACT STUDY’S BAD

BANNISTER PROMISES – ‘WE’LL BE BEST ON BILLS’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

L SOUR CE

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Christian Council President Delton Fernander is concerned about the human impact of the proposed Oban Energies project on Grand Bahama and the government’s plans to tear down sub standard shanty town houses, he told the Tribune

JAMAL ‘Marly’ Wilson won the first medal for the Bahamas at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia yesterday – clinching silver in the men’s high jump.

SEE Sport on page 11.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

STRAW VENDORS PROTEST RENTS OFFENSIVE

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

DOZENS of Straw Market vendors demonstrated in Rawson Square yesterday, incensed over recent closures of hundreds of stalls for rent arrears they feel are symptomatic of predatory and oppressive regulatory oversight.

Vendors of the Straw Business Person’s Society (SBPS) marched to

WWW.BURGERKING.BS

STRAW vendors protesting in Rawson Square yesterday.

PHOTO: Terrel W. Carey the square in a bid to raise the profile of longstanding issues afflicting Straw

Market businesses, chief among them said to be the lack of ownership, respect or job security despite intergenerational service at the forefront of the tourism industry in a bleak economy.

According to vendors, more than 200 stalls have been shuttered for overdue rent in recent weeks.

The Tribune was unable to obtain a response from the Straw Market Authority up SEE PAGE SEVEN

/BURGERKINGNASSAU

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

THERE’S STILL HIDDEN GEMS OUT EAST

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Thursday, April 12, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

PRIME MINISTER HEADS TO PERU FOR SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis leaves the country today to participate in the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru.

He will also attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London, England.In the House of

Assembly yesterday, Dr Minnis announced the trip saying he would use the opportunity to promote the Bahamas as an investment and business destination.

At the Summit of the Americas, the prime minister will address two separate events - the plenary session and the Third CEO Summit of the Americas – where he is expected to focus on the steps taken

by his administration to address matters related to corruption.

“Tomorrow (today) I will lead a delegation to participate in the Summit of the America’s in Lima, Peru,” Dr Minnis said.

“The core theme of the Summit of the Americas is ‘Democratic governance against corruption.’ The summit aims to foster dialogue on ways to combat

corruption.”

He also said: “During the summit, as a member of the CARICOM heads, I will participate in meetings with the governmental leaders of the United States of America and Canada two of our leading economic and political partners in the region.

“We will discuss political and economic matters of importance to CARICOM and the hemisphere.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, April 12, 2018, PAGE 3

200 OFFICERS IN FOX HILL CELLBLOCK SHAKEDOWN FROM PAGE ONE Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander yesterday said officers found to be engaged in corrupt or unlawful practices will be fully prosecuted, and forecast the strengthening of vetting services across all law enforcement agencies.

The joint task force, inclusive of officers from the prison, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, and three police units: uniformed officers, drug enforcement, and the Flying Squad, conducted a full sweep of the Fox Hill compound in an operation code named SIP (suppressing incarcerated prisoners) that lasted from 10pm on Tuesday until 6am yesterday morning.

Videos The raid was spurred by law enforcement intel and the incidence of several videos going viral last week purporting to show inmates at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. In the short clips, men could be seen making gang references, smoking marijuana and playing music from a portable speaker.

“We went from cell to cell,” ACP Fernander said, “and we spent some quality time conducting searches in those cells. As a result of our search we recovered a total of 19 cell phones, 11 cell phone chargers and 42 homemade shanks. These are very dangerous shanks capable of causing serious injuries or death, along with a large quantity of suspected marijuana.

“The marijuana, drugs were already packaged as if it’s for sale already. We were able to recover those

PICTURED are some of the items seized in the raid. items from the various cells and I must say the inmates there were so creative in hiding those items,” he said.

“We had to really spend quality time searching each cell with the assistance of our K-9 Unit as well who were able to sniff out some of the drugs that were hidden in areas in the cells.”

The raid was the first full search for the year, according to Deputy Commissioner of Corrections Bernadette ThompsonMurray, who said a search was conducted of one housing unit on Tuesday.

She explained that the items were likely brought onto the compound due to corruption, and acknowledged the possibility of a network of officers.

“Upon being employed, things happen, a lot of officers live in the neighbourhoods of these inmates and if not strong enough then you will fall prey,” she said.

Inmates utilised ingenious methods to subvert prison rules, ACP Fernander said, pointing to cellphones hidden in books with pages dug out, and the usage of wires from light fixtures in the ceiling to

charge the phones.

He said the operation will be the first of many collaborations as law enforcement agencies work to re-strategise efforts to meet national security goals.

ACP Fernander continued: “You can’t be incarcerated and be able to be in touch with the world at your pleasure, at your will, that’s a no-no.

As a result of this operation we will go away and re-strategise how we will

move forward to ensure we disrupt that type of operation that is going on in the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

“Once we identify those officers who are corrupt or in bad practices, we will deal with them and put it before the court. We have a lot of work to do with respect to the items retrieved…a lot of inquiries to make. We will be interviewing those persons who were found with the items.”

LAWYER INSISTS CLIENT DID NOT KILL OR ROB DEADMAN’S CAY COUPLE

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

IN A lengthy opening address in the Supreme Court on Wednesday, a lawyer for one of three men accused of double murder insisted his client did not kill or rob the Deadman’s Reef couple found brutally murdered at their Grand Bahama residence in September 2015.

Attorney Geoffrey Farquharson, who represents Paul Belizaire, claimed the prosecution’s case is built on evidence by two dishonest “rats” who accepted a plea deal. He said no evidence was presented in court that his client committed any of the offences he was charged with, along with four others.

Murders Belizaire and two other men, Devaughn Hall and Kevin Dames, are on trial for the murders of Barry and Sheena Johnson who were discovered shot to death on September 12, 2015. The couple’s GMC truck and a set of keys were also stolen.

The trio is charged with being concerned together and are facing two counts of murder and one count of armed robbery. Two codefendants Alan Alcime and Virgil Hall took a plea deal offered them and pleaded guilty to armed robbery.

The murder charges were subsequently withdrawn against the two men who are serving time in prison.

Mr Farquharson told jurors the armed robbery

there was no evidence of him stealing the truck,” Mr Farquharson said.

The lawyer further suggested the couple were not robbed of their truck and keys because they had already been shot.

Charges

BARRY and Sheena Johnson were murdered in 2015. charge had not been proven by the prosecution, and claimed the evidence by the Crown’s witnesses was that they had gone to steal money and drugs.

There was never any agreement he said between his client with anyone to steal a truck or set of keys, or to murder anyone.

‘No money or drugs were found in the truck or house, and so that agreement had come to an end,” he explained.

He said the prosecution would have to prove there was an agreement between his client and others to use deadly force to the steal the truck and the keys.

Mr Farquharson claims there was no such evidence presented by the prosecution in court. However, he suggested there was evidence the Crown’s witnesses – Alcime and Hall – had committed armed robbery because they had taken the keys and the truck. He said Virgil Hall

searched the house and Alcime searched the truck for the money and drugs.

After none was found, the lawyer said shots were fired by someone and everyone scattered.

Alcime hopped in the truck, and the others followed, he said.

He said Belizaire did not want to get left behind.

“He (Belizaire) jumped in the truck to not get left at the scene where persons had been shot. He was a passenger in the truck, and

About the murder charges, Mr Farquharson pointed out one of the four masked suspects the prosecution believed was his client was seen on a video surveillance footage trying to prevent the shooting.

“No matter how you feel or what you heard, he deserves the best justice you can provide to him,” Mr Farquharson said in his address to jurors.

Jethlyn Burrows represents Devaughn Hall and Carlson Shurland represents Kevin Dames. Neil Brathwaite and Erica Kemp of the Office of the Attorney General are the prosecutors. Justice Estelle Gray Evans is the presiding judge.

The trial resumes today with opening addresses from lawyers for the other accused men.

PAGE 4, Thursday, April 12, 2018

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,

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

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-

Published daily Monday to Friday

Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES

News & General Information Advertising Manager Circulation Department Nassau fax Freeport, Grand Bahama Freeport fax

(242) 322-1986 (242) 502-2394 (242) 502-2386 (242) 328-2398 (242)-352-6608 (242) 352-9348

WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK www.tribune242.com

@tribune242

tribune news network

The patient must come first WHERE to begin? That is the question. The only answer to the under financed, under staffed, poorly equipped Princess Margaret Hospital would be to demolish it — right down to its foundations and start all over again.

But how to finance the redevelopment? That’s when Bahamians will have to get out of their comfort zone; think outside the box and pray for extra generous benefactors and international partners who will be vital in helping to bring our facilities up to world class standards.

Seriously, the Princess Margaret Hospital and government’s other medical services have been so unconscionably neglected after five years of PLP mismanagement that when Minister Sands inherited the herculean task — the hospital roof hadn’t been repaired from Hurricane Joaquin; staff contracts were increased despite already consuming more than 3/4 of the PHA’s budget; insufficient funds for medicines, vaccines and surgical supplies, not to mention neglected maintenance programmes, vital to keep the hospital’s equipment in running order. In some sections of the hospital — from the laundry department up — a machine will break down and remain to gather dust for years, with, in some cases, no one seemingly reporting to the person in charge that it needs attention. This situation suggests that there is no accountability nor is there any daily inspection by the head of that department to make certain that all equipment is in good working order. The result? A machine that could have been repaired, now has to be replaced, because of a department head’s failure to be aware of a problem.

Having been around machinery all of our lives, we know that only a fool would purchase an expensive and complicated piece of equipment without making certain that a service agreement had been secured. This equipment needs almost daily inspection by whomever is in charge of the department in which it is located. Not to do so would be negligence by the head of the department.

It was reported that from 2014 the PHA inherited new responsibilities to manage MInistry of Health’s family island clinic upgrades without receiving funding from the Ministry of Finance to cover them, although the mobilization funds — more than $11 million — were approved by

Cabinet. Among these extra burdens were more staff for the new critical care block, physicians internship programme, and a lump sum payment for each of three industrial agreements.

According to Minister Sands, since May last year the Public Hospital’s Authority (PHA) had received no capital funding for five years, which significantly affected the quality and timely delivery of service. It was also said that because of inadequate funding for its preventative maintenance programme, the Authority was unable to repair and maintain critical equipment for the ICU, A & F and Operating Theatres in a timely manner. As a result, patients were either unable to receive care or often had to be referred to the private sector at extra cost– significantly higher than PHA. It is reported that the nurses’ antiquated shift system – four days on and four days off –which is not in line with current international hospital rotations — is not only creating a staffing problem, but also a financial problem. There is a nursing shortage in the critical care area, accident and emergency, and the neonatal baby care unit, where a baby requires one on one care.

The Bahamas Nurses Union was threatening industrial action in a dispute with the PHA over non-unionised foreign nurses, who are willing to work the international 12-hour shifts.

What a nurse must understand — if in fact she is a true nurse – the patient’s needs come first. If they want to stay with their shift system, then the hospital should be free to recruit as many foreign nurses as are needed to take care of suffering Bahamian patients.

We agree with Health Minister Dr Duane Sands who told a group of doctors: “All Bahamians and particularly people who can least afford it are entitled to good care. While my responsibility is for every single person in this country who requires medical attention, I am particularly concerned about those people who have limited options and I want to make sure that person, the uninsured whose only option is the public sector gets healthcare in an environment that is dignified, clean and safe and they are cared for no differently than the very wealthy in this country.

“That’s where we need to take healthcare in this country,” he concluded.

The Tribune agrees.

Why should politicians be invited to speak?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

CHURCH of God Convention - appearance for Prime Minister in the pulpit - I have to ask as I have when Sir Lynden and certainly Perry Christie accepted the invite of this church to address their convention - why should politicians be invited to speak?

Surely the Convention can fill their pews and doesn’t need a Prime Minister to attend to fill the pews?

Best advice to all politicians stay the hell out of pulpits - Revs, lock your pulpits.

Inagua Magistrate Court

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net and Deportation Orders well, well Attorney Fred Smith praises Government but is soft on the issue did the migrants have legal representation and representation that spoke creole? Migrants have rights, even if they landed illegally. Writers to The Tribune have suggested this approach for years - deaf ears.

Who can authorise this?

Only the AG so any claim by the PM to take credit is unfounded. Even if he was

acting Minister of Immigration Magistrate Courts fall under the. AG - Refer the Constitution as to powers and appointment of Tourism Revenue - Baha Mar will bring in probably 300,000 visitors - at a spend of say $2,000.00, minimum that if $600,000,00.00 gross - Government taxes are What? Minister your request is I suggest easily achievable.

Whatever happened to the Izmirlian Court challenge in New York? Has it stopped? Where is it?

W THOMPSON Nassau, March 17, 2018.

Forget the potential environmental issues Not what the tourist with the Oban deal brochures promised EDITOR, The Tribune.

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I ATTEMPTED to drop some Canadian friends off at the eastern access point to Cabbage Beach on the weekend.

Unfortunately, it was still closed for repairs to the stairs so I took them to the access path near the hotels.

They were very disappointed.

They had visited that section of the beach previously. There was a lot of litter in the bush along the pathway. They were harassed by vendors on the beach.

“The thing is, after we politely declined to buy anything, they wouldn’t leave us alone.

“They kept pressing us to buy something,” one of my friends explained.

They were also surprised to see a policeman on the beach.

Was there a safety issue?

Their hearts were set on a quiet stretch of sandy white beach kissed by the extraordinary blues of the

Bahamian sea.

It was not what the tourist brochures promised.

ATHENA DAMIANOS Nassau, April 9, 2018.

DARE WE HOPE FOR BETTER? EDITOR, The Tribune.

Re: Friday 6 April 2018 Editorial page.

For the FNM Party faithful, reading your Editorial and The Graduate’s companion letter, it would have been like hapless parents, reading their Grade D – average child’s end of year report card.

Sad indeed, when so much was expected and anticipated, this time last year. Do we dare to hope for better to come ?

MONKEEDOO Nassau, April 7, 2018

THE Bahamas National Trust has come out strongly against the Oban Energies deal the Government has signed citing potential environmental damage to the nearby National Parks.

Their concerns are reasonable and coming from the country’s most important environmental group add weight to the controversy surrounding this arrangement.

But the main reason to reject the deal is more fundamental than potential environmental fall out. The Rule Of Law comes to mind.

Signing someone else’s name to a document as reported, otherwise known as forgery, is sufficient evidence to reject the deal in and of itself.

After all the confusion the Government now claims the signature was not that of the person signing, therefore a forgery on a “ceremonial document”. Therefore, the signature also remains forgery in that case.

Not to mention all the, shall we say, giveaways and inconsistencies contained in the “official document” tabled in Parliament.

While the country’s economy remains on the ropes with few prospects in sight, desperation to get something done is a real political phenomenon, but one cannot fathom that the Government and its Parliament - the elected body of rule makers

keeping us all in check - could in all conscience allow this charade to continue.

This is not to say some future arrangement cannot be made but this whole sordid affair needs a reset.

Yours in Liberty, RICK LOWE www.weblogbahamas.com Nassau, March 18, 2018.

NO POINTE LABOUR RATIO SURVEY? EDITOR, The Tribune.

Did the director of the Department of Labour really admit a survey hasn’t been carried out on The Pointe’s Bahamian/Chinese labour ratio since pre-May 2017?

Really, Mr. Farquharson?

I would think the Departments of Labour and Immigration would be monitoring the situation on a daily basis.

ASTOUNDED Nassau, April 9, 2018.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, April 12, 2018, PAGE 5

CROWN SEEKS DEATH PENALTY IN EXUMA SHOOTING DEATH CASE

10 HAITIAN MIGRANTS APPREHENDED AFTER VESSEL LANDS ON ELEUTHERA

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE CROWN is seeking the death penalty for one of two men convicted of the shooting death of a man in his Family Island home during the process of an armed robbery four years ago.

Prosecutor Al-Leecia Delancy submitted to Justice Carolita Bethel yesterday that Giordano Rolle Jr “should be made to suffer death” for murdering Dwayne Finnekan in Exuma in February 2014.

Ms Delancy said his accomplice, Demetri Rolle should receive 25 years for manslaughter, and that both men should each get 25 years for robbing Finnekan at gunpoint on that date.

The prosecutor submitted that while Demetri Rolle didn’t actually shoot the deceased, he played a “significant role” in the incident by being present when it occurred, and also being armed with a shotgun which he used to hold up the only other person who could have assisted the deceased before he was killed.

And concerning the armed robbery charge for which both men were convicted, Ms Delancy noted the “utterly unnecessary,” “senseless” and “heinous” manner in which the offence was executed.

THE Haitian migrants were apprehended on Eleuthera yesterday after this vessel landed on a beach.

TEN Haitian migrants were apprehended during a joint effort with the United States Operations Turks and Caicos, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, police and immigration officers after their vessel landed on Eleuthera yesterday morning.

After RBDF and OPBAT officials received information of a vessel with migrants in the area, a search for the vessel was immediately launched.

The boat was found on a beach in Bannerman Town, Eleuthera.

The 10 migrants were discovered in the bushes and handed over to

immigration officials for further processing. A RBDF patrol craft is patrolling and monitoring the area This is the second group of migrants to be caught in Bahamian waters in less than a week.

On Friday, April 7, 50 migrants were apprehended after a US Coast Guard vessel and a RBDF vessel were deployed to intercept their sloop. The sloop was eventually apprehended by the Coast Guard approximately 60 nautical miles west of Inagua.

They were deported to Haiti immediately by the Coast Guard.

SHANE GIBSON’S CONSTITUTIONAL RELIEF APPLICATION HEARING DELAYED

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE hearing into former Cabinet minister Shane Gibson’s application for constitutional relief was adjourned by more than a month yesterday due to the “medical indisposition” of a key applicant in the matter.

Yesterday was marked for the continuation of Gibson’s application for relief on the basis that a magistrate’s lack of jurisdiction to grant bail according to the Bail Act is unconstitutional.

At the start of yesterday’s proceedings, however, Fred Smith, QC, told Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson that he would be seeking an adjournment in the matter due to self-styled activist Omar Archer Sr suffering a broken leg following an incident with police on the weekend.

The senior attorney did not specify the circumstances surrounding how Archer sustained his injury, but said Archer’s right leg —which he previously injured in another incident – is broken in two places.

And due to the injury, he previously sustained on the same leg, Mr Smith said the present injuries are much more complicated.

Mr Smith said Archer is currently wearing a temporary cast and is due to see an orthopaedic surgeon today.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Garvin Gaskins, representing the Crown in the matter along with Destiny McKinney, did not object to Mr Smith’s request for an adjournment.

Justice Grant-Thompson consequently adjourned the matter to June 20.

On August 3, Gibson was arraigned in a Magistrate’s Court on 36 bribery and extortion related charges: one count of misconduct in public office, 16 counts of bribery, two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery, two counts of conspiracy to commit extortion and 15 counts of extortion – all of these concerned with Jonathan Ash. The number of bribery and extortion related charges were later decreased to 31, though the amount he is alleged to have solicited from Mr Ash remained the same.

Then just recently, the Crown announced its decision to drop all of the extortion charges against the former Golden Gates MP, with the DPP stating at the time that the decision was

FORMER Minister of Labour Shane Gibson. for the Crown to devote a “singular and simplified focus” on Gibson’s bribery charges.

About an hour after his initial arraignment, Justice Grant-Thompson granted Gibson $40,000 bail with two sureties and on the condition he does not reoffend and attends his trial.

She did not impose any travel restrictions on Gibson, and neither was he required to surrender his travel documents or check into any police station.

Shortly after Gibson was granted bail, however, his attorney, Wayne Munroe, QC, shared his intention to reporters to challenge the constitutionality of Section 4 3A of the Bail Act which removes the jurisdiction of magistrates to grant bail in those circumstances.

In September 2017, during a mention hearing before Justice Grant-Thompson in connection with Gibson’s bribery and extortion related charges, Mr Munroe sought to add several people to his client’s initial notice of motion for constitutional relief.

Those people, Mr Munroe said at the time, would have

been remanded for different periods of time and would not have had the luxury of having such an application filed on their behalf like Gibson.

Nonetheless, Mr Munroe said at the time that should the application prove successful, it could result in a “substantial liability of the state” that could potentially cause the government to pay “millions of dollars” in damages to those persons affected.

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

Mr Smith, who also represents attorney Maria Daxon, has filed affidavits in connection with Gibson’s constitutional relief application.

Mr Munroe told The Tribune previously that he and Mr Smith have agreed that their respective matters should be heard together, given they cover the same material.

Summer of 2016’s amendment to the Bail Act made charges of intentional libel, assault, stealing and a number of other previously bailable offences non-bailable in Magistrate’s Court which resulted in an increase in the number of persons being remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services and having to apply for a bond in the Supreme Court.

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

SHOOTING VICTIM DIES OF INJURIES FROM PAGE ONE

“when a silver vehicle pulled up.”

A man armed with a firearm got out of the vehicle and shot the victim. The gunman then got back into the vehicle and sped off.

The victim was taken to the hospital where he later died of his wounds. This is the country’s 27th homicide for the year, according to The Tribune’s records.

It comes a day after two murders earlier this week that occurred less than 12 hours apart.

Shortly after 5am Tuesday, police received notice of a shooting off Moore Avenue, which left a man dead.

Hours earlier, around 8pm Monday, police said a man died in hospital after he was shot at nearby Homestead Street.

Police are investigating whether the two earlier murders were connected.

Anyone with information on these or any other crimes are asked to call police at 919 or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS.

Submissions The submissions came during a hearing for counsel to make submissions and/ or recommendations on sentencing for both men concerning the armed robbery and subsequent shooting death of Finnekan on February 18, 2014.

On March 10, 2017, following a trial by jury over the crimes in question, Giordano Rolle was convicted of murder and armed robbery, while Demetri Rolle was convicted of manslaughter and armed robbery.

According to previous reports, on the date in question, Finniken, also known as Dwayne Nixon, was at home with another man when two men armed with firearms entered the residence.

The two convicts, while armed with a handgun and a shotgun, subsequently robbed Finnekan of cash, a gold necklace and a hand chain.

One of the men shot the victim, resulting in his death, before they fled on foot.

The 23 year old was pronounced dead at the scene by the island’s local doctor.

According to Ms Delancey, Finniken was lying face down on the bed when

he was shot in the back. The one person who was in a position to assist him in any way was being held at gunpoint by Demetri Rolle in the front room.

In his record of interview, Demetri Rolle said: “We went there because American sent us there…to take the drugs and money…”

When asked if it was he who shot and killed Finnekan, aka “Yardy,” and not Giordano Rolle or another individual, Demetri Rolle said: “It was Gio, sir, not me.”

Yesterday afternoon, David Cash, attorney for Giordano Rolle, submitted that the crime in question does not fall under the category of “worst of the worst” as mandated by the Privy Council, having regard to all of the circumstances of the case.

Murder Mr Cash further submitted that while the court has the jurisdiction to sentence someone to death, it is “the duty of the court” to make a determination whether or not the murder in question can be considered to be the “worst of the worst,” and if it automatically warrants the death penalty.

In any event, Mr Cash requested the court to consider imposing a 30-year sentence on his client for murder, and 12 years for armed robbery.

Meanwhile, Demetri Rolle’s attorney Sonia Timothy, in providing the mitigating factors on behalf of her client, noted that he does not have any previous convictions for offences of a similar nature.

However, she noted that her client has convictions for causing damage and possession of dangerous drugs.

Ms Timothy also submitted that as noted in the probation report, her client has had continuous employment since leaving high school, serving as a space cleaner, landscaper, construction worker, tree-trimmer, as well as a helper in paving roads.

Ms Timothy also noted that he was employed at the time of his arrest. She also said that since being incarcerated, he has participated in at least one programme.

Ms Timothy thus requested Justice Bethel to consider imposing a 12-year and six-year sentence for her client’s manslaughter and armed robbery convictions, respectively.

Justice Bethel noted the submissions and adjourned the matter to May 10 for sentencing.

PAGE 6, Thursday, April 12, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

RIGHT DIRECTION?

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.

SEPTEMBER 2017

SOME WRONG 10%

VERY WRONG 12%

VERY RIGHT 25%

NEITHER 31%

SOME RIGHT 23% NOVEMBER 2017

VERY WRONG 19%

SOME WRONG 14%

VERY RIGHT 15%

NEITHER 20%

SHOCK SLUMP IN MINNIS’ SUPPORT FROM PAGE ONE 1,000 Bahamians. It comes as the administration prepares to mark its one year anniversary on May 10.

Respondents were asked: “How satisfied are you with the current government?”

To this question, 12 per cent of respondents said they are very satisfied with the Minnis administration; 35 per cent said they are somewhat satisfied; 16 per cent said they are very dissatisfied with the administration and 17 per cent said they are somewhat dissatisfied in the administration.

Twenty-one per cent of respondents did not know or answer the question.

By contrast, in a November 2017 survey by Public Domain, 14 per cent were very satisfied with the administration, 42 per cent were somewhat satisfied, 13 per cent were very dissatisfied, 15 per cent were somewhat dissatisfied and 16 per cent did not know or answer the question.

In the group’s May poll, 65 percent of respondents were generally satisfied in the government and only five percent at the time were generally not satisfied.

The FNM won the 2017 general election with 57 percent of the vote.

Joey Gaskins, an adjunct lecturer of sociology at the University of the Bahamas and a senior

communications and policy strategist for Public Domain, said the numbers highlight “slippage in support” for the government.

He noted in a press

“If we use these numbers to form the basis of a strategy to turn public opinion around, I would suggest the government has to differentiate itself from the last administration––it shouldn’t look like more of the same.

The government needs to be seen taking bold, visionary steps to change the direction of the country.”

Joey Gaskins, senior communications and policy strategist for Public Domain release: “I don’t believe the slippage is permanent and there is still time to recover.

But, one thing our polling over the last seven years has taught us is that once

the Bahamian people form negative attitudes toward an administration they stop listening, and once they stop listening, it is very difficult to regain their support.”

Respondents were also asked: “Would you say that the country is moving in the right or wrong direction?”

Since the May election, the number of respondents who believe the country is generally going in the right direction has dropped from 67 per cent that month to 40 per cent this month while the number of respondents who believe the country is generally going in the wrong direction has increased from 21 per cent to 39 per cent.

Direction Specifically, 21 per cent of respondents believe the country is going in the “very wrong” direction, 18 per cent believe it is going “somewhat” in the wrong direction; 12 per cent believe it is going in the “very right” direction and 28 per cent believe it is going in the “somewhat right” direction.

In recent weeks, the Minnis administration has emphasised that the economy is improving in defence of itself to Bahamians.

Asked why respondents seem to increasingly believe that the country is headed in the wrong direction despite this, Mr Gaskins said: “I think this is a communications question. What’s the central narrative of the government’s economic development work? How has this narrative been communicated to the Bahamian people? “How has the government actively engaged everyday Bahamians in this work?”

He added: “When we polled after the election,

SOME RIGHT 33% APRIL 2018 VERY WRONG 21%

SOME WRONG 18%

VERY RIGHT 12%

NEITHER 21% SOME RIGHT 28%

TRENDS 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 May 2017 RIGHT DIRECTION

September WRONG DIRECTION

November SATISFIED

April 2018 NOT SATISFIED

STATISTICS FROM PUBLIC DOMAIN

54 per cent of people said they voted for the FNM because after years of corruption and incompetence, it was time to throw out the PLP, not because the FNM had the best plan or the best team. In that same poll respondents answered at a rate of 44 per cent to 39 per cent that they were optimistic that the FNM would make the changes we need to turn around the Bahamas, and that they hoped the government would engage them directly in developing policies that

will improve the country.

Finally, people’s number one priority was the economy after the election. If we use these numbers to form the basis of a strategy to turn public opinion around, I would suggest the government has to differentiate itself from the last administration––it shouldn’t look like more of the same. The government needs to be seen taking bold, visionary steps to change the direction of the country.”

While scientific polls about political attitudes of Bahamians have been rare over the years, this is at least the third such poll Public Domain has conducted in the last year, having done polls in May 2017 and November 2017 as well. The company says its research is supported by an 18-seat computer assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) call centre.

The poll’s sample size of 1,000 is significant for the Bahamas, Mr Gaskins

said, adding: “If you look at FiveThirtyEight’s tracking of American’s opinions on Donald Trump you will see that the list of polls they are tracking use a sample size of about 800 to 1,500.

That’s for the entire US. A random sampling of 1,000 is great for a population like ours.”

FiveThirtyEight is a website focusing on opinion poll analysis, politics, economics, and sports blogging.

Mr Gaskins added: “Public Domain is committed to ensuring its clients and the Bahamas at large are forming opinions and making decisions using as much accurate data as possible.

“Polling, however, is not a free endeavour.

“We hope that eventually, like in the US, we can partner with the government, media and news organisations to generate polling information and keep the Bahamian public informed.”

IN THE TRIBUNE EVERY MONDAY

INSIGHT

FOR THE STORIES THAT MATTER

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, April 12, 2018, PAGE 7

STRAW VENDORS

PROTEST RENTS OFFENSIVE FROM PAGE ONE to press time.

SBPS President Rev Esther Thompson said: “They sent down a notice communication February 23 telling the vendors those who are on agreement (they) have to bring their account current, and anyone who is not on agreement to bring it below $200, short of that licence will be revoked until further notice.

“The stalls are closed, in the October exercise, 127 stalls were closed, in this session of the 223 that were affected, they closed 51. This Sunday they closed another 25. I understand they are going to look at accounts weekly – anyone that misses a payment, their stalls would automatically be closed.”

Rent for the stalls is $37.50 per week.

Rev Thompson said vendors have asked for all stalls to be returned and to be granted a year waiver for rent in a bid to allow vendors to bring their licences and National Insurance Board payments current.

Relief “Give them some relief,” she said. “I was told if the vendors can’t pay their rent, they will have to leave because they have a whole list of people waiting to get in. I think they have interests in the stalls and have persons they want to give it to, and they are using the arrears as weapons.”

One angry vendor said: “We got bills at home, people light off, people water off, people have children what on the road have to beg and that’s bad.

“We have the people in the high places who eating lavishly and throwing out the food and people hungry.

People is be hungry, can’t even find nothing for their children to eat and you closing down stalls?”

Another vendor said: “We are tourism ambassadors.

STRAW vendors protest at Rawson Square yesterday. Photos: Terrel W Carey/Tribune staff We are one of the first set of people that the tourist sees, we are the forefront and they have us under Ministry of Works.

“We do not dig road or pave road or nothing, why do they have us under Ministry of Works? We are tourism, we are a tourism product, they throw us in the back of the bush like we are second class citizens. We need to go back under tourism so we can be recognised as ambassadors.”

The vendors hoped to get the attention of parliamentarians attending House of Assembly, but did not make contact with Minister of Works Desmond Bannister, who has oversight of the Straw Market Authority in his portfolio.

Yesterday, Mr Bannister

told The Tribune officials have been lenient with straw vendors in the past. Mr Bannister said he assured vendors during a recent meeting that lighting issues were being addressed, which he noted was an issue that has impacted the Bay Street market for several years.

“When we came into office we met large numbers of vendors who had not paid their rent for years,” Mr Bannister said.

“The receivables were staggering despite the fact that the rent is only $37.50 per week. The board has been very lenient with vendors who were in arrears, and the vast majority of them have complied with requests to make financial arrangements with respect thereto.

It is noteworthy to observe

FERNANDER: STOP OBAN IF IMPACT STUDY’S BAD earlier this year.

On March 5, Works Minisyesterday. ter Desmond Bannister said the Bishop Fernander spoke to The government is working fully to Tribune on the sidelines of a press “eradicate” shanty towns, focusconference for the upcoming CEO ing on clean up and removal as Network Bahamas Conference, opposed to regulating these areas. which will be held April 25-28.

Labour Minister Dion Foulkes, When asked his perspective head of a government shanty on the controversial Oban deal, town committee, has said a census Bishop Fernander referenced the of people living in the 11 shanty many “missteps” the controversial towns across New Providence will take place before any demolition. project has had in recent months.

On Tuesday, Mr Foulkes added The latest chapter in the saga BAHAMAS Christian any structures in these areas that has been the disappearance of a Council President do not adhere to building codes file from the Bahamas Environ- Delton Fernander. will be “demolished”. ment Science Technology (BEST) He also promised the matter Commission.

On Tuesday, Press Secretary Anthony would be carried out sensitively and Newbold admitted the file “contains infor- humanely.

Bishop Fernander acknowledged Mr mation about Oban and the deal”.

However, he refused to explain the sig- Foulkes has been very “proactive” in hannificance of the missing file and would not dling the situation. He also added that Mr say if it contained proprietary information Foulkes has met with the council in the past.

However, Bishop Fernander also referor trade secrets. Police are looking into the enced Mr Foulkes’ recent decision to meet matter. with individual churches, saying he doesn’t When asked if the Christian Council is support that move “all the time”. pleased with the way the Oban deal has On Tuesday Mr Foulkes told the Tribbeen handled so far, Bishop Fernander une: “We have met with the Haitian Pastors declined to speak on behalf of the council League, some 16 of them. without first presenting the matter to them.

“We have met with Rights Bahamas, However, he said: “I think all of us can which is Joe Darville and Fred Smith (QC). conclude that (there’s) been some missteps, We have met with the Anglican church, the and we pray that with the public scrutiny, it Catholic church, the Seventh-Day Adventgets better.” ist church.”

Giving his personal opinion, Bishop FerMr Foulkes added that today there will be nander said: “First of all we want to figure a second meeting with 20 Haitian pastors. out what effect or footprint will this have on When asked if the council will be involved our air quality, maybe our water quality. in the process, Bishop Fernander said: “I “As you know I’m an engineer, (and) don’t know, you’ll have to ask the minister. I that’s done through studies and tests. And know that he has taken the approach to talk any business coming into our country to individual churches. “[Tuesday] in your report he would have should not, for the sake of making a profit, named the churches. I don’t support that destroy the environment they met.

“I’ve seen the most recent report that the all the time, but if it is that he is saying he doesn’t need the council in general but he file is missing on the impact study.

“As all Bahamians, we’re concerned meets those churches, that’s fine.

“I don’t support sometimes just going about the impact on human beings. We’re concerned about what we’ve been through to individual churches because you get a as a nation in Grand Bahama, with the better information when you have all of the air quality that has been making people churches involved. But…I can’t fault them for that [approach].” nauseous.

In terms of any decisions made surround“And we’ve mitigated that I think, and now we’re going into another deal that ing the shanty towns, Bishop Fernander said: “We just ask that they be true to their could have that kind of effect.” word and (it would) be done humanely.”

When asked if he thinks the project Bishop Fernander also said that he “obvishould be abandoned, Bishop Fernander ously” has concerns about people being put suggested waiting for the results of the envi- out of their homes. ronmental impact assessment (EIA) first.

He added that the council could act as a “I think first of all what we’re asking as a “social network” in this respect while the nation is make sure that if this deal is going press acts as the “watchdogs” to the process. forward, it doesn’t go forward with a bad “What has been explained to us is that impact study,” he told The Tribune. (the shanty town residents) are going to be “That if the impact study says it’s not migrated into the housing system. good for our environment, it’s not good for “And that’s why the census is imporour country, that we stop it right there.” tant— how many people need housing, Shanty towns what’s their income level, what’s available in The status of shanty towns in the coun- the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, that’s try has been under recent debate following what’s being purported to us.

“And that’s why we need observers.” two fires in The Mud shanty town in Abaco FROM PAGE ONE

that many of the persons who were on Bay Street have not honoured agreements that they signed. We urge them to become current.”

Payment The Tribune heard stories from vendors who claim to have made as much as 70 per cent payment of outstanding balances, only to be further denied or forced to wait up to two days to reopen. Each day stalls remain shuttered result in deepening financial losses, vendors said.

Sheryl Edith Brennen, a 56-year-old second generation vendor, said: “I used to be out there from my mother time, it’s a generational thing.

I went up there, I borry (sic),

beg, and scrap $600 and I take it up to the office and they told me they could not open my stall, and that was more than half of what I owe.

“Then they have people there, what I know, owe thousands of dollars, and they still to they shop.

“It is pure favouritism, bias.

“You get people come there and pay $3,000 and because they still owe $42, they tell them come off the property. What you call that?”

Fifty-one-year old mother of four Brunhilda Thompson said: “I was a straw vendor for all my life, the market is all I know. I have kids to feed, I have rent to pay.”

Rebecca Small, a 55-yearold third generation vendor,

insisted yesterday the critical challenge between vendors, the SMA, and the government, was not over economics but a severe cultural disconnect. She pointed to the lack of success of initiatives mandating “authentic” craft, insisting the current model being forced on vendors was unsustainable and unrealistic.

She also noted the stiff competition on Bay Street from neighbouring commercial storefronts peddling touristic offerings.

Ministers of Finance and Transport, K Peter Turnquest and Frankie Campbell respectively, stopped to speak with vendors yesterday and reportedly advised them that they will work to arrange a meeting to vent concerns.

PAGE 8, Thursday, April 12, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Walkabout not workout uncovers ‘out east’ lost glories

O

N TUESDAY, my personal trainer, a man named Robert Hamilton, and I were walking. It’s what we do when I am too lazy to work out after a gruelling 12-hour day when I could think of at least a dozen things more preferable to push-ups and crunches.

It’s hard not to smile around Hamilton. He has the most wonderful sense of reality and humour along with a knack of just saying whatever comes to his mind, which is never mean and rarely filtered.

So here we were on one our half-power one-hour walks in the Eastern District once again revelling in the beauty of the area, the giant Kamalame trees, the golden bark, the mature landscape that has taken a hundred years to come into its own, cascading bougainvillea in colours so brilliant you almost need sunglasses.

On every walk, we discover something new, but Hamilton gets spooked easily. I once photographed him inside Blackbeard’s Tower and he couldn’t get out of there fast enough in case there were pirates still hanging around who had discovered the secret to living 200 years or more in a dark place.

Anyhow, this week we are in the area south of Camperdown where a few days before we had discovered a whole secret street neither of us had ever seen before where 15-foot tall, once proud metal gates opened on to a narrow paved road with homes nearly hidden by naturally wild and beautiful growth.

We both live in the East and yet this was brand new

BACKYARD view of an abandoned home.

to us. Fascinated by the discovery, we keep walking and week after week, we find something else to marvel at ‘Up East’ as we call it. We pass the horse stables of Camperdown

‘There is a raw beauty about this area that the most sophisticated and finest condominium in the west or south or the island to the north cannot match.’ and the fields where crops once grew. We comment on window design and doors and the positioning of the

structure on the property.

We make up stories about families who live there.

Most homes have dogs in the yard, they bark as we pass but never attack. They must know we are both dog lovers.

So back to this past Tuesday, two days ago. We discover yet another street we had not explored before – all this in the name of exercise, mind you – and the small street of three houses, two on one side, one on the other, that ends in a cul de sac is eerily quiet. I almost think I hear a rush of water as if there is a waterfall in a pond somewhere we can’t see. And then we notice the birds.

More accurately, Hamilton notices the birds.

I’m doing what I often do, waver between thinking how lovely it is and how fast I could escape if some crazy who lived in

one of these older houses we had never seen before suddenly came out shouting and pointing something that looked like a sawn off shotgun at us.

Hamilton, I knew, would high tail it because he is, after all, a trainer, and I would be left to talk my way out of why I was there.

But he noticed the birds and once he pointed them out, they were everywhere, not just way high up like in normal places but low down as if they had no fear just flying around as if they owned the place. “Isn’t it nice that birds can just be…” he hesitated, “birds.”

I laughed so hard I nearly cried. He was so right. We were in a place where birds could just be birds and we were in New Providence. The eastern area of this island will come back because of that. I am convinced.

There is a raw beauty about this area that the most sophisticated and finest condominium in the west or south or the island to the north cannot match simply because these older homes of the East were like fine wine, allowed to age without a whole lot of interference. Many of

the rich left the East, leaving these places behind.

Because they were not for the most part now in the hands of the super wealthy, they were not torn down and replaced with mini McMansions or replicas of real mansions. They are estates in their own right with large properties and perhaps aging inhabitants or younger couples who plan to renovate one step at a time.

Some of the streets are surprisingly wide and well paved. There are natural rock walls and a bit of elevation. No two houses look alike though there are many you can’t fully see because they are set back behind the bush but it is a pretty good bet that individuality reigns.

If it were only about character, that would be enough for me. Actually, getting out of push-ups and crunches is enough, but there is more than character that lives in this older district of New Providence where some of the earliest residents settled. There is relative security from natural disasters.

We probably do not stop to think about it, but natural disasters are the single

most costly expense The Bahamas endures. Between 1980 and 2010, according to one source, natural disasters cost The Bahamas $2.5 billion. And it is only going to get worse. Estimates place future costs at $.5 billion a year over the next 10 years.

We have been listed as among the first to be impacted by sea level rise and one study places us number one out of 84 countries, predicting that as much as 80 percent of our land could be underwater. The US spent $306 billion in recovery efforts from natural disasters last year. There are islands in the Caribbean that suffered more damage from a single hurricane than their entire annual GDP. Thank you for your words, Hamilton, about birds just being, well, birds.

Maybe it happens on a quiet street in western New Providence, too, maybe along the old properties of Prospect Ridge and Sandford Drive, but give me the East, traffic and all, and the beauty of a place where around every corner there is a new gem to discover, even if it is very old and needs a bit of care.

Ben Carson to keynote CEO conference at the Melia

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net BEN Carson, the United States’ secretary of housing and urban development, will be the international keynote speaker at the 2018 CEO Network Global Empowerment Conference to be held April 25-28 at the Melia Resort Ballroom, Cable Beach.

The theme of this year’s event is “Restoring and Strengthening the Pillars of Our Nation Toward Economic Emancipation.”

According to CEO Network President Dr Debbie Bartlett, the conference is designed to “promote a strengthened

work ethic, raise levels of productivity and serve as a networking platform for

US Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson. economic empowerment”.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis will also speak at the event. Dr Carson’s attendance will mark the first time a sitting US

Cabinet minister will visit The Bahamas during this administration.

Other global leaders from The Bahamas, US, Africa, and the Caribbean also will be present.

A press conference was held yesterday at the Melia ahead of the event.

Yesterday’s speakers included Bahamas Christian Council president Bishop Delton Fernander, pastor Cleopatra Williams, pastor Horace Sheffield, Vincent McDonald, and reverend Patrick Paul.

Different packages are available for conference registration.

For more information see www.ceonetworkbahamas.com/.

TRUMP WARNS RUSSIA: “GET READY” FOR ATTACK ON SYRIA WASHINGTON Associated Press

PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Wednesday warned Russia to “get ready” for a missile attack on its ally Syria, suggesting imminent retaliation for last weekend’s suspected chemical weapons attack.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis took a more measured tone, saying the US and its military coalition partners were still studying intelligence on the attack.

At stake is the potential for confrontation, if not outright conflict, between the US and Russia, former Cold War foes whose relations have deteriorated in recent years over Moscow’s intervention in Ukraine, its interference in the 2016 US presidential election and, most recently, its support for Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Russian lawmakers have warned the United States that Moscow would view an airstrike on Syria as a war crime and that it could trigger a direct US - Russian

military clash. Russia’s ambassador to Lebanon said any missiles fired at Syria would be shot down and the launching sites targeted — a stark warning of a potential major confrontation.

Trump, who has often said a commander in chief should never telegraph his military intentions, apparently did so himself, tweeting that missiles “will be coming” in response to the suspected chemical attack that killed at least 40 people near Damascus.

“Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria,” Trump wrote. “Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!” You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!”

Defense Secretary Mattis, however, indicated that evidence of what happened was still being studied. At a photo-taking session during a Pentagon meeting with his Dutch counterpart, Mattis

was asked by a reporter whether he had seen enough evidence to blame the Syrian government.

“We’re still assessing the intelligence, ourselves and our allies,” Mattis said.

“We’re still working on this.”

Trump suggested Monday he had little doubt that Syria was to blame, but neither he nor other administration officials have produced hard evidence.

This is in contrast to an incident one year ago in which the US government had video and other evidence of certain aspects of an actual attack by Syrian aircraft, which involved the use of sarin gas. Trump responded then by launching dozens of Navy cruise missiles at a Syrian airfield.

Asked whether the US military was ready to conduct an attack in Syria if ordered, Mattis replied, “We stand ready to provide military options if they’re appropriate, as the president determined.”

Mattis was to meet with Trump later Wednesday.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, April 12, 2018, PAGE 9

DAVIS: PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE WILL INVESTIGATE ‘$1BN SPENT BY GOVERNMENT’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

OPPOSITION Leader Philip “Brave” Davis announced yesterday the Public Accounts Committee will investigate the fact that the government has reportedly spent more than $1 billion in the first six months of the 2017-2018 fiscal year and is also summoning representatives of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education to explain why they either refuse to comply with the committee’s requests for information or have ignored them.

Mr Davis said the committee requested information from the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank on the country’s deficit figures. He said while the Central Bank responded, the Ministry of Finance claimed the committee lacks jurisdiction to review the matter.

“The Finance Ministry will be summoned to the committee on its resumed date for hearing April

24 to clarify its position,” he said in a press statement yesterday.

Likewise, he said the committee asked representatives of the Ministry of Education “to come and explain the contract for the building repairs to the Stephen Dillet Primary School.

Summons The Education Ministry ignored the committee’s request.

A summons has been issued for the ministry.

“Finally, the committee is to open an investigation into the fact that the government reportedly spent (more than $1bn) in the first six months of the fiscal year 2017 to 2018. This is some $500 million more than the period the same time in fiscal (year) 2016-2017,” Mr Davis said.

Contractual matters related to the Stephen Dillet Primary School became controversial last year when Works Minister Desmond Bannister revealed the contract to renovate the school was not

awarded in accordance with best practices.

A row of words subsequently erupted over which administration allowed the project to begin.

Education Minister Jeff Lloyd said the first time he was made aware of the PAC’s request for information was when he was contacted by this newspaper yesterday.

He said his ministry will comply with the PAC’s requests.

“The PAC is a statutorily established committee, the most powerful in the House of Assembly,” Mr Lloyd said. “By law they are authorised to investigate any organisation or entity that is the recipient of funds from the people of this country. Whomever they want to speak to in this ministry they are welcome to do so at anytime.

“This is a government of openness, accountability and transparency. Anything ever conducted in this ministry is open for scrutiny by the representatives of the people and that is the PAC. We have nothing to hide. It

TURNQUEST: DAVIS MAKING ’UNFOUNDED’ ALLEGATIONS

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Minister Peter Turnquest yesterday accused Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis of calling into question the integrity and reputations of key institutions in the country by making what he called “unfounded” and “unfortunate political” allegations.

In a statement released Sunday, Mr Davis asserted that not only has Mr Turnquest “failed” as finance minister but that he does not understand the sophisticated world of public finance.

He went on to accuse the minister attempting to change the way the Central Bank reports its macro-economic information; the way the Department of Statistics calculates its data and the way in which the Ministry of Finance accounts for its disbursements and receipts, saying all this was done in the name of politics.

However in the House of Assembly yesterday, Mr Turnquest hit back at the Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP saying his assertions were “ill informed.” He said this

was reason enough for Mr Davis to offer an apology to the named institutions he sought to “besmirch.”

Regarding the Department of Statistics, the East Grand Bahama MP said: “The public comments regarding the Department of Statistics are equally false and damaging.

“The government has demonstrated its commitment to the autonomy of the Department of Statistics through its plans to enact a new Statistical Act. “This will establish the Department of Statistics as the lead institution and coordinating agency for all units that produce statistics in the Bahamas under the framework of the National Strategy for Statistical Development, providing the department with more resources and even more autonomy.

“As of today’s date, there have been no changes in the method of accounting for government receipts and disbursements.

“The numbers reported at the June 2017 budget debate as well as the mid-term performance statement, were reported on a basis consistent with prior years,” Mr Turnquest said of the government’s accounting

system.

“The Ministry of Finance will however make significant improvements in the accounting and reporting of public sector finances by moving away from a cashbased accounting system to an accrual based account system.

“This move is long overdue and is widely supported in the public and private sector, including by the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA). All such changes will be done transparently and have been previously foreshadowed by the prime minister.”

The comments led a seated opposition MP to loudly criticise Mr Turnquest, saying his summation of the economy last year led to the Bahamas nearly being downgraded by a credit rating agency.

To this he responded: “If you can corrode the confidence that individuals have in these institutions forget the Ministry of Finance and the professionals there that you have also sought to insult, but those two institutions (Department of Statistics and the Central Bank) are hallmarks that underpin the data that we

OPPOSITION Leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis. doesn’t matter who it is, what it is, the scope of their investigation, please come on by. No sweat, no problem.

“It is with great respect and admiration that our democracy works in the matter in which

it does because it shows this is what the framers of the constitution envisioned, that there would be accountability for the public’s hard earned money. Compliance is the morally and constitutionally appropriate thing to do.”

DEPUTY Prime Minister Peter Turnquest.

present.”

In concluding his communication to Parliament, Mr Turnquest said politicians must find a way to elevate the debate around the delicate fiscal state of

the country, much of which he said was attributed to the last five years prior to the Minnis administration assuming office.

He told the House statements like those from Mr

Davis erode the confidence of Bahamians as well as investors, bond holders, multilateral and ratings agencies, which does a disservice to the Bahamas’ future.

2018 FORESTER

2018 XV CROSSTREK

There's no telling where life will take you, but you can definitely take advantage of every adventure that comes your way in a Subaru.

Engineered for control, you have the confidence to drive where you want, when you want, to do whatever you want. And with the reassurance of award-winning safety you can drive there with peace of mind.

Love. It's what makes a Subaru, a Subaru.

Wulff Road | T: 325-4961/3 or 322-2237 sales@TyreFlexStarMotors.com | tyreflexstarmotors.com • New & Pre-Owned Vehicle Sales

• Service & Parts

PAGE 10, Thursday, April 12, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

GOVT TO PREPARE WHITE PAPER ON LAND REFORM

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net THE government has decided to move with “expedition” on the preparation of a formal white paper on the urgent need for land reform in the Bahamas to address issues that have been “thorny” when it comes to the provision of issues like good titles among, state legal affairs Minister Elsworth Johnson announced yesterday.

According to Mr Johnson the process will also see three bills prepared under a previous Ingraham administration used to shape the undertaking.

The Law of Property Bill 2010, the Registered Land Bill 2010 and the Land Adjudication Bill 2010, he said, have already been circulated to the Bahamas Bar Association for comments and in due course will be widely circulated for public consultation along with any other bills deemed necessary by the Law Reform and Revision Commission.

He said once the white paper is prepared and laid before the House of Assembly, Dame Anita Allen - who will fill the post of law reform and revision commissioner - would lead the consultation process.

At the end of this process it is anticipated every piece, parcel, lot or tract of land will be easily identifiable by having a marker containing its assigned “folio number”

STATE Legal Affairs Minister Elsworth Johnson. and all claims and land charges will be duly noted in the folio related to the specific land, the Yamacraw MP said.

However, he did not give a timeline for the completion of this process.

“For too long a host of problems have affected

land holdings and land titles in The Bahamas,” Mr Johnson said as he addressed members of the House of Assembly yesterday.

“These difficulties range from the poor state of the Cause List Books in the Supreme Court Registry, which make it extremely

US SPEAKER RYAN TO RETIRE

WASHINGTON Associated Press

HOUSE Speaker Paul Ryan abruptly announced Wednesday he will retire rather than seek another term in Congress as the steady if reluctant wingman for President Donald Trump, sending new ripples

of uncertainty through a Washington already on edge and a Republican Party bracing for a rough election year.

The Wisconsin Republican cast the decision to end his 20-year career as a personal one — he doesn’t want his children growing

up with a “weekend dad” — but it will create a vacuum at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. It will leave congressional Republicans without a measured voice to talk Trump away from what some see as damaging impulses, and it will rob Trump of an influential

JOIN OUR TEAM

Human Resources Manager

Our aim is to become the most customer-centric company in the nation. To get there, we need exceptionally talented, bright, and driven people.

We are looking for a dynamic, organized selfstarter to join our Human Resources department as an Human Resources Manager.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Apply Now!

The HR Manager is responsible for implementing and managing human resources policies and programs in the areas of recruitment, employment and employee relations in compliance with government regulations and company goals. Partner with Leadership to support and implement effective short and long term strategies to attain organizational objectives. Combines HR mastery and Industry knowledge to appropriately evaluate and resolve complex HR issues within a fast paced and changing business environment. § Focus on service delivery in support of business organizations, providing advice and recommendations; § Ensure legal compliance with all applicable employment laws; § Provide guidance to ensure the integrity of the performance management program and the development of employees; § Oversee all aspects of employee relations; ensure Company policies are administered fairly and consistently; § Provide consultative support to managers and supervisors; § Partner with respective client group in order to understand the business challenges and to ensure effective and timely HR support; § Manage organizational change; § Oversee recruiting and staffing process; design and implement employee retention strategies and rewards program; § Oversee timely and accurate payroll processing and commission reporting; § Conduct employee investigations and oversee all escalated employee issues, including ethics point reports; § Establish local procedures to ensure compliance with Company and regulatory agency requirements; § Hire, train and manage performance and development of direct reports; § Oversee Human Resources communications; § Monitor processes and ensure accurate maintenance of employee files and HRIS database; § Review and oversee unemployment and workers compensation claims; § Possess comprehensive knowledge of employee benefit programs, and oversee annual enrollment; § Participate in budget planning as needed and manage departmental expenses; § Perform other duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Position: Human Resources Manager Application Deadline: Friday, April 20th Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Requested Docs: Cover Letter Resume Minimum of 2 references available on request Submit To: Careers242.HRManager@ gmail.com

The ability to… § communicate orally and in writing in a clear, straightforward manner § communicate with all levels of management and company personnel § speak in a public forum § effectively manage/lead projects § supervise the work of others § deal with the public in a professional manner § maintain confidentiality of information § make decisions and solve problems while working under pressure § Strong PC and MS Office skills § prioritize and organize effectively § show judgment and initiative and to accomplish job duties § work independently Knowledge of… § local employment laws and procedures § recruitment trends and technologies § wage and hour laws § staffing and employment practices § employee relation’s procedures and applicable law EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR LICENSES:

§ Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business or organizational behavior or related field or equivalent experience; § 5+ years Human Resources Generalist experience in a multilocation environment; § 2+ years supervisory experience preferred; § Certifications for HR Professionals (PHR, SPHR) preferred § Valid driver’s license.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

For more job listings, visit @Careers242

§ Office environment; § Travel required.

difficult for lawyers to give unqualified advice on title to land and particularly whether any prior unsatisfied monetary judgments against the owner either exist or still are attached to an encumber the land; the difficulty in determining who owns or claims to steward to shepherd his more ambitious ideas into legislation.

It’s unusual for a House speaker, third in line to succeed the president, to turn himself into a lame duck, especially so for Ryan, a once-rising GOP star who is only 48 and was the party’s vice presidential candidate in 2012.

His decision fueled fresh doubts about the party’s ability to fend off a Democratic wave, fed by opposition to Trump, in November. And it threw the House into a leadership battle that could end up pushing Ryan aside sooner than he intended and crush any hopes for significant legislation before the election.

Ryan, though, said he had no regrets after having accomplished “a heckuva lot” during his time in a job he never really wanted.

He said fellow Republicans have plenty of achievements to run on this fall, including the tax cuts Congress delivered, which have been his personal cause and the centerpiece of his small-government agenda, even though they helped skyrocket projected annual

own any unoccupied lot or parcel of land; the question of the status of generational claims to land – particularly in the Family Islands; the issue of squatter’s rights, if any and lastly the status of the Quieting Titles Act and whether or not it should be repealed.

“The absence of certainty in land titles in too many cases, along with the often-informal nature of land-holdings in far too many of the traditional settlements in our Family Islands affects not only the issue of land title, but also directly attacks the possibility for land ownership to become an effective generator of wealth, whether in support of business loans or in the creation of certainty as to land ownership.”

He continued: “The bitter and enduring experiences of the residents of Bozine Town and Nassau Village (and) Sir Lynden Pindling Estates in New Providence is losing what they apparently believed in good faith to be valid land titles, serves as a pressing reminder of the urgency of thorough reform of the entire system governing the law of property in The Bahamas.”

This follows Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ announcement last month that the government will stop selling Crown cays for private purposes.

During his mid-year budget presentation, Dr Minnis said the government will “retain for the Crown,

SPEAKER of the House Paul Ryan. deficits toward $1tn.

“I have given this job everything I have,” Ryan said.

Speculation over Ryan’s future had been swirling for months, but as he dialed up colleagues and spoke by phone with Trump early Wednesday, the news stunned even top allies.

Ryan announced his plans at a closed-door meeting of House Republicans.

a Crown reserve between ocean/sea, front/inland lake property, granted for private development, where un-alienated Crown land exists at the seashore, to preserve windows to the sea and open green and beach front spaces for the enjoyment of the public.”

He said the government will also “regularise long-term occupation of Crown land developed or cultivated by individual Bahamians and/or families at concessionary rates” and “make crown land available to Bahamian nationals for residential, commercial and touristic development, particularly in the Family Islands”.

Dr Minnis said a new Land Reform Unit will be established to “examine, organise and monitor activities”.

He also said the government will seek to return land acquired that has not been used to claimants who the Office of the Attorney General determine has “clear and marketable titles”.

ROAD REPAIRS THE public is advised that the Ministry of Public Works will be conducting road repairs on Culbert’s Hill beginning today between the hours of 9am - 3pm.

The ministry apologised for any inconvenience caused.

Rep Mark Walker of North Carolina said an emotional Ryan “choked up a few times trying to get through” his remarks and received three standing ovations.

He later briefly thanked Trump in public for giving him the chance to move GOP ideas ahead.

While Ryan was crucial in getting the tax cuts passed, a prime Trump goal, he and the president have had a difficult relationship.

Trump showed impatience with Congress’ pace in dealing with his proposals, and Ryan had to deal with a president who shared little of his interest in policy detail.

Still, for many Republicans, it’s unclear who will be left in leadership to counterbalance Trump. Ryan has been “a steady force in contrast to the president’s more mercurial tone”, said Rep Mark Sanford of South Carolina. “That’s needed.”

The speaker had been heading toward this decision since late last year, said a person familiar with his thinking, but as recently as February he had considered running for another term.