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Volume: 119 No.102, April 20, 2022

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COOPER: MORE COVID LIMITS TO BE LIFTED

GALLERIA SHUTS CINEMA DOWN - AND WORKERS FILE DISPUTES

Deputy PM expects further easing if case numbers stay down

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net GIVEN the continued decline in COVID-19 numbers, Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper says he expects a further ease to virus restrictions in the weeks ahead.

According to Mr Cooper, a meeting was expected to be held on the issue in Cabinet yesterday. While he was unable to say which measures are being considered for removal, Mr Cooper

said the government is seeking to strike an economic and health balance.

This comes as some countries are doing away with restrictive measures, including social distancing guidelines and mask mandates.

“I think first of all, we acknowledge that there has been a significant level of COVID fatigue,” Mr Cooper said before going to a Cabinet meeting yesterday.

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

GALLERIA Cinemas has shut down and made its employees redundant after the COVID-19 pandemic weakened its business, according to Director of Labour Robert Farquharson.

He said employees of the once-thriving cinema have filed trade disputes with his department, alleging they did not receive the benefits they should get.

SEE PAGE THREE

SEE PAGE FOUR

EX-MINISTER IN LEGAL ROW OVER DOLPHIN ATTRACTION

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net FORMER Cabinet minister Damian Gomez QC yesterday slammed as “ridiculous” a legal battle he has become embroiled in over a New Providence dolphin attraction that was ordered to close by the Supreme Court.

Mr Gomez said the US court-appointed bankruptcy trustee for Blackbeard’s Cay developer, Samir

Andrawos, was “really grasping at straws” by seeking to prevent him recovering $1.25m in outstanding legal fees owed by the tourist attraction.

Mr Gomez said he was “astonished” by the trustee’s actions, and added that his recent appointment as ambassador-at-large to the Inter-American Council on Human Rights effectively gives him diplomatic immunity from being served with court proceedings.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

WE DID IT!

BAHAMAS Aquatics has won its fourth consecutive title, its eighth in nine years - and has received confirmation The Bahamas will host the 2024 edition of the CARIFTA championships. As the 35th edition of the four days of competition came to a close last night, Team Bahamas accumulated a total of 975 points to out-distance second place finisher Jamaica, reversing the order from the CARIFTA track and field meet on Monday night. For the full story, see SPORTS inside.

PROJECT SMALLER - BUT STILL $300M TO START

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A “MEGA project” targeted for Coral Harbour “has been scaled back significantly” with an up-to-$300m investment targeted for its initial development phase, its Bahamian attorney said yesterday.

Valentine Grimes said Coral Harbour Development’s principals have

AN ARTIST’s impression of the scheme posted online. much reduced their ambitions from an initial plan which, based on architects’ drawings, appeared to call

for skyscrapers and multiple high-rise buildings on a 1,000-acre site.

The renderings were part of what was billed as a “15 project master plan” that called for the construction of six hotels, four marinas, two golf courses and no less than 3,500 condominiums in a development that would have dwarfed both Atlantis and Baha Mar in scale and size.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

‘ACT ON NIB OR RETIREMENT FUND IS GONE’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

WITH a possible six-year insolvency timeline set for the National Insurance Board fund, a noted banker has said the harsh reality is if higher than normal administrative costs are not adjusted and contributions raised, people with more than 20 years to retirement may have no benefit to look forward to.

SEE PAGE THREE

ALICIA WALLACE: DON’T GET RID OF MASKS YET

- SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Wednesday, April 20, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

An Easter gift from Kelly’s to kids in hospital

ABOVE left, Mr and Mrs Easter Bunny in the Kelly’s House and Home display and, above, from left, Ayana Ferguson, communications clerk at Princess Margaret Hospital; Vernon Davis Jr, assistant hospital administrator at Princess Margaret Hospital; Nicketa Sears, Kelly’s House & Home assistant department head promotions; Anthony Maycock, Kelly’s House & Home store manager.

KELLY’S House & Home donated 24 Easter baskets for boys, and 24 for girls and numerous plush toys for the children and infants hospitalised at Princess Margaret Hospital.

The donation was made on Thursday last week.

HARSHINI’S A WINNER

HARSHINI Jagroo, who was first place winner in the 9-10 age category in Easter Colouring Contest held by The Tribune, Kelly’s and McDonalds, collects her prize. For more winners, see page 11.

A spokesperson for Kelly’s said: “Kelly’s House & Home always takes in a delight donating and supporting many organisations all year round. There are so many in need of help or even just some support.

“Whether you donate

toys money or time, giving back always puts a smile on many faces. Kelly’s House & Home always takes a pleasure in donating to the many less fortunate.

“The smallest donation can warm the biggest heart.”

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, April 20, 2022, PAGE 3

Mother tells of ‘hard-working and awesome’ son who died in crash

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

KENU Adderley was remembered by relatives yesterday as a selfless and hardworking man who was loved by all who knew him.

Adderley, a 26-year-old graduate of the University of New Haven, died days after being involved in a fatal traffic accident in New Haven, Connecticut on April 9.

His friend, Raymond Rolle, Jr, who was in the passenger seat — died on the day of the crash.

In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Adderley’s mother said she was at home when she first received the news of the crash from US police. She told The Tribune her son died on Sunday.

“Before, I never thought of losing him or him going or the fact that he wouldn’t have gotten better. The only thing I thought of is him getting healed, but he

didn’t,” Paula Adderley said.

She said while her son’s death has been a hard pill to swallow, she is comforted in knowing he is resting in a better place.

“I am strong because God gave me time to come and sit and communicate with my son to make sure that his soul was right and that’s what (has) me in peace and the opportunity I had, Raymond’s mom didn’t have,” she added.

“I had the opportunity to sit and to speak and to tell him about God and to let him know if he hasn’t gotten his soul right that was the time to make sure and get it right even though he was hurting and even though he was in pain, he had to first trust in God to know what has happened.

“So, God gave me the opportunity to spend that week with him to comfort him in that area to make sure the pain he was in, mummy was there to be with him and I got that

peace knowing I could have done that so that is what is making me strong.”

She also spoke of her son’s character, describing him as a “quiet, well mannered” man.

“He was selfless because he always thought of other people. He was reliable. He was dependable. He was a person that was very quiet.

He was well mannered and I never had one problem with him yet. There are so many words that I can describe, but he was hardworking and awesome,” she said.

“For people who don’t know him, he was mentoring Raymond. Raymond looked up to him. Raymond’s mother called my son in order for him to connect with him after coming to Connecticut. He made sure Raymond could’ve gone to the food store and gotten what he needed and he was always that type of person. He always thought of others.”

According to reports,

KEMU ADDERLEY sometime around 3.30 am on April 9, workers from the New Haven Fire Department were called to the intersection of Congress Avenue and College Street where a black Chevrolet

Cruz was significantly damaged from hitting a tree.

Fire crews worked to put out the flames of the actively burning vehicle and remove both men using the jaws of life.

Paramedics and medical teams confirmed that one of the passengers, Rolle, died of his injuries. He was a 21-year-old student of the University of New Haven.

GALLERIA SHUTS CINEMA DOWN - AND WORKERS FILE DISPUTES

from page one

AN AREA at Potter’s Cay Dock where stalls burned down last year.

Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

POTTER’S CAY VENDORS STILL WAITING

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

VENDORS at Potter’s Cay are still waiting for the government to authorise the repair work to fire damaged stalls.

A fire burned six stalls to the ground last year and left two others damaged.

Last May, then Agriculture Minister Michael Pintard said the Minnis administration had plans to assist vendors at Potter’s Cay who lost their businesses due to the fire.

At the time, he said, the assistance would come in the form of building material, adding there were plans to mark out the

location for the rebuilding of six stalls.

However, the stalls are still not rebuilt.

In February, a Potter’s Cay vendors association representative said she was satisfied with the temporary plans the Davis administration has for the area, which at the time she said should be “out in the next week or two”.

However, yesterday, Potter’s Cay Dock Fish, Fruit, and Vegetables Vendors Association president Ormanique Bowe said she was told two more signatures are needed to finalise the repair work.

“I spoke with the minister about two weeks ago and he said he’s still waiting

on the final signing off from (the) Ministry of Works,” Ms Bowe said yesterday. “I think it’s the quantity surveyor that they’re waiting on now and once they get that in hand, work should (come) I think in another week or so.”

She also said: “The quantity surveyor I think it was in his hands who does all the supplies and materials that they need and stuff like that — itemise and everything like that and I think it goes back to the minister.

I’m not certain, but I know it’s two more signatures that need to be done to finalise the plan.”

In February this newspaper reported that executive officials of the

Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs recently met several top union executives to discuss a number of administrative matters regarding the public markets and the rebuilding of the six stalls on Potter’s Cay Dock that were destroyed by the fire.

During the meeting, Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Clay Sweeting presented the Ministry of Public Works’ plans for the construction of the stalls. A press release from the ministry said it is anticipated that the new stalls will provide the model for other stalls at Potter’s Cay.

‘ACT ON NIB OR RETIREMENT FUND IS GONE’

from page one

For this reason, Fidelity Bank Bahamas’ chief executive Gowon Bowe said it is simply not enough for Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis to have said contributions will not increase, adding in this current climate “there is no free lunch.”

Mr Bowe suggested that Mr Davis’ response to Minister of State in the OPM Myles Laroda’s foreshadowing of a contribution increase was more of a “political” reaction to allay the concerns of people about a perceived cost of living hike.

“I think Minister Laroda, people can argue that it may have been a very blunt way of articulating the circumstances, but the harsh reality is we are facing very blunt circumstances and I think unfortunately I think the prime minister’s communication was more to allay people’s concerns about the cost of living adjustment and all that is taking place, but there is no free lunch in this environment,” Mr Bowe told The Tribune yesterday.

“If contribution rates are not amended, if administration costs are not adjusted, the reality is National Insurance will be insolvent.

“What does that mean? That means individuals like you and me, persons who are under 45 who have more than 20 years to retire, it is a very real possibility that even after paying contributions for the better part of 20 years of a working life, will have nothing being returned to them and is that equitable?”

He continued: “So, when we sit and we look at this story of National Insurance it really is boiling down to saying that we’ve already exhibited the bad pattern of behaviour and the unwillingness to make the tough decisions in the past and we are now faced with and the reason it is becoming so pertinent is because we are faced within an election cycle or thereabouts there could be insolvency and so now there is a panic.

“But this is something known to us for more than a decade probably closer to two decades and so if we are not taking the steps to say that all who contributed to the fund will in fact be able to benefit from the fund, then what we are saying, although not appreciating, is we are saying to people contributing today but 20 to 25 years away from retirement is that you are contributing really for your

forefathers — grandparents, etc — because despite your contribution you will have no benefit. I don’t think that’s the message we want to send.

“So, what we have is a circumstance that, yes, those who are contributing today are making up for the shortfalls of those who did not contribute adequately in the past, but the reality is we are where we are and now need to make the decisions so the fund remains solvent, viable and remains to provide the benefits for a very large percentage of the population who are without any alternate form of benefits,” Mr Bowe said.

Last week, Mr Laroda told The Tribune that the 11th actuarial review into the fund predicted depletion by 2028 should urgent action not be taken.

This announcement was followed by an assertion that contributions would likely have to increase within a year to sustain the fund.

However, Prime Minister Davis insisted that while an increase would be considered there would be none until the government is able to bring relief to Bahamians who face many issues that have been cause for great concern.

“The employees of the Galleria have been made redundant by their employer and the Department of Labour has a number of trade disputes that’s going through the process,” he said yesterday.

“It’s related to the fact that the company has closed as a result of the pandemic. We have had a number of complaints about the payments of benefits and it’s going through the legal process of conciliation. Conciliation is the first stage. We’re trying to see if we can resolve the matter before it gets to the Industrial Tribunal.”

Mr Farquharson could not say when the theatre officially closed its doors or how many people were affected. Chris Mortimer, president of Galleria Cinemas, neither confirmed nor denied the company’s closure or that of his other Mall at Marathon-based business - Outback Steakhouse - when contacted for comment yesterday.

“I’m not actually going to comment on this at the present time,” he said. “With all due respect, at this point I don’t want to have any comments about that.”

The pandemic likely exacerbated the challenges the cinema has faced since Fusion Superplex entered the market. In November, Mr Mortimer told Tribune Business the pandemic accelerated the development of Netflix and other streaming services, causing more and more people to access movies digitally rather than leave their homes and visit the theatre.

His comment came after the government adjusted COVID-19 restrictions, removing the curfew, therefore permitting late night showings. He said demand for cinema showings was down as much as 85 percent compared to pre-COVID. At the start of the pandemic, Galleria officials appeared optimistic they could manage the crisis, reducing ticket prices from $10 to $7.

Another business in the area, Outback Steakhouse, has also closed

down and made employees redundant. In 2020, Tribune Business reported that Outback Steakhouse restaurant was owned by Island Bloom, a company whose shareholders are Mr Mortimer and his mother, Mary.

Mr Farquharson could not say when or how many people were affected by the Outback Steakhouse closure.

Otherwise, he said few businesses have made employees redundant even after labour force protections implemented during the height of the pandemic have faded away.

“There have been very few trade disputes filed overall,” he said. “Very few complaints. I’m not really surprised. I think Section 28 of the Employment Act was geared towards giving the employers an opportunity to catch themselves as a result of the pandemic (helped). The majority of the employers began to re-engage persons in the fourth quarter of last year. And so by the time the date, February 12th came about, a number of persons had already been re-engaged and so the amount of people that had to be made redundant was very, very small.

“Some people actually chose not to continue and a number of persons would’ve asked the employer to facilitate redundancy because they would’ve used the monthly monies to start new businesses. You’d be shocked at the amount of people as a result of the pandemic and the layoffs who found alternative ways. They were very innovative and they created a number of businesses.

“The persons who were made redundant and had a complaint, like in the Galleria Cinemas and the next company was Outback, those persons would’ve been made redundant.

Some of them would’ve claimed, and we’re in the process of having those matters resolved, but there were very, very few complaints we received as a result of persons not being paid redundancy pay.”

PAGE 4, Wednesday, April 20, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Cooper: More COVID limits to be lifted from page one “People are very tired of wearing masks and we’re seeing a (reduction) of the protocols around the world.

We are consistently looking at our protocols here in The Bahamas. We’re going to have ongoing discussion along with the Ministry of Health in relation to all of the protocols. We’re meeting in Cabinet today and this will be a subject for discussion.

“Where we go next will be really determined by the balance we’ve been trying to strike all along between the economy and tourism and public health and safety.

“I anticipate over the course of the next several weeks that you will consistently see a reduction of the COVID protocols, and this is going to be very positive for tourism. It’s going to be easier for persons to move about and go about their normal way of living and I think by and large, tourists in our source markets — particularly in the United States — are ready

to move on.”

Asked yesterday if the government was considering lifting current mask mandates, Mr Cooper said it’s a matter that was still under discussion.

“Well, the mask mandate has always been a point of discussion. We’ve discussed it before. The Ministry of Health is looking at it closely and we are going to be monitoring it. That’s all I can say at this point. It is up for discussion and we’ll make formal announcements in due course,” he said.

As of Sunday, there were 133 active COVID cases in the country, with five people in hospital with the virus.

In view of low COVID numbers, Mr Cooper said many hotels are petitioning for the government to further scale back measures.

“Hotels are generally fatigued by the protocols,” he said. “They listen to their customers. Their customers are saying enough and most of them are coming from the States and generally speaking,

they want to see the back of the protocols quite frankly, the elimination of masks and making it easier to travel. They have gone as far as recommending no testing at the border, but, again you know, we have an interest and obligation to the Bahamian people and the stakeholders.

Therefore, we are going to strike a balance and we are going to do what’s best for the industry and the people.”

As it relates to the future of the travel health visa, Mr Cooper said: “It serves the purpose really of monitoring COVID and being able to contact trace, etc, and if there’s no need for it, there’s no need for it and so we will be monitoring it closely and we’re not going to be precipitous in the actions that we take recognising that it’s difficult to restart it if we eliminate it, but suffice to say that it’s always under active consideration. As for a specific date, I can’t tell you that at the moment.

We’re monitoring trends and I want you to know there’s an appetite to see the end of it.”

DEPUTY Prime Minister Chester Cooper yesterday.

Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

SANDS: BE CAUTIOUS OVER LIFTING RESTRICTIONS

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Chairman Dr Duane Sands wants the government to be cautious when considering easing additional COVID-19 restrictions, saying data has shown the nation’s positivity rate has increased while local testing has declined.

Speaking to The Tribune yesterday, Dr Sands stressed that now is not the time for the government to let its guard down and be swayed by politics because of apparent low COVID numbers. He also called for officials to be honest with the Bahamian people about the true COVID situation in the country and

provide the data behind its decision-making.

“In The Bahamas, we enjoyed single digits case loads for quite a while and certainly over the last 14 days, we have seen our numbers inch out to the point where some days its five (cases), some days it’s 14 and some days it’s 16, but the average number of cases over the last ten days or so is seven or eight cases a day, all right,” Dr Sands said. “And so, if you ask - can we say the numbers are decreasing? No, we cannot and if this is the type of data-driven decision making that’s going to define what we do, let’s call it what it is. We are doing what is popular. Our position, my position remains – understand that whatever decision you make,

be prepared to pay the consequences.”

The former health minister spoke after Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper predicted a further ease to virus restrictions in the days and weeks ahead.

Mr Cooper told reporters yesterday that Bahamians could soon expect to see a consistent “reduction of the COVID protocols”, but did not disclose which measures are being considered for removal.

This comes as countries around the world continue to loosen measures due to declining infection rates.

But here in The Bahamas, Dr Sands said there is a need for government officials to be cautious when rolling back virus measures, adding there is a high likelihood cases could increase

now that the Easter holiday weekend is over.

“I would like the government to be honest so if the decision is that we’re going to roll back COVID restrictions regardless of the data then let’s say that,” Dr Sands said. “But, because otherwise it would suggest that the basis for the decision making and the data that’s being used to drive the decisions is being ignored because you and I can see the data and see the case numbers and recognise that numbers are going up unless I’m reading the numbers wrong.

“The positivity rate has gone up from less than five percent to 12 percent over the last seven days. The number of people tested has gone down significantly to the point where on the

18th, you had 41 people tested. The positivity rate was 12 percent. The average number of positive cases over the last seven days was seven cases. So yes, you have five people in hospital, but we don’t have the metrics in order to gauge what is happening in the community. I don’t want to seem like a stick in the mud but The Bahamas does not enjoy the metrics as it relates to COVID for adopting the type of aggressive reduction in restrictions that some other places do so again let’s just be careful. That’s all and let people know what’s happening.”

He also said: “Now unless we are saying that we no longer need to pay attention to the positivity rate, we no longer pay attention to the increase in cases, we

no longer pay attention to the number of people getting vaccinated, we no longer pay attention to the number of people tested, we are flying blind.”

COVID-19 cases have remained relatively low in recent months, but so has testing. According to the Ministry of Health, 131 tests were conducted on Sunday, however only eleven of those tests came back positive. Meanwhile, on Monday, 41 tests were completed - five of which produced positive results, representing a positivity rate of 12 percent.

So far, the country has recorded 33,416 cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, five of which were recorded on Monday. Of that count, 133 cases are still active.

TRIBUTES PAID TO VETERAN EDUCATOR MARY COOPER

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Grand Bahama community is grieving the “huge loss” of well-known retired veteran educator Mary Cooper, who died on Easter Monday.

Mrs Cooper served for more than four decades as an educator. News of her death came as a blow to many in Grand Bahama.

Grand Bahama Minister Ginger Moxey remembered Ms Cooper as a person who led an exemplary life.

“She was a highly esteemed educator who selflessly dedicated her life to service. Her commitment and passion for educating our nation’s youth is evident in the wonderful legacy she has left behind; a legacy which is immortalised in the countless Bahamian men and women who were educated under her tutelage, and today are productive citizens making invaluable contributions to The Bahamas and to countries around the world.

“She was a transformational leader and she will be missed,” Ms Moxey said.

Progressive Liberal Party Vice Chairman Julian Sawyer offered condolences on behalf of the party and Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis.

MARY COOPER Mr Sawyer said: “A devout Anglican and nationalist, Mary Cooper was known as a disciplinarian, but at all times she demonstrated her deep care and love for her students and colleagues. Mary Cooper leaves a legacy of excellence and strong leadership.

“We are grateful for her contributions and give

thanks for her decades of committed and dedicated service.”

Yvonne Ward, district superintendent of eastern Grand Bahama at the Ministry of Education, told The Tribune that it is indeed a sad day in education.

Tributes and condolences continued to pour in yesterday from those in the education and the Anglican

communities, as well as from former students and local civic and political organisations.

The Grand Bahama Administrators Association said Mrs Cooper made significant contributions to education and touched the lives of many individuals during her 44-year career in education.

The education community has seen its share of loss in recent times with the transitioning of so many well-loved educators. Mary Cooper was one such educator,” a statement from the association noted.

“She has led the way as an exemplar in the field of education. She was synonymous with discipline and excellence in school management.”

According to GBAA, Mrs Cooper began her teaching career at the legendary Hawksbill High School where she served as a teacher and administrator. She served as vice principal at the Discovery Primary School, now Bishop Michael Eldon School, and as the principal of West End All Age School.

She was the longest serving principal to date of St Georges High School and the first female principal earning her the title

“Mother Jaguar”. She later went on to lead the district of Grand Bahama, Bimini, and the Cays in her role as assistant director of education in the Ministry of Education.

Sheryl Wood, principal at the Bishop Michael Eldon High School, worked with Mrs Cooper for more than 15 years and described her as an inspiration.

“This is really a sad time for us,” she said. “Mary Cooper has given so much to the Grand Bahama community. We are barely over the death of Anita Doherty, and now we are grieving at the news of Cooper’s passing. She has been an inspiration to not only students, but many educators and administrators.”

Ms Wood said Mrs Cooper was a very supportive and compassionate person.

“When she was my supervisor, she was the kind of person who gave you good, valuable advice and direction, and I appreciate that about her,” she recalled.

Peter Adderley, president of Creative Works, said his former teacher Mrs Cooper was a “polarised figure in education.”

“Her principled approach was not always popular. I speak now of her death, as during her life, Mary

Cooper was a talented West End, Grand Bahama, Hollingsworth girl who was no nonsense.

“Her tough love was more appreciated later in life for her students. Her dedication and commitment to the structure of local and national educational development were unmatched.

“The grade seven block of students that Mary Cooper took carriage for in the late 1970s at Hawksbill High School are among the best and brightest in our country, and many continue to boast international acclaim,” Mr Adderley said.

Mr Adderley added that far beyond Mrs Cooper’s achievements as an educator, she gave her life to serving God and the building of the Anglican faith.

“She was my stern teacher who became a friend, particularly during her retirement from the public service,” he said.

“Yet another West Grand Bahama-rooted and iconic educator leaves us on the heels of Anita Doherty’s passing.”

Ms Doherty is another Grand Bahama educator who died in March.

Mrs Cooper is survived by her husband, Reverend Father Rudolph Cooper, their three sons, and her extended family.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, April 20, 2022, PAGE 5

MISS TEEN BAHAMAS HEADS FOR GB

HISTORY is about to be made in Grand Bahama with the hosting of the Miss Teen Bahamas International preliminaries this week.

The delegation will arrive on the island today and stay until Friday with preliminaries set for the Grand Lucayan hotel on Thursday evening.

There are 11 delegates representing various islands, including Miss Teen Grand Bahama who will compete in the nation’s second city for a spot in the finals slated for Sunday in New Providence in the Margaritaville ballroom.

The signature event in Grand Bahama represents the first time a major national pageant will stage such a significant portion of its competition in Freeport. It comes following negotiations with the Ministry of Grand Bahama’s initiative to brand the island as the events and entertainment capital of the country.

Grand Bahama Minister Ginger Moxey said: “We are happy to receive the Miss Teen Bahamas International delegation. It is an example of our commitment to ensure we have more events and entertainment on the island. We have what it takes to brand the island as such and it’s something we committed to in our blueprint for the redevelopment of the island.”

She also said the significant number of partnerships that the Miss Teen

Bahamas International organisation has been able to secure from Grand Bahamian businesses as a win-win for the island.

“Whether it’s through the amount of exposure, nationally and internationally, or the branding opportunities that they’ll receive, as well as revenue generating avenues, I am extremely pleased that ‘Collab’ businesses as well as other businesses on the island are taking full advantage of new opportunities.”

Tia Thompson, franchise owner of the Miss Teen Bahamas International, and CEO of Bahamas International Pageants, said the organisation is overwhelmed by the support it has received from Grand Bahama businesses.

“We are overwhelmed and excited by the kind of support we have had from Grand Bahamian businesses, not only are they willing, but they are excited to prove to the world the superior experience the island can provide for pageantry.”

During the visit, Grand Bahamians will get to meet the reigning Miss Bahamas Universe Chantel O’Brian, who following her historic finish in the top 10 at Miss Universe, won the hearts of Bahamians everywhere.

Ms O’Brian will address a special assembly on Thursday at Sir Jack Hayward Senior High School.

Carbon market legislation is being prepared PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said the government is preparing to table legislation that will allow the country to participate in the global carbon market.

He made the comment as he called for a multilateral approach to carbon pricing during the Seventh Ministerial Meeting of The Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action.

Mr Davis, addressing the forum via video, spoke of the devastation Hurricane Dorian caused in parts of The Bahamas in 2019.

“The science is clear: human-induced climate change will continue to influence the frequency and intensity of hurricanes, and those hurricanes will continue to constitute an enormous threat to my country,” he said.

“Hurricane Dorian caused approximately $3.4 billion in loss and damages, equal to onequarter of our GDP. We did not emit the greenhouse gases that are causing climate change, but we are reaping the damage nonetheless.

“As a country on the frontline of climate change, we believe it is of the utmost importance to keep the global goal of 1.5⁰C within reach, as this is a critical threshold to

ensure the survival of small island developing states (SIDS) and least developed countries.”

An important tool, he said, for achieving this goal is the mobilisation of climate finance to ensure that countries can meet national mitigation and adaptation targets.

“We recognise that carbon prices and markets are evolving quickly. Saleable, verified emission reductions or removal credits, or other carbon mitigation measures under the standards of the Paris Agreement, can be a key tool for addressing the climate finance gap and a catalyst for carbon action.

“Carbon prices impose a cost on emissions and therefore play a fundamental role in setting economic incentives for clean development and in transitioning to a decarbonized economy.

“A multilateral approach to addressing carbon pricing will be key, and it is crucial that there is fairness and equity in carbon pricing across various compliance and voluntary markets. The price of emitting a ton of carbon in the Global North should not differ from the price in the Global South.”

Mr Davis said SIDS like The Bahamas have absorbed multiple and

repeated financial shocks associated with climate change and the ongoing pandemic.

“We must take steps to ensure our countries can profitably participate in global carbon market initiatives. Multilateral efforts to pair our countries with countries that have had experience in placing carbon credits under the Kyoto Protocol Clean Development Mechanism and other voluntary marketplaces, will be critical to our advancement in this emerging financing market.

“As our country prepares to table legislation that will allow our participation in the global carbon market, we are open to partnerships with other small island states and with countries who have advanced expertise in the carbon markets.

The Bahamas is keen to be an innovator in this space and we believe that partnerships will aid in sending the right price signals for carbon credits and enhanced climate action.”

According to Reuters, carbon markets are “market-based tools meant to limit greenhouse gas emissions” which put a cap on the number of countries or companies can emit; if they exceed those limits, they can buy permits from others.

MORE RESEARCH NEEDED - BUT MINIMUM WAGE PROPOSALS COMING SOON

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

OFFICIALS of the National Tripartite Council want to do more research before presenting their recommendation on the minimum wage to the government, the deputy chairman of the body said yesterday.

Labour Director and council chairman Robert Farquharson, however, said the report is in its final stages and will be presented to the government soon.

On March 14, Labour and Immigration Minister Keith Bell said his ministry

expected to receive recommendations from the council on an increase in the minimum wage in the next two weeks. That timeline has long since passed.

Asked about the report yesterday, Peter Goudie, deputy chairman of the council, said: “There has been no decision made yet, none, and they want to do some more research so that’s where we stand.”

Asked how much longer the report might take, he said: “I have no idea, I am not on the committee that’s doing it, but I do know that we have not had a final recommendation and they want to do some more work on it.

All I can tell you is that nothing has been put forward to the government yet.”

However, Mr Farquharson, the chairman of the tripartite council, indicated the report will be sent to the government soon.

“Let me put it like this, hey,” he said, “the process is in its final stages. As far as the status of the report, whether or not we can comment on the report is a different story … but the process is well underway. I look forward to a final recommendation being sent to the government in the near future. A lot of work has gone into it and that is in its final stages.”

The Upsilon Zeta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was chartered on April 28th, 2007 at the College of The Bahamas now University of The Bahamas by seven (7) collegiate women. Becoming the 1002nd chapter of the Sorority, Upsilon Zeta is the first and only international undergraduate chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated to date. As we intend to uphold the mantle set by our forebearers, we plan to host an initiative on May 7th, 2022 at The University of the Bahamas that falls under our economic development thrust. Under the name Crimson Explosion, this initiative is an annual entrepreneurial and talent showcase that aims to highlight small local businesses and a variety of local talents. To reach vendors and patrons across the island of New Providence.

The council’s recommendations will be sent to Cabinet.

Currently, the minimum

wage is $210 per week. The Progressive Liberal Party committed to increasing it to $250 per week during

last year’s election campaign as well as to examine the creation of a liveable wage.

PAGE 6, Wednesday, April 20, 2022

The Tribune Limited

THE TRIBUNE

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Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

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Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

Published daily Monday to Friday

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Masks still serve a purpose DEPUTY Prime Minister Chester Cooper sounded the bell yesterday that could bring the end to wearing masks.

Mr Cooper talked of easing more of the COVID restrictions we have been living under as we try to limit the spread of the virus – and it cannot be denied that we are at one of our better moments in that battle. Cases are down, and thankfully deaths are too.

It is not over, however, with 133 people still listed as having COVID in the country, and five of those in hospital.

Mr Cooper talked yesterday, however, of “COVID fatigue”, and said: “People are very tired of wearing masks and we’re seeing a (reduction) of the protocols around the world.”

He added: “The mask mandate has always been a point of discussion. We’ve discussed it before. The Ministry of Health is looking at it closely and we are going to be monitoring it. That’s all I can say at this point. It is up for discussion and we’ll make formal announcements in due course.”

The issue of masks is a talking point at present again, not least of all because the requirement in the US to wear masks on planes and public transport has just been ended – at least for now.

A judge in Florida ruled that the way the rule was imposed was incorrect, with the Centers for Disease Control failing to follow proper rule-making procedures.

Now, whether the process was right or the process was wrong, it is worth nothing that this change has come about because of a judge rather than a decision by a medical expert. The CDC is still recommending that people mask up indoors while travelling. The medical situation hasn’t changed in that regard, just the legal situation.

So when we talk of “COVID fatigue”, or being “tired of wearing masks”, we should really put it into context. Medical experts say masks are useful and can limit spread. Are we really tired of a simple action that can stop this virus from reaching those who might be more vulnerable?

A would-be visitor to the country recently talked to The Tribune about scrapping plans to visit The Bahamas because they were immunocompromised having had treatment for cancer – and could not take the risk of boarding a plane and travelling around people who might not be following social distancing rules or wearing masks, and the same in hotels when they arrived.

Mr Cooper went on to talk about hotels being “generally fatigued by the protocols”, and saying that “their customers are saying enough” and “they want to see the back of the protocols quite frankly, the elimination of masks and making it easier to travel”.

Fortunately, Mr Cooper also speaks of having “an obligation to the Bahamian people” and needing to “strike a balance”.

There may be a fatigue from some about masks, but the simple truth is that they continue to save lives at present.

When we put them on, we should think about that. It’s about protecting our own health, certainly, but it’s also about protecting the health of others.

Being tired of doing so is to be tired of protecting the ones you love. Until the medical experts say that it is time to ditch the masks, keep on wearing them – and let’s not be drawn into the political ins and outs of decisions made in other countries, that may not have the weight of the medical community to support them.

Climate change EDITOR, The Tribune.

THANK you for granting me this space to support my fellow scientist Kelli Armstrong, who last week gave voice to one of the worst kept secrets among the local scientific community: that when it comes to the critical challenge of climate change, The Bahamas is essentially flying blind.

Small island nations like The Bahamas will suffer the worst from climate change and everything that comes with it, from sea level rise and serious flooding, to widespread beach erosion and more powerful and destructive hurricanes, to the widespread bleaching of our reefs and death of our sea life. There is no question that this issue should be a top national priority.

Yet as Kelli pointed out, The Bahamas is way behind the curve in terms

of collecting environmental data relevant to climate change, as well as making that information available to those in the scientific community who are working to ensure this country does its part in helping the world avoid a worst-case scenario.

Along with the other 192 United Nations Member States, The Bahamas has committed to meeting certain Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. These are designed to counteract climate change to the greatest extent possible. However, to effectively fulfill them, what we need more than anything is data.

And while a lot of relevant research takes place in The Bahamas, the findings are not efficiently shared with the experts who are working to ensure we meet the SDGs. You cannot meaningfully

tackle a problem, if you don’t fully understand the nature of the problem and are not in a position to measure whether your efforts to address the problem are working.

The government should take the lead in ensuring that all data relevant to climate change is effectively and efficiently shared with the professionals who are working to help ensure that the country meets its SDG commitments. Early indications are that we are already falling behind.

Kelli Armstrong is a huge asset to the Bahamas. She is only one of two certified climate change professionals in the entire region. I fully endorse her message and hope the powers that be will listen to what she has to say.

WARSAW residents and government officials lay daffodils at the monument honouring the fighters of the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising on the occasion of the 79th anniversary of the ghetto’s ill-fated struggle against the German Nazi troops, in Warsaw, Poland, yesterday. The fighters put up armed resistance after German troops began to destroy the ghetto and send its residents to death camps.

One of the revolt’s commanders who survived the struggle, Marek Edelman, used to lay daffodils at the monument.

Photo: Czarek Sokolowski/AP

A Brave New World EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT IS exactly seven months since the fateful election of the PLP and its parliamentary team, led by the Honourable Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, QC, MP. How do you, the Bahamian voter, rate their performances without fear of bias, rancor or downright fawning? I am a partisan of the ruling party, but I do believe that all of my views expressed herein are truthful and based on the ground facts and figures.

While we are all able to agree that with the initial onslaught of COVID-19 drastic health measures and mandatory curfews and lockdowns were necessary while authorities got a grip on precisely how to deal with the virus logically and economically, those measures were outlandishly tough. The death and infection levels were high and seemed also insurmountable. Clearly, the Minnis administration, in hindsight, badly misjudged the effects of those measures.

With the dramatic and long term shut down of the entire nation, the economy went south. Thousands of jobs were lost and countless businesses were obliged to close down, many of which have yet to reopen successfully. Personal savings, where they existed, were wiped out and many persons found themselves on the proverbial breadline.

Hundreds of Bahamians ‘lost’ their lives and thousands more have yet to recover their pre-pandemic health. Our students are only now, after almost two ‘lost’ years of in person tuition, trickling back into the classrooms. The economy is back, even if not yet back to where we were in 2019.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net It would be dangerous to simply say that the PLP administration, automatically, caused the rebuilding and rebranding of the economy and that its measures, health wise, caused a tumbling in deaths and infection rates. It cannot be denied, however, that under the benign leadership of the Hon Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, QC, MP, that we have entered a ‘Brave’ new world.

Governmental and trade union relationships were at the worst level while Minnis held sway. Our vital health care workers were, according to their union’s president, treated like dirt and their reasonable requests were rejected out of hand. Omni buses and other forms of public transportation were universally negatively impacted.

Hotels and motels had no business and hospitality workers were sent home in droves. Within the short seven months of a new government all of this has changed. Happy days are here again.

The messaging that is sent by the Davis administration is very positive and pragmatic. The Bahamas is back and opened for business. A clear message is being sent to international and local investors. It is anticipated the biggest white elephant in the room, Our Lucaya, will be put into play by the end of this month. It is also anticipated that the Hon I Chester Cooper (PLP-Exuma), our erstwhile Minister of Tourism; Aviation and Investments will announce movement

with the refurbishment and eventual rebuilding of the Freeport International Airport so as to generate airlift into Grand Bahama.

Several huge projects are coming on stream and it is only a matter of time before thousands of well paying jobs become available for all and sundry who wish to find gainful employment and are qualified for the same. I would urge all Bahamians who wish to be certified and trained in assorted educational and technical pursuits to seek out BTVI and enroll in one of its short term courses... most if not all of the same are tuition free.

Some might suggest that the Davis administration has yet to come to grips with the crime phenomenon, but that would be a Big Lie. Crime, for too long, has been politicized.

It is not a PLP or an FNM creation. Crime was made and is actively or passively encouraged by a large number of Bahamians.

Too many of us facilitate trafficking in stolen items, motor vehicles included.

Most of you all ‘know’ who the criminals are and the locations of assorted dens of criminality.

Brave, to his credit, recently hosted a conclave with stakeholders to discuss the causations and possible solutions. Even before the conclave was effectively concluded, the opposition was puncturing holes and crying wolf. I am more than persuaded that we are now back on the right track and the emergence of a Brave New World is at hand.

Jr

ORTLAND H BODIE, Nassau, April 18, 2022.

Bank fees The crime problem SB Nassau, April 19, 2022.

EDITOR, The Tribune.

EDITOR, The Tribune.

MY NAME is John Brown. For a minute, crime is at the top of everyone’s concern, MP ministers and the police. So I take this opportunity to call BS on an effort for the last 20 years to stop crime.

I was in more shoot outs with the police than any who live to tell the tale.

I am one of the original architects of this environment in which we live and I am still a part of the ecological system that exists.

So when I came out of prison more than twenty

years ago, I immediately formed a crime watch committee in my community. It was so successful that I also chaired a consultative committee with the police.

Sitting in meetings, luncheons and pray breakfasts with the highest politicians, ministers, police and elites, I learnt one thing — that nothing will ever be done about crime, Never!

No balls, no will and no imagination. So in my published resignation letter (twenty years ago). I painted out the same faults.

Now I am sitting at home laughing because I don’t

know if I should cry as the chickens come home to roost.

I would like to help, but help what?! Politicians get ratings? Or help the police put more people in prison?

That is not fighting crime.

That is the definition of insanity!

Crime is a war and society is the aggressor. First there needs to be a true ceasefire, then open the door for dialogue.

Ex-Crime Boss JOHN BROWN Nassau, April 13, 2022.

CONVINCED after my experience today to be treated as if I am an alien and have not been a client of either of my two banks for 30 plus years.

One, which is infamous for the lack of service in their branch in Palmdale, was advised come back Wednesday and your debit card will be ready... Hmm that’s a joke.... with a far from courteous response of the so-called Customer Service clerk.... come back Thursday... no apology.

Move on to another of my unfriendly, no courtesy banks.... believe me,

Editor, out in the sunshine for 45 minutes... another 40 minutes on line inside only to discover on the eve of a long week-end One Cashier...yes, one cashier. Their clients were robbed on line outside their branch last week...at a time must have been 20 customers waiting.

Public be warned... one of my Managers slipped and told me... his HQ up in Toronto want to get rid of cheques... what next get rid of hard currency of the Central Bank?

I will be the last customer before either of my banks for over 40 years will force me to go digital burnt once, not here, never again.

Seems our primary local bank is going to have to open new branches to take all the old customers of the old established Canadian banks who will be forced to leave their once safe haven.

Watch out public it seems that the Canadian Banks don’t want you in the branches.....never want to have any personal contact all up in that cloud of you know....collect and collect more fees.

A very disgruntled bank customer.

J M WISDOM Nassau, April 13, 2022.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, April 20, 2022, PAGE 7

102 YEARS YOUNG FOR RETIRED CPL MCKINNEY

DEPUTY Governor General Cynthia “Mother” Pratt made a presentation to Charles Thomas McKinney, Ret Police Corporal, in celebration of his 102nd birthday at his residence yestereday.

Deputy Police Commissioner Loretta Mackey also made a celebratory presentation.

Photos: Patrick Hanna/BIS

190 years in jail for man who killed mother of former Bahamas ambassador Avant LOS ANGELES Associated Press

A PAROLEE who murdered 81-year-old philanthropist Jacqueline Avant, the wife of a legendary music executive, was sentenced Tuesday to 190 years in a California prison.

Aariel Maynor, 30, pleaded guilty to murder and other charges in Los Angeles Superior Court last month and admitted he used an AR-15 style semiautomatic rifle to shoot Avant in her Beverly Hills home Dec. 1 and fired several rounds at her security guard as he fled.

Avant was married to Clarence Avant, a Grammy winner known as the “Godfather of Black Music” for mentoring and helping the careers of artists, including Bill Withers, Little Willie John, LA Reid, Babyface, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

Maynor shot Jacqueline

JACQUELINE AVANT, left, and Clarence Avant pictured in January, 2020.

Photo: Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP neighbourAvant in the back when low-income she surprised him after hoods such as Watts and he broke into the couple’s South Los Angeles. She was house during a burglary on the board of the Internaattempt in which he hoped tional Student Centre at the to steal $50,000, prosecu- University of California, tors said. After fleeing the Los Angeles.

Clarence Avant, 91, a scene, he broke into a home in the Hollywood Hills and concert promoter and manthen accidentally shot him- ager, was inducted into the self in the foot as he was Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last year. leaving.

Prosecutors said Avant used her money for charities that helped Maynor had searched for

MAN DENIED BAIL IN MURDER CASE

By PAVEL BAILEY

A MAN was remanded to prison yesterday after being charged with murder.

Javaughn Charlton, 23, stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson Pratt accused of killing Michael Beckford on April 3.

Beckford was killed at a barber shop at the junction of Baillou Hill and Marshall Road.

An initial report from police said the deceased was a patron of a barber shop when a “lone gunman” walked in and shot at him. The deceased managed to walk down the steps. but then collapsed, police said.

In court, Charlton was told that due to the nature of the offence he would not be required to enter a plea. The accused was also informed that his case would proceed to the Supreme Court through a

voluntary bill of indictment.

During the arraignment, Charlton told the chief magistrate that he was in fear of his life in custody.

Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt said she would speak to the relevant authorities on his behalf.

The accused was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) until October 7.

In a separate matter, Javar Ferguson, 24, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt on charges of attempted murder and possession of a firearm.

On March 6 at Ferguson Street and Dumping Ground Corner, Ferguson allegedly attempted to murder Jawuan Armbrister with a handgun. Another man was also arrested in connection with this incident.

In court, Ferguson was told that he was not

required to enter a plea to his charges. He was also denied bail. He was then remanded to BDCS until his next trial date on October 5.

Meanwhile, Michael “Mikey” Anderson, 47, also stood before Chief Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt on a charge of abetment to attempted murder.

According to the prosecution, on April 1 in New Providence the accused allegedly aided in the attempted murder of Donald Brown.

Anderson was told that due to the nature of his offence he would not be required to enter a plea.

Although bail was denied, he was told that he had the right to apply for pretrial release in the Supreme Court.

After a brief meeting with his wife and daughter, the accused was remanded to BDCS until his next trial date on October 5.

BOY, 14, ACCUSED OF $12K FRAUD

By PAVEL BAILEY

A 14-YEAR-OLD boy was granted bail yesterday after he was arraigned in connection with $12,000 worth of fraud charges.

The minor appeared before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux on five counts of fraud by false

pretences and two counts of money laundering.

According to the prosecution, between March 6 and April 11 through the use of various aliases the accused allegedly defrauded five separate people of a total of $12,450.

For one of the fraud charges of $3,500, a 27-yearold female accomplice

was charged with abetting fraud.

In court, the accused was represented by Ian Cargill where he pleaded not guilty to the seven charges against him.

The magistrate granted the boy bail at $8,000 with one or two sureties.

His case was adjourned to June 7.

information on Clarence Avant and the couple’s address the day before the killing.

Maynor showed no remorse for the slaying, bragging to a friend on a jail phone call about all the news stories about him and laughing, according to a court document filed by Deputy District Attorney Victor Avila.

“You think my mama’s seen that?” he asked.

“I don’t know, but that’s not funny,” the woman, who was not identified, said.

“Why are you laughin’?

That’s somebody’s life.

That’s somebody’s family member.”

The Avants were married for 54 years and had two children, Alexander Du Bois Avant and Nicole Avant, a film producer and former US ambassador to the Bahamas who is married to Netflix co-CEO and Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos.

After Jacqueline Avant’s death, tributes were paid to her and her charitable work by former President Bill Clinton, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Quincy Jones.

Maynor, who was on parole for his second robbery conviction, bragged

to a friend during a jail call that he expected a shorter sentence because prosecutors were not seeking life without parole. “I’m gonna get out of jail. I’ll probably do like 20... 25, get out, you feel me?” he said.

Under District Attorney George Gascón, the office did not seek a special circumstance allegation that the killing was committed in the act of a burglary, which could have led to a possible sentence of life without parole.

Instead, prosecutors sought an enhanced penalty.

Funeral Service For

Roger Craig Smith, 69 will be held on Thursday April 21, 2022 at 10:00a.m. at Holy Spirit Anglican Church, 18 Howard Street, Chippingham. Officiating will be Rev’d Fr. Neil Nairn and Canon Crosley Walkine. Cremation will follow.

Due to Government COVID-19 regulations attendance at the Service is limited.

Predeceased by his wife of 44 years Terri Smith; his daughter Danielle Long-Roldan; parents Ira and Mary Smith, and siblings Villadale Munnings and Craig and Brian Smith.

He is survived by his children: Rainya SmithPinder, Roger(Nicola) Smith II, and Ramon Smith; granddaughters: Deja Pinder, Syriana Smith, Savannah Smith and Ramya Smith; grandsons: Desmond Pinder, Rashawn Pinder, and Raivon Pinder; brothers: Michael (Karen) Smith, Anthony ”Sarge”(Tanya) Smith, Valentino (Nicola) Smith, Kevin (Latoya) Smith, Ira (Dr. Terlika-Chisholm) Smith and Peter Stuart; sisters: Gertrude Bridgette (Don) Symonette, Debra Smith-Coleby; Bridgette (Wenzel R/Sgt. RBPF) Hanna, Nichole( Llewellyn) Armstrong, Charmaine (Matthew Supt. RBPF) Edgecombe, Tara Smith, Shenica (Stephen) Smith and Valeria Stuart-Munroe; aunt: Barbara Smith; motherin-law: Hortence Harris-Smith; sisters-in-law: Calliope (Marc) Smith, Vanessa (Greg) Armstrong, Judy Sandy, Cynthia, Pamela, Ann Marie and Merlena Wankin; brothers-in-law: Terrance (Laverne) Harris-Smith, Kermit HarrisSmith, Francis and Anthony Wankin; numerous nieces and nephews, the extended family of George T. Smith; other relatives and friends: Charles (Dolores) Green, Whitley (Pearline) McKinney, Keith (Desiree) McCartney, Mae Ferguson, Rudy (Delly) Moseley, Chief Petty Officer RBDF Patrick Donald, Earthstrong Landscaping, Smitty’s Pharmacies, I-Elite Sports Academy, Pastor Mario Moxey and Bahamas Harvest Family, Special thanks to: Dr. Darius Bain, Dr. Mitesha Nottage, Dr. Daniel Johnson, Dr. Charles Osazuwa, Dasilia Huyler.

There will be No Viewing at the Church Relatives and friends may pay their respects at Butlers’ Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Ernest and York Streets, on Wednesday April 20, 2022 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Current Emergency COVID-19 regulations are in effect.

Social Distancing and Face Masks will be enforced.

PAGE 8, Wednesday, April 20, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

CROWDS of the masked and the unmasked went through the security line at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport yesterday where the airport issued a statement saying masks are now “optional for employees, passengers, and visitors” at the airport.

Photo: John Spink/Atlanta JournalConstitution via AP

Keep the masks AS mask mandates are overturned and removed in other parts of the world, we are forced to depend more heavily on others to help manage our own risks related to COVID19. While we have had to depend on one another, throughout the COVID19 pandemic, to practice good hygiene and take the necessary precautions, including social distancing and wearing masks, we had the benefit of enforcement.

When there is mask mandate, it is the responsibility of governments, businesses, and those in positions of authority to ensure that people comply. Even then, some of us found ourselves in situations that required us to assert ourselves, directly engaging other

By Alicia Wallace

individuals, asking them to wear their masks or adhere to social distance recommendations. This kind of prompting is not always well-received, and many of us find ourselves weighing the risk of being involved in a verbal altercation with unpredictable strangers against the risk of increased exposure to COVID-19.

Following the ruling of a federal judge in Florida that the mask mandate on public transportation was

RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Crooked Hallelujah by Kelli Jo Ford.

Starting in the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma in 1974, this is the story of Justine and her mother until it becomes the story of Justine and her daughter Reney.

When Justine’s father left, her mother turned to the Holiness Church which Justine clearly finds bizarre. As mothers, Justine and her mother both want better lives for their daughters. The point of view changes throughout the book which requires focused attention, and it offers a character study of different generations of women in this family, generational trauma, and the kind of suffering that often masquerades as strength.

Issues of abuse, alcoholism, colonialism, and poverty are all present, and some may find parts of it difficult to read or disturbing.

2. Caribbean Women for Climate Justice Virtual Conference. This event, in celebration of Earth Day, is being held

from Thursday, April 21, to Saturday, April 24. Supported by Open Society Foundation, it is organized by The Breadfruit Collective (Guyana) and The Climate Conscious.

The keynote address will be given

by Ayesha Constable, Founder of GirlsCAREJamaica, Thursday at 6pm. Register at tinyurl. com/CW4CJ. 3. El Dorado, City of Black Gold by Aliyah Khan. This essay, originally published in PREE, is on guernicamag.com.

“When I was a child living in Kitty — an outlying region of Georgetown they say named after some long-dead white Englishwoman, Miss Kitty Something-or-other — I had one recurring nightmare. Every year during the flood and rain I used to see that brown muddy water come over the Sea Wall, over jetty and boulder breaker and shattered shell. Every year we house floor did wash away. So I used to dream I drown. Even small I know: which wall could stop the Atlantic Ocean?”

unlawful, the Biden administration will no longer enforce it. Several airlines immediately announced this news to its passengers, allowing crew and passengers to remove their masks. Videos circulated on social media yesterday with the announcements

by Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and JetBlue.

Other airlines, including Delta Airlines, United Airlines, Allegiant Travel Co, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Frontier have also announced that wearing masks is now optional.

It is important to remember that this change, and

other changes that may by our decisions without come, does not mean the having any input.

COVID-19 pandemic is Air travel, without mask over. People are still con- mandates, is now a higher tracting and spreading the risk than it was a few days virus. While the numbers ago. Whether you want to in The Bahamas are much travel or you must travel, it lower than is important before, to think ‘People are still there are contracting and about what still people you can who are spreading the virus. and cannot getting While the numbers in control. very sick. The Bahamas are much You can, for Lung example, COVID is lower than before, continue still real. there are still people to wear a We still who are getting very mask. You need to be can ensure concerned sick. Lung COVID that you about are wearing is still real. We still elderly mask of need to be concerned ahigher people and qualthose who about elderly people ity that fits are immu- and those who are well rather nocompro- immunocompromised.’ than a cloth mised. mask. You Calcucan keep lated risks are being taken extra masks in your hand all the time, but we need to luggage and change it ensure that we are thinking during long haul travel. You about the people impacted cannot make strangers wear

masks. You cannot stop them from making rude comments about your decision to wear a mask, but you can choose to wear it anyway, and actively avoid escalating the situation if someone else becomes belligerent. Following your travel, you can test at the appropriate times and isolate yourself until you receive the last results.

Importantly, you can make plans to avoid contact with people more vulnerable to COVID-19. That may mean missing Sunday dinner, skipping gatherings, and waiting a little longer to see the new baby. These may not be decisions we would normally make, but we have to remember the situation we are in right now and moderate our behaviour accordingly. Masks and testing will continue to be important parts of our lives as we do our best to stay healthy and protect those around us.

CEDAW SPEAKER SERIES: LEARNING OPPORTUNITY FOR BAHAMIANS ON SATURDAY, April 23, at 10am, Equality Bahamas is hosting the first in a series of sessions on the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). These sessions, held on a monthly basis, will feature experts from the CEDAW Committee and non-governmental organisations who will present and engage in conversation about the Convention, one Article at a time. In the first session on Saturday, former CEDAW Committee member Patricia Schulz — a Swiss lawyer specialising in international human rights and gender equality and Senior Research Associate at United Nations Research Institute on Social Development — will talk about Articles 1 and 2, generally addressed together in the constructive dialogue with States.

CEDAW is one of the United Nations treaty bodies most frequently mentioned in The Bahamas. It is often referred to as the women’s bill of rights, and it is a critical tool for those working toward gender equality and a world free of gender-based

violence. The Bahamas ratified the Convention in 1993, and the State is supposed to report to the Committee every four years. Non-governmental organisations may also submit reports, and these reports are reviewed by the Committee, informing the constructive dialogue. Following the dialogue with the State, the CEDAW Committee sends its Concluding Observations which includes a set of recommendations which the State is expected to act upon in order to meet the commitment made at the time of ratification.

This month’s session, focused on Article 1 and 2, will be interesting for many reasons. First, The Bahamas has reserved on Article 2(a). Second, The Bahamas held a referendum in 2016, in part, to address the issue of sex- and gender-based discrimination in the constitution. Third, the CEDAW Committee has made recommendations for The Bahamas to “ensure, without delay, that a comprehensive review of existing legislation is conducted, that a comprehensive definition of discrimination against women is put forward, in line with

the Convention, and that the principle of gender equality is integrated into all national laws.” In addition, the Committee recommended that The Bahamas, “Ensure the effective implementation of the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sex and gender through appropriate enforcement mechanisms and sanctions.” Schulz, who has served two terms on the CEDAW Committee, will certainly have a great deal to say about the importance of these two Articles, the reason for these recommendations, and the problem with reservations like the one on Article 2(a).

The CEDAW Speaker Series presents a great opportunity for Senators, Members of Parliament, non-governmental organization representatives, and members of the public to not only learn about CEDAW, but gain an understanding of its applications to the Bahamian context and its utility as we work toward gender equality and the advancement of women. Register for this session at tiny.cc/cedaw1.

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Wednesday, April 20, 2022, PAGE 9

ENERGY SHIFT CREATES OPENING FOR ‘WORLD’S LARGEST BATTERIES’

TECHTALK

By JOHN FLESHER AP Environmental Writer

LUDINGTON, Mich.

(AP) — Sprawled like a gigantic swimming pool atop a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan is an asphalt-andclay pond holding enough water to produce electricity for 1.6 million households.

It’s part of the Ludington Pumped Storage Plant, which uses simple technology: Water is piped from a lower reservoir — the lake, in this case — to an upper one, then released downhill through supersized turbines.

Supporters call these systems “the world’s largest batteries” because they hold vast amounts of potential energy for use when needed for the power grid.

The hydropower industry considers pumped storage the best answer to a question hovering over the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy to address climate change: where to get power when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing.

“I wish we could build 10 more of these. I love ‘em,” Eric Gustad, community affairs manager for Consumers Energy, said during a tour of the Ludington facility.

But the utility based in Jackson, Michigan, has no such plans. Environmental and logistical challenges and potential costs in the billions led Consumers to sell another would-be site near the lake years ago. It’s now upgrading the existing plant with coowner DTE Energy.

Constructing a new one “doesn’t make financial sense,” Gustad said. “Unless we get some help from the state or federal government, I don’t see it happening any time soon.”

STUCK IN NEUTRAL The company’s decision illustrates the challenges facing pumped storage in the U.S., where these systems account for about 93% of utility-scale energy in reserve.

While analysts foresee soaring demand for power storage, the industry’s growth has lagged.

The nation has 43 pumped storage facilities with a combined capacity of 22 gigawatts, the output of that many nuclear plants. Yet just one small operation has been added since 1995 — and it’s unknown how many of more than 90 planned can overcome economic, regulatory and logistical barriers that force long delays.

Three projects have obtained licenses from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, but none are being built. Developers of a long-planned Oregon facility expect work to begin in 2023.

A Montana company that got a license five years ago needs a utility to operate the plant and buy its storage capacity before construction starts.

By contrast, more than 60 are being built worldwide, mostly in Europe, India, China and Japan.

“The permitting process is crazy,” Malcolm Woolf, president of the National Hydropower Association, complained during a January

ELECTRIC cars are parked at a charging station in Sacramento, California.

(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

CALIFORNIA PLAN AIMS TO TRIPLE SALE OF ELECTRIC CARS BY 2026

By KATHLEEN RONAYNE Associated Press

AN AERIAL view of the Ludington Pumped Storage Plant near Ludington, Mich.

The plant generates electricity by pumping water from Lake Michigan to a reservoir on top of a bluff, then releasing it through giant turbines as needed. Advocates of pumped storage call such facilities the “world’s largest batteries.”

(AP Photo/ Consumers Energy) hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, saying it involves too many agencies.

Although FERC permits new facilities and relicenses existing ones, other federal, state and tribal offices have roles, spokesperson Celeste Miller said. “Every project is unique. All have various casespecific issues,” she said.

The industry is lobbying for an investment tax credit similar to what solar and wind get.

President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better plan includes the tax break but is stuck in Congress.

Pumped storage dates from the early 1930s. But most systems were built decades later to warehouse excess electricity from nuclear plants and release it when needed.

The storage facilities also serve as a safety net in sudden power interruptions. When a New England nuclear unit tripped offline in 2020, Woolf said, “the lights in Boston didn’t flicker” because two pumped storage stations provided backup power.

While nuclear, coal and natural gas plants can operate continuously, wind and solar can’t — so the market for reserve power likely will grow. National Renewable Energy Laboratory models show U.S. storage capacity may rise fivefold by 2050.

“We’re going to bring hundreds of gigawatts of clean energy onto the grid over the next few years and we need to be able to use that energy wherever and whenever it’s needed,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said last year.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Using computer mapping, Australian National University engineers identified more than 600,000 “potentially feasible” pumped storage sites worldwide — including 32,000 in the U.S. — that could store

100 times the energy needed to support a global renewable electricity network.

But the study didn’t examine whether sites would meet environmental or cultural protection standards or be commercially viable. Its website acknowledged, “Many or even most ... may prove to be unsuitable.”

Environmentalists are cool toward pumped storage because reservoirs typically are formed by hydropower dams, which block fish pathways, damage water quality and emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Also, most plants continuously draw water from rivers.

But recent designs envision “closed-loop” systems that tap a surface or underground supply, then repeatedly cycle that water between reservoirs. Water would be added only to make up for evaporation or leaks.

The Hydropower Reform Coalition, representing

conservation groups, says it might support such projects under “very limited circumstances.”

Yet some are drawing resistance, including the Goldendale Energy Storage Project in Washington state.

It would pipe water between two 60-acre (24.3-hectare) reservoirs on opposite sides of a hill.

The facility could power nearly 500,000 homes for up to 12 hours, according to Rye Development, spearheading the project. It’s seeking FERC licensing and is scheduled to go online in 2028 but still needs a state water quality permit.

Environmental groups fear harm to wetlands and wildlife habitat, while tribes say the project would encroach on a sacred site.

“What are we willing to sacrifice to get this technology online?” said Bridget Moran, an associate director of American Rivers.

Developers say the project would include cleanup of the polluted lower reservoir area.

The U.S. Department of Energy has launched a webbased tool to help developers find the best locations.

A recent Michigan Technological University study identified hundreds of abandoned U.S. mines that could host pumped storage, with upper reservoirs at or near the surface and lower ones below ground.

They are close enough to transmission and distribution infrastructure and to solar and wind generating facilities, the report says.

“All these holes in the ground are ready to go,” said study co-leader Roman Sidortsov, an energy policy associate professor.

But while some decommissioned mines might be better for the environment, a project in New York’s Essex County stalled over water pollution concerns.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.

(AP) — California wants electric vehicle sales to triple in the next four years to 35% of all new car purchases, an aggressive target set as part of the goal to phase out the sale of gas-powered cars by the middle of next decade.

The California Air Resources Board’s proposal would slowly raise the sale of new cars that are electric, hydrogen-powered or plugin hybrids to 100% by 2035.

About 11% of all new passenger car sales nationally happen in California, giving the state significant influence over the auto market. Californians would still be allowed to drive gas-powered cars and sell used ones, meaning planet-warming emissions will still spew from the state’s roadways.

The hoped-for boost in electric vehicle sales will also require a major increase in charging stations. California has set a goal of 250,000 charging stations by 2025, and right now there are fewer than 80,000 stations in public spaces or in parking lots at office buildings, apartment buildings and other shared spaces. The California Energy Commission last year approved spending $314 million over three years for passenger car charging stations and Newsom added more in his proposed state budget.

The release kicks off a months-long state review process and the plan requires approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The state is unlikely to face resistance from a Democratic White House. The Biden administration recently restored California’s power to set its own vehicle emissions standards under the Clean Air Act and the president has committed $5 billion to build more charging stations around the country.

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PAGE 10, Wednesday, April 20, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

JOHNSON SAYS SORRY FOR PARTYGATE AS CENSURE POSSIBLE LONDON Associated Press

BRITISH Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday offered what he said was a “wholehearted” apology for attending an illegal party during lockdown — but insisted he didn’t knowingly break rules or mislead Parliament, and brushed off calls to resign.

Johnson told lawmakers in the House of Commons that it simply “did not occur to me” that the birthday gathering, complete with a cake, was a party.

That excuse was greeted with derision by opposition

BRITISH Prime Minister Boris Johnson. politicians — and some among the governing Conservatives — who have called with increasing frustration for Johnson to quit since stories began to circulate late last year of parties in the prime minister’s office and other

government buildings in 2020 and 2021, when millions in the country were barred from meeting with friends and family or even attending funerals for their loved ones.

Opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer branded the apology “halfhearted” and “a joke”.

Last week, Johnson was fined 50 pounds ($66) for attending his own surprise birthday party in 10 Downing St in June 2020, making him the first British prime minister ever found to have broken the law while in office.

Speaking as the House of Commons returned from an

11-day Easter break, Johnson acknowledged people’s “hurt and anger,” but added that “it did not occur to me then or subsequently that a gathering in the Cabinet Room, just before a vital meeting on COVID strategy, could amount to a breach of the rules.”

Starmer said that excuse would ring hollow with ordinary people who “understand that the rules apply to all of us,” and he challenged Conservatives to “bring an end to this shameful chapter” and jettison Johnson.

“He knows he’s dishonest and incapable of changing,”

Starmer said. “So he drags everybody else down with him.”

Starmer was told off

by House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle for accusing another member of dishonesty — a breach of parliamentary rules.

Minutes later, Labour lawmaker Karl Turner also was chastised by the Speaker after branding Johnson a liar.

“I withdraw the word ‘liar,’ Mr Speaker,” Turner said. “But the electorate will already have decided.”

Labour has not given up on trying to get lawmakers to censure Johnson

over the “partygate” scandal. Speaker Hoyle said he would allow Labour to hold a Commons debate and vote Thursday on whether Johnson should be investigated for allegedly misleading Parliament. Ministers found to have done that knowingly are generally expected to resign.

Johnson is due to be out of the country Thursday on a visit to India, and the big Conservative majority in Parliament means the measure is unlikely to pass.

But the vote will force Tory lawmakers uneasy with the prime minister to publicly back him or criticise him.

Russia presses attack from east KYIV, Ukraine Associated Press RUSSIA assaulted cities and towns along a boomerang-shaped front hundreds of miles long and poured more troops into Ukraine yesterday in a potentially pivotal battle for control of the country’s eastern industrial heartland of coal mines and factories.

If successful, the Russian offensive in what is known as the Donbas would essentially slice Ukraine in two and give President Vladimir Putin a badly needed victory after the failed attempt

by Moscow’s forces to storm the capital, Kyiv, and heavier-than-expected casualties nearly two months into the war.

The cities of Kharkiv and Kramatorsk came under deadly attack, and Russia also said it struck areas around Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro west of the Donbas with missiles.

Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said Moscow’s forces bombarded numerous Ukrainian military sites, including troop concentrations and missile-warhead storage depots, in or near several cities or villages.

The claims could not be independently verified.

In what both sides described as a new phase of the war, the Russian assault began on Monday along a front stretching more than 300 miles from northeastern Ukraine to the country’s

A UKRAINIAN soldier yesterday walks past a Russian tank after recent battles at the village of Moshchun close to Kyiv, Ukraine.

Photo: Efrem Lukatsky/AP A senior US defence offiA European official said southeast. Ukraine’s military said Russian forces cial said the Russians had Russia also has 10,000 to tried to “break through our added two more combat 20,000 foreign fighters in defences along nearly the units, known as battalion the Donbas. They are a mix tactical groups, in Ukraine of mercenaries from Rusentire front line”.

Weeks ago, after the over the preceding 24 sia’s private Wagner Group abortive Russian push hours. That brought the and Russian proxy fightto take Kyiv, the Krem- total number of units in the ers from Syria and Libya, lin declared that its main country to 78, all of them according to the official.

While Ukraine portrayed goal was the capture of the the south and the east, up mostly Russian-speaking from 65 last week, the offi- the attacks on Monday as the start of the long-feared Donbas, where Moscow- cial said.

That would translate offensive in the east, some backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian to about 55,000 to 62,000 observers noted that an troops, based on what the escalation has been underforces for eight years.

A Russian victory in the Pentagon said at the start way there for some time Donbas would deprive of the war was the typical and questioned whether Ukraine of the industrial unit strength of 700 to 800 this was truly the start of a assets concentrated there, soldiers. But accurately new offensive.

The US official said that including mines, metals determining Russia’s fightplants and heavy-equip- ing capacity at this stage is the offensive in the Donbas difficult. has begun in a limited way, ment factories.

Funeral Service for Mrs. Gloria Jane Moree, 77 of Highland Park, Nassau, The Bahamas will be held at St. George’s Anglican Church, 55 Montrose Avenue, Nassau on Friday, 22nd April, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.

Reverend Father Scott Brennen will officiate and interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens and Mausoleums, John F. Kennedy Drive, Nassau.

Holbert (siblings)

Gloria Jane Moree is predeceased by Randolph and Dorothy Holbert (parents), Shelton, Robert, Tiny and Donaque Moree (children), Robert, Catherine and Andrea

Left to mourn her passing are her loving husband of 58 years, Eric Archabold Moree Sr.; children, Linda Pinder and Eric Moree Jr.; grandchildren, Sade Bowleg, Eric Moree III, Erica Moree, Sharminique and Robin Ritchie, Teno and Wenjie Moree, Shantiqua and Chauncey Rolle Sr., Ronald Pinder III and Trent Moree; great grandchildren, Anthony, Anthea, Ryoku, Cire, Tatum and Tatiana Moree, Anson Moxey Jr., Chauncey Rolle Jr. and Rylan Ritchie; aunt, Rosie Lowe; siblings, Mark and Jasmine Holbert, Marsha Holbert, Troy Holbert, Ashlyn Armbrister, Shane and Christine Armbrister, Craig and Tara Armbrister; nieces and nephews, Antoinette Smith, Latoya (Patrick) Rhodriguez, Rodney (Necy) Forbes, Sharmaine Lewis, Robert II (Kimberley), Carla, Reginald (Shekia), Markita, Mark II, Matayeo and Terelle Holbert, Latroya Hanna, Shane, Antonio, Anton, Shane II, Shania, Stephanie, Craig II (Trenique), Tiara, Adam and Ayden Armbrister, Shelley Schmid, Elisa Pavon, Racquel Prabu, Nadia (Lester) Perigord, Gregory and Pietro Burrows, Angelo II (Cecila) Pavon, Kevin II (Rochelle) and Bryan (Sherrie) Knowles, Sean (Suenell) Sands and Lenross Best; in laws, Pauline Pavon and Rosemary Knowles and many other relatives and friends including Louise “Big Weez” Sutherland & Family, Dolly Edgecombe & Family, Ellen Bethel & Family, Thomasine Smith & Family, Ronald Pinder Sr., Ray Pinder & Family, Tina Moree & Family, Anson Moxey Sr. & Family, Portia Taylor & Family, The Culmersville “Valley” Family, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Relatives and friends may pay their respects at Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited, 19 Palmdale Avenue, Palmdale, on Thursday, 21st April, 2022, from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. and at the Church on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until service time.

Arrangements by Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited.

mainly in an area southwest of the city of Donetsk and south of Izyum.

Justin Crump, a former British tank commander now with the strategic advisory company Sibylline, said the Ukrainian comments could, in part, be an attempt to persuade allies to send more weapons.

“What they’re trying to do by positioning this, I think, is... focus people’s minds and effort by saying, ‘Look, the conflict has begun in the Donbas,’” Crump said. “That partly puts pressure on NATO and EU suppliers to say, ‘Guys, we’re starting to fight now.

We need this now.’”

European and American arms have played a key role in enabling the outgunned Ukrainians to hold off the Russians. The Dutch prime minister told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy yesterday that the Netherlands would send “heavier material”, including armored vehicles.

Associated Press journalists in Kharkiv said at least four people were killed and three wounded in a Russian attack on a residential area of the city. The attack occurred as residents attempted to maintain a sense of normalcy, with municipal workers planting spring flowers in public areas.

An explosion also rocked Kramatorsk, killing at least one person and wounding three, according to AP journalists at the scene.

Eyewitness accounts and

reports from officials have given a broad picture of the extent of the Russian advance. But independent reporting in the parts of the Donbas held by Russian forces and separatists is severely limited, making it difficult to know what is happening in many places on the ground.

Military experts said the Russians’ goal is to encircle Ukrainian troops from the north, south and east.

Key to the campaign is the capture of Mariupol, the now-devastated city in the Donbas that the Russians have besieged since the early days of the war.

Taking Mariupol would deprive Ukraine of a vital port and complete a land bridge between Russia and the Crimean Peninsula, seized from Ukraine from 2014.

It would also free up Russian troops to move elsewhere in the Donbas.

A few thousand Ukrainian troops, by the Russians’ estimate, remained holed up in a sprawling Mariupol steel plant, representing what was believed to be the last major pocket of resistance in the city.

On Tuesday, Russia issued a new ultimatum to the Ukrainian defenders to surrender, saying those who come out will “keep their lives,” and said a ceasefire was being declared in the area so the combatants could leave the plant.

The Ukrainians have ignored previous such offers.

A NEW RULING ON MASKS BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN? A RULING by a federal judge has ended — at least for now — the requirement that people wear masks on planes and public transportation, and there is plenty of confusion about the new, post-mask world of travel.

The decision by a lone judge in Florida toppled 14 months of government insistence that travelers wear masks to reduce transmission of COVID19. Within hours, all major US airlines and many airports announced — sometimes to passengers in the middle of flights — that travelers could take off their masks.

WHAT EXACTLY WAS THE RULING? In a 59-page opinion, US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, Florida, said the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention overstepped its authority in issuing the original health order that the Transportation Security Administration used to impose the mask mandate. She said the CDC didn’t follow proper rulemaking procedures.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Once TSA said it would no longer enforce the rule, airlines, airports, transit systems and rideshare services were free to decide for themselves whether to require masks.

United, Delta, American, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue and other airlines all made masks voluntary.

On the ground, however, requirements could vary from place to place.

New York City’s public transit system planned to keep its mask requirement in effect. In San Francisco, the regional commuter rail system known as BART made masks voluntary, but the city transit authority did not.

The transit agency serving Philadelphia and its suburbs said masks will no longer be required on subways, buses and trains or in stations, even though the city has a mask mandate.

HOW SAFE IS IT TO TRAVEL NOW? Air filtration on planes is generally excellent, but boarding and exiting a plane can put people close together in spaces with poor ventilation, said Dr Babak Javid, a physicianscientist at the University of California, San Francisco.

The risk on other forms of transportation varies.

Dr David Dowdy, an infectious-disease epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said planes can carry the virus from place to place, but that we should be focusing more on big indoor events such as concerts and sporting events — even large weddings — where people get together and talk, shout and sing.

SHOULD I STILL WEAR A MASK ON PLANES? The CDC continues to recommend that people

mask up indoors while traveling.

DO MASKS WORK IF NOBODY ELSE WEARS ONE? Yes, masks still give some protection from COVID-19, but they work better if others wear them too.

High-quality masks work in two ways, said Carl Bergstrom, a University of Washington evolutionary biologist who studies emerging infectious diseases: They protect the wearer by limiting the number of infectious particles inhaled, and they protect others by limiting particles exhaled if the wearer is infected.

CAN I GET A REFUND IF I DON’T WANT TO FLY NOW? No, unless the airline cancels your flight. However, if you call the airline and explain why you’re not comfortable traveling without a mask mandate, most will let you change the flight for free or give you a credit that you can use later, said Scott Keyes, founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights travel site.

WILL THE LIFTING OF THE BAN AFFECT INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS? When flying between two countries, expect your airline to follow the rules in whichever country is more restrictive. Passengers flying to Canada, for example, will have to don masks at some point during the flight.

SPORTS PAGE 13

NBA, Page 15

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2022

4th straight CARIFTA swim title The Bahamas gets bid to host 2024 edition

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

J

ust before wrapping up their fourth consecutive title and eighth in nine years, Bahamas Aquatics got the confirmation that the Bahamas has received the bid to host the 2024 edition of the championships.

The decision was made yesterday at the Congress meeting that took place on the final day of swimming competition at the Barbados Aquatic Center in Wildey, Barbados, Bahamas Aquatics’ president Algernon Cargill confirmed after the meeting.

As the 35th edition of the four days of competition came to a close last night, Team Bahamas accumulated a total of 975 points to out-distance second place finisher Jamaica, who collected 833.50, reversing the order from the CARIFTA track and field meet on Monday night.

“The Cayman Islands came in third in the points standings that determined the outcome of the championships with 754, host Barbados occupied fourth with 519 and Trinidad & Tobago rounded out the top five with 355.

The Bahamas also earned the most medals with 65, including 14 gold, 22 silver and 29 bronze,

BAHAMAS Aquatics president Algernon CarWE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: Proud members of the Bahamas CARIFTA swim team. As the 35th edition of the gill, right, and swimmer Saleste Gibson. swimming competition came to a close last night, The Bahamas won 65 medals.

Photos: Bahamas Aquatics while the Cayman Islands had the most gold with 25 to go along with their 23 silver and nine bronze for a total of 57.

Barbados had 22 gold, seven silver and 12 bronze for their total of 41 and Jamaica ended up with 17 gold, 25 silver and 22 bronze to trail the Bahamas by one, 64, in the total medal count, a far cry from the track tally in Jamaica.

Head coach Travano McPhee, who served in that capacity on the previous three championship

teams, said it was a fantastic feat for Team Bahamas, considering that they had a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Very proud of these kids. Four straight is not easy,” said McPhee, who was assisted by Grand Bahama’s Andy Loveitt and Camron Bruney. “We came out on the first day and with a young team, they had to get the jitters out and get adapted to the crowd.

“Some of the younger swimmers showed some nerves, but they

came back on the second day and they performed very well. We had a lot more medals, a lot more finals and that carried over to the next two days. But four straight is not easy. I’m very proud of this team. No other team or federation has ever done this.”

McPhee said he was proud of their dominance in the region and they’re hoping to build on this with five straight next year before bringing the championship on home soil in 2024 when

the Bahamian public will really get to see what the swimmers are made of. “It would be good for the swimmers to swim at home in 2024 and get the home crowd and the supporters to cheer them on so they can turn in some very fast times,” he said.

“On this team, we have some swimmers who have never lost at CARIFTA before, so it says a lot about the federation, what

SEE PAGE 16

ARCHER LOOKS AHEAD TO 2023 CARIFTA GAMES ON HOME SOIL

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net AFTER turning in another distant second place finish behind powerhouse Jamaica at the return of CARIFTA, Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations president Drumeco Archer said there’s a lot of work to do to prepare for the hosting of the 50th anniversary of the championships next year..

The Bahamas collected 17 medals, including four gold, six silver and seven bronze as host Jamaica dominated with more than 90 medals with a sweep of all eight relays on their ledger at the three-day meet over the Easter holiday weekend in Kingston.

Surprisingly, the British Virgin Islands came close to moving into second, but ended up a close third with seven medals, including four gold as well at the biggest regional junior track and field competition.

Three of the BVI’s gold came from Adaejah Hodge in the under-17 girls 100 and 200 metres as well as the long jump to earn the

Austin Sealy Award as the Most Outstanding Athlete.

The Bahamas rode the national and championship record breaking performance from Keyshawn Strachan in the under-20 boys javelin, Dior-Rae Scott’s CARIFTA record in the under-17 girls javelin, Brenden Vanderpool’s triumph in the under-20 boys pole vault and Curtis Mitchell’s impressive run in the under-20 boys 5,000m.

In critiquing the entire performance of the 54-member team, Archer said they competed as best as they could, but even their best wasn’t good enough to match against the Jamaicans, who once again came away with a number of 1-2 or 1-3 or 2-3 winning combinations.

“As we move towards the 2023 games that will be held in the Bahamas, we clearly understand that we have to raise our level of competitiveness and our level of preparation,” he said.

MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg and Drumeco Archer, president of the BAAA, display the CARIFTA flag in Jamaica as the hosts of next year’s championships.

Photo: Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture “I still believe we have areas, including the hurdles have available,” he said. some of the most gifted ath- and they are even more “We had a classic example letes, but there are some technically sound in the in Dior-Rae Scott, who only technical areas that we sprints. “We have to also got a javelin in her hands need to pay close attention deepen our presence in the eight months ago and under to and really make sure that Bahamian community,” he coach Corrington Maycock the athletes are ready for said. “My executive team of Blue Chips Athletics, set what is to come.” will be looking at creating a CARIFTA record that As a general observation a talent search throughout was once held by Lavern in Jamaica, Archer said the length and breadth of Eve and Rhema Otabor.” the Jamaican athletes are the Bahamas to begin idenIn their post mortem of stronger in the technical tifying the talent that we the team’s performance,

Archer said they will begin to focus on how they will look at preparing the team and the Bahamas for the hosting of the games for the ninth time next year.

He noted that Scott, through her record-breaking performance, will be one of the faces that they will showcase as her story is told to those younger athletes who seek to be a part of the team next year and to inspire some of those who were not included this year.

While there were some who questioned whether the BAAA carried the best team, there are those who are of the opinion that there were some who didn’t make the team, but could have made a difference.

“We generally establish a standard, based on an average of the fourth place finish over a three-year period of the most recent CARIFTA Games,” Archer said. “The only addition to the standards that we made would be the men and women 100 and 400 metres where we established a B standard.

“We did that in order to be able to put together a relay

SEE PAGE 16

Column: Spieth crossing Full field returns for Boston Marathon $50m a reminder of coming-out party Tiger Woods’ standard

By JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports Writer

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer NOT even inflation can diminish the dominance of Tiger Woods.

The latest reminder came at Hilton Head when Jordan Spieth overcame an 18-inch miss on Saturday and a threeshot deficit on Sunday to beat Patrick Cantlay in a playoff for his 13th career PGA Tour victory.

Along with a tartan jacket (he looks better in green) and a spot in the winners-only field at Kapalua next January (a big perk to him), Spieth earned $1,440,000. That made him the 11th player in PGA Tour history to cross the $50 million mark in career earnings.

Officially, he is the youngest player at 28 years and 9 months to reach $50 million. That’s where inflation comes in.

SEE PAGE 14

JORDAN Spieth holds the championship trophy after winning a one-hole playoff at the RBC Heritage golf tournament on Sunday.

(AP Photo/Stephen B Morton)

BOSTON (AP) — Fans dressed as unicorns. Bands playing music. Kids jumping on trampolines.

And the loudest Wellesley scream tunnel anyone can remember.

The Boston Marathon was back to a full field and back in the spring for the first time since 2019, and fans along the course threw a coming-out party for a region recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We were so glad that we were able to do it,” Boston Athletic Association President Tom Grilk said yesterday, a day after Evans Chebet and Olympic

champion Peres Jepchirchir broke the tape on Boylston Street. “It was Boston at its finest.”

Six months after its delayed, then cancelled, then delayed again 125th edition, the world’s oldest and most prestigious annual 26.2-mile race returned to its traditional Patriots’ Day spot in the schedule — and the atmosphere was back as well.

Thick crowds lined the course through the eight cities and towns from Hopkinton to Boston’s Back Bay. One boy got a high-five from 2017 winner Edna Kiplagat. Other children blew bubbles and sat on their parents’ shoulders

to get the best view. There was music, dancing and drummers.

One man egged on the women’s leaders by chasing them with a giant cutout of Will Smith’s head. Near the midway point at Wellesley College, the students kept up the “scream tunnel” tradition that had been muted six months ago by masks.

“It was loud out there,” Manuela Schar, who also won the smaller and socially distanced race in October, said yesterday. “It was a little bit louder and a little bit bigger. I needed it.”

The weekend, which coincided with the Boston Red Sox home opener, also

SEE PAGE 14

PAGE 14, Wednesday, April 20, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

PELICANS RALLY PAST AYTON AND SUNS AFTER BOOKER’S INJURY

By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer

LUCUYAN Club executives, volunteers and parents.

Lucayan Basketball Club off to Florida on another tour

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net THE Lucayan Basketball Club, one of the fastest growing basketball and volleyball organisations for high school boys and girls players, is off to Florida to participate in another tour.

Ricardo Lees and Tamaro Butler founded the youth Christian organisation in 2017 to help train and mentor young people from different public and private schools.

“We’ve been doing a great job because every year since we got started, we’ve been able to assist members get scholarships to go abroad,” Lees said.

“But more importantly, we have been able to see them develop into productive citizens.”

Lucayan Basketball Club has a 40-member team in Orlando, Florida where they just participated in a tour of Southeastern University, Rollins College and

LUCAYAN Club student-athletes with their certificates.

Tampa University from April 19-21.

Now the team is preparing to play in a three-day tournament in Winter Park, Orlando where their girls team, junior boys and two senior boys teams will play against different schools in the Florida area. Franco Moncur is assisting Lees

BOSTON FROM PAGE 13

included the regular 5K fun run and high school and professional miles, as it had been before the pandemic. But the most welcome sight was the full, 28,000-runner field, led across the finish line by Chebet and then a back-and-forth women’s duel over the last mile between Jepchirchir and Ethiopian Ababel Yeshaneh.

“Does everyone now believe we’re back?” race director Dave McGillivray said yesterday.

“In October we were sort of back, and now we’re really back.

That performance yesterday was for the ages. It really was.”

BAA officials said on Tuesday that 25,314 participants crossed the start line in Hopkinton and 24,918 of them finished by the time the clocks were turned off at 5:35 p.m., a 98.4% finish rate. There were 1,580 people who received medical

SPIETH

FROM PAGE 13

Woods is the only other player to reach $50 million in career tour earnings before turning 30. He was 29 and 6 months when he was runner-up at the Western Open in 2005, pushing him over a milestone that he quickly left in the rearview mirror.

Woods needed only seven more years to cross $100 million, and now he is at $120,895,206.

Spieth was among a half-dozen players who inconspicuously leaned over the railing from the second floor of PGA Tour headquarters last month to watch as Woods was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

He would be quick to acknowledge that a number like $50 million wouldn’t even exist without Woods.

Yes, there was a significant difference in purses.

Total prize money when Woods turned pro in the

and Butler in coaching the teams in the tournament that will run from Friday to Sunday before they return home on Tuesday, April 26.

“Last year, we won the summer tournament and so we want to go back and successfully defend our title,” Lees said. “With the college tour, we want to be

assistance, 1,033 at the finish and 547 on the course. Fifty-five were admitted to emergency rooms at an area hospital.

McGillivray, who annually returns to the starting line and runs the course after the elite runners finish, finished in the dark — his 50th straight year running the race. Valerie Rogosheske, one of the eight runners in the first official women’s division in 1972, celebrated the 50th anniversary of her pioneering run and finished in 6:38:57.

Chris Nikic, the first athlete with Down Syndrome to complete an Ironman, finished in 5:38:51. Para athlete and advocate Adrianne Haslet, who was injured in the 2013 bombing, finished in 5:18:41.

Guinness World Record holder Jocelyn Rivas finished her 112th marathon in 4:40:47. Jacky HuntBroersma finished in 5:05:13, her 102nd marathon in 102 days. Other notable finishers: NASCAR driver

summer of 1996 was $65.95 million.

Spieth turned pro in 2013 — like Woods, without a tour card — and the total prize fund was $260 million.

While both reached $50 million in roughly nine years, Woods did it in 41 fewer tournaments (177 compared with 218 for Spieth). The average total prize money for Woods during that stretch was $173.8 million. For Spieth, it was $322.56 million.

Rory McIlroy is a better comparison. He turned pro nearly six years before Spieth and has kept a global schedule with membership on two tours. McIlroy needed only 173 events on the PGA Tour to reach $50 million at Bay Hill in 2020, about six weeks before he turned 31.

Scores are coming down and prize money is going up. Such is the evolution of sport. The best measure will always be victories.

Woods has 82 on the PGA Tour alone — 11

able to sensitise our players to what it takes to be able to go to college and compete.

“Hopefully from our performances in the tournament, some of our players would be able to secure athletic scholarships, if not this year, at least be considered for

next year. We want them to understand what it takes to be able to compete at the college level.”

In the summer, Less said coach Justin Taylor will head the Lucayan Volleyball Club’s boys and girls teams when they travel to Florida to compete in a series of events.

A MAN carrying a picture of actor Will Smith runs behind Peres Jepchirchir, of Kenya, left, and Ababel Yeshaneh, of Ethiopia, during the 126th Boston Marathon in Natick, Mass, on Monday.

(AP Photo/Jennifer McDermott) Matt Kenseth (3:01:40); soccer Fuller (5:50:59); former United player and “Survivor” contestant States soccer player Kristine Lilly Ethan Zohn (5:02:44); “The Bach- (3:54:42); elor” star Matt James (3:49:38); Native Women Running founder “The Bachelorette” contest- and activist Verna Volker (5:49:47); ant Zac Clark (3:43:46); NCAA and Paralympic medallist Melissa football and soccer player Sarah Stockwell (3:58:36).

TIGER Woods (AP) more on tours in Asia, Australia, Japan and Europe — and 15 majors. Those are the numbers that define him. When he passed $50 million, Woods already had 43 tour victories.

Money still matters, though not entirely to Woods. He was asked at Riviera a few months ago if he knew how much was in

his deferred compensation package.

“Nope. Uh-uh,” he said.

Does he want to know?

“Uh-uh,” he said.

Still, this can be added to his long list of feats that might never be matched, right up there with 142 consecutive cuts and needing only seven starts to qualify for the Tour Championship.

Woods has been atop the PGA Tour career money list for 22 years.

It used to be a contest.

Greg Norman took the lead over Tom Kite in August 1995 by winning the World Series of Golf at Firestone, and he kept it until the last week in January 2000 when Davis Love III moved past him after the Phoenix Open.

Love stayed on top all of two weeks until Woods was runner-up at Torrey Pines and took over. It took 73 tournaments from his “Hello, world” introduction to Woods leading the career money list, and the gap has only widened.

Spieth is not ready to declare himself all the way back — “close but far” is what he said after he won the RBC Heritage. He has two wins in just over a year, but also seven finishes out of the top 25 since winning the Texas Open last year and three missed cuts this year. He will always be compared with how he started his career.

It was at the Valspar Championship in 2015 when Spieth, then 21 and in his third year, played a practice round with three others born the same year — Justin Thomas, Daniel Berger and Ollie Schniederjans. They lined up for a group photo from oldest to youngest, sharing birthdates to make sure they got it right. Spieth was the youngest.

This was one week after he passed $9 million in career money.

Spieth went on to win five times that year, including the Masters and U.S. Open, missing the British Open

PHOENIX (AP) — Brandon Ingram scored 37 points, CJ McCollum added 23 and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the top-seeded Phoenix Suns 125-114 last night in Game 2, evening the series in their Western Conference firstround matchup.

Not only did the Suns lose the game, but they’re unsure about the health status of All-Star guard Devin Booker, who was spectacular in the first half with 31 points before leaving with right hamstring tightness in the third quarter.

The Suns — who led the NBA with a franchiserecord 64 wins during the regular season — trailed 77-74 when he departed.

Phoenix kept the game close without its leading scorer and even took a lead early in the fourth, but the Pelicans rallied, getting big 3s from Jose Alvarado, Ingram and McCollum to take an advantage they wouldn’t relinquish.

Ingram added tough back-to-back jumpers in the closing minutes to keep a final Suns rally at bay.

New Orleans earned its first playoff win since 2018.

Ingram finished 13 of 21 shooting from the field.

The Pelicans admitted they were a little surprised by the intensity of their Game 1 loss, especially during the first half when they fell into a 19-point halftime hole. They didn’t make the same mistake last night, taking a 30-28 lead after one quarter.

The Suns rallied for a 61-56 halftime advantage thanks to Booker scoring spree.

He scored all of his 31 in the first half on 12 of 18 shooting, including 7 of 10 from 3-point range.

He hit a 30-footer just before the halftime buzzer after the Pelicans inexplicably left him open.

BOOKER’S INJURY Booker left the game and went to the locker room late in the third quarter.

On the possession before he departed, he jumped to contest a fastbreak shot by New Orleans, but it wasn’t immediately clear that he was hurt.

He returned at the beginning of the fourth quarter wearing warmups and never re-entered the game.

Booker missed multiple games earlier in the season with a hamstring injury.

Booker scored 16 points in the first quarter on 6 of 10 shooting and his final bucket was a heartwarmer.

Game 3 is Friday in New Orleans.

playoff by one shot and finishing second in the PGA Championship. He had a 60% rate finishing in the top 10 and set a PGA Tour record with $12,030,465 in earnings.

Woods in 2000 won nine times, including three majors. He was runner-up four times and only finished out of the top 10 three times in 20 starts. He made $9,188,321 that year.

The money keeps going up. The Players Championship paid $3.6 million to the winner — the total purse was $3.5 million the first year Woods played.

Is it enough for anyone to catch Woods?

McIlroy, who turns 33 in two weeks, is just over $59 million behind. Spieth is $70 million back, and not quite $4 million ahead of his contemporary, Justin Thomas. Dustin Johnson has just over $74 million in career earnings. He turns 38 in June. Even with today’s money, they all seem so far away. Just like always.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, April 20, 2022, PAGE 15

KYRIE IRVING FINED $50K FOR OBSCENE GESTURE TO CELTICS FANS

BUTLER SCORES 45, HEAT DEFEAT HAWKS 115-105 FOR 2-0 LEAD

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer MIAMI (AP) — Jimmy Butler walked off the floor when his night’s work was complete, lifted his arms in the air and heard a sold-out arena serenade him with screams.

That didn’t happen in the bubble two years ago, since nobody was there.

But Butler was every bit as good Tuesday night as he was during that bubble run — and the Miami Heat needed all his heroics.

Butler scored a playoff career-high 45 points, including a personal 7-0 run down the stretch to decide the game, and the Heat held off the Atlanta Hawks 115-105 in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round series Tuesday night.

“We go as he goes,” Heat guard Gabe Vincent said.

Butler was 15 of 25 from the floor, 11 for 12 from the line and 4 of 7 from 3-point range.

As such, the top-seeded Heat are going to Atlanta with a 2-0 lead.

Tyler Herro scored 15 for Miami, while Max Strus scored 14 and Vincent added 11 for top-seeded Miami.

Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 19 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter for Atlanta. Trae Young got his scoring touch back — he had 25 points in Game 2, after being held to eight in Game 1 — but also had a career-worst 10 turnovers for the eighth-seeded Hawks.

“If the refs are going to let them be as physical as they are and not call fouls, it’s going to be hard to really do anything anyways,” Young said.

De’Andre Hunter had 16 and John Collins finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Hawks.

Butler’s previous playoff best was 40, done twice, both in the bubble when the Heat made the 2020 NBA Finals.

The Heat needed all of his heroics then, and they needed them all on Tuesday as well.

Bogdanovic’s 3-pointer with 3:15 left got Atlanta within 104-101.

From there, it was all Butler.

“Big-time basketball from a big-time basketball player, one of the best two-way players in the game,” Heat guard Kyle Lowry said.

Butler had a dunk, a 3-pointer and another dunk — all in the span of 56 seconds — to turn things from in doubt to locked down, putting Miami up 10 with 1:20 remaining.

By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer

MEMPHIS Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots against Minnesota Timberwolves centre Naz Reid (11) during the first half during Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series last night in Memphis, Tenn.

(AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Morant, Grizzlies rout Timberwolves 124-96 to tie series at 1 apiece

By TERESA M WALKER AP Sports Writer MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Ja Morant scored 23 points and handed out 10 assists as the Memphis Grizzlies looked much more like the team that posted the NBA’s second-best record, routing the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-96 last night to even up their firstround Western Conference series at 1 apiece.

Morant went to the bench with 4:40 left to a huge ovation.

He finished a rebound shy of a triple-double.

Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr each added 16 with Jackson hitting 4 of 7 from 3-point range as the Grizzlies finished with seven in double figures.

Brandon Clarke, Xavier Tillman Sr and Ziaire Williams each had 13.

Tyus Jones added 10.

Game 3 is Thursday night in Minneapolis.

Anthony Edwards, who scored 36 points in his playoff debut in Game 1, led Minnesota with 20. All-Star centre Karl-Anthony Towns had 15 points and 11 rebounds. Naz Reid and Taurean Prince had 12 each off the bench, and D’Angelo Russell added 11.

The Timberwolves dominated the series opener after scoring a franchise-record 41 points in the first quarter.

This time, officials stayed very busy calling 20 fouls in a very long

first quarter. That kept the NBA’s top scoring teams in the regular season from getting into any rhythm as they combined to shoot 33 free throws.

At one point, Memphis had Steven Adams, Jackson, Clarke and Dillon Brooks on the bench with two fouls. That forced coach Taylor Jenkins to turn to Tillman who didn’t play in Game 1, and he turned in the best playoff game of his young career.

The Grizzlies grabbed their biggest lead of this short series at 30-23 on a floater by Jones with 2:11 left, and they led 33-32 after the first quarter when Morant’s long buzzerbeater attempt hit off the rim and off.

Memphis started running in the second and opened the quarter with an 11-2 run and finished on an 11-5 run for a 60-49 lead at halftime with Morant not scoring a point. Patrick Beverley summed up Minnesota’s struggles when his layup before the buzzer rolled off the rim.

The Grizzlies pushed that lead to as much as 27 with a 25-9 run in the third, and Morant scored 12 in the quarter hitting 5 of 7 shots, including both 3-pointers. His layup gave Memphis a 87-60 lead with 4:15 to go in the third, and the Grizzlies led 96-77 going into the fourth.

Minnesota was the NBA’s bestshooting team outside the arc and outscored Memphis 48-21 in Game 1 as the Grizzlies shooting 26% outside the arc with only three

knocking down a 3-pointer. This time, Memphis shot 11-of-34 with six Grizzlies knocking down at least one.

TIP-INS Timberwolves: The NBA’s top scoring team shot 39.5%. They had 30 field goals, matching the season low against Toronto on Feb. 16. ...

After knocking down 16 3s in Game 1, they were 11 of 38 (28.9%). ...

Russell now is 5 of 22 in this series.

Grizzlies: Entering the game had lost four of their last five games including the series opener. …Jackson, who matched his career high with seven blocks in the opener, had one Tuesday night. But he knocked down four 3s ...

D’Anthony Melton came in 8 of 26 from 3-point range. He was 2 of 6. ... Adams played three minutes after picking up two early fouls. ...

They had 29 assists and now are 29-1 when they have at least 28 assists.

TESTY EARLY It didn’t take long in the game for things to get a bit chippy. Officials called a foul on Towns early, then on the same play got Patrick Beverley for a technical after a swipe at Morant’s head. Then Adams got called for a foul that was upgraded to a flagrant 1 after he smacked Jarred Vanderbilt across the face.

And all that was in the first three minutes.

UP NEXT Game 3 is Thursday night in Minneapolis.

BOSTON (AP) — Nets guard Kyrie Irving has been fined $50,000 for making obscene gestures and directing profane language toward the crowd during Brooklyn’s Game 1 playoff loss to the Celtics, League operations president Byron Spruell announced the fines yesterday.

Cameras captured Irving flipping his middle finger toward fans as he ran down the court after making a shot in the third quarter.

Irving said after the game that his actions were in response to jeers from fans he said crossed the line.

“Where I’m from, I’m used to all these antics and people being close nearby,” Irving said after the game.

“It’s nothing new when I come into this building what it’s going to be like. But it’s the same energy they have for me, I’m going to have the same energy for them.

“And it’s not every fan, I don’t want to attack every Boston fan. When people start yelling (expletives) and all this stuff, there’s only but so much you take as a competitor. We’re the ones expected to be docile and be humble, take a humble approach...it’s the playoffs. This is what it is.”

Irving spent two seasons in Boston before departing during free agency in 2019 to join the Nets.

In Game 1 on Sunday, he was booed loudly every time he touched the ball but led Brooklyn with 39 points in the Nets’ last-second 115114 loss. Fans have given him similar receptions in recent visits to Boston.

But it reached its most volatile point last season during the playoff matchup between the Nets and Celtics when a fan was arrested after allegedly tossing a bottle at Irving that nearly hit him.

With that history in mind, leading up to the start of the series Irving said he expected a level of jeering from Celtics’ fans. Be he also noted after last season’s incident that he had experienced what he characterised as “racism” from the TD Garden crowd.

The Celtics host Brooklyn in Game 2 of their series tonight.

Curry scores 34 off bench, Warriors lead Nuggets 2-0

By JANIE MCCAULEY AP Sports Writer SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry drove to the basket with fervor and knocked down a 3-pointer while falling to the ground getting fouled to convert a key four-point play, exhibiting all the signs he’s his healthy former self at last.

And the raucous home crowd loved every minute of No. 30’s galloping, grinning, body-shaking show.

Curry came off the bench for a second straight game following a month-long absence with a foot injury, scoring 34 points to lead the Golden State Warriors past the Denver Nuggets 126106 on Monday night for a 2-0 lead in their best-ofseven playoff series.

“The first half a little pep in my step and the body felt good, I was able to kind of get to some spots,” Curry said. “When you make certain shots it feels a little different, it feels a little bit more normal and more emotion kind of comes out, especially with that layoff, so it was a nice feeling.”

He was only on the floor 3 seconds shy of 23 minutes, and no player in the shot clock era had scored as many as 30 points in 23 or fewer minutes in a playoff game, according to Elias.

“It didn’t surprise me because we’ve been watching this for a long time with Steph,” coach Steve Kerr said. “You never really are

surprised when he has an outburst like that. It’s great to see.”

Nikola Jokic had 26 points and 11 rebounds before being ejected with 7 minutes left after a second technical and was held back from a referee, after his first technical came with 2:31 to go in the third.

“I’m not supposed to do that, and I’m not going to do that,” Jokic said. “I think I got fouled in the moment because I heard the slap.

That’s why I just reacted.”

The MVP candidate’s emotions ran high all night.

In the first quarter, Golden State guard Gary Payton II patted Jokic on the backside and the big man turned and came toward Payton when Curry stepped in and held the 7-footer back and Jordan Poole came in to help.

Draymond Green’s defence flustered Jokic all night.

“If you feel like you’re getting under their skin you press up a little more,” Green said. “If you don’t feel like you’re getting under their skin, you press up a little more.”

Poole started for Curry again and contributed 29 points — just missing a chance to become the first Warriors player ever to score 30 in his first two playoff games.

Klay Thompson added 21 points, while Curry shot 12 for 17 with five 3s as Denver again had no

GOLDEN State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is congratulated by guard Jordan Poole (3) after scoring against the Denver Nuggets during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball firstround playoff series in San Francisco, Monday, April 18, 2022.

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) answer defensively for all second quarter to erase of the Warriors’ dangerous a 43-31 deficit and take a perimeter threats.

57-51 lead at the break. On The series shifts to one particularly dazzling Denver for Game 3 on sequence, Green bounced a Thursday night. pass to Poole who threw it Will Curry start? He said behind his back to Thomphis goal for now is “to make son for a layup that made it my minutes impactful.”

54-47.

“We’ll see,” Kerr said.

Austin Rivers grabbed at The Warriors are rolling his left hip and went down with the backing of their hard after getting hurt on a adoring fans, winning their drive then Thompson hit a seventh in a row overall fol- jumper on the other end in lowing a five-game winning the 5-on-4 advantage before streak to close the regular Rivers exited with 10:04 left season. in the second quarter. He Golden State used runs returned with 46.7 seconds of 16-0 and 23-4 late in the to go in the half.

The Nuggets went ahead 43-31 on Monte Morris’ layup at the 7:25 mark of the second quarter and the Warriors answered with 16 straight points. The Chase Center crowd went crazy on Poole’s 3 with 3:38 remaining.

Curry entered for the first time at the 6:32 mark of the first to a roaring ovation and immediately hit a jumper. With 16 first-half points he became the 27th player in NBA history to score 3,000 career postseason points.

He showed a full range of moves including driving to the basket with a fervour and making a 3-pointer while falling to the ground.

Denver took a 7-0 lead 90 seconds into the game as Jokic made four quick free throws. But the teams combined to start 6 for 21 with three field goals apiece — and the Warriors were 1 for 7 on 3s.

FRUSTRATION BOILS OVER During the Warriors’ 44-point third quarter, Denver’s DeMarcus Cousins and Will Barton exchanged words.

“That’s two games in a row where you’re in the game, then snap of the finger you’re out of the game, and it just seems like it happens that quickly. So I think it’s just frustration,” coach Michael Malone said.

TIP-INS Nuggets: Jokic shot 9 for 20 and has missed all eight

of his 3-point tries in two games. ... Denver committed costly turnovers once more, 18 of them leading to 25 Warriors points — something Malone stressed couldn’t happen.

Warriors: Curry, Poole and Thompson combined to go 31 for 52 from the floor with 13 3s. It was the fourth time three Warriors guards scored 20 or more points and first since 2013. ... While the Warriors held a 41-35 rebounding advantage in the series opener, Denver led 47-35 on Monday. ... Golden State is 17-4 in Game 2 of the playoffs dating to the 2015 title run when the franchise captured its first championship in 40 years. ... Andre Iguodala sat out with neck spasms.

QUOTABLE Malone on the Nuggets needing to improve communication in Game 2: “It was definitely addressed during the game, yesterday, this morning. The good thing is when it is horrendous it usually can’t get any more horrendous so there’s only one way for it to go.”

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THE TRIBUNE

Inaugural Bain and Grants Town Summer Games set

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbd@tribunemedia.net MEMBER of Parliament Wayde Watson said one of the alternative ways of helping to deter some of the crime in his inner city community is to stage their inaugural Bain and Grants Town Summer Games.

In honouring living sporting and community legends Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt and Fred ‘Papa’ Smith, the games are slated to take place from Monday, June 27 to Saturday, July 30.

Competition in three popular disciplines will take place between five zones in the community - Dillies (polling divisions 1 and 4); Almonds (polling divisions 2 and 9); Star Apples (polling divisions 3 and 5); Guineps (polling division 6 and 8) and Blue Marlin (polling divisions 7 and 10).

While softball and basketball will be played at the newly refurbished Southern Recreation Grounds, track and field will be contested at the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

According to sports director Mark Knowles, they are anticipating having more than 400 participants from within the community participate in the games that will consist of a 12-andunder division for skills development, 13-16 age group for exposure and opportunity and 17-andabove ages for open and co-ed competitors.

He noted that the game is designed with four major objectives in mind: 1. The objectives of the games are to provide an environment for physical sporting development for the constituents of Bain and Grants Town.

2. To provide opportunity for the constituents to showcase their skills and talents in sports.

3. To promote sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork and self-confidence.

4. To promote camaraderie within the town communities of Bain and Grants town.

Watson, a former basketball player who went on to coach at every level from high school, night league and the national

team before he ventured into politics, said as a young boy growing up in the community, he remembered the talent that emerged to represent the Bahamas at the CARIFTA Games and Caricom basketball.

“I’m hoping that this initiative or this programme, will facilitate getting us back to the level that we used to be at,” Watson said.

“This initiative is very important to me. This is a passion for me.

“I would like to see our community transformed using basketball and softball and using track and field in this first year as an opportunity to showcase our skills and talents.”

Additionally, Watson said he’s hoping that the event will help to bridge the gap that has divided their community over the years and bring it back to the glory days when they played with the bicycle hoops, spinning tops and shooting marbles.

Versatile female multiple sporting star Cynthia Pratt, a former MP who became the Deputy Prime Minister and is now the Acting Governor General and Fred

THE INAUGURAL Bain and Grants Town Summer Games is announced by Sean Bastian, sports chairman Mark Knowles, MP Wayde Watson and honouree Fred “Papa” Smith.

Smith, a talented basketball/softball/player player, coach and administrator, were both selected by the committee because they were born and raised in Bain and Grants Town and they continue to give back to the community.

In thanking the committee for selecting him, Smith said he’s delighted that he was selected to be honoured as he expressed his gratitude for the community that helped to raise him as he played basketball on the Priory Grounds with Pratt and John Todd, just to name a few.

“The late Vince Ferguson had a vision, as the president of the Bahamas Basketball Association, to take basketball into the communities, so we had a Priory team and we had a Fox Hill team” Smith recalled. “We had different

teams in different areas and they brought us all together.

I know this is just a Bain and Grants Town community initiative, but this is a very good thing. It takes the youngsters off the streets and puts them on the courts or on the field.

“Let’s take the guns out of the youngsters’ hands and put the balls in their hands, put basketball, baseball, gloves in their hands.

If they want to shoot something, let them shoot hoops, basketball.”

Smith said he longs for the days when he returns to watch and participate in sports where they can return to the stands when families came out in droves and support those persons participating and not hearing so much of the profanity that has been a deterrent to so many persons who want to come out.

The games, according to Watson, are intended to be an annual event held during the summer months.

He said hopefully, it will spin off into an island community competition where the other constituencies will come together and compete in some friendly competition.

Sean Bastian, one of the coordinators, encouraged both the public and private school physical education teachers and coaches to use the games as a recruitment process as the University of the Bahamas will definitely make it a priority for their Mingoes Athletic Department.

Persons interested in participating in the games are urged to contact Knowles at 467-9203, Diasti Delancy at 801-1469 or Patricia Burrows at 426-6818 for more details.

CARIFTA SWIMMING TEAM HAILED AS HAVING ‘MADE YOUR COUNTRY PROUD’ BY SPONSOR IBS THE CARIFTA swim team has been hailed as having “made your country proud” by sponsor Integrated Building Services (IBS).

IBS, a project management and engineering firm based in The Bahamas, partnered with the Bahamas Aquatic Federation to support Team Bahamas as they prepared for the championships.

In a statement, the firm said: “IBS wishes to extend a huge congratulations to our 2022 National CARIFTA Swim Team that participated in the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships which took place in Barbados this past weekend.

“IBS has always been passionate about supporting organisations that nurture youth and social development.

“We believe it is our responsibility to make a difference in the community, and we are happy to contribute in any way we can to help drive initiatives like this.”

IBS principal Nick Dean met the team to encourage them before the trip to Barbados to defend their title as the champions of three consecutive CARIFTA aquatics championships.

He said: “Congratulations, once again, to Team Bahamas, from IBS! You have made your country proud!”

CARIFTA MEDAL TABLE ON THE TRACK • Here’s a look at the medal table: Country Gold Silver Bronze Total Jamaica 47 32 18 97 Bahamas 4 6 7 17 British Virgin Islands 4 2 1 7 Trinidad & Tobago 2 11 10 23 Guyana 2327 US Virgin Islands 2103 Barbados 1 4 6 11 French Guyana 1203 Cayman Islands 1124 Dominica 1102 Bahamian medal winners Gold medals Keyshawn Strachan - under-20 boys javelin in national and championship records of 262-1 (79.89m).

Dior-Rae Scott - under-17 girls javelin with championship record of 146-2 (44.57m).

Brenden Vanderpool - under-20 boys pole vault with 14-3 1/4 (4.35m).

Mitchell Curtis- under-20 boys 5000m in 16:07.57.

Silver medals Nathaniel McHardy - under-17 boys shot put with 48-3 1/4 (14.71m).

Lynden Johnson - under-20 boys octathlon with a total of 4,894 points.

Shimar Bain - under-20 boys 400m hurdles in 52.83.

Shatalya Dorsett - under-17 girls 100m in 11.80.

Under-17 girls 4 x 1 - Jamiah Nabbie, Nya Wright, Koi Adderley, Shatalya Dorsett in 47.13.

Under-20 boys 4 x 1 silver; Zachary Evans, Zion Campbell, Keano Ferguson, Carlos.

Brown in 40.41.

Zachary Evans- under-20 boys 100m in 10.45.

Terrel McCoy - under-17 girls shot put with 42-8 (13.00m).

Johnathan Rodgers - under-17 boys triple jump with 13.99m.

Antoine Andrews - under-20 boys 110m hurdles in 13.91.

Zoi Adderley - under-17 girls triple jump with 37-6 3/4 (11.45m).

Under-17 girls 4 x 400m - Shatalya Dorsett, Koi Adderley, Lanisha. Lubin, Erin Barr in 4:04.11.

Under-17 boys 4 x 400m - Berkley Munnings, Ishmael Rolle, Tumani Skinner, Zion Miller in 3:21.35.

NICK Dean (IBS Principal) presenting donation certificate to Andrea Strapp (CARIFTA Swim Team Manager)

TRACK

FROM PAGE 13 pool for the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400m. What we did this year, based on a petition from the coaches because of COVID19, was to reduce the A standard.

The recommendation was made to produce a B standard in the event that there was no A standard achieved in those events.”

Archer said based on the performances at the games it was obvious that the rest of the region is catching up with Jamaica and the Bahamas, in particular, the British Virgin Islands. “They understand that their standards are

greater than our own. Grenada performed remarkably well, so did Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago,” he said.

“I think there has to be a discussion as to where we are in the region and to the place where the region now finds itself. I heard one of our coaches talking about standards, but no adjusting of the standards would have yielded any greater performances that we achieved this year.”

In sticking to their stance to carry only athletes who qualified, Archer said he doesn’t believe if the team was stacked any differently whether or not the Bahamas would have gotten anything other than second or third.

“There was no team that would have given anything

greater than second or third by the reduction or taking an increase in athletes on the team,” he said.

“Jamaica had some phenomenal performances where we had many athletes who were running faster in events that they competed in.”

It was definitely a reality check for Team Bahamas as they prepare for 2023.

He’s proposing that a national talent search begin immediately in trying to locate and polish off the next diamond in the rough like the Scotts.

“We have to attract more people to our programme and to identify new superstars just like Jamaica seems to do every CARIFTA,” he said. “We know that there are

SWIM

Top 10 Swimming point tally

FROM PAGE 13

parents are doing and what the coaches are doing, what the sponsors are doing and what the swimmers are doing.”

In congratulating the Bajan Swimming Federation in putting on a very successful meet without any COVID-19 incident, McPhee said the team could not have done it without the support of the parents and spectators, who travelled with the team on the Bahamasair chartered flight.

Looking at the performances from Team Bahamas, McPhee said swimmers like Caden Wells with a clean sweep in all of his breaststroke events, Marvin Johnson in the 50m free, just missing the CARIFTA record that is held

by Izaak Bastian, Tia-Isabella Adderley won two medals in the backstroke and Adderley in the breaststroke and the 13-14 boys sweeping all of the relays. “Hats off to these

many athletes we overlook. “I don’t have all of the answers, but we have to collectively put our heads together and find a way to do the same thing that Jamaica is doing because if we beat them before, we can certainly beat them again.”

The last time Jamaica lost at the CARIFTA Games was when the Bahamas won back-to-back titles in 1983 in Martinique and in 1984 when the Games was staged in the Bahamas.

With the country celebrating its 50th anniversary of Independence next year, it is hoped the BAAA can try to stop the perennial dominance of Jamaica but it won’t be easy because it appears as if they just get better year after year.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: Proud members of the Bahamas CARIFTA swim team. As the 35th edition of the swimming competition came to a close last night, The Bahamas won 65 medals. swimmers. They did a tremendous job,” McPhee said.

St Lucia, which is in the process of building a new pool, is expected to host the next championships in 2023.

If they opt out, Curacao is the next choice with Aruba as the second alternate.

Whatever happens next year, McPhee said Bahamas Aquatics will be looking to build on their quest to stage a successful championship in 2024, hoping for their sixth

straight title. The tram, managed by Andrea Strapp with Courtney Barr as the female chaperone and Patrick Ferguson as the male chaperone, is scheduled to return home around 3:45pm today with the team trophy and their huge medal haul.

Keith Bell, the Member of Parliament for Carmichael and the Minister of Labour and Immigration, accompanied the team as the government representative.

Country Bahamas Jamaica Cayman Isl Barbados T &T Bermuda Martinique Virgin Islands St Lucia Anti & Barb

Total points 975 833.50 754 519 355 334 270 201 124 91.50

Top 10 Swimming medal table Country Gold Silver Bronze Total Cayman Isls Barbados Jamaica Bahamas T&T Martinique Bermuda Virgin Islands Saint Martin Aruba

25 23 9 57 22 7 12 41 17 25 22 64 14 22 29 65 11 11 13 35 10 8 10 28 5 7 7 19 4 3 3 10 4105 3238

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, April 20, 2022, PAGE 19

EX-MINISTER FACES LEGAL FIGHT OVER $1.25M DEBT FROM PAGE 24

He suggested the Maryland federal bankruptcy court lacked legal jurisdiction over The Bahamas, and there was no relevant judicial treaty between this nation and the US. The trustee would thus have to come to The Bahamas and initiate legal proceedings here, but Mr Gomez suggested he would have difficulty in being recognised by the Supreme Court as having any standing as Chapter 11 personal bankruptcy - as used by Mr Andrawos - does not exist here.

“As I said to the other creditors, The Bahamas doesn’t have a treaty with the US,” Mr Gomez told Tribune Business. “And I’m now an ambassador, so there’s no way in the world he has jurisdiction over me personally. I’m required from time to time to visit Washington D. C. It’s inconceivable they could serve me with papers in breach of international law.

“I’m trying to figure out what this is about. Even if they come here they would have to demonstrate some basis for being recognised as trustee in bankruptcy.

Our laws are significantly different to theirs. You cannot do that here; put yourself in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Why should I subject myself to sharing with other people who chose to sue him [Mr Andrawos] where they’ve sued him? If he has no assets over there, it’s not may fault.”

Court filings obtained

by Tribune Business reveal that Mr Andrawos’ creditors view Blackbeard’s Cay, located just off New Providence’s north coast on Balmoral Island opposite Sandals Royal Bahamian, as their best source of debt recovery. They allege that financial records show the dolphin attraction and other amenities were generating $7m per year in annual revenue, or a collective $49m over seven years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bankruptcy trustee, in his April 15, 2022, lawsuit alleged that Mr Andrawos had given “sworn testimony” that Mr Gomez had never acted as his attorney and nor did a contract exist for him to provide such

services. This, though, is contradicted by previous Tribune Business reports that described Mr Gomez and now-national security minister, Wayne Munroe QC, as representing Blue Illusions in a bid to overturn the Supreme Court ruling that ordered its closure.

“I did for years,” Mr Gomez replied, rejecting the trustee’s assertion that he never represented Mr Andrawos. “I’m a bit puzzled by this. They make some assertions on the basis of belief, but never say what their belief is.

“I wrote a letter to the other creditors saying don’t anticipate that you have jurisdiction over me in a US court. I’m a Bahamian citizen, and have no assets in the US. My arguments were with Mr Andrawos in The Bahamas, and he was sued in The Bahamas where he was residing. How do you expect me to accept your position?”

Arguing that his promise to give 45 days’ notice if he chose to sell the Blue Illusions’ interest was “an enormous amount of time”, Mr Gomez added: “To say, having done that, that I’m somehow behaving fraudulently is ridiculous. I just don’t understand it. How are they going to enforce any judgment they get over there if I decide not to enter an appearance or do anything over there? They’re grasping at straws.”

Mr Gomez’s view on the Maryland bankruptcy court’s lack of jurisdiction was backed by other Bahamian attorneys. “Nothing the trustee does over there makes any difference,” one said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The bankruptcy jurisdiction doesn’t extend extra-territorially from the US.” Blackbeard’s Cay operated in defiance of a Supreme Court ruling that effectively ordered its closure, quashing the approvals and permits it had been granted by the Government to operate, following a Judicial Review action brought by the environmental activists, reEarth. It remained in business for six further years, with no enforcement action taken by the authorities to enforce its shut down until COVID-19 forced all activities to cease.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that GERRY DELVA of Palmetto Point, Eleuthera, 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 20th day of April, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that CEZARLES DENIS of 3rd Street, Coconut Grove, 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 20th day of April, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that ELIZABETH ELIZA BETHEL NEE SINCLAIR of P.O. Box N-690, Providence Ave., Chippingham, Nassau, 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 20th day of April, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

“It was sickening for the rule of law,” one attorney said of the inaction.

Sam Duncombe, reEarth’s president, yesterday told Tribune Business she had been unable to discover the fate of the project’s eight dolphins and whether they were still here in The Bahamas, at another location locally or had been returned to Honduras.

Mr Munroe and Mr Gomez at one stage succeeded in obtaining a Supreme Court injunction barring Blackbeard’s Cay’s closure, but Mrs Duncombe said: “The law did not take its course. He [Mr Andrawos] was never made to shut down. He continued to operate. The ministry [agriculture and fisheries] was supposed to take over the dolphins and find somewhere for them to go. If they did or didn’t, no one is telling me where those animals are gone.

“There is a lot of unfinished business once again.

There was all kinds of information about how Mr Andrawos conducted business in other Caribbean islands and no one wanted to pay attention to that. It was up to the police to shut him down and nothing ever happened with that. He continued to operate until COVID basically shut the country down.”

Defying the Supreme Court, though, appears not to have produced longterm financial benefits for Mr Andrawos. Court filings show him as massively insolvent, with just $1.09m in assets versus $36.641m in total liabilities. He also pegged his combined monthly income at $1,998 versus expenses of $11,466.

However, his main creditor, SuttonGate Holdings, in successfully pushing for the court-appointed trustee’s appointment alleged that Mr Andrawos was constantly seeking to evade repaying his debts by making “multiple fraudulent transfers” of assets to his wife, daughter and business partner. It even suggested in a December 22, 2021, legal filing that Mr Gomez’s seizure and sale

of the 50 percent Blue Illusions stake was part of this scheme.

While several sources yesterday questioned whether any value remains in Blue Illusions, SuttonGate alleged that it “holds a valuable long-term lease for an island in The Bahamas known as Balmoral Island”. It claimed that a company controlled by Mr Andrawos’ wife had also obtained a “charging order” over Blue Illusions’ assets - something that was described as a further effort to keep his assets away from creditors.

“The debtor’s interest in Blue Illusions is the subject of other questionable proceedings in The Bahamas by yet another purported creditor of the debtor, and immediate action must be taken in The Bahamas to preserve the debtor’s interest in Blue Illusions from being lost as a valuable asset of the estate,” SuttonGate alleged in relation to Mr Gomez.

“According to documentation produced by the debtor and Iglesias [Mr Andrawos’ business partner], they each invested $5m in Balmoral Island to build various tourist attractions, including a water park and a dolphin theme park. The debtor’s interest in Blue Illusions may be the most valuable asset within the debtor’s bankruptcy estate and should be a significant source for creditor recoveries in this case.

“However, the debtor claims to no longer own his 50 percent interest in Blue Illusions because, after the petition date, he allowed Damian Gomez, an alleged creditor in The Bahamas, to auction the debtor’s interest ostensibly to pay $1.25m in purported legal fees - even though Blue Illusions, which has generated $7m per year, is worth far more,” SuttonGate added.

“There are serious questions as to whether the debtor personally was liable for any of the legal fees claimed by Gomez, yet it appears the debtor allowed Gomez to obtain a default judgment against him, and

Gomez now claims that he has control or ownership of the debtor’s interest in Blue Illusions.”

SuttonGate continued: “Although the facts are unclear at this time, the recent events surrounding Gomez’s purported post-petition seizure of the Debtor’s 50 percent interest in Blue Illusions suggest that it may be yet another scheme by the debtor to avoid paying his legitimate creditors. For example, as noted above, the debtor disclosed Gomez’s purported appropriation of Blue Illusions in schedules filed more than a week before the sale actually occurred.

“Yet neither the debtor nor his counsel took any action to advise the court in The Bahamas of the existence of this bankruptcy case notwithstanding their knowledge of Gomez’s purported judgment. This inaction stands in stark contrast to the debtor’s unrelenting efforts - including his consent to a sham judgment - to prevent SuttonGate from enforcing its judgment lien against the very same asset.”

However, Dywan Rodgers, of Meridian Law Chambers, who represents Mr Gomez, wrote on

December 2, 2021, that Mr Gomez “has not immediate intention to sell his shares in Blue Illusions and will give you 45 days’ notice should he wish to sell his shares in Blue Illusions”.

The letter to John Wilson QC, senior partner at McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes, who is acting for SuttonGate and multiple other creditors of Mr Andrawos, added: “Currently, Mr Gomez’s intention is to cause an annual shareholders’ meeting to be held in respect of Blue Illusions Ltd and, during same, cause a full accounting of the assets held by Blue Illusions and of its operations within The Bahamas....

“Mr Gomez is cognisant of the dolphins kept at the facility on Balmoral Island and, during the annual general meeting of Blue Illusions, inquiries shall be made about their health, maintenance and any related expenses for their upkeep. It is feared that the cost of the upkeep of the dolphins is very expensive.

Mr Rodgers added that any income generated by Blue Illusions would be “secured in a corporate bank account within The Bahamas”.

MARKET REPORT www.bisxbahamas.com

TUESDAY, 19 APRIL 2022

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX: BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 6.70 40.50 2.05 2.90 2.60 6.05 10.05 3.55 9.02 3.10 7.20 14.00 2.71 10.25 11.25 10.75 15.00 4.00 10.00 16.50

52WK LOW 4.55 32.12 1.46 2.20 1.30 5.50 6.96 2.82 4.25 2.27 5.50 9.75 1.99 6.50 10.02 9.00 13.10 3.50 8.00 15.50

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

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 1.00

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

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

52WK LOW 100.00 100.00

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

CLOSE

CHANGE

%CHANGE

YTD

YTD%

2276.73

-0.05

0.00

48.49

2.18

SYMBOL AML APD BBL BFH BOB BPF BWL CAB CBB CBL CHL CIB CWCB DHS EMAB FAM FBB FCL FIN JSJ BFHP CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA FBBA FCLB SYMBOL FBB22 BFHB

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing) 115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.62 100.54 99.98 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.98 100.00

104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.36 100.00 99.98 91.00 90.95 89.02 89.62 89.00 90.24 90.73

MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 2.50 4.67 2.20 207.86 207.68 1.72 1.83 1.81 1.05 9.37 11.83 7.54 16.64 12.84 10.77 10.00 10.43 14.89

52WK LOW 2.11 3.30 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.68 1.73 1.75 1.01 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20

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 BGRS69023 BGRS FL BGRS79026 BGRS FL BGRS78024 BGRS FX BGR125238 BGRS FX BGR127139 BGRS FX BGR127149 BGRS FX BGR129249 BGRS FX BGR131249 BGRS FX BGR132249 BGRS FX BGR136150

BAH29 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0307 BG0330 BG0407 BSBGRS690231 BSBGRS790262 BSBGRS780248 BSBGR1252380 BSBGR1271398 BSBGR1271497 BSBGR1292493 BSBGR1312499 BSBGR1322498 BSBGR1361504

LAST CLOSE 5.30 39.95 2.04 2.31 2.25 6.05 9.25 3.25 7.60 2.66 7.16 14.00 2.26 10.13 12.52 10.75 15.00 3.99 10.00 15.50 1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00 LAST SALE 100.00 100.00 107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.62 100.54 99.98 100.00 100.00 100.00 89.62 100.00 100.00 100.00

CLOSE 5.30 39.95 2.04 2.31 2.25 6.05 9.25 3.25 7.60 2.66 7.16 14.00 2.24 10.13 12.47 10.75 15.00 3.99 10.00 15.50 1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00 52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks 52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume Change - Change in closing price from day to day Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings

VOLUME

700 15,000

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CLOSE 100.00 100.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.62 100.54 99.98 100.00 100.00 100.00 89.62 100.00 100.00 100.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

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 RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - Equities Sub Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - High Yield Income Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - Alternative Strategies Fund Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F

MARKET TERMS

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 (0.02) 0.00 (0.05) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

(242) 323‐2330 (242) 323‐2320 EPS$ 0.239 0.932 0.000 0.140 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 0.080 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

INTEREST Prime + 1.75% 6.25% 6.95% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.50% 6.25% 4.25% 4.59% 4.53% 4.50% 5.00% 5.00% 5.50% 5.55% 5.60% 5.65% 5.69%

NAV 2.50 4.67 2.20 204.67 199.97 1.72 1.83 1.81 1.01 9.37 11.79 7.54 15.94 12.47 10.74 N/A 10.43 14.89

YTD% 12 MTH% 0.34% 4.30% -0.06% 5.21% 0.21% 2.72% 1.37% 3.18% 8.18% 14.94% 0.26% 2.76% 0.36% 2.37% 0.28% 2.51% -1.31% -3.43% -0.02% 10.36% -0.33% 18.23% 0.22% 3.05% -3.89% 14.76% -1.04% -2.57% 0.81% 4.20% N/A N/A 3.00% 25.60% 7.90% 48.70%

P/E 22.2 42.9 N/M 16.5 N/M N/M 25.1 -7.4 54.3 14.5 15.9 19.4 22.0 21.7 19.3 14.8 18.4 19.7 10.6 24.6 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

YIELD 3.21% 3.15% 0.98% 3.46% 0.00% 0.00% 2.81% 0.00% 0.00% 4.51% 3.07% 5.14% 19.38% 0.59% 2.63% 2.23% 3.60% 3.01% 2.00% 3.94% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

MATURITY 19-Oct-2022 30-Sep-2025 20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2022 9-Feb-2023 28-Mar-2026 22-Sep-2024 15-Oct-2038 15-Jan-2039 15-Jan-2049 15-Apr-2049 15-Jul-2049 15-Oct-2049 21-Apr-2050

NAV Date 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 28-Jan-2022 30-Sep-2021 30-Sep-2021 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021

YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths NAV - Net Asset Value N/M - Not Meaningful

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

PAGE 20, Wednesday, April 20, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

CORAL HARBOUR PROJECT ‘SCALED BACK’ TO $300M FROM PAGE 24 pages, and Tribune Business had been aware of its existence for several years.

However, multiple sources have voiced great scepticism that it will ever receive the necessary government approvals or financial backing to become reality, with several suggesting that a significant portion of the site is wetlands that will need to be drained.

Yet the project’s principals were shown in official government releases as having met with both Prime Minister Philip Davis QC and his deputy prime minister, Chester Cooper, in recent weeks which suggests that it has started to gain some traction and momentum with the new administration.

Mr Cooper yesterday declined to provide details on his meeting with Coral Harbour Development, only saying: “The Davis/ Cooper administration is pro-investment, and while I’m not at liberty to discuss meetings held with private developers, I can tell you that we want orderly development in our country.

“We have announced to the world we are open for business, and the investment community and individuals around the world have responded positively. We know that we’ve attracted more than $1bn in the first five months of being in office. This trend is continuing, and there’s a significant level of interest in The Bahamas - not just for tourism development but other projects as well.

“We’re seeing some in renewable energy, sports and in other areas as well.

We are very optimistic about what we are seeing, and are going to commit to managing these projects and approvals in the best interests of the Bahamian people. We’ve reformed the National Economic Council (NEC) to consider projects faster, and expect to continue in this light.”

Coral Harbour Development’s Lebanese president and chief executive, Aboudi Debs, is the nephew of the late George Jabbour, the owner of much of the project’s targeted real estate.

Mr Debs, on his Linkedin page, describes himself as principal of Bahamas Leisure & Resorts, the company created to develop the project.

Touting his ambitions, the posting states: “Bahamas Leisure & Resorts is the owner of the Coral Harbour Development, the biggest privately-owned piece of land in Nassau, New Providence, and one of the most exciting projects in the Caribbean.

“Developing more than 900 acres with an exceptional six kilometres of sea frontage featuring 700-plus boats in marinas, hotels, casino, villa estates, condos, five-star hospital centre and rehabilitation complex,

18-hole champion golf course, business and banking centre, marine reserve, underwater park, amusement park and many other amenities.” Some of the drawings on the Winstanley website bear a close resemblance to the one presented to Mr Cooper.

Mr Grimes, though, said these plans and ambitions have undergone a significant revision. He also revealed that Coral Harbour Development is still some months away from making a formal submission to the Government’s Bahamas Investment Authority (BIA) and other regulatory agencies, indicating none of the necessary permits and approvals have been granted yet.

While not providing any figures on the number of construction and full-time jobs that would be created, Mr Grimes said the “phase one, stage one” plans would likely result in a $280m-$300m investment.

Asked whether the principals can attract the necessary financing, he responded that “they have” and can raise additional funding if necessary although no specifics were given.

“The answer is yes: The plans have changed significantly,” Mr Grimes said in response to Tribune Business questioning. “You would have been aware that project came out when Baha Mar underwent its Chapter 11 exercise. The same say they presented the proposal to the Government of The Bahamas was the same day Baha Mar went into Chapter 11.

The country was not ready for another mega project which was contemplated for that property.”

With the COVID-19 pandemic further delaying his clients’ plans, he added that they recently “took the opportunity” to meet with both the Prime Minister and Mr Cooper to present their revised plans and detail their intentions.

“That mega project has been scaled back significantly,” Mr Grimes reiterated. “What they presented to the Government of The Bahamas was their intent to introduce phase one, stage one, which is a much smaller, well defined project.” He described this as the “aquatel peninsula” which will be located “on the eastern side of Coral Harbour Road”.

“They think the time is right, the world having come out of COVID-19, for that to be accomplished at this particular stage,” Mr Grimes said. “It will be a combination of small, luxury hotels, residences, villas and marinas on a much smaller scale than originally contemplated.

There will only be around 100 marina slips. It will be a much more scaled down project developed over a period of time. The

initial investment will be $280m-$300m.”

Asked about the status of the project’s government approvals, Mr Grimes replied: “We’re not close to that. They [the principals] were only down here to finalise plans for preliminary drawings. They were here to meet with planners, and begin the process of engaging local consultants, architects, environmentalists etc, etc.

“They’re in the very preliminary stages of finalising plans so an application can be made as such in short order. It takes time to finalise plans, then you have to get approvals and then begin putting shovels in the ground. They’d not be submitting an application probably for another fourplus months.”

Mr Grimes also hit out at social media postings suggesting Coral Harbour Development will break ground this month, adding: “We don’t know where that information is coming from.

That’s nonsense. Whoever’s doing that is being reckless and dangerous to do so.

Myself and my clients have nothing to do with it.”

With the company’s principals having reaffirmed their confidence in The Bahamas to the Prime Minister, and belief “this is the time to get going”, Mr Grimes said of the project financing: “Funding a $300m project is a totally different ball game from financing a multi-billion mega resort. They have, and would raise, any additional financing they need.”

Winstanley, in its description of the project, said: Coral Harbour is located on the southern shore of New Providence.

The master plan outlines a mix of uses and complimentary programmes that work as a unified whole.

While the master plan envisions a complete project for the entire 1,000 acres, the project is broken down into individual components that can be developed independently.

“There are a total of 15 projects in the entire master plan. Those projects include six hotels, class A and class B office space, four marinas, two golf courses, over 3,500 condominiums, single family lots and estates, as well as retail and rental apartments.

“Special attention was given the waterfront aspect of this development. The project has over two miles of continuous shoreline and dredging will be required for access to some of the new marinas. A project of this size must be phased over an extended timeframe and our master plan provides the developer with the ability to incrementally construct the necessary infrastructure to support the new development.”

Besides Mr Debs, Coral Harbour Development’s executives include Farid Abou Fadel, its principal/senior vice-president, and Voldemaras Kanchas, Coral Harbour Development project manager.

The latter is also president and chief executive, and a Board member, at the Virginia-based International Development Corporation, a project developer and financier.

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THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, April 20, 2022, PAGE 21

REAL ESTATE FIRM ENJOYS 105% Q1 SALES BOOST FROM PAGE 24

legs through 2022, no question about that. We’re in a great position.”

Besides The Bahamas’ traditional attractions of US proximity, its stable currency and political environment and climate, Mr Damianos said the uncertainty created by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will also push Europeans to seek safe destinations that are some distance from the conflict zone.

US buyers, and others, will also likely view Bahamian real estate investments as a hedge against inflation and impending interest rate

increases back home, with the volume and size of highend property transactions since the economy started to re-open post-COVID lockdown likely helping to drive the jump in early 2022 VAT revenues noted by the Government.

With pent-up COVID demand also playing a role, Mr Damianos said buyers had not explicitly stated that inflation and related economic factors were a key factor although they were likely playing a role behind the scenes. “People haven’t quite said it like that, but I do think it’s a part of the combination,” he said.

“Real estate is clearly a good investment, a safe haven for the dollar, so I think it’s a factor that goes into the mix of why people are deciding to buy now and make things happen.

If they can find that place, feel it will hold its value and that it’s special and a great investment, why not put that money into it and enjoy that as well?”

Besides New Providence, Mr Damianos said islands such as Abaco, Exuma, Eleuthera and even Long Island were also benefiting from the surge in real estate demand. And another major beneficiary is the Public Treasury, which

earns 10 percent VAT on all real estate transactions worth more than $100,000, which translates into hundreds of thousands of dollars on multi-million dollar high end properties.

“The real estate transaction is so significant as opposed to goods and services sold,” the Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty principal said.

“They’re [the Government] getting hundreds of thousands of dollars from one transaction, which the Department of Inland Revenue is then collecting.

“The Government is obviously seeing it. Now it’s a question of getting all

REALTOR SEEING RECORD PROPERTY ‘BIDDING WARS’ FROM PAGE 24 agreed to abide by. “Jurisdictions should publish clear rules, guidelines and procedures on access to and use of the MAP, and include the specific information and documentation that should be submitted in a taxpayer’s request for MAP assistance,” the OECD said in its assessment of this nation.

“Due to the fact that the Bahamas has not issued MAP guidance, no rules or timelines are in place for requesting additional information for a consideration of a MAP request by the Competent Authority

(Ministry of Finance) and for taxpayers to provide such information.”

While The Bahamas had informed the OECD that it was currently drafting this guidance, the report said: “The Bahamas should, without further delay, introduce and publish guidance on access to and use of the MAP, and in particular include the contact information of its Competent Authority as well as the manner and form in which the taxpayer should submit its MAP request, including the documentation and information that should be included in such a request.”

BAHAMAS LARGELY COMPLIANT ON KEY TAX EVASION ‘ACTION’ FROM PAGE 24 “That’s entry level, firsttime buyers in the $200,000 range still looking for property; that low to midrange buyer is still trying to find the ideal property.

What they are doing in this market is looking at repossessions to find their ideal property.”

Rather than seeing real estate prices increase, Mr

Sweeting said competition for the same property was intensifying. “I’ve seen bidding wars more than I’ve ever seen in my career,” he told Tribune Business.

“We’ve been in three bidding wars, and won two for our clients.

“We’re also seeing less negotiation in this market.

What may have been possibly in the area of 15 percent taken-off the price,

THE MOODY’S VERDICT ON THE STATE OF THE BAHAMAS FROM PAGE 22 lockdowns in China; rising incidents and concerns for COVID elsewhere. Energy costs are rapidly increasing. The country faces these stark realities. These are real threats to fiscal consolidation, and therefore exposure to the risk of downgrades.

Consider the additional cost this will exert on The Bahamas. Consider the increased rollover risk. Consider the disruptive impact this would have, creating a need to ration resources and reduce spending on critical areas of the economy. This is why the case for targeting higher revenue-to-GDP is easily made, and explains why policymakers are exploring all options at this time.

This is also one reason no entity or sector should contemplate taking actions that might jeopardise any aspect of the recovering economy.

The circumstances are just too delicate now to take such chances. We are at a moment where every sector should be asking where we fit into the solutions.

It is hard to avoid the screaming headline generated from a credit downgrade, but how often do we stop to listen to the underlying whispers that created it? The Bahamas is rated Ba3, which places in a speculative category or, as some like to say, ‘junk bond’ status. How did we get there? As we search for insights into future resiliency and sustainability, let us examine the components of The Bahamas’ credit rating. ‘Economic Strength’ and ‘Institutions and Government Strength’ are rated ‘ba3’ and ‘ba2’, respectively.

Combined, they determine the country’s ‘Economic Resiliency’, which was rated ‘ba1’. This places the country at the best end of the speculative class.

‘Economic Resiliency’, combined with ‘Fiscal Strength’, rated ‘caa2’, determines the ‘Government Financial Strength’, which displays a

deterioration from the ‘ba1’ position due to very weak fiscal strength. Overall, The Bahamas is seen as weak, with the weakest link being the fiscal state of affairs. This clues us in on a few things.

If the country is able to get to the surplus position projected by the administration, its fortunes will definitely start to change. The likelihood of getting there via growth is limited and therefore the need for other fiscal measures becomes highly possible. The possibility of a significant shock could place the country’s sovereign rating in unenviable company. We are at a point where forward thinking and aggressive action must be the order of the day.

The country is rated ‘Ba3’, the lowest of the speculative element class, but falls in a range that includes ratings two notches lower because of susceptibility to climate events. We have no control over the latter and must therefore focus on remediating ‘Government Financial Strength’. I draw attention

The only other deficiency cited in the OECD report was the fact that tax dispute resolution guidance was not publicly available. “The Bahamas should make its MAP guidance publicly available and easily accessible once it has been introduced. Furthermore, The Bahamas should provide further details in its MAP profile,” the assessment added.

BEPS was driven by the OECD, on behalf of the world’s major developed and industrialised countries, in a bid to crack down on tax avoidance by multinational corporations in a world where the digital now we’re seeing 2-5 per cent if at all.” Meanwhile, Mike Lightbourn, Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty’s president, affirmed strong demand trends had continued through to 2022.

“We just hope it keeps going, that’s all,” he told Tribune Business. “There’s no let up here. So far, so good. It’s good for us and, more important, it’s good for the country. What lies ahead, I don’t know. There will be a slowdown. It’s happened in the US, so it will happen here. The interest rates will be rising and you know the rest of it.” to the fact that it is the much narrower capacity of what government is able to afford financially that is being measured, not the country’s financial strength. The credit rating does not reflect the country’s ability to afford debt but, rather, the ability of the Government given its current policies. The implications are clear. We must work collectively to change the national circumstance or be ready to cope with the alternatives.

NB: Hubert Edwards is the principal of Next Level Solutions (NLS), a management consultancy firm. He can be reached at info@nlsolustionsbahamas.com.

He specialises in governance, risk and compliance (GRC), accounting and finance.

NLS provides services in the areas of enterprise risk management, internal audit and policy and procedures development, regulatory consulting, anti-money laundering, accounting and strategic planning. Hubert also chairs the Organisation for Responsible Governance’s (ORG) Economic Development Committee.

This and other articles are available at www.nlsolutionsbahamas.com.

economy increasingly facilitates the movement of funds across borders.

The Bahamas has already agreed to sign on to the BEPS Inclusive Framework, and meet the ‘minimum standard’, as part of the OECD’s drive to ensure the profits of such companies are taxed in the country where they are generated. Only major conglomerates, with turnover in the high nine-figure range, are being targeted at present.

Multinational companies often use legitimate tax avoidance strategies to “exploit gaps and mismatches” between different

parts of the Government to work in tandem to close these deals faster, and be more efficient at it, and they would collect money faster which would be beneficial for the whole country and the Treasury.”

Simon Wilson, the Ministry of Finance’s top official, last week touted a 26 percent VAT revenue increase, compared to pre-COVID numbers, for the first two months of calendar 2022 as a signal that the rate cut has not impacted government revenues.

He told the weekly press briefing by the Prime Minister’s Office that the $212.6m in combined VAT revenues

collected for January and February 2022 exceeded sums collected during the same two months in 2020 by some $47.1m.

Using those two months rather than 2021 comparatives, as the former represented pre-pandemic figures, he said VAT revenues had “increased dramatically” despite the Davis administration cutting the rate from 12 percent to 10 percent with effect from January 1, 2022.

A significant chunk of the VAT revenue increase may well have been driven by strengthened real estate sales, as well as the elimination of multiple zero ratings and exemptions.

countries’ tax rates and rules, and “artificially shift profits” to low or ‘no tax’ jurisdictions despite conducting no or minimal business there. This enables them to minimise their tax exposure by paying a lower rate than they otherwise would in countries where they do conduct business.

The OECD, in summing up The Bahamas, said: “The Bahamas only has one tax treaty. The Bahamas has no experience with resolving MAP cases, as it has not been involved in any cases. The Bahamas reported that it has no direct tax system and does not impose income, corporate, capital or other direct taxes.

“This specific situation makes it unlikely, under its

current tax system, that The Bahamas takes an action that results in taxation not in accordance with any tax treaty it has entered into.

However, the Bahamas reported that it is ready to resolve tax treaty-related disputes that would arise after an action being taken by its treaty partner.

“Overall, The Bahamas meets the majority of the elements of the ‘Action 14’ minimum standard.

Where it has deficiencies, The Bahamas worked to address some of them, which has been monitored in stage two of the process.

In this respect, The Bahamas solved some of the identified deficiencies.”

PAGE 22, Wednesday, April 20, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

THE MOODY’S VERDICT ON THE STATE OF THE BAHAMAS A

ny endeavour that does not seek answers and direction for improvement is but a frolic. The circumstances regarding The Bahamas’ fiscal affairs are far too important, and the issues much too critical, for us not to be actively looking for insights on how to move forward. In this regard, let us start where we ended part one. I stated: “Alongside the negatives [taken into account for the rating], every positive element has [also] been considered.

The upside therefore must rest in reversing the negatives and improving on the positives.” It is evident that there is much to be done, but how do we do it?

How can our policymakers move to achieve outcomes that are more positive?

Are the improvements

needed within our capacity? We will seek to tease out answers to the former questions. For the latter question, the answer is an unequivocal yes. It can be done if it is approached properly, respects the delicate trade-offs, avoids expediency and results in a sound suite of supportive policies and reforms that address the deficiencies of our economic and fiscal arrangements.

With this in mind, let us walk through the Moody’s 2022 report and consider the way forward. According to Moody’s, The Bahamas’ credit strengths lie in its “comparatively high level of GDP per capita”; “high policy predictability and a stable political system” and “favourable debt structure, which mitigates risks related to a sizeable debt

burden”. The country’s sovereign credit rating, therefore, benefits from its high per capita income, which sits easily within the top five in the Americas, a perennially stable political system and a debt stock with well-staggered maturities. The latter point means less potential stress from extreme liquidity challenges when it comes to making capital repayments.

The rating agency is convinced that The Bahamas will make the right policy decisions, or has extremely limited options, and will therefore make the right moves. These are important positives.

On the other hand, Moody’s sees the country’s obvious debt challenges in the form of “high debt and interest burdens”; “high dependence on tourism and low long-term economic growth prospects”; and “exposure to climaterelated risks”. There is nothing here that we do not already know. The national debt is expected to peak above $11bn; annual interest payments are approximately $500m and counting; and we are all generally aware of what might happen if another hurricane should hit the country. The one aspect normal conversation does not always cover is the “low long-term economic growth prospects”. Over the long haul, Moody’s and others see the Bahamian economy continuing to grow at low rates. I believe that this is where the conversation turns and becomes exciting.

Unlike debt and interest that cannot change overnight, every prediction on growth potential is based on what currently exits. Every new plan, policy change, intervention, investment or reform has the potential to change that positively.

The first major take away, therefore, is that The

Hubert Edwards By

Bahamas must find new ways to “urgently” influence its growth prospects, positively alter its economic outlook and shift the view on its forward-looking ability to manage the current debt stock without running into liquidity challenges.

Both the public and private sector have a defined role to pay in this regard. We must innovate for better outcomes.

Any plans implemented now will, at best, only have mid to long-term impacts.

The question is how any rating agency would consider this.

Greater growth prospects mean easier affordability of interest payments and a potential change in the national debt’s growth trajectory.

Therefore, any policy outcomes that support greater creditworthiness must attract a favourable reaction. According to Moody’s: “The implementation of fiscal and economic policies supporting a fiscal consolidation process that places government debt on a more durable downward trajectory would likely result in a return to a stable outlook.

An improvement in debt affordability, which includes relying more on lowercost domestic and external official sources of funding

over more expensive external market issuance, could also support a return to a stable outlook.” The most obvious point here is that there is little possibility of an upgrade. Our focus must shift to the fact that downgrades are but symptoms of much larger issues.

Taking action that reduces debt; borrowing more funds locally at cheaper rates; and using cheaper external sources are critical components for the way forward. They are lynchpins for changing the economic outlook from a credit perspective. The actions needed are relatively clear. The challenge is, for example, whether the Government will be able to secure reasonable (quantum and pricing) funding in the domestic market? There are suggestions of reluctance in the local market to extend loans to government at the lower rates envisioned by Moody’s.

However, if we are unable to bridge a portion of that gap locally, is it possible to contemplate that we will be able to blunt the stress of the current debt stock?

Given the current global demand for debt, and our high per capita status, can we reasonably secure sufficient funding from multilateral agencies to change the debt profile?

Ultimately it is the ability to replace existing debt with cheaper loans that will have the most positive effect, followed later by an improved ability to retire them. Given the state of The Bahamas’ finances, the retirement of debt will likely only be possible via increased taxes, reduced spending or, more preferably, growth. There is also the possibility that local players will consider the fact that the Government (and country) need a real lever by which the debt burden can be reduced.

Domestic market players

might understand that such an action holds long-term benefits for the economy.

It is possible there is an understanding that a rebalancing using domestic debt will improve the country’s debt affordability, reduce the costs of borrowing and positively influence The Bahamas’ economic outlook. In addition, maybe, just maybe, we are at the point where there is a recognition that our collective well-being is very dependent on our collective actions. It is my view that the Government alone cannot solve the current state of the economy without being disruptive.

The country has experienced many downgrades.

Considering everything, with bonds yielding 10 percent-plus; approximately $4bn in loans maturing over the midterm; the uncertainty of the COVID pandemic and the impact of the continued Russia-Ukraine war, another downgrade would be devastating. Moody’s indicates that such a downgrade “would be likely if a slower pace of fiscal consolidation contributes to tightening financing conditions and a rise in borrowing costs, which challenges the Government’s ability to finance fiscal deficits and maturing debt.” I strongly believe that as you absorb this statement, you will develop an appreciation of the need for urgent but careful debt management actions and finding ways to grow the economy.

At this moment, the deck is not stacked in our favour.

There are the high inflationary pressures, spurred by the war and the impact that could have on disposable income in our tourism markets. The potential for a global recession is influenced by the war;

SEE PAGE 21

Water Corp loss reducer signs contract extension THE Water & Sewerage Corporation contractor responsible for slashing the utility’s New Providence water losses has signed a short-term contract extension to December 2022 to enable a longer-term deal to be worked out.

Miya Bahamas, which signed its initial tenyear contract back in 2012, will thus be able to continue work that has stemmed some of the Corporation’s financial bleeding by reducing water lost from its system before it even reaches end-consumers.

“The immediate short extension gives us time and the opportunity to draft and execute a new long-term contract,” said project manager Mario Tavera. “The new contract will take into consideration all the lessons learned in the first ten years, but also the new technologies and methodologies available nowadays and that were not prior to the tender of this project.”

Since arriving in The Bahamas nearly a decade ago, Miya’s primary focus has been improving water quality for thousands of New Providence consumers by upgrading miles of deteriorating infrastructure, fixing leaks and preventing millions of gallons of wasted water.

“The work started with an $83m loan secured by the Government of The Bahamas from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB),” said Mr Tavera. “We began our work in partnership with the Water and Sewerage Corporation to address the island’s critical sewerage needs.”

That work began almost immediately with the launch of an island-wide water systems assessment.

The process, an eightmonth long undertaking, uncovered the loss of up to 6.87m imperial gallons of water from the Corporation’s systems every single day.

“What we found almost immediately was that the system supply had no pressure management or active leak detection protocols implemented. This meant millions of gallons in non-revenue water that eventually led to cutbacks, particularly in inner-city communities,” said Mr Tavera.

To address these problems, Miya Bahamas implemented a targeted strategy that included the replacement of thousands of faulty service connections; the deployment and installation of equipment for monitoring and controlling

MIYA Bahamas has had its ten-year contract extended until December 2022. This will give the company the opportunity to continue its leak detection and prevention work across New Providence.

Photo:Ronnie Arche/Barefoot Marketing the water supply remotely; the disconnection of illegal and dormant customers; and the implementation of a comprehensive maintenance plan, which further included an intensive and continuous active leak detection campaign.

The latter involved quick repairs and efficient pressure management.

Miya Bahamas implemented a new supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system to better monitor, control and respond to system challenges. With 32 stations in the distribution system, each one was provided with a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRVs) along with means for monitoring and controlling water pressure remotely, The IDB subsequently praised Miya Bahamas for meeting and exceeding its mandate to create - and maintain - a more consistent, and shockresistant water supply system. The effort continued through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Following mandated emergency orders and

regulations, we improved the efficiency of our field teams and made some changes to the way those teams are allowed to operate,” Mr Tavera said. “That meant not venturing on to a customer’s property and also shifting our focus to the remote maintenance of the assets as much as possible.”

As COVID protocols have relaxed, Miya’s fieldwork has resumed in full force with a team of 17 overseeing the continuing project. “This contract extension will represent a new phase of the infrastructure project,” Mr Tavera said.

“I’m really pleased with the work that has been done, and we’re excited about meeting our new goal that will be defined with the client during the course of the short extension”. For 2022, the goals and targets, will remain the same as in 2021. For residents across NP, this will mean continued access to a safer, cleaner, and more reliable water supply.”

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, April 20, 2022, PAGE 23

ADVENTURE-SEEKING VESSEL MAKES FIRST FREEPORT VISIT AN exploration-focused cruise vessel was honoured with a plaque exchange after making its first-ever call on Freeport this past Saturday.

Charles Rolle, deputy port director at Freeport Harbour, welcomed the Ocean Explorer vessel via the presentation involving its commanding officer, Captain Apostolos Kaknis.

The plaque exchange is a nautical tradition and serves as a sign of welcome and friendship.

“Having this ship come into Grand Bahama for the first time, and for subsequent times in the future, is a big deal for us here in Grand Bahama,” Mr Rolle said during the short ceremony on the dock at Freeport Harbour.

“It’s a new opening when we have ships call on our harbour for the first time, or when we have cruise lines have new ships that call on our port. It suggests that people are coming to Grand Bahama. It suggests that new cruise lines are interested in coming to Grand Bahama. And that is significant for Grand Bahama because it means an economic boost.”

Mr Rolle said the economic impact of a new ship calling on Freeport extends beyond the port, and into the stalls of vendors and taxi drivers that surround the harbour and even as far as Port Lucaya, where many passengers tend to venture in an effort to find unique Bahamian souvenirs and trinkets. “This is very impactful on the economy

of Grand Bahama and everyone gets an opportunity to benefit,” he added.

Unlike traditional cruise ships that cater to relaxation and entertainment for the entire family, the Ocean Explorer is focused on expedition and adventure.

Making trips to Antarctica, Iceland and other places where traditional cruise ships and other huge vessels are unable to navigate, it attracts passengers with a thirst for adventure and discovery. The ship has the capacity for 200 passengers.

Captain Kaknis said passengers were excited to experience the “great weather” considering the harsher conditions they had endured only days earlier, having sailed from Antarctica. The call on Freeport Harbour caps the

conclusion of the Ocean Explorer’s first season of sailing.

“Our guests are already off the ship and out into the harbour, walking around and enjoying this beautiful weather that you have here in Freeport,” said Captain Kaknis. “This vessel sails around the world in special places and that’s what attracts people to our brand. We are on the luxury scale and our customers are upscale individuals economically, who want to visit and enjoy places that most people will not want to visit: They go for adventure and for exploration.”

From Freeport, the Ocean Explorer will travel to the US, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Europe, Antarctica and back to Freeport.

OFFICIALS of the Ministry of Tourism were on hand to welcome the Ocean Explorer to Grand Bahama on Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Freeport Harbour. A plaque exchange between tourism officials and the captain of the Ocean Explorer was held to officially welcome the new ship to Freeport. On hand for the plaque exchange were (from left) Elaine Smith (Niche Markets & Groups and Events Coordinator at the Ministry of Tourism, GB); Nuvolari Chootosingh (Niche Markets & Groups and Events Manager, Ministry of Tourism, GB) and Captain of the Ocean Explorer, Apostolos Kaknis.

Photo:Lisa Davis/BIS

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 65° F/18° C

TAMPA

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Strong winds subsid‑ ing; a shower

Partly cloudy with winds subsiding

Windy with times of clouds and sun

Partly sunny with winds subsiding

Partly sunny, a shower; windy

A couple of showers and a t‑storm

High: 79°

Low: 72°

High: 81° Low: 72°

High: 81° Low: 73°

High: 82° Low: 72°

High: 83° Low: 71°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

81° F

69° F

83°-71° F

85°-72° F

86°-70° F

87°-70° F

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: 76° F/24° C Low: 71° F/22° C

12‑25 knots

S

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 71° F/22° C

12‑25 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 72° F/22° C

E S

E

W

WEST PALM BEACH

W

uV inDex toDay

TONIGHT

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 67° F/19° C

N

| Go to AccuWeather.com

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 68° F/20° C

MIAMI

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C

8‑16 knots

KEY WEST

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 73° F/23° C

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 72° F/22° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2022

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 73° F/23° C

N

tiDes For nassau High

Low

Ht.(ft.)

11:18 a.m.

11:52 p.m.

2.4 3.2

5:28 a.m. ‑0.3 5:25 p.m. ‑0.4

Thursday

12:16 p.m. ‑‑‑‑‑

2.3 ‑‑‑‑‑

6:26 a.m. ‑0.1 6:22 p.m. ‑0.2

Friday

12:52 a.m.

1:20 p.m.

3.0 2.2

7:28 a.m.

7:26 p.m.

0.0 0.0

Saturday

1:57 a.m.

2:30 p.m.

2.9 2.2

8:34 a.m.

8:37 p.m.

0.1 0.1

Sunday

3:04 a.m.

3:41 p.m.

2.8 2.3

9:41 a.m.

9:50 p.m.

0.2 0.2

Monday

4:10 a.m.

4:47 p.m.

2.8 2.4

10:42 a.m. 0.1 10:58 p.m. 0.2

Tuesday

5:11 a.m.

5:45 p.m.

2.7 2.6

11:37 a.m. 0.0 11:59 p.m. 0.1

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C

N

S

E

W S

12‑25 knots

6:43 a.m.

7:35 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

none 9:46 a.m.

Last

New

First

Full

Apr. 23

Apr. 30

May 8

May 15

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 74° F/23° C

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 75° F/24° C

N

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 72° F/22° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

tracking map

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C

H

Ht.(ft.)

Today

CAT ISLAND

E

W

10‑20 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 .................................................... 70° F/21° C Normal high ....................................... 81° F/27° C Normal low ........................................ 69° F/21° C Last year’s high ................................. 91° F/33° C Last year’s low ................................... 71° F/22° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ................................................. 7.32” Normal year to date ..................................... 5.64”

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

12‑25 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 82° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 81° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 74° F/23° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 82° F/28° C Low: 75° F/24° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

10‑20 knots

8‑16 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

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business@tribunemedia.net

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2022

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Ex-minister faces legal fight over $1.25m debt

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net AN EX-CABINET minister yesterday slammed as “ridiculous” an escalating legal battle that he has become embroiled in over a controversial New Providence dolphin attraction that was ordered to close by the Supreme Court.

Damian Gomez QC, former minister of state for legal affairs, told Tribune Business that the US court-appointed bankruptcy trustee for Blackbeard’s Cay developer, Samir Andrawos, was “really grasping at straws” by seeking to prevent him recovering

• Gomez blasts US suit as ‘really grasping at straws’ • Court shutdown-defying dolphin facility at its heart • Principal in bankruptcy protection amid fraud claims $1.25m in outstanding legal fees owed by the tourist attraction.

He hit back after Lawrence Katz, the trustee, filed a Good Friday lawsuit in the Maryland federal bankruptcy court that

aims to stop Mr Gomez selling Mr Andrawos’ 50 percent stake in Blue Illusions, the company created to own the dolphin attraction frequented by Carnival’s cruise

Real estate firm enjoys 105% Q1 sales boost

SEE PAGE 21

passengers prior to COVID-19, and recover that alleged debt.

Asserting that the half-ownership of Blue Illusions is the property of Mr Andrawos’ bankruptcy estate, and for the benefit of all creditors not just Mr Gomez, the trustee also alleged he was acting to prevent what was described as a “fraudulent and/ or preferential transfer” to the former minister.

This, though, ignores a series of Bahamian Supreme Court rulings obtained last year by Mr Gomez that permitted him to seize 50 percent of Blue Illusions’ shares and subsequently sell this interest to recover the debt owed to him.

The former minister has yet to act

on the Supreme Court’s Order, though, and has pledged to give the trustee, Mr Andrawos and the latter’s other creditors 45 days’ notice before he auctions that stake off.

Mr Gomez, who yesterday said he was “astonished” by the trustee’s actions, added that his recent appointment as The Bahamas’ ambassador-at-large to the Inter-American Council on Human Rights (IACHR) effectively gives him diplomatic immunity from being served with the court proceedings and dragged into them.

SEE PAGE 19

Coral Harbour project ‘scaled back’ to $300m

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A BAHAMIAN real estate firm yesterday said sales volumes for the 2022 first quarter had more than doubled year-over-year to produce another record year, its principal saying: “We’re firing on all 12 cylinders.”

George Damianos, president of Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty, told Tribune Business that the strong high-end property market has sufficient “legs” to carry it through the remainder of 2022 after surpassing a then-record 2021 first quarter during the first three months of this year.

Citing a 42 percent increase in properties sold compared to the first three months of 2021, Damianos Sotheby’s - while not providing any gross figures - said its average sales price had also risen by 44 percent year-over-year while the average listing price was ahead by 38 percent.

“We anticipated that 2021 activity would continue on into 2022, which is has,” Mr Damianos told this newspaper. “We’re very thankful and very fortunate to have that. Yes, we are up. We’ve had a nice first quarter.

We’re hoping we’ll have a good second quarter, third quarter and fourth quarter.

I’m very optimistic about The Bahamas; I think we have a lot going for us here.

“Things are looking good for the second quarter as well. The higher end of the market seems to have the momentum, but I’m pretty sure most of the real estate companies in The Bahamas, the brokerage companies, are seeing an uptick in business and doing well. I’m sure there’s activity in the local market as well as the high-end.

“I think everybody has got their shoulders to the wheel,” he added of his realtors. “We’re functioning on all 12 cylinders right now. We’re working hard, and all factors are coming home to roost right now.

I think this will continue for a little bit more. It’s all the great ingredients we’ve had in the past. It does have legs. We’ll see what happens next year, but it already has

DAMIAN GOMEZ QC

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A “MEGA project” targeted for Coral Harbour “has been scaled back significantly” with an up-to-$300m investment targeted for its initial development phase, its Bahamian attorney said yesterday.

Valentine Grimes told Tribune Business that Coral Harbour Development’s principals have much reduced their ambitions from an initial plan which, based on architects’ drawings seen by this newspaper, appeared to call for skyscrapers and multiple highrise buildings to be constructed on a 1,000-acre site on New Providence’s southern shores.

The renderings, which can be viewed on the Winstanley Architects and Planners’

• Initial plans called for southern shore skyscrapers • Principals meet with PM, DPM to gain momentum • Attorney says ‘4plus months’ from seeking permits website, were part of what was billed as a “15 project master plan” that called for the construction of some six hotels, four marinas, two golf courses and no less than 3,500 condominiums in a development that

Bahamas largely compliant on key tax evasion ‘action’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas has been cited for just relatively minor deficiencies by an Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) review of its compliance with a key anti-tax evasion standard.

The Paris-headquartered forum, in a just-published assessment of The Bahamas’ adherence to “action 14” of its Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) initiative simply called on this nation to be more transparent when it came to disclosing the mechanisms and processes for resolving tax-related disputes.

Dispute resolution, via the so-called mutual agreement procedure (MAP), is at the heart of “action 14” which is one of the standards that The Bahamas has

SEE PAGE 21

Coral Harbour developer meets with PM and DPM would have dwarfed both Atlantis and Baha Mar in scale and size.

The Coral Harbour Development project has been on the drawing board since 2014, according to its principals’ social media

SEE PAGE 20

Realtor seeing record property ‘bidding wars’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A BAHAMIAN realtor yesterday said a record number of “bidding wars” are erupting over lower to mid-market properties due to a limited supply that is unable to keep up with still-buoyant market demand.

Matt Sweeting, broker with 1 Oak Bahamas, told Tribune Business that sellers are currently less willing to negotiate on purchase price and coming down “2-5 percent if at all” as opposed to up to 15 percent discounts that some accepted in the past.

Disclosing that buyers are also turning more to bank-repossessed and distressed properties to find their “ideal” purchases, he added that market activity in early 2022 had remained as strong as the

same period in 2021 with many would-be purchasers having spent more than a year searching for a home.

“The 2022 first quarter has been equally as busy as the first quarter in 2021,” Mr Sweeting told this newspaper. “We’re anticipating that this year to be just as positive as last year. We think that bull market that we saw in 2021 is continuing on in 2022, and that is indicated by the first quarter numbers.”

With market demand and buyer interest still high in the local segment, he added: “There’s not a lot of inventory on the market, so people looking for real estate last year are still on the market.

We’ve found a lot of buyers in the market from the first quarter last year are still trying to find their ideal piece of property in 2022.

SEE PAGE 21

CORAL Harbour Development executives recently paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Philip Davis (third right) at the Office of the Prime Minister. Pictured L to R: Davis Davis, permanent secretary, Office of the Prime Minister; Voldemaras Kanchas, Coral Harbour Development project manager; Aboudi Debs, Coral Harbour Development principal/president; the Prime Minister; Farid Abou Fadel, Coral Harbour Development principal/ senior vice-president; and Valentine Grimes, Coral Harbour Development's attorney.

ATTORNEY Valentine Grimes and Coral Harbour Development executives met with Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments and aviation, at his ministry's offices.

Pictured standing from L to R: Mr Grimes; Aboudi Debs, principal/ president and chief executive, Coral Harbour Development (CHD); Mr Cooper; Farid Abou Fadel, principal/senior vicepresident and managing director, Coral Harbour Development (CHD); and Voldemaras Kanchas, project director, Coral Harbour Development.

Photo:Kemuel Stubbs/ BIS