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Volume: 118 No.95, APRIL 13, 2021

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GONE IN MINUTES THE SCENE at Potter’s Cay Dock on Monday after Sunday night’s blaze. Photo: Racardo Thomas

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net A STRUCTURAL fire at Potter’s Cay on Sunday has left six stalls completely burned to the ground and two others with damage.

Two boats were also destroyed.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Michael Pintard said officials are awaiting a report from Fire Services about the cause of the blaze.

Mr Pintard expressed his sympathy for the owners and workers of the properties destroyed in the blaze.

‘MAKING MONEY ‘NAIVE’ TO THINK ZERO OFF THE FARM’ TAX ON FIRMS CAN LAST THE STALLS on fire on Sunday night.

“We are going to meet at 11.30 this morning with all of the affected vendors and the staff at the ministry so that we can begin the assessment process of the extent of the damage,” he said yesterday.

SEE PAGE TWO

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

PUBLIC Works Minister Desmond Bannister has defended a sting operation at The Farm shanty town in Abaco last week, insisting residents had broken the law.

He said they were able to do so with the help of complicit Bahamians, who will face prosecution if identified.

Mr Bannister said there are Bahamians who benefitted financially by unlawfully providing services to unregulated communities by facilitating breaches of the law.

SEE PAGE FIVE

A FORMER deputy prime minister yesterday urged the Government to “rush to the finish” on developing tax reform options, warning: “It would be naive to think we can continue as a ‘zero tax’ nation.”

K Peter Turnquest, who resigned as minister of finance in late November 2020 to fight “unfounded and untrue claims”

by Sky Bahamas’ main financier, told Tribune Business the Minnis administration needed to move

“very proactively and aggressively” to safeguard the Bahamian economy as momentum for a worldwide minimum corporate income tax gathers pace. Arguing that The Bahamas “should have been further along, quite frankly” in developing tax alternatives that will ensure it complies with any global standard that emerges, he conceded that the issue creates “some level of concern” for maintaining the country’s economic competitiveness and that of its financial services industry.

SEE BUSINESS SECTION

‘NOW IT’S OUR TURN TO HELP’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said Cabinet will discuss giving financial assistance to those affected by the volcano eruption in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday, he said: “I want all Bahamians to remember that when we

PEOPLE clean volcanic ash from the red roof of a home after the volcano eruption in St Vincent.

(AP Photo/Orvil Samuel)

were affected by Dorian, Jamaica sent its Defence Force here to assist us.

Trinidad and Barbados likewise sent their Defence Force to assist us with security. Had it not been for their assistance, we could have experienced severe problems within the Abaco and the Abaco cays.

“Though times are hard with us, I am certain that all responsible and loving Bahamians would agree that under these

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE THREE

PETER YOUNG

RAISE A GLASS TO PRINCE PHILIP

SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Tuesday, April 13, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

GONE IN MINUTES

FROM PAGE ONE

“First of all, I want to express our great regret that this happened to vendors who’ve been going through an extremely difficult time.

We’ve had a series of challenges over the last two years. We’ve had unfortunate incidences that have happened here at Potter’s Cay that affected the flow of traffic to support these vendors who support many families over the years and then we had the pandemic and now we have this catastrophic fire.

“Our hearts go out to the vendors and their families who rely on this business. It is incredible the intensity of the fire and you can see by the level of damage that it is going to take a while for a number of these vendors to rebound. What is also true

is that the damage to stores, I believe about seven stores, will also affect other vendors and so we are going to move as quickly as we can to ensure that the rebuilding process commences.”

Asked about the government’s plans for rebuilding, Mr Pintard answered: “We’re going to take our time. We’ll do a careful assessment. We’ll hear from the vendors. I will have discussions with my colleagues. I don’t control the purse of The Bahamas…. So we will have a candid discussion and we will do our best to assist, but without question, we’ll assist.”

Potter’s Cay Dock Fish, Fruit, and Vegetables Vendors Association president Ormanique Bowe said six stalls were burned down while two of them were damaged, but can be repaired.

THE AFTERMATH of the fire at Potter’s Cay. Photos: Racardo Thomas When asked if there was any kind of insurance on the stalls, she answered some vendors had insurance while others do not.

According to police, officers received a report about a structural fire at the dock shortly before midnight on Sunday.

“On the units arrival at the scene, they met several wooden single-storey structures on the eastern side of

the dock engulfed in flames,” a police crime report said.

“They were able to extinguish the fire. However, several of the structures which housed restaurants and bars were destroyed. As a result of the fire, two boats that were docked at the rear of the structures were also destroyed.”

Leaston Bannister, a boat owner and captain, has a conch stand in the area. Mr Bannister, who lives on his boat, recalled helping that night.

“After I hear a boom and a pop, I was on my boat and I decide to look out. I see the eastern side of Potter’s Cay dock gush in flames. I had come ashore to assist some people in their boats. So I had to help pull them away from the fire, anchor them, and helped tie them behind my boat. You had two boats which caught (fire). They burned to the waterline and they would’ve sunk.

“The fire engine took a long while. When they came, there wasn’t no water at first. They had to go find hydrants….. You had two persons that was actually in the stall when the fire would’ve started and they got out,” he said.

Mr Bannister clarified

that these people were not trapped in the fire.

Bahamas Dock and Allied Vendors Association President Wendi Constantine said the fire started at about 10pm. She was there when her stall, Moby Dick Restaurant and Bar, was burning down.

“It’s devastating to see what you’ve put into something.... your life savings. It’s just the memories and now you have staff unemployed.

So it’s an overwhelming feeling right now in this time,” she said.

“My heart goes to all of the vendors here on Potter’s Cay dock that was affected by the fire and their staff and their families.”

Blue Wave owner Leslie Rolle was at the charred

scene examining the damage yesterday morning. He said people are speculating a lightning strike during Sunday’s thunderstorm caused the fire.

He said he got a call after 11pm about the fire and rushed to the site.

“Now I’m out of work,” he said, when asked how he felt about the fire. “I gotta stay strong.”

Before this fire, his business was just starting to pick up a little in the pandemic.

As for the meeting with the minister, he was hoping to hear that the ministry will offer some help. The owner estimated it would cost $120,000 alone to rebuild his stall.

Blue Wave had been in operation for 30 years.

THE TRIBUNE

FOUR GUYANESE MEN REPORTEDLY MISSING AFTER LEAVING FOR THE BAHAMAS

Tuesday, April 13, 2021, PAGE 3 PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis shows plans for the proposed upscale community in western New Providence yesterday.

PHOTO: Donavan McIntosh/ Tribune staff

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net POLICE said they have not received any missing person’s reports about four Guyanese men who reportedly went missing after leaving their home country for The Bahamas in early January.

This comes after a relative of one of the missing men raised the alarm about the men’s disappearance, which was reported by a Guyanese media outlet yesterday.

The missing men are identified as Kevin Sukraj, Krishna Sukraj, Rayan Bhodoo and Anil Deonarine.

They were last heard from on February 10, according to reports.

Kevin’s sister, Getta Sukraj, told a Guyanese media outlet that her brother left their home January 7 on what was supposed to be a two-week trip to The Bahamas.

She said the family was later contacted by Kevin, who told them he had arrived at his destination safely and was staying at a hotel in Bimini along with his brother-in-law and friend.

However, she said they received disturbing news on January 10, when her brother claimed police had raided their hotel and took their passports.

“He said they were in the room and all they hear was a knock on the door, when they asked ‘is who’, they said the persons said ‘it’s the police’ and they come and take their passports and told them come to the station,” she said, according to Guyana Times. “Since then, every day they running to the station and they [the police] keep telling them come back. On the day they take the passport, he went three times in that one day and they still not giving them the passports.”

Ms Sukraj claimed that the men were unable to return home after their passports were allegedly not returned to them.

She also said the last time she heard from her brother— whom she said would reach out to them frequently—was on February 10.

“It going to three months now and nothing we not hearing from them,” she said. “My sister in the US called people over there and they said they not finding no information on them … I don’t know if Immigration hold them, but we are not getting into contact with them.

“We need help to find my brother, because he has two children – a seven-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son.”

When contacted by this newspaper yesterday, a police spokesperson said they had no information on the matter nor had they received any reports about the men.

The Tribune also contacted Department of Immigration officials, but was also told Immigration was not aware of the matter.

UPSCALE COMMUNITY FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS: YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A LAWYER OR DOCTOR TO QUALIFY

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said the definition of young professionals who will be eligible to buy lots in a proposed upscale community in western New Providence is broad enough to include barbers, plumbers, farmers and many others—not just lawyers or doctors.

He was speaking during a debate in the House of Assembly yesterday on a resolution to develop the community, which involves 83 acres of land on the northern side of John F Kennedy Drive and the junction of Prospect Ridge.

Dr Minnis said: “We consider a professional as someone who is accomplished in his or her field, sufficient independent to sustain a mortgage or financial responsibility for a residential dwelling in a community. This community is not restricted to particular type of academic or professional training. You don’t have to be a lawyer, you don’t have to be a doctor or an engineer to qualify. A barber properly qualified is a professional. A plumber properly qualified is a professional.

A beautician with proper qualification is a professional. Police, defence force (officers), they are professionals. A teacher is a professional and that’s just to give a few examples, and so is a farmer. He is a professional so I don’t want people to misconstrue that a professional is only a doctor, lawyer or accountant, no, a professional has great definition.”

Dr Minnis said surveys of the land show that some areas are low lying.

“Those areas in the juncture of Prospect Ridge and Sanford Drive,

the land is at least three feet below sea level,” he said. “There will be no filling, no excavation, no compaction.

We will utilise the ecological environment and to ensure there is no flooding. Areas that are low within the area will be utilised accordingly.”

He said those selected will be able to save up to $29,000 by spending $1,000 to purchase one of ten architectural designs the government will make available.

not go live until this summer.

“No list of persons have been established for this community and guideline principles for this community have been established,” he said.

“There will be no favouritism, no speculation or flipping of property.

No special group or special people will be prioritised, unlike what was done in Dignity (Gardens) where individuals were selected.”

Dr Minnis said applications must

THE PRIME Minister shows a concept sketch plan for the proposed community.

He noted that those selected will pay no stamp tax and no real property tax for two years in addition to other concessions.

Those eligible for one of the 250 available lots must be younger than 45-years-old and resident in The Bahamas.

“You’re not going to be overseas and try to build here,” Dr Minnis said. “You must be here.”

Family Island residents are eligible to apply for a lot.

Dr Minnis emphasised that no applications have been accepted thus far and the application process will

be made by individuals or married couples.

“Two or more people may also apply,” he said. “However, financial institutions would assess the risk determination of such applications and only first-time homeowners are eligible. First-time homeowner status will be confirmed by the Registrar General’s Department and the Department of Inland Revenue. An applicant may only be eligible once and may only acquire one properly in any such government home owning initiative.

“Banks are anxious to come on

board,” he said. “Provisionally, they have stated that individuals would not have to come up with down payment which is one of the greatest obstacles to home construction. It would be possible because the equity would be so large. The banks we had not spoken to, other banks have called and stated that they too would like to be a part of this programme.”

Dr Minnis also said a pre-school will be built in the area and free preschool education provided.

Dr Minnis said the maximum cost of the lots will be $50,000 and the development will feature walking paths, parks, a community centre, a swimming pool, a tennis court and a clubhouse. The size of the lots will be about 70x100 feet.

Dr Minnis contrasted the approach his administration is taking with the development to the approach previous Progressive Liberal Party administrations have taken. He said the Christie administration allowed people to be charged as much as $182,000 for homes in the Fort Charlotte area, a price he found too high and had dropped to $140,000 after taking office.

He also said the PLP approved a $10 million investment in a house near Goodman’s Bay that was intended to be used by a Prime Minister for entertainment purposes.

He said $6,981,946 has already been spent in connection with the property, with little to show for the investment. Opposition leader Philip “Brave” Davis, who was Deputy Prime Minister in the last Christie administration, countered that the development was to entertain dignitaries from around the world and had no “special interest to the former Prime Minister”.

COMMISSION GIVES ESTIMATE ON REGISTRANTS NUMBER FOR VOTER PARITY

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

HOUSE Speaker Halson Moultrie said the Constituencies Commission estimates that each constituency in New Providence should have about 5,100 registrants for the next general election to ensure voter parity.

His comment during a House of Assembly sitting yesterday came while he requested that the Parliamentary Registration Department provide his commission with the latest

‘NOW IT’S OUR TURN TO HELP’

FROM PAGE ONE

circumstances things are even worse for them because their whole agricultural products would be covered in ash, their water lines will be affected. Barbados has already offered to accept many residents from St Vincent who have relatives or relationships there and I think it’s essential that we do our part.”

Dr Minnis noted that both St Vincent and Barbados have experienced darkness because of the ash from the volcano.

“Even during the day, completely darkness,” he said. “Because of the ash, the sun is secluded and they are in continuous darkness, especially the areas that are affected. Darkness is throughout the island and because of the direction of the wind, Barbados is likewise affected.

“I can tell you from experience having lived in Barbados, having experienced a similar explosion from one of the islands, we went to bed, woke up that morning and found the entire island covered in ash. It is a massive clean-up effort after a volcano.

“I’ve spoken to Mia Mottley, the Prime Minister of Barbados.

“She told me of their challenges of cleaning up. I’ve spoken to Prime Minister Gonzales in St Vincent and I’ve reassured him that we will take the matter to Cabinet and we will offer whatever assistance we have.”

The La Soufriere volcano first erupted on Friday, blanketing the island in ash and forcing thousands to evacuate their homes.

Smaller explosions over the weekend caused power cuts and disrupted water supplies.

• SEE PAGE 10 FOR MORE NEWS ON THE LA SOUFRIERE VOLCANO

voter registration data so it could complete its assessments and submit its report.

Speaker Moultrie revealed when the House resumed after the lunch break that he had been provided with the necessary data.

Before yesterday, the last time his commission received data was February 22, he said.

Speaker Moultrie noted that two constituencies in New Providence are approaching 7,000 voter registrants: Golden Isles and Killarney.

Thirteen constituencies

have between 5,000 and 6,000 registrants, eight have between 4,000 and 4,900 registrants and one constituency, St Barnabas, has between 3,000 and 3,900 constituents.

“If we examine New Providence, the number of voters in New Providence, based on statistics provided, is 123,783,” he said.

“That’s an average of 5,158 voters.

“It is the constitutional duty of the commission to try to bring about parity among voters.

“It is, therefore, estimated that each consistency

should range between 5,100 voters plus 500 or less 500 and that would be a reasonable parity.

“That doesn’t necessarily mean that we must increase the number of seats.

“We can adjust the boundaries to bring about such parity or we can increase the number of seats to bring about such parity. A similar condition is in Grand Bahama where when we average out the number of voters of 29,515, the average is approximately 5,900 for Grand Bahama.

“As a consequence, we

need the empirical data

by Friday of this date so that we could conclude our hearing and report to this Parliament.”

While opposition leader Philip “Brave” Davis has said he supports adjusting the boundaries of the Golden Isles and Killarney constituencies to ensure voter parity, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said during a community meeting last year that the boundaries are not changing.

“You’ve got what you got,” he said at the time.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, April 13, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

BUT PRESIDENT SAYS TO HER KNOWLEDGE ONLY ONE MEMBER INQUIRED ABOUT TAKING VACCINE

By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@tribunemedia.net EVEN though teachers are now eligible to receive the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, Bahamas Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson said to her knowledge, public educators have expressed limited interest to the union about getting the shot.

Last week, the National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee made teachers and staff of local schools eligible to receive the vaccine which has been in The Bahamas since early March.

The Tribune reached out to the BUT president yesterday to find out how many members of her union had signed up to be inoculated and how many had received it so far.

“To my knowledge one teacher inquired about taking the vaccine,” Mrs Wilson said.

She was asked if any of her members said they took the vaccine so far.

She responded: “Not to me.”

The Tribune asked if she has advised her members to take the vaccine and if she planned to take it.

She responded, “It’s a personal choice. A personal decision to be made by them and their families.”

Mrs Wilson, in the past, has said citizens of The Bahamas need to be educated on every aspect of the vaccine before distribution and administering begins.

She had also said as president of the BUT and personally, she was pleased and relieved that several vaccines are now available

‘POSSIBILITY’ OF NEW COVID-19 MUTATIONS BEING IN THE COUNTRY

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson. worldwide. She has also previously made it clear that as for teachers taking it, it is their personal choice.

Appointments can be made at the following vaccination centres: Loyola Hall, Gladstone Road (healthcare workers, 60-plus and uniformed branches); Church of God of Prophecy, East Street (healthcare workers, 60-plus and uniformed branches); Kendal G L Isaacs National Gymnasium (teachers and staff of schools, students and athletes studying or competing abroad); Atlantis, Paradise Island (hospitality workers); Baha Mar, Cable Beach (hospitality workers) and the Susan J Wallace Community Centre in Grand Bahama.

To make an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, visit https://vax.gov.bs and note the vaccination centre assigned to specific priority groups.

WITH a number of new COVID-19 infections linked to recent travel, a local health union official believes it is likely that new COVID-19 variants detected abroad could already be here in The Bahamas.

However, Consultant Physicians Staff Association Vice President Dr John Dillett told The Tribune yesterday it’s difficult to know for certain as the country still does not have the capacity for the genomic sequencing that is needed to test for more infectious COVID-19 mutations.

Dozens of countries worldwide have since detected the mutations that were originally found in the United Kingdom, Brazil, and South Africa, with the UK variant said to be the most dominant strain now in the US. Last week, Health Minister Renward Wells told reporters there was “no evidence” that any of the new coronavirus strains were present in the country after dozens of positive samples sent abroad earlier this year produced negative results for the COVID-19 mutations.

However, since March, the country has seen a sustained uptick in positive COVID-19 cases, with some of the new cases related to travel.

Between Thursday to Sunday, the nation recorded 121 new cases, the lion’s share— 53—were recorded on Friday.

Twenty-five new cases were recorded on Thursday, 22 on Saturday and 21 on Sunday.

Nineteen of the cases recorded during that period had a recent travel history, according to the Ministry of Health.

According to officials, additional test samples have been sent to a reference laboratory in Trinidad, which is said to have a quicker turnaround time for test results on the new strains.

Asked about the likelihood of the new mutations being in country, Dr Dillett told this newspaper yesterday: “Certainly, there’s a possibility.”

“Without testing or having a test result is difficult to know for certain and as we continue to have tourists and our citizens continue to travel abroad, the chances of having the virus variant come home is very real.

“I believe that it was Dr (Anthony) Fauci from the United States who said that the United Kingdom variant was the dominant variant that’s there in the United States so it’s very possible that as we continue to travel in terms of Bahamian citizens and we allow visitors in even though we do have protocols, nothing is 100 percent fool proof. It’s very possible that at some point, if not already, the variants could be here at our shores.”

With COVID numbers are on the rise

again, Dr Dillett said it has become even more critical for Bahamians to follow all of the health protocols.

He said many countries are now reaping the results of letting their guards down and that The Bahamas also could face a similar situation if it becomes relaxed.

“We need to reinvigorate our measures in terms of social distancing and hygiene and wearing masks,” he said. “We need to get back to those basics. We can’t allow large groupings and obviously persons are going to travel and all of those exposures, we have to get back to the basics in terms of what got us to a place where we’re at very limited and low levels of transmission in The Bahamas. “. . .We have to stay the course and we have to remember that this is going to be a drawnout process that will take many months or

“Without testing or having a test result is difficult to know for certain and as we continue to have tourists and our citizens continue to travel abroad, the chances of having the virus variant come home is very real.”

Dr John Dillett years before we see the end.”

Both the Free National Movement and the Progressive Liberal Party has faced heavy criticism for hosting campaign gatherings which featured more than 20 people since current rules restrict social gatherings on New Providence.

Despite suggestions from Chief Medical Officer Dr Pearl McMillan last week that political gatherings should not be happening amid the pandemic, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and FNM supporters were seen canvassing the St Anne’s constituency on Saturday.

While campaigning, Dr Minnis told a local daily he has no plans to increase COVID-19 restrictions, despite a recent uptick in virus cases on several islands.

Total COVID-19 cases in the country rose to 9,460 after 21 new cases were recorded on Sunday.

Health officials also confirmed another virus-related death: a 75-year-old woman from Andros who died on April 11.

Her death has pushed the nation’s COVID death toll to 190.

According to Dr Dillett, the major health unions are set to meet with the Ministry of Health later this week about their COVID-19 concerns.

GB DOCTOR’S VACCINE CLAIMS: ‘NO OFFICIAL COMPLAINT MADE TO MINISTRY OF HEALTH’

By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright @tribunemedia.net

ALTHOUGH a wellknown Grand Bahama doctor has claimed his family suffered adverse side effects from the AstraZeneca shot, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Delon Brennen says there was no official complaint made to the Ministry of Health.

Just last week, Dr Kevin Bethel could be heard on a well circulated voice note advising a patient not to take the vaccine as it reportedly made his wife, his son and himself ill after they took it.

He also made other claims in the recording.

The Tribune spoke to Dr Brennen who said officials do not have any complaint about these claims.

He said, “No there wasn’t any complaint on this. The CMO (chief medical officer) made a report on effects at the last press conference. We didn’t hear of complaints. We heard reports of side effects.

There were about 69 out of 10,000 people. They were mild effects.”

He said most of the reported symptoms can be associated with regular side effects of inoculations which are runny nose, fevers and pain at site of injection.

On Sunday, the Ministry of Health issued a report on “events supposedly attributable to vaccination or immunisation (ESAVI)”.

The ministry said these reports assist in investigating and determining the stated symptoms are definitively related to vaccination and provide any necessary support to the person who is experiencing the symptoms.

DEPUTY Chief Medical Officer Dr Delon Brennen.

Health officials said there have been no reports to the Ministry of Health of allergic reactions, blood clots, postvaccination hospitalisations or deaths associated with receiving the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination in The Bahamas.

The ministry reminded the public that events after receiving the COVID-19

vaccine must be reported to the Ministry of Health immediately by calling the telephone number 818-2975.

As released at a press conference by the Ministry of Health last week, data collected as of April 4 showed that there were 69 vaccine recipients who reported one or more ESAVI on New Providence, Grand Bahama and Eleuthera as follows: headache - 21 percent; injection site itching and rash, diarrhea and dizziness - 20 percent; fever - 15 percent; chills - 13 percent; muscle pain - 9 percent; pain at the injection site - 8 percent; fatigue - 8 percent; nausea 6 percent; and chest pain - 1 percent.

Because there can be erroneous and misleading reports derived from social media, the ministry encourages the public to obtain health information from reliable sources such as the Ministry of Health, the Office of the Prime Minister, the World Health Organisation and the Pan American Health Organisation.

It warned that the public should beware of receiving and/or sharing misinformation about COVID-19 and the vaccine.

The release said the circulation of misinformation threatens public health efforts and can be harmful to a person’s physical and

75-YEAR-OLD ANDROS RESIDENT DIES OF COVID

By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@tribunemedia.net AN Andros resident is the latest casualty of COVID-19, having died from the disease on Saturday.

The death of seventy-five-year-old evangelist Gloria Maria Curtis brought the COVID-19 death toll to 190. Eight additional deaths are currently under investigation.

Curtis’ daughter, Maria Tate, recalled her bid to save her mother’s life. Her mother died on Saturday, April 10, and is believed to have contracted the virus from her husband.

“I spoke with her the Sunday before and she was talking quite strong just like how you and I are talking now,” Ms Tate recalled. “She was more concerned about my father because he had it (COVID) and he is the one who took care of her. She was in a wheelchair.”

Ms Tate, who currently resides in Grand Bahama, made a promise to her mother to get to Andros as soon as possible.

“I told her I would come to Andros as soon as I could,” she said. “I arrived in Andros on Tuesday afternoon after going from Grand Bahama to Nassau and then catching a flight

out to Andros that afternoon. When I arrived, my mother was burning up with fever.

“I rubbed her down in vapor rub, but by Wednesday evening she also had shortness of breath and her chest was making a whistling noise. I called the doctor and asked him to come and look at her, but was told we had to bring her to them. My mother was very heavy, so I had to wait until I got help. So, we had to wait until Thursday when we had help from my nephew and sister.”

Ms Tate, the third and oldest daughter of seven children, said when her mother was taken to the clinic, she was given medicine in a drip and put on a machine to assist with her breathing. By 1pm that day, her mother was put on an air ambulance headed for New Providence where she later died at the Princess Margaret Hospital. Evangelist Curtis had pre-existing conditions.

“The nurse told her she had pneumonia, but we knew what it was,” Ms Tate continued.

“She got it from Daddy. He took care of her.

My mother was in a wheelchair and she had sugar and high blood pressure.”

SEE PAGE FIVE

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 13, 2021, PAGE 5

‘MAKING MONEY OFF THE FARM’

FROM PAGE ONE

An example of this is the nightly provision of heavy equipment to construct roads, thereby enabling the construction of even more unregulated structures, in addition to unregulated shops and the sale of stolen goods, the minister told parliamentarians.

In the House of Assembly yesterday, the Deputy Prime Minister said officials had been faced with constant challenges emanating from the actions of residents living in the The Farm shanty town.

He noted unsanitary and unhealthy conditions like the possible pollution of the water table with human faeces and other items.

Further, the minister pointed to the proliferation of commercial grade generators and the sale of electricity. He said people in the community have been stealing electrical wires from Bahamas Power and Light and haphazardly strung them up to provide electricity to shanty houses.

Mr Bannister said this electrical wiring was not done out of human kindness but for the gain of persons profiting from the misery of their fellow human beings who are charged a weekly fee for this service.

“Hurricane Dorian hit us in September 2019, and the government responded to the devastation that was caused by completely clearing away all of the ruined buildings on the Mud, The Pea and Sandbanks; the government also fenced these areas in at considerable cost to the Bahamian taxpayer,” Mr Bannister told Parliament.

“However, many of the residents sought out other locations on that island and constructed even more unregulated buildings. Those activities were in breach of the court order. “… We are a country of laws. We must all respect the law and act in accordance therewith, including our health, immigration laws and the Building Code. I repeat that much of what has occurred has happened with the complicity of many Bahamians. Where those persons are identified, appropriate action will be taken.”

He was referring to a Supreme Court order

that affected both the government and shanty town squatters.

On December 17, 2018, the Supreme Court issued an order that varied a previous injunction: “Further, pending the determination of this action or until such further order, the 177 applicants and other residents and occupiers of the land in shanty towns in New Providence or elsewhere in The Bahamas shall take no action to construct, erect and or alter any further buildings or structures otherwise than in accordance with the Buildings Regulation Act.” Regarding The Farm shanty town, Mr Bannister said people continued to build despite the standing court order.

“Shortly after the passing of Hurricane Dorian, the government caused drone footage to be taken of The Farm community,” he said.

Footage “The footage revealed that 30 of the shacks had survived Hurricane Dorian. It is clear that the injunction prevented the government from demolishing those buildings; however, in defiance of the court order that prohibited them from constructing more buildings, persons continued to build more and more unregulated and unsafe structures.

“It is clear that these structures that were altered or erected after August 2018 without valid building permits blatantly disrespected and breached the court order and also contravened the provisions of the Buildings Regulation Act and the Planning and Subdivision Act. “I must emphasise that that legislation that I’ve mentioned was put in place to protect all of us.

“The horrible devastation in The Mud from Hurricane Dorian clearly shows how persons can be injured and killed when structures are not built in accordance with the law.”

Due to the challenges, Mr Bannister said Cabinet authorised him to coordinate the actions that were required to ensure the unlawful practices ceased.

As a result a multi-agency operation was planned

FROM PAGE FOUR Ms Tate said the family, now left with her mother’s memories, are preparing for her funeral.

Picewell Forbes, member of Parliament for Mangrove Cay and South Andros, hailed Mother Curtis as a great citizen; one who always shared a sense of hope.

“My family and families across the Mangrove Cay, South and Central Andros constituency join in extending condolences to the Curtis family of Bowen Sound,” Mr Forbes said. “Mother Curtis was a great citizen, really an exemplary missionary and deaconess in the local Pentecostal Association of the world church in Bowen.

“She was one who shared and cared for young, indigent and challenged families of her local settlement and by extension Central Andros. She joined her husband in volunteering to do annual community cleaning in their local settlement. She always shared a sense of

for The Farm on Thursday March, 8.

Beginning at 4.30am, all of the illegally created access roads except one, were blocked with large boulders.

This remaining road is not a public road but has remained to allow authorities and residents access.

Officials also posted large signs in both English and Creole warning that structures not built according to code will be demolished. The signs further warned that erecting structures contrary to provisions of the Planning and Subdivision Act will be subject to prosecution and will also be demolished.

Notices were also placed on all the structures that were erected subsequent to the passage of Hurricane Dorian.

There are two types of notices: first for incomplete and unoccupied structures, and another advising that they will be demolished after 14 days in accordance with the provisions of the Planning and Subdivisions Act. For occupied structures, the notices advise demolition after the passage of 28 days in accordance with the Building Regulations Act. Next, with the assistance of BPL and a private electrical contractor, nine commercial generators were confiscated.

“These are not ordinary generators,” Mr Bannister said. “These are commercial generators. They’re large generators. Several were being operated for commercial purposes and in contravention of the Electricity Act, with a capacity to provide electrical power to close to 200 structures.

“The police also confiscated a number of generators that were believed to have been stolen.

“A number of illegal bars were closed and so you will hear people speaking about items that were taken and suspected uncustomed goods (goods for which customs duty was not paid) were taken into the protective custody of (Department of) Customs and police officials.

“Additionally, a number of persons were arrested for possession of a firearm; possession of dangerous drugs; possession of uncustomed goods; and for violations of the Immigration laws of The Bahamas,” Mr Bannister said.

ANDROS RESIDENT DIES OF COVID hope, optimism and Christian counsel wherever she travelled, especially.”

Mr Forbes said the community of Bowen Sound has lost “a princess” and fine daughter of Andros.

“It goes to show that COVID-19 is a continuing concern of our country and Family Islands are especially challenged with accessibility to good health care,” he continued.

“Hopefully these occasions would remind our national government of the need for polyclinics and more well extensively trained healthcare professionals.

“Once again our thoughts and prayers are with the family.”

There are 9,460 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus in The Bahamas. And, to date some 15,000 Bahamians have received their first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

“We are a country of laws.

We must all respect the law and act in accordance therewith, including our health, immigration laws and the Building Code. I repeat that much of what has occurred has happened with the complicity of many Bahamians.

Where those persons are identified, appropriate action will be taken.”

Desmond Bannister

PAGE 6, Tuesday, April 13, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

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Derek Chauvin trial: three questions America needs to ask about seeking racial justice in a court of law THERE is a difference between enforcing the law and being the law.

The world is now witnessing another in a long history of struggles for racial justice in which this distinction may be ignored.

Derek Chauvin, a 45-year-old white former Minneapolis police officer, is on trial for third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for the May 25, 2020, death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man.

There are three questions I find important to consider as the trial unfolds. These questions address the legal, moral and political legitimacy of any verdict in the trial. I offer them from my perspective as an Afro-Jewish philosopher and political thinker who studies oppression, justice and freedom. They also speak to the divergence between how a trial is conducted, what rules govern it – and the larger issue of racial justice raised

by George Floyd’s death after Derek Chauvin pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes.

They are questions that need to be asked: 1. Can Chauvin be judged as guilty beyond a reasonable doubt?

The presumption of innocence in criminal trials is a feature of the US criminal justice system. And a prosecutor must prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury of the defendant’s peers.

The history of the United States reveals, however, that these two conditions apply primarily to white citizens.

Black defendants tend to be treated as guilty until proved innocent.

Racism often leads to presumptions of reasonableness and good intentions when defendants and witnesses are white, and irrationality and ill intent when defendants, witnesses and even victims are black.

Additionally, race affects jury selection. The history of all-white juries for black defendants and rarely having black jurors for white ones is evidence of a presumption of white people’s validity of judgment versus that of black Americans. Doubt can be afforded to a white defendant in circumstances where it would be denied a black one.

Thus, Chauvin, as white, could be granted that exculpating doubt despite the evidence shared before millions of viewers in a live-streamed trial.

2. What is the difference between force and violence?

The customary questioning of police officers who harm people focuses on their use of what’s called “excessive force”. This presumes the legal legitimacy of using force in the first place in the specific situation.

Violence, however, is the use of illegitimate force. As a result of racism, black people are often portrayed as preemptively guilty and dangerous.

It follows that the perceived threat of danger makes “force” the appropriate description when a police officer claims to be preventing violence.

This understanding makes it difficult to find police officers guilty of violence.

To call the act “violence” is to acknowledge that it is improper and thus falls, in the case of physical acts of violence, under the purview of criminal law.

Once their use of force is presumed legitimate, the question of degree makes it nearly impossible for jurors to find officers guilty.

Floyd, who was suspected of purchasing items from a store with a counterfeit $20 bill, was handcuffed and complained of not being able to breathe when Chauvin pulled him from the police vehicle and he fell face down on the ground.

Footage from the incident revealed that Chauvin pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds. Floyd was motionless several minutes in, and he had no pulse when Alexander Kueng, one of the officers, checked. Chauvin didn’t remove his knee until paramedics arrived and asked him to get off of Floyd so they could examine the motionless patient.

If force under the circumstances is unwarranted, then its use would constitute violence in both legal and moral senses.

Where force is legitimate (for example, to prevent violence) but things go wrong, the presumption is that a mistake, instead of intentional wrongdoing, occurred.

An important, related distinction is between justification and excuse.

Violence, if the action is illegitimate, is not justified. Force, however, when justified, can become excessive. The question at that point is whether a reasonable person could understand the excess. That understanding makes the action morally excusable.

3. Is there ever excusable police violence?

Police are allowed to use force to prevent violence. But at what point does the force become violence?

When its use is illegitimate. In U.S. law, the force is illegitimate when done “in the course of committing an offence”.

Sgt. David Pleoger, Chauvin’s former supervisor, stated in the trial: “When Mr. Floyd was no longer offering up any resistance to the officers, they could have ended their restraint.”

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo testified, “To continue to apply that level of force to a person proned-out, handcuffed behind their back, that in no way, shape or form is anything that is by policy.”

He declared, “I vehemently disagree that that was an appropriate use of force.”

That an act was deemed by prosecutors to be violent, defined as an illegitimate use of force resulting in death, is a necessary conclusion for charges of murder and manslaughter.

Both require ill intent or, in legal terms, a mens rea (“evil mind”). The absence of a reasonable excuse affects the legal interpretation of the act. That the act was not preventing violence but was, instead, one of committing it, made the action inexcusable.

The Chauvin case, like so many others, leads to the question: what is the difference between enforcing the law and imagining being the law?

Enforcing the law means one is acting within the law.

That makes the action legitimate.

Being the law forces others, even lawabiding people, below the enforcer, subject to their actions.

If no one is equal to or above the enforcer, then the enforcer is raised above the law.

Such people would be accountable only to themselves.

Police officers and any state officials who believe they are the law, versus implementers or enforcers of the law, place themselves above the law.

Legal justice requires pulling such officials back under the jurisdiction of law.

The purpose of a trial is, in principle, to subject the accused to the law instead of placing him, her, or them above it.

Where the accused is placed above the law, there is an unjust system of justice.

Lewis R. Gordon, Professor of Philosophy, University of Connecticut theconversation.com

Time for the AG to go EDITOR, The Tribune.

I HAVE been hanging around the legal profession for decades, whether on The Bar or as a disbarred business and media consultant. The cause of my disbarment is well known so I will not rehash it, again, ad nauseum. It is not a proud fact but that event, decades ago, has allowed me to adopt a liberal and pragmatic approach to the nuances of the legal profession and the judiciary.

At the outset let me say that the current Attorney General and I have known each other and interacted most of our adult lives.

Politically he and I were never on the same page and I always regarded him as a legal light weight of the highest order, with all due respect.

How he regards me, if he ever did, I do not know.

What I do know is that at one point I acted and served as one of his political consultants in another incarnation.

In my considered opinion the current AG is the second worst Attorney General in the legal history of The Bahamas.

He is eclipsed only by the late Tennyson RG Wells, who was clearly out of his depth when he was elevated to that office by the former Prime Minister, the Rt Honourable Hubert A Ingraham as a political sop. This is not an attack ad hominem or anything personal by any means. His actions or lack thereof speaks volumes for themselves. Let’s dive into why I postulate this stance.

Under our hybrid socalled Westminster system of governance the AG is either an elected or appointed member of Parliament but he sits in cabinet.

As Chief Legal Advisor to the government of the day he is expected to give relevant legal advice and to hold carriage of the prosecution of serious criminal and civil based cases. He/she has his/her

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net

own stand alone ministry and oversees scores of legal eagles and some buzzards.

The current AG has been creased up in this position before. This is his second non-consecutive stint in this high office.

What has been solidly achieved by him while serving? His personality is what it is but he comes across as arrogant and a know-it-all. No doubt some see the same traits in me, but I am not a politician (thank God) and I am not sucking at the public trough. He is seemingly unaccountable and has unilaterally decided what and when to inform the unwashed masses about matters under his carriage.

The Office of the Attorney General has not ‘won’ a single high profiled case be it civil or criminal since the current occupier has been at the wicket. He, et al, in this outgoing administration, has repeatedly said that he was unable to recall the FNM while in opposition making certain campaign promises.

Where is the long debated Freedom of Information Act? Where is the so-called Campaign Finance Reform Act? Why and how is it that almost two solid years after the dismal collapse of the sagas relative to the Hon Shayne Gibson and brother Frank Smith the AG is refusing, absolutely to divulged how much taxpayers’ funds that he wasted on the importation of UK based legal eagles?

Every single civil or criminal case of note has been lost or abandoned by him and his ministry. On a routine basis noted Frederick Smith, et al, have been able to rack up judgments against him and the sitting administration.

When it is not a case involving civil and human rights it is a case where asylum seekers are jailed

without a trial and kept in the Detention Centre or Fox Hill Prisons for months and years without trial or bail.

Now, we have a budding situation where assorted governmental agencies under the purview of the bungling Minister of Works & Utilities raiding a shanty town in Abaco despite, allegedly, a subsisting Injunction prohibiting such a raid and the dismantling of illegally erected homes and structures. It is also alleged that during this ‘raid’ that generators; gas tanks and other items wee carted away. What about cash? Were receipts issued for the items and possible cash taken into custody? Were any ‘illegals’ arrested for breaches of The Immigration Act? I can only imagine the slew of lawsuits which will be filed in sort order.

Almost four years since he was charged and hauled before the courts, the trail of brother Kenred has yet to come up for trial.

It is doubtful that with general elections being just around the corner, no matter how one cuts or dices it, that he will be placed on trial , if at all, any time soon. A glaring but consistent waste of public monies. The sad thing about this is: “Justice delayed is justice denied.”

I thank The Lord Jesus Christ that time is often shorter than rope and that this political nightmare is fast coming to an ignoble conclusion. The masses of unwashed Bahamians, myself included, were swung big time by the outgoing regime while in opposition. Bahamians are like elephants in that we have long memories and will not forget and forgive easily.

In the meantime the current AG has got to go sooner rather than later.

To God then in all things be the glory.

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr Nassau, April 11, 2021.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 13, 2021, PAGE 7

POWER OUT FOR MORE THAN 20 HOURS FOR SOME AFTER STORM

PM PAYS TRIBUTE TO PRINCE PHILIP

SOME residents in New Providence were left without power for more than 20 hours after severe weather Sunday night affected Bahamas Power and Light’s systems.

BPL said there were reports of damaged cutouts, blown transformers and low voltage in scattered areas.

In one of several statements issued yesterday, at 4pm BPL said several areas were still left without power due to the bad weather the night before. Emergency teams were said to be at several sites working on restoration.

PRIME Minister and Minister of Finance Dr Hubert Minnis signs the Book of Condolence in memory of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at the Office of the Governor General yesterday morning. (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson)

‘VISIONARY’ VETERAN PARAMEDIC SELWYN STRACHAN DIES AT PMH

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net GRAND Bahama Health Services has announced the death of veteran paramedic Selwyn Strachan, who died at Princess Margaret Hospital in New Providence last Thursday.

Hospital Administrator Sharon Williams said that Strachan, manager of the Emergency Medical Services, contributed 18 years of stellar service at the helm of the EMS at GBHS. “An extensively decorated paramedic, he demonstrated visionary leadership often identifying ways to improve training

for his staff to ensure that they remained on the cutting edge of emergency medical techniques.

Annually, he assumed the shared responsibility of leading and directing activities for disaster preparedness and possessed expertise in rescuing and saving lives during mass casualty incidents and natural disasters, the most recent being Hurricane Dorian in September 2019,” she said in a press release.

The Public Hospitals Authority and GBHS are saddened by his passing and have extended deepest condolences on behalf of the board of the directors, managing director, and senior executives to his relatives, friends, and colleagues.

TEENAGER PLACED ON DAILY CURFEW AFTER FIGHT

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A TEENAGER who last month fought another youngster who accused him of being a homosexual was yesterday placed on a daily curfew.

Police arrested Dwight Dernier, 18, after he punched another young man in the head on March 26.

He pleaded guilty to one count of assault when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans.

The prosecution said the complainant was in Kennedy Subdivision when Dernier ran into the yard he was standing in, swung at him and hit him in his head.

After he filed his complaint, he requested

police action. Officers investigating the matter arrested the accused a short time later. When he was questioned in custody, he told officers the argument took place because people were calling him a “sissy” and a “fight broke out”.

After listening to the prosecution’s facts, Magistrate Vogt-Evans accepted Dernier’s guilty plea and imposed a daily 4pm-7am curfew on him.

She told the school boy in the presence of his parents that he had to be home by 4pm and was not allowed to leave his residence until 7am the next day.

She said the punishment would help Dernier stay out of trouble and would also ensure he had “more than enough time” to study for the upcoming national examinations.

As of 7pm, power had been restored to Blue Hill/Carmichael Road (with some pending repairs), Durham Street, Chippingham Road, Tyler Street and Marathon Road.

In an 8pm update, more than 10 areas— including Sears Hill, Golden Gates, Bellot Road and Sanford Drive—were still waiting to have electricity restored, with estimated reconnection times varying from 8pm to 11pm last night.

Up to press time, BPL was still working on restoring power in certain areas.

HAITIAN MAN AND WOMAN MUST PAY $300 TO AVOID PRISON

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A HAITIAN man and woman who admitted travelling to the country illegally must each pay $300 to avoid spending a year in prison prior to their deportation.

Nicholas Petithomme, 43, and Cassandra Felix, 32, were arrested after they could not prove their legal status when they were approached and questioned by officers in Treasure Cay, Abaco on April 8.

The court heard that day, a team of immigration

officers along with members from the Royal Bahamas Police and Defence Forces, were conducting exercises in The Farm shanty town when they came across the accused and questioned them in regard to their legal status. The prosecution said both Petithomme and Felix failed to give a satisfactory answer when they were approached. As a result, they were cautioned and arrested. The court was told when checks of the immigration system were made, it was revealed there was no record of either one of them entering the country

through legal means. They were subsequently charged.

During their hearing before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes yesterday, both Petithomme and Felix pleaded guilty to illegal landing.

After accepting their guilty pleas, the magistrate convicted them of the offence and fined them each $300 or 12 months behind bars.

He said once the fines were paid or the sentences had been completed, they would be turned over to the Department of Immigration for deportation.

MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 21-YEAR-OLD man was yesterday charged with murder in the Magistrate’s Court.

Jason Lamm appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt charged with the death of Antonio Russell on March 1.

According to initial police reports, shortly before 10pm police were alerted to the sound of gunshots emanating from the eastern direction of Bernard Road. When officers responded to the complaint, they found a male lying on the ground with apparent gunshot wounds just outside the northeastern boundary of L W Young High School. When Emergency Medical Services visited the scene, they pronounced the victim lifeless.

During his hearing, Lamm was not required to enter a plea and the matter was

adjourned to June 29 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

The accused was denied bail and remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

He has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.

Yesterday, another 21-year-old man was denied bail after he was charged with two counts of attempted murder.

Police said Shaquille Burrows tried to kill Horatio Higgs and Craig Collie on April 2.

They further alleged the accused used a firearm to endanger the life of Perez Richardson and accused him of causing $800 worth of damage to a woman’s burgundy coloured Nissan Cube that same day.

Due to the nature of the offences, the accused was not required to enter a plea.

He returns to court on July 7 to be presented with a VBI. In the interim, Burrows was denied bail and remanded into custody.

Like Lamm, he also has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, April 13, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

A real ‘son of the soil’ seeking to pass on his knowledge T

HE term Bahamian “son of the soil” could never be more true or have such literal meaning as it does for Dr Robert Taylor. He is a soil scientist and environmental chemist whose expertise has been utilised throughout the United States, including Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia, Michigan and Florida, and even extends throughout the world. His work in the study of the soil has been critical to crop performance in the agricultural industry in the US. Taylor’s research includes soil and environmental chemistry, plant science and soil and water pollution. He has received grant funding of over $15 million for research projects with over 200 research papers and publications.

We recently met after he made a presentation during a scholarship announcement for Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU).

The CA Smith International Educational and Community Development Foundation is partnering with Dr William F Pickard, Honorary Consul for The Bahamas in Detroit to create the Friendship Alliance Scholarship fund, with a multi-million dollar commitment.

In this case, four students from Detroit and four from The Bahamas will be the recipients of a full tuition scholarship to study agriculture under Dr Taylor, who serves as the university’s Dean of Agriculture and Food Sciences.

During the announcement, Dr Taylor expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to work with Bahamian students in a field that his home country so desperately needs more expertise in. He said Bahamians who choose FAMU would feel “right at home” and committed to doing his best to serve their educational needs during their length of study.

He has been in the shoes of the many hopefuls with aspirations of higher education.

A young Robert attended Xavier’s Middle School, then St Augustine’s College where he completed O Levels.

He went on to The Government High School to do his A Levels.

He worked at the Botanical Gardens for a year and during that time helped create the beautiful landscape of a variety of flora and fauna for which the gardens are known. At the time, it was called the Experiment Station and there, he was inspired by Godfrey Eneas, an agricultural expert who was one of the first Bahamians to become formally educated in the field.

By 1967, he went off to study at Tuskegee University then Michigan State – a track that Prince Bonamy also took. They both became among the first Bahamians to receive

SOIL Scientist Dr Robert Taylor.

“I found that the Bahamian soil can be very productive if managed properly. If we don’t, it could be very unproductive.”

Dr Robert Taylor their PhDs in Agriculture.

A decade later Taylor was back in The Bahamas, assigned by the Ministry of Agriculture to work on the Bahamas Agriculture Research Training and Development project (BARTAD) in Andros.

This $10 million project was started from a partnership between the Bahamas Government project and USAID. It

DR LARRY ROBINSON, FAMU President.

began as a livestock project but broadened to include a wide spectrum of agricultural research.

Scientists from Pennsylvania State University worked on the project with Bahamian project managers such as Earl Deveaux.

There, Taylor worked as a soil scientist and travelled throughout the country researching the specific soil qualities on the islands. He created numerous bulletins documenting the findings of his research on Bahamian soils and what is needed to utilise them effectively for crop production. He devised special methods to test Bahamian soil, as general laboratory testing could not provide accurate

results for our soil.

“I found that the Bahamian soil can be very productive if managed properly,” he told me.

“If we don’t, it could be very unproductive. We have to understand that because our soil has a high PH, being very alkaline because of its limestone content, it will be low in certain nutrients like phosphorous and the minor elements like iron, zinc, copper, manganese and so on.

“We must add organic matter to it. But our soil has an excellent capacity to hold nutrients because of its high cation exchange capacity.”

As a BARTAD scientist, Taylor also did research on specific crops to improve their production, including corn, cassava, Irish potato, pigeon peas, peanut and legumes. He had high hopes of seeing his research and those of his fellow scientists blossom into real changes in the agricultural industry in The Bahamas. But the project came to an end and many high hopes were dashed as there was no other research facility of its kind in the country.

Pointing to the dire need for Bahamians to be able to feed themselves, Taylor said: “We need to reinstate a place like BARTAD. We had specialists in every area. We used Bahamian expertise. We had specialists in areas like plant protection, animal scientists, horticulturalists who would grow stuff like avocados.

We had the knowledge of how to use farm machinery.

BAMSI (Bahamas Agriculture and DR Taylor working in Brookhave n National Lab in Upton New Marine Science Institute) Light Source studying soils.

York at the National Syncho tron is a part of that (future partof self sufficiency). But ScholIn we need a wider range of nerships with Bahamians arship for Bahamian in the United States for 2002, he was bestowed the expertise. Once you start students to study Agriculgrowing crops, you will get even more scholarships to ture and Business Studies National Science Foundaa lot of insects and pests, be made available, among at Florida A&M Univer- tion Distinguished Service and that can ruin a farmer. other projects. The schol- sity will rebound in untold Award after serving as It must all be managed to arship fund came about benefits to The Bahamas Acting Deputy Division as a long held dream bring success.” as we pursue a national Director for Biological For this reason, he wel- of William Pickard and goal of food sufficiency Infrastructure at NSF in comes Bahamian students Governor General CA and food security.”

Arlington, Virginia. to study at FAMU. He Smith, who hold a friendIn addition to serving hopes to inspire them to ship spanning over five as the Dean of Agricultake their expertise home decades.

“In order to compete in ture and Food Sciences for and apply it where it is the global community and FAMU since 2012, Taylor needed most. Dr Larry to survive in the highly is also the Director of Robinson, University technological era of this Land Grant Programmes.

President, pointed out that Before this, he was the FAMU has a long history Dean of the School of of successful Bahamian Agricultural and Envigraduates who have gone ronmental Sciences at on to make an impact in Alabama Agricultural their various fields of proand Mechanical Univerfession. He said Bahamian sity (AAMU), where he students have had a high also served as the Direcstudent success rate and tor of the Centre for impressive grade point Environmental Research averages. He welcomed and Training, as well as WILLIAM PICKARD the Friendship Alliance Professor of soil and enviScholarship, which would ronmental chemistry. bring more Bahamian stuThe Soil Science Society On a national level in dents to the FAMU family. of America Journal - Soil the US, Taylor has been Coordinator Andy Ingrarecognised by the Associa- Chemistry division welham is working to increase tion of Public Land Grant comed him as an associate Universities for his out- editor from 2009 to 2014.

In 2003, he received standing service.

He was appointed to the the 1890 Morrison-Evans State of Alabama Forever Outstanding Research Wild Land Trust by the Award and in 2000, he Governor of Alabama, received the 20th Century making him the first black Agricultural International person to serve in that Development Award from GOVERNOR General CA capacity. For two terms, Hisar, India. When Taylor Smith.

Taylor served on the graduated with a Bachelor 21st Century, countries United States Department of Science degree from have to develop knowl- of Agriculture (USDA) Tuskegee University, he Agricultural was Magna Cum Laude. edge-based economies,” National Research, Education, GG Smith said.

He went on to achieve “ln recognition of this Extension and Econom- a Masters Degree in Soil imperative, the Bahamas ics (NAREE) Advisory Microbiology from MichiGovernment has not only Board, the only USDA State University, established its own Uni- board mandated by US gan versity but has allocated a Congress to advise the where he also earned a PhD in Soil Chemistry. substantial amount of its Secretary of Agriculture.

In 2007, Taylor was During his stellar career annual budget for educational purposes inclusive selected as a Carib- Taylor was also bestowed of agricultural, marine, bean Icon in Science and the honour as a Fellow of the Food Systems technical, engineering Technology.

Two years earlier, he was Leadership Institute, the and skills development.

Science Society We are confident that the inducted into the Bahamas Soil opportunities offered by Science and Technology of America, and the Amerthe Friendship Alliance Hall of Fame. ican Society of Agronomy.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 13, 2021, PAGE 9

Raise a glass to Prince Philip - he wouldn’t like all the fuss but he surely deserves it

W

HEN Prince Charles spoke publicly for the first time following the news on Friday of the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh he said how amazed his father would have been by the reaction of so many to his passing, both in Britain itself and around the world – not least in the Commonwealth – and that he would have been surprised and touched by the depth of feeling and sorrow expressed by millions.

Already, both at home and abroad there have been 41-gun salutes in honour of Prince Philip, on land and at sea, and services of remembrance and reflection in recognition and praise of his immense contribution to Britain’s national life – with the two key words, duty and service, summing that up.

Tributes to ‘a steadfast prince’ have poured in from monarchs, heads of state and Prime Ministers across the globe who have also sent their condolences to The Queen and the Royal Family.

Following an eight-day period of mourning, his funeral service – for which he is said to have wanted ‘minimum fuss’ and which he had organised himself including having his coffin borne in a suitably modified Land Rover - will be in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle this coming Saturday. It will be limited to an attendance of 30 in accordance with coronavirus restrictions.

The media coverage following Prince Philip’s passing has been all-encompassing and exhaustive. I think the BBC’s coverage has been admirable – comprehensive, informative, sensitive and appropriately balanced with a good deal of interesting and inspiring archival footage. So, it would be superfluous to seek to repeat any of the fine reportage. Instead, I draw attention to the remarks of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in

an official statement and in a tweet, neither of which may have been widely seen here in The Bahamas.

His tweet read: ‘By any measure, Prince Philip lived an extraordinary life – as a naval hero in the Second World War, as the man who inspired countless young people through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and, above all, as Her Majesty The Queen’s loyal consort.

Our thoughts are with Her Majesty and her family, who have lost not just a much loved and highly respected public figure, but a devoted husband and a proud and loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. We are a kingdom united both in grief and gratitude; grief at Prince Philip’s passing, and gratitude for his decades of selfless service to the country’.

In his separate statement, the Prime Minister said Prince Philip had earned the affection of generations in the UK, across the Commonwealth and around the world.

He was the longest serving consort in history and was one of the last surviving people in Britain to have been involved in the Second World War, serving with distinction in the Royal Navy and being ‘mentioned in despatches’ for bravery.

Mr Johnson went on to say he had helped to steer the

Royal Family and the monarchy ‘so that it remains an institution indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our national life’.

He also drew attention to what The Queen said publicly about him at their golden wedding anniversary in 1997: ‘He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years. I and his whole family, and this and many countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim or we shall ever know.’

The Prime Minister’s words surely reflect Prince Philip’s legacy very well. In offering a personal thought, I believe that, as The Queen’s constant strength and guide, he was ferociously loyal as he devoted his life to public duty. It was well known he was a person of strong will and keen intellect who was forceful,

PRINCE Charles addresses the media, outside Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, England, Saturday. (UK Pool via AP) believed in candour and did not suffer fools gladly.

So, he was regarded by some as a controversial figure. But he was also unpretentious, charming and kind and was full of fun with a lively sense of humour and an evident

PRINCE Philip pictured in 2010. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP, File) generosity of spirit. It was equally well known he could be a mix of the courtly and profane with a knack for chummy small talk, when needed, together with a propensity for outspokenness and gaffes. But he was always able to put people at their ease by cracking jokes and making them laugh, and this endeared him to so many.

Prince Philip helped to mould a modern monarchy and, despite playing second fiddle one step behind his wife on official occasions, found it possible – as an independent original thinker ahead of his time and a passionate environmentalist – to flourish in his own right with a variety of particular causes and projects; and, apparently, in the royal household he was the undisputed master for seven decades, not least being reputed to be the only person in the world who could tell The Queen what to do!

Even though he himself might have been surprised by the outpouring of public feeling and grief, most people expected it because Prince Philip has always been held in huge affection for his naturalness and forthrightness in dealing with everybody – and one aspect of his passing that has so far received little

attention is the especially sad effect it has already had on the so-called ‘war baby’ generation.

For them, he has been a constant presence as an unofficial father figure throughout their lives. He was, indirectly, someone with whom they could identify as a part of their own lives.

Some even had an irrational feeling that he would go on forever so his passing is also a bleak reminder of their own mortality. Meanwhile, his abiding presence and devotion to The Queen and his public duty had earned him the love and respect of the general public.

So it was heart-warming to learn that his image is being broadcast around the clock on the neon signs in Piccadilly Circus in the very heart of London.

Prince Philip was a regular visitor to The Bahamas over the years.

His first visit with the Queen was in 1966 during a royal tour of the Caribbean.

But as long ago as 1959 he came to the Royal Nassau Sailing Club, which received its royal charter in 1925, to watch the races for the King’s Cup and then present the trophies.

His last visit here was in 1998 in connection with the Duke of Edinburgh’s

Award – known locally as the Governor General’s Youth Award – and, almost needless to say, it was an interesting and rewarding experience to accompany him on his appointments.

As Mr Johnson said, by any measure Prince Philip lived an extraordinary life – one of duty, of selfless public service and of enormous achievement and accomplishment in so many different fields of activity.

In the words of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the leader of the established Church of England, at a service of remembrance and reflection in Canterbury Cathedral over the weekend: ‘He took the hand he was dealt and followed his call’.

Everybody will now be concerned about The Queen who has suffered a severe loss that will leave a huge void in her life after 73 years of marriage.

The Archbishop also said that, even though death may be expected, that does not make it any easier to bear when it comes.

But her tenacity, stoicism and inner strength are well known. The whole family, who are said to be united in their sorrow, will now need time to grieve – and the general public will surely wish all of them well at their time of loss.

Listen to the experts and we can get out of this crisis

I

A BOTTLE of the AstraZeneca vaccine is displayed in London. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

imagine those who are keen that the nation’s vaccination programme should be completed as rapidly as possible will have noted with satisfaction a report in The Tribune last week about the views of infectious diseases expert, Dr Nikkiah Forbes, concerning the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. This is, of course, the vaccine being used here in The Bahamas.

Dr Forbes is reported to have said at a press conference that the benefits of taking the AstraZeneca vaccine far outweigh the risks associated with the jab. This was against a background of complaints in other countries recently that this vaccine can cause blood clots, with a very small number suffering such a clot after taking the vaccine; though the incidence of this has been tiny compared with the millions of doses which have been administered. She explained that, although the science was still not clear on the issue, this could be a very rare side effect of this vaccine, and it has been reported that a small number of people who have been vaccinated in this country have complained of other side effects which have been classified as ‘non-serious and mild’.

Dr Forbes’ assessment has been confirmed by medical experts in Britain.

According to the Medicines & Healthcare Regulation Authority, given the total number of doses of this vaccine already administered (more than 36 million nation-wide), the tiny number of blood clots reported in people after receiving a first dose – and the experts say a conclusive link has not been established in every case – means there is a four in one million risk of developing a clot and a one in a million risk of dying.

Thus, there is a much higher risk of clots due to having COVID-19 itself. Moreover, the experts say there is also a higher

DR Nikkiah Forbes risk of clots from the contraceptive pill for females. So it now seems the concerns about blood clots have been overblown and it is both desirable and safe to take the jab.

The UK Health Minister Matt Hancock is quoted as saying coronavirus is a horrible disease which affects people in their twenties as much as any other group and can have debilitating longterm side effects. So it is essential for everyone to have a vaccination when it becomes available.

In light of this, it was encouraging to see a report in The Tribune yesterday that so far more than 15,000 vaccine doses have been administered in New Providence, Grand Bahama and Eleuthera. Since Dr Forbes’ advice is the AstraZeneca vaccine still far outweighs the risks, all concerned will surely hope this momentum will be maintained.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, April 13, 2021

IRAN BLAMES ISRAEL FOR SABOTAGE AT NATANZ NUCLEAR SITE

By JON GAMBRELL ASSOCIATED PRESS DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran blamed Israel on Monday for an attack on its underground Natanz nuclear facility that damaged its centrifuges — sabotage that imperils ongoing talks over Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal and brings a shadow war between the two countries into the light.

Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack, but Israeli media widely reported that the country had orchestrated a devastating cyberattack that caused a blackout at the nuclear facility. Israeli officials rarely acknowledge operations carried out by the country’s secret military units or its Mossad intelligence agency.

While the nature of the attack and the extent of the damage at Natanz remains unclear, a former Iranian official said the assault set off a fire while a spokesman mentioned a “possible minor explosion.”

Relations The attack also further strains relations between the U.S., which under President Joe Biden is now negotiating in Vienna to re-enter the nuclear accord, and Israel, whose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to stop the deal at all costs.

Netanyahu met Monday with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, whose arrival in Israel coincided with the first word of the attack.

The two spoke briefly to journalists but took no questions.

“My policy as prime minister of Israel is clear: I will never allow Iran to obtain the nuclear capability to carry out its genocidal goal of eliminating Israel,” Netanyahu said. “And Israel will continue to defend itself against Iran’s aggression and terrorism.”

At an earlier news conference at Israel’s Nevatim air base, Austin declined to say whether the Natanz attack could impede the Biden administration’s efforts to re-engage with Iran in its nuclear programme.

“Those efforts will continue,” Austin said.

The previous American administration under Donald Trump had pulled out of the nuclear deal with world powers, leading Iran to begin abandoning the limits on its atomic programme set by the accord.

But German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas expressed concern that it could affect the talks.

“All of what we are hearing from Tehran is not a positive contribution to this,” Maas told reporters.

In a statement, the White House said it was aware of the Natanz attack and that “the U.S. was not involved in any manner,” without elaborating.

Details remained scarce about what happened early Sunday at the facility. The event was initially described only as a blackout in the electrical grid feeding above-ground workshops and underground enrichment halls — but later Iranian officials began referring to it as an attack.

A former chief of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said the attack had set off a fire at the site and called for improvements in security.

In a tweet, Gen. Mohsen Rezaei said that the second assault at Natanz in a year signaled “the seriousness of the infiltration phenomenon.”

Rezaei did not say where he got his information.

THE TRIBUNE

‘HUGE’ EXPLOSION ROCKS ST VINCENT AS VOLCANO KEEPS ERUPTING

By KRISTIN DEANE AND DÁNICA COTO Associated Press

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent (AP) — La Soufriere volcano fired an enormous amount of ash and hot gas early Monday in the biggest explosive eruption yet since volcanic activity began on the eastern Caribbean island of St. Vincent late last week, with officials worried about the lives of those who have refused to evacuate.

Experts called it a “huge explosion” that generated pyroclastic flows down the volcano’s south and southwest flanks.

“It’s destroying everything in its path,” Erouscilla Joseph, director of the University of the West Indies’ Seismic Research Center, told The Associated Press.

“Anybody who would have not heeded the evacuation, they need to get out immediately.”

There were no immediate reports of injuries or death, but government officials were scrambling to respond to the latest eruption, which was even bigger than the first eruption that occurred Friday morning. Roughly 16,000 people who live in communities close to the volcano had been evacuated under government orders on Thursday, but an unknown number have remained behind and refused to move.

Richard Robertson, with the seismic research centre, told local station NBC Radio that the volcano’s old and new dome have been destroyed and that a new crater has been created. He said that the pyroclastic flows would have razed everything in their way.

“Anything that was there, man, animal, anything...they are gone,” he said. “And it’s a terrible thing to say it.”

Joseph said the latest explosion is equivalent to the one that occurred in 1902 and killed some 1,600. The volcano last erupted in 1979.

Ash from the ongoing explosions has fallen on Barbados and other nearby islands.

One government minister who toured the island’s northeast region on Sunday said he saw an estimated two or three dozen people still remaining in the community of Sandy Bay alone, prompting Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves to urge people to leave.

“It is over time for you to leave,” he said. “It is dangerous.”

Emergency management

PEOPLE collect water not contaminated by volcanic ash after the eruption of La Soufriere volcano in Wallilabou, on the western side of the Caribbean island of St. Vincent, Monday. (AP Photo/Orvil Samuel) officials warned they would arrest all those, residents or not, caught inside the red zone without police permission. Communities in the red zone are those closest to the volcano.

Two young men, Codrian Simmons and Rashon Charles, have been praised for their bravery as they

“It’s destroying everything in its path. Anybody who would have not heeded the evacuation, they need to get out immediately.”

Erouscilla Joseph, director of the University of the West Indies’ Seismic Research Center helped evacuate some 115 people from communities that are in danger.

“The monstrous force of this volcano has been an outof-(this) world experience,” Simmons told the AP, adding that the experience has been traumatic and that people in

shelters are pleading for help and supplies including water, dry goods, sheets and toiletries. “It is heart wrenching!”

The ongoing volcanic activity has threatened water and food supplies, with the government forced to drill for fresh water and distribute it via trucks.

“We cannot put tarpaulin over a river,” said Garth Saunders, minister of the island’s water and sewer authority, referring to the impossibility of trying to protect current water sources from ongoing falling ash.

He told NBC Radio that officials also are trying to set up water distribution points.

Meanwhile, Gonsalves said government officials are meeting Monday afternoon to talk about difficulties with food supplies.

Deputy Prime Minister Montgomery Daniel told the radio station that the damage was extensive in the island’s northeast region, which he toured on Sunday. Forests and farms were wiped out, with coconut, breadfruit, mango and soursop trees destroyed, as well as plantain and banana crops.

“What I saw was indeed terrible,” he said.

Cots, tents, water tanks and other basic supplies were flooding into St. Vincent as nearby nations rushed

to help those affected by the eruptions. At least four empty cruise ships floated nearby, waiting to take evacuees to other islands who have agreed to temporarily receive them, including Antigua and Grenada. Gonsalves, however, said he expects his administration might call off the cruise ships since the vast majority of people seem to be staying in St. Vincent for now.

The only people evacuated from St. Vincent via cruise ship are 136 farm workers who are part of a seasonal agricultural programme and had been stranded on the island. The group was supposed to fly to Canada, but their flight was cancelled as a result of Friday’s explosion.

They arrived Saturday in St. Lucia and will board a flight to Canada from there.

Gonsalves told NBC Radio on Sunday that his government will do everything possible to help those forced to abandon their homes in ash-filled communities.

“It’s a huge operation that is facing us,” he said. “It’s going to be costly, but I don’t want us to penny pinch...this is going to be a long haul.”

Gonsalves said it could take four months for life to go back to normal in St. Vincent, part of an island chain of that includes the

Grenadines. The majority of the 100,000 inhabitants live in St. Vincent.

Among them is Ranique Chewitt, a 32-year-old salesman who lives in South Rivers, located southeast of the volcano.

He hasn’t had to evacuate, but said he is worried about his health and water supply and hasn’t left home since the first eruption on Friday morning: “I do get shortness of breath from dust, and I am inside.”

The pandemic also is complicating response efforts.

At least 14 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported since the eruptions began on Friday, and all those going to shelters are being tested. Those who test positive are taken to isolation centres. More than 3,700 people are in 84 government shelters.

The eastern Caribbean has 19 live volcanoes, 17 of those located on 11 islands. The remaining two are located underwater near Grenada, including one called Kick ‘Em Jenny that has been active in recent years. The most active volcano of all is Soufriere Hills in Montserrat, which has erupted continuously since 1995, destroying the capital of Plymouth and killing at least 19 people in 1997.

ARTIST Kaya Mar holds a portrait he has painted of the Duke of Edinburgh outside Buckingham Palace, London, Monday.

(Luciana Guerra/PA via AP)

William, Harry remember Prince Philip’s wit, service to UK

By DANICA KIRKA AND JILL LAWLESS Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Princes William and Harry paid tribute Monday to their grandfather, Prince Philip, remembering his wit, sense of duty and barbecue skills.

The brothers issued separate statements amid a family rift that led to Harry’s decision to step away from royal duties last year, and some have speculated that their grandfather’s funeral may offer an opportunity for them to talk over their differences. Philip, who had been married to Queen Elizabeth II for more than seven decades, died last week at 99.

William, who is second in line to the throne, honored Philip’s lifetime of service to the queen and the United Kingdom as he remembered his grandfather’s “mischievous sense

of humour.”

“My grandfather was an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation,’’ said the 38-year-old William. “Catherine and I will continue to do what he would have wanted and will support The Queen in the years ahead. I will miss my Grandpa, but I know he would want us to get on with the job.”

Harry, who stepped away from royal duties last year and now lives in California, has arrived in the U.K. to attend Philip’s funeral service, which will take place Saturday at Windsor Castle, west of London. His wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is pregnant and was advised by her doctor not to make the long journey.

Harry’s statement described Philip as a man who was “authentically himself.”

“He will be remembered as the longest reigning consort to the

Monarch, a decorated serviceman, a Prince and a Duke,” said the 36-yearold Harry. “But to me, like many of you who have lost a loved one or grandparent over the pain of this past year, he was my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right ‘til the end.”

William and his wife also released a picture of Philip sitting in a carriage with his great-grandson, Prince George, their oldest child. Philip has the reins.

Philip’s royal ceremonial funeral at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle will be a slimmed-down service due the COVID-19 pandemic and will be closed to the public. Philip, who was also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, took part in planning the funeral, which has a focus on family.

As preparations for the service continue, tributes to Philip are pouring in. In the House of Commons, which

was recalled early from its Easter recess because of the prince’s death, lawmakers offered their condolences.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Philip “shaped and protected the monarchy through all the vicissitudes” of the past seven decades.

“He gives us all a model of selflessness and of putting others before ourselves,’’ Johnson said. “He made this country a better place.”

New Zealand, meanwhile, set the date of April 21 for a state memorial service for Philip in Wellington that will be attended by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and other dignitaries. Because there are no coronavirus restrictions in New Zealand, which has stamped out the spread of the virus, the service will host more people than Philip’s funeral in Britain.

New Zealand will also hold a unusual parliamentary session on Tuesday to honour Philip.

PAGE 11

TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021

MOTHER-of-three Pia Glover-Rolle is ready to prove that she is a more than capable and forward-thinking political candidate

Pia is poised for purpose and ready for the political arena

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

Pia Glover-Rolle feels more women in the Bahamas should step into political leadership roles.

And she is leading by example as the Progressive Liberal Party’s new candidate for the Golden Gates constituency.

Long before politics, at an early age, Pia was drawn to the field of hospitality. So it came as no surprise that she chose to pursue a career in hospitality management. It was after earning her degree, armed with the intention of making hospitality her life-long career, that Pia realised that her greatest joy in the job came from helping to develop people. This led her to further her education in the areas of human resources, employment and constitutional law. She has since worked in the private and public sectors over the course of her professional career.

However, she is also an entrepreneur, owning a modelling and

talent agency since 1999 through which she has impacted the lives of hundreds of youths across the country and the region.

Pia is also a Justice of the Peace and an immigration and human resources consultant.

In addition to all these interests, the mother-of-three told Tribune Woman she has always had a love for politics and has been involved in one way or another in this arena through her party, the PLP, for approximately 25 years.

She started out in the Progressive Young Liberals (PYL), the youth arm of the party, and progressed to other branches and roles over the years, finally taking the position of national vice chair and now candidate in the upcoming general election.

“I enjoy everything about politics, particularly formulating policies that help to make our country better. Apart from all that goes into nation-building, I am really intrigued by the overall workings of governance.

Most importantly though, I enjoy being of service of others, which is

where my hospitality background tends to kick in. My intention is to use politics as a platform to elevate the work that I’m already doing to advance my people and my country. My mission is to create and provide access to opportunities for Bahamians to live productive and purposeful lives,” said Pia. One thing in particular she would like to see change about local politics is a shift towards getting more actual work done and focusing on the goals of progress and improvement.

Moreover, she said would also do away with “gutter tactics”, slander and lies, as she believes this would attract more viable and competent candidates.

“I think more women would take the step forward to lead and serve in such an environment.

Around the world, more and more women are taking their rightful place in leadership alongside their male counterparts. Over the last two decades, the rate of women’s representation in national parliaments globally has incrementally

increased, but there is room for improvement as global representation is still well below the 30 percent benchmark. The full and equitable participation of women in public life is essential to building and sustaining strong, vibrant democracies,” she said.

“Women’s political participation results in tangible gains for democracy, including greater responsiveness to citizens’ needs, increased cooperation across societal divides, and a more sustainable future.

“Women’s participation in politics helps to advance gender equality and also affects the range of policy issues that get considered and the types of solutions that are proposed. Kofi Annan noted, ‘Study after study has taught us, there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.’ I’m excited for the future of women in politics and look forward to many more of us being involved in a more visible way going forward,” said Pia.

One piece of advice she would like to share with young girls and women is to believe in yourself and trust in God. “Study and glean knowledge from those that you aspire to be like. Work hard, without compromise. Be prepared to sacrifice.

Find balance and happiness in every day. Be grateful, even for the smallest blessings. Help as many as you can along the way.

Inspire others to be better because of your presence. Leave an impact that lasts in your absence. And finally, don’t sweat the small stuff.

I’m guided by my deep faith in God. Apart from that, I am influenced by my children and the hundreds of young people who I have personally mentored or trained over the decades. You may ask how is it that the mentor is being influenced by the mentee?

The answer is simple. I do my best to model the behaviour that I expect to see in them, and that keeps me accountable. I strive to practice what I preach, and to be my best self-daily,” said Pia.

“I didn’t like it. I just thought the hemline was a bit short as well,” she said.

However, Santiya said that the constant critique of political wives has become tiresome.

“Jill Biden looked great. I think that the best age and time to wear fishnets is when one wants to wear fishnets. And I find it very interesting that a lot of the people online criticising her for inappropriate attire and saying she looked like a hooker where the very same ones praising Melania when she was photographed in a lot less,” she said.

Tiny agreed.

“She was rocking that look.

People acting like she is ancient and needs to be dowdy. I like that the last few First Ladies have made a lot of bold fashion choices and strayed away from that basic, boring, safe two-piece skirt suit and pearls look. Just ‘cause your husband is president doesn’t mean you have to be stale,” she said.

FIRST Lady Jill Biden arrives at Andrews Air Force Base. (Mandel Ngan/Pool via AP)

A bold choice or a fashion faux pas?

By CARA HUNT Tribune Features Writer cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

America’s new First Lady, Dr Jill Biden, recently set tongues a-wagging when she wore a leather-trimmed dress paired with fishnet tights and boots on a plane trip from California to Washington, DC. The outfit got mixed reviews and caused and lot of buzz on social media, with some people complimenting on for her keen fashion sense, while others ridiculed the choice saying she is too old for the outfit or that it was a trashy choice.

No matter how professionally accomplished they are, it seems that political spouses are always judged by the outfits they wear.

Consider former attorney Hillary Clinton’s pantsuits and headbands, Michelle Obama (also an attorney) who was criticised

for showing bare arms, and of course Melania Trump drew fire for her insanely expensive couture wardrobe and that infamous green jacket with the words “I really don’t care” emblazoned on the back.

Dr Biden is 69 and usually favours classic styles, so this outfit was a departure from her norm one that not all Bahamian fashion enthusiasts agreed with.

“I think the fishnets were a little young for her,” Ja’nae told Tribune Weekend. “I think that anyone in that high position should go for a more conservative look. Like it or not, your outfit will be talked about and debated about and a look like that just sends the wrong message; and she knew that, especially when you see who she has replaced in that role.”

Celeste agreed this was not Dr Biden’s best look.

PAGE 12, Tuesday, April 13, 2021

BTVI Academic Dean to receive international award Academic Dean at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) Dr Pleshette McPhee will be receiving the Excellence in Education Award to be conferred by the Global Forum for Education and Learning (GFEL) this summer.

The award will be presented to Dr McPhee at the second edition of the GFEL conference to be held in Las Vegas in June. During the three-day conference, EdTech innovators, thought leaders and academicians, who are adding significant value to the global education sector, will converge to lead, empower and improve the means of education transmittal.

According to Dr McPhee’s scorecard, she averaged 84.2 percent in five categories. This was based on her answers and the awards committee’s research.

The areas included, but were not limited to, overall impact on the industry, spirit of innovation and future readiness.

The veteran educator, who has 31 years of experience under her belt, said to be receiving the award is very humbling.

“I felt overwhelmed, humbled, filled with gratitude and speechless all at the same time.

I kept saying ‘Thank you God.’ I feel honoured to have been nominated, short-listed and eventually chosen for such a prestigious international award,” said Dr McPhee.

She added that the team behind her is worthy of accolades as well, as the international recognition is beyond her.

“My contributions in the field of education, the work that I do, the craft that I am so passionate about and dedicated to, resonated with others; in this case, an international organization like GFEL. This too is an honor for BTVI, because whatever I accomplished as it relates to my role as Academic Dean, I did it with a team.

The team is also deserving to share in this award as well,” she emphasised.

PLESHETTE McPhee.jpg Meanwhile, Dr McPhee considers herself to have an authentic, collaborative and transformational leadership style, with a track record of introducing best practices while driving change.

Noteworthy is the successful leadership she provided the Academic Affairs team in the registration of 11 new BTVI programs with the National Accreditation and Equivalency Council (NAECOB). She continues to lead collaborative efforts as BTVI seeks programmatic accreditation. In addition, Dr McPhee brought structure to the unit by implementing standards, policies and compliance after conducting a policy audit. She was also pivotal in the institutionalisation of a course approval, monitoring and evaluation process and the designing of a performance evaluation and appraisal system for instructors.

“In my critical role, I oversee the curriculum, instruction,

assessment and the quality assurance process. I am keen on my team delivering a superior product – one that will train students who are ready for the workplace or entrepreneurship. Quality teaching is central, but also paying attention to our value chain, inclusive of human resources and human capital to provide quality education,” said Dr McPhee.

Dr McPhee underscored her role in the teaching and learning process at BTVI. “It must always be student centered and our approaches and methodology must coincide with the mandate to continue to impact, reform, shape future citizens and build a nation via technical and vocational education, while closing the skills gap,” said Dr McPhee, who is also chairman of the Eva Hilton Primary Schools Board.

BTVI’s President, Dr Robert W Robertson, congratulated Dr McPhee, stating that he was

proud to have a member of staff receive an international award for work done in the education field.

“Dr McPhee is a quality employee, who is an integral part of our Deans Council and deserving of this award. One of BTVI’s strategic plan goals is ‘students first’ and Dr McPhee, as head of Academic Affairs, drives our teaching and learning process.

She is key in helping to build an instructional culture, which encourages high-quality teaching, faculty engagement and prioritizes student education,” said Dr Robertson.

“Further, the conference itself is an excellent networking opportunity. Leaders in education will meet to discuss complex issues facing the future of education; it is more relevant than ever, particularly with educational institutions worldwide having been forced to pivot to online platforms as a result of COVID-19, even if they are now in hybrid mode. BTVI

THE TRIBUNE

is no different and we are continuing to search out innovative solutions. I believe this conference will serve her, and us, well.”

During the three-day event to be held at the MGM Grand, there will be sessions on topics such as ‘Digital Literacy: What Are the Next Steps?’, ‘The Impact of Web Technologies on Education’, ‘Digital KPI Framework - Is Your School/Institution EdTech Ready?’, ‘Instructional Design and Curriculum Priorities’ and ‘Overcoming Barriers to Student Engagement.’

As a part of the conference, an elite group of 100 high-performing leaders in education and 50 educational organisations, will be awarded for their contributions to the education sector.

All awardees are required to be physically present at the event to collect their awards. In the event an awardee is unable to attend, a nominee is allowed to collect on his or her behalf.

GFEL is organised by Prism Events, Inc. Over 500 delegates are expected to attend the education conference, where the latest in the field of education is expected to be on display in the exhibitor’s arena.

Mastectomies have been performed for over 500 years – yet we still can’t talk about them

By ALANNA SKUSE Lecturer in English Literature, University of Reading In the middle of the 17th century, Mrs Townsend found a lump in her breast. Diagnosed with breast cancer by a local physician, she underwent a mastectomy without anaesthetic – an agonising procedure.

Her bravery impressed the male surgeons who had gathered to watch the operation. One commented that he “had read that women would endure more than men, but did not believe it ‘til now”. They stayed in town for several days to inspect her wound and see how it was healing. After this, Mrs Townsend disappears from the historical record. There is no news on how she felt about her changed body, or how others reacted to her.

While much of Mrs Townsend’s experience is mercifully alien, the silence that surrounds her post-mastectomy experience is eerily familiar. Each year, 55,000 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer, and up to 40 percent will choose to undergo a mastectomy. Mastectomy patients are routinely offered surgical replacement of the breast tissue, whether with saline or silicone implants, a tissue transplant from elsewhere on the body, or a combination of the two.

Reconstruction is an important part of many women’s recovery.

Yet it is not without its problems: 18 percent of patients return to hospital with post-operative complications such as infection. This, along with other factors, such as time taken off work, means that around 70 percent of patients turn down reconstructive surgery.

Despite these figures, the sight of one- or no-breasted bodies in the media is still rare. Under-representation is a common problem for people with visible bodily difference. But for mastectomy patients, this may be particularly acute: studies show that breast reconstruction is often presented as a normal and necessary part of restoring bodily “wholeness”.

What is it about breast cancer that has made mastectomy and its effects so hard to discuss throughout history?

The gnawing wolf History suggests that our fear of cancer is deep rooted. The disease was first recorded in ancient Greece, where its propensity to “grip” the body of the sufferer

DIAGRAMS illustrating how to perform a mastectomy and cauterise the wound (Pen drawing after an engraving, 1603) the female reproductive system were slightly easier to diagnose with a physical examination, but the overwhelming majority of all diagnosed cancers were in the breasts.

Indeed, medical practitioners agreed that “where one has a cancer in any part besides, twenty have them in their breasts”. Noticing that post-menopausal women were the most likely to suffer from cancer, physicians concluded that when menstruation ceased, women were vulnerable to a buildup of bad humours, or fluids, in the womb. Unable to be expelled from the body, this toxic cocktail was, they believed, transported directly to the breasts via a special (now known to be nonexistent) vein.

While medicines of mercury and arsenic might be tried, the mastectomy was the only effective means of treatment. First described in medieval texts, this procedure probably originated in antiquity but went unrecorded for many years. By the 17th century, surgeons – emboldened by their experience amputating limbs on European battlefields – started to perform and record more mastectomies.

A 17TH century mastectomy

caused it to be named after the crab, karkinos. In medieval and Renaissance Europe, doctors believed that cancer was caused by a buildup of sluggish melancholy humours in the affected part, behaving like a parasitic worm or a “gnawing wolf” in the way it devoured its victims. Desperate patients put raw meat on the cancerous area in hopes that

the disease would eat the meat and not their bodies.

Throughout, cancer was viewed as primarily a woman’s disease.

While physicians occasionally diagnosed testicular or skin cancers, internal cancers were impossible to pinpoint in living patients and often had symptoms similar to infectious diseases rife in the period. Cancers of

Historical mastectomy Based on newspaper reports, diaries and physicians’ handbooks, we can speculate that perhaps ten or 20 mastectomies took place each year during the 1600s, and considerably more in the 1700s.

Rates of mortality in these operations are hard to calculate.

We know that for Daniel Turner, a skilful 17th-century surgeon, nearly 30 percent of patients he

operated on for tumours died in his care. Considering that most of those operations would have been considerably less invasive than mastectomy, the survival chances of women having a breast removed must have been considerably less than 50 percent.

Though mastectomy was an established procedure, its effects were hardly ever discussed outside medical texts. The only place a one-breasted woman could be envisioned was the exotic figure of the Amazon, reported in travel books and histories as living in all-female groups, visiting neighbouring tribesmen for sex as and when they pleased. However, when these warrior women appeared in drama, they did so with “normal” bodies. Actors (usually male) impersonated all kinds of disabilities, reflecting a culture in which bodily difference was widely, if often negatively, represented in ballads, folk tales and broadsides. But they never impersonated one-breasted women.

In patriarchal Renaissance society, this reticence makes sense.

Women’s primary role was seen to be as wives and mothers. By threatening their perceived sexual attractiveness, and their ability to breastfeed, mastectomy displaced women from this role. Women’s voices went unrecorded, and male writers lacked a framework for talking about women’s bodies that did not focus on their sexual and reproductive value.

The same should not be true today. Yet modern discussions about cancer take more than we might realise from history. Doctors and scholars alike have noted the dominance of combative metaphors for cancer treatment, in a hangover from its characterisation as a hostile crab, worm or wolf. And we still lack positive language for talking about onebreasted or non-breasted women, beyond the platitudes of “cancer survivor”.

The invisibility of the unreconstructed post-mastectomy body attests that the breast as a symbol of reproduction still matters most.

In this arena, it seems that women are still wives and mothers first.

• This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 13, 2021, PAGE 13

BODY AND MIND

Eight tips for a healthier you this spring

By CARA HUNT Tribune Features Writer cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

While we all know that we need to eat better, exercise more and adopt overall healthier lifestyles, sometimes making that a reality can be difficult.

After all the hassles of daily living and just trying to get everything done, it can seem like a lot.

But making the time to ensure that you take care of yourself can help you take care of the thousands of things that on your plate.

And springtime is the perfect time to recommit to a healthy lifestyle. Many of us may have lost that New Year’s resolution momentum and are currently feeling the after-effects of all those Easter hot cross buns (hey, no judgment here).

1

. It’s time for your annual check-up Now is the perfect time to schedule your routine annual.

Since it’s the beginning of the year, most insurance companies should cover it either entirely or partially, and many of us may have chosen to skip last year due to the pandemic, which makes getting all your tests done now even more important.

2

. Increase your water intake Water is literally a life-giving substance. Being dehydrated can cause headaches, dizziness, and even low blood pressure. Additionally, it can cause skin dryness and chapping, constipation, and cause your hair to become dry and brittle. It can also affect your mood. So if you know you aren’t getting the recommended eight glasses a day, invest in a cute water bottle and chug away.

3

. Don’t forget your teeth With all this maskwearing it may be easy to forget about our oral hygiene.

But masks can’t hide what’s going on inside our mouths. For many, ‘dentist’ is a dirty word, but it’s always better to address issues before they become major problems. Any type of oral infection has the potential to spread and affect overall health, including things like sinus pressure and headaches, sore throats. And regular cleanings are key to ensuring that when are masked days are over, we can greet people with a beautiful smile.”

4

. Get your zzzzs For many of us, exhaustion is a way of life; get up early, go to bed too late and do a million things in between.

But sleep is such an important part of your overall health. Your body needs that time to recharge and rejuvenate. Lack of sleep can leave you grumpy, lethargic and unproductive. Make an effort

to increase your sleep either by going to bed earlier or waking up later and see how much better you feel.

5

. Eliminate stress This is a huge one, because there are so many things that can add anxiety to our lives that we simply can’t avoid. But alternatively, there are things in our lives that with a little effort or foresight, we can change.

For example, getting a housekeeper can help you not stress out about the state of your home, or hiring someone to do that home improvement project you and your husband have been fighting over for the past six months.

Focus on what you can eliminate to help lighten the load.

6

. Take a mental check Given everything that has happened in the past year, it is important to ensure that you are doing OK emotionally.

Often, we just focus on getting through the day, without taking

the actual time to make sure that we have processed what’s happening. Make sure you are taking breaks to refresh your mind. Take a walk on the beach, do a few minutes of yoga or mediation, or talk to a good friend to ensure that you are recharging your mental batteries.

7

. Eat a healthier This is another one of those things that can be hard to do, even though we know we need to. The key to eating better is to take the time to meal plan and to ensure that you have purchased healthy options, before hunger kicks in and you feel driven to snack on unhealthy choices.

Make sure to keep fruits, vegetables, low-sodium and sugar-free food items on hand.

Invest in an air fryer and check Pinterest for thousands of options for healthy, low-calorie recipes that still taste good. Make sure you have dinner leftovers ready

to take to the office for lunch the next day.

8

. Exercise This is something that you will just have to make up your mind needs to be done and just pick a day and start. Of course, you won’t be running marathons on day one, but even a few minutes of extra movement each day can do a world of good.

Exercise releases endorphins so you will also feel better mentally and usually sleep better, too. If you prefer to exercise from the comfort of your home, there are a whole slew of YouTube exercise routines you can follow to give you motivation (maybe start by searching for ‘lazy girl’, ‘lazy guy’ routines that are quick and simple to follow).

Look for simple ways to get a workout in. For example, when you are out shopping, consider parking as far as you can from the entrance. Buy a jump rope and jump around your home and climb stairs several times a day.

REACH goes blue as corporate partner Colina helps spread autism awareness

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

AUTISM is a very real and complex disability that many families in the Bahamas struggle with on a daily basis.

The lifelong developmental disability typically appears during early childhood and can impact a person’s social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation.

In demonstrating support in a tangible way this April, the team at Colina Insurance Limited are doing their part in creating awareness of autism in the Bahamas.

On behalf of Colina, its resident actuary, Marcus Bosland, and PAULA HOSPEDALES, reinsurance administration manager at Colina, with his autistic son Obasi Bosland, Marcus J Bosland, resident actuary, and their son, Obasi Bosland, who is recently made a $10,000 donation autistic to the Bahamas Resource and Educational Source for Autism and other related Challenges (REACH).

“It is a distinct pleasure that my employer, Colina, is making this donation to REACH – an organisation that does very viable work serving the autistic community, serving caregivers, parents and those who love children and adults with autism. REACH’s work is important and I am really grateful that Colina is taking this opportunity to partner with the organisation,” said Mr Bosland.

“The population of children with autism in the Bahamas may not be massive, but we are here and we are important. REACH has been invaluable in providing a community of persons who are walking the same path so we do not feel so alone dealing with this neurological disorder.”

COLINA employess done the autism awareness T-shirts Maxine Seymour, director of Corporate Communications at he is really is a cool kid” said Ms Up Blue’ event at the organiColina, said 12-year-old Obasi Seymour. sation’s headquarters on the did an excellent job with the Later during the evening, Coli- Queen’s College campus. presentation, and she believes he “Colina employees are also represented the autistic commu- na’s 308 East Bay Street location turned its lights blue to further bringing awareness to and raising nity well as an ambassador.

“I am very pleased to have had raise awareness of the cause. Pas- funds for autism, as the staff purhim join us. He was enthused and sersby will be able to see these chased T-shirts and will wear them corporative, and I really appreci- lights for the remainder of the each Friday during the month of April,” said Ms Seymour. ated his participation. Obasi is month.

Ms Seymour said representaMoreover, Mr Bosland added truly a rock star. I enjoyed meeting him and hearing about his life. tives from REACH and Colina that his family proudly wears I was told by his parents that he inspected the lights ahead of the autism awarness shirts and they likes to go outdoors, swim, and he building going blue, concurrent are all elated that his colleagues knows how to give high fives. So with REACH’s annual ‘Light It will be joining in wearing the

DWAYNE GIBSON, chairman of the board of directors at REACH; Marcus Bosland, resident actuary at Colina, and Obasi Bosland; Marcia Newball, board member, REACH; (back) Leotha Nixon, manager of human resources, and Maxine Seymour, director of communications

shirts on Fridays, because what is needed in the community is understanding.

Wearing the T-shirts, he said, is the first step towards acceptance.

Dwayne Gibson, chairman of board of directors at REACH, said the organisation is very pleased to partner with Colina this year, as it has been a challenging 12 months for the non-profit organisation, the country as a whole, and for the children.

“We continue to struggle to put forward various initiatives during this pandemic to impact our kids, so the donation will allow us to look at other REACH opportunities. We are very happy to start off our ‘Light It Up Blue’ campaign at Colina. Thank you for the opportunity,” said Mr Gibson.

REACH aims to provide parents with comprehensive knowledge and tools in all areas of this neurobiological disorder.

PAGE 14, Tuesday, April 13, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Relaunch of penile implant medical tourism Medical tourism for penile implants has recommenced in the Bahamas after an approximate one-year hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The rollout of the vaccine has provided greater confidence in the safety of international travel for many, as we see steady local increases in tourism numbers. Local procedures for penile implants are minimally invasive and have continued for Bahamians and residents throughout the pandemic.

International patients enjoy the anonymity of world-class penile implant procedures in the Bahamas and they can combine the life-renewing procedure with enjoying the sun, sand and sea we have to offer.

Many medical tourism patients tell their families, friends and colleagues about their exciting Bahamas vacation, while maintaining their right to privacy when it comes to the reason for their trip.

Penile implants were first developed in 1973. Today, the Boston Scientific AMS 700 inflatable penile prosthesis is the most technically advanced penile implant available worldwide.

The Boston Scientific company is a world-renowned innovator of medical technology and the developer of the AMS 700 penile inflatable prosthesis. The “bionic penis” is a revolutionary advancement in the treatment of severe erectile dysfunction and Peyronie’s disease. The use of the bionic penis in men with Peyronie’s disease can ensure the development of a healthy, happy, fully satisfying sexual life by correcting the penile curvature and by providing the necessary full rigidity for penetration.

Men with a very poor blood and/or very poor nerve supply to the penis may regain full, lasting erections with the placement of the inflatable penile prosthesis.

The AMS 700 penile implant is the most popular in the Boston Scientific’s extensive line of penile devices as it perfectly mimics a natural erection and provides full rigidity when inflated, and a natural, flaccid feel and appearance when deflated.

The AMS 700 bionic penis is currently the only penile implant on the market that can increase both the girth and length of the patient’s penis by up to 25 percent.

The device is naturally concealed and feels natural to both the patient and the patient’s partner. The placement of the bionic penis does not involve a single cut to the penis itself, and after the procedure the recipient’s penis appears as before.

No battery is required.

The bionic penis stays harmlessly within a man for a lifetime.

Myth #1: The bionic penis is the least desirable erectile dysfunction treatment.

The patient satisfaction rate for the AMS 700 penile inflatable prosthesis is 94 percent in most major studies.

The satisfaction rates for Viagra (52 percent) or penile injections (41 percent) are much lower.

The cylinders, placed within the shaft of the penis, completely inflate with fluid contained within a liquid reservoir system within the groin.

The cylinders deflate with a second press of a button within the scrotum, making the penis flaccid again.

The bionic penis placement procedure is performed as an outpatient procedure or as a short overnight hospital stay.

Post-operative discomfort is minimal, short lasting and controlled by painkillers, as needed, for rarely more than one week post-op. Patients can commence sexual activity after four weeks.

Complete confidentiality is assured to all international and local patients receiving the device.

Aliases are used and nobody will know the name or identity of the recipient.

The state-of-the-art three-part system allows a man to have the ultimate full erection anytime with a simple press of a button, concealed within a patient’s scrotum. The erection lasts as long as the patient wishes, with the erection deflating with a second press of the button.

The bionic penis cannot be accidentally inflated nor deflated.

The bionic penis allows a man to orgasm multiple times, have full complete sensation and have children.

The length of the penis is maintained or increased with the device placement.

The device itself is long-lasting and durable, and after 15 years, nearly 90 percent of men with the AMS 700 bionic penis have had no issues with the device.

Approximately ten percent of bionic penis recipients may require a minimal revision procedure for the device after 15 to 20 years plus.

Got empathy?

ETHAN QUANT HEALTH COACH If we truly want to combat obesity in the Bahamas, the most important quality that health, wellness and fitness professionals can express to those suffering from this deadly disease is empathy.

While I appreciate that this does not apply to all health, wellness

Severe erectile dysfunction is often caused by poor blood and/ or nerve supply as a result of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, atherosclerosis sickle cell disease, collagen vascular disease, previous prostate cancer surgery, colorectal cancer surgery or radiation, amongst innumerable medical conditions that could lead to severe erectile dysfunction. Peyronie’s disease involves the formation of fibrous plaques within the shaft the penis that leads to curvature of the erect penis. In severe cases of Peyronie’s disease, the curvature of the erect penis is so severe that men cannot penetrate their partner and erections are sometimes accompanied by pain.

Severe erectile dysfunction secondary to a very poor blood and nerve supply to the penis or secondary to Peyronie’s disease, with severe curvature of the erect penis may be treated by the implantation of a bionic penis as a last line of management.

A man can always rise again and have a fully satisfying sexual life, even after years of despair and no erections, or a severe curvature of their erect penises.

Never ever give up hope or believe that your glory days are gone forever.

All men with severe erectile dysfunction, from those in their late teens to men approaching a century of life on this earth, are potential candidates for the bionic penis.

A young man with sickle cell disease or childhood diabetes might have no erection at age 20, just as a 90-year-old man might have no erections due to clogged arteries.

The bionic penis is a last treatment option and not the first.

There are several myths that must be busted in regards to the bionic penis.

Myth #3: The implant procedure is long, complex and painful.

The implant procedure is relatively quick, taking about one hour and it is minimally invasive and can be done as an outpatient procedure. The recovery is minimal and patients are back to regular routine later the same day or the next.

THE UROLOGY DOCTOR IS IN...

Myth #4: I am too old or not a candidate for a bionic penis because of my diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

You are never too old to be an excellent candidate for a penile prosthesis. Most penile prosthesis patients have multiple medical conditions including diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cardiovascular disease that led to the severe erectile dysfunction in the first place.

Myth #5: The bionic penis is

an experimental device.

Penile prosthesis devices have been in existence since 1973 and they have been advanced throughout the many years to the current state-of-the-art version.

The Boston Scientific company is at the forefront in terms of innovation in this field.

Simply put, the bionic penis allows men to have an erection at will anytime, with full rigidity and full sensation.

Dr Greggory Pinto • Dr Greggory Pinto is a board certified Bahamian urologist and laparoscopic surgeon. He has trained in Germany, South Africa and France, and is a member of the European Association of Urology. He can be contacted at OakTree Medical Center, #2 Fifth Terrace & Mount Royal Avenue. Telephone: (242) 322-1145 (6) (7); e-mail: welcome@urologycarebahamas.com, or visit the website:www.urologycarebahamas.com.

Health coach Ethan Quant, of Elite Wellness Solutions, has succeeded in his weight loss journey and now wants to share his methods with the Bahamas in an effort to foster a culture of wellness and conquer the obesity epidemic

and fitness professionals, it has been my personal experience on the road to transforming my body and my life and overcoming obesity, that the vast majority of industry professionals have low expressions of empathy when working with the overweight and obese population.

Empathy is one of four domains of emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence is the capacity to be aware of, control and express one’s emotions, and to handle relationships without judgement and empathetically.

Within the context of behavioural change there are three main types of empathy. They are: Cognitive empathy is understanding how the person thinks about the situation. You understand their mental models. This helps the health, wellness and

fitness professionals be really excellent as communicators, because they can put things in terms that resonate with clients and that they can really understand.

Emotional empathy is feeling with the client, exactly what they are feeling. This can help you stay on target, and can be things like sensing when maybe the client is getting upset with you, or maybe they are feeling frustrated or down on themselves. Whatever it is, the health, wellness and fitness professional needs to be aware so that they can pick up these feelings in the moment, so that they can turn it around and work it to their advantage and for the benefit of the client.

Empathic concern is almost motivational and it means that whatever is going on with the

UBFIT race Exceeds participation goal More than 350 people participated in the University of The Bahamas (UB) virtual UBFIT Fun Run/Walk, Bike, Skate, Push 5K/10K race that happened over the weekend in a tangible display of support for wellness and the University.

In its fourth year, but the first in a virtual format, the UBFIT race attracted participants in Exuma, Andros, Long Island, New Providence, Grand Bahama, and internationally as the excitement spread. Each participant completed either a 5K or 10K race course on their own, as a family, or in small groups and submitted the results tracked in their apps in order to receive a finisher’s medal.

The event was held April 9-11.

“Despite the pandemic and the many restrictions we faced, as a committee, we re-envisioned what UBFIT could look like this year in a virtual capacity,” said Kandice Eldon, UBFIT co-chair and UB executive director of Corporate and Foundation Relations. “And we are so pleased that members of the public, corporate Bahamas

Myth #2: The implant feels unnatural and is seen and felt by the sexual partner.

The penile inflatable implant is placed in a minimally invasive procedure performed under general anaesthesia that can be done as an outpatient procedure, requiring not a single incision to the penis and no scars to the penis. The penis itself will look and feel the same before and after the procedure. Sexual partners will not be able to feel that the bionic penis implant exists, but they will benefit and enjoy the fully sustained rigidity of the device. The bionic penis works every time, anytime, for as long as you want and as many times as you want. The device allows full, natural feeling sensation with the ability to orgasm multiple times and conceive a child.

Erectile dysfunction management must address the route cause.

Uncontrolled or undiagnosed diabetes or hypertension is often the cause of worsening erectile function.

There is a very strong correlation between heart disease and erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction might be an early sign of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. A full cardiovascular workup in men with erectile dysfunction may save their life in the future and allow treatment for early heart disease.

Management of uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension could prevent worsening erectile function and help prevent damage to other organs of the body such as the kidneys, heart and eyes.

Bionic penis implant placement is the last line of treatment for severe erectile dysfunction.

When the blue pill stops working, or it never worked, or when penile injections are ineffective, a bionic penis implant can allow you to rise from the dead again and again.

Seek completely confidential, compassionate and comprehensive urological care for erectile dysfunction right here in the Bahamas.

CHECK presentation with University President Dr Rodney D Smith; Vice President, Division of Institutional Advancement, Dino Hernandez; Oaktree Medical Centre Medical Director Dr. Don D Deveaux, along with UBFIT Leadership team. (UB file photo) and the University participated in such a major way.”

UBFIT has become one of UB’s staple community building and fundraising initiatives. In its inaugural year, more than 500 people participated, consequently contributing to UB’s annual fund and supporting the goal of increased mobility for students with special needs. The event grew from

the University’s annual Health and Safety Week, held under the theme “Fit. Healthy. Safe.”

To date, more than $180,000 have been collectively raised from sponsorships, registrants and generous in-kind donations. Funds raised this year from UBFIT will support the COVID-19 Technology Relief Fund and Annual Fund to provide laptops, tablets

individual in their thoughts and their feelings, you also understand what they need in the moment, and what it is that you can do to help them. Your motivation is also set so that you are there for them, and that keeps you helping the clients in an effective way right through the session and throughout their health, wellness and fitness journey, because you have their well-being as your main interest.

I know that I am in a unique position because I was once obese, and so it is much easier for me to relate because I know what it feels like for be obese, not just physically, but mentally as well. However, as health, wellness and fitness professionals we have made the decision to help people who are struggling with their unhealthy behaviours. This means

that we have to meet the clients where they are and move them, at their pace, towards their goals.

An important part of this process is maintaining a positive disposition for us and for the clients.

We want to keep them positively focused and help them to visualise how awesome it will feel to accomplish their goals.

This doesn’t mean that we can’t challenge them, but we want to do so in a way that sets them up for success not failure. This may require reassessing original goals set or redesigning their programme. Whatever it is, we have a responsibility to our clients to not just keep them on their journey, but to do our best to ensure that it is a positive experience as well.

• You can contact Ethan Quant at ethan@elite-wellnesssolutions.

and other technology for students in need.

“We have exceeded our fundraising and registration goal with more than 350 registrants who participated especially dedicated community running groups, friends of UB, and corporate Bahamas,” said Ms Eldon. “I wish to thank all of our sponsors and title sponsor Oaktree Medical Centre for joining us for the next three years as we expand this health and wellness initiative.”

Oaktree Medical Centre Director Dr Don Diego Deveaux noted that he was more than happy to be UBFIT’s title sponsor as the health and education of a nation is its wealth.

“To whom much is given, much is required, and for the Oaktree family the opportunity to partner with University of The Bahamas for UBFIT represents many of the core values we believe in and is picture perfect and timely,” said Dr Deveaux. “We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with University of The Bahamas and encourage corporate Bahamas to continue doing the same.”

Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) was another corporate partner

and expressed pride in being a founding UBFIT sponsor.

“We have committed to improving the lives of Bahamians by improving access to safe, reliable and affordable energy, and we believe University of The Bahamas is equally as committed to improving the lives of Bahamians by both preparing our young people for a job and preparing them to thrive in their overall lives,” said Quincy Parker, BPL director of Public Relations.

“UBFIT targets its fundraising to help people discover and live out their own, individual purpose and find purposeful work, and we at BPL are proud to help that effort succeed.”

Additional corporate and inkind sponsors of Virtual UBFIT included Bahamas First, J S Johnson, Leno Corporate Services Ltd., Public Hospitals Authority, Walk-In Clinic, BowFlex Barbie, Caribbean Bottling Company and UB’s Alumni Association.

Participants in New Providence collected their finisher’s medals at a drive-by collection site on April 11 at UB’s main entrance on University Drive.

PAGE 20, Tuesday, April 13, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Agency seeking ‘outstanding’ PI Royal Caribbean lease approval FROM PAGE 24 Island. Still outstanding is the letter of approval of leases awarded to the developed by the Office of the Prime Minister.”

Royal Caribbean has steadily amassed around 13.5 acres on Paradise Island’s western end by buying out private landowners in the area, but it is also seeking to lease some ten acres of crown land in the Colonial Beach area to complete its development.

This has brought it into potential conflict with Mr Smith, who is seeking himself to lease two crown land parcels at Paradise Island’s western end, one of which involves two acres around the lighthouse and another three acres for the “beach break” element of his own $2m project.

Mr Smith’s court action is alleging that he was granted a valid crown land lease over both parcels, including the lighthouse and the area at Colonial Beach for his “beach break” destination, which is now legally binding.

A January 7, 2020, letter from Richard Hardy, acting director of Lands and Surveys, was headlined “approval for crown land lease” over the two tracts.

Mr Smith previously told this newspaper he returned the lease, bearing his signature and other formalities, to the government on January 9, 2020.

However, the government has to-date failed to apply its signature and execute the lease, with officials telling the entrepreneur that the document is now “not worth the paper it is written on”.

Mr Smith previously voiced fears that his project was being “marginalised” and treated like “a second class citizen” to make way for Royal Caribbean’s rival beach break destination

A PLOT plan produced by the Town Planning Committee for the upcoming hearing on the Paradise Island western end crown land lease. targeted at the same portion of crown land, and he yesterday queried how the cruise line’s site plan approval application could proceed to a public consultation given his live court challenge.

“I have a crown land lease that was signed, notarised, witnessed and payment in full offered to the Public

Treasury via the Attorney General’s Office,” he reiterated to Tribune Business.

“I don’t understand why the Town Planning Committee or the Department of Physical Planning would wish to entertain anything while this is an outstanding matter before the courts.”

However, Adrian White, the Town Planning

Committee’s chairman and the FNM’s St Ann’s candidate in the upcoming election, told this newspaper there was presently no Supreme Court Order in place to to stop the April 28 virtual consultation.

“Has anybody advised you there’s a court order preventing a hearing?” he asked. “All I’m saying is that there’s an application before the Town Planning Committee and a public hearing is being held because that application is before the committee.”

Mr Smith, though, in disclosing that Charles Zonicle, acting director of physical planning, had requested that he produce his own crown land lease agreement following his objections to the April 28 meeting, turned this around to make the same demand of Royal Caribbean.

“I challenge Royal Caribbean to produce a crown land lease agreement which will only confirm if the land involved in Royal Caribbean’s project is the same as that involved in my project,” he asserted. “This is another example of how the Minnis-led government does not allow Bahamians to thrive in The Bahamas....

“Why is it that Toby, as a Bahamian, is not afforded an opportunity as an investor to sit down and discuss this with the government, the minister responsible for crown lands, with a view to resolving this issue? Today marks the beginning of my tenth year of trying to get this project up and running; begging and this stress every day.

“I have reached out to the chief executive of Royal Caribbean, Michael Bayley, to reiterate that nobody from Royal Caribbean has taken the time to understand my project, the need to respect my lease and understand what my project is all about.”

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

MARKET REPORT www.bisxbahamas.com

MONDAY, 12 APRIL 2021

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX:

CLOSE

CHANGE

1944.01

-12.68

%CHANGE

YTD

YTD%

-0.65 -148.45

-7.09

(242) 323-2330 (242) 323-2320

BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 5.15 33.05 2.00 2.90 1.89 6.00 6.90 3.60 6.01 4.05 6.16 12.00 2.75 7.00 10.71 9.00 14.60 4.25 8.97 16.00

52WK LOW 3.13 22.65 0.67 1.62 1.50 5.00 6.00 2.70 4.27 2.75 5.00 9.75 2.10 4.90 9.50 8.00 13.00 3.42 8.15 14.00

PREFERENCE SHARES 1.00

1.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1.00 10.00 1.00

1.00 10.00 0.90

SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Benchmark Bahamas First Holdings Limited Bank of Bahamas Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Cable Bahamas Commonwealth Brewery Commonwealth Bank Colina Holdings CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Emera Incorporated Famguard Fidelity Bank Bahamas Limited Focol Finco J. S. Johnson

SYMBOL AML APD BBL BFH BOB BPF BWL CAB CBB CBL CHL CIB CWCB DHS EMAB FAM FBB FCL FIN JSJ

LAST CLOSE 5.00 32.12 1.62 2.90 1.59 5.50 6.96 3.21 4.45 2.97 5.67 9.75 2.51 7.00 11.02 9.00 14.00 3.95 8.35 15.50

CLOSE 5.00 32.12 1.62 2.90 1.59 5.50 6.96 2.95 4.45 2.97 5.67 9.75 2.53 7.00 11.03 9.00 14.00 3.77 8.35 15.50

1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00

1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00

SYMBOL FBB22 BFHB

LAST SALE 100.00 100.00

CLOSE 100.00 100.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00

BAH29 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0307 BG0330 BG0407 BSBGRS780222 BSBGRS760240 BSBGRS870288

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.65 100.00 100.86

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.65 100.00 100.86

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Bahamas First Holdings Preference Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A Fidelity Bank Bahamas Class A Focol Class B

BFHP CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA FBBA FCLB

CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00

52WK LOW 100.00 100.00

115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 102.00 100.00 100.50 100.66

104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 99.97 100.66

SECURITY Fidelity Bank (Note 22 Series B+) Bahamas First Holdings Limited

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing) Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y BGRS FL BSBGRS780222 BGRS FL BSBGRS760240 BGRS FL BSBGR870288

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 (0.26) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 (0.18) 0.00 0.00

VOLUME 500

1,000

100,000

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

EPS$ 0.239 0.932 0.000 0.110 0.070 1.760 0.369 -0.438 0.140 0.184 0.449 0.722 0.102 0.467 0.646 0.728 0.816 0.203 0.939 0.631 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

VOLUME

DIV$ 0.170 1.260 0.020 0.030 0.000 0.000 0.260 0.000 0.000 0.120 0.220 0.720 0.434 0.060 0.328 0.240 0.540 0.120 0.200 0.610 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

P/E 20.9 34.5 N/M N/M N/M N/M 18.9 -6.7 31.8 16.1 12.6 13.5 24.8 15.0 17.1 12.4 17.2 18.6 8.9 24.6

YIELD 3.40% 3.92% 1.23% 1.03% 0.00% 0.00% 3.74% 0.00% 0.00% 4.04% 3.88% 7.38% 17.15% 0.86% 2.97% 2.67% 3.86% 3.18% 2.40% 3.94%

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

INTEREST Prime + 1.75% 6.25%

19-Oct-2022 30-Sep-2025

6.95% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.50% 6.25% 4.25% 4.44% 4.50% 4.33%

20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2022 22-Sep-2022 18-Jan-2024 26-Apr-2028

MATURITY

MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 2.40 4.44 2.15 201.90 184.85 1.69 1.83 1.78 1.24 8.49 10.26 7.28 13.91 12.84 10.81 10.00 10.20 13.79

52WK LOW 2.11 3.30 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.67 1.73 1.75 1.03 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20

FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund Leno Financial Conservative Fund Leno Financial Aggressive Fund Leno Financial Balanced Fund Leno Financial Global Bond Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Equities Sub Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - High Yield Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Alternative Strategies Fund Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F

NAV 2.40 4.44 2.15 201.90 184.85 1.68 1.73 1.75 1.03 8.49 10.03 7.28 13.91 12.84 10.05 N/A 10.20 13.79

YTD% 12 MTH% 0.38% 4.56% 0.04% 1.37% 0.20% 2.56% 3.47% 3.47% 10.86% 10.86% 0.36% 0.77% -3.49% -4.68% -0.85% -0.65% -1.79% -16.80% 1.76% 1.76% -1.97% -1.97% 4.91% 4.91% 5.28% 15.75% 0.05% 3.96% -0.35% -6.34% N/A N/A 8.60% 8.60% 11.90% 11.90%

NAV Date

31-Jan-2021 31-Jan-2021 29-Jan-2021 31-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2020 28-Feb-2021 28-Feb-2021 28-Feb-2021 28-Feb-2021 31-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2020

MARKET TERMS

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00

YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price

52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks

Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity

52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks

Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity

Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume

Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price

Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume

Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week

Change - Change in closing price from day to day

EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths

Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today

NAV - Net Asset Value

DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months

N/M - Not Meaningful

P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings

TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | CAROLISLE 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225 | BENCHMARK 242-326-7333

Real estate ‘on fire’ with $400m in deals FROM PAGE 24 busiest part of the real estate season. It’s been exceptional.

The demand is just pent-up, and with COVID-19 going on people have realised they don’t have to be where the company is. They can work remotely.”

He was backed by other realtors. Mike Lightbourn, Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty’s principal, told this newspaper of the international buyer market: “That’s the bright spot. It’s very strong at the moment. I don’t know how much longer it stays strong, but as long as it stays it will be bringing in good revenues for the government.”

He added that activity was “better” than pre-COVID levels “because there’s a pent-up demand which is being fulfilled now. I don’t know how much longer it continues”.

Christine WallaceWhitfield, the Bahamas Real Estate Association’s (BREA) president, echoed Mr Lightbourn’s assessment by saying: “It’s extremely strong. This is the high-end market. Pre-COVID, my goodness, it’s definitely much stronger than it was back then. It could be a few factors behind it; everybody’s been trying to figure it out.”

She added that several buyers from the US north-west and mid-west had purchased high-end properties “sight unseen”, while the lifting of travel restrictions and increased vaccination roll-out across the US meant the number of prospects flying to The Bahamas to explore real estate had increased over the past month.

With properties valued at $700,000 and upwards in high demand, Mrs WallaceWhitfield said: “I think the main thing is that people just want to find a piece of paradise. They want to get away from cold weather.

“Hopefully we can keep this up for a long time. I know from Europe and the UK there seems to be a lot of interest. A lot of people from there are planning trips for May. There are a lot of people saying they have got clients and customers coming in from Europe in May. I hope this continues for our economy. It’s been a nice surprise.”

Real estate transactions involving international buyers are a valuable source of foreign currency earnings at a time when tourism remains depressed, helping to boost The Bahamas’ external reserves and maintain the vital one:one fixed exchange rate peg with the US dollar.

They also represent critical tax revenues for the cashstrapped Public Treasury, while the money spent in the local economy by purchasers with the likes of retailers, restaurants, auto dealers, landscapers/gardeners, contractors and furniture stores offers further support for employment and incomes.

Mr Smith, meanwhile, said existing property owners who escaped to The Bahamas during COVID-19 were likely to have sold their family and work colleagues on the merits of owning a home in The Bahamas.

“I have a client flying in from Europe on Friday, where they’re not allowed to leave their homes,” he added. “He’s from Italy.

There are still a lot of places on lockdown. For them to work remotely, move around and not be locked down is huge.”

Mr Smith said there had been “a dramatic increase” in purchases of properties valued at $3m and above, and added: “There’s typically a slowdown around May/June, but from what I’m seeing I think this demand is going to go straight through the rest of the year. It’s not just The Bahamas but places like south Florida. It seems like a lot of people are rebounding and opening their minds to new locations.”

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, SHANTE MICHELLE SANDS of Johnson Road, Nassau,The Bahamas. Parent of KENRICO RASHAD WRIGHT JR A minor intend to change my child’s name to KEVIN ALEXANDER GRAY III If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Deputy Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that CHERWING PIERRE, of Soldier Road, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 6st day of April 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that JAIDEN MARCO ROLLE, of Gregory Drive, Coral Harbour ,New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 6st day of April 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that COREEN ANN DOUGLAS, of #72 Frank Edgecombe Street, P.O. Box EE 16671 New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statementth of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 13 day of April 2021 to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 13, 2021, PAGE 21

‘Naive to think we’ll stay zero tax nation’ FROM PAGE 24 minimum corporate tax as critical to preventing such companies from minimising their tax burden via creative structures that shift profits and revenues to low-tax nations such as The Bahamas and other international financial centres (IFCs).

Its view, like that of the OECD and high-tax European nations such as France and Germany, is that a global minimum will prevent a so-called “race to the bottom” on tax rates. Pascal Saint-Amans, head of tax administration at the OECD, told the UK’s Guardian newspaper: “What the US has put on the table … [is saying] we want the rest of the world to follow, we kill tax havens.

The game is over. Let’s move to a minimum agreed level.”

Janet Yellen, the US treasury secretary, last week pushed for a minimum global corporate tax rate of 21 percent - something that would represent a giant, potentially unsustainable leap for nations such as The

Bahamas, which has no personal or corporate income tax.

Even World Bank executives suggested that 21 percent would be too much.

And developing a global consensus on the issue may take time, even though the G-20 and OECD are pushing for one by summer 2021, given the disparities in existing rates. While the US presently enjoys a 21 percent corporate tax rate, the UK is at 19 percent and Ireland at just 12.5 percent, for example.

However, acknowledging that these efforts have potentially seismic consequences for The Bahamas should they come to fruition, given that it has long based its economic competitiveness on being a ‘no tax’ jurisdiction, Mr Turnquest said a “first phase” tax reform study had been completed before he left the Ministry of Finance in late 2020.

Asserting that the ministry already realised “the pressure being put on zero tax and low tax jurisdictions was unrelenting, and not likely to abate any time”, he

added that the emergence of the global minimum corporate tax rate issue sparked further internal government discussions on “whether the tax system of The Bahamas is going to be compliant with global practice going into the future”.

“We fully anticipated this would come along,” Mr Turnquest told Tribune Business. “We started to have internal discussions about the tax system and how to adjust the tax system to whatever comes along so we remain compliant.

“At the end of the day, it would be naive to think we can continue as a zero tax jurisdiction. The support globally is not there for that, and the reality is that the tax base will be affected one way or another - whether by some level of taxation or be impacted by withholding rates that affect our international transactions.

“The Bahamas ought to rush to the finish on its tax models so that we have options we can evaluate as a country and determine what’s in the best interests of the domestic and

international economy, and define the process.”

He conceded that efforts to end tax competition, and create a so-called global “level playing field”, “gives us some level of concern” in The Bahamas as it threatens to eliminate an advantage this nation has exploited for decades to lure foreign direct investment (FDI) and financial services clients to the jurisdiction.

And the former deputy prime minister also warned that companies headquartered in The Bahamas, but doing business elsewhere, could be suddenly placed at a competitive disadvantage if this country is forced to implement a minimum corporate tax on their profits.

“It’s a very significant issue that we have to look at, and I encourage the government to look at that in a very proactive and aggressive way as, quite frankly, we should have been further along with our planning in respect of this,” Mr Turnquest said.

“The fact of the matter is that in order for us to be globally competitive we’re going to have to find a way

Lyford Cay broker in $22m bribery scheme

FROM PAGE 24

offer and pay bribes on behalf of [Gunvor] to, and for the benefit of, Ecuadorian officials in order to obtain and retain business for [Gunvor],” the US federal authorities alleged.

“During the same time period, Kohut, together with others, also agreed to knowingly conduct financial transactions designed to conceal and disguise the illegal bribery scheme and with the intent to promote the illegal bribery scheme.”

The targets were senior officials at Petroecuador, the South American nation’s state-owned oil company, and other government-controlled entities that loaned the former money secure against future

oil deliveries.

Gunvor did business with the Ecuador state-owned agencies that received the oil delivered by Petroecuador, marketing and selling these shipments on their behalf. The bribes were paid to “secure improper advantages” for Gunvor in winning and maintaining these contracts.

The US federal authorities alleged that “trading company employee two”, described as a Spanish citizen and manager of Gunvor’s Bahamian subsidiary, helped draft “several corrupt agreements” with the two unnamed consultants. The latter duo e-mailed invoices to Gunvor (Bahamas) and other affiliates, which were subsequently approved, to help conceal the

bribery scheme.

Kohut, “trading company employee two” and ““trading company employee one”, another Spanish citizen who was described as a “senior manager” of Gunvor (Bahamas) between 2014 and 2017, are alleged to have paid the two consultants more than $70m to facilitate the bribery scheme.

“Kohut, ‘trading company employee one’ and ‘trading company employee two’ knew and intended that these payments would be used, at least in part, to pay bribes to Ecuadorian officials. In total, in furtherance of the scheme, consultant one and consultant two made bribe payments to Ecuadorian officials on behalf of [Gunvor] totalling at least

$22m,” the US authorities alleged.

“From the inception of the bribery scheme in approximately 2012, ‘trading company employee one’ often instructed Kohut to communicate about issues related to the bribery and money laundering schemes using their personal e-mail accounts.

“In addition, in their e-mail communications regarding the schemes, Kohut, consultant one and ‘trading company employee one’ often referred to coconspirators by code names rather than their actual names.”

Gunvor, in an e-mailed response to Tribune Business, said it had terminated

to get along in the world and find our value proposition beyond being called a low tax jurisdiction.... It’s just now a matter of finding tax neutrality so that everybody is subject to what may be perceived as a minimum tax.”

Mr Turnquest voiced optimism that The Bahamas, and its financial services sector, were up to the task of adjusting their business model yet again in the face of renewed global demands. “We have the opportunity to remove ourselves from all this suspicion of being a tax haven or sheltering income from taxes and the like,” he added.

“I believe we ought to look at it as a positive and move to define, or redefine, our position on our terms before we’re forced to take a position. It’s a matter of looking at it as a glass half full and taking advantage of opportunities to find a system that works.”

Calling for The Bahamas to get ahead of international initiatives, he added: “Whenever you are forced into a position you

inevitably end up being on the weak side of the table, but if you have a defensible position in terms of meeting the global standard you are in a much stronger position and are able to promote it to the international community.”

Mr Turnquest said determining whether the current Business Licence regime, which is levied on gross turnover, could be converted into a corporate income tax on profits, would be “a useful discussion”.

He added: “Let’s face it: The current business licence fee is unfair. You can end up making a loss and paying the government tax revenue. It’s inherently unfair and unjust. Converting that system to some sort of net corporate tax with minimum deductions makes sense in my view.

“But what rate of tax has to be charged to create neutrality is a topic for discussion, and how to administer and apply that tax is a topic for discussion.

We have to get on with that work, whether we’re forced to or we’re proactive.”

its relationship with the two consultants involved in the Ecuador sage prior to learning of the US investigation.

“Gunvor Group has learned of charges being brought against a former employee of the company by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) that relate to business with an intermediary agent and Petroecuador,” it added.

“Gunvor terminated its relationship with the intermediary agent for compliance reasons before being notified of any investigation. Gunvor takes compliance very seriously and maintains a zero tolerance approach, which is why the company has since also banned outright the use of agents for business development purposes. Gunvor has been fully co-operating with the Department of

Justice investigation and will continue to do so.”

Gunvor (Bahamas), which is based on the fourth floor of Lyford Cay House on Western Road, is a subsidiary of Gunvor Group, which was founded as an independent oil and energy trader/broker in 2000.

Describing itself as “one of the world’s largest independent commodities trading houses by turnover”, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, Gunvor’s website shows it as employing 1,500 employees worldwide and having annual pre-COVID revenues of $75bn. With a presence in more than 100 countries, it says it trades more than 2.7m barrels of crude oil and related products daily.

PAGE 22, Tuesday, April 13, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

PM: HOUSING INITIATIVE NOT ‘ONE-OFF’ EXERCISE

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

THE prime minister yesterday pledged that the government’s efforts to make home ownership more affordable for Bahamians will not be a “one-off endeavour” that lacks a coherent strategy.

Dr Hubert Minnis, leading-off House of Assembly debate on a resolution over the much-trumpeted 83-acre housing development on Prospect Ridge that is targeted at “young professionals”, asserted that this is not an isolated effort to make land and real estate ownership more accessible.

RESTAURANTS: VACCINE IS THE ‘ONLY WAY BACK’

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net RESTAURANT owners yesterday said they are encouraging all their employees to become vaccinated against COVID-19 as “the only way back” for the industry and wider Bahamian economy.

Rodney Russell, the Arawak Cay Association’s president, told Tribune Business he plans to co-ordinate a vaccination campaign for restaurant owners at the popular “Fish Fry” destination so they can ensure staff are properly inoculated against the virus.

He added: “In our meetings, I would also advise all

Disclosing that the government’s goal is to build wealth and grow the middle class, he said: “My government has a policy of empowerment through affordable land ownership. The announcement of the community for young professionals is not the first land development

of my government.

“For example, we are in the process of another type of development in Carmichael, where the lot prices started at $15,000 for lots valued at over $70,000. There will be further offerings at various different price levels. All will be in well-designed subdivisions with world-class infrastructure and suitable amenities.

“Our land empowerment initiatives are not oneoff endeavours. We have already identified a number of tracts of crown land in New Providence and the Family Islands where we will provide affordable land to Bahamians at various levels. Our intention is

for thousands of Bahamian first-time homeowners to benefit from our vision for wealth-creation, ownership and empowerment. This is how we expand the middle class.”

Dr Minnis provided no further details on this strategy, and it is unclear whether future developments will benefit from the same tax breaks and other incentives being offered to first-time home buyers who will purchase the “approximately 250 lots” for single family, town homes and duplexes that will be created in the 83-acres Prospect Ridge development.

“Those selected will be able to purchase lots of around the size of 95

feet times 100 feet for the maximum sum of approximately $50,000,” he added of potential purchasers.

This, the Prime Minister said, represents a two-thirds discount to the $150,000 cost that the government will assume in putting in the $150,000 utilities infrastructure for each lot.

He added: “In addition to this massive saving there will be at least ten architectural designs where individuals can collect one of ten for their home. Thus they would not be subjected to the traditional architectural fees that they see.

“The average home in such areas would be about $250,000 to $300,000. Which means an architecture fee

for such facility, to that individual, will be about $30,000, but under this programme they would only have to purchase a plan for $1,000.”

Dr Minnis said buyers will be exempt from having to pay VAT on the purchase price: “In order to ensure the development is completed in a timely manner, home construction will need to be completed within two years of purchase,” he added.

“There will be no stamp tax, there will be no real property tax for a minimum of two years, and as the committee continues and completes their job, there will be more concessions that will be offered.”

owners and operators that they should ensure all of their people take the vaccine. I think that’s the only way back for Arawak Cay to show that we have a safe environment, and it would be better for us.

“If that means we will need to organise a mass campaign, then we will do that when the opportunity arises. I think it’s very important. I have gotten my shot, and I believe the way back for Arawak Cay is for the employers, themselves and their staff; all should be taking the vaccine in order to provide safety for our visitors and our guests.”

Peter Maury, owner of the Green Parrot and Margaritaville restaurants, said of the decision to extend COVID19 vaccinations to restaurant and retail employees: “I think that’s great. Whatever we have to do to get open and get to work, that’s what we have to do.”

He added, though, that

he will not make it mandatory for employees to take the vaccine. Disclosing that it will be left up to them, he will continue to advocate that everyone becomes inoculated as rapidly as possible.

Mr Maury said: “I said this very early that a lot of the industry is going to demand it. People are going want to go on planes, and they’re going to want to go on ships, and they’re going to want to go to resorts and all of these places, and since we’re all in the hospitality business, they’re going to want to know that they’re in a safe place, and that people have taken precautions to become vaccinated.

Roberta Garzaroli, Graycliff Company’s general manager, said she is “encouraging” all her employees to become vaccinated. Some have scheduled their jabs for this week.

Insurance woe exposed from Potter’s Cay blaze

said Ms Constantine.

Michael Pintard, minister for agriculture and marine resources, visited the dock yesterday to assess the fire’s impact. He told vendors he would have to report back to Cabinet for a decision on what could assistance can be provided to vendors who lost their stalls in the fire.

Ms Constantine said: “We’ve now met with the police and they are letting us know that they are doing an investigation that they started last night. They are working on it today to get it completed as quickly as possible so we can start removing the debris, and the government at this time cannot say what they would be able to assist with.

“Everybody has to turn in the losses that they had and what it will cost to rebuild their stall. So we just have to wait and see.”

DR HUBERT MINNIS

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net VENDORS yesterday said none of the eight Potter’s Cay Dock stalls damaged by Sunday night’s fire were covered by any form of insurance - either on the structure or their contents.

Wendi Constantine, president of the Bahamas Dock and Allied Venues Vendors Association (BDAVVA), told Tribune Business: “You can’t insure the wooden structures. Now some persons we understood had the contents insured, but that’s not everybody.

“It’s tough right now, because we are just dealing with COVID-19 and trying to get back on our feet,

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

International Business Companies Act (No. 45 of 2000)

International Business Companies Act (No. 45 of 2000)

ROBT Investments Ltd. (the “Company”)

AS Investments Ltd. (the “Company”)

Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the Dissolution of ROBT Investments Ltd. has been completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the Dissolution was the 30th day of December, 2020.

Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the Dissolution of AS Investments Ltd. has been completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the Dissolution was the 30th day of December, 2020.

Luciane Ribeiro Moreno Liquidator

Luciane Ribeiro Moreno Liquidator

A STILL from last night’s fire at Potter’s Cay. but six stalls were totally destroyed and two were damaged.”

Fewer than half the vendors at Potter’s Cay are said to have contents insurance. “None of the ones that were affected had insurance on their items,”

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NOTICE Pursuant to the provisions of Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, 2000, notice is hereby given that:C.B. STRATEGY LTD. has been dissolved and struck off the Register pursuant to a Certificate of Dissolution issued by the Registrar General on the 24th day of February, 2021.

Christine Russell and Mauro Casu Liquidators

NOTICE Pursuant to the provisions of Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, 2000, notice is hereby given that:C.B. MANAGEMENT LTD. has been dissolved and struck off the Register pursuant to a Certificate of Dissolution issued by the Registrar General on the 24th day of February, 2021.

Christine Russell and Mauro Casu Liquidators

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 13, 2021, PAGE 23

Briland: Cruise tourism ‘disaster waiting to happen’ FROM PAGE 24 recommendations to do so.

Their reasons for coming primarily are local relations, uncrowded beach and the fact that there is no mass tourism products on the island,” Mr Simmons continued.

“Not only does their spending dwarf cruise line passengers’ by 100 to one, but over 60 percent supported a local charity, donating on average $7,688 per respondent and cumulatively have donated over $5.7m over the course of their stays on island.”

Suggesting that spending

by Crystal Cruises’ passengers will be “peanuts it comparison to the existing client base”, Mr Simmons argued that Harbour Island was under further cruise tourism threats.

“Meanwhile, somewhat beneath the radar, two other cruise operators are already planning sailings,” he said. “RitzCarlton and Sea Dream are aiming for trips in January and April 2022. Crystal is already eyeing summer again of 2022.

“This is a disaster waiting to happen with substantial negative ramifications for the GDP of The Bahamas

if the reaction to this form cruise tourism is born out as per my survey. The drop in Out Island consumer spending would dwarf any positive gains Crystal or other cruise lines would contribute to GDP. “Over 80 percent of the growth in tourism spending is driven by Out Island operations; not cruises. A drop in consumer spending in reaction to Crystal in Harbour Island alone would negate the cruises’ entire contribution to the national economy. I only hope the powers that be can read the writing on the wall.”

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 63° F/17° C

TAMPA

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Mostly sunny and beautiful

Clear

Pleasant with plenty of sun

Pleasant with plenty of sunshine

Sunshine and pleasant

Mostly sunny and pleasant

High: 81°

Low: 68°

High: 80° Low: 67°

High: 81° Low: 68°

High: 82° Low: 69°

High: 84° Low: 71°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

87° F

67° F

85°-67° F

87°-68° F

91°-71° F

92°-74° F

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 68° F/20° C

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

N

almanac

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 71° F/22° C

6-12 knots

S

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 70° F/21° C

6-12 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 71° F/22° C

E

W S

E

W

WEST PALM BEACH

N

| Go to AccuWeather.com

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 67° F/19° C

MIAMI

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 68° F/20° C

6-12 knots

KEY WEST

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 75° F/24° C

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 68° F/20° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2021

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 72° F/22° C

N

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

tiDes For nassau High Today

Ht.(ft.)

9:30 a.m.

9:50 p.m.

Low

Ht.(ft.)

2.4 2.8

3:35 a.m. 0.0 3:37 p.m. -0.1

Wednesday 10:05 a.m.

10:26 p.m.

2.3 2.7

4:13 a.m.

4:10 p.m.

0.0 0.0

Thursday

10:41 a.m.

11:03 p.m.

2.2 2.7

4:51 a.m.

4:44 p.m.

0.1 0.1

Friday

11:19 a.m.

11:44 p.m.

2.1 2.6

5:31 a.m.

5:21 p.m.

0.2 0.2

Saturday

12:00 p.m.

-----

2.0 -----

6:14 a.m.

6:01 p.m.

0.4 0.3

Sunday

12:28 a.m.

12:47 p.m.

2.5 1.9

7:02 a.m.

6:48 p.m.

0.5 0.5

Monday

1:19 a.m.

1:42 p.m.

2.5 1.9

7:55 a.m.

7:43 p.m.

0.6 0.6

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:49 a.m.

7:32 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

7:50 a.m.

9:02 p.m.

First

Full

Last

New

Apr. 20

Apr. 26

May 3

May 11

CAT ISLAND

E

W

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 71° F/22° C

N

S

E

W

7-14 knots

S

8-16 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 81° F/27° C Low .................................................... 63° F/17° C Normal high ....................................... 81° F/27° C Normal low ........................................ 69° F/20° C Last year’s high ................................. 86° F/30° C Last year’s low ................................... 79° F/26° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 1.05” Year to date ................................................. 3.16” Normal year to date ..................................... 5.18”

uV inDex toDay

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 71° F/22° C

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C

N

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C

S

LONG ISLAND

tracking map

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 72° F/22° C

L

E

W

7-14 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 81° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS

are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

RAGGED ISLAND High: 80° F/27° C Low: 74° F/23° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 83° F/28° C Low: 73° F/23° C

N

N E

W

E

W

H

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C

S

S

7-14 knots

6-12 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS

H

CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday:

WINDS NW at 6-12 Knots ENE at 6-12 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots E at 6-12 Knots N at 7-14 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots N at 6-12 Knots NNE at 7-14 Knots NNE at 7-14 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NW at 6-12 Knots E at 7-14 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NW at 6-12 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots N at 7-14 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NNW at 7-14 Knots N at 7-14 Knots NNE at 6-12 Knots ENE at 6-12 Knots N at 7-14 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots N at 7-14 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots

WAVES 3-5 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 76° F 77° F 79° F 80° F 78° F 78° F 80° F 80° F 77° F 77° F 77° F 78° F 79° F 79° F 81° F 80° F 80° F 79° F 79° F 79° F 78° F 78° F 80° F 79° F 77° F 77° F

business@tribunemedia.net

TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021

$4.86

TIMOTHY SMITH

Real estate ‘on fire’ with $400m in deals

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net REALTORS yesterday said the market’s international segment is “just on fire right now” with some estimating that $400m worth of property was sold or went under contract during the 2021 first quarter.

Timothy Smith, a partner at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate MCR Bahamas Group, told Tribune Business it was likely the amount of real estate involved in such transactions was “double” the $200m shown by the industry’s Multiple Listing System (MLS) as this typically captures around 50 percent of sales activity.

“Real estate right now in terms of non-resident buyers is just on fire right now,” he said. “Total sales volume for sold properties and properties under contract exceeded $200m on the MLS in the first quarter, with properties in Nassau accounting for approximately half that total.

“The MLS represents about 50 percent of sales and properties because it doesn’t take into account sales by private developers such as Albany and Gold Wynn, which are on stream and doing really well, and private sales. From my knowledge there’s been two private sales island sales not on the MLS. As a result, you’re looking more over $400m.”

Tribune Business sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, yesterday revealed some $70m worth of Harbour Island real estate has sold in the past six months alone as wealthy international buyers seek warmer, more remote locations in which to work while escaping countries and regions with high COVID19 infection rates.

Mr Smith yesterday said transaction volumes had “probably doubled” compared to pre-COVID levels, and added: “The first quarter is traditionally the

SEE PAGE 20

$4.86

‘Naive to think we’ll stay zero tax nation’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A

FORMER deputy prime minister yesterday urged the government to “rush to the finish” on developing tax reform options, warning: “It would be naive to think we can continue as a ‘zero tax’ nation.”

K Peter Turnquest, who resigned as minister of finance in late November 2020 to fight “unfounded and untrue claims” by Sky Bahamas’ main financier, told Tribune Business the Minnis administration needed to move “very proactively and aggressively” to safeguard the Bahamian economy as momentum for a worldwide minimum corporate income tax gathers pace.

Arguing that The Bahamas “should have been further along, quite frankly” in developing tax alternatives that will ensure it complies with any global standard that emerges, he conceded that the issue creates “some level of concern” for maintaining the country’s

• Ex-DPM urges ‘rush to finish’ over reform options • As minimum global corporate tax push gains pace • Govt must be ‘aggressive’ as Bahamas is behind

K PETER TURNQUEST economic competitiveness and that of its financial services industry.

With the newly-elected Biden administration last week throwing its support behind other G-20 nations and the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), which is leading the push for a minimum global corporate tax rate, Mr Turnquest said The Bahamas may soon have to “find our value proposition beyond being called a low tax jurisdiction”.

But, rather than

falling into despair over the latest external pressures, he argued that The Bahamas must view the situation as “a glass half-full and take advantage of opportunities to find a [taxation] system that works” in this economy’s interests.

He agreed that one reform option involves converting the business licence fee regime into a corporate income tax, branding the former “inherently unfair and unjust” as it forces many Bahamian companies to pay more to the government in taxes than they make in annual profits.

Marlon Johnson, the Ministry of Finance’s financial secretary, declined to comment yesterday when contacted by this newspaper and referred it to Senator Kwasi Thompson, minister of state for finance.

The latter said the government is “monitoring” developments but declined to comment further.

A Bahamian entrepreneur yesterday “challenged Royal Caribbean to produce” its western Paradise Island crown land lease after a government agency voiced concern approvals are “still outstanding”.

Toby Smith, principal of Paradise Island Lighthouse & Beach Club Company, told Tribune Business he wanted the cruise giant to confirm if the crown land it is seeking for its Royal Beach Club destination includes that covered by his own lease agreement which is now the subject of a Supreme Court battle with the government.

He added that the need for clarity had been made more urgent by both the upcoming April 28 public meeting on Royal Caribbean’s bid for site plan approval of its Paradise

However, it now appears inevitable - and only a matter of time - before a minimum global corporate income tax rate emerges, with corresponding pressure on all nations to conform, after the US government last week threw its support behind efforts to achieve a consensus on the issue. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also backed the initiative.

The Biden administration’s move is a marked change from the stance taken by its Trump predecessor, which was more focused on allowing sovereign nations to set their own tax rates and opposed to European efforts to impose a so-called “digital tax” on US multinational giants such as Amazon, Google, Facebook and Apple.

However, the newlyelected Democratic government sees a global

SEE PAGE 21

Lyford Cay broker in $22m bribery scheme

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A LYFORD Cay-based commodities trader has become embroiled in a $22m bribery scheme after one of its former senior executives pled guilty to corrupting government officials in Ecuador.

Raymond Kohut, who worked for Gunvor (Bahamas) for a decade between 2009 and 2019, admitted to his role in the affair when he appeared before the eastern New York federal court last week to answer charges brought by the US authorities.

Legal documents filed by the US government, which have been obtained

by Tribune Business, allege that two other senior Bahamas-based staff - named as “trading company employee one” and “trading company employee two” - also played key roles in a years’long bribery and money

• Ex-Gunvor executive pleads guilty in New York • Sought to corrupt Ecuador oil company officials • Commission eyes probe as local loophole closes laundering scheme designed to win and maintain lucrative Gunvor contracts with Ecuador’s state-owned oil company.

Christina Rolle, the Securities Commission’s executive director, yesterday revealed that the Gunvor episode exposed a former legal loophole that meant the commodities broker/trader’s activities in The Bahamas had previously gone unregulated and unsupervised.

She revealed that last year’s reforms to the Financial and Corporate Services Providers Act were designed partially to bring such companies under this law’s remit. Gunvor and other Bahamas-based commodities traders have until June 14 to come into

compliance with the Act, and Ms Rolle indicated the Securities Commission may now probe the Ecuador affair.

Unaware of the New York court proceedings until informed by Tribune Business, she said: “We can still look into it especially as it may affect current governance. It’s something we would take an interest in as it may affect the governance.

“They should come under the new Financial and Corporate Services Providers Act, which calls for the regulation of commodities trading. Prior to that, commodities trading was not regulated in The Bahamas.

This is something we had identified. We didn’t really have any legislation for

Agency seeking ‘outstanding’ PI Royal Caribbean lease approval

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

$4.85

• Environmental Planning awaits PM’s permission • Entrepreneur urges: Show crown land lease • Says: ‘Now in my tenth year of seeking govt go-ahead’

PARADISE Island lighthouse.

Island project and accompanying documents, which raised questions over whether the cruise line has all the necessary approvals for its various land acquisitions and leases.

An April 1, 2021, memo

from Rochelle Newbold, the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection’s (DEPP) director, to Jehan Wallace, a senior planner with the Department of Physical Planning, disclosed that

the former agency was in discussions with Royal Caribbean and its Bahamian environmental consultant to clarify whether the necessary approvals had been issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

“Department of Environmental Planning and Protection has requested copies of the title deeds to land holdings conveyed to Royal Caribbean for the development of this project,” Mrs Newbold wrote.

“On March 31, 2020, Department of Environmental Planning and Protection was provided an 85-page document of title deeds and conveyances for various parcels on Paradise

SEE PAGE 20

commodities trading.

“We’ve included it now in the Financial and Corporate Services Providers Act. As of December 14, they’re now required to be regulated. There is a six-month transition to bring them into line with the regulations from December 14.”

The court documents obtained by this newspaper allege that Kohut, together with the two other Gunvor (Bahamas) executives and a pair of unnamed “consultants”, participated in “international bribery and money laundering schemes” from 2012 to August 2020.

“In furtherance of those schemes, Kohut, together with others, knowingly, willfully and corruptly agreed to

SEE PAGE 21

$4.85 Briland: Cruise tourism ‘disaster waiting to happen’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net MORE than 99.4 percent of existing and potential Harbour Island visitors have made it “crystal clear cruise tourism is a disaster waiting to happen” for the destination, a hotelier warned yesterday.

Benjamin Simmons, proprietor of The Other Side and Ocean View properties, told Tribune Business an online survey he conducted to gauge reaction to Crystal Cruises’ using Briland as a weekly port-of-call found just eight percent of the 1,430 respondents were “likely or very likely to come back if cruise tourism expands and continues at this destination”.

He added that, based on the results he shared with this newspaper, some 97 percent of those surveyed were unlikely to buy a house or invest in the island if it became a cruise destination. And the same percentage said any form of cruise tourism was “undesirable”.

Responding to assertions by Crystal Cruises executives that their passengers are “a match made in heaven”, given that they have an average net worth of over $1m, travel regularly and have a higher average spend than traditional cruise customers, Mr Simmons said the Gentingowned company appeared to have done little research into how its plans might affect Harbour Island’s existing tourism model.

Asserting that his survey showed cruise tourism is “repulsive” to Briland’s traditional tourism business, he added: “These visitors are the backbone of not only the economic success of the island but employment of many residing in Eleuthera and Spanish Wells as well.

“Based on my survey the average Harbour Island visitor spends over $18,000 per trip, spending money on shops, grocery stores, restaurants, tours and excursions over the course of on average seven to eight-night stay.

This doesn’t even exclude special event/wedding expenditures, which was the second largest contributor to the island’s economy.

“Over 50 percent of the visitors have been coming for more than a decade.

Forty percent do multiple trips per year. They don’t rely on social media or even travel magazines to choose their destination - most came based on a friend’s

SEE PAGE 23